The day started with light fanfare as the Rutherford home celebrated her initiation, the day she officially would be welcomed into the fold as an Avvar. Just before midday, her nearest and dearest friends joined them for an early meal before Evelyn was to present herself to the Augur. Mia and her family were in attendance along with the usual friendly crowd and some of the more prominent members of the clan who had sworn fealty to the Rutherfords a few generations ago. More interesting was the throng of people huddled about outside their home watching the comings and goings.
Each time the doors to the longhouse opened, she could see people craning their heads to get a glimpse of the gathering. Any other time with it being anyone else, it was a family and close friend affair. However, the Phoenix had just won a great victory giving hope to many couples throughout the Basin. Prayers for rain to the Lady of the Skies were on everyone's lips as the Augur struggled to keep his store of it, giving out to everyone in the Hold. Word of gifts and offerings en route to her from every hold, even that of Wolf-Fang, had Redhold in a flurry of excitement as they were at the epicenter of a legend in the making.
There were still a number of Avvar, in particular the elders, who refused to acknowledge her until she was stripped of her Lowlander status. They spoke only Avvish around her and often ignored her unless in the Thane's presence. He had tried to politely explain that they were just of an older generation and that's just what they had been brought up doing. She supposed it made sense, at her Great Aunt Lucile's Summer Ball, she had Henley as a "chaperone" for the night, and even though he was a Knight-Lieutenant, some of her older relatives couldn't look past the fact that he was the son of a bricklayer.
With two days to go before the Knotting Ceremony, her initiation was high on the priority list. As it had been explained to her, she and Dhara were to enter the Land of Dreams again under the influence of a ceremonial liquor that would invoke visions. Unlike lyrium, however, this ritual would take them to a realm of the Fade directly linked to the Avvar gods and spirits. The more she learned of their religion, the more she truly began to believe that the Frostback Basin existed as a separate entity in Thedas and beyond the Veil, like the gods had put up a barrier shielding it from outsider influence. The odd thought occurred to her wondering if the Maker hadn't been absent, the same would have been felt back in the Lowlands.
After they broke the fast, with spirits high, the startling figure of Dhara entered the home. She was scantly dressed, about how she expected the Avvar to be when she had first arrived; The apprentice Augur wore a fur breastband barely covered by a leather sleeveless vest. The garment had many thin strings crossing across her breasts and tied to the side with colorful textured shells, bone, and glass beads. Her torso was exposed, as were most of her arms and legs up to her hips, but it was all painted a clay red. Fur bracers and boots did help to add some warmth to the ensemble, though she didn't seem bothered by the chill in the air. Lastly, she wore a loincloth with a decorative belt adorned with a raven's skull.
As the gathering parted for her, Evelyn whispered to Cullen, "Tell me I don't have to dress like that." There was a slight laugh in her tone as she eyed her intended who just gave her a guilty face. Her mouth made the shape of an 'o' watching Dhara approach with what she would assume was her ceremonial matching outfit in a pitifully short folded stack.
He swallowed hard, seemingly knowing her well enough now as to how she reacted to such things, "Well, yours may be slightly… less than that."
Her eyes burned holes in him, "Less than that?!" Her harsh whisper garnered some attention, "You'd let your soon-to-be wife out in public like that?!"
He rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, I-- it's tradition. We have to have proof that you were touched by the spirits to approve of your acceptance into our culture. Hence the paint, it's enchanted and will change color upon their touch." It was true, as explained to her the spirits would mark her as favorable if they approved of her based on their interaction in the Fade. Dhara wore the paint in solidarity, but her role was purely supportive in the endeavor. She had been warned that on rare occasions the gods have even made their mark on the truly favored. Having already encountered Hakkon, the chances of meeting another god were better than most.
The redhead stood in front of her biting her lip in excitement, "Come on, time to strip ye and paint ye." The couple shared a look, "… with the Thane's permission of course."
"Cullen…"
"Go, and I'll give you my mantle to walk outside."
"Just outside? My brother is here, you know?"
"I'm well aware, along with the fact that he has described various women of his in excruciating detail. I believe he is quite familiar with the fairer sex. Besides, I'm sure he's capable of closing his eyes. Go, Trevelyan," he said with a playful annoyance.
