I do not own Dragon Age. This is just a story I made up. Because I have a lot of spare time. And I like using too much punctuation. Muahahahahah...
^ Disclaimer
A/N:~ This story is loosely based on Dragon Age 2. As I play I will update. Hope you like!
"We're finally out of service, Carver." Felicia said, twirling round in circles and smiling. "Doesn't it feel good?" Carver grimaced.
"In case you hadn't noticed, Fellah, we are far from 'free'. Thanks to your curse, we're constantly on the run from your templars. Not to mention the fact we have little money to stay in Kirkwall anymore." Fellah frowned at him.
"Must you be such a spoilsport, Carver? It is hardly my fault I was born with magic, much the same as it is not a mabari's fault it is born with four legs. Anyway, if they are 'my' templars, you needn't worry really, need you?" Her brother made a noise that was somewhere between a huff of acceptance and an apology.
"Fine. And keep your voice down. But it still doesn't solve our money problem, does it?"
"Maybe not. But I have a few... well one thing up my sleeve."
"And what is that, dear sister?"
"You'll see."
"Well that could have gone better, Felicia. Got a back up plan at all? Or are you just going to wait until we get turned into the templars, sold as slaves, or some other equally pleasant... watch where you're going you little brat!" A sudden lightness at her hip told Fellah something was amiss. She reached down to her thigh, and felt for her coinpurse.
"My purse! He's got it!" The siblings began to sprint after him, but it began to look as if they wouldn't catch up – the redheaded lad could run pretty fast. "Come back here!" The lad looked back momentarily, and that was his undoing. Before Felicia and Carver could even blink, the lad was pinned up against a wall with an arrow in one arm. He whimpered.
Carver started to draw his sword in anticipation of more arrows, but Felicia put a hand on his sword arm, stopping him. They watched as a stout dwarf (with chest hair in abundance) came into view with a rather impressive crossbow.
He muttered a brief exchange to the lad that neither Felicia or Carver could hear, then pulled the arrow out of his arm, but not before grabbing the coinpurse off him. Walking over to the siblings, he tossed the purse to Felicia, who caught it with ease. He grinned, an easy smile with more than a hint of cunning.
"Doesn't know who he's dealing with."
"And you do?" Carver replied with more than a hint of hostility.
"Ah, but I do. The lovely lady Hawke, whom I have heard so many tales about." Carver pouted, and Felicia tried to defuse the situation before it became yet another Carver – V – Hawke incident.
"What about my brother Carver? Surely you have heard of him too?"
"Can't say I have, other than as your brother. No offence, er... Carver. You look like you can sure handle a sword."
Carver rolled his eyes and sulked further.
"Anyway." Let's change the subject... "You're Bartrand's brother, aren't you? The dwarf who's doing the Deep Roads expedition?" The dwarf bowed.
"The very same. Varric Tethras, at your service. I was hoping I could talk to you about that, actually. Bartrand's a proud sod, but he won't not accept help when he needs it... if he thinks there's a profit involved."
"Profit? I see. So are you suggesting we pay him for the privilege to battle darkspawn?" Varric chuckled.
"Nothing of the sort, I assure you. I'm suggesting you pay him for the privilege to be a partner on the trip – that way, as long as you don't die, he's got an incentive and so have you."
"And if I do?"
"I was rather hoping it wouldn't come to that, reputation you've got yourself around her already." Felicia smiled.
"How much do you think it will take to win him over?"
"Ah, it always boils down to the price, doesn't it?" Varric smiled. "How about we discuss this over a pint? The Hanged Man, Lowtown. You know it?"
"Can't say I do. But Carver knows it well." Felicia said, grinning.
"What are you implying?" Carver shot back.
"Nothing I'm sure."
"Ladies, put the handbags away." Varric quipped. "I shall see you there at nightfall. We can discuss the price and the terms then."
"We really need to get back to that dwarf." Carver moaned. "We don't want him to go back on the deal, do we?"
"No, we certainly do not." whispered Felicia. "But then," she made Carver jump as she shot a spell at a thug that had arrived out of nowhere, "We don't exactly want to let the guards get away with this corruption either, do we?"
The pair waded into the fray with Aveline, and the siblings continued to bicker throughout the final fight.
"This is not about corruption, this about money!" Carver shouted as he sliced through a mercenary's head with his sword. "We'e already delivered bloody wine to elves today, delivered some kind of granny shawl to... a granny, taken a load of old bones to the Chantry for some boring old bookmaker to catalogue the woman's death, and now we're bloody hunting mercenaries we probably shouldn't be!" He stabbed particularly viciously into a spider's abdomen, spurting green blood everywhere in its death throes, and pulled the sword out just in time to slice another bandit's arms off his torso. "Are there any other pissing errands we have to do? Maybe hang some crippled elf's washing out to dry? Spoon feed a beggar?" Felicia turned round, magic still washing off her in waves from the recent battle, and fury in her eyes.
"Is being nice really that hard for you? Besides, we're making coin, is that not what you want?" Carver growled, and stomped off on his own. Aveline watched the heated deabte with interest, and mild distaste.
"Will he be safe on his own in that mood, I wonder?" She questioned Fellah.
"He'll be fine. We've cleared out every threat in this place. Unfortunately. A good chewing from a hurlock might do him some good."
"Your brother not with you?"
"He and I had a … slight disagreement."
"I see. So... we were talking about price, were we not?" Varric said, leaning back in his chair.
"That and the overall plan, yes. What is the plan, come to think of it? How can we make sure we will get in and out again safely?"
"Ah, of course. Nothing is certain, of course, so do not take any guarantees by my word, Hawke. But the darkspawn are scarce so soon after a Blight – we will not have this opportunity again. We're all geared up and ready to go, but.. there is one problem." Felicia looked suspicious.
"Which is?"
"The entrance – we don't know where to get in. Bartrand had on all lined up, but that turned out to be a flop. Your task – find some maps of the Deep Road. As for the price – fifty sovereigns."
"Maps of the Deep Roads... How in the Maker's name am I meant to... did you just say fifty sovereigns? You do understand the reason we are taking this job is to gain cash, right?"
"And you will. Trust me, my brother is not an easy man to bargain with. It was a hard time trying to cut him down from seventy. As for the maps, there was a Grey Warden about town not so long ago. If you ask around, he might have some knowledge of the Deep Roads. Maybe he could help." Felicia sighed.
"Very well. I shall find the Warden as soon I find the time. I have a lot of sovereigns to raise.
A/N: ~ Hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed writing it! It's my first DA fanfic, so be gentle!