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It was their first night back on the surface in Maker only knew how long. Nathaniel had always been astounded at how easily one lost all sense of time in the Deep Roads. Days turned into weeks quickly and before one knew it an entire month’s worth of supplies were run through and the mission wrapped up quickly. He didn’t know a single warden in their company who enjoyed tours in the Deep Roads, though all knew they were necessary. ‘In Peace, Vigilance,’ their Commander often reminded them, and the only place remaining to stay vigilant with the Fifth Blight, now three years past, was the Deep Roads.
He was grateful that Commander Tabris had seemed just as ready to exit their latest venture down below as her wardens were. The first stop once they’d reached the surface was an Inn. One with real beds, hot meals, lukewarm ale, and for an extra sovereign or two a warm bath.
“I’m taking a bath for at least two hours, maybe more,” she muttered wearily, more to herself than anyone else, though Nathaniel, walking at her side, overheard.
“I can’t believe the Warden Commander can be so easily bested by a little dirt and grime,” he teased.
The side-long glare he received from her was a warning. He wouldn’t receive another.
Rooms were purchased, meals were eaten, and most of the company found themselves idling the evening away in the main common area of the Tavern. Most chatted away with the locals about what they’d seen below. Some of the group were telling dashing tall tales of perilous battles. Others were neck-deep in conversations with attractive strangers. Nathaniel found himself nursing an ale at a table by himself enjoying his own company as he watched life go on around him.
“Do you always observe instead of engage?” a low sultry voice asked from beside him.
Nathaniel turned his head and nearly choked as he was faced with one of the most beautiful women he’d ever seen. Her pale blonde hair fell in loose waves about her face as she loomed over him, placing a hand on the back of his chair. It wasn’t typical that women approached him, but he couldn’t deny he was intrigued by someone as beautiful as she was bold.
“I engage once I’ve sized up my foe,” he replied, peering up at her. “That way I can save my energy for battles that are worth my time.”
Sliding into the seat beside him, her hand slipped along the arm of the chair, fingertips ghosting across his shoulder as the woman’s smile widened. “A good strategy. You must be a wise Commander,” she said.
He cocked his head, realizing her mistake. Glancing around the room, no one was near enough to overhear. Better yet, the actual Warden Commander was nowhere to be found. He could almost guarantee she would be languishing in a bath for the rest of the evening. By the time she reemerged pink and pruned, he could very well be off to his room with this beautiful stranger. That is if he played his cards right.
An innocent lie by omission, that’s all it was. There was no harm in letting her assumption continue uncorrected. He would hate to embarrass the lovely woman.
“I’m not sure it’s a sign of wisdom so much as a preference for more stimulating company,” he said, leaning back in his seat to study her.
“What brings a batch of wardens out to this miserable part of Ferelden without a Blight to cleanse any longer?” she asked, eyes dancing over him, just as keenly interested it seemed as he was.
“Even without a Blight darkspawn still linger in the Deep Roads,” he said. “This little hamlet is shockingly close to an entrance.” It wasn’t, at least not anymore. “We send parties around to various entrances to ensure none of the blighters are getting too close to the surface.” That part was at least true. Part of their reasoning for coming out this way had been to close off the entrance to the Deep Roads once their mission was over.
“Well, thank you, Commander.” Leaning her chin on her palm she smiled at him. Genuine enough to send a flush of excitement through his veins. She pursed her pillowy pink lips and he wondered just how long it had been since he’d indulged in anything that looked so soft and inviting.
“No thanks needed,” he replied, “Warm beds, dinner, and ale are plenty.”
“Are you certain? Grey Wardens shouldn’t live such thankless lives. Certainly not after what Ferelden endured.”
“Well, I won’t be so ungrateful as not to accept additional thanks, but I don’t think it’s fair to accept anything further until you tell me your name, Miss.”
“You can call me Seryl, Commander,” she smiled, her deep blue eyes narrowing in at him almost like a wolf honing in on its prey.
“You can call me Nathaniel, or you can keep calling me Commander,” he replied, “It seems to fit well between your lovely lips.”
“As you wish, Commander.” She leaned in closer, almost daring him to say or do more. Though his eyes did linger longer on those lips, he didn’t lunge for her. There would be time for that, but judging by her aggressive attention it wouldn’t take long at all.
A stab of guilt spiked its way between his ribs, surely what Commander Tabris would do herself if she realized his appropriation of her title. Zukal had only just broached the conversation with him of becoming her Constable. As the Ferelden order was growing, it was becoming clear they needed a larger chain of command to match. What better way to get practice at the role of her second in command? He was setting an example as a Warden, just what Zukal would wish of him. How disappointed would she be if he showed such poor gratitude for the lovely woman’s hospitality?
