In the Name of my Ship [complete]

[Alistair Theirin]

Smiling back at Mariana, Alistair handed a purse of money to one of the guards, telling them to return to the tavern and pay for the costs of damage that had been caused. With a simple nod they accepted the mission and left, though many still remained behind. Then as it was done, Alistair listened to what Mariana said and he was glad she was thankful, though he felt she did not owe him anything, because he was just happy to help whoever needed help. When she asked how she could serve the crown, how she could repay him, Alistair simply replied. "You don’t owe me anything Mariana, in fact I am very pleased to have met you. Even the trouble we ran in on was not expected." He said smiling at her, though noticed the angry glares from the guards and the Elves whom now looked at them. Alistair however did not care, they could be as angry they wanted and as curious they wanted to be, but he sure was not letting the Rivaini woman leave, without getting to know her better.

"Maybe if you would like, we should find a place to retire, perhaps somewhere to talk. May I welcome you to be my guest in the palace?" Alistair asked curiously, hoping she would accept the offer. It might have seemed strange for Alistair to invite someone he just had met on the street into the palace, but he was a kind man and he had grown curious of the Rivaini woman, he wanted to get to know her and perhaps they even would become great friends. Anora would probably hate him for bringing her with him, not to speak of the man he had killed in the tavern. It sure had been quite a day so far, though it also had been an interesting one. Last night he had spent time talking to the Empress of Orlais, in the morning he had met the nobles in the palace and even Gray Wardens, and now he had met a Rivaini woman whom he quickly had grown fond of. Having her as guest at the palace would be a great change for once, as Alistair often felt bored while being king. Maybe she could bring some excitement to place, something at least that would not cause any more harm, either for him, her, the people or the country.

[Mariana]

He... Didn't think she owed him. That was unexpected. And he was glad to have met her. That... Well, that was nothing short of stunning, actually. She'd been nothing but trouble since they'd met, and she was so far below his station it was near a bloody miracle he even bothered to notice her.

But he was smiling. Smiling at her. The way everyone else was looking at her didn't matter - they didn't even exist, as far as Mariana was concerned, looking at Alistair. Some part of her was vaguely aware that she wasn't breathing properly, maybe not even at all, but she couldn't quite manage to do anything about it. It wasn't until he spoke again that she recovered herself, and when he offered her a place at the palace she sketched another bow so exaggerated as to be almost mocking.

"You may indeed, your generosity, and my thanks," she told him, holding the bow for a moment to cover her reaction.

Since when were people just nice? Especially nobles and royalty! They were supposed to be greedy, manipulative, and self-serving, but Alistair - no, damn, the king, she had to remember he was the bloody king. And a bloody honorable bastard, too, with a damned stupid sodding wife.

She straightened with a cheeky grin. Mariana didn't care that he was married. At least, not beyond the fact that she couldn't bang him. And really, that was as much as she cared about anyone. Really.

[Alistair Theirin]

"Good, then let us head for the palace.” Alistair said looking at Mariana with a gentle smile, taking her hand carefully in his before leaving the Alianage, heading toward the palace through the streets of Denerim. As they departed, the city guards went back to their stations, while the Elves remained watchful but in respect for their king. The two guards who had followed Alistair previously, now also accompanied him and the Rivaini woman back home, watching Mariana with a serious gaze, believing her to be a dangerous woman, knowing that Anora would not approve of what the King had done that day or about his decisions of bringing the stranger into the palace.

It had been a long day for all of them and now in the horizon a sunset could be seen, the evening had arrived and the people at the market had begun closing their market stalls, making themselves ready for the night. It was a lovely evening and the wind was silent, only a low breeze could be felt on the face as Alistair and Mariana walked side by side each other. The people who still were awake looked at them curiously and they bowed their head to the king, only to begin talking between themselves just after the King and his female friend passed them. What Alistair recently had done, both in the city and at the court, had made rumors about him spread more quickly than ever throughout the kingdom and further. There were claims that Alistair perhaps was not the true-born son of King Maric, that Anora was unfertile and that the king was being unfaithful to his wife. It all had made troubles for the royal family, but the worst had been the many assassination attempts that had been tried on the King. Teagan believed the assassins had been sent by angry nobles, or by the Queen herself, though his greatest suspicion was that it came from Orlais, due to Alistair`s recent relationship with the Empress. None the less, Alistair did not care, what he cared about was only the safety and the wealth fare of the people, but he knew that they were troubled, perhaps more afraid about the future to their country, as there was no heir to inherit the throne.

