An Unlikely Friend (Anders)

[Lyaera Amavaintria]

The rain was beating hard upon the ground, many citizens were warm in their homes nestled by a fire or under cozy sheets. It was growing dark with a cloudy moonless sky decorating the navy blanket above. It hadn't been long since she had gotten off the ship that had docked not far from here, this was probably another useless attempt yet hope was still flickering in her heart. With nothing on but a simple below-the-shoulder white blouse and green corset-like dress over it, her cape was wrapped securely around the figure in which she held in her arms. The rain was too cold for her liking, causing her to gasp and shudder on occasion even whilst the young figure wrapped its arms around her in a sweet attempt to keep her warm.

She wouldn't last much longer like this, she had to find some form of shelter. Luckily, as if on cue, she noticed an Inn not far from her. "W-We'll be alright, Nol... don't worry," she said in a rather shuddery tone as she walked forward, pushing the door open and immediately feeling waves of warmth overwhelm her body, causing it to tingle pleasantly. A few eyes peered at her, finding the soaked woman to be rather peculiar, clearly they could not see her elven ears as they were hidden by her sunset coloured hair, though surely her features made her noticeable, no?

Ignoring their stares, she went over to the owner behind the bar, hearing the young figure in her arms sniffle. "Excuse me, messere, do you have any rooms available? My brother and I have been traveling for days without shelter..." she said as if out of breath, luckily she had stolen a few coin from her Master and could easily afford whatever price her threw at her. Appreciating his kindness, she dropped twice the amount it cost for a room, just a mere four sovereigns and was then shown to the room.

She could feel her brother shivering in her arms, which only led her to hold him closer, stroking his near wet hair comfortingly. The twenty-four year old elven woman then walked into her assigned room, it wasn't as small as the one her brother and herself had to share back in Tevinter, but at least it was warm and had another room which led into the bathroom. She set the ten year old boy onto the bed, unwrapping the soaked cloak from around him before thanking the young elven woman that had shown her to her room, giving her a well deserved twenty silvers.

Before long, she left her brother's side and began to draw him a nice warm bath, once it was ready she began to undress him, noting his sick and weakened state. His ebony hair was dripping small drops of rain onto her dress and his pale green eyes looked rather drained. "You must've caught a cold..." she murmured gently to him, showing her loving side only when he was present, she knew no such other that deserved such kindness except for those that showed that they deserved it. Once he was undressed, she helped him along to the bath and gently lay him in it, lamenting on how foolish it must've been to attempt escape whilst he was ill - this had only made it worst for him.

"You'll be fine, you just need rest is all... and once you're in bed I'll go down to see if they have anything nice to eat, alright?" she smiled that every day sisterly smile at him, he nodded and smiled back. "You don't need to fuss so much, Lyaera... I know you mean well," he chuckled a bit as she washed under his arms, knowing that she knew he was ticklish there. "You're my brother, I'm allowed to fuss, hell... I should make it my life's work to fuss over you, we'd be rich!" she laughed, handing him to sponge so that he could clean the rest of his body. Once it was all over and done with, she wrapped a fluffy towel around him and carried him over to the bed, tucked him in and then kissed his forehead.

"I'm going to bathe as well, I won't be long," she smiled, stroking his slightly damp forehead before leaving his side. Not one to waste water, she quickly got into the water he had used before washing her hair and body with a soap then dried her hair with a towel before wrapping it around her. By the time she was done, their clothes which hung by a fire had dried and she quickly dressed herself then brushed her hair through neatly. Though as she began dressing Nol, she noticed something odd... he appeared to be sleeping, but she knew that wasn't the case. He was unconscious!

"Nol? Nol!" she said a little loudly as she shook his shoulders, was his cold really that bad? Knowing that she could do nothing about it, she quickly left his side and went back down to the bar area where people sat, talked and enjoyed their drinks. Rather hurriedly yet calmly, she began to ask people if they knew anyone that specialized in medicine, but no one seemed to know.

