A Discreet Meeting (Briana)

[Briana Talon]

Briana frowned at the familiar sounds coming from the hall and she rose from the table as Alex moved toward the door. An irritated sigh left her at the mention of her brothers at arms. It was inevitable that any time they spent alone together would be interrupted but Briana was not quite ready to call it a night. “I don’t know about you but I think this inn has become a bit too crowded.” After grabbing her cloak she went to the window and opened it.

The moon and stars shined brighter than before and she could see their horses but ten paces from them. “I’m going for a ride. Want to join?” Briana grinned before climbing through the window. The night air was still except for the commotion coming from the inn. It sounded as if the prisoner was not going to be compliant by any means. Standing by her horse, with her foot in the stirrup she paused. Her sense of duty was beginning to weigh on her and for a brief moment she almost gave in. Not tonight. Besides it was just one prisoner. The otherTemplars had managed to capture him so they should be able to contain him.

Not wasting any more time, Briana mounted her horse and waited for Alex. “I’ll race you over hill.” She winked at him and spurred her horse onward in the opposite direction of Kirkwall and everyone who knew them.

[Alexander]

“I don’t know about you but I think this inn has become a bit too crowded.” Briana said as she grabbed her cloak and went to the window. Alex grinned lightly, nodding in agreement. As she opened the window, he grabbed his cloak and tossed it onto his shoulders, and grabbed the bottle of rum. He paid for the thing (or, had intended to), so he may as well still finish it. And they couldn't right well take the pitcher of ale now could they?

Chuckling as she invited him to go riding with her as she climbed out the window, Alex followed in suit, placing a sovereign on the table in payment of the drinks and their silence. The inn knew the drill. Alex had been out there before with mercenary contacts, and Briana once or twice, and preferred to keep things quiet. The Inn was very good about staying that way, so long as it was paid well.

As he followed her to the stables, he noticed she stopped halfway through mounting the horse. Knowing her, she was considering going back to help them. She was ever the dutiful templar... Alex bit his lip and watched her expectantly before mounting his own horse. He hoped she wouldn't do it... Not tonight. Not again.

When she challenged him to a race, he lit up, smiling in a wide, almost child-like grin. Hopping onto his horse, he dug his heels into his horse and trotted off after her. While holding his own, she was a much better rider than him, and made it to the hill well before he did. He shook his head as he finally caught up to her at the top, glad to be heading the opposite way from Kirkwall.

"So, perhaps we will just be running off after all? Nearest port is Ostwick, we can take a ship to Denerim from there." He smiled and winked, then looked around. There were no other inns for a while, but he didn't want to go back to Kirkwall. Not yet. The night was too young, and he wanted to spend as much time with Briana as possible before being forced to give her back to the templars. "Unlesss you have any other ideas?"

[Briana Talon]

Once they reached the top of the hill Briana gave Alex a triumphant smile. She had expected to win but that wasn't the reason for her smile. It felt good to be able free from responsibility for once and tonight Briana planned on making the most of her time. Alex seemed happy for the escape as well. “Runaway? That’s a tempting thought, but we both know we would be horrible at it.” Briana joked. The two traveled a bit longer along the main road, laughing and talking. Briana hadn't even realized how far they had traveled until they came across a familiar landmark.

The large rock formations alerted Briana of where they were and she turned her horse about as she surveyed the area. “If you’re tired of riding, there is this nice spot not far from here where we could kick back and relax. Even perhaps finish that bottle you've been hiding. That’s right, I saw “. Briana laughed before guiding her horse of the road and into the open field.

The field soon became hills and after climbing over the third one Briana found what she was looking for. At the top was a cluster of trees that were tall and though reached high into the sky, there was enough space between the leaves to still the stars above. “Here we are.” Briana dismounted and walked her horse before letting it graze nearby.

