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Blood Bond	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4278 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
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Gifts

Once Zelda was finished replacing her armor, adjusting it to her body, she looked at herself in the mirror, seeing an image of herself that she liked better. She went about putting up her hair in the style she liked best; the three little tails that she made at the hairline. Two located behind her ears, while the third at the back of her neck. It wasn’t very stylish, and nothing any normal noblewoman would be caught with in public, but Zelda didn’t consider herself a normal noblewoman. In fact, she wasn’t even sure she could be considered a noble anymore because of her Grey Warden status. Either way, Zelda didn’t care. She had been wearing this hair style with leather armor for as long as she could remember, and she would keep doing it no matter what she was considered or not.
Rupee was fast asleep on the bed. Occasionally she would lightly bark and twitch her hind leg. Zelda made her way to the small window over the bed and looked out to see that it was past dusk. She could see the lake, and across from it, the illuminating lights of the village.
As she peered out, she sensed a calmness in the dark that was peaceful. It was nice to feel after so much pain and misery that had occurred in the last several days. She was glad to see that the village was at peace. That tonight was a night the villagers could truly sleep without worries. How long it would last, though, Zelda was uncertain. Even though the demon here had been defeated, the darkspawn were still out there. The archdemon was still on the move.
Even though it was dark, with the moon hanging over the lake, Zelda didn’t feel sleepy at all. Possibly because of how long she had slept. As she stood there, staring out the window, she knew this would be a good time to go see Jowan. She needed to talk to him, needed to know his reaction. Zelda made up her mind then headed toward the door. Rupee never shifted or woke as her mistress left the room.
“Hmm, I wonder if Esumi is still awake,” Zelda thought out loud. “I’m sure she would love to see her friend again.” She made her way down the hall, toward the royal bedchambers. As she went, she was greeted by servants who were lighting the torches in the hallway. It made her a little worried at first by the fires, as in Highever the torches were only lit in the walkway that was opened to the sky. But Redcliffe had no such walkway. It was much colder in this part of Ferelden, so everything was closed in with only small slitted windows. As she thought about it, it made her claustrophobia start to ache in her chest. She tried to suppress it the best she could, as she was going to be here for awhile. It was manageable, but she thought it might be best to ask either Wynne or Esumi if they had anything that could help.
As she made her way into the chamber, Zelda saw that the door to Connor’s bedroom was closed. She also noticed that Isolde was no where in the area. It was late, so she wondered what the arlessa was doing. She was probably busy with the errands of the castle. Zelda's father would usually not come to bed for many hours after she and her mother did. This, she was sure, was what Isolde was occupied with.
When Zelda entered the arl’s room, she noticed how sad it felt. The room was heavy with it and it made her stop and take a deep sigh. She saw Esumi sitting next to the bed, just as she had thought. The mage was reading a book by the candle light. Plant’s of the Anderfels was the name on the spine. Apparently she was still looking for the source of the poison that was plaguing the arl. Zelda noticed a few piles of books on the desk next to Esumi. They all appeared to be about similar topics: plants, animals, and other such things that created toxins and poisons. Cullen was also at the desk, slumped over with his face in a book, sound asleep. He looked oddly peaceful, if uncomfortable.
“Ah, Zelda!” Esumi said seeing her over the book. “Good evening. What brings you here?” She closed the book and placed it gently on the desk not to disturb Cullen.
“Well, I wanted to come and check on the arl, first,” said Zelda as she walked over to the bed. She peered down at the arl and saw that he looked no different from the last time she saw him. He wasn’t any better, but at least he wasn’t worse.
“Unfortunately there’s been no progress,” Esumi sighed. “But at least I’ve been able to stop his decline, which started to occur a few hours after the demon was killed. The problem is, if I don’t find out the source of the illness, I’m afraid my efforts will not be enough.”
“You’re doing what you can, and I thank you. I’m sure Isolde and Teagan are thankful as well. If he dies, it won’t be because you didn’t do your best.”
Esumi nodded and hung her head. “What was the other reason you wanted to come in here?”
“I want to go speak with Jowan, and I thought you might want to come with me.”
“Oh?” Esumi brought back up her head and looked at Zelda quizzically. “What is it you want to talk to him about?”
“First, I want to get his opinion on becoming a Grey Warden... not that he’s going to be one anytime soon. It’s just one of the things I’ve been thinking about that I might have to do in order to save his life. It’s not the best idea, and I’m only going to use it as a last resource, and... Why are you laughing?”
