[M] Grimm Tales- Ch1: From these emerald waters (SiksXKris)

"Look I don't think we should do it!"

"Don't you dare getting cold feet on me!"

"I really think we shouldn't do it".

She turned around slowly, as she crossed her hands on her chest, "Then what do you want us to do, Karl?"

Karl was a young elven man with trimmed cut that reach behind his long ears. He skin was pale, and his eyes azure blue. He cough softly as he looked into her violet eyes. They were usually the eggplant shade-almost dark, but when she was in very dire emotional state, they will glitter and change to a shade of Pansy flowers. He could tell that she was furious.

"You don't know, do you?"

"No, Illvani, I don't..."

"Well, we can't go back now..."

"Yeah, we just wounded a templar badly"

"Gah, you are just impossible!- We can't go back because knight commander Meredith wants us dead- Do you even understand what the rite she invoked means", she said, grabbing his fancy clothes he saved only for special occasions. It was his keeper's robes, which marked him as a student of the dales. Although he was never going to be acknowledged as a First, he always hoped the elder of his clan, or maybe his keeper, will somehow track him and get him in back into the clan someday. And he in turn, will show his loyalty, by appearing dressed as he were when he was forced outside- but to do so he had to keep his robes well preserved. But now that they were on the run, it was the only thing he bothered taking with him, and since he feared losing it, he dressed himself in it.
This sad story of his, was kinda what draw Illvani to him- he was so pure and naive, and something about him just constantly made her recall of better, sweeter years. As impossible as he was with his dreams and fantasies, she always protected him like a little brother, and he treated her as family. Not human or elf, but a bounded family.

"But Gabriel is different- she cares-".

"She is a templar... she will obey rules... no Karl, we cannot trust anyone other than ourselves, and while the others run away or fight for dear life, we must destroy our Phylacteries- Because if we don't, they will be able to track us with it!"

"I... I understand", the elf said and Illvani let go of him, "Good- now start looking".

And so they moved all over the room and checked each and every vial in the room, opening drawers, climbing ladders... There were just so much of them...

"You will know it's yours, it will glow once you reach it".

"I think I've found it!", said Karl as he moved down, holding a lovely looking brooch with a small glass in the shape of a sand clock in it. It was red as it was made from his own blood.

"Pretty!", he said, admiring the thing.

"Stop ogling it. Shatter it already and help me find mine"

The young elf did so- and joined Illvani search- but before long the sounds of havoc reached their ears.

"I can't find it", Illvani said and her eyes brightened once again- Karl knew she was growing extremely worried.

"Could it be in another room?"

"No- unlikely- this is the only well guarded room -Could it really not be here!?"

"Very unlikely- Orsino likes you, true, but there is no way your Phylactery was moved to the silver spire- You are not first enchanter candidate! and not even a senior enchanter like Bethany", Karl said, "Look, it's gotta be here, and we just missed it", he stopped for a moment, "I can hear them- They are almost here- we gotta go- Let's just destroy all of them"

"They will know we are here if we do, but---", Illvani summoned her spells, "Quick cast something, I will invoke it"

Illvani had many talents, but offensive magic was not exactly her area of specialty. She had really rough time during her harrowing because of it. It was also another reason she relayed on Karl to cast some explosive which she would booster with her spells.

And soon the young elven man casted a fire ball which spread around. Illvani then increased the effect and made the vials to shatter, the blood which was touched by the fade's magic gathered around the stormy fire and seemed to making a strange sound.

"GO! THIS THING WILL EXPLODE!", Illvani shouted, pulling the hand of the elf and running for the door. They slide behind more templars that wanted to check within the basement, but before long a huge explosion happened, which pushed the both of them from the nearest window.

***

"GAHH!", Illvani gasped and coughed as she pulled her head over the waves, her long black hair trailing around her. Her back hurt from hitting the waters but she was happy to have her landing being uneventful.

She then realized Karl was missing.

"Karl?!", she called to him as she looked at one direction, "KARL?!", she called again, looking around her. She then dived in and started to swim downward. Noticing his body she swam faster, picking him and carrying the both of them upward.

Once up he also gasped for air.

"You can't swim? what kind of a hunter will you make?"

"Mythal's grace! Woman, I was admitted to a Keeper, mind you- and then I was to be relocated before I was moved to the circle- any chances of me learning something useful was lost then", he then started to laugh like crazy, "HAHAHAH, we did it! we did it, we actually-!"

It was then that an arrow stroke with full force at Karl's heart.

"Karl?!", Illvani's shook his body constantly, "KARL?!"

Blood started to spread on the water around her, and as she continued to shake his body she looked around and saw Gabriel Caron- a beautiful templar, which resembled Meredith so badly, one would assume them both mother and daughter. She was holding a bow and seemed fixed on hitting something more.

And since Karl was dead---

Illvani felt something hitting her shoulder. She moved her right hand to find that it was soaked with blood. her own blood. She could no longer hold onto Karl and she helplessly watched as his body sank to the depths.

Gabriel had a sad expression, which she could have easily decipher as 'forgive me', but that didn't stop her from loading another arrow into her bow.

Illvani gasped as another arrow pierced into her flesh, and she too, sank into the water.

***

Illvani gasped hard and almost choke as she woke up in a startled. Looking around her she realized that she lived, and that someone pulled her out of the water and bandaged her.

"Easy now, you're safe!", said a familiar looking dwarf. He was strangely good looking for one of his kind and dressed in style. Also he seemed honest, unlike those she met before, "You had some sea salt in you, but the wounds are not too lethal. Don't worry, I didn't patch them myself, I got a nice girl from the pharmacy to do it for me- made sure she wasn't from the chantry, I don't want things to be more complex".

Illvani lifted her hand to rub her shoulders, but she regretted doing so, as surge of pain paralyzed her whole body and she moaned and cried.

"Yeah, they drilled you good with holes, best not to move around"

"You--", she said, "I remember you, you took Bethany with the Captain of the Guards just before the attack".

"Yes, my name is Varric Tethras, rogue, story taller, and occasionally bullshitter, at your service", he said, before approaching with a tray of food, "Eat up kiddo- the medic told me to condemn you to soap for now-- she also own me 3 Sovereigns, she thought you won't be up before the next day"

Illvani then placed her hands on her mouth as she began to wail, "KARL!".

The dwarf looked unsure and as he tried to pet her but she aggressively pushed his hand away. He looked sorrowful but shook his head, "I understand kiddo. I will let you mourn. I saw the whole thing. Can't be easy to lose a friend like that... I best... get the medic to check on you?", he smiled gently, "Just let it all lose and lie down, you barely escaped death there, kid..."

He closed the door, and once he did, Illvani kicked her legs on the bed in anger. Of course she nearly escaped death. It seemed to be her only attribute of good luck. It is always other people around her that are getting hurt. Her mother, which needed to suffer because of her, and now Karl... it was all too much..."

She got up slowly, barely able to carry her own weight. She looked for her clothes, but found them hanged from a chair. They were soaked but luckily there was a closet and many outfits inside. Most of them were of a man, but it was not a dwarven seize. Apparently this was not the house of that dwarf Verric fellow- and luckily so, for she needed to get out of here and fast.

Even if this Varric was honest about helping her, something will go wrong eventually for sure, as it always does. She was a half-breed and a mage to top it all. There was no safe haven for her. And besides, she had to return to Ferelden- to her mother.

She dressed- and it proved to be a terrible task. She was hurt all over and her wounds were opening with every movement, making her bleed over the clothes she "borrowed". It seems that her shoulder was still somewhat numb too. Magic was not enough to fully heal herself either, for she was too weak. Once she was dressed, and looking decent, more or less, she stumbled outside.