Lyaera began to worry.

[Anders]

"Is it... Is it true?" The pretty brunette leaned over in her seat over at the male mage with wide brown eyes and a whisper in her voice as she asked her question. The look in her eyes said a million words, she'd either go running for the hills after she got her answer, or she'd bed the man out of fanservice. It wasn't the first time that the rumors attracted the attention of women. A brave mage who started a war out of the goodness of all mages. Women put a lot of their pride around a man who wasn't scared to stand up for himself. Especially in such the ways he chose to.

Anders gave her a coy look, just barely turning his head to meet hers as he looked down into her eyes. "Whatever do you mean, dear girl?" He asked with a sly grin forming on his face. There were a wide range of things that she could be talking about. Despite half of them being false, he still enjoyed playing with them. There were times where he claimed them to be true, just to see what would happen. They were fun to listen to, some of the things people would come up with.

"You know!" The girl responded in a hush tone as her eyes grew wider, "Di-Did you really escape the Circle 7 times?" She quickly looked to both her left and right, making sure that others weren't trying to listen in on their conversation.

All he could do was chuckle in response, of all the things she could be curious about, it was that. She couldn't have been interested in the Chantry explosion, or him killing a thousand Templars! Of course not! "Well, luckily for you, my dear, I did," he gave her a wink before he turned his head forward and took another sip of his drink at the bar.

"Now, don't you go around telling anyone, you hear?" He leaned back over to her before taking another drink. She was the only one here, right now, that knew who he was. She only knew him because they had rooms next to each other and they spent the whole previous night, getting to know each other. Pillow talk revealed more than casual conversation at times.

Before he could back to tending his drink, another woman came running in, going around asking if anyone knew how to use medicine. In other words, if anyone knew Healing. His ears perked up, but he didn't turn around. He even had to grab his friend's arm to stop her from turning around and shouting that she was sitting next to a famous Healer. He knew how... air-headed she could be at times, and wasn't going to let it get him into trouble. It was true, he was a Healer; keyword, was. He stopped after the events in Kirkwall. Should he keep going with it? Maybe. It could only be used for good, but he also remembered how much attention it cause him. Attention was the last thing he needed right now.

But the woman wasn't giving up either. Her voice grew closer and closer until she reached his table. He sighed and looked up at her before rising from his seat and gently putting his hand against her back, leading her back to the corridor of rooms. "Where are they at?" He said in a quiet voice, referring to the person that needed treating. "I can help you, as long as you don't go telling anyone afterwards."

[Lyaera Amavaintria]

Lyaera was almost close to giving up hope until suddenly she felt a hand on her back and was rather rudely being pushed forward and out of sight from the eyes of the various humans that enjoyed the leisures of the Inn. The person spoke, obviously a male, and it was then she knew she had found someone to help her brother... still, that did not stop her from swiftly grabbing his wrist and twisting his entire arm behind his back as she pushed him forward against a wall.

"I would not recommend laying your hands on a woman you have never met, Shem!" she spoke that last word vehemently, not that she had a complete dislike for humans, though it was the males she always kept her eyes on in caution. Realizing that her grip was too tight and most of all she needed the assistance, she let go of him and took a step back. He seemed like a rather shifty fellow and it wasn't long until she caught onto him. Mage.

Moving some hair behind her elven ear, she then began to walk down the corridor, not bothering to apologize for being so rough with him. Once she reached the room, she pushed open the door to allow him to enter first, Nol laying in bed was the first thing to notice within the room. "The patient is my brother, he's a rather sickly boy so this occurs often, however, his colds have never gotten as worst as this," she explained, the concern and care she had for her beloved brother was so easily obvious in her tone. Once he entered, she soon followed, doing the best she could to tend to him by filling a bowl with warmish water and placed a cloth inside before placing it on the bedside table.

"I will overlook your abilities for now... but be wary, I am not so comfortable around your kind," she said strongly, squeezing out the cloth and placed it on her brother's heated forehead, however... 'your kind' could've meant two things - Mage and Human.

