Starkhaven, something beautiful Laila could enjoy if she had been visiting under different circumstances and not with her current company. "I can walk on my own." The Champion growled at the armored man who directed her down a road that was packed with merchants, pulling her arm roughly from his grasp. Voices of men trying to sell their goods and laughter of children as they ran in front of her and the royal escort she had encountered upon the road. Yes her "escort" as they called themselves, not something she would have expected, but after Sebastian's vow to avenge the Grand Cleric... she took a deep breath. At least they did not kill her like she had expected, but then again she never thought the prince would actually find her. She knew it would be a risk slipping in to Starkhaven for supplies, but she had no other choice. Her supplies had long since been finished and traveling on her own had completely worn her mind and body, spells that had once been cast with ease were tiring her mind more than they should. It almost made her wish she would not have given Yais to Carver, her Mabari would have come in very handy in the recent days. Laila turned to look at one of the men next to her, his armor bright and blinding with the bright sun reflecting off the metal, his eyes stared in front of them at the people who littered the streets. Shocked at the obedience that these men seemed to have, of course Sebastian never much talked of Starkhaven with her, she had never expected men as dedicated as they were. Could not be so dedicated if they did not stop a group of pathetic assassins, she rolled her eyes and turned to look at the large set of stairs they were making their way to.
"Impressive." She remarked as they stepped through a large set of doors, the walls of what she could only guess would be where the royal family would sit were decorated in beautiful paintings and banners. The group of men led her silently in to a large open room where she caught sight of the familiar white armor, it seemed only right that his armor would be the brightest of the men. He had his back to her, but she would know him any where, the man who had sworn himself to the Chantry and followed her for most of those years in Kirkwall and only when she refused his demand of murdering the man who had saved Carver from the Darkspawn taint. She owed Anders everything, she could not bring herself to kill the mage. How could she, how could Sebastian expect her to take his life when he had saved the last piece of family she had left? If he had been so insistent on Anders death, why did he not kill him himself? The Chantry had done nothing for her, she had spent most of her life running from them to keep not only herself but Bethany from the Tower. There were Mages who were still devoted to the Chantry, but Laila could not bring herself to ever understand their methods.
She cleared her throat, folding her arms against her chest when the prince turned around. "I imagine you have brought me here to take your revenge on me? Or are you simply here to ask of Anders?" She felt out of place next to the guards, they were neat while her robes were dirtied and stained with blood. Black hair tied back in to what was a neatly wrapped bun until she had ran in to a group of thieves waiting for travelers or merchants to prey upon, now it was loose and some stray pieces had fallen from the tie. She knew she had dried blood on her neck, not wanting to wet her robes she had only cleaned the blood from her face, but it had only taken a moment on the road for a thin layer of dirt to stick to her skin and leave her golden eyes to stand out against the filth. Maker, she could not even remember the last time she had a moment inside a river at the very least to wash herself, after the events of Kirkwall she had been running putting as much distance between her and that city. She adjusted her weight to her right foot causing her hip to push out on the other side, the belts around her waist that kept her pouch full of potions and ingredients stressed at the pull causing the metal of buckles to click against each other and fill the silent room with its voice.
Sebastian waved the men away, waiting until the heavy doors were shut before he walked towards her. "You look awful, Hawke, quite the change from your time in Kirkwall."
"Well I cannot really stop any where with you and the Chantry at my back." She smirked, narrowing her eyes at the man as he came closer. "I am not as skilled as Anders in my disappearing act. Blending, blending I can do, but hiding-" She shook her head. "I am not too skilled at hiding. How did you find me, Sebastian?"
"Clearly word has spread of your..." He paused and studied the girl, looking over the robes she wore and the dried blood that clung to the sleeves. Was it her own or an others? She would not be so desperate to turn to blood magic, would she? After all she has seen, clearly she could not be so dense. "effects on those around you. I merely just listened and when I heard of the direction you were traveling I sent out men to meet you."
"Why not kill me outright then, Sebastian?"
"Yes, I am sure that would go over well with the mages who are pulling from the towers. Their token hero murdered by a Vael while traveling."
"I am sure your men would keep that information to themselves."
"You taught me that trust is easily broken."
Her brows came together, the mocking smirk on her lips quickly fading. "So you wish to discuss this, Sebastian?"
"I do." His head tilt to the side and his arms came to rest behind his back. "Where is Anders, Hawke? Why are you alone?"
"Let us just back this conversation up, Sebastian. How exactly did I show you trust was easily broken? Was it when I killed your families killers, or maybe perhaps when I followed you in to Hightown and slaughtered that demon and its play thing? Oh wait, are you talking about me not listening to your demand and killing a friend because you were too weak to do it yourself?"