There was a smell of smoke everywhere, and fighting was all around her. She covered her head with a cloak and made her way for the port. She knew ships were probably bound to leave during this time of ordeal, and she needed to get out of this accursed city, and fast. She was penny less, and wasn't sure anyone would agree to take her just like that.

"Get the cargo loaded in the hour!"

Someone said and she noticed pile of wooden large boxes. The idea on itself seemed repulsive, but she really didn't had time to consider any other option, beside, she knew she was about to pass out any given moment.

She opened one box and found it to be full of apples. She slide inside and covered herself completely, squeezing some wood away so she could breathe.

"Hey get this closed and up on the boat!".

The lid was on her, as well as darkness.

She took a deep breath and fell asleep.

The docks of Kirkwall were in a state of pure chaos. A Mage/Templar war had just been declared and people were either running to ships to flee the fighting or were joining in and stealing what they could from the dead and wounded. Before a black painted ship a beautiful Qunari woman was standing besides a former Templar and a roaring Qunari man acting as a bulwark of power and steel as others in the crew bustled around the docks grabbing whatever goods they could more than a few times looting the dead as well.

A deadly looking human woman had just finished stabbing a man in the chest before she shouted back at the three warriors. "Oi, Saorsa, Shep, Vandre! Do a better damned job of keeping these looters away ok?!"

She quickly grabbed the man's valuables and tossed them into a small crate of potions and poisons before she ran up the gangplank. She hurriedly dropped the crate besides a female Dwarf who was quickly checking off lists and handing them to a hooded male Dwarf. The Dwarf woman shouted just barely dodging the crate being practically being thrown at her. "HEY BE CAREFUL ESMERELDA! You hit me with one more crate, I'm sending you back to Rivian in pieces!" In her rage at the Duelist she didn't pay attention to the sack of flour she knocked into the cargo hold causing a string of deep throated curses to fly up at her. "You fuckin' be careful Bulka! There's only two of us down here, so kill me and we'll be extra fucked!"

The female Dwarf took in a sharp breath and looked down the dark cargo hold watching the ship's Sapper and repairman rubbing his bald head glaring up at her. "I'm sorry are you ok Ogmar?" The grumpy man snorted and nodded his head. Then a soft female voice came from the darkness besides him before a kind-eyed Elf woman appeared and quickly pulled the Ogmar's head down so she could look it over. He winced pulling his head back. "I said I was fine Emmy! Just get back to stacking the cargo, we gotta get the sod outta here before the Guards appear to start trying to take the city back!" The Elven healer frowned. "Hey it's my job to make sure!"

The argument was quickly interrupted by a massive explosion and a pair of dark-haired Elves run up the gangplank carrying a crate of apples between them. The female shouted across as the male obviously her brother. "You massive moron! Why would you risk our lives for a stupid crate of apples!" The male shouted back as they both unceremoniously dropped the crate. "To fend off scurvy!"

Emmy quickly jumped out of the hole expecting to see someone dead. "Meleim! Ashahra! What was the explosion are you two ok?" The twins, Dalish Elves, by their appearance nodded in unison, but Meleim jerked her thumb back at the docks. "Yeah we're fine, but our beloved Captain might've succeeded in killing him this time. He set off a bunch of Ogmar's Lyrium explosives while trying to steal a Knight-Commander's armor!" The gathered crew let out a deep sigh. They knew better than to hope something actually finished the job of taking the rest of the Captain's ninety something lives.

And as the sounds of fighting drew closer the three warriors holding the docks clambered aboard carrying a great deal of loot and cargo between the three of them. They dropped it all on top of the apple crate and the First Mate Saorsa quickly took control. "Get the rest of the cargo below deck and make ready to set sail! Vandre help me with the gangplank!" The crew quickly fell into line forming a line of hands with Shep jumping into the cargo hold to help Emmy and Ogmar catch and stack while Esmeralda, Meleim and Ashara grabbed the cargo and deposited it into the hold.

The male Qunari grunted grabbing one end of the twenty foot long plank while Saorsa worked on the other. "What of the Captain?" He asked his deep voice little more than a growl. The former Tamassran sighed and shrugged as they pulled the plank up. "His orders were to leave as soon as all the cargo was on. He'll find us." She left the big male to secure the plank before joining the others in securing the cargo and preparing to set sail. Saorsa took the wheel and once all the moorings were cut and the anchor out of the water she quickly steered the Kharon into the angry storm winds that were blowing in. But a loud shout was heard from the chaotic docks. "OI, THE FUCK YOU LEAVIN' WITHOUT YOUR CAPTAIN MUTINEER! WHO SAID FOR YOU TO LEAVE ME BEHIND?" She sighed and saw the frantically waving arms of a stout man with a long gray coat. The Tal-Vashoth rolled her eyes and shouted back. "YOU DID SEBASTIAN! NOW RUN FASTER OR YOU'LL MISS THE PARTY!"

Captain Grimm was running with a templar's helmet, breastplate, and shield hanging about his person. But panic and adrenaline do great things for a person's physical abilities when needed. Captain Grimm ran at full speed and using some high-stacked crates and a dangling rope from his own ship to pull himself out of danger and onto the deck of his ship in a clanking pile of bullshit and luck. Emmy quickly jumped back out of the cargo hold and rushed to his side. She doubted he was hurt, but she always must check. But as she reached his side all she found was his lips on her's and his hands on her ass. She instinctively elbowed him in the face and rolled away red. "Why do you always have to do that!"

The crew laughed and the Captain laughed the loudest as he climbed back to his feet winking at the embarrassed young Elf maiden. "Cause you gotta learn better, ask Saorsa she'd rather let me bleed out then come close right?" He asked the tall woman who simply smirked and rolled her eyes going back to steering the ship away from the pit of madness that was once Kirkwall.

The crew didn't take a break until they were well into the Waking Sea with only the black smoke of Kirkwall on the horizon. The cargo was secure and ale was being retrieved, but Sebastian wanted an apple and he saw the tell tale red of apples in the only crate left on deck. He tossed the loot off the top and popped it open. Reaching in he aimed to grab an apple, but actually felt something soft, squishy, and covered with cloth. Looking in he saw that his hand was full of some woman's breast which was protruding from the apples. He laughed and waved his crew over. "Now this is the type of surprise I like!" He reached in deeper and pulled the head of a pretty half-elf from the apples.

Thedas.

A world full of mystery, adventures, romance, wars and many tales and stories- nobles and commoners living side by side, along with many races and factions. And while it's easy to see the distrust among the people, it is no doubt that elves had it worse.

Once part of a magical empire- or so the people of the Dales claim, elves are considered today nothing but folks reduced to live in ghettos, known as "alienage", as a second class citizens. But those are the lucky ones. In the kingdom of Tevinter to the north, practice of slavery on these poor folks is still strong- there are even rumors of horrible abuses and blood magic practices, which claimes the lives of many elves because of their strong affinity to magic. They are a convenient boosters and their lives are meaningless.

But even those living in a semi truces in the city in the alienage, often suffers from the city's attackers, and often are given to the local noble's mercy. They have no trouble storming in, and hitting on us. We are weak after all and can hardly resist.

Mother only crime was her appearance. She caught the eyes of a local noble whom she refused to ever speak his name to me. I am not sure if he ever returned to check of her child, but he probably threatened the rest of his house to hush about it.

I was lucky, or so she told me. Like all half breeds I was born with the look of a human girl, and aside from few features, no one would suspect of my origin- at least not right away. I will not be called "knife ear", or be submitted to bullies. Hell, I could even leave the alienage if I wanted to- but I didn't want to leave mom alone. She was the only family I had.

As much as I mocked the elves I knew the heart of men and they were not any better. They were dirty scums. Whenever we walked in the streets of Denerim we would get nasty looks, and the humans always seemed so loud and vulgar.