“Is this your whole company?” she asked, looking around at the group.
“We have more on other missions, and still others at our base of operations in Amaranthine,” he replied. “We were once a dying breed in this country. Thankfully, we’re flourishing again.”
“Thanks to the Blight?”
“If there’s anything to be grateful for, let it be that,” he replied.
Nathaniel took a drink from his ale, noticing the way her eyes never strayed from his lips as he tipped the mug back. This was disturbingly easy. He was not a dashing or conventionally handsome man, he was self-aware enough to know this about himself. But she looked at him like he was as rare a specimen as she was, and that was an intoxicating feeling.
“There don’t seem to be many women in the Wardens,” she noted. “It must get lonely in the Deep Roads without any company. Unless…?”
He cleared his throat. “Some certainly find companionship necessary,” he said, trying to brush past the topic, “But we’re not as masculine as this group may imply. There are plenty of women in our ranks.”
“Oh, there are?” She raised her brows in surprise.
“Our ladies of the grey are as fearsome or more so than our men,” he laughed, thinking of how any woman he served with would take these words as a challenge. “They’re the fairer sex in looks alone I assure you.”
“How would a woman become a grey warden?” she asked, her interest piquing.
“The same way any man would. They would ask, or be recruited or conscripted to the cause. We turn no one away.”
“That’s good to know,” she said, a sweet gentle laugh tittering from her like a bell. “Maybe I’ll join one day. It would be nice to see more of the world. Perhaps I could keep you company in the Deep Roads.”
The thought alone was tempting, but a lovely thing like her didn’t deserve to be blighted.
“What’s a long tour without something beautiful to bring you home safe?” he suggested. “Though it’s not often I return above ground to such delightfully stimulating conversation.”
She darted her eyes downward as if to appear bashful but she almost glowed in the delight of his compliment. It was hard not to think of other ways he might make her glow.
“I love meeting new people. But I find that the quiet ones always have the best stories,” she said leaning in closer with her lips spread wide with a smile. “They’ll always surprise you.”
“I must say you’re the surprise. It’s not often that I’m approached by a woman as bold as they are beautiful.” He leaned in to match his eyes still straying to those perfect pink lips. “I dare say you’re a handful Miss Seryl.”
“Oh I’m at least two handfuls,” she replied.
He tried not to let his eyes stray downward where her bosom overflowed from her dress, but she wasn’t wrong.
“I’ve large capable hands,” he assured her, “and I love a challenge.”
Teeth dug into her satin pink lips. A flush dashed across her cheeks and he could feel the warmth radiating from her. He thought very seriously about grasping her chin and pulling those lips to his own but didn’t want it spoiled by the raucous group around them. If he could, he’d rather savor when and where they could be undisturbed.
“Commander,” she said, eyes scanning across his face hungrily, “How would a woman such as myself obtain your undivided attention?”
“She need only ask,” he replied.
Her lips parted but the voice that reached his ears was not the same sultry tones he’d been enjoying this evening. Instead a far more familiar, more cantankerous noise reached him.
“Nathaniel? Who’s your friend?” Zukal Tabris, the real Warden Commander, asked.
He had wondered, at times, despite considering the woman a close friend, if Zukal Tabris was his own personal demon. A penance he had to endure for the failings of his house. It was never more so than at this exact moment.
Turning he saw her, rosy-cheeked, hair twisted up into a towel perched on top of her head, wrapped in a loose robe clearly made for a much larger human body. Even the tips of her pointed ears were reddened either from scrubbing or the warmth of her bath. Any other time he’d tease the life out of her for appearing in such a way when she was the fearsome Hero of Ferelden. Currently, he only wished he could send her back from whence she came.
Seryl retreated from his proximity and looked between the two of them, confused.
“Seryl, this is Zukal Tabris. A living example that women do join the Wardens,” he said, trying not to completely obliterate any chance he had at companionship tonight. Though he was certain that would be readily ruined momentarily.
Zukal took the empty seat at his other side and extended her hand toward the lovely woman. Seryl took it cautiously, still appearing to be somewhat flummoxed by the intrusion on their quite obviously private conversation.
“Pleased to meet you,” Zukal said bluntly and quickly before turning back towards Nathaniel. “Can you believe this place charges by the hour for the use of their baths?”
“You’re going to be shocked to hear that I can,” he replied sarcastically.
“I’ve never met a female grey warden!” Seryl said excitedly. Her attention was now drawn away from him and toward the elf across from her.
“Oh we’re a copper a dozen,” Zukal laughed, waving off her excitement, “Though I doubt you’ll get many more wardens coming through here regardless of gender.”
“No, but I’ve heard the stories,” Seryl’s eyes widened. “Is it true you have griffons?”