“Because,” Esumi chuckled. “I love him dearly, but I just cannot see him as a Grey Warden. I know you mean well by it, but I already know what he’s going to say when you ask him.”
“Maybe,” Zelda said smiling. “But it never hurts to ask. I also just want to know more about him. You and my brother seem to be very close to him. I don’t see why I shouldn’t try and understand him, at least. This is why I wanted to ask if you wanted to come. I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you as well. That is, of course, if you can leave the arl.”
“Oh, I can leave him for a time,” she said standing up and dusting off her robe. Zelda noticed that she actually wore her robes quite differently than the other mages. Esumi’s robes were wrapped around her with a wide fabric belt that stretched across her abdomen. It was tied in the back in a somewhat square-shaped knot that took up her entire back from the bottom of her shoulder blades to her lower back. A little pocket was also made with the belt to place her staff in on her back.
Esumi checked on the arl one last time before she walked to Zelda and smiled at her. “Shall we go?”
“What about Cullen?” Zelda asked as she gestured toward the templar. “Isn’t he going to be mad if he wakes and finds you not here?”
This made Esumi giggle. “Oh, don’t worry about him. He’s not my keeper or anything. If he did happen to wake, then yes, he probably would be mad, but then he would get over it and come and find me. But you don’t need to worry about that. He’s not waking any time soon. Trust me.”
Zelda raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know?”
“Because I put a sleeping spell on him.” This made Zelda’s eyes widen. “Oh, don’t look so shocked,” said Esumi. “He might be a templar, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be put under spells. Anyway, I did it because he was so exhausted, but yet refused to rest. He was determined to help me, and nothing I said could convince him otherwise.”
“I think it might also be because he doesn’t want to lose you again.”
“That too, but he knows better than to worry too much about me.” Esumi sighed. She then walked over to Cullen and gently took the book from under his head and replaced it with a pillow. Her fingers slowly stroked his check and moved some of his hair from his eyes. Cullen hummed, and moved his head slightly with her fingers. Zelda saw the peace and happiness that crossed his face, and knew beyond a doubt how much he loved her. Even in his sleep he was showing it. Whether that was a good thing or not... at least Zelda was the only one in the room.
“Are you sure he’s not going to wake up now, after you’ve done that?”
Esumi placed a blanket over him then turned to Zelda and smiled. “Don’t worry. I made the spell so he will only wake either when I say or in the morning, when the sun comes up. Now, if you are ready, I am eager to see my friend.”
“Of course.” Zelda turned and lead the way out of the bedroom and into the hallway.
***
Zelda and Esumi made their way through the castle before coming to the door that lead down to the dungeons. Zelda stood in front of it, staring down the stairs that lead into darkness. Only a small glow from torches could be seen coming up the stairs. It was beginning to make her chest tighten. Just the thought of going down those stairs was enough to almost send her into hyperventilation.
Esumi didn’t seem to notice Zelda’s stop and started heading down the stairs herself. It was only when she realized Zelda wasn’t following her that she turned around to find her still standing where she was. “Are you coming?” Esumi asked.
“Just... Uh... I need a minute,” Zelda muttered.
Esumi looked at her curiously. “Are you all right?”
“I, uh... Say, Esumi, there isn’t some type of spell out there that can help with phobias, is there?”
“Don’t tell me a warrior like you has nyctophobia?”
“No, I’m not afraid of the dark. I just... can’t take inclosed spaces. Even this castle is making my chest tight. And going down in that dungeon... I’m starting to think this was a bad idea.”
Esumi came fully up the stairs and stood by Zelda. “Well, there isn’t a real cure, but I think there’s something I can do that will hopefully help. Are you willing?”
“Of course,” Zelda said nodding her head. “Anything to get rid of this... tightness.”
“Right.” Esumi faced Zelda. She was shorter than the human so she had to get on her toes in order to fully look Zelda in the eyes. “This won’t hurt, but stay still.”
Zelda swallowed as she felt something tingle around her body. She knew she was safe. She knew that Esumi wasn’t going to hurt her, but the fear of magic had been ingrained in her mind ever since she was a little girl. That’s just how it was growing up in the Chantry. Magic was feared, but Zelda always thought herself above the fear. She had been saved by it many times, and had it even healed her more times than she even knew. She thought perhaps the only reason why she was fearing it right now was because of her claustrophobia. Esumi was pretty close to her after all.
After only a few seconds, though, Esumi backed away and smiled at her. “Better?”
At first Zelda didn’t feel any different, but then she noticed the tightness in her chest was gone. Her phobia wasn’t completely gone though, because she could still feel the walls closing in on her, but she found she could easily ignore the feeling.