She huffed, readying a rebuff, but Dhara ushered her back to the Thane's bedroom to prepare, "You heard 'em, Evie. You can argue when we're finished."
Once in the privacy of the bedroom, she shed her dress as she was painted from the shoulders down with the red enchanted paint. It tingled as it dried on her skin as if making every nerve hypersensitive. Once she was coated, Dhara wrapped a loincloth around her waist. It hung off the tops of her shapely hips and ended in a point about her knees in the front and back. Her top was similar to that of her student's, but it had fur trim and feathers lining the arm holes.
"Dhara, this paint…"
"I know, it makes ye more… sensitive. It's an effect of the spell to attract spirits." As she fussed over the final touches of Evelyn's outfit, an urge to hug and hold the young mage broke over her. The warm protective spirit of their friendship bloomed and fond memories of their time together surfaced. She looked at the redhead's face as she worked until she caught her eye. Immediately she broke out into a giggle, "Feelin' all cuddly, Evie? Try to ignore it, or ye'll be humping everyone's leg out there like a bitch in heat." A wicked smile graced her pink lips while mumbling, "Though I'm sure the Thane wouldn't mind one bit."
She groaned and rolled her eyes lying, "As if that'd be my reaction to him."
"Aye, maybe," the look she gave out of the corner of her eye told her she didn't buy it, "but what of him? Did ye ever consider his feelins'?"
A thoughtful look graced her face, "I never… no, that's ridiculous. We have a mutual understanding and a shared mission. I mean, I think we care enough for each other…"
"Evie," the young mage with her big brown eyes softened her usual cheery tone to one of sincerity, "let me tell ye what I see because it's obvious the two of ye don't." When the door opened, in stepped Mia and Rosalie, asking after her preparations. Thinking the moment had passed, she broke away from Dhara, but she pulled Evelyn over to sit by the fire with the other women. "I have no doubt ye'll pass yer initiation today, so let us speak like Avvar women, with open honesty."
"What exactly are we speaking of?" Mia's tone for once was softer, yet still held its stern edge. The crackle of the fire beside them made for an intimate atmosphere, though the occasional sound from the main room broke the tranquility.
"I was just about to tell her that she's daft if she thinks what she and the Thane call 'friendship' is just that." The Rutherford women snorted a laugh sharing a look, which was the first hint of a smile she had seen from Mia.
"Why does this conversation sound familiar, Mia?" Rosalie smirked over at her mischievously. Without answering directly, the graying woman stroked her long thick braid smiling to herself with a deep inhale. "I suppose it's her turn now." Evelyn sat with a sour look on her face, unsure if she liked all this Avvar blunt honesty, especially when she didn't wish to hear it. Yet, would she rather deal with lying nobles with fake sentiments and ulterior motives for their every word? It was like she was doomed to suffer at the extremes of different cultures at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Why this marriage was everyone's business was beyond her - well, not really, she knew the family was the focal point in which the clan revolved.
Mia flicked her eyes up to the Phoenix as if reading her mind, "Looks like our soon-to-be sister is none too pleased by the topic. Maybe they are more alike than I had originally thought."
"Aye, like two sides of the same coin," Dhara chimed in.
"So, what? Is this where you all tell me that we are in love and don't know it? If we're so similar, then I'm quite certain he told you how wrong you are." The sisters nodded their heads, "And… you didn't listen to a word he said I bet?" They both nodded again laughing lightly as Evelyn groaned. "Fine, you want honesty," her temper flaring slightly at their pigheadedness, "then let me reiterate what I'm sure he told you and put the matter to rest. We are making the best of a situation being orchestrated beyond our control. The gods didn't necessarily mean to bring me to Redhold, it was Kitsa and her actions on your behalf. I could very well be marrying Axlan or gods forbid one of those bastards from Stone-bear Hold, had they beaten you to me. To all of your credit, you were able to keep me here as I fought to leave."
"I do recall Cullen saving your arse multiple times," Mia quirked an eyebrow up at her.
"Exactly my point."
"No, you also wanted to come back," she raised her eyebrows very matter-of-factly.
"Given the choice between marrying a sadistic madman, being raped by a dozen men, or returning here, I think it's a rather easy choice! Can you blame me?"
"And what of Wintersend?"