"You let that murder walk away!"
"I did, but why did you?" She placed her hands on her hips. "I did not care for Elthina, you did. I do not remember you taking vengeance for my mother, if I remember correctly when I asked you to assist me you refused. What was the excuse you gave me, Sebastian?" She tapped her finger to her chin mockingly. "I believe it was duties you had not finished with the Chantry, but I am expected to avenge some one who meant something to you? Curious how you took from me and only gave when it was convenient for you."
"I followed you loyally and you turned your back on me!"
"Your memories are tainted with your hatred." She waved her hand in the air, as if the motion would push away the conversation. "Why am I here?"
"Where is Anders?"
She shrugged. "I parted ways with everyone a few months back, I could not even guess of where he has gone." He shocked her when he grabbed the front of her robes, his hand forming into a fist with the fabric bunched inside of it. She quickly took hold of his wrist and glared up at the man, his glare from the sharp blue eyes burning into her. "I suggest you take your hand off of me, Vael!" She growled, her brow pulled tightly together and eyes narrowed.
"Tell me where he is?"
"I do not know!" She barked, fingers digging at the armor that blocked her from his skin. Even if she could muster up enough of her mind to focus on the spell, the armor would stop her flames from even touching him. She could barely fight back against him with mere strength, she was no warrior, but she was not weak. The years spent swinging her staff, eventually having it modified to include a blade at the end, had strengthened her body from more than just a frail mage who relied on their magic. Exhaustion made her weak, made her mind weak not just her body, if he chose to run a blade through her she could not stop him.
"Tell me, Laila, tell me and I wont hurt you."
"I have told you, I do not know where he is! Do with me what you will, I am telling you the truth!"
He pushed her back as he released her, causing Hawke to stumble backwards, almost falling to the floor as she caught her balance awkwardly. She flinched when he called out to his men, the noise echoed off the white stone walls that surrounded them.
"Have her cleaned up and slapped in chains." He spoke the moment the doors opened.
Her request for lyrium was quickly denied by her captures before she was left in an empty room with only a large bed and fire place, they had not even lit the fire for her to keep warm by. The thin blankets upon the bed did little to warm her body, she had curled herself in them the best she could to try and manage to warm her bare skin. She would have rather stayed in her soiled robe than to be left in only her small clothes, it may have been covered in filth but it still warmed her skin. Her body shuddered when wet hair found its way to her skin, causing it to shock her body with the chill. Laila cursed under her breath, she could not even maintain enough power for a simple spell to produce a fire for warmth. It all seemed odd to her, for such a simple spell it should not require this much strain from her, her mind wandered on and thought of Sebastian placing something to halt her magic. Would he be that threatened by her, or was it Anders the trick had been placed for? She pulled the blanket from her face when her door was pushed open, eyes straining against the darkness to get a look at who had entered.
"Please." She begged, her voice shaky from the cold. "I just want a fire for warmth, I give you my word I will not do anything." Her eyes narrowed, only making out the form of someone, the sound of shoes against the stone was the only answer she received before light filled the room. "Thank you." She sighed, pulling herself from the bed with the thin blanket wrapped tightly around her. She looked over to the person who took pity on her. She stopped suddenly and tightened her grasp on the blanket when she saw Sebastian staring in to the flame. His glorious armor replaced with the clothes befitting a noble man, the vest that lay across his shoulders was loosely undone something that would have been looked down upon if he were in the company of another. "Sebastian, I am exhausted and was denied lyrium." She spoke softly, defeat in her voice. "I have not eaten since I arrived, I am not in the condition to argue with you. I have no answers for what you wish to know."
He did not answer her, merely turning from the fire and leaving the room, the lock clicking in the place and leaving her alone once again. Laila sighed to herself and made her way to the fire, getting herself as close as she could before resting on the floor. Her legs pulled against her chest with her head upon her knees as the warmth crept in to her blanket and across her skin. The shaking had stopped and for that she was thankful, but the relief brought upon new pain as her stomach began to protest its hunger. At least she was warm, starving, but warm. She did not hear the lock or give any notice to the door as it opened again. It was not until the aroma of food found her nose and caused her to open her eyes, finding Sebastian knelt in front of her with a plate filled with different types of food.
"Thank you." She spoke quietly, taking the plate from his hands, the irons on her wrist clanging together. "Am I your prisoner then? To be held until you are satisfied?"
He stood up and turned towards the door, not looking over at her as he answered. He pulled the door open and spoke as he walked out. "Yes."
A simple answer, nothing more. The door was shut again and the sound of it being locked from the outside rushed to her ears. She was left alone again, at least he had fed her and provided her with a fire this time.