Right of Freedom

by redfox1778

As fate would have it, Hawke escapes Lothering with her family only to fall victim to enemies preying on her other than the Darkspawn. Never giving up, Hawke fights her way free with a strange new ally at her side as they make their journey to Kirkwall. Fem Hawke x Fenris Contains non-canon beginning that will eventually lead into the main story arcs.

2. Chapter 2 - Team

Next one up. This contains the little warning I gave about the stuff I pulled from the DA Comic with the involvement of a certain woman from it. It does not say who she is or much about her really, so you have been warned, but it shouldn't matter either way. After this no more references from the comic so unless you have not played DAO or DA2 there should be no fear of spoilers. If you haven't played them though, why are you reading this I wonder... Bioware owns all.

Ch. 2 Making a Team

Sunlight meets his vision as his eyes open, thoughts lingering to the night before. He sits up, looking over to wake his companion, only to find she is nowhere around. Disquiet overtakes him as he hurries up, looking around the area. Has she left? Was she taken again? Why does it even disturb me?

He snarls as he hears someone approaching, so he whips around to face the person. "Oh good you are awake!" She smiles widely at him, the mask she once wore now gone.

"Where have you been!?" he asks severely. She realizes her mistake and says, "I just went to cover our trail and lay down some traps incase someone decided to followed us. I didn't go too far; I heard you as soon as you woke up so don't think I just left you here unguarded. Also I found some berries along the way here!" She throws small pouch that he catches.

"I didn't mean to make you anxious and about last night… I will not bother you again."

"It is done and you are forgiven." His mood then lightens, "By the way, elves do tend to have heightened senses that humans do not possess. It would be ill advised for you to attempt to touch my ears when you believe me to be asleep again." He remembers barely feeling the presence of her hand draw near him before she hesitates and snaps it back away, returning to her sleep. Instead of finding himself being annoyed or angered like he normally would when someone tried to touch him, he found her curiosity… He couldn't put a word on it. She was being truthful when she said she knew little of elves.

Her face blushes deeply as she tries to stutter out something, but no words come to her lips, creating a smirk on his. No wonder she found this amusing. He doubted now that she would try it again.

She has already cleared the camp and soon they are both on their way, making excellent time to Seleny. Though his strides are larger than her own, she kept up with his pace, not complaining the slightest. They were even starting to get along better as the days pass. He didn't speak much, but merely listened as she spoke fondly of her time in Ferelden. He could not relate, but he tried to imagine himself as she told him about how she was the older sister, always protecting her little brother and sister. He would hope that if he ever had siblings in his life before the ritual, he would be just as fond and protective.

"That leads to how I got into all this mess. Bethany and I got separated from Carver and mother as a group darkspawn attacked us. While we managed to kill the darkspawn, others took it upon themselves to take advantage of our weakened state. Bethany was out of mana and we had no more lyrium potions left. I told her to run and find Carver, she heavily protested at that, so I did the only thing I could."

Fenris cringes at the word mana realizing her sister is a mage, but he questions, "What did you do?"

"I managed to create a wall of fire between her and the remaining slavers with what I had left in my arsenal, so now I was trapped with them and she knew she would only waste time if she tried to find a way around it. After that she shouted something not very nice to me and ran off to find Carver. She should know by now big sister always gets her way." Hawke's smile soon twists downward. "There were so many left and I had no where to go, but I didn't care. I was going to kill every single one of those bastards for putting my sister in danger, that's why I trapped myself in verses running off with her… To me they are worst than the darkspawn, at least they would kill you right on the spot, not drag you off and put you through all sort of afflictions they could create up and Maker knows they are very creative. More that once they had to get a mage to heal me to bring me back from the verge of death after punishing me. I figure the only reason I'm alive now after what I did to some of their men is because they thought breaking my spirit when I became someone's personal property would be worst than death itself for me."

"At least you remained strong enough to resist them and implant fear in their minds. I do not know of many who would come out of such an experience so undamaged by it,'' he states truthfully.

"Referring to yourself?"

"Referring to no one," he is left with a bitter taste in his mouth and she doesn't press it. "So here is the part of the story where that folly comes into play. I was so overwhelmed in the fight, that I lost my myself along with it. One poorly planted foot later and I was on the ground, cascading into unconsciousness."

"Your attacks are rushed, you need to balance your time between actually striking and anticipating it. Blind instinct will only get you so far. Also, keep your emotions at bay. Adrenaline fueled by anger will only cause your movements to become sloppy," he tried to inform her without offending her.

"I know, it's just difficult to control. That's why I never like to fight alone, I know my weaknesses in battle, but with others at my side I'm a lot stronger. They replace those flaws and I do the same for them. It makes it mean more to me and that more important knowing there is more than just my life on the line and I fight a lot harder for it. But you seem well rehearsed in it though, just before we fought is one of the view times you didn't wear a scowl." She joked through her admiration. "My brother is warrior like you, though not nearly as gifted. She laughs, "Sometimes he throws his sword around with the grace of swatting away insects." He gives an amused smile at that thought. She probably pestered the boy relentlessly.

