Chapter 1

You failed me, little bird.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

Waking with a start, I forced the covers off my aching body and in one swift movement I rolled over and landed harshly on the cold stone floor sending a shooting pain down my spine. Sighing heavily, I ignored the throbbing and pushed myself up from the ground. Looking around the tiny room that's been my home for little less than a few days, I groaned. The room was a mess; drops of my blood covered nearly every surface after I stumbled in last night from my late night endeavours. My few belongings were spewed around and my clothes from yesterday had left a trail from the door to the bed. It looked like a war zone or like a mage set off an explosion spell.

Padding over to the wash basin, I dunked my head in to the cold water for a few moments until I had to fight to breath. Clenching my eyes shut, I ran my fingers through my blood clotted hair. Why did I live like this? It's not healthy but it was all I had, the only thing that made me feel useful.

Snatching the rough towel from the folded pile on the floor next to the basin, I soaked it in the water before carefully wiping away the visual memories of last night. I hissed in pain as I washed the cut on my cheek. I had been so careless, more so than I ever have been. I should never have protected those blood mages; if I had known what they were I would never have stepped in, only for them to attack me themselves.

As the last remnants of my latest mistakes removed themselves from my skin, I sombrely pulled on fresh garments. From the corner of my eye I noticed a piece of paper on the floor near the door, which I'm sure hadn't been there yesterday. Sighing, I walked over and snatched it harshly from the ground. Clearly the inn keeper, no longer appreciated my presence since he would be the only one bothered to contact me. I out stayed my welcome here in Starkhaven, time to move on. That was my life now, moving on from place to place, only leaving when it was a necessity or if the place were too peaceful. I was about to discard it when I noticed the fancy lettering, clearly not owned by a common inn keeper. My heart thudded rapidly as I tore open the seal, what nobleman would contact me?

Hawke,

I would not be writing if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Thedas' is in uproar and you are needed present at Denerim castle promptly. A friend of yours has given information to prove your innocence to what occurred in Kirkwall. I rarely believe the word of a dwarf which is why I insist you come speak for yourself and if you can convince me, it would be assuring to have your assistance in a matter I'm sure you'll be very interested in. Make haste, Hawke. I am eager to make acquaintance with the Champion of Kirkwall.

Cassandra Pentaghast, a Seeker of Thedas' religious Chantry.

I frowned at the letter in my hand, why did they want my help? Surely the Hero of Ferelden was more appropriate to end a war, considering she destroyed an archdemon and ended the fifth blight. But apparently they wanted me?

It didn't take me long to come to a decision, considering I was no longer welcome here in Starkhaven, I had nowhere to go, I couldn't go back to Kirkwall. Denerim was my best bet. I quickly packed the few belongings I had left and in haste left the room of cluttered chaos. Not wanting to attract unwanted attention from the inn keeper and the drunkard idiots who only found solace in drinking all day and all night, I snuck out through the back entrance. I met no resistance as I ran through the back alleys towards the docks, praying someone would take pity and either lend me a boat or set out early.

Reaching the docks was quicker than I thought it would be, barely anyone was awake at this hour. Only fisherman from what I could see. Oh god, how was I going to do this?

Cautiously, I approached a lone man, tying his ship to the dock. He looked young with his shaven jaw and muscled arms. His clothes were not unlike mine, worn and barely clean. He caught sight of me as I approached and turned to me with wide eyes. I noticed his Adams apple bob up and down as he cleared his throat. "Err…Can I help you?" His voice rang with fear. Maybe I could threaten him, he seemed easy prey to it.

"Are you leaving dock anytime soon?" I tried to sound intimidating but my words felt too girlish, was I losing my edge? Or did I need a new approach?

He frowned clearly not understanding my unspoken intentions. "Not for a few days, serrah."

Biting my lip in hopefully an attractive way, I fluttered my eyelashes and by the way he shifted uncomfortable and by the way his eyes rolled over me, I knew I had him. "Could I convince you to allow me abroad and give me safe passage to Denerim?"

His eyes widened further. "Um…I don't think…"

"I'll make it worth your while." I smiled sweetly.

He ran his hand across his forehead as his eyes darted around fearfully, like he expected for someone to catch him in the act. "I'm not allowed to dock in Denerim but I can take you to Gwaren, as long as you tell no one of this."