“Better, yes,” she said. “Thank you, Esumi.”
“It’s not a permanent solution. It won’t last very long, and I don’t think it’ll work if we do it again. Maybe Wynne might know something better. You might want to ask her next time you see her.”
“I will. What did you do to me, by the way?”
“I just used a few healing spells I know that help to relax the circulatory system. Your heart was racing, so I had to slow it down. I then also used some calming spells, but like I said, they probably won’t work next time. The mind has a way of blocking them if they’re used too many times on a person, and especially if that person is anxious.”
“Thank you again,” said Zelda. “Now let us go speak to Jowan before they wear off.”
Together the two women descended the stairs. Zelda did find herself much calmer and relaxed. She was glad Esumi was here to help with her fear, but she knew that if she was going to get over it, she would have to do it herself.
Esumi lead the way through the dungeon as Zelda was still unsure which way to go, being in hysterics the last time she was down here. When they reached Jowan’s cell, they found one guard to be sitting next to the door. He was asleep and snoring very loudly. They actually could hear him as they made their way through the dungeon.
“Is he suppose to be asleep?” Esumi asked.
“I don’t think so,” answered Zelda. “But why would Jowan need a guard anyway?”
“Because they still don’t trust me,” said Jowan as he poked his head out the bars. “Hey Esumi. I thought I heard your voice.”
“Jowan!” Esumi said gleefully as she bonded toward his cell door. “It’s so good to see you again!”
Jowan chuckled. “You act as if we haven’t seen each other in forever. What’s going on? Why are you two down here?”
Zelda had come next to Esumi and was about to speak before Esumi spoke first. “What are you wearing?” she asked staring at Jowan’s clothes. “Are those your apprentice robes still?”
“Yes...”
“How long has it been since you escaped and you’re still wearing those rags?” They all took a good look at his robes and noticed that they were worn with stains, rips, and tares.
“Well,” said Jowan. “When you’re being chased by templars, you can’t really stop long enough to get something new to wear.”
“But what about when you were hear as a teacher to Connor?”
“I did change occasionally, but I guess this is what I was wearing when they put me in here.”
“Oh Jowan,” Esumi sighed. “What are we going to do with you? We need to find him some new clothes,” she said to Zelda.
“We can do that,” said Zelda. “But first I want to know: that wasn’t your dinner, was it?”
Jowan looked down at the floor to a tray that had a loaf of bread and a cup of water. “Yeah.”
“Ugh,” Zelda retched. The bread looked old and the water had a brown tent to it. “Why are they treating you so horribly after what you did?”
“It’s better than before. They used to feed me, well... nothing.”
Both Zelda and Esumi shook their heads. “And that’s the best they can give you now?” Zelda turned to Esumi. “Esumi, do you think you could magically open the door or something?”
Esumi looked at the lock then shook her head. “Nope. There’s an enchantment on it to not allow any type of magic.”
“What, why?”
“Cullen put it there,” said Jowan. “And before you start, I asked him to do it. That way he could report that he did and wouldn’t get in trouble. He was reluctant at first, but eventually he did.”
“Then I guess we’ll just have to open your cell the old fashion way,” said Zelda as she searched the guard. She found the keys on his belt and went to open the door.
“What are you doing?” Jowan asked as she did so. “Why are you letting me out?”
“To get you a decent meal and some clean clothes. There’s no sense for you to stay in here with stale bread and dirty water.” Zelda opened the door fully and smiled at him. Jowan stared at her, unsure of what to think.
“Just come on, Jowan,” said Esumi.
“But... I’m a prisoner.”
“If you’re with me,” Zelda said. “Then it’ll be fine. Plus it’s night, so there aren’t going to be many people awake right now. You’ll be fine.”
“What about him?” Jowan gestured toward the sleeping guard. “What if he wakes and finds I’m not in the cell?”
“Hmm.” Esumi took a look at him. “Do you two think you could move him over just a bit?” Zelda was the only one who did as Jowan was still unsure if he should leave his cell or not. Once Zelda got the guard far enough away, surprised that he was still asleep, Esumi then went in front of him and waved her hands above his head. “There,” she said. “We’re good now.”
“What did you do?” Jowan asked.
“I just put a sleeping spell on him. Now he won’t wake until I return and take it off.”
“What is with you and sleeping spells tonight?” said Zelda.
“Hey, they’re needed. Besides, like I said, Cullen needed sleep, and there was no way he was going to do it on his own.”
Jowan shook his head at her. “I remember when you were a good mage. When did you change?”