Briana stood by the large trees and looked down from hill. The view was breathtaking, even in the night for the moonlight provided enough light to see the contrast of the high grass, foliage and the lake in the distance. It was a peaceful place and Briana had only ventured here a couple of times. She discovered the place when she had been tracking an apostate years earlier. There was something about the place and she continued to venture here when she was in the area. It was not only beautiful but peaceful as well. Two things that were rare in Kirkwall.

“So what do you think?” Briana smiled at Alex. “I like to think of this place as my special little getaway.”

[Alexander]

Alex was loving this. The night sky, the idle conversation, the two of them riding through the night... Her smile. That smile she had that he never saw enough of. For a while, the thought of running off remained tempting, but subsided as they continued to ride through the night. It was true. They'd make horrible runaways. Both had too strong a sense of what was right, and abandoning their post wouldn't sit well with either of them.

After a while, the thought of stopping and relaxing appealed to him greatly. He smirked mischievously as she mentioned the rum bottle he had. "Hey, you didn't stop me. Besides, I did pay the man. I'm a good boy." He finished, changing his tone of voice in the end to be one of lighthearted sarcasm.

As he dismounted his horse and tied it to a tree next to Briana's, he took in the absolute beauty and serenity of the spot she had found. It was absolutely breathtaking. The dark waters calmly lapping against the shoreline, the leaves rustling around them, the tall grass dancing in the wind. It was quite a site.

He couldn't help but smile back at her. Again... That smile. In the soft moonlight, her platinum hair nearly glowed. Still holding the bottle of rum in one hand, he gently put his arm around her waist and looked up into the sky for a moment, then down at the lake over at Kirkwall far off in the distance, a dim light at best. It seemed almost peaceful... He looked at Briana and smiled back at her, glad just to be holding her, hearing her voice.

"It's really beautiful. I'm surprised you found the time to find a place such as this one. I'm glad you did though." He smiled, and leaned in to give her a light kiss. It had been long overdue. He then took off his cloak and set it on the ground, and offered it to her, letting her take a seat on the moonlit hillside first.

[Briana Talon]

Briana returned Alex’s kiss, a smile forming as they parted. It had been some time since she felt his lips on hers. Each moment like this felt as if it were stolen and that perhaps made it feel more special. Graciously she took a seat on his cloak that he spread out before them and she took his hand pulling him down next her.

Sighing she leaned against him, enjoying his warmth and the familiar scent that was him. “You don’t want to know how I found this place.” Briana murmured against his neck, nipping him playfully. It was a distraction of course as she plucked the bottle of rum from his hand. Giggling she pulled the cork off but then offered him the first sip. “I’m just glad we have this time together.”

When she received the bottle back she took a long sip and made a hissing sound after she swallowed. “That’s… potent.” Briana wasn’t the most avid drinker but it wasn’t bad. She nuzzled into Alex’s side and hummed the tune that Alex normally whistled. Thoughts ran through her mind of how nice it would be to just… ‘be’ with Alex. But of course, fate would not allow such a thing.

“You’re such a noble man.” Briana stated thoughtfully. “Did you ever think of joining the Templars? Being a knight, was that not appealing to you?” It would have been so much easier if he had been. And now that she thought about it, she wondered why Alex had such a soured outlook when it came to her Order. Despite the constant banter about the jurisdiction of Templars and City Guard, Briana had the nagging feeling that it was more than that. Injustices of mages… those who didn’t understand always resorted to saying that but Alex knew that Briana was not unjust. Many in her Order were like her if Alex would just look past the burning sword.

[Alexander]

Alex bit his lower lip, smiling as she pulled him down and feathered her lips on his neck, not noticing her arm reach around and grab the bottle before it was too late. Damn. She was far too good at that; she was getting to know how he thought far too well. Not that he complained though. As she offered him the first sip he grabbed the bottle back and shot her a wide grin taking the first swig, feeling the liquor warm his insides and lightly begin to dull some of his senses, then gave her back the bottle. As she took a swig, he wrapped his arm around her back and held her close, letting her nuzzle into his shoulder. This... Was heaven. Her and him, sitting on the ground, simply enjoying each other's company.

