Pitiless Games, Chapter 15: Drunkard's Prayer
Chapter Fifteen says its goodbyes, and is called Drunkard's Prayer (and on AO3.) Chapter is SFW; story overall is rated M.
Title: Old Roads: Pitiless Games
Rating: M (for the sexytimez, and for occasional graphic violence)
PC: Amell
Word Count: ~132k, ~5k this chapter
Spoilers: At this point, it's not so much spoilers as it might not make any sense if you haven't played through Origins/Awakening... Also, this chapter and the next have spoilers for da2.
Summary: Amaranthine is destroyed, and Warden Amell travels to Vigil’s Keep to take command. But one either must play the game of politics or be used as a pawn, and like it or not, every last one of Kathil’s demons are about to come home to roost... Amell/Zevran/Cullen, post-Awakening, multiple viewpoints, Part 5 of Old Roads.
Author's Note: This chapter contains minor spoilers for Dragon Age 2. Proceed at your own risk.
They held the celebration after all.
She did not dance at it; she was still weak from her sojourn into the Fade and the rigors of her return. Nathaniel was handling the day-to-day business of the Wardens for her, and she slept, ate, and cared for Cerys. She sat on the dais in the great hall of the Vigil and greeted what seemed like an endless stream of well-wishers that night, Zevran and Cullen beside her, the warhounds flanking them.
What had truly passed the day she had confronted the Grand Cleric was a secret that the Grey Wardens held close. Even those who had been there had not seen the whole thing. If any non-Wardens wondered where Kathil had vanished to for a fortnight, or why she was pale and still even now, they did not ask.
She did get to see Nathaniel dance with Sigrun, both of them lit up like Wintersend candles. Jowan managed a turn around the floor-with Delilah, of all people! (And a scowl appeared on Gwen Rylock's face when she saw Jowan dancing with Delilah. Hard to say why, of course, but Kathil had her guesses.) Oghren wrestled a suit of armor and lost, and Felsi dragged him away from the hall with the light in her eyes belying her grumbling. Alfstanna sat near Kathil for a time, and the two of them talked about inconsequentials, exactly as if they were family.
Teagan and Alistair were there, without their respective wives. Kaitlyn hadn't wanted to travel, and Rima had unspecified business in Denerim that needed an eye kept on it. As she sat on the dais, watching the dancers, she saw Teagan doing a turn around the floor with Alfstanna. Alistair, of course, was in high demand-all of the women and no few of the men wanted a chance to dance with the King.
Currently, he was dancing with Leliana, who she could tell was trying to coach him. Bless Leliana. She never changed.
The important people know the truth. Everyone else can keep their sodding opinions to themselves.
Title: Old Roads: Pitiless Games
Rating: M (for the sexytimez, and for occasional graphic violence)
PC: Amell
Word Count: ~132k, ~5k this chapter
Spoilers: At this point, it's not so much spoilers as it might not make any sense if you haven't played through Origins/Awakening... Also, this chapter and the next have spoilers for da2.
Summary: Amaranthine is destroyed, and Warden Amell travels to Vigil’s Keep to take command. But one either must play the game of politics or be used as a pawn, and like it or not, every last one of Kathil’s demons are about to come home to roost... Amell/Zevran/Cullen, post-Awakening, multiple viewpoints, Part 5 of Old Roads.
Author's Note: This chapter contains minor spoilers for Dragon Age 2. Proceed at your own risk.
They held the celebration after all.
She did not dance at it; she was still weak from her sojourn into the Fade and the rigors of her return. Nathaniel was handling the day-to-day business of the Wardens for her, and she slept, ate, and cared for Cerys. She sat on the dais in the great hall of the Vigil and greeted what seemed like an endless stream of well-wishers that night, Zevran and Cullen beside her, the warhounds flanking them.
What had truly passed the day she had confronted the Grand Cleric was a secret that the Grey Wardens held close. Even those who had been there had not seen the whole thing. If any non-Wardens wondered where Kathil had vanished to for a fortnight, or why she was pale and still even now, they did not ask.
She did get to see Nathaniel dance with Sigrun, both of them lit up like Wintersend candles. Jowan managed a turn around the floor-with Delilah, of all people! (And a scowl appeared on Gwen Rylock's face when she saw Jowan dancing with Delilah. Hard to say why, of course, but Kathil had her guesses.) Oghren wrestled a suit of armor and lost, and Felsi dragged him away from the hall with the light in her eyes belying her grumbling. Alfstanna sat near Kathil for a time, and the two of them talked about inconsequentials, exactly as if they were family.
Teagan and Alistair were there, without their respective wives. Kaitlyn hadn't wanted to travel, and Rima had unspecified business in Denerim that needed an eye kept on it. As she sat on the dais, watching the dancers, she saw Teagan doing a turn around the floor with Alfstanna. Alistair, of course, was in high demand-all of the women and no few of the men wanted a chance to dance with the King.
Currently, he was dancing with Leliana, who she could tell was trying to coach him. Bless Leliana. She never changed.
The important people know the truth. Everyone else can keep their sodding opinions to themselves.