Zevran vs. The Inquisition

Chapter One

Leliana knew who waited for her, could hear his laughter as she ascended the stairs to the aviary. It was a sound she had not expected to hear again, but she could not honestly say she was surprised. They had kept in touch, her letters sharing perhaps more than they should have. The memory of those words stole the smile from her lips. This was not simply a visit from an old friend.

She found Zevran sprawled behind her desk, one leg dangling over the arm of the chair, speaking with Josephine.

"...of course I know it. In the South Harbor."

"Truly? What occasion brought you there? The clientele is typically somewhat less... noble. And not nearly so beautiful."

Josephine smiled. "Night-tide Chowder."

"Ah, yes. Whatever the fishmongers could not sell in the light of day, poured into a pot and boiled. Certainly best consumed under cover of darkness."

"A riot of taste that has intrigued even the city's most discerning palettes."

Zevran threw back his head and laughed. When he saw Leliana mounting the stairs, he rose smoothly to his feet. "Ah, my dear Leliana. The years have been kind."

"Zevran." She looked to Josephine. "Josie, this is—"

"Your contact in the Free Marches. Formerly of the Antivan Crows."

He smirked. "Not a title many can claim. I do thank you for aiding in my escape."

"So you said in your letter." Leliana gave Josephine an apologetic smile. "Would you mind if I spoke to Zevran alone?"

"Of course. I was just dropping off the evening reports. I did not realize you had company." She inclined her head, with a sly smile for the assassin. "If you wish to speak further, Leliana knows where to find me. I do get homesick."

"Naturally." He watched her go, a slow grin spreading across his face.

Once she was out of earshot, Leliana rounded on him. "No."

"Hmm?" Zevran pursed his lips, the very picture of innocence. He was one of her oldest friends, a former comrade-in-arms, but Maker help her if she wasn't tempted to throw him over the railing and into the study far below.

"Zevran, you know you can't be here. You need to leave."

"But I have only just arrived! And this Inquisition of yours is truly a sight to see. Your letters failed to do it justice."

"My people confirmed that you received your payment. And you did not come all this way to say 'thank you.' Why are you here?"

Sinking back into the chair, he shrugged. "Curiosity. You, my dear, are infamous. Even more so than before. And after hearing such... interesting tales, how could I stay away?"

Leliana lifted the elf bodily, pressing him back against the wall, her arm against his throat. And still he only smirked, arching a wondering brow.

"Oh-ho, so vicious. I see some of the tales are true. You have changed, Leliana."

She leaned closer. "Whatever you think was in those letters..."

"Greetings from an old friend. Stories of a new hero. You do seem to have a knack for attaching yourself to those with power."

He pushed her gently away and she let him. Clasping her hands behind her, she paced back toward the table. "I never said—"

"I know what you said. Nothing explicit, of course, nothing that could be intercepted. But let us say that I now share your suspicions."