I was without a choice- torn between two worlds which both I didn't to be part of. The humans were too mean but the elves of the city were so weak and willing to grovel. I often wondered what were the life of the dales- the elves living free of humans in the forest. Mother used to tell me that her mother was one of them- one of the free people. They would live and die in freedom, and will only submit to their Keeper, their elder of the clan.

How mom longed to return- but she couldn't just leave everything behind and go. Of course that was not the only reason- there was something else preventing her from returning, a reason which I would learn later... during the time she found out I bore the gift of magic...

***

Illvani cried softly. She seemed in a lot of pain. She was sweating hard and her eyes would barely open.

The kind elf moved closer, pushing Captain Grimm aside, "She is burning!", she said, as she examined Illvani like a good healer. Removing the cloak from her she noticed the blood stains and her heart missed a bit, "Oh no! We gotta move her to a clean bed now!"

"We can't keep her here..." , said the dwarven male, "If she is sick we gonna catch it too-"

"Ogmar!", the healer protested, "We can't just leave her like that!"

"Then throw her out. She is a Stowaway. We never took kindly to them", said the male Tal-Vashoth.

"I know, Vandre", the elf said, "And yet..."

***

I was about 12 when I almost accidently killed Behndan, the neighbor's son by causing him to fell off the roof. We had a clear distance between us, but it was obvious that I somehow witch crafted the wind. It was then that my eyes first began to change color. Behndan found it cool, but mother was afraid. She knew all too well what they do to people born with magic. If there was something which was more hated than elves, mages were probably in said spot.

Any rumor would have caused to guards to be on me faster than a hungry cat on a bird- and they would have taken me away to the circle. A tower were they keep mages locked away for "their safety".

But mother was quicker. She packed hastily, putting a small backpack on my back and grabbed me by the hand. It was almost impossible bypassing the guards, but mother was smart and cunning.

I later heard that Shianni, my cousin and few other female members of my family faced ordeal by the son's Arl, during which another cousin of mine found her death. Our Hahren, our elder, Valendrian did nothing.

Elves are so weak...

Sebastian sighed and put his fingers to his lips and let out a shrill whistle silencing his crew. He knew the policy about stowaways, but they never tossed wounded into the water to attack sharks and potentially give someone a reason to try and find them for murdering XYZ. He couldn't just toss such a nice shaped woman overboard without making her intimate acquaintance anyway.
"Ok Reapers, you all know we can't toss a bleeding person overboard. We're still kinda within range of trouble. Emmy and Saorsa get her out of those apples and take her to my cabin, it's got the best bed for healing." The Tal-Vashoth woman rolled her eyes, she knew the Captain's ulterior motive for having the stowaway taken to his cabin, but she wasn't in the mood to argue right now. Maybe the new girl can keep him from sniffing around her bunk tonight. Saorsa and the Emmy delicately picked the wounded girl out and the Qunari carried her away while the Elf ran below deck to get her healer's bag.

The Captain than pointed to Bulka, Ogmar, and Shep.
"You three go through the crate and toss any apples with blood on them overboard and put the good ones into a different barrel. Ogmar was right in saying she could have something catchin' we definitely don't want that!" The three pirates nodded though each face wore a grimace. The men pushed the crate to the edge and with Bulka they began sorting through the apples, a bunch of random floating apples would bring some attention, but far less than a floating body.

The Captain turned to the remaining crew. "Everyone else! Go do ship things I have a boat to drive, we're heading for Glisten Skull Island friends. I'm sure we all miss our wonderful pirate hideout and it holds so much more loot than the Kharon." Esmeralda, Meleim, and Ashahra gave the man a salute and walked off to get things set. Sebastian quickly glanced down at his compass spun the wheel and aimed them towards home.

***

In the Captain's spacious red adorned cabin Emmy and Saorsa stripped the stowaway down to her under clothes and using their combined knowledge and a little bit of the former Tamassran's spirit power to bring the young woman back from the edge. The arrow nearly killed her, but by sheer luck it missed her heart by inches. But that aside she had numerous cuts, bruises, and a burn or two that needed fixing.

It took the women a full hour and patch up and stabilize the wounded Half-Elf which they decided she was after a very thorough examination of her body. She'd live through the night, but she couldn't be moved from Sebastian's bed, which would present a whole new series of issues for the woman or the crew. Honestly if Sebastian wasn't such a good Captain and didn't pay back all the trouble he dished out with lots of loot and luxury the Reaper's would've mutinied a while ago. They may not be able to kill to man, but they could toss him overboard and let the Maker take another crack at ending Sebastian Grimm. For now though the girl was breathing evenly, but she was still running a fever so she'd stay in her bra and panties for now. Emmy wouldn't leave the woman's side, it wasn't often she got a real patient to heal. Most of the crew were either too damn tough to be gravely wounded, or just did their own stitching up. So she was eager to prove herself especially since she was the youngest onboard. She resoaked the cooling cloth on the woman's head and nodded up at the First Mate. "Best go get the Captain and explain the situation to him Saorsa, she's stable, but it's best we not move her. So he'll need to find somewhere else to sleep cause I'll be by he side all night and will have no problem kicking him out of here for trying anything!" The girl's voice and eyes were determined, and Saorsa was glad she found her backbone at last.

She's only been with the crew a couple of years and she spent most of the first year being embarrassed by and eventually bedded the Captain to make him stop bothering her. Every since she's been worried about being seen as a coward and targeted by him again despite every other woman on the crew from Saorsa down to Bulka telling her his bark is worse than his bite. He usually beds a woman once and is done. It's only Saorsa he's slept with more than once, and that's because he's fascinated by Qunari women and especially the Tamassran way of sex. It's saved many of the female passengers they've have from having to suffer his company. Either way the ox-woman nodded and walked out of the cabin, they were still a day or so away from Glisten Skull, but it would be good to be back in their hideaway. Everyone had their own room and their own thing back there, it was a home or at least as good a home as any of them have known, she studied each of them as they bustled across the desk. Ogmar was a casteless thug from Orzammar, Bulka is an exiled surface Dwarf formally from the Merchant Caste, Esmeralda was born in Rivain, but was an Antivan Crow most of her life, Ash and Mel were proud Dalish, but their clan fell during the Fifth Blight, Emmy was a City Elf from Amaranthine who ran away with her family and became kind of a traveling circus. Acrobats, archery, various tricks to keep the peasantry amused, but like with Ash and Mel her family was wiped out in the Blight. Saorsa's story is full of fighting tradition and finding a greater purpose than what the Qun gave her, hell even the Captain's story isn't so good, orphan, gang life, drafted military service, and so much more. Shep may be the best example of a normal life among them. Raised in the Orlesian Chantry, and destined pretty much from birth to be a Templar, good life, good education, good parents, he had it all. But as is the Orlesian way Shep feel afoul of a noble Lady very experienced in The Game. He was romantic with a Mage, but the noblewoman wanted him herself, he scorned her and she took revenge. His love was made Tranquil, he was accused of and found to be guilty of treason and if he hadn't escaped to the Kharon he'd have been executed. They all know each other's stories both good and bad, they're as close to family as one could get without sharing parents.

In fact the only one of the crew who is still mostly a mystery was Vandre. All they knew was he was a Ben-Hassrath from Seheron and he left the Qun over a disagreement with his leaders. Anything more and he throws up a huge wall and not even good wine and a good women can make him open up again. So most just leave him be after they reach that point, but Saorsa thinks she can get through to him. Someday she'd like to have a child that didn't belong to the community and she wanted it to be a full Qunari born in freedom. Vandre was a strong quiet type and she knew he'd make a good father simply by watching the way he handles children they take onboard the ship. He's like a friendly uncle always telling silly stories and teaching them tricks.