"Does everyone know of that?!" The three women shared smiles. Evelyn groaned hiding her face in her hands as she grumbled, "Wasn't Dhara going to tell me of what--"
"Don't change the subject, Phoenix," Mia scolded though with good humor. Clearly, Evelyn's discomfort was proving entertaining for the matron. "Granted, your lovemaking was--"
"Oh, no, no, no! Love had nothing to do with it! We had been drinking, then fighting…"
The small cabal of women speaking in earnest became a debate between her and Mia, "Yet, you were coherent enough by the end to deal with Axlan rather nicely."
The conversation was grating on her patience, as she was becoming more and more frustrated. Standing, she paced back and forth all but yelling now, "Is what you want to hear is that I am attracted to Cullen, physically? That he makes me feel safe and I enjoy his company?" A creak from behind her nearly tore her from her tirade, but she was too committed to stop, "That the more I understand him, the more I sympathize with all he's endured and wish to lessen his burden? That I have finally found someone who understands my trauma and has helped me with the process of moving past it. That the idea of marriage to him is no longer disgusting to me, and I look forward to it…" she turned as her mind finally caught up to processing the noise she heard. Standing in a bit of shock was Cullen.
As the awkward moment stretched on, he finally spoke, "I see they got to you too."
Wiping a hand down her face, she breathed out a breathy response, "Yes, they did." Trudging in defeat towards the door, but before she reached them, her temper got the better of her, though she kept her tone stern, "You know, the fact that you cornered both him and I is completely inappropriate. You like to say Lowlanders are bad with gossip, when in fact you lot are just as nosey. I think, considering the pressure that has been on the both of us, that we deserve a bit more privacy." Her mana was pulsing in her veins, "I'm glad you find us so entertaining, and yes, it is laughable at times, but believe me when I tell you that I say this with all the sincerity in my heart… fuck off!" A gentle hand wrapped around her waist guiding her toward the doors. Expecting to be scolded for the reprimand given to the women, she found he too directed a nasty scowl their way. "Since we're soooo alike, did you tell them that too?" Her sarcasm landed heavily as she addressed him.
He still didn't look at her making his point to the others, "No, though I should have. Come, it's time." Taking off his mantle, he slung it around her shoulders helping to cover her. When their eyes met, both softened in understanding as they shared a wordless moment. She had just fought for them, as a couple, for the first time which was not lost on him. Looking both over his shoulder, he called, "Dhara, are you waiting for an invitation to join us?" Blushing, the redhead stood and hurried through the door first with an apology and the sisters filed out after the Thane and his bride.
The gathering in the main room parted for them, and Cullen kept his hand on her tightly. Wishes of luck, even from her brother, were given in passing and she nodded her thanks. Bran and Rylen opened the double doors to their longhouse as they approached, to which the crowd outside clapped and cheered. It was only then she realized she wore no shoes, having been purposely forgone. Clutching the mantle closed tightly for modesty, the gentle breeze of the sunny day wafted the scent of oakmoss and elderflower at her. That combined with his hand on her skin made it feel like she was enveloped by him. The sensation as if she was in a cocoon was intoxicating wanting to curl up on his lap again as they did the other night.
As they approached the Augur's hut, she couldn't help but whisper, "I'm sorry for yelling at your sisters."
He chuckled, "I'm not." Their eyes met again with a cheeky smile.
At the door to the hut, Dhara stood holding it open looking sheepishly to the ground. As she went to part from him, he grabbed her hand pulling her back. Gliding the back of his finger down her cheek, he asked, "May I?" She looked up into his amber eyes seeing something there that made her heart thump against her ribcage. Consenting, she gave him her unscarred cheek and he kissed it gently. "Be strong, and good luck Trevelyan."
A bit bashful, she softly replied, "Thanks Rutherford." At the door she paused, pulling Dhara into a playful headlock and hugging her until she giggled back to her usual self.
Inside, the Augur cast his spell and the two women laid down on reed mats. Taking one more deep breath as the Dream World pulled at her consciousness, she savored the warm loving feeling, knowing that so long as Cullen was nearby she had nothing to worry about. As he had said before, she was safe with him and now he knew, that he was indeed safe with her.
***
Cullen sat on the dais alone for one of the last times. Evelyn was off on a journey of her own to speak with the Spirits and emerge an Avvar. Aside from the morning festivities that were carrying on into the afternoon at his home, as Thane, the business of running a Hold did not stop on account of personal matters. Far from it, in fact.