Then she asked the question. Why he hadn't become a templar. He took a deep breath and looked at her once more, and wishing more and more that he had been one. But then he remembered why he was not... What had permanently turned him against the order. That didn't occur until many years later, in Kirkwall. He knew better than to talk about that....

"Well, want to know a secret? When I was younger, I thought it would be rather nice. Protect the chantry, serve the Maker, be a part of a service that did not judge me on my family history. But life intervened. The Ferelden army offered me a place... So I took it." Alex kissed her lightly on the forehead, hoping that answer would satisfy her, but knowing it wouldn't. Briana would want to know more. Might as well beat her to it.

"But around the same time the templars offered me a place too. I thought about both for a long time, prayed, for about a week. Than my mother finally showed me my father's old diary. It was written in Antivan, so it took me a while to fully read, but what I read solidified my decision to join the Ferelden army."

He took another deep breath, and looked off into the peaceful scene around them again. Alex wasn't certain Briana would like the answer, but the truth was the truth.

"He had been a mercenary who fought with chantry forces in Rivain. While he described the brutality of the qunari, what the templars there did... Their actions did not match what they preached. The Ferelden army, has always been about defending my mother's homeland... My homeland. I traveled to Denerim to join the next day..."

He looked at Briana, and really, he did not want to start a fight. He didn't want to get into an argument once more. Besides, he wouldn't change a single event in his life, even if he could. Did he regret some? Absolutely. Did some of the still give him nightmares? One need only bring up the name Ostagar to find out about that. But everything he had done had led him to here. Looking at Briana again, he held her tightly as he continued.

"But had I had joined the templars, undoubtedly I would have been stationed in the Circle down in Lake Calenhad. The very same that was nearly destroyed during the blight, where most of the templars were killed by those abominations. I could have very well been a part of that body count... Either that, or I would have most likely stayed in Ferelden had I had survived, and I would have never met you..." Alex smiled softly, his eyes still distant, his mind was on her. He hoped that would be enough to answer her question.

[Briana Talon]

A person’s past defined them and even if she felt a little disheartened by Alex’s words, it was true… they never would have met if things had played out differently in his past. She wanted to interrupt several times, to defend her Order like the many times she had in the past but tonight she held her tongue. Some things she couldn't defend. The Templars were not always right. As much as it pained her to say, she knew that there were Templars and other members of the Chantry that were not righteous and abused their position. But these were things that Briana would not openly admit. She was a Templar and she would never do anything to tarnish their reputation.

Instead she leaned against Alex, relishing the feel of him next to her. His touch had an amazing effect on her. He made her feel soft, not the hardened warrior that she was. “I understand. I am glad that you came into my life and if things had been different then you’re right. We wouldn’t have met. Despite you being the hardheaded and stubborn man that you are, I find your company… pleasing.” Briana grinned and jabbed Alex on his side playfully.

“Perhaps one day we’ll see eye to eye about something. Maybe.” Briana chuckled and took another swing of the rum. Her head was beginning to spin a bit. Not the heaviest of drinkers she was sure she well on her way to getting drunk. “I think I should stop.” Briana handed the bottle back to Alex then took a deep breath of the night air. It was perfect here…

It was then Briana realized that her dizziness might not be from the alcohol alone. She had not taken her ration of lyrium for the day. Briana had managed at one point to space out her lyrium intake to where she depended on it less, but after last several years of chaos in Kirkwall she was forced to rely on more of the blue liquid magic. Sighing she decided that perhaps more of the rum would get rid of the withdrawal she was starting to feel. “Actually, maybe another sip or two.” Briana went to grab the bottle from Alex who was selfishly keeping it to himself. “Oh don’t make me take you on Alex. We both know you’d lose.” A mischievous grin formed on her full lips.