“I’m still a good mage. I just... care too much... maybe.”
“Whatever the reason, let’s go,” said Zelda as she grabbed Jowan’s arm and yanked him out of the cell. They walked out of the dungeon and went out through the court outside so Zelda could get some fresh air. Esumi’s spell was still working, but it felt good for her to breathe in the air anyway. It also felt nice to see the stars in the sky, as it was a cloudless night. Jowan was just as happy to be under the stars as he looked up at them and breathed in deeply.
Once they were back inside the castle, Jowan stuck close to Zelda. The halls were empty except for a few servants and a couple of guards. The guards gave Jowan strange looks but they didn’t do much as Zelda passed, except to greet her and Esumi.
“You need to relax, Jowan,” said Zelda when she saw how tense he was. “As long as you’re with me, everything will be fine.”
The first place they stopped was the laundry to pick up some clean clothes for Jowan. They stayed there for awhile as the two women went about looking for something that would fit but also look good on him. Jowan just stood where he was, worried about being caught than what he should wear. Finally Zelda and Esumi settled on a pair of light brown trousers and a white tunic. They let Jowan change before heading next to the kitchen.
When they entered the kitchen, there was only one cook still awake. She was preparing several things for tomorrow. When she saw the three come in, she greeted them and asked if they needed anything. Zelda asked for a bowl of stew and bread for her friend. The cook handed the bowl to Jowan and asked if anyone needed anything else. Both Zelda and Esumi declined as neither of them were hungry. Once Jowan had something to eat, they walked into the mess hall and sat down.
The girls sat quietly, allowing Jowan to eat. He ate the stew and bread fast, as if he were starving. Zelda still couldn’t believe that Teagan and Isolde were treating him like this. Even if he did poison the arl, he did also save Connor’s life. And Jowan just didn’t seem like the type to do anything else bad. She was more determined than ever to try and save his life now.
“Do you feel better?” Zelda asked when she saw he was done.
“Yeah. Sorry if I don’t have very good table manners at the moment.”
“Quit saying sorry,” said Esumi. “You were hungry.”
Jowan pushed the bowl away from him and looked at the two women in turn. “So... Now what?”
“I have a question for you,” said Zelda. “It’s something I need to know first before I do anything, cause I want to help you. The only problem is, I don’t know how to do that yet. So, I need to know... what do you think of becoming a Grey Warden?”
“What?” Jowan raised his eyebrows at her.
“I told you,” Esumi giggled.
Jowan looked at her, then back at Zelda. “Is that really the only way?”
“No,” said Zelda. “There is getting you pardoned by both the king and the grand cleric, but we all know how that’s going to go. Especially now.”
Jowan stared down at the table. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, Zelda, but being a Grey Warden? I’m not really liking the idea. And... you really shouldn’t be trying to free me anyway. I deserve this.”
“No you don’t. Now I know you might've made some mistakes, but that doesn’t mean you deserve this fate. I promise you, no matter what, I will make sure you are set free.”
Jowan’s eyes met with hers and she could see a new light in them that looked like hope.
“There you are,” Esumi sighed. “I haven’t seen that Jowan in a long time.”
“It’s been awhile since I’ve had someone care,” he said smiling at both of them.
“Which is a sad thing,” said Zelda. “Look, obviously I can’t do anything now, as you don’t want to become a Grey Warden. Even if I did conscript you, I’m not sure how safe you would be anyway. So, whatever happens, I will only conscript you as a last resort. Until then, I will do whatever it takes to keep you alive. You have my word as a Cousland and a Grey Warden. This will be my gift to you, and my thanks.”
***
It took Lisha most of the night to finish Arawin’s tattoo. Once Arawin awoke from talking with Zelda, Lisha was only half-way done. She used the light of a torch she lit while Arawin was out in order to see since it had become dark. When Lisha was done, Arawin’s right face felt swollen and numb. Lisha gave her some cream to put on the skin to keep it from getting infected and to help with the swelling. She found it hard to see out of her right eye somewhat, so Lisha helped her back to the camp and into her landship.
Within the landship, Lisha let Arawin lay down on her daughter’s bed and there, Arawin fell right to sleep. She had felt tired all day from the exhausting events with the werewolves, as well as with everything that happened afterwards.
When Arawin awoke the next morning, she found herself alone in the landship. Lisha was no where in sight. Her bed didn’t look like it had been slept in. Arawin figured she had probably gone and slept with Dayno, or at least was with him the rest of the night. He was still too sick and weak to be aloud out of Lanaya’s sights, as Zathrien’s First wasn’t going to let any of the sick elves go until she deemed them healthy enough for their family members to take them back. They may have been cured, but there were still things that could go wrong.