Walking the streets of Denerim in the evening was a nice feeling and one could hear the men and woman from the taverns nearby, and from within the houses they passed. The smell of food, leather and dogs was a familiar smell in Ferelden, though maybe most of all in Denerim. Getting closer to the palace, one could begin to see its great structure and in the distance one could also see Fort Drakon, where the Archdemon had been killed during the Blight. Ever since those days, Denerim had been rebuilt and changed to the better, but it had been a difficult work to do. The people had cherished the decisions of the King, while the nobles had disagreed, none the less Alistair and Anora had tried resolve it peaceful, even Anora was the favorite of the many nobles.

Arriving the palace, the guards was seen standing outside, always vigilant and on the watch. The doors opened and Alistair and Mariana were allowed to enter, they entered a small room which had four pillars holding the roof up. Between the pillars was a small hallway to another door, a door which led to the main hall. As the guards noticed who arrived, the doors opened before the King, and Alistair continued to lead Mariana. Stepping into the main hall one could see a long road to the throne in the far end, and on each side stood balconies, often used by the nobles during the lands meet. “Welcome, to the palace.” Alistair said with a gentle voice, which was echoed through the hall.

[Mariana]

Walking through Denerim hand in had with Alistair was a pleasant way to spend the evening, Mariana decided. It was a simple thing to ignore the way people muttered as they passed, or the way the guards insisted on glaring at her. Alistair didn't seem bothered, either, continuing to hold her hand despite the reactions it garnered. Letting her smirk settle into something gentler, Mariana gave his hand a squeeze.

Her eyes widened as they approached the palace. She'd never been anywhere so grand in her life, and the place positively loomed. Without even meaning to, she tightened her grip on Alistair's hand, though she gave no other indication of her discomfort. It was nothing, really, it was just that even the bloody buildings seemed to be frowning at her, telling her she didn't belong. Then, when they walked in, Mariana felt like she'd been swallowed whole.

Alistair's quiet welcome when they entered the throne room echoed off the walls, and Mariana couldn't resist - she gave a little whistle and grinned at the near endless answers.

"Never get that aboard ship," she chuckled. "Well, your grandness, you've a lovely home you'll never need to shout in."

She tossed a doubtful look at the balconies, though. The bloody things were spreading their legs for assassins, and Alistair might as well open his own throat. She didn't see any guards up there at the moment, either, only posted at the doors, and that was a dangerous idea if ever she saw one. By the bloody Fade, Mariana was just a pirate and she was pretty sure she could get in through a window.It was like the whole place was designed by someone who wanted to kill the king.

[Alistair Theirin]

"Ha! True!" Alistair replied almost laughing, believing Mariana was a great woman who had a good sense of humor. By just looking at her, he could see she enjoyed being in the palace and her curiosity made him wonder what she thought. Seeing that she studied the balconies, he wanted to ask her about it, but instead he chooses to invite her further in, continuing to speak. "Perhaps, if you would like...would you want to dine with me tonight? I am starving and I haven`t eaten today yet. In fact I was just about too, when I met you in the street." He spoke with a gentle and a calm voice, a voice that still was echoed throughout the hall.

Now standing there, he began to wonder. After all that had happened that day, he thought about what Anora would say about it all. Would she be angry at him for killing the man at the tavern, for aiding the Rivaini woman, for causing unrest within the city?, he sure did not know, but he was glad she was nowhere to be seen. The guards who had followed Alistair and Mariana into the hall, had now gone back to their stations, though should one of them tell Anora what had happened, then he knew she would confront him, sooner or later that day. With a look at Mariana, Alistair awaited her answer, and if she accepted, then he would lead her into the dinner hall, where food and drink would await them, prepared by the chef`s and servants of the palace.

