Status: HIATUS. Rating subject to change. {Currently R could turn NC-17}
Hidden Agenda
Antiva
{Age 7}
Thunder clapped overhead in welcoming as your mother trudged onto the shores of Antiva, her fingernails digging into your leg. Her grip tightened as she watched your father struggle to tie up the boat. Your eyes followed Master Rye as he stepped towards the glittering buildings in the distance. With a sigh your mother abandoned your father to follow Rye; bowing her head one of her (pointed) ears brushed against your cheek. “Why did we come here?” you whispered.
Your mother instantly hushed you. “It is not our place to ask ~~~~~~~. We just do as Master Rye tells us.” She answered. You glanced at the board shoulders of Rye leading the way. You rarely saw him but you knew few lines flawed his face though his blue eyes were always cloudy. His reddish brown hair sprinkled with gray was most obvious from the back such as now.
“What’s the matter little one?” your father asked, catching up with a large sack slung over his shoulder. “Don’t you like it here?” Another clap of thunder rumbled through the dark sky then it started to pour. You shook your head even as your mother lifted the hood of your robe to shield you from the rain. “Fair enough. But I hear there are many minstrels here, playing on the streets for anyone to enjoy. That will be fun, wont it?” he cooed rubbing your back. Instead of replying, you buried your head in your mother’s shoulder.
“It never stops raining.” You complained staring out the window.
“Our business is indoors tending to Master Rye’s things.” Your mother replied, scrubbing the diner table.
“Father went outside.” You pointed out turning to look at her.
“Master Rye asked him to find some information.” Your mother responded.
“About what?”
“Quiet ~~~~~~~.”
“Jaslynn.” Rye greeted walking into the room. Your mother straightened so fast your back ached just watching her. “I couldn’t help overhearing..”
“I apologize sire. The older children get the mouthier they become.” She replied, bowing.
“No need to apologize.” Rye chuckled as your father also came into the room. “Now that Edwin’s returned, I’ll be heading out. Why don’t I bring ~~~~~~~~~ along?” Rye offered.
“That…’s kind of your sire.” Your mother said.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Rye promised as your father urged you towards him.
For the first time since you had arrived in Antiva, it stopped raining while you and Master Rye walked through the streets. He kept a protective palm on your shoulder with every step, his gaze straightforward. You had never been alone with him, much less be able to speak to him without your mother shushing you. “Master Rye?” you began. His towering form looked down at you. “Father says you served under King Mariac as a warrior.”
“I did indeed. Mariac was most kind to my people.” Rye replied.
“Your people?”
“The Grey Wardens.”
“What’s that?”
“A special order devoted to fighting darkspawn.”
“Huh?” you muttered.
“Nevermind.” Rye chuckled. “Regardless, Mariac is no longer king. The throne now belongs to his son King Calian – a noble but naïve man by all accounts.”
“I don’t understand.” You murmured.
“Nothing to worry yourself with.” Rye replied, coming to a stop in front of a lavish building made of dark wood. On either side of a stairway were torches casting the building in a warm glow. “Finally,” Rye sighed dreamily. You glanced up at him curiously and his cheeks flush. “Be a good lass and wait right here. The minstrels will keep you company.” He gestured at a dark-haired woman surrounded by flute-players.
“Okay.” You agreed. Rye just smiled and started up the steps. When he reached the top, a beautiful woman greeted him. Tilting your head as they entered arm-in-arm, you perched on the bottom step. Your eyes scanned the street that led to this mysterious building. You gaze fell on a thin tan elf with shoulder-length blonde hair, no older than yourself strolling in your direction with a slight smirk on his perfect lips. You glanced back at the building again, wondering if he was allowed to go in. Before you knew it, he was standing in front of you.
“Hello.” He greeted in a crisp yet deep accent. “You are new here are you not? Might I ask your name?”
“…What’s your name?” you replied.
“Ahhaha. My name is Zevran. Zev to my friends.”
“I’m ~~~~~~~~~.”
“~~~~~~~~~~.” Zev repeated crossing his arms. “You must know that your master will be in there for some time yes? Yet you’re perfectly content with sitting here waiting for him? Seems a waste to let such beauty linger unattended. Would you like to come with me?”
“You’re…strange.” You said.
“I am an Antivan! That is a given. Where do you come from might I ask?” Zev responded.
“Highever.”
“That is where your master bought you or where he resides?”
“..Both?” you murmured. You had lived in Rye’s manor as long as you remembered.
“I see. I hope to be bought soon myself, the alternative...is not pleasant.” Zev said.
“You don’t have a master?” you asked.
“..Not at the moment.” Zev answered, a frown tugging at his lips.
“You’re lucky.”
“I am indeed. It is nice to take breaks no?”
“..Take..breaks?” you repeated.
Zevran just studied you, then offered you a hand. “Come. As I said, your master will be in there for quite some time I’d imagine. Most men are.”
Zevran led you around the building to a sidedoor then ushered you inside.
“Are you sure we’re allowed in here?” you asked as Zev grabbed your hand again, leading you down a hallway.
“Of course! I live here.” Zevran replied, walking into an empty bedroom. It had tan walls, a decorative green rug and a bed with dark colors.
