Courtesans - English version

10 Farewell

Dina looked up. Her attention was drawn to the tattoo on the side of the man's face. In the moonlight, she could see the long scar beneath the black pattern, a deep, unhealed mark that would never fade from his skin. She thought that some wounds never truly heal, and both she and Zevran had their share of those. Yet now, she felt that perhaps life could still be bearable, even happy, despite them.

A sudden, explosive sound echoed from the distance. Zevran's embrace tightened protectively around Dina as they both stared silently, wide-eyed, at the brilliant arc of the firework that burst across the black sky.

"What was that?" Dina asked.

"I don't know. But it came from the inn." Zevran's tone grew serious. "We need to go back."

Dina agreed wholeheartedly. They set off at a brisk pace along the night path, barefoot. Zevran led the way, holding Dina's hand tightly.

"I've never seen a thing like this before," he admitted.

"Do you think it has anything to do with those party members chasing after Alistair?" Dina asked.

Zevran gazed into the distance and shook his head. "I only hope it doesn't. Let's go, and this time, we should use the door to enter. We'll stay back and see what's happened first."

"What if it really is something terrible?" Dina's voice was tinged with worry.

"Then, Dina, my dear, I'll have to protect you. The best I can think of right now is to find you a secluded, dark corner. If you stay still, no one will know you're there. Trust me, I'll come back for you," Zevran said, nodding reassuringly. The thought of staying away from potential danger never crossed his mind.

"I don't want to be hidden away. I want to be there if something goes wrong; maybe I can help," Dina replied firmly.

Zevran glanced at her, pretending to smile, but then continued walking.

They took a small detour through the forest, and Dina soon lost track of where they were. Upon reaching the town, they crossed narrow, deserted streets, their bare feet sticking to the cobblestones, and slowly, they approached the inn. Dina scanned the light filtering through the windows. The beggars on the benches outside looked up, and the innkeeper stepped out to inspect the damaged roof tiles. Zevran pointed out the hole in the roof. As they got closer, Oghren appeared at the door, looking a shade more sober than usual.

"Zevraaan!" The red-haired dwarf stepped up to him and whispered, "Hide if you know what's good for you!"

"What's going on, Oghren?"

"Nothing special, but you'd better not run into Morrhigan right now. She's been covering for you with the little lady's boss," he nodded towards Dina, "and he's quite the unpleasant fellow. He got so mad, he blew off half the inn's roof with one of his strange gadgets."

"What?" Dina interjected. "Harod, here? He caused this mess? But why?" Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Zevran's arm. He must have noticed it because he cast a protective glance at her.

"I didn't catch the whole conversation," Oghren shrugged, "but it was about money. Your boss, little lady, wants money as much as the Mine Lord of Thedmuldm."

Dina just shook her head, thinking that was probably true.

Just then, the innkeeper, Tharoden, who was assessing the damage with concern, suddenly spotted Dina and started towards her. "Thank the gods, the girl we've been looking for is here! We're saved!"

Dina said nothing, just sighed and closed her eyes.

"There's still a guard here, I'll call him to escort you back!" The dwarf didn't ask, nor did he consider that others might have different plans. He was too afraid of Harod's wrath. "Your boss is not someone to mess with, no indeed!" He wagged his thick finger towards the roof and then hurried back inside.

Oghren muttered a quick goodbye and lumbered back into the tavern.

Dina stared at the ground with pursed lips, then looked up at Zevran, who was watching her. She sighed.

"I'd better go," she muttered reluctantly.

Zevran offered her a half-smile. "Don't worry about tomorrow. Besides, if you don't want to go back, you don't have to. I could just say I still need you, and you stay until morning."

Dina shook her head. "I don't want to cross Harod. Truth is, I'm afraid of him."

But what hurt Dina more was having to part from Zevran, not knowing when or if she would see him again.

He, however, shrugged playfully. "Looks like I'll have to resign myself to my bed being cold, deprived of the wonderful priestess of love again tonight. Desire consumes me every day, and yet..." he spread his arms with a grin.

Dina gave him a sad smile, but then her spirits sank again. She couldn't understand how Zevran could still joke at a time like this. But she had no time to ponder; the guard was approaching with a stern face, announcing without greeting, "Let's go."

"I need to go up for my shoes," Dina replied.

"Hurry then!"

"Alright, alright...!"

Dina only dared to respond in that tone because she felt much safer in Zevran's presence.

The guard's eyes met Zevran's, who, like a sulking child, furrowed his brow, pouting and almost blew a raspberry at him, tapping his bare foot softly on the ground. The guard looked confused at the provocative, childish man and then, in helplessness, turned away. Zevran silently chuckled at him.

Dina returned in her small shoes, still looking downcast.

"Well... goodbye," she finally lifted her gaze to Zevran.

"Goodbye, my dear," came the cheerful reply. "It's been a pleasure."

Dina wanted one last hug, a few parting words, anything, but the guard was already clearing his throat beside her. She glared at him angrily, but he pretended not to notice.

"Will I still find you at the inn?"

"Until we set off, yes," Zevran nodded easily.

But Dina's heart felt as if it were weighed down by lead. She wanted to say something else, to get some assurance that she would see Zevran again, but she couldn't say anything in front of the guard. And he didn't wait any longer. If Dina didn't want him to grab her arm, she had to move herself. So, she took a step forward, awkwardly, glancing back, but the sight of Zevran fading into the distance only made her sadder.

She turned back and kept her eyes down for the entire walk.

Zevran watched Dina for a while longer in front of the inn. As she grew more distant, his smile widened. Then, as if pleased with himself, he spun around and stepped through the door.