[Mariana]

Oh, food... Mariana couldn't remember the last time she had a proper meal instead of... whatever it was the served in some of the seedier inns. She didn't much want to think about that. But Alistair was inviting her to dinner in the palace, and she was pretty sure the royal cooks wouldn't dare serve their king anything that wasn't delicious. Her stomach rumbled just thinking about it.

"I don't think my poor belly'd forgive me if I said no," she said with a cheeky grin, giving his hand a squeeze. Wait, was she still holding his hand? Pretending to be unconcerned, she let it go and made a grand gesture for Alistair to lead the way. For the king to lead the way. Same thing.

She looped her arm through his with an arch look, smirking at the guards that glared at her from the end of the hall. "You know, those balconies are just begging assassins to come say hello," she murmured in his ear, doing her very best to irritate the guards in the hall. She didn't expect it to take much. In fact, she was pretty sure her mere presence in the palace was driving every last one of them absolutely mad.

Chuckling, she glanced at the guards sidelong and traced a finger down Alistair's arm. Annoy the guards by flirting with the king. She smirked - it was her new favourite game. But then she made the mistake of looking at him, and she had to consciously keep the impish look on her face. He had very pretty eyes... Ah, Void. No, she was just hungry.

[Alistair Theirin]

Alistair smiled in return of her response and with their arms now linked together; they began walking further into the palace, excited for the food that they now soon would be served. As Alistair had been so focused on Mariana, he had not really noticed they had held hands the entire time; even it was he who had offered it to her in the first place. Oh how great it was to have someone new to talk to, someone to spend the day with who was not a noble or an emissary, he thought as they went on, but then listened as she spoke about the balconies. Alistair thought it was funny that she looked at it that way, he surely had not, but he knew they served for another purpose, one which he explained as they went on. "Assassins? Well I would not worry about them, because this place is more guarded than you think. In fact those balconies make good position for archers should anyone dear to storm the palace." He spoke gently as his gaze ventured on Mariana then back at the direction they were going.

Then suddenly Alistair noticed a man standing in the distance, not far from them. Alistair immediately recognized the man, because it was Teagan, Arl of Redcliffe and his personal advisor. At the day of his coronation, it had been Arl Eamon, Teagan`s older brother whom had been Alistair`s advisor, but a few years ago Eamon had died and Teagan was the only one whom could replace him. Now looking at Teagan, Alistair knew why he was there, why he seemed so serious and why he seemed so determined to speak with the King. Before Alistair could say anything, Teagan spoke out with an echoing voice." I hear you have been outside, my Majesty. And I hear you`ve been causing a great deal trouble, with this woman…”Teagan said firmly as he turned his attention to the Rivaini woman who had accompanied Alistair within the palace, standing still as they approached him. “The guards told me what happened, and they even told me you have killed a man. I am sure if Anora knew about this, she would not be pleased.” Teagan continued to speak.

“Mariana, let me introduce…Teagan, my sort of uncle….” Alistair replied before answering Teagan, wanting to introduce them to each other before answering the questions that was asked. “And Teagan, this woman is my friend, Mariana, and she has come here as my guest. I know what I did was not suited for a King, but the man attacked her and had I not acted then an innocent woman would be killed instead.” The King continued, but was answered back by Teagan. “But was it not she who made the man angry, and who began the fight at the tavern? The guards think this woman is a threat to you, and they told me this, because they want me to keep you safe. “

[Mariana]

Mariana arched a brow at the man who confronted Alistair about getting in trouble. "This woman's name is Mariana you lordliness," she told him coolly. Now he was what she expected from a noble - pompous, arrogant, utterly disdainful of anyone below their station... It wouldn't be difficult to play nice, but the more the man spoke the less desire Mariana had to bother. By the time he started hiding behind the queen, her smile had become something suspiciously like a sneer.