Linking my pinky fingers together I held them up in front of me and cocked my hip. "I promise."

Damn, that boy is a pushover. I was curious to what made him so frightened. Surely leaving dock with the boat would only bring him more fear for whoever made him on edge, however his problems weren't my own so I had no reason to care. Living in this world meant taking care of number one.

Four weeks on this damn vessel had me reeling in annoyance and irritation, that boy cried more times than I could count. I tried countless times to reassure him that he wasn't obligated to return that he could stay in Ferelden after he explained his family lived in Gwaren but he had none of it and looked at me like I was crazy.

Docking in Gwaren had me flying to the ground calling out to the maker in blessed thanks. Of course again the boy – who I had not bothered finding out what name he possessed – looked on in bewilderment as I kissed the Ferelden soil.

Leaving him to sail back to Starkhaven, I walked across the dock and recalled the last time I was here that same day Carver died.

Mother was rushing us through the crowds, worry creased into her face. I could tell she was still in shock from Carver's death, in truth so was I; Carver was the bravest of us all. Even though he was my younger sibling, I still admired his strength.

"Please hurry, if we're lucky we can board the next boat" Mother ushered us past a guard. Bethany was a foot in front, being pulled along by Aveline. Everything was a blur, loud voices filled my ears, I could barely hear my mother's small voice beside me.

I could still hear her fragile voice now, an ache in my chest, forced me to get back to reality. There was no point in remembering the past when I had a job to do. Walking through the crowd, I felt eyes on me, I stopped to look around. Bouncing heads rushed past in all directions but I was sure someone or something had picked me out of the crowd. Ducking my head, I flicked through the crowd to the nearest empty spot. Turning towards the crowd, I stood on my tiptoe's to look around, a few heads turned in my direction, but none of them stood out. Was I being paranoid? Or was someone playing games with me?

"Might I say that you look more breathtaking than last we met, une dulce." Wet lips tickled my ear as the voice whispered seductively. I recoiled at the foul stench radiating from him. Flipping round, I was met with the first familiar face I have seen in two years.

"Oh great, it's you. Why are you here?"

"Surprised to see me, no? I have been sent here by the royal bastard, I'm to escort you to Denerim." He raised an eyebrow; clearly he was beguiled by this too. Like I need escorting.

"You're the other type of escort, Zev." He was and he can't deny it.

"And now that milady, is... quite true but err... not today, it seems. I'm escorting you, non-sexually to the castle in Denerim." Who'd have thought non-sexually chivalry from Zevran Ariani himself? I and all of Thedas' did not expect that one. It was slightly humorous to see the confused look in his eye at his own statement.

"I suppose travelling with you would mean less work to do if we got attacked." I tapped my chin, mock-thoughtfully.

"Now there is the spirit, do I get my hug now?" He held his arms out wide to me, beckoning me and I almost vomited. He stunk badly. I eyed the assassin closely, he looked drained and less good looking since last I saw him. For an elf he looked thin.

I held up my hands in disgust. "Maybe when you wash up a bit." Probably not even then but I kept those thoughts to myself.

We travelled by horse to Denerim, we took the long round, I was fairly aware Lothering was only a few days ride away, but I said nothing to Zevran who took point. We didn't talk much for the last few days; we quietly set up our camps and ate our rationed food. We slept side by side under the trees that we tied our horses around to make sure they didn't leave us stranded. It was nice to have someone close still; I didn't need to say anything for him to know that I have been lonely. Yet he didn't pry, or even speak. I did catch him a few times whispering to the horses, I didn't question him.

Once we were in Denerim I felt awkward next to him, guards watched our every move, and I knew for sure arrows were trained on us and that they'd penetrate our bodies if we made a false move. It wasn't everyday an elven assassin and the ex-champion of Kirkwall walked through the streets of Denerim.

At the palace gates, I couldn't stop from chewing my bottom lip, the gate guards glared as we approached them; one of them looked me fully in the eyes as Zevran told them who we were. The guards were wary as Zevran was trying to explain and was failing miserably to convince them. Reaching into my bag, I pulled out the letter from Cassandra.

"Here." I shoved the letter into the guard's hands. I watched his eyes scan the letter; I noticed a frown crease into his forehead. However he looked at his companion and nodded. He didn't give me back the letter.

The gates opened to allow us in and honestly I never felt so eager and so frightened of walking into the unknown.