Chapter One

Klyde and Bull didn't meet in a way that suggested the romance that would blossom, just as the story that followed wasn't primarily about their romance.

Klyde, being in Wycome to deliver a message from Highever, had barely been in the city five minutes before she saw the big Qunari with a human man boasting that the Qunari could take on any enemy. Being the cocky young thing she was at the time, Klyde confronted this challenge head-on:

"Oh, yeah? Bet he couldn't beat me."

This attracted the attention of the nearby crowd, and Klyde's eyes sent a challenge as they met the Qunari's. The human next to him turned and cocked an eyebrow.

"You? And who are you to challenge the Iron Bull, commander of the Chargers, renowned mercenary company?"

"If it's so renowned, why haven't I heard of it?" Klyde challenged, and the Qunari- Iron Bull- stepped forward. He was bigger closer to her; he loomed over her, all broad shoulders and smirking, chest sticking out of the harness. She cocked an eyebrow at him, hiding her intimidation.

"Well, well, got ourselves a bigshot, have we?" She mocked, eyeing him.

"You've got a big mouth for being so little," he replied, smirking.

"I've got the skill to back it up. How about a duel, then, and we see if you're really as great as your friend makes you out to be?"

"Oh, but I'd feel bad, hurting a little lady like you-"

He cut off abruptly as her boot met his chin and she flipped backward, landing a few feet away with her blades out.

"Still think of me as a little lady?" She taunted. She could see he was dazed, but it quickly passed, replaced by the spark of competition glinting in his eyes.

"If it's a duel you want," he said, unsheathing a greatsword and bringing it in front of him, "It's a duel you'll have."

She came forward in a flurry of blows. He parried each with a deftness she didn't expect from his size. No matter; she could find a weakness. The enemy's weakness is your weapon- she remembered the rule battered into her after hours of training.

"You got some kind of protection under that corset?" Iron Bull called as she maneuvered around him, the two parrying blows.

"If I didn't," she dodged a lunge, "I wouldn't be dueling. As for you," she managed a blow to his knuckles with the pommel of her dagger, "I'm not going for the kill."

He upended the dagger from her hold; it twirled in the air and landed back in her palm. She caught it in a sideways grip as he asked, "Then what are we dueling for?"

She distracted him with a grin. "First to disarm the other completely wins- battle of skill. I'd like to know my competition in this town."

"And a lovely lady like you-" he paused as she advanced, and then ducked back to the open, "-Has nothing better to do-" She had leapt onto a barrel, "-Than fight random mercenaries?"

She leapt onto a crate. "Only the handsome ones."

Her nimble feet launched her behind the Bull. She landed a pommel blow to a pressure point in his shoulder as her boot kicked the back of his leg. He fell forward, and she dodged around, preparing her next move as his blade met both of hers.

They met eyes.

"Your eyes," he murmured, "They're like the underside of a leaf."

"You smell nice," she said in response, and then in one move slid her dagger down and flipped the sword in his hands before catching it with a dagger on either side. She knocked his head with hers, and the great Qunari fell to his back, dust clouding from the street. The crowd cheered; she had forgotten they had an audience. Laughing, she strode over to the Bull and planted a boot on his chest.

"Still the best fighter ever?" She asked. He grinned.

"I could have taken you if I had tried."

"Then take me out for a drink sometime."

She offered a hand and helped him to his feet, and then handed him his sword as the crowd dispersed, outside of a few coming over to greet her. She smiled at the Bull.

"I'm Klyde, by the way- Klyde Trevelyan," she said, and he kissed her hand.

"I go by the Iron Bull, leader of the Bulls' Chargers mercenary company." He leaned down, and said more quietly, "It's better that you did that- Krem's got a bloated image of me."

Klyde laughed, and then turned to see the man from before.

"And this is the man himself," Bull said, holding out a hand to gesture to Krem. "Kremisius Acclassi, or Krem, as he prefers."

"Pleased to meet you."

"And you," Klyde nodded, and then heard the clock chime and sighed. "Now, I really must be going, but I'm staying at the Hobbled Knob. Come by for drinks and a decent meal, on me, in return for my publicly humiliating you."

"It was an honor," Bull replied, "And for it, I'll buy the drinks if you've got dinner covered."

Klyde smiled and turned away, saying quick goodbyes before starting off. It didn't take long to find what she was looking for- many Free Marches cities had a similar basic design. As for this one, she had only to start walking before she spotted the large building arching into the sky overhead.

"Hey! Wait!"

At the voice, she barely paused, slowing her walk for whoever it was to catch up. A girl not much younger than she, with dark hair and bright blue eyes, appeared next to her.

"Hey! I'm Meriam Nerisdottir, of the Anderfels. Wow, that was quite a fight you put up back there- didn't see that coming! So, what's your name again?"

"Busy," Klyde answered. While praise was welcome, flattery was excessive and irritating. She vanished into the crowd, and Meriam didn't catch up. She reached the large building in little time, and entered to find it held many people, each busy with something. She approached the doorsman. "Excuse me, where can I find Filynth Bertly?"

"Just down the corridor at the right, second door on the left."

"Thanks."

She started off and soon delivered the letter to a man in extravagent magenta robes. He flurried about his office, organizing scrolls and searching for one in particular.

"Help me a moment, dear, I'm in dire need of a scroll on Antivan leatherworking to see if this trade deal is any good."

She glanced around the office, opening a scroll next to her while saying, "I can tell you for sure it's likely a good deal; Antivan leather is the best in Thedas."

"So they say, so they say."

"Will this help?" She tossed the scroll to the man with loose graying red hair, and he caught it with fumbling hands and unrolled it.