But the man - Teagan - was apparently Alistair's family and she supposed if it got her into his good graces she might as well try. Offering the most charming smile in her arsenal, she bowed with an impressive flourish and blew him a kiss. Well, alright, perhaps that last was intended to be irritating, but that sort of behaviour was supposed to be friendly, at least. But with the introductions complete, Alistair immediately set to defending his actions. And her. Well, damn her straight to the Void, her smile was genuine.

Alistair's defense, however, did little to sway his sort-of-uncle, and Teagan immediately set himself to believing anything bad about the trash his king brought home. Nope. She wasn't bloody taking that, no matter that she had to stay civil, and she took a step forward with her hands on her hips.

"I'll have you know, my lord that I did make those men angry. Do you know how? No? I'll tell ya. I busted their mate's nose when he tried to drag me out back and rape me."

Well, alright, she had no actual proof that that's what he was trying, but Mariana knew very well that it was nothing less than the truth. She'd seen it play out often enough. Void with it all, she'd nearly been the victim when she was younger, except that her pai's crew had been rather the protective lot. And she didn't have any angry mob to drag a raper off her anymore.

---

Pai - informal for father, dad

[Alistair Theirin]

As Teagan stood there waiting on a reaction from Alistair, he instead triggered Mariana. When she presented herself to him in a most seducing way, blowing a kiss to him, he however only continued to look at her seriously, believing her to be a bad influence on Alistair. With his arms folded, he listened to what further she said, though replied with a firm tone. “So you admit it? You did attack the man? Well it sure would be unfortunate if he was to rape you, but the witnesses tell a different story. They claim he was to do no such thing, though then again, they could be lying…”

"Uncle, she is not to blame, trust me...the man overreacted."Alistair responded trying to convince his sort-of-uncle that Mariana was innocent; she had only tried to defend herself from further harm. Hearing Alistair speaking, Teagan turned to look back at him in great frustration, answering. "Like you overacted when killing the man?...

Alistair became speechless for moment, he did not know what to reply, and his gaze ventured back on Mariana, feeling a little lost before remembering what she had said, just before the man had attacked her. "In fact, there was another witness. A red haired woman, if I remember correctly. I am sure she can explain it all to you should you be in doubt. I however choose to believe in Mariana...and the trouble is solved, the men accepted my apoligy." He spoke gently and smiled at Mariana, turning to look back at his uncle. "And if you would excuse us, we will now leave to eat some food, I am starving..." Alistair said and then continued to walk further in, leading Mariana who had linked her arm to his. After they passed Teagan, Alistair stopped a brief moment, not looking back but spoke. " And should Anora wish to speak to me...then she know where to find me..." With that, Alistair and Mariana left Teagan alone.

"Oh Maker...help us all…" Teagan said quietly to himself as he rubbed his face in frustration, believing Alistair should act more properly than he did, hoping he one day would realize the consciences of his actions. Wandering further into the hall, led Alistair and Mariana into the east hallway. It was like the rest of the building, built by oak, and upon the left side of the wall one could see many doors, some which lead further into the palace and some which lead to the rooms of certain individuals. On the right, one could see paintings of the previous royalties, whom in the past had ruled Ferelden, from King Calanhad the great to King Cailan. On both sides of the hall, one could see lit candles which lightened the pathway toward the dinning chamber.

Once Alistair and Mariana entered, they both could see a large room, and in the center stood a long table with chairs standing at its side. It was there Alistair and Anora came to eat among the nobles, but now as it was late there would only be the King and the Rivaini woman. Against the wall surrounding the table, one could see statues and plants, which had been placed there simply for decoration. Unlike other places of Thedas, Ferelden was not rich, nor did they fancy gold and silver, rather they were a simple people who used what they had. Looking over at Mariana, Alistair could not refuse but to smile, he was glad to have her as his guest and he wanted to get to know her better, wanting to prove everyone wrong that she was not dangerous or a bad person. Leading Mariana toward the table, Alistair took out a chair for her to sit down.