She finished her little walk down memory lane and approached the Captain.
"Sebastian, our stowaway is going to be ok. But we can't move her from your bed until her fever has passed. Can you control yourself long enough to give the girl a chance to wake up before you harass her?"

The Captain put on a face of mock wound.
"I am the perfect gentlemen around all women you know that!"

Saorsa crossed her arms under her breasts and rolled her eyes.
"Emmy said she'd stab you in the neck with a broken bottle if you bother her first real patient in months."

Sebastian glanced down at his First Mate's popped up bust and sighed.
"Very well, but I'll still sleep in my cabin! Somewhere, don't need any of you trying to mount me or kill me in my sleep if I stay in the crew cabin with you."

Once again Saorsa rolled her eyes then took the wheel.
"Like we'd do you the pleasure of mounting or killing you. Go talk with Emmy she can give you a better idea of the proper course of action. I know the way home." She hip bumped the man away and began shouting orders down to the crew. Knowing when he'd no longer needed Captain Grimm bounced down the steps and entered his cabin being more quiet than most would expect of him. He crouched down besides Emmy smiling at her.
"Sorry about earlier, just didn't want you lot being sad around me."

The She-Elf sighed shaking her head. Even as much as she hated him, the man had charm still.
"It's ok, just be quiet and respectful. I think our guest might be waking up soon."

Dwarves have it easy in their underground kingdom of Orzammar. Dwarves, for some reason are disconnected from the "fade", the world of dreams. Because of that, they do not have magic in their blood and said to be dreamless.

But saying they have easy life would be wrong. Everything about dwarves is their profession, work, family name, ranks- and each of those can be at the risk of being taken from them at any given time. Condemned dwarves are to be stripped of their caste and their memories deleted from the records of the stone- as if they never lived. Even their family are tossed away with them.

In a sense, being a castless is like being a leper, suffering from a disease. They can try and improve their fate by joining the Legion of the Dead, for example- there are to find their death in the deep roads, fighting darkspawns, but their names are reinstated and their family gains a cast again.

Dwarves that broke tradition or fled to the surface are consider a castless too. They could never be accepted back to their old ranks- and often the family they leave behind is at risk of losing their caste too.

But what I am talking about dwarves and their rules… it was the furthest issue from me as ice and fire… or so I thoughts.

And then we have returned to mom's clan…

***

Illvani opened her eyes slowly, and a loud scream escaped her lips when she noticed two people looking down at her.

She has been found out!!

She quickly got up and tried to run away but the pain hit her hard again and she fainted once more.

***

They called mother a city trash. They didn't want her, or me, the "shemlen" offspring with them. They said that grandmother never looked back when she left for the city and married an elven trash, and said that we are both not welcomed here, because we need to live with the consequences of such actions.

She tried to reason with them, but it was only when she mentioned my ability that the "Keeper", the clan leader, decided to join the conversation. The keeper, lady Marethari Talas, had a very annoyed expression upon her face and said straight out, "You will never be recognize as one of us, but you may hold a gift that needs my direct attention. Under normal circumstances I would not have accepted you back, but we are living in a strange time. You will join us temporarily as comrades, and I will recognize you as my "second". Will you accept this?"

I looked at my mother who nodded back at me.

Frankly all I wanted was to just spit at their faces and leave. Elves were no different from humans after all… but we had no other place to go…

I said "yes".

***

"Err… my head", Illvani woke up slowly again.

"Easy now!", said a lovely looking elf, "You were found by us, true, but you are not in trouble… yet?", she said looking at something.

Illvani followed her gaze and found a man sitting on a chair, while his boots were up on a barrel, looking extremely pleased with himself. She swallowed hard and covered herself up. She was not used to be like that in presence of a man, "Please, I can't go back, please!", she grabbed Emmy's clothes, "Please"

"Who hurt you like that?", the elf asked and Illvani bite her lips.

"You better answer her!", the man said, while rocking on his chair. He never stopped smiling but it was hard not to see that he was ordering her to answer.

"That would be our captain, you are in his room which he provided for you to recover in. Most of the staff protested too. So… You better answer", said the elf, "Please?"

Illvani shook her head, "Templars... did this", Illvani said and reached for the wounds on her shoulder and chest. Fuck, Gabriel was too good with the bow.

"Why would they—oh!", the elf's eyes glittered with understanding, "You one of the circle?".

Illvani looked at the man again who had a look of demanding answers. She then looked at the elf and nodded. She then wrapped the covers around her, "What will you do with me?", Illvani asked.

Sebastian chuckled low in his throat, but Emmy simply smiled at the girl patting her legs under the covers.”That’s up to the Captain, but don’t worry we don’t toss people overboard when they’re bleeding it attracts unneeded attention.” Sebastian plopped his chair back to the ground and stalked over studying the young woman closely. “So how’d a mage find herself bleeding in my apple crate?” He peeked under the covers then smiled into the woman’s face.

“AHH!”, Illvani pushed the covers to her, “Please… don’t… don’t do it…”, there was a real and honest terror in her eyes when she said it. Fucking humans. All of them the same, “Please I’ll buy you the apples back once I can… just don’t… don’t come closer!”

Sebastian laughed loudly and fell flat on his ass, Emmy only sighed and dropped her head in shame shaking it slowly. “Please miss don’t get him started.” The Captain was back on his feet and smiling madly he began walking up and down the cabin like a rooster. “My dear it is not the apples that concern me. Oh no it is the fact you are a stowaway and stowaways do not make demands aboard the Kharon!” She was a scared bunny and Sebastian so loved messing with scared bunnies, it was part of his charm in his eyes. But to everyone else it was just scary and annoying. Emmy sighed deeper looking at the man. “Be nice or I’ll get Saorsa in here to deal with you sir.”

The Captain laughed again.
“Oh come on, the rest of you are so dull it’s not often I get a new audience!”

Emmy shook her head.
“At least wait until she’s healed and dressed before you scare the pants off her.”

The man sighed crossing his arms and sat back down besides the bed studying the young woman’s face. “Well either way, who are you and what are you doing on my ship?”

“Illvani Tabris, and…”, she bit her lips, “I needed to run, okay? I had to leave there, I didn't care how. I just need to head back and find my mother, see if she is okay. We got separated once they forced me into the Circle. Now that I was free I planned to get her out but…”, she sighed again. They probably didn’t care if she told them she just lost someone but decided to use that card anyway, “I just saw someone dear to me getting murdered before my eyes. Please, if you want, I can leave on the closest land, or… if you want me to jump off ship I’ll do it... “

Emmy frowned, Tabris was a City Elf name. And she knew the horror City Elves went through and add to that being a Mage, she couldn’t even imagine. The Captain would eat her alive given the chance literally and figuratively But judging on how she reacted to him, looking at her under the covers she’d never been with a man. She gripped the girl’s bare shoulder smiling. “Take a breath Illvani, I don’t need you panicking and ripping your stitches.”

Sebastian continued to watch Illvani, she was more jumpy than Emmy this would be lots of fun for him. “Well both lucky and unlucky for you, the closest land is our HQ at Glisten Skull Island. And you’re too pretty and wounded to toss overboard. Just like Emmy here.” He chuckled patting the She-Elf’s head which just made her sigh. She was used to the man and she knew she could stab him and it likely wouldn’t kill him.

Illvani watched him with dread, shaking to her core, holding herself from crying, “What does that mean? If you want me to find a way back from there, I can do it!”

Emmy shook her head.
“No you won’t be able to, we have the only ship that knows where the island is and we’re the only ones there.”

Illvani switches gazes from one to another, all the while holding the covers, “Where are my clothes, I can just swim back, ouch-!”, she bite her lips, “Really!”

