Freely We Serve (a Dragon Age fanfiction)

Beginning

He was waiting in the marketplace at 6:45, fidgeting in the tunic and pants he was wearing. He felt a bit strange without his armor, but he was hardly going to go out with a beautiful woman wearing his regulation splintmail.

As he stood there, he heard a group of people coming up behind him, and a man's voice hotly saying, "But you don't know anything about this fellow."

"I know what I'm doing, Alistair." It was her voice, cool and irritated.

"Do you? Do you really?" The man's voice rose. Kylon stepped around the corner of the building, hoping they hadn't seen him. "Have you considered that he might be trying to trick you, that you may end up in a dungeon by the end of the night?"

"No, it hadn't occurred to me," Judith snapped sarcastically. "Of course I've thought of it. But he could be useful to know, we can always use more supporters, and ... he's a nice person." Was it Kylon's imagination, or did her voice soften at the last part?

"What are you saying, that you like this guy?"

"Haven't we been over this?" she sighed. "Mage and ex-Templar don't work, remember? And you and Leliana seem happy. Why the jealousy, after all this time?"

There was silence for a moment. Then the male voice again, more calmly. "I just think you're walking into trouble, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"That's very touching." Her voice was warmer now. "I'll be fine. Sam's going with me, and he's a pretty good warning system."

An accented female voice joined them now. "Are you ready for your date?" So the red-head was Orlesian, was she? Interesting, Kylon thought.

"Yes, as soon as my bodyguards have found themselves something else to do," he heard Judith say with a hint of laughter in her tone. Kylon heard the Orlesian lead the man away. A moment later, he felt Judith's hand slide around his arm, and he jumped, his heart pounding.

"You knew I was here all the time?"

"If I was thrown off by seeing someone in different clothing than I'm used to, I'd be dead by now," she said. "You know, Daniel, eavesdropping is a bad habit."

"In my line of work, a little eavesdropping can be a very valuable tool."

"Fair enough. I'll have to keep that in mind. Hear anything useful?"

"Not really. Enough to know you're not involved with the big blond guy. Which is a relief." He grinned down at her, and she smiled back.

"Interesting," she said.

"What?"

"I actually find your jealousy kind of sweet." She blushed, looking away. "So, where are we going?"

"Have you ever had Rivaini food?"

"From the Tower, remember? We didn't get to sample exotic foods that often. Besides, right now I'd be happy with anything that's not cooked over a campfire."

With the mabari following close at their heels, he led her through the bustle of the Market District and down a series of alleyways to his favorite little restaurant. Judith managed, with some difficulty, to convince Sam to wait outside.

As the proprietress bustled away from their table, Judith looked up at him quizzically. "Do you do this often?"

"What?"