She didn't trust this man, but enough to ensure her brother would be healed and back to health, so she wouldn't tell him who or what she was just yet. For all she knew, he could easily report her to the slavers that were most likely hunting her and her brother. "if it helps, I have coin I can give you for your services," her tone appeared almost stubborn, she wasn't use to help that much was true, though when it came to her only family, she'd have to rely on others if there is nothing she can do.

[Anders]

He wasn't in the lease bit surprised how the woman reacted. His bare cheek was pressed against the cold hard wall as his his face was turned to the open lobby of the Inn. Thankfully, they hadn't drawn the attention of others, even the brunette gal he was with was busy chatting away with another couple of women. While he remained here being overpower by a tiny woman. He had no reason to fight back though.

He moved his head around, while placing his hand behind his neck giving it a pop as she let him go. He turned around to meet the face of the feisty woman. He noted the elven ear that held some of her hair before she turned around started down the hallway before they reached the door to her room, just a couple rooms down from his own.

She began to explain what ailed her brother, a very sickening cold that seemed to only worsen. Colds were common amongst the folk these days. If she had said it was just a cold, he probably wouldn't have bothered helping expect for giving her advice, but the fact that it had worsen proved to be troublesome. Maybe it was the Flu? If it was, he needed to do all he could, hoping that it wouldn't get worse. A flu untreated, could prove to be fatal. Or was is worse: Pneumonia? It was even worse than the flu, and more often than not, you would die from it without lack of medicine and treatments.

The boy was pale, sweating, and in pain. Just placing his palm on the boy's forehead proved that he was running a fever. As the woman placed the damp cloth on the boy's forehead, she let out a comment that nearly startled him, but didn't knock his concentration. When she said "Your kind," he could only assume she meant him being a Human. He knew elves were not fond of his race, but he also didn't know how she could figure he was mage. She didn't seem to recognize him, and he wasn't nor hasn't done anything to insist on him being one.

He guessed it didn't matter anyway. In a few seconds, she'd know the truth.

"I'll need you to step back, please." He said softly and kindly to the woman, before standing over the boy on the bed. He raised his hands while slowly hovering them over his torso, before a soft blue light began to emanate from his palms and eventually grew to the boy's body. The light grew thicker and brighter, growing over his whole torso and he gently moved his hands from over the boy's face to his lower body. Within a minute or two, the boy gasped for a breath of air before the light dimmed away and Anders backed away from the bed.

"There. That ought to do it." He gave a hopeful smile as he turned back to the young woman before him, "I suggest you keep him out of the rain, give him time to recuperate. Give him some rest and he'll be fine. I require nothing in return unless you wish to. If... something happens over night I'll be in my room just two doors down. I shouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon, so, feel free to come find me."

[Lyaera Amavaintria]

Whether she agreed or not, Lyaera would have to deal with it if she wanted her brother to recover. Doing as she was told, she took a step back and let the man do what had to be done, and just as she thought as his hands glided and hovered her brother's body... he was a Mage. She didn't know if it was all due to how she had lived years in Tevinter, or was it all due to Mage's being so easily noticed from how they dressed and acted? She didn't know, but there was something odd about him. After all, when asking for someone who knew medicine, Magic was sure to get involved.

However, Lyaera was not so single minded though neither was she a fool, there were Mages that were kind and did not feel the need to resort to the forbidden... but that did not excuse the fact that they were at risk of demons. "You don't need to leave," she said, not quite half-hearted, she did wish to repay him though he was still a stranger "I can prepare a meal for us all, if you would be so kind..."

She then went over to the door and opened it, gesturing for him to follow her down to the bar area to gather some supplies and ingredients for supper, and once she paid for them, she passed some for him to carry and then made her way back upstairs to her room where Nol had gotten dressed and was now reading a book as he sat up all warm in bed.

