Game Of Seduction

Chapter 6

Maximus sat at his desk, sorting out all his correspondence. Recently, he'd let it slip as he'd been spending so much time training Reana to be queen, everything else either got delayed or Loghain dealt with it. One letter caught his attention. It was written on cheap paper, no seal or insignia, very hastily written:

Meet me outside Denerim at midnight,

By the sign post.

Come alone if you value Reana's life.

Worried by the note, he checked the time, only four hours to go. He wrote a note, explaining where he had gone, just in case something happened to him. Four hours later, he rode out of Denerim, towards the crossroads, which split the north and south roads. A dark figure came into view, leaning against the sign post. He dismounted from his horse and walked towards the mysterious person, "I assume you are the one responsible for the note?"

"I am," The man spoke in an accent Maximus couldn't quite place, "Lady Cornwall. Such a beautiful creature, would be a shame if some hurt her," He smirked.

Maximus balled his fists, gritting his teeth, "You stay away from her."

"Oh we will," The man laughed, "If you do."

"Don't you threaten me. Stay away from Reana," Maximus gripped on to handle of his sheathed sword, ready to strike.

"Right now, she is being watched carefully. All you need to do is break her heart."

Maximus scoffed, "You want me to hurt her so you don't have to. Is that it?"

"That's right. I'm sure it would be awkward if lady Cornwall was hurt in your cabin. That's where you left her sleeping. Very cute when she talks in her sleep."

"Why are you doing this?" Maximus was worried now. He left Reana sleeping in the cabin and knowing someone was watching her, sent bile into his throat.

"My client isn't really a fan of Bryce Cornwall. Not really a fan of yours either."

"So, I'll break up with Reana and you'll leave her alone?"

"That is the deal, yes."

He sighed, his shoulders slumped, "Fine, I'll do it tomorrow evening."

The man jumped on his horse, "Glad we could agree," He raced away, leaving Maximus wondering how could hurt someone he loved so much.

The next evening, Reana slipped into her ball gown, preparing herself for the festivities. Tonight was the celebration of Seline and Loghain's engagement. She wasn't really in mood for celebrating. She was tired and sick, but mostly stressed. It would be tonight that she told Maximus that she was expecting his child. It wasn't exactly what either of them planned for, but in the five months of their relationship, they hadn't been particularly careful in preventing it. How they would deal with it, she couldn't fathom, after all she was still married to Vanderson and something like this would cause a scandal at court.

She jumped slightly when someone knocked on her bedroom door, "Come in," She called out.

Fergus entered the room, dressed in his finery, "Are you ready, little sister?"

"Yes, just about," She finished her make up before trying to get up, dizziness over taking her and she slumped back down.

Fergus helped her up, noticing she seemed quite pale, "Are you ok?"

She looked into her brother's eyes, instantly bursting into tears, "Oh Fergus, it's such a mess," She sobbed out, crying into her chest.

"What is it?"

"I'm pregnant. It's not Vanderson's."

"Is it Maximus's?" Reana nodded, "Have you told him?"

"No, I'm going to tell him later. I don't want to h****k Seline's night."

"Fix your make up, we can discuss it later with Seline," He hugged her tight, kissing her head, "It'll be alright, little sis."

Pulling on her best fake smile, Reana forced herself to socialise with people, even dancing with Teagan. As everyone was occupied with the entertainment, Reana pulled Maximus outside, into the gardens, "We need to talk."

"I know. You go first."

She sat on a stone bench, hands in her lap, "I'm with child, your child," She didn't look up at him, not wanting to see his reaction.

He began pacing, hands over his face. He couldn't believe this was happening now, when he was about to break up with her, "You know I cant take responsibility for it, Reana. It would cause a scandal," He winced at his flimsy excuse, but he had to do it to protect her.

Reana stood up quickly, bile raising in her throat, "What about me. Not like I can claim it's Vanderson's."

"You could sleep with him. Not too late for that."

She slapped him across the face, disgusted with his suggestion, "How dare you say that to me. It took two people to make this child. Why is it me that is left to deal with it?"

