Prologue

The Blight, an army of twisted, misshapen, specters of demonically possessed men, had destroyed Lothering, a city in Southern Ferelden, a few months ago. The Hawke family (consisting of mother Leandra and her two daughters, Aria and Bethany), plus one refugee soldier named after the legendary Orlesian woman Knight Aveline, docked in the port of the city Kirkwall, in the lowly, poverty stricken area not affectionately known as the Gallows. After a deal is struck by the Hawkes' slippery gambler of an uncle, Gamlen Amell, the Hawkes and the soldier tagalong spend a year in indentured servitude under the command of the elven smuggler, Athenril. Our story begins after the Hawkes have been in Kirkwall for a year, having fulfilled their terms with Athenril, and with a fortuitous meeting between the glib, charming, and surprisingly beardless dwarven merchant prince, Varric Tethras, and the rising star of Kirkwall; a silver-haired, alabaster-skinned, tawny-eyed Aria Hawke. Aria and her sister, the apostate mage, Bethany, had just been denied the chance to climb aboard the expedition one Bartrand Tethras was planning to enter the Deep Roads. It was their best chance at reclaiming the Amell's nobility and securing their rightful place in the mage-hating metropolis of Kirkwall.

The strawberry-blond dwarf hailed Aria Hawke, introducing himself as he tossed her missing coin purse to her, a charming smile lighting his lips. The cut purse who had snatched it from Aria took this chance to escape. The dwarf sauntered over to them, his eyes benevolent. Bethany stepped behind Aria, years of evading strangers for fear of discovery coming into practice.

"Varric Tethras, at your service. I apologize for Bartrand," the dwarf said as he reached them. "He wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit him square in the jaw."

Aria eyed him warily, taking in every detail of his appearance and paying special attention to the skin around his eyes—the subtle expression changes there were tells of a person's true intent, especially should that intent not match their spoken words. If she had learned only one thing about this city in the year she'd spent here, it was that no one offered aid unless there was a catch. A gigantic, razor sharp, multi-hooked catch.

"But you would?" Aria cautiously asked, a hint of sarcasm seeping into her tone. She sardonically arched a silvery brow, sizing him up.

"I would," Varric replied congenially, a dash of laughter in his voice. He smiled and inclined his head, looking back at where his brother stood arguing with another dwarf. "What my brother doesn't know is that we need someone like you," he continued, and she felt in her gut he was being sincere. "He would never admit it either—he's too proud. I, however, am quite practical."

Aria figured she'd take a bite out of the bait he was offering. "You're part of Bartrand's venture?" she tentatively asked, crossing her arms over her chest and staring impassively down at the dwarf.

"That's right!" he smoothly stated. "The Deep Roads wouldn't normally be my thing, but I can't allow the head of our family to go down there alone." He shifted his posture a little, making Aria slightly nervous. "So as you might imagine, I have more than a passing interest in this expedition's success."

The elder Hawke was still suspicious. Aria needed to feel this Varric character out a little more before she was going to put any stock in his claims.

"What makes you so certain we can help?" Aria hedged. "You know nothing about us."

Varric smiled all too knowingly and it did nothing to soothe Aria's singing nerves. "Oh, on the contrary—you've made quite a name for yourself over the last year. The Coterie has been squeezing smugglers out left and right, and the only group to survive owes it all to you two. The name Hawke is on many lips these days. Not bad for a Fereldan fresh off the boat."

"You must have heard of my sister as well, then," Aria stated, seeking to ferret out what other information the dwarf had on them.

"Only a little," Varric allowed, his delivery cautious. "She is certainly welcome to come, but I'll leave that up to you."

"Frankly, I'd rather you take the credit," Bethany quickly said, casting a wary glance at her sister.

"Madam! Your secrets are safe with me," Varric was quick to allay their growing concern. It was clear that he meant them no harm.

"Find out what he's offering," Bethany said under her breath so that only Aria would hear. "We need a way into this expedition."

Aria turned to the dwarf again, nodding her agreement with her sister. "You're going awfully far out of your way just to hire another guard," she said after a moment.

"We don't need another hireling—we need a partner," Varric said, motioning for them to follow him over to the alley so that eavesdroppers would be less likely to drop on this conversation. "The truth is, Bartrand's been tearing his beard out trying to fund this thing on his own but he can't do it," he softly told them once they were in the alley. "Invest in the expedition. Fifty sovereigns, and he can't refuse. Not with me there to vouch for you."

"Why would you stick your neck out for a complete stranger?" Aria asked, folding her arms over her chest once more and quirking a brow.

"I'd rather take a chance on someone with your reputation than head into the Deep Roads unprepared. And besides, we'd be your partners," Varric answered, his expression earnest. He sighed, pinching his wide chin between his thumb and forefinger. His fingers were long, for a dwarf. "I'm willing to give a little trust if you are," he said at last.

Aria hadn't gotten this far in life without being able to judge people's motives. The last words he spoke were exactly what she needed to hear in order to partake in this gamble he offered. It was her turn to sigh.

"I hope there's more to this. Like how I am supposed to get that much coin together," she finally said.

A wide grin split Varric's rather handsome face. "You need to think big!" he said, spreading his arms and looking to the sky. "There's only a brief window after a Blight when the Deep Roads won't be crawling with darkspawn. The treasure you find down there could set you and your family up for life!"

Aria looked to Bethany, wondering if she was thinking the same thing. They both hated having to live with Gamlen in the old Lowtown slums. Mother deserved much better than that after all they'd endured. It weighed heavily on her mind.

"It won't be easy, but it's a chance," Bethany cautiously said, her eyes pleading. "I think we have to take it. Better to work our way into the expedition than sit around waiting to be thrown into the Gallows."

Yes, there was that. Poor Bethany had so much to fear. Aria did not like the choices they were given. Deep Roads or the iron fist of the Kirkwall Circle of Magi. Why had everything become so Maker-damned bleak all of the sudden?

"We work together, you and I, and before you know it, you'll have all the capital you need," Varric chimed then, seeing that he was finally gaining ground with this recalcitrant potential business partner. "What do you say?"

Aria looked to Bethany again, whose eyes pleaded with her. She smiled broadly and turned to look out at the alley. "It's not like I had anything better planned."

Varric laughed. "Perfect! Kirkwall's crawling with work. You set aside some coin from every job, and you'll have the money in no time," he gushed.

"Maybe Aveline can find us some work. She's got a position with the city guard now," Bethany suggested, hooking her arm in Aria's.

"We should talk privately when you get the chance," Varric said, walking with them back out into the square. "In the Hanged Man, maybe—I'll be there when I'm not with you. Now, let's go see what trouble we can stir up."

Despite her reservations about the dwarf, Aria couldn't help but like him. He was charming, suave, but honest. It was a rare combination. He was gifted with his words. She just hoped he was as gifted with that crossbow he carried on his back as he was with his words. She had a feeling they would need it.