"Thane, there are Orlesian merchants here looking to trade. They seek an audience with you to gain permission to enter." Cassandra, weary of Lowlanders and their motives to visit within their walls, always insisted he meet with them out at the gates. Excusing himself for a moment, the two of them made their way out of the Great Hall and to the tall fortified walls.
As they approached getting an eyeful of their guests, he felt something was off about the merchants. First, there were only two of them with a small stock of goods to trade. Typically, when merchants came, they had wagons and mercenaries with them for they knew the Basin was a wild untamed land full of dangers. Though the Avvar would not attack traders without cause, the beasts would. With his standard questions at the ready, the Lowlanders straightened upon seeing him approach, the wind ruffling his maroon cotton shirt missing its accompanying mantle. His face was set intensely, matching Cassandra's serious demeanor.
"I am Thane Rutherford of Redhold. If you wish to trade, you will answer my questions." The couple before him clasped their hands in front of them, though he was unsure if it was due to the cold or custom, for even though it was spring, there was still a chill in the air. They nodded and agreed in their odd accent readily. "Have you conducted trade with any of the other Holds?"
"No, Thane. You were our first stop, but we hope to stop elsewhere." They failed the first question. There were at least two closer holds to the pass through the mountains. Any merchant would've stopped there first, hoping to not have to travel deeper into the wilds. If not, by the time they arrived at Redhold, their wares were usually picked clean of the better quality goods. The dwarven stalls did much better than others here since the Thaig's entrance was much closer to Redhold. Not to mention they having one of the largest populations in the Basin, traded mostly for food, herbs, and spices with the dwarves. Despite the low stock of tradable goods in the Lowlanders' possession, their reply piqued his suspicion.
"I see," he crossed his arms and his chief warrior followed suit, "where are you from and what have come to trade?"
Digging into one of their sacks, he and Cassandra discreetly tightened a hand on their weapons, but they only pulled out a handful of various citrus fruits. He supposed they didn't need wagons full of food, but something was still not sitting well with him. "We come from the distant shores of Antiva. Our employer wishes to establish relations in the Frostback Basin with the Holds to provide your people with quality citrus grown on the finest orchard in all of Thedas." The overly friendly speech and sultry accent did not faze him. Knowing his geography, why Antivans would travel weeks to trade with them did not make sense when Orlais was just to their west. Surely, there was a better market for their goods closer? As the woman continued to speak of their desire to have exclusive trade rights and other such nonsense, Owayne approached them slowly, his eyes trained on their guests. He came to stand just behind the two Avvar, seemingly interested in the conversation.
"Are there only two of you?" He turned slightly glancing at the other vendors who had a staff of four and about six hired swords enjoying lounging about before they were dismissed for a night at their Mead Hall. "I find it difficult to believe the two of you, carrying food, made it through some of the most dangerous parts of the Basin unmolested by beasts?"
The two Antivians shrugged, shifting their weight and laughing airily. After a few moments, as they went to reply, Owayne cut them off, "If I could have a quick word with you, Thane Rutherford, it'll only take a moment." The subtle twitch in his brown eyes told him it was important. The merchants eyed the Lord with a cautious eye and tilt of the head. Excusing himself and stepping away, the three conversed privately. His countenance was relaxed as he occasionally eyed the merchants waiting at the gate, "I'm not sure you know, but those two are Antivian Crows."
The two Avvar shared a look, "Who?" Cassandra went to whirl around after asking, but Lord Trevelyan grabbed her, spinning her smoothly into a friendly embrace. The woman scrunched up her nose at the Lowander, but let it go as he flashed her a stern look.
"A famed assassin's guild. Don't let them know you're on to them. They're only here for one thing," his gaze darkened, "because there is a contract out on someone's head." There was a tense silence as they all looked back and forth to each other thinking as to who they'd be after, but it didn't take long to ascertain the answer. Cullen's fist clenched as the air about him turned dark and violent, but Owayne tried to control the situation, "What I don't get is why they are trying to bluff their way in when... wait, were there any others?"
"They said no, but I have a hard time believing that seeing as they had fruit on them." Cullen wrung the leather grip of his sword needing an outlet for his anxiousness to rid them of the threat standing nearby.