As Arawin stretched and combed her hand through her hair, she noticed her new set of armor along with her weapons lying on the bigger bed. The gloves of Zevran’s mother were also there. Hopping up, she grabbed the armor and began putting it on. When she was done, and had all her weapons positioned on her back, Arawin found herself looking in the mirror. In the reflection she could see the tattoo for the very first time. It was a feather that wrapped around her eye then on the outside, dipped down and curved slightly up on her check bone. It wasn’t an exact match to Lisha’s wave or Dayno’s leaf, but it was close enough, and what Arawin wanted.
As she studied it, she also began to notice the change in her. Not just with how her body was changing, but just with her appearance. She looked more like a Dalish hunter now more than anything. Full armor, longbow, even her swords were of Dalish make. Now she had a tattoo to match. Arawin wondered if anyone from her past would recognize her. Would Shianni? Would Soris? Would her father? Thinking of them made her heart ache. How so much she missed them. She longed to see her family again, to walk the back alleys, to tell Shianni of all the adventures she’s had since leaving.
Shianni, yes. That would be her main goal after finding Brother Genitivi. After hearing about Zathrian’s plight and killing the werewolves, all she could think about whenever she had a free moment was her young cousin. Not knowing if she was all right was driving her crazy. It was the main reason why she hadn’t fought with Zelda over the decision. But other things were making her heart hurt as well. Even though she longed to see her family in Denerim, she also didn’t want to leave the new one she had created right here; Lisha, Dayno, the entire clan. They all felt like a family to her now. But despite what she felt, Arawin knew that she couldn’t stay. She had a duty that came first. As a Grey Warden, she had already left her family, and now for the same reason, she would have to leave her second.
First thing was first, though. Arawin turned to leave the landship so she could make her way and find the others to tell them of the new plans. As she walked about the camp, many of the Dalish greeted her with respect, even marveling at the new tattoo about her eye. She could hear whispers, but none of them seemed harsh or angry. Arawin found Morrigan first, in a humorous situation. She had apparently, despite her protests, become the new fascination of the Dalish children. She was human and a mage and dressed in a completely different way than the rest of the clan. For some reason they liked to play with her. See how close they could get before making her angry and run away giggling. It was quite fun to watch.
“Get away from me, you little brats!” Morrigan yelled, sending them away. “I’ll turn you all into toads! I don’t care if your parents are close!”
“Morrigan, I didn’t know you were so good with children,” said Arawin as she stood beside the witch.
“Don’t make me turn you into a toad as well,” Morrigan huffed. “Perhaps you could do something about them?”
Arawin laughed at her. “What did you do to get their attention?”
“Nothing. I was just flying through the trees as an owl before turning back human and coming into the camp.”
“They must have seen you, then. Maybe you should turn back into an owl and fly away until we leave tomorrow?”
“We are leaving?” Morrigan asked. “Thank whatever it is you worship now.”
“Yes, I talked with Zelda and she wants us to go to Denerim to...” Arawin began to laugh again. “Your going to love this. To find information on the Urn of Sacred Ashes.”
Morrigan cocked her eyebrows at her. “And what good will the charred remains of a dead woman do us against the Blight, might I ask?”
“I’m not sure how much you know about the Urn, but the Ashes are said to have magical healing powers that can cure any disease. Apparently the arl of Redcliffe is in a coma and nothing can wake him, so the only hope we may have is to find the Urn and obtain some ashes to cure him.”
Morrigan rolled her eyes. “‘Tis nothing but a waste of time, I think. And most morbid. Cannibalism is seen as a sin in your Chantry, yet feeding the ashes of your saint to a sick man isn’t?”
“I don’t make up the rules, Morrigan. Unless you happen to know what’s killing the man, I’m afraid going after the Ashes is all we can do. And we’re healing the arl because he is the only one that can help us with Loghain. Dealing with him and the mess he’s making is something that needs to be done in order to end the Blight. Besides getting the treaties.”
Morrigan sighed. “More fun I see. Very well.”
“Good. Just get done whatever you need to do, then we’ll head out tomorrow morning, first thing.”
Arawin left Morrigan as the children got brave and swarmed around her in one large group. The last thing Arawin heard was Morrigan yelling at them to get away before a large set of wings broke the air. The children both laughed and screamed as they ran away from the large bird that had taken flight for the refuge of the treetops. Arawin couldn’t help but to laugh herself.