A smile is returned to him as she notices his own, so to be kind he responds, "The first time you attacked in the stronghold, I did not notice you leave my side. You are not without your own gifts."

Her smile broadens at that, "A compliment from you? Someone alert the Chantry."

"I am known to praise deservedly so. Just don't let it go to your head." He is now more relaxed as he converses with her.

"Watch out!"

A strong shove pushes him aside as some blades shoot past him, hitting the area where he once stood. He looks to the ground, now noticing the trap he stepped on, before his attention turns to the shove's creator. Her eyes are wide as she stares at him, a look that he can't quite understand swimming within them. "Are you hurt!?" Was that concern he heard in her voice?

He checks himself not noting anything other than the dull feeling created from the fall as he stands, "No… You are bleeding."

"Huh?" She looks down, noticing a trail of blood flowing from a gash across her upper arm and she touches the wound bringing her hand up to her nose. She intakes the scent and he becomes uneasy at the reaction that sweeps her face.

"Shit! Run Fen…" Her eyes close as she slumps over off her knees and he quickly kneels down to her. "Hawke! Answer me!"

Her eye opens and a weak smirk forms on her face, "You're not a good listener…"

"Quiet, we need too…" His ears twitch at the rustle of leaves and spins back up, unsheathing his sword as he stands protectively over her. Run? She has to be joking. He glares down the men beginning to surround him, this was no joking matter. Though relieved to see they weren't slavers, they probably weren't much better either.. Bandits maybe? He then recognizes an insignia he has encountered before and realizes this is far worse than either.

"Hey elf this doesn't concern you, so put your toy away before you get yourself hurt," A large, thickly accented man moves out of the group flaunting his own sword. He was in no mood to argue with these assassins, not while Hawke was injured behind him.

"I thought trolls usually lived under bridges to collect from passerbys, but lucky for us they decided to grace us with their ugliness out in the open." He hears Hawke trying to stand from behind him as the debilitated words leave her and the man bellows out, "Ugly you say? That has to be her, a normal woman should be half way dead by now, but here she is poking fun at us."

"I'm going to do a lot more than that…,'' she tries to finish. His stormy eyes never leave the group as he hears her collapse once more into silence and he quakes in fury as they laugh.

He bares his teeth as he looks to the large man, "What poison have you infected her with!?" The large man only smirks as he answers, "My own special blend and I have the cure. Hand her over to us and you can leave with your life." He knew who they were, the Antivan Crows, but why would they be after Hawke? Regardless, this man would not be the one setting the ground rules, not after acting so cowardly by placing her life on the line like this.

His thoughts drift back to the man that is now eyeing Hawke's fallen form, "If you are worried for her, I can assure you she will be treated with the best of care as we let you go on your merry way." Fenris observes the dark lust… He would not allow it.

An eye cracks open, followed by another as Hawke slowly begins to stir. It's dark now and she can feel the warmth emitting from a nearby fire, the smell of something cooking in the air. The memory hits her and she looks to her arm seeing a scarlet colored cloth firmly wrapped around it with a knot tied to hold it in place. Her eyes the widen as another realization strikes her and she looks to her hands in disbelief, before a voice disrupts her panic.

"How are you feeling?"

She quickly whips her head over toward the elf sitting off to the side, before inclining her position up. "Wonderful, considering I shouldn't be alive right now. What happened? I counted seven before I blacked out," her shock now replaced with the worry of not knowing what the elf withstood on his own.

"There ended up being quite a few more than that," he stated simply. "They have been dealt with so you need not worry about us running into anymore 'bandits' along the way." His demeanor begins to shift, "As for your predicament… After some persuasion, the leader was more than eager to reveal the location of the antidote as well as assure me it would work and there are no others within the area."

Noticing he seems to be in one piece, her worry is replaced with curiosity, "What kind of persuasion?"

His lips curve up on one side, "Trust me, you do not wish to hear that answer. Just know he welcomed death." A menacing gleam shines in his eyes. She suddenly felt bad for that leader and relieved the elf is on her side.

"Sorry, I should have noticed the trap, that way you wouldn't of faced them alone," shame defining her words. She was enjoying her conversation with him so much, she stopped paying attention to her surroundings. For some reason around him she felt safe and laxed her guard, but she also felt the need to prove herself to him. It didn't help that whoever created the trap was damn well good at it. Those were not your typical, everyday bandits.

"You have no reason to apologize, I triggered it remember?" He speaks gently, but with an underlining sternness.