“You…have your own bedroom?” you blurted.
“Well no, I live with the other orphan boys in the back. But that is no place to bring visitors.” Zevran said sitting on the bed. “Besides I am unsure how they would react to you. We rarely see girls of our own age….We rarely see girls period. And anyway, I want you all to myself.” He smiled.
“…You’re an orphan? I’m sorry..”
“Ah beauty and compassion in the same girl. Your words are appreciated truly, though they are unnecessary. It is hard to miss parents you never met.”
“What do you mean?” you asked.
Zevran opened his mouth, but his eyes darted behind you. Turning you saw a man with a flat face and a woman with a board chest. “Zevran! Where did she…? Forget it, just get out of my room.” The woman ordered.
“Wait a moment.” The man said as Zevran slid off the bed. “Before we start, I might be interested in watching them.” He told the woman.
“Watching us?” you repeated.
“Quiet, you will speak when spoken to.” The woman snapped. Her gaze turned softer as she returned her focus to the man. “If that is what you wish…”
“It is.” He interrupted haughtily, hungry eyes locked on you.
“What’s happening?” you murmured to Zev as he stepped closer to you.
Zevran hushed you in a harmonious manner as his hands cupped around your throat. “Just relax ~~~~~~~,” he said softly. “Let your natural instinct take over.” Zevran leaned forward, oblivious to the racket your heart was making against your ribcage as his lips drew closer to yours.
“~~~~~~~~!” Rye called angrily causing you to jump. Between the man and woman stood your master, fuming. You swallowed a lump in your throat as Zevran slowly stepped back.
“Wait a moment, these elves are entertaining me.” The flat-faced man said as Rye came into the room. Turning to him, Rye punched him square in the jaw. Your jaw dropped the same time as the man while the woman gasped stupidly.
The anger fading from his face, Rye scooped you into his arms without a word. Turning towards the door, Rye paused to glare at the woman. “A whore without common decency. Shocking.” He said dryly. The woman’s stunned features converted to a scowl as Zevran laughed in the background. Looking over Rye’s shoulder, you caught Zevran’s gaze. A wry smile outlined his lips as he nodded in goodbye. It was almost as if he was saying ‘I’ll see you again sometime’. Rye stomped down the hallway and pushed through the sidedoor. You expected him to put you down and scold you the minute you were outside but he didn’t. Instead he continued to hold you, remaining silent. After a few feet down the street, Rye released a sigh. “I’m sorry ~~~~~~~~~.” He said softly. Blinking you wiggled to look at him. His smile was bittersweet. “It was a bad idea to bring you along.”
Thunder clapped overhead in welcoming as your mother trudged onto the shores of Antiva, her fingernails digging into your leg. Her grip tightened as she watched your father struggle to tie up the boat. Your eyes followed Master Rye as he stepped towards the glittering buildings in the distance. With a sigh your mother abandoned your father to follow Rye; bowing her head one of her (pointed) ears brushed against your cheek. “Why did we come here?” you whispered.
Your mother instantly hushed you. “It is not our place to ask ~~~~~~~. We just do as Master Rye tells us.” She answered. You glanced at the board shoulders of Rye leading the way. You rarely saw him but you knew few lines flawed his face though his blue eyes were always cloudy. His reddish brown hair sprinkled with gray was most obvious from the back such as now.
“What’s the matter little one?” your father asked, catching up with a large sack slung over his shoulder. “Don’t you like it here?” Another clap of thunder rumbled through the dark sky then it started to pour. You shook your head even as your mother lifted the hood of your robe to shield you from the rain. “Fair enough. But I hear there are many minstrels here, playing on the streets for anyone to enjoy. That will be fun, wont it?” he cooed rubbing your back. Instead of replying, you buried your head in your mother’s shoulder.
“It never stops raining.” You complained staring out the window.
“Our business is indoors tending to Master Rye’s things.” Your mother replied, scrubbing the diner table.
“Father went outside.” You pointed out turning to look at her.
“Master Rye asked him to find some information.” Your mother responded.
“About what?”
“Quiet ~~~~~~~.”
“Jaslynn.” Rye greeted walking into the room. Your mother straightened so fast your back ached just watching her. “I couldn’t help overhearing..”
“I apologize sire. The older children get the mouthier they become.” She replied, bowing.
“No need to apologize.” Rye chuckled as your father also came into the room. “Now that Edwin’s returned, I’ll be heading out. Why don’t I bring ~~~~~~~~~ along?” Rye offered.
“That…’s kind of your sire.” Your mother said.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.” Rye promised as your father urged you towards him.
For the first time since you had arrived in Antiva, it stopped raining while you and Master Rye walked through the streets. He kept a protective palm on your shoulder with every step, his gaze straightforward. You had never been alone with him, much less be able to speak to him without your mother shushing you. “Master Rye?” you began. His towering form looked down at you. “Father says you served under King Mariac as a warrior.”
“I did indeed. Mariac was most kind to my people.” Rye replied.
“Your people?”
“The Grey Wardens.”
“What’s that?”
“A special order devoted to fighting darkspawn.”