Sebastian growled provocatively. “Hmm where we’re going you don’t need clothes.” This time Emmy punched him hard in the side shooting him a warning glare. “Go find some clothes for her, she looks to be about my size so my circus singlet and long coat will do until we get back home.” Sebastian laughed and quickly jerked the covers to make the girl jump once more before leaving.

Emmy sighed deeply pulling the covers back up.
“I am so sorry, he’s really a good man. Just hasn’t grown up much since he was drafted into the army from Darktown. Your normal clothes were too ruined to reuse, as for swimming home from Glisten Skull? You’ll die on the rocks around it.”

“I know…”, Illvani didn’t look at her, “I didn’t mean to do it… I was just…”, she grabbed the sheets around her, “This is not me, okay, I was extremely terrified and I had nowhere to go. I will pay you up once I can. Please don’t let him get near me. He is disgusting. He reminds of the horrible Arls at home. They kept picking on the woman. Mother said I don’t need to worry because I look human enough, but…”, Illvani then looked at Emmy, “guess I was wrong… why does he treat you like this… He’s just so sure of himself, are you a slave of this human? A pet?”. It made sense for her to ask that. The only Elves she knew that were not Dalish were often just second class humans, and Emmy bore no sign of the Dalish tattoo, the Vallaslin, on her face.


Emmy smiled softly sitting on the bed with Illvani patting her leg.
“You’ve been kicked around a lot huh? Well let me start by telling you what all the other women of the Grimm’s Reapers told me. We make up more than half the crew, and he can’t run this ship without us. He may looks like a greasy Guard Captain, but his bark is a lot worse than his bite. You saw me punch him without repercussions yes? Well that right there should tell you all you need to know about our relationship. He teases and flirts with all of us, the big female Qunari, the deadly Antivian Crow, the sharpshooting Dalish Archer, even the Dwarven merchant princess. The man has as little shame as he does fear, but he’s also the Captain of the ship and the only one keeping most of us from actually being slaves. We can’t keep him away from you, but you can ignore him. Or just tell the First Mate Saorsa.”

“He shouldn’t do it! And you shouldn’t allow him too… unless…”, she sighed, “Well, humans always have the power… and this Saorsa… why is it okay for her to be with him? Do you look down at her that much?”

Emmy let out a deep mirthful laughter.
“Look down on Saorsa!? My dear that is impossible to do unless you’re standing on the forecastle.” There came a knock on the door and it pushed open admitting the woman in question carrying the colorful Harlequin style singlet and long sleeveless coat Emmy had sent the Captain to get. Emmy smiled motioning to Saorsa letting Illvanin take in all 6’2 of the Tal-Vashoth’s sensual womanly body. “That is why you go to Saorsa if the Captain gives you too much trouble.”

Saorsa smirked tossing the clothes at Emmy.
“Thought my ears were burning, so the Captain really did shake her up huh?”

Emmy laughed handing Illvani the clothes and standing up from the bed.
“Yes he did, he smelled a scared bunny and attacked.”

The grey woman sighed crossing her arms under her chest shaking her head.
“I’ll kick his ass tonight. He likes the scared ones my dear, don’t be scared of him.”

“Why are you letting him act like this to you!”, Illvani looked from one to another, “Just because he is a Human? Does he own any of you? Are you in debt to him?”. This upset her much. Her mother was given to the abuses of some human prick, and couldn’t really resist it. And there comes another one which acts all high and mighty again. And the way the kind Elf spoke of him made her consider this ship some kind of a moving harem, “Is he a noble or something?”

Saorsa and Emmy shared a look. But the Tal-Vashoth spoke shaking her head.
“Wow she’s got some bite to her that’ll make it even more fun for him and us.” The tall woman put on a serious tone now and looked into the Half-Elf’s eyes. “Look girlie, I’m sure you had a lot of rough experiences with Humans, but lumping the Captain into the same group as some spineless noble is as much a discredit as calling the Queen of Ferelden just another Warden. He owns none of us, but we all do owe him. He saved us from far worse lives, he’s never actually forced himself onto anyone, he’s like a dog who humps legs a lot. Annoying but harmless as long as you let him be, we let him do it because it’s part of life on the seas. It’s entertaining, and we can dish it out as well as take it. Aboard the Kharon we are all equals, as long as you play along. And as of now you owe him too, get dressed and rest up. When you’re feeling up to it we’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew. ” She nodded to Emmy and the new girl then exited the cabin.

Illvani considered. She won’t have to stand it for much longer. They can be settled in whatever agreement they have just fine, but this was a bit too much for her, “Okay, I will respect your opinions. I just simply think it’s wrong for him to behave like this, even if he is joking”, Illvani sighed. She didn’t trust men, but was a little taken aback and surprised from the attitude of this huge woman. She was pretty, but the way she just ditched out her trouble was very hurtful and annoying. She never said anything about having her life being such a misery pile or saying she had bad experiences, who was she to just sum up her life and pass a judgement- all Illvani wanted was just a getaway long enough for her to reach where she needs to be. Hell if things were better she would not have stowed away like this at all. But, when in Antiva act like an Antivian, and she was indeed a guest here after all- things could have turned out much worse, “I know it’s horrible for me to ask, but do I really have to meet the rest of the crew?”

Emmy sighed shaking her head.
“You’ll learn, soon enough Illvani, there’s a lot of things wrong in this world now. But oddly enough Captain Sebastian Grimm isn’t one of them.” She placed the clothes in Illvani’s hands patting her cheek gently. “Eventually yes, But don’t worry you’re under my care you’ll meet the rest of the crew when you’re ready and no sooner, but I can’t bar the Captain from his cabin so it’s likely you’ll have to talk with him again. Just ignore him and he’ll go into his own little world and fall asleep or maybe he’ll go bother Saorsa they both can fit in her bed.” The City Elf began gathering up her equipment while Illvani dressed.

Illvani nodded slowly and struggled to get dressed, they were close to her size, and felt nice on her skin, though her breasts were close to a full cup bigger than Emmy’s. Either way she felt worlds better not being in her underwear in a strange man’s bed. The She-Elf helped her back to bed then began gathering her equipment. “Thank you.” Was all she said before sleep overtook her again.

Illvani slept the rest of the trip to Glisten Skull and she barely woke up when Sebastian or Emmy came in and out of the room for various reasons. But as Saorsa saw the tell tale black dome of Glisten Skull and watched the water quickly become full of rocks and choppy water she let a smile stretch across her face, they were almost home. And after a month at sea ferrying people around and taking advantage of wreckage from people with the same idea as them just too stupid to do it right the Tal-Vashoth was looking forward to her bed and the heated rock pools to bathe in.

The Captain before Sebastian was a well-traveled old sea dog, he found the island following up on rumors and fueled by a desire to make a safe base of operations for him and his crew. He found Glisten Skull and made sure they were the only ones who knew about it. And so far no one has betrayed their secret and a few of the refugees they found had nowhere else to go willingly joined the crew and stayed on the island turning it into a small pirate community. They fished and farmed and were kept safe. Though one proviso of joining the Reapers is you join for life, most were fine with that, but like any group they’ve had troublemakers. They were dealt with and never spoken of again, which ruffled some more feathers, but such is life. The Kharon brings home lots of loot and stories to keep everyone amused and happy.

Vandre’s war horn sounded waking up anyone who may have been snoozing and the quick barking orders of the First Mate shook the rest of the cobwebs away and everyone began bustling around the deck. Navigating the treacherous rock shoal maze took the whole crew, moving sails around pushing off rocky surfaces with long poles and sometimes even smashing rocks to get away. The waters were always rising and falling so the path you took leaving wasn’t always going to be the one you need to get back.

