Seheron. It was beautiful, it was dangerous, and, above all, it was wild. It had been three days since Danarius had left him, and Fenris could still see the rage in the mage's face as the ship carried him off. There are some things all the money in Tevinter couldn't buy. He smiled, wincing slightly at the pain. He knew he was dying, after all, nobody takes a direct hit from a Qunari axe and lives to tell the tale. Maybe it was just the blood loss, but he felt almost content, because at least he would die a free man. He laid back against the shore and let the darkness take him.
He had to hand it to Anso, the dwarf may be a coward, but his information was correct so far. And based on the shouting coming from the alienage, it seemed as if the distraction he arranged was working out quite well. Perhaps …. No. The phylactery was a trap, and nothing more. The final bounty hunter turned to run, but Fenris caught him, stabbing him between the shoulder blades. The man stumbled forward, calling for the captain that could not save him. No one could save him now.
Fenris walked past the bounty hunter, assessing the situation. Blood. Bodies. And right in the middle of it all was a group of warriors: two women, a dwarf, and a man. It was an odd sight: they certainly didn't look like your common slavers. They must be the support Anso hired. Maker, he was starting to love that dwarf. "Your men are dead and your trap has failed, I suggest running back to your master while you can."
"You're going nowhere, slave." The captain grabbed his shoulder. Foolish. The lyrium within his skin blazed sapphire as Fenris concentrated his will, driving his arm through the man's chest. Armor and flesh yielded beneath his hand like a hot knife through butter.
"I am not a slave" he said, turning to face the group of warriors before him. He had better calm this situation down before that orange-haired woman takes a swing at him.
"I apologize" Fenris said, "When I asked Anso to provide a distraction for the hunters, I had no idea they'd be so…numerous."
"We've faced worse" the leader of the group said cautiously. He believed her, any woman standing casually in a sea of bodies is not one to be trifled with. She reminded him of a fog warrior: defiant, strong, purposeful. Maybe she could help him.
"Impressive. My name is Fenris."
"Hawke. Elaina Hawke. These are my companions: Varric, Aveline, and Anders. Now, would you please tell me what's going on?" She crossed her arms.
"These men were imperial bounty hunters, looking to reclaim a magister's lost property, namely myself" he said venomously, "They were trying to lure me into the open. Crude as their methods were, I could not face them alone. Thankfully, Anso chose wisely."
The woman's face softened. "If they were really trying to recapture you, then I'm happy I helped."
"I have met few in my travels who have sought anything more than personal gain." He glanced towards the abandoned hovel. "If I may ask, what was in the chest? The one they kept in the house?"
"It was empty."
Of course it was. He was a fool. He didn't even know how Danarius tracked him, and even if it was a phylactery, his former master would never risk it being destroyed. "I suppose it was too much to hope for. Even so, I had to know…"
Fenris searched the captain's body. "It's as I thought. My former master accompanied them to the city. I know you have questions, but I must confront him before he flees. I will need your help."
"It sounds like you intend to do more than just talk." Hawke said.
"Danarius wants to strip the flesh from my bones and he has sent so many hunters that I have lost count. And before that, he kept me on a leash like a Qunari mage, a personal pet to mock Qunari custom. So, yes, I intend to do more than just talk." Fenris breathed, trying to keep his feelings under control. He had to think rationally, had to repress his hatred. Anger leads to mistakes. Even worse, anger wastes time. Danarius would be well-protected; he knew he couldn't do this alone. "I know I lied to you once already, but I had only Anso to rely on, I fear. I'm not lying to you now. Please, help me do this."
The woman smirked, lightly brushing a strand of hair from her eyes. "If it means fighting more slavers, I'll help you."
"I will find a way to repay you, I swear it. The magister is staying at a mansion in high town. Meet me there as soon as you can. We must enter before morning."