"I told you to run," his eyebrows furrow as that escapes her. He is not pleased. "What do you take me for? A man who flees, leaving a girl who is in no position to defend herself behind with a group of thugs? I am no such coward. Would you have ran if I was in your place instead?"

"No, of course not."

"Then do not ask of others that which you would not perform yourself Hawke." She perks up a bit liking the sound of her name roll off his tongue, then focuses back to the issue at hand. "But still…"

"Enough, we live to see another day." He is right and she had him to thank for that. "I… Thanks."

"I owe you gratitude as well." He must be thankful she had pushed him out of the way in time. Otherwise the tables would probably be turned and either she would have been the one to face them alone or both of them would have been cut, leaving the bandits to do whatever they pleased with them before they left them there to perish from the poison's effects. She gives him a sincere smile as she stands to sit down by him, "What are you making?"

"Just a stew. I found their camp near the ambush and gathered up what supplies I could." She then hears clinking as he holds up a heavy pouch, "That is..after I finished looting the bodies".

Her face brightens, "You really know how to make a girl smile." He turns his head away, but she notices his ears redden. "It appears to be ready," he distracts.

"Hey Fenris?" He stops his movements to acknowledge her and she continues, "Did…something weird happen while I was out?"

His eyes widen a bit to her, before he turns away again, "Nothing more than you already know or need to."

She looks down at her lap and mutters, "Oh… It's just you said they had the antidote with them and yet I have a sweet after taste. The antidote I know for this kind of poison is bitter. I worked with a man named Barlin in Lothering who taught me much about various poisons."

She notices something off in his voice, "Strange, but it seemed to work. I wouldn't pursue it further, but if you feel anything different about you then please let me know." Any half-wit could tell he is hiding something, but she decides to let it be. She didn't what to explain the difference she feels within herself. "No, I think I am going to be just fine, thank you."

They finish their meal as they sit in silence, Fenris sharpening his sword from the wear of the earlier battle and Hawke messing with the bandage on her arm. It didn't hurt, but she wanted to get a look at it.

"We should arrive at Seleny tomorrow so you can have it properly treated there. Leave it be for now," Fenris catches her in the act. She diverts her gaze to him, "I just wanted to know how bad it was." Fenris smiles, causing her heart to speed at the sight of it, "I believe you will survive." He turns his attention back to his work as she is left awestruck. Makers breath he has a killer smile. "It's captivating...," she blushes as she realizes that thought was spoken aloud. Though she is known for her bouts of flirting, speaking so unguarded and straightforward without control over it makes her nervous and embarrassed.

"Excuse me?" The confused elf looks up. Panic sets in as she quickly directs the compliment elsewhere, to prevent upsetting him again, "Your sword I mean."

"Captivating? Odd way to describe a sword," amusement streams from his voice as he holds it up for her to have a better look. "The blacksmith that forged this sword called it Lethendralis. I have wielded it for quite some time now, so it's safe to say it has served me well."

"May I?"

He nods and hands it over to her and immediately her arms start to buckle a little under the weight. She laughs, "I better stick to my daggers," her hand sliding down the textured details before returning it back to him after an examination of it. He flashes another small smile forcing her to turn back to the sword to hide her reaction. "Did you receive it during your time with your former master?" He shifts his position, "I did." She isn't sure if it's too touchy of a topic to discuss with him, but her curiosity takes hold, "So Danarius is a blood mage?"

"Yes like all other mages I have run across in Tevinter."

"What was life like in Tevinter?"

He answers with a resentful laugh, "If you had made it to Tevinter you would learn that there is no life. Any sign of it is immediately crushed. It wouldn't matter who or what you were before you arrived, everything would be stripped from you. You no longer would even be considered a person, but an object of someone else's. At best a pet. Your thoughts, your memories, and your feelings would all belong to and be controlled by another if it already wasn't completely destroyed."

"There are no chains they can bind your mind with, those things will always be your own," Hawke tries to reason.

"That is where you are wrong. You have not seen what these magisters are capable of and you should be appreciative for that. It is only a matter of time before they find some weakness to exploit in order to break you and then they are able to reach in a bend your mind to their very will," his voice seething with venom.

"But you took your life back, you are free."

He lifts his arms as the lyrium activates, "I took no such thing, it was destroyed the day I received these markings." Her hand rests on his gauntlet and she smiles warmly to him, "Then you will just have create a new one. That's the beauty of freedom, you have the option to now." It seems like time slows as he stares into her eyes lost in thought, before a faint smile forms, though he moves his hand away from her, "You are either unusually wise or foolishly optimistic." Hawke grins, "I'd say both."

"Perhaps someday I can, but for now it's not possible, not with him lurking at my back. The day I kill him is when I will truly be free." He looks back down at his markings as the faint glow subsides.

