http://www.fanfictio...t/s/5701751/21/
The Shadows
Aedan came awake to a darkened room and blinked his eyes a moment. He wasn’t sure what had caused him to wake, but didn’t think it had been a dream. Thank the Maker he had not dreamed of Morrigan since his confession. With a twist of guilt he wondered if a confession four months ago may have prevented many sleepless nights. A sound interrupted his thoughts and he realized that was what must have awoken him. Turning his head toward the sound he just caught himself before he gasped. The window was ajar and shadowed figure had just slipped through, landing almost soundlessly on the stone floor. Aedan tensed his muscles beneath the covers, ready to spring, hoping the intruder still believed their cover of stealth had not been broken. He ached to turn his head and check on Leliana, but he did not dare.
As he squinted in vain at the window the figure slipped into shadow once more and Aedan inwardly cursed the moonless night. He gave into temptation and rolled over, trying to imitate the torpor of sleep, throwing his arm across Leliana and swallowing drily when he found she was still there. There was a tension to her and he realized she was awake also, lying still as well, and probably as aware as he of the intruder. His eyes were adjusting to the dimness of the room now and he could see her move her head slightly, a barely perceptible nod. He laid still again, ears straining, and could hear nothing but the sound of his own blood pounding in his ears.
The bed suddenly dipped behind him and he snapped backward, flinging his arm in an arc behind himself, hoping to catch the trespasser by surprise. He connected with something solid and then his arm was caught and pinned back. Aedan felt the sting of a very sharp blade slice across the inside of his forearm as he continued rolling over, bringing his other arm up. That arm was caught also and both his arms were now pinned together. He tried to roar in frustration but was cut off by a dizzying blow to his temple. He saw stars and shook his head.
The mattress dipped and rose behind him and he heard a grunt, a muffled thud and silence. Aedan was now in an awkward position. He had tried to pull his legs out from under the covers as he’d rolled, but had been unsuccessful and now his back was twisted slightly and without the use of his arms he had no leverage. He kicked his legs again and started growling, his volume rising as his frustration built. Suddenly there was a blade at his throat and a whisper just beside his ear. “Struggling just makes the poison work faster.”
Aedan froze. What had happened to Leliana? He opened his mouth and said, his voice sounding somewhat strangled, “Leli.” His legs were beginning to tingle.
Aedan tried to turn his head and was allowed to do so. He gazed desperately in Leliana’s direction and was utterly stunned to find she was being restrained by yet another shadowed figure, a dagger held carefully at her throat. There were two of them? Aedan sagged gently and felt the bite of the blade at his neck. He asked, “What do you want?” His tongue felt thick.
The figure replied, “Your secrets, Commander.”
Aedan felt a chill at ‘commander’, he knew that voice. Why would they call him commander? He then realized the chill wasn’t entirely from the sound of the voice, he was starting to feel cold all over, and numb. He tried to speak again but found his mouth no longer obeyed him and all that came out was an odd gagging noise.
There were two reactions to his sound. Leliana whimpered and he could hear her struggling against her assailant. The man holding him said, “That’s better,” then eased him back toward the mattress.
Aedan immediately tried to move and discovered he couldn’t…even breathing was becoming difficult now and a panicked fluttering was rising within his chest. He tried to make more noise and only produced a rasping this time.
The shadowed figure sheathed his dagger and grabbed Aedan by the shoulders. With a slight grunt he then proceeded to drag Aedan from the bed and onto the floor, and then maneuver him underneath the bed. Aedan tried to order his mind, but his thoughts seemed as sluggish as his breath and he could only come up with one thought: Why are they putting me under the bed?
His question was answered however when the figure knelt down and whispered nearly soundlessly next to his ear. “If you stay calm the poison may spare you. I am sorry, Commander, I waited as long as I could. I will do my best to see she is not harmed.”
He heard the other intruder, the one holding Leliana say softly but clearly, “Quickly, now, you take her feet.” The shadow beside him rose and he could see the soft leather boots move out of side around the bed.
Leliana, they were taking Leliana! Aedan screamed inside himself and tried desperately to make his body move but it was becoming increasingly hard to concentrate and his breath was labored. A part of his mind knew he needed to calm down before the poison interacted too heavily with his increased adrenaline but he found it impossible in the face of losing Leliana. He started to choke and wheeze and the only sound he could hear was his own pulse pounding in his ears – and it was slowing down. Each pulse seemed to reverberate inside his skull and his consciousness was starting to ebb away. With a final rasp of breath he slipped under.
--=0=--
Alistair was not surprised to find Fergus in the dining room ahead of him. Fergus would be saying good bye to his brother today and Alistair had sympathy for the man. The castle would be a lonely place once all the guests departed, as lonely as Denerim had seemed without the constant company of his companions. He bid the Teyrn good morning and asked, “No sign of Aedan yet?”
Fergus shook his head and replied, “No and I am loathe to disturb them knowing this is their last morning together for some time.”
Alistair could only nod in agreement. Aedan knew his duty and he would not tarry too long, of that he was sure. He helped himself to some breakfast and was just sitting down when Philippe appeared in the doorway.
“I understand a messenger arrived late last night,” the senior warden said, “What news?”
Alistair answered, “Darkspawn south of Redcliffe. Aedan and his wardens will be leaving today instead of tomorrow.”
Philippe looked alarmed. He spun on his heel and said, “I’ll pass along the word then, have the wardens prepare their packs before they come to eat.” He disappeared back down the hallway.
Alistair turned to Fergus and said, “I would be concerned that Aedan hadn’t already talked to the wardens himself if I didn’t understand his reticence to leave his room this morning. We can not indulge him much longer, however.”
Fergus nodded in agreement and asked, “After we see Aedan off, will you accompany me to Highever to confirm that your ship is ready to sail tomorrow, or shall I take Oghren?”