[Alexander]

"Despite you being the hardheaded and stubborn man that you are, I find your company… pleasing.” Briana teased as she jabbed him in his side. Alex couldn't help but chuckle and hold her a little tighter. The fact that she hadn't argued with him, trying to defend the templar order very much surprised him. Pleasantly so mind you, he wasn't going to turn down a blessing, and he couldn't help but smile. This was the Briana he had fallen for. The Briana without the internal armor. The woman behind the flaming sword.

"Maybe when the darkspawn have been cleared from the deep roads and the qunari learn to take a joke, we'll agree on something." He teased, offering her the bottle of rum. It wasn't true, they were alike in many aspects. Both held adherence to strict codes of justice, where fair, loyal, dutiful to the very end towards their respective orders. Their similarities are, mind you, what caused the tension, but it wasn't all bad. They both at least tried to do what was right for Kirkwall... Even if both had very different views on how to get there.

Grabbing the bottle back from her, he chuckled before taking a swig of his own. It wouldn't be long before he should probably stop too. He didn't want to get completely drunk, he wanted to remember every moment with her. Alexander rarely got to be with her as it was, though he was noticing that it almost regularly involved alcohol. Made sense really. They were both soldiers (or some variation of a soldier), and soldiers, when away from duty, often simply wanted to get lost in another world. One without the strict regulations they ran their daily lives by. This was one of those times, and Alexander secretly found himself wishing it would never end.

As she reached for the bottle, he held it away, grinning. "Na-uh-uh," he teasingly chastised, biting his lower lip as her face neared his whilst trying to reach the bottle. When she challenged him, his grin widened and a spark of mischief once again caused his eyes to light up. "Come now Bri, we both know how that worked out last time." He chuckled, kissing her lightly as he continued to hold the bottle away from her as his free hand was on her hip, holding her close. Pulling away, he took another swig of the rum that was, by now, had very much gone to his head. Smiling a wide, almost childish grin, he looked back into her green eyes, challenging back. "We both know it will end with me on top." He leaned up again and kissed her once more, setting the bottle down on the ground.

[Briana Talon]

Before Briana could counter Alex’s statement, his lips found hers and for a moment she had forgotten all that was said. Instead she returned his kiss, pressing her soft lips against his enjoying the sweetness that could only be described as ‘Alex’. But that moment was fleeting when he had to point out how he had won last time. Coincidentally it was by using the same tactic he was using now. Yes, his kiss was distracting but she could be just as distracting.

Her eyes met his and a roguish grin of her own formed. The challenge was made and it was accepted. Briana returned Alex’s kiss and as soon as he placed the bottle on the ground Briana wasted no time in taking the advantage. The kiss became more passionate and Briana pressed her body against Alex’s, her hand snaking up behind his head and playing into his dark hair. Slowly, ever so slowly did she maneuver her body until she had the leverage that she needed.

Suddenly Alex was on his back and Briana was on top of him straddling him as she pinned him. The kiss didn’t end, it only increased in intensity until Briana felt as if she were spinning. She broke the kiss but kept her face but inches from Alex’s. “I would say that I am the one on top.” Briana smirked. Her hand moved from the side of him and pushed on his chest keeping him down. “Na-uh-uh.” Briana chuckled, the stars danced in Alex’s eyes and Briana felt as if she could keep looking into them forever.

“Do you give up?” She asked huskily before she leaned back down and kissed him deeply. Briana didn't really care who won at this point, she felt as if she had already won just by having this time with Alex.

[Alexander]

Alex continued to hold Briana close kissing her slowly, passionately, vaguely aware of how she was positioning herself. He was completely absorbed in the moment, his hand on the back of her neck, his fingers in her platinum hair. Everything about her drove him mad. Her skin, her full lips, the way she smelled, everything about her was as intoxicating as the rum that sat nearby. As she pressed her body against his, immediately he forgot everything that had occurred the past few years. The qunari, the mage rebellion... Everything. His mind was entirely on the beautiful templar...