He covered his mouth to hide his cursing, "Fuck, then there are more and these whoresons are just a distraction. They could be already over the walls." He released Cassandra, who huffed at him, "I know these assassins well, we need to get to Evie, but we can't tip them off or they will signal the others. The Chantry must want to tie up all their loose ends. A contract would be far easier than sending more Templars and could be done anonymously. The price of the job would be a drop in the bucket for those swindlers."
"What then would you suggest?" Having no real experience dealing with this sort of guild, he hoped the rogue would provide some guidance. To hide in the shadows was to fight like a coward among the Avvar. Open battle was the way of Hakkon; it was loud, proud, and bloody. There were no assassinations, only challenges issued before the gods and their people.
"Let them in."
"You can't be serious?" He tried to keep his face unreadable, but he couldn't help the way he grits his teeth at the thought of letting the enemy within the walls - his walls.
"Look," he indicated with a flick of his eyes to the burlap sacks, "they've turned them inside out to try and hide the branding on the bags of who they've stolen them from. If my memory serves me well, that very merchant is right over there in the market with a nice band of thugs. Let them in, let them sell, and let them fight it out. All it'd take is one comment to get their suspicions aroused, you'd be surprised how cutthroat Lowlander businessmen can be."
"I can post warriors around to contain the fighting, and have someone tip them to the stolen goods" added his raven-haired advisor.
"While they sort out their issues, we look for the other assassins. While the two here are too occupied trying not to blow their cover, the others will be without their overwatch and unaware we are hunting them. For a job like this, I'd say there'd be about five of them." He nodded towards the two at the gate, "They are the watch and signal, then there's the lead assassin and backup in case the lead fails, and lastly, there will be the secondary signal between them coordinating the two groups. They won't begin until everyone is in place, so let them in and we'll purge the snakes from the garden."
"Are you sure about this? We are inviting them to make an attempt on Evelyn's life. It's leaving a lot up to chance." Rash plans seemed to be a theme with these Trevelyans, though he had little choice. This was happening now, and while he had had his own suspicions about them, Owayne certainly helped with pulling the wool from their eyes.
"There are three of us, along with your men manning the defense. Cassandra alerts them discreetly that there is a threat then looks for one of the bastards hiding up high between the market and Augur's hut. I'll hunt the two assassins while you go to Evie's side as the last line of defense. If a fight breaks out involving our merchant friends there, know that their assassins will be on the move, if I haven't gutted them by then." Only his eyes betrayed the severity of his words.
Cullen sighed heavily, "Alright, you heard him, Cassandra. No matter what happens, no one gets in that hut alive." The rogue smiled wickedly at the proclamation before walking off as if he were taking an afternoon stroll. He and Cassandra went back to speak with the intruders, hesitantly giving his permission for them to enter his Hold.
As they settled in a spot of their choosing in the market, he made his way to the Augur's hut. Despite not being allowed to enter while the ritual was being conducted, he felt the circumstances warranted a breach of tradition. He opened the door quietly and slowly, so as not to disrupt anything, but regardless his presence immediately made Dusan do a double-take.
"My Thane, what--"
"There is going to be an assassination attempt on the Phoenix."
"Now?!" His voice was raspy and harsh.
"Yes. I'm here as a last line of defense, with any luck however, they'll be dead before they can get in here." He looked about studying the structure for weak points. Having only a few small windows obscured by heavy fabric, the only worrisome feature was the vent in the roof. "Dusan, can we close it?"
"Do we have a choice?" The man was trying to concentrate back on the two mages dreaming again before them on the ground. Cullen quickly retrieved the cover and hook, placing it back in place above them.
The first few tense minutes passed painfully slow as the Thane's ever-moving eyes swept over every inch of the hut looking for odd shadows, strange smells, and listening for movement outside. His sword was still sheathed, but his hand flexed on it, ready to be pulled in a moment. Dusan was unable to cast a barrier due to his mana being consumed for their sleep, making him wish he had seen Dorian on his way through the village. There was a slight commotion outside in the distance, and he had a sinking feeling he knew what it was. Peeking out one of the windows, a crowd was gathering in the market. Shouts were heard, but he couldn't hear what was being yelled. Quickly retreating from the window, he crept silently back toward his bride in his soft-soled leather boots. He motioned to Dusan to stay quiet as the thatch roof rustled as if someone was tip-toeing on it.