“Huh?” you muttered.
“Nevermind.” Rye chuckled. “Regardless, Mariac is no longer king. The throne now belongs to his son King Calian – a noble but naïve man by all accounts.”
“I don’t understand.” You murmured.
“Nothing to worry yourself with.” Rye replied, coming to a stop in front of a lavish building made of dark wood. On either side of a stairway were torches casting the building in a warm glow. “Finally,” Rye sighed dreamily. You glanced up at him curiously and his cheeks flush. “Be a good lass and wait right here. The minstrels will keep you company.” He gestured at a dark-haired woman surrounded by flute-players.
“Okay.” You agreed. Rye just smiled and started up the steps. When he reached the top, a beautiful woman greeted him. Tilting your head as they entered arm-in-arm, you perched on the bottom step. Your eyes scanned the street that led to this mysterious building. You gaze fell on a thin tan elf with shoulder-length blonde hair, no older than yourself strolling in your direction with a slight smirk on his perfect lips. You glanced back at the building again, wondering if he was allowed to go in. Before you knew it, he was standing in front of you.
“Hello.” He greeted in a crisp yet deep accent. “You are new here are you not? Might I ask your name?”
“…What’s your name?” you replied.
“Ahhaha. My name is Zevran. Zev to my friends.”
“I’m ~~~~~~~~~.”
“~~~~~~~~~~.” Zev repeated crossing his arms. “You must know that your master will be in there for some time yes? Yet you’re perfectly content with sitting here waiting for him? Seems a waste to let such beauty linger unattended. Would you like to come with me?”
“You’re…strange.” You said.
“I am an Antivan! That is a given. Where do you come from might I ask?” Zev responded.
“Highever.”
“That is where your master bought you or where he resides?”
“..Both?” you murmured. You had lived in Rye’s manor as long as you remembered.
“I see. I hope to be bought soon myself, the alternative...is not pleasant.” Zev said.
“You don’t have a master?” you asked.
“..Not at the moment.” Zev answered, a frown tugging at his lips.
“You’re lucky.”
“I am indeed. It is nice to take breaks no?”
“..Take..breaks?” you repeated.
Zevran just studied you, then offered you a hand. “Come. As I said, your master will be in there for quite some time I’d imagine. Most men are.”
Zevran led you around the building to a sidedoor then ushered you inside.
“Are you sure we’re allowed in here?” you asked as Zev grabbed your hand again, leading you down a hallway.
“Of course! I live here.” Zevran replied, walking into an empty bedroom. It had tan walls, a decorative green rug and a bed with dark colors.
“You…have your own bedroom?” you blurted.
“Well no, I live with the other orphan boys in the back. But that is no place to bring visitors.” Zevran said sitting on the bed. “Besides I am unsure how they would react to you. We rarely see girls of our own age….We rarely see girls period. And anyway, I want you all to myself.” He smiled.
“…You’re an orphan? I’m sorry..”
“Ah beauty and compassion in the same girl. Your words are appreciated truly, though they are unnecessary. It is hard to miss parents you never met.”
“What do you mean?” you asked.
Zevran opened his mouth, but his eyes darted behind you. Turning you saw a man with a flat face and a woman with a board chest. “Zevran! Where did she…? Forget it, just get out of my room.” The woman ordered.
“Wait a moment.” The man said as Zevran slid off the bed. “Before we start, I might be interested in watching them.” He told the woman.
“Watching us?” you repeated.
“Quiet, you will speak when spoken to.” The woman snapped. Her gaze turned softer as she returned her focus to the man. “If that is what you wish…”
“It is.” He interrupted haughtily, hungry eyes locked on you.
“What’s happening?” you murmured to Zev as he stepped closer to you.
Zevran hushed you in a harmonious manner as his hands cupped around your throat. “Just relax ~~~~~~~,” he said softly. “Let your natural instinct take over.” Zevran leaned forward, oblivious to the racket your heart was making against your ribcage as his lips drew closer to yours.
“~~~~~~~~!” Rye called angrily causing you to jump. Between the man and woman stood your master, fuming. You swallowed a lump in your throat as Zevran slowly stepped back.
“Wait a moment, these elves are entertaining me.” The flat-faced man said as Rye came into the room. Turning to him, Rye punched him square in the jaw. Your jaw dropped the same time as the man while the woman gasped stupidly.
The anger fading from his face, Rye scooped you into his arms without a word. Turning towards the door, Rye paused to glare at the woman. “A whore without common decency. Shocking.” He said dryly. The woman’s stunned features converted to a scowl as Zevran laughed in the background. Looking over Rye’s shoulder, you caught Zevran’s gaze. A wry smile outlined his lips as he nodded in goodbye. It was almost as if he was saying ‘I’ll see you again sometime’. Rye stomped down the hallway and pushed through the sidedoor. You expected him to put you down and scold you the minute you were outside but he didn’t. Instead he continued to hold you, remaining silent. After a few feet down the street, Rye released a sigh. “I’m sorry ~~~~~~~~~.” He said softly. Blinking you wiggled to look at him. His smile was bittersweet. “It was a bad idea to bring you along.”