"Feeling better?" she said with a smile, placing the food and supplies onto a table before walking over to him to check his temperature, it was getting better though she'd take no chances. "I feel fine now, thanks to him," the young boy said, though despite his age, he spoke in a very well-mannered and educated tone. He looked over at Anders and smiled a thanks before returning to his book, which only made her chuckle.

"Not the most talkative type," she mused before turning to the man, she was still cautious, though still owed him. She made use of the fire place and hung a pot over it before placing various roots and vegetables into it along with already prepared chunks of beef, the juices marinating and soon creating a liquid to make it more like a soup.

She turned her attention to Anders, a light smile forming on her lips. "I thank you for your help back then, Nol tends to get sick quite easily, so I do try to keep him away from whatever could cause his condition to worsen, it's been difficult since... since..." she trailed before stopping herself, she shouldn't be trusting this man with such things so she decided to change the subject, paying no mind to how suspicious it may seemed.

"Well, I have a knack for cooking, plus it's the least I can do," she chuckled, taking a bowl and filling it up before holding it out to him, though made sure to make one thing clear "though please remember, this is only to repay you, I do not wish any offence, but it is as I said before... I am... not comfortable with your kind."

[Anders]

Anders turned to leave the room, expecting his business to be quickly finished here. Considering the vibes he sensed from this woman earlier, clearly showing that she wasn't comfortable around him, he figured it was only best that he left if only for her own safety. But he definitely wasn't expecting her next words.

She wanted him to stay? She wanted to make food... for him? This was a catch. Why the sudden change in attitude? Did she genuinely feel grateful for the help her gave her brother? He remembered seeing this back in Kirkwall, when he still worked as a Healer in Darktown. There were many families who were so grateful for his help once in a while. Even women who wished to bed him! But... this woman was not like them or those women... This situation was much different.

He gratefully smiled as he turned back to her, letting his back face the door as he slowly stepped forward. "Well, if such company will have me, I would be grateful to join! I am quite starved anyways. I could use a hot meal." He left his spot in front of the door as he took a spot in a nearby chair, making himself comfortable.

Anders returned his present smile to the boy on the bed, one who went by the name of Nol. "Ah! No need to thank me! I... have experience in Healing, so it was the least I could think of doing when I saw you were in need of help. Plus, I didn't expect anyone else down there to offer their services. Like I said before, if it happens again, feel free to contact me, if you plan on staying any longer, that is."

She continued to converse about her cooking, as a repayment. And then continued to say that famous line once more. She once again made it clear that she was not comfortable around him. Now he could ask himself what she meant by that? Did she mean mages or humans? Or both? She now knew his little secret, and there weren't many who preferred the company of wanted apostates. Did she know who he was, though? Had the legends reached her elven ears? Surely she heard about the Chantry, but did she know he was the famous man behind it?

Even if she did, she didn't make any indication that she did. Plus, she didn't seem eager to get him out of here. "And please remember," he began to reply, "This is not for repayment on my end. I'm just here to enjoy a good well-cooked meal."

[Lyaera Amavaintria]

Stirring the stew, Lyaera pondered for a short while, her eyes following the spoon's direction in which it turned. She listened to his words, there was a slight awkwardness to him yet her was trying to be polite, and yet she was still grateful but would have nothing against slitting his throat if he touched Nol or herself in the wrong way.

"I'm afraid this is a one off," she spoke up, tapping the spoon against the pot to get a few drops off of it before then swiftly dipping the bowl into the pot to fill it with stew then handed it to the human along with a small loaf of bread, it wasn't much but it was all she had to offer. It was then she got a second bowl and filled it the same way as the first without burning herself before standing up and sitting on the side of her brother's bed, placing his book on the side table and began to feed him, almost reluctantly, she spoke.

"We won't be staying long, once morning comes... we'll be off, so I will not require your services, Mage," she said, though that last word was not said harshly, just bluntly then looked in his direction with a cunning smirk "... it's rather obvious, you do not hide what you are as well as you hope. Take it from someone who had been surrounded by them most of her life."

