Breaking Point: Chapter 22

The cool water felt like ice on his face as he washed his face, as if it would wash the memories from his mind. Dreadfully, he looked up into the mirror as he began to dry is face on the lush towel he had pulled out.

For the last couple of hours he had gazed upon himself in the mirror. His eyes looking over the new wounds that would become scars on his chest, one wrapping along his side, a gash above his heart. But he had spent the majority of his time looking over his back. His eyes tracing each line that was carved into his flesh, knowing that it would scar. Leaving him with a message of their time there. A constant reminder of his failure.

Looking into the mirror he could see how much this had taken out of him. If he didn’t know better, he wouldn’t have recognized himself. The mischievous shine in his eyes was now dull. His warm smile had long since been forgotten. Noticing all of this, his tiredness, his vulnerability only made him more angry knowing that he had indeed gotten off easy. That she had taken the brunt of it and here he was racking his mind over a could scars.

The next thing he knew he heard glass shattering as he looked into the mirror. Slowly, he pulled his fist away from the remainder of shards clinging to the mirror’s frame. Quietly he dropped his fists to the dresser as he tried to clear his mind.

“Zevran,” Alistair called as he walked into the room. “What is the big secret?” he asked as he walked into the dimly lit room, closing the distance between him and Zevran.

“…Wha—, oh Alistair,” Zevran started as he looked over his shoulder to the warrior. “What is it you need? I did not hear you come in?”

Alistair’s eyes took in the room. The chairs were turned over. The mirror to the dresser shattered. The bandages Wynne had wrapped around Zevran lay carelessly across the floor. It was evident that whatever happened, Zevran wasn’t handling well. The thought was a forboding one to Alistair. If a hardened soul such as Zevran could be so dramatically affected… what happened?

“Uhh… Oh, sorry.. I didn’t mean to startle you, Zevran,” Alistair admitted softly as he looked over the elf. What could have happened to distract him so.. Normally I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere near him without his notice, Alistair wondered as he took a few more steps closer, watching as Zevran turned to face him.

“Oh, it is of no consequence don’t you worry,” Zevran reassured Alistair waiving his hand in dismissal. “If this is not an immediate concern, could you consider bringing up whatever it is you need at another time? It… It has been a troublesome time, you no doubt know.”

“I… No…”

“Good, then perhaps tomorrow—“

“No, Zevran,” Alistair started hesitantly. “I know it has been a terrible time for you.. For all of you..” he continued on just as unsure.

“For all of us,” Zevran finished with a nod as he studied the young templar.

“Yes… But, I’m afraid this matter cannot wait,” Alistair said as he found a breath, straightening his shoulders as he prepared himself to push for the answers he needed.

“I see, then here.. Sit, a glass of wine perhaps?” Zevran offered as he busied himself righting the chairs near the table.