"Ah! Yes, that's the one. Now then- let's see..."

She read the paper on his desk upside down, only to stop when she found it was nothing but a trade contract with an Antivan craftsman.

"So, who are you, anyhow?" She asked as he turned to the letter she'd delivered.

"Fylinth Bertly, Trade Delegate of Wycome, of the Council of Wycome, under rule of Duke Antoine, of house Bertly, first son of Gredge son of Kine son of Reptil of the Seventh War of Tevinter; does that answer your question?"

Somewhat baffled, somewhat following, Klyde only asked, "The Council of Wycome?"

"Yes, yes- some Marcher cities only have a viscount, some set up a council to help guide the viscount in decisions. Wycome is has a duke and a council. Do they not educate you on your destination before you arrive?"

"This is naught but a paid errand."

"For Arl Fergus of Highever, so I see. No wool this year..? Maker; without-" he silenced in a huff. "Will you be returning to Highever any time soon?"

"Doubtful, sir, not till business takes me back there and I've several more duties to attend to."

"Very well; thank you, here's your pay."

He dropped five sovereigns in her hand, enough for a few more nights and meals at the Hobbled Knob, and she thanked him and left.

Back in the busy, dust-riddled streets of Wycome, she traveled to the docks and worked off the last of her pay in helping load up the ship that had carried her here from Amaranthine. By the time she finished, the sky was gray-blue and orange with gathering dusk as the sun vanished behind the waves. She said her goodbyes to the sailors she'd traveled with and made her way to the tavern. She reached it in little time and headed to her room to freshen up; she bathed, and then pulled on a loose white tunic, black corset, and loose gray trousers. She tugged on boots and clasped her belt with daggers attached, and then made her way downstairs. She had barely sat down at her table in the busy tavern before she was greeted by Bull, who explained Krem was on stable duty after getting involved in a street brawl.

"So, what brings you to Wycome?" Bull asked.

"Business, desire for travel; I was to deliver a message to a councilman."

"And now that you have, what do you plan?"

She thought about it. "I'm not sure. I've a few other things that need doing, but until I get around to that, it's just me and the city. And, apparently, you."

They ate dinner and chatted, and then shared a few drinks, before Klyde was approached by an interested stranger. He wore all black, and had deep-set brown eyes with a twinkle of mischief. He had smooth dark hair cropped short to deeply tanned skin.

"You share drinks with those who lose to you in duels?"

She turned to the stranger. "And why not? I expected nothing less and think of him no differently as a person."

The stranger chuckled. "You expected him to lose?"

"If I didn't, I wouldn't have challenged him."

"You weren't at all intimidated by his size or the fact his sword at least eight of your daggers?"

"Never said I wasn't intimidated. Sir, may I inquire as to your motive in speaking with me?"

He laughed again. "Only curious. It seems a good ally can be found in those who don't see defeat as dishonor."

"In a friendly duel, of course not," Klyde answered, uncertain of this strange. But he simple bowed, excused himself, and left.

The rest of the night passed with ease. As booze warmed Klyde's stomach, she found the Bull's presence warmed her further, and the night was peaceful. As the clock chimed a few hours after midnight, they decided to simply share her bed, and not worry about it. Still, she stayed awake until she was sure he was asleep for fear of assassination.

Morning greeted her with a slight hangover and a note from Bull reading that he had left to check on his boys, and to come by if she chose- they were camped just outside the city. She checked her pack. Her next stop was Ostwick- she was to deliver a message from her sister to their parents, and then follow the cliffs to Kirkwall, where she was meant to find a dwarf and send him south for something. She was to accompany him. Her current order of business was to find safe traveling.

She headed downstairs, to find the tavern mostly empty. The man in black sat at an empty table, and gestured her over. She made her way over and placed an order for breakfast with the serving girl who approached her. As the girl left, the man in black smirked.

"My name is Jensen. I've heard you go by Klyde, or perhaps Lady Trevelyan would be more appropriate-"

"Klyde; I give no credit to my family for my deeds."

"-Very well. As it happens, I am in need of favorable company. I need to reach Denerim, and while I don't know where you are headed, I have no time limit. I can travel with you for years if need be." He silenced as the serving girl reappeared and set down Klyde's breakfast. She began to eat and the girl vanished again, and he resumed. "I offer you my service in exchange for your company. You have to do nothing but vouch for me if anyone asks, and not question my identity. It's better that you don't know, in truth. I'll pay you a tenth of whatever earnings I make while with you."

Klyde contemplated this; a hired blade would make her seem a threat to anyone she visited, but would keep her protected in her travels. She met his gaze evenly. "I travel to Ostwick within the next week. From there, you can take a ship and reach Denerim in little time. If you desire, you may accompany me that far, or farther if need be. First, however, I must ask: what is you seek in Denerim?"

"Ah- that. I've an old friend there, goes by Isabela; she's known to frequent a place there known as the Pearl. If you let me know when we're soon to head there, I can ascertain she'll be there on time. I owe her a debt, and it is now able to be repaid; I've only to meet up with her."

"Noble intentions; but why the secrecy on your identity?"

"As I said, it's better you don't question it."

Klyde raised her eyebrows, but shrugged. "Very well. Are you an honorable fellow?"

He laughed. "If I weren't, I wouldn't be honor-bound to tell you so."

"I've known an honest thief or two."

He leaned forward. "Are you one of them?"

She grinned. "Not in this lifetime."

"Very well, my lady; I'll see you around. Let me know when you're ready to leave."

He stood, bowed, and exited as he had the last time they met. She finished her breakfast quickly, and then left as well. She started down a side alley to head out of the city to visit Bull, as she had little else to do.

A woman's scream paused her traveling.