Chapter 24 - Confessions of the Forest
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The Dalish were as friendly as I imagined they'd probably be. If you're wondering if I'm being sarcastic, I am. It was clear they distrusted humans, though I didn't feel any major hostility. Mostly, they were just suspicious, even when we announced that Alistair and Cerys were Wardens and we were looking to recruit them for the battle against the darkspawn.
As soon as they mentioned they had their own problems, I knew we were going to be dragged into something that required our assistance. The elder of the clan, a bald-headed elf by the name of Zathrian, explained the issue afflicting his people. Though I didn't give anything away about my own history as a werewolf, I knew a curse when I heard one, but wondered how this one had taken hold.
In exchange for our assistance, and knowing we would be looking for recruits, we were introduced to what I thought was one of his clan. We quickly learned that, although she resided with the clan, she was actually from a different clan but had been offered a place to stay with them, simply as it was the right thing to do.
She was very young, only nineteen years old, with blonde hair, that I assumed nearly all elves, but a pair of blue eyes that appeared to look at the world with nothing but innocence. She was rather tall. Not as tall as me, but almost as tall, if not slightly taller than Leliana. She was rather slim, as most elves appeared to be, and the robes she wore and staff she carried immediately told us what she was.
"This is Lyna Mahariel. If you wish to recruit a Warden, I cannot recommend someone better," Zathrian said.
"Would you be interested in joining the Wardens, Lyna?" I asked.
I knew elves were not particularly fond of humans, but the look she returned to me made a few of my companions laugh. I ignored them, as did she, replying that she would be interested, though I think she was left with little choice. Zathrian offered her services as I was left thinking he wanted rid of her. It did make me wonder why, and I'd perhaps ask her later.
It had taken us most of the day to find the Dalish, and while still suspicious, our group spread out to ease those, speaking to various members of their clan. After spending a little time chatting with Zathrian, I then moved onto what I thought was his assistant, though she quickly told me she was an apprentice, but also known as 'first'. She was rather cute, and appeared to have no fear of humans, telling me parts of her life story. I figured the rest of it out for myself and I felt nothing but sympathy for her. She appreciated that, though insisted her past was exactly that. When I did ask her about humans, she said there were some who were kind and others who were not. She would not judge all humans the same, hoping I would do the same about the elves. We agreed to do the same thing.
Making camp on the edge of theirs that evening, Lyna joined us in an attempt to become part of our group. She was incredibly shy to begin with, but slowly but surely opened up. When asking about her magical abilities, she admitted that clans would normally not have too many mages, not wishing to earn the ire of the Templars, but Zathrian looked upon her as one of his own, and therefore chose to protect her.
"If you're not of this clan, where is our own?" I wondered.
"They left," she replied vaguely. I just looked at her, waiting for further explanation. "Something happened which forced them to flee. I was involved, and therefore I was left behind."
"You were abandoned? I didn't the Dalish would do that to one of their own," Leliana said.
"I wasn't abandoned. I was brought to this clan, where an exchange was made. It would be difficult for outsiders to understand."
"But you're happy to join us?"
"I don't fear humans like others. I don't quite understand you, but I've heard stories about Wardens. Joining them won't be a problem."
Our tents formed a ring around the campfire, and I was one of the last to head to bed, Leliana letting me know I would be sleeping with her that night. Her matter-of-fact statement gave me a good chuckle, though she didn't insist I join her immediately, busy as I was enjoying a tankard with Cerys. Alistair had taken off to bed rather early, still down in the dumps, and eventually it was only the pair of us left. She moved closer to me and lowered her voice for the next part of our conversation.
"Ragnar, would you like to have sex with me again?"
"We've been through this, Cerys."
"Wait, you haven't heard me out. Alistair is willing to have a threesome with you and I again, though Zevran won't be invited. Just three."
"Alistair is okay with it happening again?" She nodded. "Why?"
"Because he knows it will make me happy. I'm not asking to do it without him, he will be involved, but I was wondering if you'd like to do it again?"
"You're sure he won't mind?"
"He loves me and he likes you. Trust me, it'll be fine."
"When?"
"We'll likely return to Redcliffe after this, so we can try it then." She placed a hand on my thigh. "Please say yes. I would love to be intimate with you again."
"Cerys, let's be honest, if not for Alistair, you'd be one of my girls." The smile on her face was reward enough, so I nodded. "Okay, I guess we can do it again."
She kissed my cheek. "Great!" she exclaimed loudly, before she cringed slightly. Lowering her voice, she added, "I'll talk to Alistair, make sure he's completely on board. If he is, we'll discuss it together. If not, I'll let you know."
Having got that off her chest, she headed straight to her tent. I finished up my tankard before doing the same, Leliana opening up the furs we slept under to reveal she was nude. I joined her after stripping off, as she immediately cuddled into me. Gods, I loved her naked skin under my fingertips, immediately running them up and down her body as I kissed her.
Breaking the kiss, her eyes searched my face for a moment. "So, how was it with Morrigan? I can assume you did something a little different."
As I've said, I'm always honest. "She loved it in the rear. I mean, really loved it."
"Different to me?"
"I was gentle with you. With Morrigan, not so much."
"No wonder she was sitting funny all day." She paused, before asking, "You really enjoyed it, didn't you?"
"As I've said often, you're all unique. Morrigan has offered herself on plate whenever I desire her. I'm surprised, as I honestly didn't believe she'd be interested in sharing me. But you've talked to her. I think I'm understanding her a little better, as much as she is doing the same with me. There's a mutual attraction and respect now."
"It's nice that we all get along, but will you be wanting to do the same with me?"