[Mariana]

Oh, such the gentleman! Mariana had never had a man pull out a chair for her before. Unless her pai was threatening him with bodily harm, of course, but that didn't count, and he was dead now anyways. And Alistair was so sodding kind and decent - it was bloody distracting.

She took the chair Alistair offered, folding her arms on the table and resting her chin on her crossed wrists. It was a very good position to look at the king in the most flattering light besides being comfy, with just a touch of irreverent swagger. Well, more than a touch perhaps, but Mariana had never much cared for manners.

"So tell me, your grandness, why do you believe me? None of your mates like me much, and I don't see as you have much reason to trust me. And here you are, inviting me to dinner like a proper lady." Mariana chuckled. "And you being a taken man, too. Shame, really, I hear the lady queen's a cold one. I'd have you outta you're trousers nightly."

Straightening up, she stretched her legs out in front of her as the servants bustled in with the food. It smelled delicious, even under the covers, and she hummed in appreciation. If this was the kind of food they served in the palace, she might just look for a reason to keep visiting. It sure beat ship's biscuit and lobscouse. Though her pai always kept fresh citrus aboard to keep sickness at bay. She'd always loved citrus. If she was very lucky, they'd have some oranges or lemons later...

She ate the meal with a great deal of enthusiasm, eyes flicking to Alistair only briefly as she licked her fingers between courses. She also allowed her gaze to roam the hall as they ate, lingering on every shadow and flutter of movement, more out of caution than curiosity. However well Alistair might think his palace was guarded, a skilled rogue could easily pick out any gap in the palace defenses. And Mariana was a very skilled rogue indeed - and found a great many more gaps than she should.

"Do you realize just how many places I can see to hide away and kill you right now? You really should have more guards posted. That uncle of yours might be a stubborn bastard, but he's right - you make it hard to keep you safe."

[Alistair Theirin]

As Mariana accepted to sit down where Alistair offered her the chair, he himself went to sit close by on the upside end, which was unusual for a King to do, considering it was the seat of the common nobles. Normally the King and the Queen would sit on the far upside end of the table, staring at each other with a glare while eating, with noblemen and noblewomen sitting between them. Although Mariana was not the Queen, she was simply Alistaìr`s guest and he would treat her with respect as a he would have done to anyone deserving his attention. Having met her in the street had pleased Alistair and since then had he felt obliged to make up for the cruelty of those who had caused her harm. He wanted no one to feel threatened within the city, but he knew he could not protect everyone; even he was the King of Ferelden.

Looking back at Mariana as she sat resting her chin on her crossed wrists, made Alistair smile even more as he sat there in a most noble stature, keeping his back straight and his hands carefully resting on the table. The dim light made it all even cozier as it felt romantic by just looking at each other, Alistair was almost as captivated by Mariana as she seemed to be in him. Then all of sudden he felt an irreverent touch, and he became in awe of what to do, but as she spoke he listened carefully…

She seemed grateful for what he had done but she did not really understand why he trusted her, though Alistair neither knew really why, a family trait perhaps? Alistair knew by the stories that had been told, that also his father King Maric had been quick to trust strangers in his past. Though as Mariana continued to speak, he was taken by surprise by her words, and he figured she was a woman unafraid to tell what she wanted, what she desired, even in front of the king. Then as Alistair was just about to respond, he was kind of saved by the servants who brought in food. Warmth food that smelled and looked delicious, vegetables, fruits, various drinks and more, the palace had it all and anything they wanted would be served.

Eating the food that was placed in front of them tasted incredible good. Alistair had been starving all day and he had not, in fact, eaten before now. Although as he ate and drank along with Mariana, he could see she enjoyed it and her appetite was great, as if she had never tasted anything like it. Seeing that she grabbed the food and licked her fingers dry, would have been inappropriate among most nobilities and royalties in Thedas, but Alistair was used to seeing people grab for food as he had many times witnessed it on his travel as a Gray Warden, though he could not look beyond the fact that she was teasing him when she did so, looking at him with a gaze before looking further around the room, studying it and then asked another question.