Alistair scratched his chin thoughtfully and replied, “Why don’t we see if Leliana would like to come? I’m sure she’d welcome the distraction today. I will come along also. I think Oghren would prefer one last day as far from the sea as possible.”
They shared a grin and Fergus excused himself, leaving for his study. Alistair sat alone for while, simply letting his mind wander. He was glad the amulets had worked so well. He felt a certain amount of guilt regarding taking Leliana to Orlais but was immensely grateful she would be accompanying him. She had all but taken on Aedan’s role of chancellor these past months and Alistair valued her advice as well as her skill in gathering and sifting information. Her first hand knowledge of Val Royeaux would be like a gift from the Maker himself as neither he, nor Oghren had ventured beyond Ferelden before.
It hadn’t actually been as hard as might have imagined convincing Aedan to let her come along. Aedan had known he would be traveling hard over the next month or so and naturally he was concerned with Leliana’s ‘delicate condition’. Alistair couldn’t help a grin of anticipation; he was nearly as excited to meet Aedan’s child as they were. His musings were interrupted as Zevran and the other wardens filtered into the room, hungrily eyeing the breakfast spread. It was time to rouse Aedan.
The maid he sent returned saying there was no answer at her knock. Alistair frowned and excusing himself from the assembled wardens, went to check up on Aedan himself. He knocked on the door and when there was no answer, he cracked it open and peeked cautiously inside. The room was empty. The bed was made and the room was tidy. This in itself bothered Alistair. Aedan was meticulous with three things – his armour, his weapons and his boots. Any personal space he occupied was usually littered with discarded clothing and books. Perhaps Leliana was cleaning up after him?
He stepped back into the hall and returned to the dining room. He asked the assembled wardens if any of them had seen Aedan this morning. None of them had. Alistair was now seriously disturbed. Though part of his mind wanted to suggest Aedan had taken Leliana away somewhere early this morning, he seriously doubted the possibility. The warden commander was dedicated to his duty and despite his love for his wife, would not heedlessly endanger the lives of others while frittering away the morning hours. Something was wrong. Zevran was regarding him from across the room and Alistair beckoned him over.
“Zevran, would you mind heading outside and scouting the castle grounds for Aedan or Leliana or both, they are probably together, but…” he spread his hands, unable to articulate his fears. Zevran understood and immediately set off. It wasn’t until he had handed out assignments to the rest of the wardens that Alistair noticed yet another absence. Jean was missing. He grabbed at Philippe’s sleeve as the older man was about to pass through the door and asked, “Have you seen Jean this morning?”
Philippe raised his brows and said, “Actually, no, I have not. I will look in the chapel, it is where he is usually to be found before setting off to battle.”
After an hour it became clear that Aedan, Leliana and Jean were missing. Seriously disturbed did not even begin to describe Alistair’s state of mind as he and Fergus organized teams of soldiers to head into the forest and down to Highever. Alistair intended to join the search but Fergus reminded him that he was king and that if something foul was afoot, he needed to stay here at the castle with his guard. Though he felt like yelling in frustration, he could only agree.
As the search parties left Alistair decided to check Aedan’s room again. He stepped inside this time and stood before the bed. He looked at the closet and thought to check inside. Leliana’s clothes were all neatly arranged, confirming his earlier suspicions that someone else had been cleaning up after Aedan. Alistair had no idea how many dresses she owned, so he looked for something of Aedan’s. The warrior’s meager collection of threadbare shirts and one of the two pairs of pants Alistair could remember seeing him in were not to be found. Upon withdrawing his head from the closet, Alistair spied Aedan’s pack on the floor. He unbuckled the straps and peeked inside – scrunched up shirts and pants. No wonder the warrior always looked as though he slept in his clothes! Alistair tried the armory next. Both Aedan and Leliana’s weapons were there, along with Aedan’s Warden Commander plate.
Cold fear began to seep into Alistair’s thoughts. The fact that Aedan’s pack was ready meant Aedan fully intended to leave for Redcliffe this morning. But the fact that his armour and weapons were still here disturbed him even more so. Was it really possible that Aedan might have taken Leliana and simply left? Alistair shook his head, no. It was not possible. Aedan would never abandon his duty, and where was Jean?
Alistair paced back and forth through the castle, unable to sit down. He started when Zevran appeared behind him and tapped his shoulder.
“We have searched the woods for an hour to the west of the castle and have found no clues, and no trail,” the elf informed him. Zevran’s eyes reflected his own worry.
Alistair quickly filled him in on his findings and Zevran stated firmly, “No, Aedan has not left of his volition; there is something more sinister afoot.” Despite the increased panic this induced, Alistair was relieved Zevran agreed with him.
Zevran continued, “I would like to see Aedan’s room, if you don’t mind.”
Alistair followed Zevran back to Aedan’s room desperately hoping the former assassin would find clues he’d missed, yet also apprehensive as to what he would find.
Zevran stopped in the doorway and scanned the room before entering. He looked over every piece of furniture before stepping silently into the room. As Alistair had done, he went to the closet first. He opened it and examined the contents.
Then stepping around the bed, he moved over to the window and pushing it open, leaned out to look at the ground below. Alistair leaned over his shoulder and looked out. It was about an eight foot drop onto hard, packed earth. Not beyond the realm of possibility as an alternative exit.
Alistair leaned back and he and Zevran turned to face the bed. That’s when they saw it. There was a slender dark stain on the floor, a thin smear really. It looked like blood.
Modifié par Sisimka, 10 février 2010 - 10:51 .
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Also nice to see that aedan is not one of those super hero wardens that wouldve just kicked their asses ^^ We forgive the brief time you allow yourself to spend time with your children...if you post 3 chapters in the 24hrs after XD MOAR... and well written!