“Ugh! I wish! That’s the biggest letdown of the whole warden experience!” Zukal leaned in eager to share this frustration, a complaint he’d heard several times now.
He watched the two women begin to converse and leaned back in his chair, clearly no longer a concern for either of them.
Time passed, and Nathaniel was relegated to drinking sullenly while Zukal and the lovely Seryl discussed a meandering list of topics. He decided it was time to finally give up and go to bed. He’d gotten far more intoxicated than he intended while hoping to wait out their conversation and swayed slightly as he got to his feet.
“Careful Nathaniel!” Zukal laughed, watching nearly topple over, “I doubt I can carry you up to your room.”
“I doubt it would be a fitting look for a Commander, falling drunk on the floor in front of their wardens,” Seryl tittered.
His stomach dropped, noticing the almost amused twitch of Zukal’s ears at the woman’s words.
“Quite,” Zukal agreed, narrowing her eyes up at him.
Well, shit.
“I am better off to everyone if I go to bed,” he said, trying to drag himself away from this conversation.
“Not yet, Commander!” Zukal whined, gripping him by the wrist and pulling him back down into his chair. The desire for retribution made her surprisingly strong as he was forced back down hard against the wooden chair, smarting his rear. None of this boded well.
“I was just going to suggest we play a little drinking game with our new friend here. You know how much you love those!” There was a wild look in Zukal’s eyes that he knew well. He did not want to play any of her games when she was like this.
“What did you have in mind?” Seryl asked, her brows rising in mischievous excitement. The longer these two women got to know each other the more similar they seemed. Nathaniel tried not to think too deeply about those implications.
“How about two truths and a lie?” Zukal suggested. “If you guess wrong on which of the three statements is a lie you take a drink. However, if your lies are discovered the liar drinks!”
“That sounds like fun!” Seryl agreed as neither woman bothered to gauge his interest. Despite that, Zukal looked thrilled. There was no good to come of this.
“We’ll need something stronger than ale for this” Seryl said, getting to her feet, “I’ll be back with a bottle of liquor. My treat to the wardens for keeping us safe.”
“That’s too kind, but—” Nathaniel’s attempt to dissuade them was interrupted by a sharp kick to his shin.
“But appreciated all the same,” Zukal finished on his behalf.
Seryl pranced away toward the bar to obtain their liquor, and Nathaniel turned resigned to Zukal who was finally shaking her damp hair free from its twisted towel.
“What are you doing?” he asked, “Playing with your victims? Why don’t you just put me out of my misery?”
“I don't know what you mean, Commander,” she replied, smirking at him petulantly. She raked her hair back from her face and began to twist it into a braid down her back.
“It was an innocent mistake!”
“That wasn’t corrected.”
“When a man like me is approached by a woman like that I’ve no business correcting her. I’m no idiot,” he groaned in frustration.
Zukal cocked her head clearly confused as she studied him. He wanted to ask her bitterly what she couldn’t comprehend, but there was no time. Seryl returned, placing glasses in front of each of them, and pouring golden liquor from the bottle in her hand into each.
“Who’s first?” Seryl asked.
“Nathaniel, as our intrepid Commander, it's only fair you do the honors!” Zukal said.
“Fine.” He sighed, feeling a sharp pain blooming behind his eyes. Pinching his brow he fired off his statements, hiding his lie in the middle. “I am an eldest child, I am a royal bastard, and I have participated in the grand tourney.”
“You strike me as an eldest child,” Seryl said looking him over closely, the pretty lips he’d been dreaming about now pursed in thought instead of anticipation.
“Is it the way he’s already done with our antics that gives it away?” Zukal remarked.
“You’re hilarious,” he replied dryly, garnering a collective giggle from the women before him. “Come on, make your guesses.”
“Seryl?” Zukal offered, winking at Nathaniel “I feel it’s unfair as I already know my Commander quite intimately.”
“Oh well,” she blushed, hand poised to grab her glass. “I guess he doesn’t strike me as a bastard?”
Nathaniel reached forward and tipped the burning gold liquid into his mouth, grimacing as he swallowed.
Seryl whooped in excitement and refilled his glass.
“Winner goes next,” Nathaniel said, shaking his head as the fiery liquid burned its way down to his stomach.
Seryl thought for a moment before placing both of her hands on the table prepared with her statements.
“I am a virgin. I have fourteen brothers and sisters. I am an expert dancer.” She looked between the two of them nervously.
He had no idea what to guess. Zukal shrugged and grabbed her glass prepared to drink at her failure.
“You look like you’re graceful as a swan, Seryl. You must be lying about your siblings. That’s far too many even for an elven family.”
“Between two wives,” she explained, nodding towards the elf to drink her liquor. “There’s little to do in a village this remote except drink and fornicate.”