“Ha! Yes you might be right; there are many places to hide in this palace….” Alistair replied with a smile as he looked around the room, before continuing. ”And I know that my uncle only wants the best for me, he always has….but somehow I cannot look past that both he and my wife only wants me safe because the Kingdom needs me…” Alistair said with a sad look on his face and then turned to look back at Mariana, waiting for his glass to get filled by the wine which one of the servants came with. “You all forget one important thing; I am a Gray Warden…and I know very well how to protect myself. I have not always lived in this palace, even many likes to think so.” Alistair replied to Mariana with a smile, and then drank the cup of wine which had been served him.

[Mariana]

Mariana arched a brow when Alistair explained why he didn't need much security in the palace and leaned forward with her elbows on the table. "I heard that. Still won't save you from a good assassin. You really should be more careful. Growing up my pai had the whole crew teaching me to fight, but I was still safer with 'em around." She stopped a moment, smiling sadly. "Most of them are dead now, sunk with the ship. My pai, too, bloody stubborn bastard that he was. There were a few survivors, I know, but I'm not sure where they are... Well, Adrian is back in Rivain. Almost managed to find my way to a new ship, too, but he got himself tangled up with Antivans..."

She let the sentence trail off. Since when did she just spout off her whole bloody life story to strange men off the street? Oh, she did not approve. Her pai wouldn't approve, either, king or no. Bloody overprotective bastard. She smiled. Not even sure she was his, and still loved her as much as the sea.

Leaning back in her chair, she stretched her legs out and plucked an orange from a bowl of fruits the servants were bringing in. Damn she loved citrus. It would always taste of the ocean to her - one of the few treats to be had aboard ship. Peeling it, she started in on a safer topic to share.

"My pai always kept citrus aboard. Had us eat it after each meal so we wouldn't get sick - about the only standard ship's food that wouldn't turn you tender royal stomach, I expect. Not everyone liked it, of course, especially when all we had were lemons or something really sour, but I could never get enough." Chuckling, she finished peeling the orange and popped a segment in her mouth. "Our quartermaster was a kossith, a real scary one, but a damned good friend, and he always made sure I had my bloody citrus. Wonder where he is sometimes..."

Well, that was a bit unnecessarily emotional, and Mariana stood. She didn't like emotional. And if she was going to get emotional... well... she just wouldn't. Leaning against the table, she offered Alistair a segment of her orange and playfully fed it to him the first chance she got before eating another piece herself.

"So tell me your grandness, where's a girl to find a cheap place to stay in Denerim? Can't go pissing away all my money while I'm looking to get myself a new ship and crew."

[Alistair Theirin]

Placing the cup of wine back on the table, Alistair listened to everything the Rivaini woman said. She sure was right though, even he was a Gray Warden he could be assassinated like everyone else, being skilled with the sword and have sharp senses would not always save him from every danger. Perhaps he should apologize to his uncle later, after all he only meant what was best for him, he knew that now and he was reassured by Mariana. Having the Empress of Orlais on visit and then after the heavy debate in the royal palace earlier that day would cause him greater harm in the future, and even already many had tried to assassinate him and his friends. He did not want to see anyone get into more harm and he began to think that having more guards would not be so bad, even his life seemed to become more and more complicated for every day he ruled as King.

Listening to what Mariana said, he figured she had grown up to become a pirate along with her father, and that the ship and her father`s crew had faced an ill fate. He could see it troubled Mariana and that she was sad to have lost her loved ones, but her story was an interesting one, even she was quite outspoken at few occasions through her telling. She even spoke about the food she used to eat, and how much she loved citrus. It made Alistair smile even more and he grew more curious as she began telling of the crew, a Kossith as a quartermaster. Wow that would have been something to see, Alistair thought to him-self, knowing how big and scary they were.