This time though, it was a smooth sailing. And once they were in the large half crescent cove, the Captain who had been going over charts in his cabin gave a clear shout to Illvani and Emmy who were both asleep. “Up’anatom ladies we’re home.”

“Home?”, Illvani asked as she looked at the Elf who smiled and nodded at her. For the duration of this whole voyage, this faithful healer stayed by her side, taking care of her. Illvani was in much better condition and aside from small echoes of pain and a walking stick, she was fine. She helped the Elf clean the room and pick up the sweaty sheets, pulling them in the corner and dusting the cabin’s windows. Then they both climbed up to the deck. Emmy turned out to be a true friend. Even if Illvani still didn’t know if she could trust her or not, something about her just reminded her so much of Karl, that the connection between them bloomed almost right of.

As the two women exited the cabin, the rest of the small crew were already gathered and gazing longfully at the glistening white beaches at the far end of the beautiful turquoise cove. It looked to be a vacation destination for the rich and powerful...at least within the cove. Outside of the protective rock arms was a scene out of horror story. Huge gray colored rocks littered with destroyed ships and the bones of sailors not lucky enough to be rescued. Even looking one couldn’t see the safe passageways through the graveyard. It also left little doubt of surviving an escape from the pirates. The sight of Glisten Skull always marveled Emmy who eagerly pulled Illvani to the railing hugging the other woman’s arm some. “Oh you’re gonna love it ashore! Fresh sweet water, good food, and our lovely landlubbers who decided to stick around after the Captain saved them.”

“Let me guess”, Illvani said with a smirk, “All of them pretty ladies?”

Emmy shook her head laughing. “Not all of them, but a couple yea. Don’t worry you can bunk with me and the twins in the tree house you see on the left side of the beach there.” The woman pointed into the jungle and showed Illvani the two-story treehouse adorned with Dalish Banners and a few treetop alchemy gardens. “We built it ourselves from the flotsam that washes ashore from time to time. You’ll love it!”

Illvani stared at it fondly. It sure seemed like it was built with love and care in mind. It didn’t have anything that reminded her of the city or the forest. It was something far more magical in nature, “I’m sure I will”.

A bell rang out above them and Sebastian was standing on the railings that same kind of mad smile on his face that he had back in Kirkwall. “Another successful voyage my friends! We have loot to give out and stories to tell! Once we make it to shore and unload the Kharaon drinks are on the house tonight!”

Ogmar snorted from the deck. “The drinks are always on the house ya nug-lover. We make it ourselves.”

Sebastian laughed and jumped from the fourteen feet up and landed in a crouch before the stout Dwarf. “Well yea, but we didn’t want the new girl to know that! We could’ve gotten some coin out of her for the fun of it. Pfft some shifty-smuggler type you are.” Ogmar snorted and shook his head. “I swear Captain, you must have some Merchant Caste Dwarf in you somewhere.”

Sebastian laughed then looked at Bulka and winked. “No, but I’ve been in a couple before.” Bulka rolled her eyes and shook her head sighing gently. “Ya freak.” She said quietly looking back towards the pirate island.

Sebastian kept on smiling and looked out across his crew. “Let’s get gone friends.” He motioned for Saorsa and the big woman nodded and aimed the ship to the dock.

“So Emmy, if you are all so set back there in the hideout, why venture out? Are there others who keep going out sailing as pirates under the banner of your captain too, or just you guys?”, Illvani asked, her eyes drifting over the shore line of the land ahead, “I should be grateful, but I feel like this will be just another prison- not like the circle but still… oh well at least it will feel more “home” like than the other places I’ve been… and I need to pay off my debt anyway. So… What will I do once we get there? I’ll obviously be assigned to something, right? And am I supposed to stay here, or will I be able to leave, and if so when?”

Emmy motioned back to Grimm. “He’s incapable of sitting still for very long, besides as nice as Glisten skull is there isn’t much to do. We have a tavern yes and the island has some fish and game, but all and all there’s only thirty of us that live here. And it’s impossible for anyone else to come in from the sea unless by pure luck and accident. Like any port city we need outside supplies too. As for what you’ll be doing…” She shrugged once again looking back at Grimm who was chatting with Saorsa no doubt making some plans for shore. “That’s up to them, they’re the only officers we have, but don’t worry you’re a Mage. Lady Cristo will want you as her Apprentice!”

“Err… apprentice?”, Illvani looked surprised, “To what exactly? What would I study here? Do I need to be trained?!”. The only one who she admired as a mentor was her Keeper back with the Elves of the Dales, as no one could allow her as much freedom in the Fade, or as much exploring. Even her mentor told her she may have a gift for dreaming, and other skills, while the people in the circle tried so hard to block her from trying something new. Beside, keeper Marethari was very nice, and welcoming… Illvani was sure she would never found someone as caring and loving like her.

“Apprentice to a former Knight Enchanter from Tevinter. Lady Cristo was one of the first to join our crew after the last one was killed by Tevinter Raiders. You’ll like her, she hates the Captain too.” She whispered this last bit giggling gently. Besides she’s the only other Mage we have so she’ll seek you out anyway as soon as she hears you’re here.”

“Err… That’s good, right?”, Illvani raised her eyebrows. Oh well at least they both had something in common, “Do you hunt here? I would love to stitch some outfits for myself, I guess I could hunt something and use the skin… or… maybe there are fabrics here I can use? How do I get money here? Are there shops around here?”, Illvani blushed and lowered her gaze, “I’m sorry for all those questions, I am just so excited a little scared of what is about to come… and I get the feelings I won’t get a nice welcome for the whole cart and apples deal… I’m surprised none of the crew came about to have a “talk” with me yet”.

Emmy chuckled keeping Illvani’s arm hugged to her body. “Oh yes, Lady Cristo is a powerful Mage and the oldest one on the island. She commands the most respect behind the Captain and First Mate. And I don’t mind the questions, I used to be the youngest before you and most people don’t talk much with me unless they’re hurt so I’m glad to have someone my own age to talk with. Now to your questions.” She cleared her throat. “We have some hunting, but the island only has some Nugs, a herd of Halla, a small group of Rams, and a pack of Wolves. But Glisten Skull is small so we don’t do much hunting we mostly fish and raid for meat and we have a few farming plots further back in the jungle. But we have plenty of stored up goods you can dip into, but you’ll need to talk with Bulka to get access, I also have more clothes you can borrow. We have no need for money or shops on the island, but if you join us on the ship you get a cut of whatever loot you help bring in and that is where you can get coin to spend on the mainland.” The ship nudged into the dock and the Captain gave the order to go ashore. “And I wouldn’t worry to much about that, we didn’t have to throw out many of the apples, and we’re ok on food stores for now. Now come on, between the eleven of us we can have the ship emptied in an hour or so. Then I’ll show you to your room!”

“Sounds good”.

Illvani spent the time in silent as she helped the others unpack the goods and bring them down. She was still lost in her thoughts which were still with the departed Karl, and the image of Gabriel popped into her mind from time to time. She knew the templar would not disobey, but to so cruelly kill someone… that she did not expect of the pretty knight. She was also bothered about the fact she did not found her phylactery, but she calmed herself by the fact that she, as individual was unimportant. She was not a criminal or some kind of noble. No one would actually be needed to track her, or have use for her. And besides who in his right mind travel all the way around for one mage- and it looks like this island was safe from any attacks.

Illvani then stretched when everything was organized and labeled. While the life in the forest was not as easy as it was in the Circle, it sure didn’t prepare her for such labor. She was too weak to do real work, but she knew better than to complain.

She looked around and tried to find Emmy between all the mess of people and carts. Not because she actually needed her right now, but mostly because she was the only person she felt safe to be near, but the healer was nowhere to be seen.