Who just pinned him to the ground, using the very same trick he had done. But the kiss continued, and Alex didn't want to change that. She... She was incredible. Her hands may have been calloused, yet as his hands were on her sides he could feel the softness of her skin under her shirt. He wanted this... He wanted her, to be with her. As Briana pulled away slightly, he tried to follow her, only to be teasingly pushed back down with the same taunt he had given her earlier. Oh how she torments him.

"Never." He grinned back up at her. She had him pretty much in her clutches at this point, but he wasn't going to let her win that easily. It wasn't in his nature to let someone simply win... Even though losing had just as many benefits as winning in this specific scenario.

Running his hand through her hair, his other hand ran down her side, resting on her hip. He let her remain on top for a while, hoping to try to let her guard down, letting her think she had won, when without warning he thrust his right hip forward, setting her off balance and turning the tables. Alex then quickly moved his arms under her back, his hands on the back of her neck, as if cradling her, trapping her, then reached forward and kissed her again passionately. He then pulled back just enough so that when he spoke it feathered her lips lightly as he grinned widely, his eyes shining as he looked into hers.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again. We Fereldens are hands down the best close quarter fighters out there." He winked at the lovely templar under him. "We always come out on top."

[Briana Talon]

It was her fault really. She had let down her guard and became lost in her feelings, emotionally and physically, that Alex was elicited from her. The price for such carelessness was him gaining the advantage and capturing her in a position that had her trapped in his grasp, under his muscled body that she was taking more and more notice of.

Briana returned his kiss with passion that equaled his. She would have been happy to let Alex be the victor if it meant they would continue sharing this moment but then he pulled away and had to do what Alex did best… state something that she would have to dispute and prove wrong. Briana grinned at Alex, rather taken by his aggressive yet playful manner but not enough so where she was going to ignore the boast.

“Oh Alex, how I wish you would have just shut up and just kept kissing me.” Briana chuckled softly as she moved her body against Alex’s to get a better feel of how secure his grip was. “I was starting to think that you being on top wasn't so bad.” Her hips pressed against Alex’s. Her brow raised up teasingly at him, a knowing grin formed. “You should have just kept kissing me.” Briana tsked then with her hands she jabbed, not hard enough to hurt but enough to get a response on Alex’s sides until she felt some leeway in his grasp on her. She contracted her body to make herself slimmer and pushed against Alex chest breaking free and the two separated.

Briana rolled and rose to a knee. “Now you’re really going to have to work to take me down.” Her eyes lit up with excitement as she challenged him. Not being exactly sober would give Alex an advantage but then again Briana could see that he wasn’t exactly sober either. Perfect.

“Want to make a wager Guard?” Briana taunted as she stood. “If I win then the dinner you’ve promised to cook for me you will do in one of those frilly aprons… and nothing else.” Her grin spread from ear to ear.

[Alexander]

It never could end could it? Alexander just couldn't keep his mouth shut and enjoy the fact that Briana was under him, kissing him as passionately as he kissed her. No, he had to be a smartass and continue the little competition they had earlier. As she pressed her hips up against him and shot him that knowing, teasing grin, Alex took a heavy breath and grinned back. If she hadn't realized how much he wanted her before she certainly knew now. Alex was distracted by her body just long enough to not notice her getting ready to jab at his side. Parting, Alex immediately regretted opening his big mouth. Maker... She simply had to be the one to get the final word. Well, he'd be damned before he lost to a templar! Even one as beautiful as this one.

When she stated her bet, Alex's brow raised and he couldn't help but bust out laughing as he stood up. Oh how her mind had changed since he had first met her. This was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "Fine by me" Alex replied grinning. "Then when I win, next time you're in my chambers you should wear some Holy Mother robes the chantry gives you... And nothing underneath." His grin widened, as everyone always heard the lurid stories of of blessed mothers, and Alex would love to act that out. At least a very drunk Alex wanted to. A sober Alex knew that bet was just asking for him to get punched, but hey, they were fighting anyway, might as well make the most of it.

