Part 1 – The Ambush

"I'm not your slave!" Fenris yelled and his hoarse voice broke in the middle of the sentence. Alex Hawke – a young rogue with dashing red hair and freckles - looked at the white-haired elf from the corner of his eyes. He was a bit concerned because his friend obviously didn't feel at his best. The rogue took a step forward and looked up at the Tevinter slavers who were standing on a rock in front of their group. An ambush on their way to the Wounded Coast - Fenris' past had finally caught up on him – the men of his former master Danarius were here to claim his 'property' back.

"Fenris is a free man," Alex called in a firm, determined voice.

"I won't repeat myself. Back away from the slave now!" the leader of the group of slavers replied.

"I won't let you take him!" Alex shouted angrily and attacked the first mage in his reach with his daggers. "Obviously, they'll never learn it…" the dwarf Varric muttered behind them and started to shoot bolts from his crossbow at the slavers. Fenris himself wielded his giant longsword with both hands.

When the fight was over, the elven warrior rushed to the only surviving mage who was lying on the ground face down. He kneeled down on the slaver's back and grabbed his shock of hair to pull his head up; so he could see the face of the now very frightened man. "Where is he?" Fenris asked in a threatening tone. His voice was so hoarse now that Alex flinched at the sound.

"Please, don't kill me," the mage begged, but Fenris just slammed his head to the ground and shouted "Tell me!" his voice broke again. "I don't know, I don't know, I swear," the slaver almost cried in fear. "Hadriana brought us," the mage added. "She's at the holding caves north of the city! I can show you the way!"

If the mage hoped he would survive by giving this information, he obviously forgot who Fenris was – a man who had to endure the ordeal of slavery for a much too long time to know something like pity for a Tevinter slaver. "No need. I know which ones you speak of." The elf spoke and suppressed a cough.

"Then let me go. I beg you. I swear, I won't…" Fenris didn't let the slaver finish his sentence. "You chose the wrong master," he croaked and quickly turned the head of the mage; so his neck broke with an eerie sound.

Fenris coughed, then sneezed HRKECHOU in the crook of his elbow. Obviously he had suppressed both for quite a time. "Hadriana," he rasped hoarsely. "I was a fool to think I was free. They'll never let me be."

Alex looked sad. He wished he could give his friend some comfort. If it was someone else, he would have laid him a hand on his shoulder. But the rogue knew how much Fenris hated to be touched. The Lyrium marks his former master had given him; and which were visible as white lines over the former slave's body, gave him special abilities – like phasing into the body of another person and tearing their heart out. But he also suffered from them. Alex couldn't even image the agony the former slave was feeling all the time. That's why he could show him his concern only with his words and gestures.

"Do you know the woman this mage spoke about?" Alex asked in a low voice, hoping his tone would calm down the elf a bit.

"I remember her well," the elf rasped while rubbing his ticklish nose. "A sniveling … hnx… social climber that… hnxt… would sell her own children if it… hnx… would please Danarius. HAKESHOU… HEPCHOU…" Fenris shook his head to recover from the sneezes. He rubbed his nose again which started to look slightly pink.

"Andraste bless you," Alex said in a concerned voice. He was looking up at the sky worriedly – heavy, dark clouds formed and a chilly breeze announced the upcoming rain. He could see the elf shivering.

"Are you alright, Broody?" Varric asked Fenris – as always using the cheeky nickname he found for him.

"I'm fine!" the elf shouted angrily with his raspy voice and fell into a coughing fit.

"Yes, very convincing..." the dwarven marksman muttered.

"If Hadriana is here, it's at his bidding. I knew he wouldn't let this go." Fenris said, ignoring Varric's remark. "The holding caves held slaves in the old times, but apparently they are no longer abandoned. " The elf had to cough again. "We must go quickly…" he rasped. "Before Hadriana… hnx… has a chance …hnx… to prepare… or flee. HAKESHOU…" He shook from the force of another strong sneeze.

The clouds above them opened and it started to rain. It was a cold, heavy rain that drenched everyone in no time and left them shivering.

"Fenris…" Alex sounded very worried now. "I would really like to help you, but… I'm afraid you are not in the condition for a fight like this right now…"

"What do you mean?" the elf asked angrily in his frightening hoarse voice.

"He means you look and sound like death, Broody." Varric answered for Alex.

Hawke nodded. "You are obviously ill, Fenris… and we should get you out of this horrible rain before you get even worse."

Fenris' eyes flickered with rage. "I said I'm fine." he shouted again, his raspy voice cracking.

Alex sighing gave in. He knew, Fenris would go alone otherwise. "Alright… I know this is really important for you. So, when you're sure you are up to this… lead the way."