Zukal brought the glass to her lips and downed it, her whole body shaking in response to the vile stuff.
“What on earth is this?” she asked. Her face immediately turned red from the liquor’s potency.
“Locally distilled,” Seryl explained, “We don’t typically share it with folks not from around here. But this is a special occasion.”
“Nathaniel? What’s your guess?” Zukal coughed, clearly struggling to keep down the liquor.
“Well, obviously it’s that you're a virgin,” he said. It was the only one of the three that made sense.
Seryl looked at him and then down at his glass. “Drink up, Commander.” She giggled and he felt her eyes on him as he tipped the glass back a second time.
He wasn’t sure if it was the second strong shot of lethally toxic alcohol or the knowledge that the extremely bold and beautiful woman at his side was a virgin that turned him red. Either way, he was prepared to slip into the void any moment now.
“I guess that just leaves me,” Zukal said, watching as Seryl refilled Nathaniel’s glass. The lovely woman brushed her hand across his as she poured and he felt a small glimmer of hope light in his chest. He tried not to feel strangely on display while a beautiful woman batted her lashes at him in front of the real Warden Commander.
Zukal shook her head, likely clearing the strong spirit from her head and trying to think through her options.
“I have met and befriended a Qunari warrior, the King of Ferelden is a personal acquaintance,” she thought long and hard about her final statement. “I am the real Warden Commander.” She must already be drunk. All of her statements were true, but he couldn’t call it out without giving up his own lie.
Facing the oncoming wrath and embarrassment he steeled himself. However, he was too drunk to put up much of a fight. He’d lived a decent enough life. Better to let the women put him out of his misery and send him to the Maker’s side.
“Oh, that’s not fair Zukal! You’re being too easy on me,” Seryl laughed, “You’re not the Warden Commander!”
Zukal looked at him, bright hazel eyes gleaming almost as gold as the liquor in her glass as she tipped it back and drank.
He blinked, unsure what just happened. Why would she do that?
“I’m sorry I think it’s the alcohol getting to me,” she said, with a pained-sounding laugh.
“Then that means,” Seryl looked at Zukal excitedly, “You know the King?!”
“Vaguely,” Zukal lied, waving her hand back and forth. She shook her head as the alcohol hit her hard. “This stuff cannot be safe for consumption, Seryl.”
“You get used to it,” Seryl laughed, taking a swig of her untouched glass, and drinking the foul liquid like it was water. She looked between the two wardens at the table. “I appreciate you both indulging me tonight. We rarely get as interesting and worldly folks such as yourselves around these parts.”
“If you’re looking for worldly you should get to know Nathaniel here more,” Zukal said, standing. “He’s been all around the Free Marches and trained with a noble Chevalier. I can’t believe we just ran past the fact you competed in the Grand Tourney?”
“That’s right!” Seryl said, turning back toward him and placing a gentle soft hand on his arm, “You’re really quite something aren’t you, Commander?”
“Where are you going?” he asked as Zukal picked up her discarded towel, turning to leave, though he wanted to ask her ‘Why’ far more.
“I’m exhausted, and you know damned well I cannot hold my liquor,” she replied, suppressing a hiccup. He couldn’t help but feel there was more behind her eyes he couldn’t decipher, though certainly not with his mind as fuzzy as it was now.
“It was wonderful to meet you Zukal,” Seryl said. She was a sweet earnest girl, he realized, no longer a sultry mystery, but just a normal woman eager to learn more about the world.
Zukal nodded and Nathaniel watched her walk away swaying slightly as she ascended the stairs toward their rented rooms.
“Commander?” Seryl asked, drawing his eyes once more. Her lovely face swam before him, blue eyes pulling him back as those lovely pink lips were moistened by an equally pink tongue. “I’ve appreciated your time this evening. Though I was hoping you’d like to spend a little bit more together. Alone?”
Damn. He still wanted to take her up on her offer, and wished mightily that he could do it, but something stopped him. Maybe it was his deception, maybe it was the loss of his faculties, but he couldn’t put it into exact words. No matter how hard set he’d been on it before. He couldn’t sleep with this lovely woman, especially not based on a lie.
Apologizing, he kissed her hand and thanked her for her hospitality, before he made his way up the stairs quickly following in the Warden Commander’s wake.
Even though he’d hurried, the hall was empty, Zukal already hidden away in her room. He contemplated knocking on her door, asking her why on Andraste’s pyre she would lie for him. Why wouldn't she put him out of his misery like she’d clearly intended? The alcohol in his system urged him to do something even more reckless, no longer thinking of the pretty pink lips of a stranger, but instead lips that were more familiar.
There was no such thing as an innocent lie, he thought, resigned to his solitary evening and inevitable morning hangover. Someone always got hurt in the end.