Warden Talk

Posted on 02 Feb 2024 @ 3:31am by Rogue Jaslyn & Warrior Rahvin Vargar

1,440 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Bann Voyage
Location: Warden Keep outside of Jader
Timeline: Bloomingtide 9th

It had been a few years since the blight, since Ostagar. As soon as Rahvin had had the chance he had made his way to Ostagar. It had been quiet. Nothing but quiet. He could feel it pressing down on him.

Standing on the hill, looking towards Ferelden, Rahvin could still feel that quiet. It was something that he was still trying to learn how to live with. It was getting better though. Since he decided to stay in Orlais. Though it wasn't his family, they were family. It was one particular Warden that had befriended him. She had become one that he could confide in. So when she found him out here, he wasn't surprised. Without turning he spoke. "So when do you leave?"

"Tomorrow," replied Jaslyn, walking up behind him. "It should be a fairly routine trip. Visit the Bann, gush with flattery over his collection, check out the artifact. Chances are it’s an expensive fake and my visit will lend credibility to whatever story the trader gave the Bann. If it actually is a Grey Warden Artifact, I can invoke the rights of the Grey Warden Order and bring it back to Jader, and then the Commander can decide what to do with it." She stood next to Rahvin with hands on her hips and looked out at the view. Then she shrugged carelessly. "Either way, sending a confidential messenger eases Mother Giselle and Lady Seryl’s concerns, and better yet, this errand will get me out of Jader for a few days."

The last time she’d seen Cainan was when they were partying together the first day of the Summerday Festival. He’d said he had urgent business to take care of and then he’d... disappeared. Jaslyn tried not to look for him in a crowd or a busy tavern, after all it had been only a casual affair, and they owed each other nothing. But it would do her good to get away.

She turned to regard Rahvin’s handsome profile. They had formed a deep connection, back when she was a new recruit and he was mourning the loss of Duncan and his other Ferelden Grey Warden brothers and sisters at Ostagar, then ineffectively marooned on this side of the border with her and scores of other Orlesian Grey Wardens. He had continued her training and had been there for her when she mourned the death of Riordan, the warden who’d conscripted her away from the gallows in Val Royeaux and started her training. "Hey. How are things with you?"

Rahvin had not looked to Jaslyn as she spoke. He listened quietly and gave a slight nod when she commented about using Warden rights if she needed to. He finally turned toward her when she asked how things were with him. His face was solemn, his stormy grey/blue eyes were distant. These changed quickly when he looked at her. A smile grew slightly and his eyes focused and the hint of that smile touched his eyes.

"Everyday is a better day than the one before." He let out a small chuckle. He took a step forward so that he was only a few feet from her. "I haven't told you this, but thank you. Thank you for allowing me to lean on you after...." His smile wavered slightly yet stayed. Along with it in his eyes. Clearing his throat, "When you get back, I will show you the move Duncan showed me."

"I’d like that." Head canted, Jaslyn looked up at Rahvin and smiled. "He lives on, you know. In the lives he saved, the skills he passed on, the wisdom he shared." She was thinking of Riordan as well as for Duncan. "We all do."

Hearing Jaslyn say that, brought on a grin which turned to a warm smile. Which shown in his eyes. "Yes we do." His tone held a seriousness and a warmth. He shifted a bit so that he could face her. His smile turned more serious.

Out of the two of them, it was pretty obvious which one was the more serious. "Just remember, while you are gone, try not to be so serious. I know you have a bit of a hard time trying to relax and have a bit of fun. Remember to........." He couldn't keep a straight face as he started to laugh.

Jaslyn raised an eyebrow but managed to maintain a serious expression and raised her hand as though taking an oath. "I shall take upon myself, with all appropriate seriousness, my sacred Warden duty to thoroughly and exhaustively research each and every tavern in West Hill." The elf dissolved into laughter and took Rhavin's arm. "Let's head back to the compound. I've a half-full bottle of Antivan Brandy you can help me finish off."

Rahvin did his best not to laugh as Jaslyn started to take an oath to essentially visit every bar in West Hill. When she took his arm in hers, he cleared his throat a little. "Antivan Brandy you say. Well we definitely can not let that go to waste now can we." He starts to walk with her. As they walk, "Promise me you will be careful." His tone was light though held care as well.

"In Peace, Vigilance," replied Jaslyn, quoting from the Grey Warden motto with no hint of irony. "I promise, I'll be careful. What about you, Rahvin? Will you still be in Jader when I get back?"

Hearing that she will be careful along with the motto, Jaslyn could see that this relieved most of his worry. When she asked if he would still be Jader when she got back, brought a smile to his face. "Other than the possibility of another blight happening anytime soon. I had not planned on going anywhere soon." He looked to her, his eyes showing something that Jaslyn rarely seen. Calmness. Yet there was something else in those eyes. "If I wasn't here when you got back. You wouldn't miss me, would you" This said with curiosity and laughter.

"Of course I'd miss you," she replied firmly, with heartfelt enthusiasm. Though holding his arm, she bumped into Rahvin as they walked for emphasis. She fondly recalled the months they'd spent together during the Blight, waiting for the Ferelden border to be opened so they could cross over and kill darkspawn. Not all of that time was spent in training. "Do you remember the night we suddenly knew the archdemon was dead? Because the song just… stopped?" Although it was days before reports emerged from Denerim with details, the Grey Wardens in Jader including Rahvin and Jaslyn had celebrated. She paused to send one last regretful thought to Cainan, then suggested, "Do you want to relive a fond memory?"

Rahvin smiled when she said she would miss him. He let out a bit of a chuckle when Jaslyn bumped into him. When she asked him if he remembered the night that they felt the archdemon had been killed. When the song had stopped. That night was something that he would always remember. Not just for the fact that the blight was over but for the fact that the two of them celebrated in their own way. Oh there had been drinking with their brothers and sisters, yet for them, they found themselves alone, creating their own memories. As they walked, he looked to Jaslyn, gave her a warm and inviting smile, which touched his eyes. "We can relive a fond memory, or we can create another."

Meeting Rahvin's gaze, Jaslyn's large green eyes went wide. They had been lovers during the blight, seeking solace and release in each other when the archdemon's song filled their heads and the darkspawn horde called. But now it seemed that Rahvin was offering her more than a night's pleasure. She wasn't sure she was ready for what that might entail, and yet... "I'd like that."

Rahvin had not been sure if he should have said what he did. When he seen Jaslyn's eyes go wide he thought he had just screwed everything up. Yet when Jaslyn said that she would like that, a warm smile crossed his face. He reached out to take her hand in his.

Jaslyn melted against Rahvin body, her lips parted, trembling with eagerness for his touch and the press of his mouth to hers.

Pulling her in close, he put one arm around her waist, then his other arm reached up and gently brushed her cheek. "I would like that too" He leaned in and kissed her.

-----

 

RSS Feed