Courtesans - English version

15 Practice

Day of Orbalein

Truth be told, Harod was not thrilled that Dina arrived only in the morning, she had barely tidied herself up before she was already standing in the foyer of the brothel, smiling and ready to leave.

"What does he want with you in the morning?" the half-elf raised an eyebrow.

"I suppose the same thing he wants at night," Dina grinned as stupidly as she could.

"And where are you two going?"

Harod couldn't say that the gifted girls couldn't be taken out of the inn anymore. Dina was now a recognized courtesan, who could be taken wherever and whenever pleasant company was desired.

"To the barracks," she chirped, feigning innocence. "He wants me to watch and admire him while he fights."

Harod grimaced. "Just be careful! Don't break any rules, and make sure he follows them too!"

"Of course, Harod," she waved dismissively, then rearranged her long curls over one shoulder. "Don't worry, a Tád a pher courtesan knows how to behave."

It seemed this didn't entirely reassure the half-elf, but at least he didn't hold Dina back any longer.

Dina walked almost proudly through the streets of Perubia, surrounded by bodyguards, until they reached the inn. Inside, she first spotted Morrighan tightening the straps on Alistair's armour. The woman shot Dina a glance that was, by her standards, almost kind.

"Great, at least we'll have a healing priestess for a day."

Dina thought it best not to reply and simply smiled back.

Zevran stumbled out of his room, still sleepy, greeting Dina with a mumbled smile. The walk to the barracks was relatively uneventful.

According to the rules, sharp weapons were not allowed on the field, as the gatekeeper reminded them. Dina quietly observed that although none of them seemed to be armed, they still managed to produce a small pile of weapons from boots and under cloaks.

The group members flowed onto the field, each seemingly finding their opponent or a straw dummy, while Dina had no choice but to withdraw and plan to sit in a corner of the spectator stand.

However, Zevran ran over to her and extended his hand before she could sit down.

"My lady, don't run away from work."

She smiled back, accepted the offered hand, and walked onto the battlefield with him, though she had doubts about whether she truly belonged there. But as if led to a dance, she turned towards Zevran with a swirl of her skirt.

"I'm not sure what I could possibly practice here..." she shrugged uncertainly.

Zevran nodded deeply. "Oh, I do exactly know what you can practice, my dear!" He threw the wooden swords into the dust and beckoned her to follow him to a secluded spot. "First of all, my mighty lady, I ask you to release me from my vow for this training session. Without touching you, it would be rather difficult to teach you anything."

Dina laughed softly at Zevran's affected manner. The first half of the sentence was delivered like a loyal nobleman to his queen, bowing deeply, while the second half, spoken as he straightened, was accompanied by a grimace as if pondering the nature of things like a philosopher. Although Zevran had already stood upright, Dina, playing along, touched his chin with a lady's grace and lifted it slightly.

"I release you, good knight."

A mischievous smile flashed across Zevran's face, though only for a moment. Then he stepped even closer to Dina and took both of her hands.