Finding Sten wasn’t hard as he was the tallest being in the whole camp. She found him with master Varathorn. He was looking over a greatsword that the craftsmaster had given him. The blade wasn’t of Dalish make, as the Dalish had no need for such large swords. While traveling, they had come across it and decided to take it with them to sell to any human merchants they might come across. This is what they did with most of the things they found on their travels they would not use for themselves. Varathorn had given Sten the sword for free for obvious reasons. He had also wanted to give Sten new armor as well, but because the Qunari was too large for any of the current armor he had, Varathorn was reduced to just fixing Sten’s own for him. At first Sten was reluctant, but eventually gave in.
When Arawin came to Sten she explained to him everything that she had told Morrigan. Sten only acknowledged her with a grunt as he went back to polishing the red steel greatsword. She was about ready to leave him when she realized throughout her whole trek through the camp that she had not seen a single sign of Zevran.
“Hey Sten, have you seen Zev lately?”
“No. I have not seen the assassin within the last hour,” Sten said not taking his eyes off his work.
“Okay, so where did you see him an hour ago?”
“Here.”
Arawin huffed. “Could you please give me a straight answer for once?”
“I don’t understand?” Sten said looking up at her. “I did give you a straight answer.”
“Fine. Where did he go?”
“Away.”
Arawin glared at the Qunari as he went back to his work. “That’s not funny.”
“I’m not laughing.”
“If you want to know where he went,” said Varathorn. “Then I could tell you.”
“Could you please, Varathorn?”
“Sure, and might I say how wonderful you look, Arawin. I’m glad Lisha was able to pass on her legacy at least. We were worried about her.”
Arawin smiled knowing Varathorn recognized the armor and bow that she was wearing. “Yes. It’s the least I could do for her for what she has done for me.”
“Indeed. Losing a child if very tough. Especially when Ariel was the only child we lost in the attack. We are fortunate for that in a way. But even one child lost is one too many.”
Arawin nodded and placed her hand on the right side of her face. It felt a little swollen and sore still, but it was worth it.
“As for Zevran,” said Varathorn as he tried to change the subject back to what they were talking about. “After I gave him his new equipment, he went over to the training field to test it out. It’s just that way.” He pointed toward a path between the trees next to his landship.
“Thanks. I’ll go see him right now. But... before I go, where is Lisha? Is she with Dayno?”
“She was during the night, but she left early this morning with a couple of hunters. They are going to gather for the great feast we will be having tonight in your honor. A way for us to thank you proper. We are in more debt to you than we could ever pay.”
“There’s no need,” said Arawin. “But I appreciate it. It’ll be a nice farewell until we meet on the battlefield against the darkspawn.”
Varathorn bowed to her and Arawin bowed back. She then made her way down the path and toward the training field to find Zevran.
***
Arawin found herself in another open field. It was smaller than the one used for the planting of the dead. Instead, it had been temporally configured into a training ground. Just as in Ostagar, at the far end of the field were stuffed dummies and rounded targets. Some of the dummies were even stuffed to resemble werewolves. These dummies were the most abused and torn to pieces.
Arawin found the training field to be empty except for a figure at the end aiming at a target. She began to walk toward him, knowing that she had found Zevran. As she walked, she watched him as he aimed and fired, testing out his new bow. Varathorn had given him a shortbow, one that scouts used. As she neared him, Arawin noticed a pile next to his feet. It was the new armor he had also be given, as well as a new dagger. He still had one of his Crow daggers, unwilling to give it up just as Arawin was unwilling to give up Fang. The other dagger, though, was a Dalish one called Dar’Misu. It was made of the same material as Arawin’s own Dar’Misaan; verideum. The bow she wasn’t so sure of, but she could definitely see how good he was with it.
Most of his arrows were clustered in the center of the target, and it didn’t take him very long to aim. Arawin was impressed, but it made her wonder more about him. It was something that had always been in the back of her mind. When he had ambushed her and they fought for the first time, she could tell that he was holding back on her. She wasn’t sure why, and she still didn’t understand it. Seeing him now as well as seeing him as he fought before confirmed to her that he had been holding back. And from what she saw, Arawin knew, even though she would never admit it out loud, that if Zevran hadn’t held back, she would probably be dead.