Perhaps she was sharing too much by saying that, but it wasn't as if he do much unless he desired coin from Magisters. A disgusted look appeared on her lightly-tanned features but it went away as soon as it came as she careful fed her brother, not bothering to eat herself, comforting yet encouraging mother-like words came from her lips as he swallowed obediently. "Just a few more..." she said softly, seeing the discomfort on his face, his body was weak and he needed food to fuel him, the poor boy was such a sickly thing.

For a long while, it was quiet, only the mere sounds of sniffling and forced gulping were heard from the ill young elf until Lyaera eventually spoke. "How is it?" she asked, referring to the soup as Nol had finally had enough and was now laying back into bed to rest, laying a gentle kiss on his forehead as he began to sleep.

The red haired elf then soon joined the human, not bothering to feed herself as she had much more important things to think about. It was awkward for a time, until she finally found something to talk about. "What is someone such as yourself doing in a place like this if I may ask? If it is too personal, then feel free to reject.. I do not mean to pry," she murmured, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders.

[Anders]

Anders was a little taken aback by what she said. He didn't hide what he was well? Well, despite the fact that he just healed her brother with magic, he couldn't see any other way she'd know he was one. He kept his appearance well hidden. He wore normal clothing, none of that mage robe business, and his staff was in the shape of a cane. Anyone could easily look over it without another thought. He didn't really make himself look suspicious, he was outgiong. Love telling jokes, and striking up a conversation. The woman he slept with the previous night hadn't a clue who he was until their fun in bed spilled the beans. It was hard to keep your magic a secret in the heat of the moment.

"What? You mean the blue glowing light from my hands gave it away? Well, sod it all!" He gave a sarcastic smile with a slight chuckle to show that he was trying to be more humorous than rude. It was only like Anders to try to turn a dark situation light, if only for the boy that was recovering from flu in his bed.

The scents of the stew wafted through his nostrils as the lady elf was finishing up. It was good to finally smell something so delicious. It had been some time. He wasn't much of a cook himself, so the most he'd eaten lately was bread . Even if she thought the stew wasn't that great, it smelled wondrous. He even let out a hearty moan when she presented him with the bowl of his share. "Ah! It couldn't look better!"

He took one sip, he could feel the hot broth slither down his throat, warming nearly every inch of his body. The meat was succulent and the potato was cooked perfectly. "Mmmmm, where were you all my life?" He said with a chuckle in between bites before tending to his bowl.

"Nothing in particular really. My main goal is just staying as far from the Templars as possible. So far it's worked. I've mainly stuck to the wilderness. A lot of them don't like the forests." He gave a wink after he finished talking, and then took another bite of his stew.

[Lyaera Amavaintria]

Lyaera gave an amused look at the mage before her, quite the humorous fellow, he was. The air around her seemed to thin down she felt her shoulders drop in relaxation, her mystic topaz-like eyes became more gentle yet still held resolve. "I always thought it was the rugged look that gave you away," she shot back with a semi-flirty smirk, it couldn't hurt to ease up, though again she would be quick to throwing a knife at his skull.. but for now, he seemed alright.

She sat there and watched him drink the contents of his soup, somewhat wondering who he was referring to. Her? Or the stew? "Well, looks like someone will be saying their vows to my oh-so-delicious stew, what a lovely couple the two of you make," she chuckled, almost matching his humor. Looking over at the bed, she noticed that Nol seemed to be getting a little tired, her features softened... the look of sisterly love was near obvious as she excused herself momentarily before she stood up and tended to him.

"Tired?" she asked, taking a seat on the side of the bed as she stroked his hair, he merely nodded, his voice too sore to even speak. She nodded in turn as she began to tuck him in, doing what she always did whenever he went to sleep. Her soft voice began to sing, not too loudly, but enough to make it seem as if she was telling him a secret.

"Hahren na melana sahlin,
Emma ir abelas,
Souver'inan isala hamin,
Vhenan him dor'felas,
In Uthenera na revas...