"I'm so sorry, Reana. It's best this way."

"Yes, best for you," Maximus watched as walked away, heartbroken and sobbing, taking his own broken heart with him. He so badly wanted to go after her, to tell her the truth, but he couldn't risk her safety, even more so in her present condition.

Reana fled back to bedroom, falling on to the bed. It was obvious to her, that she had very little option in what she could do now. She was scared, not able to tell her parents, Maximus didn't want to know. She knew the only option was to leave, fearing Vanderson's reaction when he inevitably found out. She couldn't burden Seline with it now, she was happy with Loghain, last thing either of them needed was a young, knocked up noble to bring them down. She packed some clothes, making sure to take some coin with her, no doubt she'd need it.

Heading to the stables, taking care to avoid being seen, the cover of darkness helped with that. She saddled up her horse, getting ready to leave. One thing stopped her leaving immediately; Seline. She couldn't leave without seeing her beloved sister one last time.

Walking back into the ballroom, she spotted Seline talking with Loghain. Once again, she pulled on a smile and approached her sibling, "I'm off to bed Seline. Congratulations."

Seline hugged her, picking up on her mood but not wanting to push it, "You all partied out?"

"Yeah. I love you, sis. Tell Loghain to look after you, alright."

"I will. Night, love," Reana walked away from her sister, holding in her tears until she got back to the stables. She decided to head for a small Inn she knew just outside of Denerim, she'd plan her next more from there. She considered heading North, possible across the Waking sea to Ostwick to stay with relatives or to Antiva to stay with Oriana's family. She wanted to have the baby away from Farland, when the baby was older she'd consider returning to Seline and Fergus, until then, she was on her own. It was a mess she made, she would clear it up in her own way.

Seline barged into Vanderson's bedroom at the Arl's estate, dumping a bucket of water on his head, "Wake up," She yelled, "Wake up, you piece of s**t!"

Vanderson fell out of bed on to the hard wooden floor, struggling to find his bearings after such an alarming wake up, "What is it, you silly b***h?" He sneered, struggling to get to his feet.

"Where is Reana?" She's been gone a week. What have you done with her?"

"Nothing! I haven't see her, nor do I wish to," Vanderson cried out when Seline hit him, "Stop that, b***h!" He raised his hand to hit her but she caught him arm.

"I wouldnt, Loghain is outside. Now where is my sister?"

"For the last time, I. DO. NOT. KNOW."

Seline grunted in anger, "You better not be lying," She punched him again, just because she felt like it.

Loghain escorted a sobbing Seline back to their home. They had waited patiently for Reana to return on her own, but now after a week, it was apparent she wouldnt. Seline was convinced Vanderson had done something to her, but she couldn't prove it. All she knew is that her sister was pregnant, according to Fergus. Maximus had completely withdrawn so they couldn't get near him.

They sat in their sitting room, planning their next move, when a servant entered clutching a letter, "Excuse me, this letter came for you, Lady Cornwall."

Seline took the letter, practically ripping it open, having recognised the neat handwriting.

To my darling sister,

I know by know you are going mad with worry, but I can assure you I am fine. I owe you an explanation. I know Fergus would have told you about the baby I carry, but it goes further in that, Maximus has wiped his hands of us. He left me on the night of your party. He wants nothing to do with us, so I have left after realising, life is not fair on a woman in my position and certainly not to the bastard child of the king.

I'll be leaving this place soon so I will write to you once I've settled down again. Please do not tell our parents. I made this mess, fell for the lies so I must deal with it myself.

All my love,

Reana

Seline shook as she held the letter in her hand, going between upset and anger. She paced the sitting room, trying to calm herself, "He left her," She whispered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief. She turned to Loghain, anger winning the battle inside of her, "He left her, Loghain. Now she's gone."

"I know. But at least get Maximus's side before you get angry."

"Get angry? It's too bloody late for that. My sister is out there, alone and pregnant and it is all that arsehole's fault," She burst into tears, falling into Loghain's arms as he moved to embrace her, "I need to speak to Fergus. Not like I can go to my parents about this."