As she got closer, slowly coming up to his back, she began to notice something else. Zevran wasn’t wearing a shirt. He was only in his trousers as he practiced. Even though she had seen him naked before, it had always been at night and never in daylight. She could see the beautiful bronze of his skin as it glistened with sweat in the sunlight. His tattoos were also more pronounced, deep black and shiny. She had never seen the ones on his back before, or just never payed attention, and they were truly a sight to behold. Just as the ones on his chest, the tattoos shaped themselves to the contours of his muscles. They made their way down, some disappearing around his waist while others curved around a design then disappeared into his trousers. The design was what caught Arawin’s eye, holding her there. It was located on the small of his back, part of it hidden by the waist strap of his pants. It looked up at her like two eyes with what appeared to be feathers draping down. The way the feathers were seemed as if they were tears of blood.
Arawin had seen this tattoo before. It was on an elf who had visited the alienage long ago when she was a little girl. The tattoo had been on his face, and he only came to the alienage for one day. During that day, no one who saw him would go near him. Not after they saw that tattoo, anyway. Arawin was too young at the time to understand why people were afraid of him just because of a tattoo. She had asked her father what it meant, but he had only told her to not worry about it. Her father’s words didn’t make her feel any better, but now, as she stared at the very same tattoo that she had seen so long ago, she now understood the fear.
But Zevran didn’t bring fear in her. Instead, he brought something else that always seemed to start in the pit of her stomach. A warmth that then would spread throughout her body, tingling her skin and clouding her mind. It was a feeling Arawin wasn’t sure what to make of. In one way, she liked it, but in another she hated it. The feeling always made her feel weak, which was something she hated more than anything. But at the same time, it was feeling weak that she liked. It confused her.
“Are you enjoying the view?” Zevran asked her as he took another arrow and notched it in the bow. He never turned around to look at her. It was no surprise to her that he knew she was there.
“I’m just here to—Ah!” In a motion so fast Arawin could barely register, Zevran turned and shot the arrow at her. She went to duck from the arrow’s path, but she was too slow and too close. The arrow went straight for her abdomen, but bounced off her skin harmlessly, if not without a little sting, as the enchantment of her armor kicked in. The arrow landed on the ground with a flop.
“So that armor works pretty well, I can see,” Zevran said smiling at her.
“You bastard!” Arawin screamed, not in the mood for his banter. “What are you trying to do? Kill me again!” She growled at him, ready to attack.
Zevran laughed at her. “No, no my dear. If I was trying to kill you I would've aimed for your head. I simply wanted to test your reflexes and that beautiful new armor of yours, and also see--” Up to this point, Zevran hadn’t looked at her fully. It wasn’t until he fully turned around and looked at her face that he noticed everything. He stopped in mid-sentence and gawked at her, eyes slightly wide as he, for once, didn’t know what to say.
Arawin was pleased by his sudden silence. She stood fully straight and allowed him to get a good look at her. She turned her head so he could see the tattoo around her eye more clearly. “You like?” she said now smiling. His recent arrow attack forgotten.
Zevran soon got back his composure and gave her his famous smile. “You are just full of surprises, mi querida. Who knew you could just transfer into a beautiful Dalish hunter over night! I would have to say I am impressed and... quite taken.”
“Good, but I didn’t come here to show off.” Or maybe I did? “I came here to tell you several things.”
“Oh? And what might those be?” he asked as he put his bow down to give her his complete attention.
“Well first, I talked with Zelda and I’ve decided that we’ll be leaving tomorrow morning and head towards Denerim. We’re going to be looking for any information that we can find from a man named Brother Genitivi about the Urn of Sacred Ashes. You know what that is, right?”
“Please don’t insult me, Hermosa. If I might assume, are we looking for the Urn to help heal somebody?”
Arawin nodded. “The arl of Redcliffe has been poisoned and nothing Zelda and them have done seems to work. They don’t even know what he was poisoned with.”
“Really? What are his symptoms?”
“Uh...” Arawin had to think for a moment. Zelda hadn’t really told her anything like that, but she had gotten some type of sense about what was happening with him. “He’s in a coma, unable to wake by any means, magical or otherwise.”
“Hmm, and what about his breathing? Is he having trouble breathing? His circulation? Is he paralyzed?”
Arawin blinked at his questions. “I, uh... I don’t know all that. I think he’s having trouble breathing, but the mage there has it under control, and... How are you suppose to know a person in a coma is paralyzed?”
“Ah, just as such,” Zevran said crossing his arms. “It could be a number of things that has been given to him, but I’m afraid I’m no help unless I was there. Then I could give a better analysis.”
“If mages can’t even figure it out, what makes you think you can?”
“I do happen to be a poison master, my dear Ara. If there is a poison I don’t know about, then it doesn’t exist.”
Arawin smirked, knowing that he was probably right. He more than likely could help to solve the mystery, but unfortunately he wasn’t there.