Vir sulan'nehn,
Vir dirthera,
Vir samahl la numin,
Vir lath sav'unin..."

It was like a mother singing to her child in order to fight the monsters away, by the time she was finished, she kissed his forehead softly before leaving his side, allowing him to sleep. Taking her place back near the mage, she arrived in time to hear his words. "I see... I guess it must be hard for some mages, I have no doubt that some are good, but... the temptation is still there, I can only hope most are strong enough to resist, I can understand that what the Templars do is necessary sometimes though..." she wasn't sure if it was the right thing to say, she didn't hate Mages to the point of wanting them all dead, but the hate was still there.

"Too often do they let their magic take over them, even to the point of thinking they have the rights to control and own others..." she mused on her words, not really minding that she shared her own opinion in front of this mage - speaking of which, she didn't even know his name, it didn't really feel right to keep referring to his as mage.

Seeing that he was finished with his bowl, she took it from him, her fingers lightly brushing against his as she did so and then refilled it, handing it back to him. "Seems like it's been a long while since you last ate a decent meal," she smirked, eyeing his belly. For the moment, it felt nice being there, just talking to someone from the outside world...

Though she couldn't help but fear that she was far from free.

[Anders]

He was so focused on the warm meal at his lips that he didn't even realize the wording of one of his last statements. Was he talking about her? Or was he referencing the stew? He didn't even know himself. Instead he put the warm bowl to his lips and let the broth slide down into his throat. When the last drop disappeared and the bowl remained empty, he set it aside on the table beside him, turning his attention of the worn boy in the bed beside him.

Anders let out a sigh of relief as he watched the woman walk to the bed, tucking him in for sleep, "He should feel better in the morning. Sleep is the body's way to recover." The blonde mage gave her a soft smile as she took the nearest seat to the boy.

At this point he was contemplating his leave. Should he get up and make for his room? Or stay and let her excuse him? He couldn't decide which would be better, especially with his work done here. Did she want him to stay? She didn't give off that vibe, but then again, she was a hard woman to read. Not like the other girls, who he usually ended up in bed with.

Amidst his thoughts, he couldn't ignore the beautiful singing voice that erupted from her lungs. And boy was it soothing. It had been a long time since he heard a voice like that. There was the occasional bard at the Taverns, sure, but half the time they were drunk too. Hell, Hawke nor the "Hero of Ferelden" matched up to her. It was a voice that wasn't taught, nor learned. It was a voice she was born with, something that came naturally. He could tell.

He didn't bother to interrupt her, instead letting her finish the song for Nol as the boy slowly drifted off to sleep. "You've got a love for singing," he smiled again, this time letting her see.

Anders listened to her next words, responding to what he said previously. He agreed with a lot of what she said. There were many mages that were vulnerable, that were naive. They let themselves under the thrall of demons out of survival and fear. They were the ones that were bringing the rest of the mages down. They were the problem. "There are many who are so vulnerable against a demon, they let themselves submit. They're the ones that are the problem. They cause so much fear in the general public that everyone else tend to believe that every mage they meet is going to use their blood for magic. The ones that do are the weak ones. They deserve nothing less than death." He returned his gaze to his lap, images of Merrill popping into his head. The memory of her Keeper sacrificing herself because Merrill couldn't let go of blood. The male elf from Kirkwall who killed his own wife because he was completely corrupted by the demon. The young woman from Ferelden who took care of thousands of children in Kirkwall; who went under the whim of a demon and tried to kill the very kids she cared for. The former First Enchanter of the circle in Kirkwall who couldn't match against a demon. Even Hawke was smart enough not to compromise with demons.

"Sometimes I even wonder if that's even what the Mage-Templar war is about: freedom. Maybe it's about something more... To prove that we aren't all bad. That we aren't all killing machines. Everyone is capable of what a mage is capable of. Capable of being just as ruthless and strong." Look at Meredith. She wasn't a mage. She was a Templar Commander, and she was even more corrupt than a blood mage. She put the lives of thousands in danger. Look at Loghain, he was more dangerous than a lowly mage from the Circle.