Soon a male’s voice caught the woman’s attention. It was the Captain and he had a smile on his face. “Hmm looking for Emmy? She needed to go inventory the healing herbs, but don’t worry I’ll keep you from getting lost.” He walked up closer to the Half-Elf and smiled offering her his arm.

Illvani simply stared at him and had trouble breathing. She opened her mouth few times and looked at his arm and really didn't know what to make of his offer. It was obviously a trap, or something… He was not going to be nice for the sake of it as he proved to be perfectly capable of being a fearsome person and someone to watch out for, “Err... “, she said as she blushed, “Thanks”, she simply continued to look at his arm, afraid to take it. She then stared at him, hoping he will get the hint, and just let her follow him without the needed “closeness”.

He simply took her arm himself and pulled her close winking. “Don’t worry, I’ll be nice. Sorry for scaring you before, but it’s hard to find fun individuals at sea sometimes. Most of the crew are real sticks in the mud. Come on, I’ll take you to where Emmy is.” He pulled her along and began walking along the heavy planked walkway to the stour building at the top of a small hill on the beach it was the main herb storage hut.

“D-don’t… worry about it”, she blushed even more as she was moving along. He sure was strong. She still didn’t trust him and she shivered from fear. But the last thing she wanted to do was show him how insecure she was, so she avoided looking at him altogether, “Sorry…. About the apples”, she tried to change the subject, “You have a nice place here… I mean, I haven’t seen all of it, but it looks rather peaceful…”

Sebastian chuckled at the girl’s nervousness he couldn’t ignore the girl’s shivers. Been a long time since he’s had this sort of effect on a woman. She really was a virgin, surprising even coming from a Circle many of the Mages he’s rescued had shook the bed with a few of their fellow Mages in the towers. He patted her hand calmingly. “Don’t worry about the apples, we have a few trees here that grow them. The twins just like bringing more variety to our orchard.” He nodded at her rather forced compliment, but he took it nonetheless. “Hmm thank you, it takes a lot of work to keep Glisten Skull...glistening. I haven’t heard of any complaints, at least unless Ogmar is drunk than he complains about falling into the sky someday if he forgets to hear his steel plated boots.” The Captain led Illvani through the small community the islanders watching them and whispering a little. A few were still pretty women, but there was also a good number of males though most of the people they saw were Humans or Elves. A couple of Dwarves were hanging around, but no more Qunari.

“So.. the tall Saorsa and that other Qunari guy… are the only ones of the oxmen we have here?”, Illvani whispered as she tried to avoid the staring she got. She then recalled the captain was holding her arm, which must have upset some of them in some manner or another, but right now she had a very undecided impression of him, and didn’t understand the big deal of it. Either way, she wanted to ask, so she did, “But aren’t those of the Qun strict? How did you get them to join? Are they spies or something, I heard of them, even in the Circle!”

Captain Grimm smiled and waved at his friends giving a few of the women secret winks as they passed. He wasn’t showing off a new conquest, but sometimes it helps to make women think so, then they’re more eager to join him in bed sometimes. Jealousy a woman’s greatest weapon and biggest weakness. Her question surprised him, but it wasn’t one he hasn’t heard before.
“Saorsa and Vandre? Yes, they’re Tal-Vashoth, they chose to leave the Qun you want to know the whys you can ask them. Though Vandre might eat you for his lunch, he’s not the most talkative. I got them to join the way I got the rest of the crew to. I either saved their lives personally or found them and asked them to join me. I needed the numbers after the last crew was killed by Vints.”

“Vints?”, Illvani was not familiar with the terms, “Either way, I’m sorry, they must have been as close as the current members”

Sebastian nodded. “Yea Tevinters though Vints is more an insult than an alternative term. Learned it from a merc named Iron Bull I sheppard across the Venefication Sea a couple years back. His group the Bull’s Chargers were like the landbased versions of my Reapers.Though, I don’t have a cross-dresser on my payroll, must be an odd experience on cold nights. As for closeness we were kind of close, but back then I was just another member of the crew under Captain Hilgard, now I’m the Captain.”

“What would the Tevinters want with you?”, Illvani stopped and looked at him raising her brows. In the circle she had to hear a lot of the chantry preaching of how inhuman and horrible those of Tevinter Imperium were. Why would they want anything to do with those horrible people.

Sebastian shrugged.
“Pirates are pirates, no matter where they come from. The Vints are just magical pirates, they wanted our bounty plain and simple, but I got a few survivors from the crew including a Knight-Enchanter.” A sudden baby cry stopped the man’s words followed by a woman’s sultry voice. “And a family oh Captain, my Captain.” A scantily-clad woman with blue hair carrying a small wailing male child emerged from a hut that had enchanted baubles hanging in the windows. The woman was beautiful and the outfit she wore was barely a bra and a breezy skirt with the opening going all the way up stopping just short of her small clothes. She ignored Illvani and kissed Sebastian on the lips handing him the baby who turned from crying to cooing happily as he saw the Captain and reached for him. The man released the Half-Elf and took the baby making funny faces for him. “Hmm how could I forget you and little Aeden here, Juliet, my Tevinter gem.”

Juliet smiled fondly then looked at Illvani her eyebrow quirking.
“Hmm a new girl I see. Hello my dear I’m Juliet Aquinas.” She offered her hand to the new woman.

“Oh!”, Illvani said narrowing her eyebrows. She didn’t know what to make of the situation or what to feel, but she decided it was rude to ignore the lady. She shook her hand, “Hello there. You must be the Captain’s wife? You have cute child.” She looked at him strangely, wondering why would the man be fooling around when he had a family to take care of.

Juliet let out a rich rolling laugh patting the Half-Elf’s hand gently studying her pretty face more closely.. “Thank you, my dear.” She smiled looking at the Captain. “She is a cute one Sebastian. You simply must keep her around, maybe even bring her by my tavern tonight.” She took Aeden from the man and pulled aside the right wrap of her bra and placing the squealing child to her breast to feed. “I couldn’t be seen married to this philanderer, young miss. It would be positively scandalous. But he is quite the fantastic lover, and my little boy adores him like no other.” She leaned in and kissed Sebastian again before smirking and pulling back. “Besides, I have one child already I needn’t bother with a bigger one, no matter how cute he is.” Despite her words there was great fondness and affection in Juliet's eyes as she returned to her hut.

“You sure have fans”, Illvani twisted her lips and nose, “Should I expect more? I don’t want to stumble on anyone’s feet or anything.”

Sebastian chuckled watching Juliet’s ass bounce away before answering Illvani. “I have many friends, besides I love kids. But don’t worry there’s only three children on the island, none of them are mine as far as I know.” He winked at the young woman and finished leading her to the Herb hut. The door was open and they could see Emmy bustling around with a red-headed woman chatting back and forth and carrying sacks of herbs around the hut. He nodded to her and knocked on the wooden wall. Alerting the women inside. “Hey Emmy, Silvia found you a helper!”

Emmy looked up and smiled broadly.
“Oh hey Illvani, sorry I kinda abandoned you, but it seems your survived the walk over. Come on in. This is Silvia LeMarques, she’s my Assistant!”

Illvani nodded. So many new people at once- and most of them were women. And probably spent the night with Grimm, at least once. She had to stop herself from giggling seeing the clear pattern, “Hello”, They walked inside and she studied the workshop. The equipment here was decent, but nothing too fancy, “You brew things here, Emmy?”, there were many schematics and a lot of books and inks. The room smelled of candles, indicating people worked in through the night. It sure was a fascinating place to work in, “Can I help with anything? I just feel so useless right now, seeing everyone doing what they need to do and I don’t even know what I’m suppose to be doing- I don’t want to be a dead weight, and… I kinda need a good distraction”.