As Mariana leaned over the table and fed him a bit of the orange she was eating, he could not avoid, but to look at her cleavage, seeing her big boobs appearing, but as she moved from the subject about her sunken ship, he listened when she spoke that she wanted a place to stay for the night. Trying to stay focused, Alistair replied as his gaze went to look back at Mariana`s eyes. “Ha! Yes, if you are saving for such things it would prove difficult to find a cheap place to rent for the night, especially in this city. Perhaps I can assist you with that, would you like to stay in the palace? I would give you your own room, and to have you here would certainly be better than staying somewhere where the angry brute of men can find you again, right? Considering all the trouble as of late, and I would gladly wish to listen more to your stories, they all sound very interesting.”

[Mariana]

Mariana's eyes sparkled in amusement when she saw Alistair's gaze fix itself on her cleavage when she leaned over to feed him. Well, maybe he wasn't quite so unattainable after all. If she was very, very lucky she might even get a good fuck in before he sent her on her way. She chuckled. Queen be damned, the king looked ripe for a lay.

She was a bit disappointed when he forced his gaze back to her face, but lit up again at the mention of free lodgings. There in the palace, no less! She didn't exactly intend to be a kept mistress, but that didn't seem to be Alistair's plan, anyway. Maybe he just wanted a quick fuck from someone interesting while he was trapped in the royal palace. After all, the queen was rumored to be a cold bitch with an even colder slit, and good king Alistair looked to be the sort of man who liked something warm in his bed.

Sitting back down, she leaned back in her chair and grinned. "I'm not like to turn down a stay at the bloody palace," she told him, stretching her legs out and running her foot up his calf. "And if you want stories... Well, I've got plenty of those. The question is what sort of story do you want?"

With a sultry smile she rested her feet in his lap, hands folded behind her head. "Tell me you greatness, what sort of story do you want? A daring shipside venture? About running from the navy perhaps? Or smuggling slaves out of Tevinter? Do you want me to tell you about stormy seas and hideous creatures that rise up from the depths?" She looked at him through her lashes with an impish grin and grazed the toe of her boot against the inside of the king's thigh. "Or would you prefer a story with a more... personal touch?"

[Alistair Theirin]

Listening to what Mariana said and then feeling the tip of her boot against the inside of his thigh, made Alistair both shocked and speechless. With a look as if being in awe, he smiled back to her in a way he had not intended. She sure was determined and she had probably noticed his gaze at her boobs earlier, which was probably why she now was teasing and trying to seduce him. Oh Anora would not like this, not at all. Before he knew it she would be swooping down upon him and Mariana in great frustration and anger, and cause a greater scandal with her outburst. No as being the King of Ferelden who was supposed to be trusted and cherished by everyone, he could not go on like most nobles did, having their ways with the servants and peasants. Alistair was an honorable and a very loyal man, even he like most man could not resist being seduced by women from time to time. Last night Alistair had been at the estate of Empress Celene from Orlais, only talking, but still it had caused a great havoc among the people, who had noticed his presence, and Anora had not been very happy since then, nor had she really been since she married him after the Blight.

“Eh, well…” Alistair began to speak slowly, almost unable say anything before he stood up and tried to collect himself, trying to stay focused even Mariana was most pleasing to the eye. “Even I would love to hear all your stories, I believe now that we both should retire to our separate beds. I am sure I can listen to your stories, about the sea and monsters when we speak again tomorrow. And I`m glad that you accept, to stay here as my guest, please come with me…let me show me your room?” Alistair continued to speak as he then moved close to where Mariana was seated, looking at her with a smile as he showed her with his hand where they should walk next, while handing her his other hand.

Then suddenly a thick cloud of smoke began to appear within the room and it spread quickly, making it unable for Alistair and Mariana to see and breathe clearly. It was unexpected because never had anything like it happened within the palace before now, but Alistair knew it could only mean one thing, assassins! Someone was trying to have him killed and soon the assassin would try and murder him, and he would need to stay focused if he now was to defend himself and Mariana from harm. Looking around he tried to see through the smoke, with his hand over his mouth. Wanting to scream for the guards to come, but as he looked through the thick smoke that was gathering around him, he could already see they were lying dead on the floor.