[Lyaera Amavaintria]

Lyaera, for a better word, felt awkward at that moment. It wasn't every day you were allowed to speak to someone without a hand across your cheek, and it surprised her, especially when it came to the fact that she was talking to a Mage! "Mages will always resort to the forbidden if they feel enough need," she sighed, running a hand through her hair. She looked as if she were tired, though she was nowhere near. Oh, she was tired alright, tired of running, tired of hiding, tired of escaping only to be captured once more.

Her fingertips rubbed her temple in a circular motion, a sudden smile spread across her lips. "Not so much a love, it's what my mother use to do for me," she said softly, glancing over at her brother, she hid her sadness well within those elven eyes of hers "Nol, sadly never got a chance to meet her, so... in a sense, he looks up to me as a mother as well as a sister." She sat there staring at the young boy sleeping for a while, wondering why she was even telling this man bits of her story. Perhaps somewhere within her there was a need, a want for someone to understand. But she knew that was a fool's wish.

Not to mention, did she even have a choice? It was either sing for your master, or get caged. A song bird, how fitting. While she sat there with her elbow resting upon her knee and her chin cupped in her hand, a noticeable look of disgust curved her lips slightly.

"Magic is to serve man, never to rule over him... at least, I think that's how it goes," she sighed, wondering if that were even true, she didn't believe in The Maker, she had her own beliefs, but still... often would she hear those words from Templars. She then plopped her hands in her lap. "I don't get it, why is that said yet people are still born Mages? It can't be a curse... though I guess it's what you do with it that counts," she mused for a while, then wondered why she was even talking about it. She didn't care, or did she? Mages took a lot from her and despite her somewhat rebellious attitude, there was always that tinge of doubt of whether or not she was truly allowed to have a free life.

"People such as myself aren't really allowed to have opinions," she said with a shrug, almost as if she didn't care "but... when it comes to freedom, you fight for it no matter what, having control over others doesn't have anything to do with it. If I can be blunt, I don't think it's just freedom they seek." Take it from someone who knows, she thought, averting her gaze once more.

She took her spoon a moved the pieces of meat around in her stew, not really bothering to eat. "By the way, don't feel as if you need to leave, I may not be so trusting of Mages, but Nol seems comfortable with you being here," she then lifted her head up, smirking lightly "I should think you value that thing between your legs anyway."

Oh, indeed, that was a challenge. It seemed the more she spoke the easier it got to showing her more natural side. But then it came to her...

"By the way... I never asked for your name," she said, that same look on her face, she didn't bother with her slave name, that only belonged in Tevinter "I'm Lyaera."

[Anders]

"Because it's not a curse," Anders looked down at his lap, crossing his fingers into one another and holding them tightly. "I guess they believe that it's a curse from the Maker; punishing everyone for their sins." He guessed that they thought that when the Maker turns back to everyone, there will be no more mages. It sounded crazy to him, but yet again, there was a lot of crazy in the world.

He left the discussion there, however. There was no point in turning it into an argument, or in trying to change her opinion. It was her right to think that way. Her freedom. Freedom was what he fought for. It was why he blew up the Chantry three years ago; for the freedom of the mages. Why should he try to take it away from some one else?

The mage was just happy that the tension was lifted from the room when she continued to tell him that he didn't have to leave. It at least made it less awkward the longer he sat there in the chair. Nol had fallen fast asleep, and they were left to sit alone with each other in the small room.

Granted, he was a little afraid to tell her his name. It already seemed as if she didn't recognize him. That was a good sign. A lot of people already seemed to spot him by just looking at his face. Was she one of the few who hadn't heard the story? If he told her, there was a good chance that he'd either be kicked out immediately or possibly a victim to attempted murder.

"My name's, Anders. Just Anders," he replied honestly with a small smile. His heart jumped a bit as he waited for a smack to the face.