Chapter 1
"Assignments will be handed out in a few ladies! Try not to die from excitement."
We all watch as Helga leaves with her usual self-righteous flourish. I stop twirling my already curly hair and fold my hands together. Maker please let me get a good job this week. If it is your will for me to not, than so let it be. Blessed be the Maker. I sigh as I run a hand through my hair and pick at the table. I really need a better assignment. Hopefully one that doesn't have slaves. The way some of them are treated is disgusting.
"If you don't get a good job, you're staying with me. Having nowhere else to go but with those knife ears, it's a crime! That alienage is no place for a girl like you!"
I resist the urge to roll my eyes at Mary and simply begin to fiddle with my hair again. Helena was absolutely ridiculous when it came to elves. She truly believed they deserved to be enslaved and treated as they were. They were mortals just like the rest of us so why shouldn't they be treated as such? She finally stops her rant and I glare at her.
"Honestly the alienage is fine! I'd rather be there than in half of the houses that they send me to. The barely feed me and some of the lords enjoy trying to get me to do more than what's in my contract. I don't understand what you hate about them."
"I hate that since those damn Fereldan elves have come in most of us have been out of a job. I'm waiting to get the boot myself!"
I pointedly stare ahead and chew on the inside of my cheek. I hope we don't get fired. We barely get any money from these jobs as it is. Most nobleman don't stay in Hightown long enough for the companies cleaning services to be necessary for more than a month or two and when they do stay longer Mistress Helena usually sends one of the elves from the alienage because she can pay them less than us, which basically means they get less to nothing. That's the reason why most of the girls double at the Blooming Rose, but I prefer my virginity. Mary elbows me in the ribs and I look up to see Mistress Helena holding out assignments. I quickly straighten up nad chew on the inside of my cheek even harder.
"Allright ladies these are the assignments. Mary you have a two month contract for an Orlesian noble by the name of Ginette. Clarissa you have been reassigned to the Keep for the year. Apparently the Viscount has been so busy nobles have been trashing the place."
Mary gets up mumbling while Clarissa grins and rushes up, nearly falling over, to grab the slip. She grabs Mistress Helenas hand and furiously shakes it. "Oh thank you Mistress Helena!" Mary slowly walks up and snatches the slip without a word. I can almost feel chills at the look Mistress Helena gives her as she gets her things together.
"It appears some of us don't know how to be grateful for what is given to them. I guess some people prefer walking around wearing nothing but a fan and an exotic headdress."
Mary freezes for a moment than quickly runs out as everyone snickers at her expense. I sigh as I catch the eyes of a few of the girls who I know do the same exact thing. I don't know what I would do in their positions, I'll find out soon though since the money my Uncle left me is running thin. I guess I could become a sister of the Chantry.
"Annaleese you have a yearly contract for a Tevinter merchant by the name of Maurice. It will be a live in contract so I suggest you make the proper arrangements. He has been there a week already but due to a faulty messenger we just found out about it today. Hopefully he hasn't moved on to another option. "
A yearly contract. Yearly! I feel myself shaking as I take the slip and the spare key to the house. I numbly smile at Mistress Helena and shake her hand as I mumble a weak thank you and quickly grab my supplies and walk out the door smiling about my good fortune. Which hopefully sticks. I can always beg for him to accept the service even after the delay. I mean he couldn't of found someone so quickly right? I shake my head and take a deep breath. Positive thoughts only Annaleese! I quickly work my way through the lantern district to get to the market to buy dinner. Maybe a nice roast pork with potatoes or-
"Give me your coin purse."
I shudder at the rough voice next to my ear and feel a weight at my side. I quickly swallow the lump in my throat and frantically look around for help but just see drunk people and one of the workers of the Blooming Rose who is pointedly looking away. I feel tears rush to my face as I hold up the last of my money. He snatches it and presses the knife deeper into my side.
"Now give me a kiss."
I squirm away from his mouth and elbow him in the stomach. I feel a slice at my stomach and hiss. I need something to hit him with. I see a loose board and quickly reach for it but feel a jerk at my hair. I scream as I see him raise the dagger above my chest and close my eyes as I say my final prayers to the Maker.
THUNK
I feel myself being dropped and look up to see a bolt in the robbers' shoulder. I quickly grab my purse and crawl toward a dwarf holding up an interesting looking crossbow. He grins at me bows slightly.
"No need to worry Starshine! Biancas got ya."
I watch as the robber runs away and I throw my arms around the dwarf. I don't even think about what would've happened if he wasn't here. Which ofcourse makes me think about it even more.
"Oh thank you so much!"
He pats my back and I hear him laugh as he looks behind him to his group of friends.
"I should do this more often."
"Varric we have a lead for Ninnette"
I look and see a woman with blue eyes and short black hair walk toward us. My eyes widen at the sword and shield on her back. He pale skin practically glows which makes the bags under her eyes even more noticeable.
"Yes it seems a naughty Templar is on charge, big surprise there."
I see a Rivaini woman with a dangerously high hemline and twin daggers strapped to her back walking toward us with a smile that suggests trouble. I let go of the dwarf, Varric, and smile at him as I hear a grunt. I look and see an elf with hair as white as snow and glittering markings that twist and turn around him like ivy.
"Are they truly so fascinating?"
I blush and look down as I hear someone laugh. They really are beautiful but maybe gawking was not my best option.
"You're scaring the pretty thing. Calm down Wolfie!"
I look up to see the Rivaini woman laughing as the elf just glares at the floor with his arms crossed. The black haired woman looks at the dwarf Varric and huffs.
"We need to go find this Templar!"
Varric sighs and looks at me with a smile on his face and I can't help but smile back.
"Take care of yourself Starshine. Not everyone is as charming or handsome as me. Hawke usually is but she's having a bad day."
Hawke rolls her eyes and sends a small smile at the Varric who grins in return.
"I've been having a bad month thanks to you and this ridiculous expedition. I'm beginning to doubt being partner is worth it."
"We could always go back and take up that delicious elfs offer."
I look at the Rivaini woman as I stand up. I really don't even know what that offer was, and by the look on everyone's faces I don't think they want to know either. The Elf snorts and Hawke runs her palm over her face.
"Fenris come on. Varric say goodbye to your new friend. Isabella….just no."
She pouts but follows Hawke and Fenris as they walk away. Varric grins at me one more time before walking away and I smile back and wave at the other.
"Nice to meet you!"
I quickly walk away from the shady district and follow the directions that were given to me until I see an ivy-covered house, neatly tucked away into a corner. I smile at it and knock on the door but after receiving no answer I let myself in to be immediately met by a disgusting smell. I cough and look around to see stains that were similar to the ones that my Uncle came home with on his armor.
"What the happened that there's so much blood?"
I slowly walk through the house to find the same result everywhere. I swallow the lump in my throat and, against my better judgment, slowly start cleaning because unfortunately I really need my paycheck. No matter what I have to do to get it. As I put dinner up and begin to scrub the foyer I sigh and clasp my hands together. Oh Maker what did I get myself into to?
This is my first time publishing on this website so please read and review with comments or criticisms :)