Alex then began to circle the feisty templar, studying her stance. She was clearly drunk, as was he, but the difference was he had been in quite a few drunken bar fights as a soldier. She, a templar, had undoubtedly not been in quite as many. Alex then found a point in which to strike, and moved in, striking at her rib then putting up a block to prevent her strikes that were bound to come at any moment.

[Briana Talon]

Briana’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened at Alex’s wager. “You did not just say that!” Being Chantry raised what he just suggested made her cheeks redden. “That’s just… wrong.” Not that Briana was a prude but the imagery alone would have her seeking penance later. Her being flabbergasted was enough for Alex to take advantage and strike first. She saw his move and was slow to respond allowing him to land his hit though not with full force; Briana had managed to adjust her stance at the last minute.

Her focus was to bring him back down so when Alex brought his arm up to block a counter by her she grabbed it and yanked him forward while she brought up her knee to smash him in the gut. Not completely relying on that she also brought down her elbow onto his back when he leaned forward. “Sorry love, but robes do not suit me.” Briana grinned as she brought her hand back to strike at him again.

The implementation of her moves was a bit sloppy thanks to the alcohol, not that Briana could tell. It was also hard to be serious about the game when all she wanted was to feel Alex against her again. But Alex was stubborn and she had to prove a point... Templars were just better fighters.

[Alexander]

Briana's face turned bright red, and Alex laughed . If he had to make her seek penance for unclean thoughts, Alex considered it a small victory. Meant she thought about it. Oh how he looked forward to having fun with her later. Seeing her in one of those robes would only be a major plus, the added blasphemy simply amusing him.

She then grabbed his arm and elbowed him in the back, and Alex felt himself slowly come off balance. He tumbled onto the ground as she struck him with the back of her hand, grunting in pain. He quickly turned, however, and locked his legs on hers, forcing her to fall to the ground. Moving quickly, he wrapped his arm under her legs and the other over her shoulder, his hands interlocking around her waist, trapping her in a small ball. He grinned and kissed her lightly, then looked at her.

"Give up yet?" Alex replied as he moved his lips away from hers and kissed her neck. If she could find a way out of the trap, he'd be surprised.

[Briana Talon]

Briana was not sure what just happened only that Alex had her in his grasp, a very tight grasp and when she tried to struggle his lips had found hers once again. For a brief moment Briana relaxed, her body no longer tense from struggle as she fell under the spell of his kiss and she kissed him back softly though eagerly. Then he broke the kiss and… By the Maker… he was doing it again!

Alex was distracting her and now he was gloating. “You guardsman are a cheater!” Briana wiggled in Alex’s arms while giving a frustrated yell at how effectively he had her pinned. “Kissing is not part of fighting. There is no kissing in fighting!” Briana tried to stretch out her body, though laughing at the same time was not helping her keep her focus.

“And no… I’m not giving up.” Briana closed her eyes and concentrated on her center, on her will. Slowly gathering a second wind she used all her strength to break the confines of Alex’s arms by straightening her body forcing Alex’s grip to break. As soon as she felt a slip in his grip she did what any soldier would do in her position. She head butt him.

Briana was sure it would hurt later, but right now she was free. After she rolled away she gave a swift kick to Alex’s side before he could stand. “You only get a kiss if you win.” Briana pointed out and took a readied stance, or at least tried to. She was dizzy, more so than she was before. Briana shook her head and tried to focus on Alex… or rather the two Alex’s that stood in front of her.

“Tell you what, if you can pin me again. You win.” Briana promised, half hoping that Alex would show the prowess she knew he had and end the standoff. The other half well… still wanted to kick his butt.