As tall as he was, the roof was well within his reach, prompting him to pull his sword silently. Unsheathed, he listened as the person crept closer to the vent. He worried for a moment that it was Owayne, but a man of his size would not have been able to snap the thick fibers of the roof. A sliver of light appeared and something thunked to the ground. Reflexively, his sword stabbed up through the coarse roof into something soft. Red rivulets dripped and then steadily flowed down from his sword before the flash bomb exploded, blinding them. In his disoriented state, he stumbled and spun a few times before falling on his hands and knees, trying to stop the tilting of the blurry world before him. There were sounds of feet and fighting about him, but having been rendered nearly useless, he simply crawled in the direction of where the mages were.
Still unable to see, having shut his eyes from the sickening sway of his vision, his hands felt for signs as to which woman he had grabbed. He knew Evelyn's body intimately and just from the sheer weight difference of the woman in his arms, he knew it was Dhara. From the orientation of her head, he knew which direction his bride would be in, and quickly slid the mages' bodies together, putting his body over theirs. The brush of a furry boot told him Dusan was still on his feet, and as the ringing in his ears subsided, he heard him chanting in Avvish to the Hold Spirits for protection.
It was then someone else stepped on the back of his leg wearing a leather greave. He fought the urge to get up, as his senses were still reeling from the flash when he heard a string of colorful curses growling out in that familiar Marcher intonation. If Owayne was here then the other assassin was too. Bunching the women up as much as possible beneath him, he tried to prevent their limbs from being stepped on or sliced with a poison weapon. He was an easy target, as evident by how many times they crashed into him, flipping completely over him one time. In a last-ditch attempt to kill her, the assassin must've suffered a blow to the head, because they too swayed as if on the sea. Having gotten away from Owayne, they tried to steady themselves on his back to which he threw elbows at them, but he was still afraid to move from Evelyn if there were more than one.
The sting of a blade sliced through his clothed back making him arch, but he had suffered worse. Bracing for another hit, the blade fell upon him again but at a sloppy angle barely even cutting his side. More cussing from the Marcher followed by the sound of two hard cuts and a thump.
"Owayne?" He ventured to call to him as all movement inside the hut stopped.
"They're… dead," he said panting. "Thanks for the assist, by the way. Oh, you best drink this," a cork of a vial popped, and it was shoved into his hand. "It's a precaution in case their blades were poisoned. The Crows are ever predictable in their choice of toxins." The roar of Cassandra barking orders made its way over to them.
"Go help Cassandra! I can't bloody see because of that bomb."
"Ah, right. Those things are nasty. On it boss!" And with that, he crashed through the door.
Able to take a breather as his vision slowly returned, he squinted looking his charges up and down for damage finding none thankfully. As he sat up against the wall beside them, he grunted at the sting of the slice across his back and side. "Are you alright, Dusan?" There was no answer, in fact, there was no sound, "Dusan?" Looking about, to his left behind one of the long heavy curtains stuck out two furry boots. Reaching over to tap his foot, there was still no reaction. Hesitant to leave Evelyn even with the threat past, he willed himself over feeling a cold pit open in his gut.
Moving the fabric to the side, his stomach flipped as he gazed at a set of purple lips and bloodshot eyes. Dusan's head drooped to the side with a trickle of foamy saliva falling from his mouth. There was a slash on his arm that looked infected despite receiving it recently. Poison. Owayne must've not seen him, too worried about him than Cassandra. When he felt the Augur stumble against him just before the assassin did, he must've been cut in the scuffle. Cullen raked a hand through his hair, knowing that had he not taken the antidote, he too would've been dead in a minute. And had he not blocked the blades with his body, Evelyn would've... his heart pounded with dizzying fear at the thought.
Closing the elder's eyes, he said a prayer, grasping the man's thick hand. Dusan had always been The Augur ever since he could remember. He had served Redhold as their spiritual leader for decades, having knotted and blessed nearly every couple and person in the Hold. Though he no longer had any family living within the walls, Dhara had become like a daughter to him after the loss of her parents. Dhara… Evelyn…
Dusan had been casting a spell on them to call them back to their bodies from the Realm of Dreams, and if he was not casting it anymore…