Emmy was probably the only one who heard the story about Karl and the Templar Gabrielle. It was indeed hard to lose a close friend who was almost like a brother. Emmy knew at once what was bothering Illvani.

Before the She-Elf could respond Sebastian let out loud sneeze and groaned. This hut always made him sneeze so he backed out blowing his nose on a handkerchief. “Guess you’re good now, I will leave you in Emmy and Silvia’s capable hands. Saorsa and I will decide on your permanent role later. Be sure to show her the rest of the colony ok Emmy?”

Emmy nodded taking Illvani’s hand and pulling her inside.
“Yes Ser! She’ll be staying with me and the Twins ok?” It was a much a request as a warning for the man.

It wasn’t lost on him, but still he smiled and winked at the women.
“Hmm good to know.” And with that he left.

Silvia let out an audible breath of relief, before looking at the new girl studying her up and down.
“Best check to see if you still have your bra and panites. He’s been known to steal them right off a girl’s body.” The woman had a dry sense of humor, but she was sure Illvani knew of the Captain’s ways.

Emmy shushed the human girl and handed Illvani a checklist hoping to get her mind off the troubles she knew her new friend was experiencing .
“Ignore her, he can’t actually do that. Did you do a lot of inventory with the Dalish or the Tranquils?”

“Mostly with the Tranquils. They were much fun to work with. I liked their company and the way they looked at things. I also pity them though… I find their sealed emotions to be such a horrible fate. I know many of them died during the attack on the Circle. From the Dalish- or more to say the Keeper, I learned a few quick made lotions and some oils to be coated on weapons, but for the life of me, I was never too good with making them- but I can help”

Emmy nodded glad to hear Illvani had worked with Tranquils.
“Good to know, I’ll be sure to teach you our system later. For now though Silvy and I are gonna read off the sacks and I just want you to check them off as we go. It’s alphabetical so should be quick and easy.”

“It will be done”, Illvani said and nodded, as she started to address the tasks given to her. She was still unsure about what the Captain, or the Qunari lady had in mind for her, but she decided to make the best impression she could manage in order to improve her odds.

She still didn’t trust them all that much… but they were slowly growing nicer by the hour.

Illvani stretched her arms as she finally departed the cabin. It was still bright and beautiful outside, and the surge of the sensation of freedom made her simply explore, without giving anyone a chance to review her action.

It was so beautiful. The sun was warm and the breeze from the shore was cool and gentle.

She heard strange whispers among the leaves of the tree above her head, which were much taller than anything she saw back in Denerim or Kirkwall. The feeling of being so free was throwing her back to the time she spent with in the dales. True, there was always a hunter nearby, but as one of the children of the elven people you would have much more freedom than you could ever hope. The forest was your home and you could have explore it as you wished.

Illvani let magic gather in her hands as he eyes brightened. She channeled magic into her feet and as she stepped on the water, ice formed on the water, enable her to walk safely above. She then gazed at the crystalic mirror she made, seeing the colorful fish and other types of sea creatures swimming under.

She then turned to lie down and look at the sky above her. It felt simply good. If only Karl could see it...

She reached her hand up to the sun, marking trails on the clouds over head, amusing herself with possible shapes they created.

She was content.

As Illvani lay content on her little ice bridge watching the clouds the eyes and voices that had been following her solidified into the form of an older woman cloaked and carrying a tall staff with a cluster of amethyst gems set in the head. She moved with great care and stealth and just stood at the edge of the small river watching the young mage.

This was Lady Cristo and she had heard there was another mage that had found her unfortunate way onto the island. And she was as young and pretty as the boar of a Captain liked, but she hadn't fallen to the man charms...yet. Maybe she could be saved from the fate, or at the least be made able to set the undying brute on fire for a few seconds. Lifting her staff she banged it firmly on a rock getting the girl's attention. "Such a waste of mana, surely they are training you young people better than this nowadays."

There was a frightening Templar at the Gallows, by the name of Cullen. He scared many, but he seemed kinder in my present. He told me I remind him of someone, but said it was impossible for us to be linked. He told of a name, Surana- and I explained my whole family tree and how said person was a distant relative. Which was hard to guess, since she was an elf, and I was somewhat human looking.


He was surprised as he realized I was connected to the elf and smiled gently. When I asked about her fate he grew all grim and sighed.


I decided not to push further on the topic.

***

Illvani's magic broke loose at the call of the woman, which made her realize she had fallen semi asleep. The ice faded under her, and soon a splash of water hit her face as she fall in.

Damn, she should have been more careful.

She gasped as she started to swim for the shore and once on land, she started to remove some of the clothes she wore in order to warm herself up.

"I was careless!", Illvani said as she shivered, setting a fire up, "It's been a while since I felt so… free!", she studied the woman carefully, "But why so strict?, this isn't the circle right?", she looked at her somewhat puzzled.

*Grimm*

The Captain took the most roundabout way back to the "island office." He liked checking up on his people. He knew them all by name, and many of them by bedroom habits. Sometimes he wondered why he didn't have any kids. Maybe it had something to do with being him, hard to kill but unable to have kids. Maker knows it would probably break the world if Sebastian passed on the Grimm gene of not dying easily.

He could possibly take over the world if he ever did have any. But until then he'd keep his options open, and right now he needed to meet with one of his favorite options. Saorsa and he needed to dice up the loot and figure out what to do with their new stowaway. The office doubled as his First Mate's quarters, it was the only building actually on the beach. It was two stories and made of carved wood and stone the first Captain built it from the wreckage of ships or other debris he gathered from the beach. When he brought the Tal-Vashoth onto his crew she gravitated to the house saying it reminded her of her Teacher's home. And Sebastian always being more a fan of living among the tree let her have it and moved back into the small hut by the waterfall near the back of the jungle. Kirkwall was all stones and chains and misery, one of the things that drew the man to life as a pirate. Being away from places like that.

As he approached the office he saw the Saorsa's blinds were drawn, but he saw her shadow moving around her studio room on the second floor. That meant she was changing or at the very least partially naked, this put a spring in the man's step and he power walked through the bottom door and up the narrow steps leading to the oxwoman's apartment. Normally he'd use his master key and just let himself in, but he'd be nice this time. Taking a few seconds to make sure his clothing was evenish his cleared his throat and knocked on the woman's door. There was a melodic laugh then she shouted through the door to him.
"Really knocking on my door for a change Captain? It's open come on in."

Sebastian chuckled and twisted the knob letting himself in. As he hoped Saorsa was just in her bra and panties her fine gray skin glistening with the heat of the room, she was seated at her large desk doing some of the calculations of their loot. He never understood it, but she liked it really warm in her room. Entering he tossed his hat onto the hat rack and likewise with his coat, he's spent many nights in this room and the former Tamassran always insisted on him cleaning up after himself so he did good to keep his stuff in one spot. The man sat on the bed chuckling.
"Yea I knocked, thought I'd be nice this time."

The woman snorted looking up from her writing.
"Trying to earn points already huh? Well you'll have to wait we have work to do. So make yourself comfortable and get your head on straight."

Sebastian smirked and nodded to the woman pulling his shirt and vest off hanging them headboard and sat back nodding.
"You should really open a window."

Saorsa smirked back winking at the man.
"You like seeing me like this don't start complaining now."


*Cristo*

The old mage quirked her eyebrow and sent a wave of cold towards the young mage enough to silence her and disrupt her attempts to make a fire. "Girl we're on a tropical island, let the sun warm you. And I am strict because we are on an isolated spit of land with no help coming when some silly young mage decided to toss magic around. One spark and you'll set this entire place ablaze, freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose. Gather your clothes, and follow me."

The woman spoke with such an authority and control it was obvious she was a former Magister and also someone with a great deal of magic and experience. She turned and began walking slowly back to her cavehome a short ways from the river.