Loghain kissed her forehead, cupping her face, "Go speak to your brother. I'll use my contacts to see if they can track her."

"Thank you. Love you," Seline left her home and headed to the Cornwall estate near the Arl's estate. She found her brother training with one of the dummies. He always trained hard when he was stressed, Seline couldn't blame him either, right now, she too felt like hitting something, "Fergus?" She called out, "I think that dummy has had enough," She quipped sadly.

He huffed out a long sigh, resting his sword against a wooden bench, "I'm worried about, Reana."

"Well she sent me a letter."

"What did it say?" He asked eagerly.

"She said she was fine. Maximus left her pregnant, Fergus. She's alone now," The siblings hugged, both feeling the absence of their sister.

"So what do we do know?"

"Loghain is going to use his contacts. At least we might be able to keep tabs on her."

"What about our parents?"

"We cant tell them, father will go mad."

"Tell us what?" Both siblings turned around to see their mother standing up straight with her arms across her chest. They knew that look, it meant, she meant business and it pays to be honest, "What's going on?"

Seline's shoulders slumped as she cast a worried look at Fergus, "I had a letter from Reana."

"What did it say?"

"It confirmed the pregnancy and how Maximus left her high and dry. Mother, please don't tell father," Seline pleaded.

"Don't worry, I think he's still getting over your engagement to Loghain, this would push him over the edge," Eleanor hugged both of her children, "I do think I need to speak to Maximus, though."

"Fergus and I are coming too."

"Ok, lets go," Together they went to the palace, ready to confront Maximus. Seline lead them to his study, remembering the location after being there with Loghain. They stormed in the door, finding Maximus sat at his desk, unshaven and drunk, dark circles for lack of sleep, "We need to talk."

"Go away," Maximus grumbled.

"I will not!" Eleanor approached his desk, determined to get some answers, "I told you not to hurt my baby and what did you do? You drove her away."

"I had my reasons Eleanor," Maximus stood from the desk, feeling spurred on by the booze flowing through him, "Besides, she might have returned home if Bryce hadn't forced the marriage from hell upon her. I'm not the only one that has failed Reana."

Eleanor turned red with anger, "How dare you! All of that, I love her bullshit, you came out with and you break her heart."

"It wasn't a lie. I couldn't protect her here. I hoped she would go back to Highever or go to Seline. So ask yourselves why she decided to run, before you start with me. Now go!"

They left after Maximus turned his back on them, not willing discuss Reana any more. Seline pondered his words. Why didn't Reana go to her? She would have taken care of her sister. She knew why Reana didn't want to go home but Reana should have gone to Loghain and herself for support.

Reana continued her travels, going nowhere in particular at that time, just wanting to get away from Denerim. She considered going to Rainsfere, knowing that Bann Teagan would take her in. Teagan didn't really care about what people thought, he always claimed that people who gossiped had very boring lives. That was a sentiment that Reana agreed with. She pulled her cloak around herself, trying to keep out the chill of the night. She stopped her horse, listening for the sounds of several approaching horses. With a click of her tongue, her horse, Winter, sprinted away, pulling of the road into the trees. She kept going into the forest provided some decent cover for both Winter and herself. Staying deathly still, she watched as Orlesian riders sped past, obviously looking for something or someone. She stayed in the brush for a while, waiting for the noise of the horses to subside. Sleep overtook her and she nodded off while leaning against a tree. A twig snapping, booted footsteps, woke her up. She knew she wasn't alone, so she kept her eyes closed, she didn't know what she was going to do but fear kept her from moving. She sensed a figure crouching down to her, touching her face with a gloved hand,

"Reana?" She recognised that voice. It was...

"Alistair?" She opened her eyes to see the same eyes of her former lover looking at with a gentle smile. Somehow, Reana felt better for seeing Alistair. He was a sweet young man and she got on well with him. It pleased her to know that she had found a friend on her lonely travels.