“Was that it?” he asked her. “I thought you said there were several things?”
“Oh, yes.” Arawin reached behind her and pulled out the pair of gloves from her waist. She then tossed them to him. “These are for you,” she said.
Zevran caught them and stared at them peculiarly. “Gloves...?” he asked slowly. “You’re giving me gloves? What for?”
“If you don’t want them, then give them back,” Arawin said crossing her arms.
“I did not mean to sound ungrateful, it is just... Wait, are these Dalsih? They appear much like the gloves that belonged to my mother.”
“That’s because they are your mother’s gloves.”
Zevran’s eyes went wide and he held out the gloves in front of him. He held them not like they were a dirty piece of laundry, but more as if they were a holy relic that he wasn’t sure he should be touching. “They are?”
“Yeah. Lisha was keeping them and thought you might want to have them. They’re a little different than the ones you had before.”
“Yes, I see,” he said as he started examining them. “The leather was less thick, and it had more embroidery... but these are very close.”
“Those are actually made for battle purposes,” said Arawin. “So you can wear them if you want.”
Zevran slipped them on and saw that they fit him perfectly. He marveled at them, lifting up his hand and flipping it around so he could get a good look all around. “Yes, I love them. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I know how it feels to have something that belongs to your mother. These boots were my mom’s as well as my dagger, Fang. I’m very proud and honored to be wearing them. Course, I think you should probably thank Lisha more than me. After all, she’s the one that really gave them to you. Those might be the last thing she has of her sister’s, so she’s probably giving up a lot.”
Zevran took off the gloves and placed them in the pile. He then walked to Arawin and looked deeply into her eyes. “I will. But for now, I believe I should thank you properly.”
“There’s no need... for... that...” She slowed down as he leaned toward her and gently kissed the swollen part of her face. She felt his lips caress the tattoo just under her eye. He then slowly began making his way down her check and to her neck leaving a trail of little kisses.
“Oh, I think there is,” he whispered to her neck. He hummed and the vibrations made Arawin tremble. She felt that feeling again fluttering in her stomach, as well as her skin growing hot.
“Zev...”
He made his way back up her neck and started suckling on her ear lobe. His hands moved independently of each other. One went to the small of her back and pulled her closer to him while the other traced the curve of her hip, going down before settling on the inside of her thighs. His fingers inched their way, parting the leather tassels of her skirt, and soon after searching through leather and fabric found their way to her center. Arawin moaned as she felt two of his fingers enter her, while his thumb found the little nub that had started to swell.
“Ah, I like it,” he whispered in her ear. “Easy access.” His hot breath made Arawin shiver as the feeling in her stomach began to spread through her body. She was feeling weak in the knees and the rubbing of his thumb and the slow motion of his fingers wasn’t helping.
“You... shouldn’t...” It was all Arawin could say as he pushed in deeper and rubbed harder. Moans and whimpers escaped her throat. She had to hold on to his shoulders as he also renewed his attack on her neck. He settled at the nape and sucked in her skin. His tongue finding that sensitive spot he knew she loved.
“You know you like it,” he said as he slipped a third finger inside. This made her hands clench his shoulders and her head fall back.
“You’re... driving me... crazy...” she said in between gasps.
“And do you know how simply wild you drive me? Especially now that you have this.” Zevran kissed her tattoo again as well as her eye. “I just thought I should return the favor.” He smiled at her as he increased his speed. He began feeling her hips rock back and forth on his hand as he did so. He pressed deeper and faster as he knew her climax was pending. He watched her intently as the pleasure racked through her, so much so that he was now holding her up. He went on one knee while sitting her on the other, keeping her close with his other hand on her back. He then pushed in as deep as he could with all his fingers as well as pressed down hard on her swollen nub. This caused Arawin to cry out in ecstasy as her channel tightened around his hand and heat spilled from all over her body. Zevran removed his hand and allowed her to breathe as the passion within her settled.
“You slimy little weasel,” she said glaring up at him. Her eyes were dark but he could see they were still filled with that same heat. “You’re going to pay for that.”
“I certainly hope so,” he chuckled. “But I’m not done thanking you yet.”
Arawin grabbed his face and stared into his eyes. “If you think you’re going to do that again, then you are sadly mistaken.”
“I highly doubt that,” he smiled at her. “After all, it is my turn, right?”
Arawin grunted. She had completely forgotten about their little game. But anything that might have had her protest was soon pushed out of her mind as he kissed her. He scooped her up and carried her to the tree line. There she let him thank her under the canopy.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age: Origins
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