"Do they hurt?" Her gaze following his own. "Not so much anymore… They had said I was the first and only one ever since to survive Danarius's experiment. I can't bring myself to say I was fortunate." He says this full of spite as Hawke's temper begins to rise. What kind of monster is this Danarius? It's bad enough I thought he had performed this only on Fenris, but now maker knows how many others had suffered such a horrible fate for this man's project. "You have been given the chance to make him pay for all he has done, so that he cannot not continue to do these things to others. For that you should consider yourself fortunate." Another one of his small beautiful smiles greets her as she finishes.

She was happy to see him opening up a bit more to her, it would be sad to say goodbye to him tomorrow. Maybe there is someway she can convince him to let her tag along a bit longer. She didn't like the idea of searching for her family alone nor letting him run off without anymore guidance on how to let go of his past and face his future. Otherwise she feared he would remain frozen in time, never moving forward.

"After Seleny where will you go?" she asks hesitantly.

"A slaver informed me that Danarius plans to leave Minrathous and head south in the coming months. I intend to take ship toward Kirkwall and await for him there, I know where to find him."

Hawke questions his plan, "Why not head back to Tevinter to kill him? He wouldn't be expecting that."

"In that fortified position it would be rash for me to return. There he is held in high regard and protected, someone would spot me out and he would know I was coming for him. If I wait for him in Kirkwall, he will be out in the open and I'll have a better chance of killing him before he's any the wiser. However if he does not come to me, then I will have no choice but to go to him."

"I don't understand, is he really so powerful? Why had you never killed him before? You were his bodyguard or something close to that weren't you? Otherwise I don't think you would be so experienced with a sword and given that distinctive talent if you were a dish washer or something," She pummels him with questions. "Yes I was his bodyguard, but you don't know what it's like to be a slave. As I stated before, my mind was not my own then. For a time I held respect for him regardless of what he forced me through, I admired his power and his authority within the Senate. I did not know any better."

"Then what changed?" She couldn't begin to understand what he's going on about. "That's… something I rather not discuss now." He turns away to hide the sadness in his eyes, but not before she saw it.

"Let me go with you."

These were the words he was afraid of hearing. Why would she even want to go with him when she still had a family somewhere? This was not her complication to deal with and he would make sure she had no part in it. "No," he answers lowly. He's about to find out just how stubborn Hawke is.

"And why not? Like it or not you're going to need help. Even if you won't admit it, you have to see that is far too risky to try and carry out on your own." The defiance is building in her voice.

"My problems are not yours. You already have your own to worry about." His patience is now growing thin. "Your problems became mine the moment we became friends Fenris." His eyes widen at her accusation. "We are not friends!"

"Didn't you tell me before that you would remain at my side? That sounds like something a friend would say to me." She grins at him, but he finds no amusement. "That was not the meaning of it and your concern is misplaced. You have a family and your attention should be focused on them. Do not make them worry any longer than they already have."

"As a matter of fact that too is my focus. Now that I think of it, I have an uncle in Kirkwall, so that's as good a place as any to start. Mother sent a letter off to him addressed there not long before we fled. So think of it as killing two slavers with one grouchy elf," She smiles confidently, knowing she pinned him. He on the other hand has his jaw clamped tightly shut as his fist begin to clinch. Her metaphor alone was enough to make him want to ram his head into a tree several times, but on top of that he now knows whether he wants her there with him or not, she too would be heading for Kirkwall. He remembers this is why he shouldn't open his mouth. "So do you agree?" The air around begins to grow heavy as the answer rests on the tip of his tongue, "It seems I don't have a choice in the matter now do I." This girl is beyond infuriating.

Instead of rubbing salt in the wound though, she smiles genuinely to him, "I'm not twisting your arm behind your back. You have a choice Fenris, but I too have my own and I've made up my mind. I want to help you, so I'm asking if you will let me and help me in return." Her eyes are now pleading to him.

She made a valid point, he was going to need help, but he had planned on hiring people not gaining an ally. He took the time to size up her strengths and weakness before answering. It was a matter of time before he was ambushed by hunters again and she would need to be able to handle that for it to work. He retraces her movements of the battle and begins to describe her. A fast, deadly force with her daggers and she wielded them like they were an extension of herself, though her technique and approach were a little ruff around the edges. Some fine tuning with my guidance would easily rectify that. She is very perceptive, knows how to cover her trail, move unnoticed, and employ traps. On top of that I can trust her to watch my back. The word trust caught his attention. This could work out…

"It will not be easy. I am being hunted down relentlessly, so you must be prepared and ready to respond at any given time. Earlier was an evident sign that we will both need to work on that," he is hesitant with his words, but is now willing to agree.

"Then it's settled, we're going to Kirkwall together!" She seems overly happy about it, but he expresses the exact opposite. "Cheer up, I think we are going to make a great team," she beams to him.

"I just hope that we both don't regret this later," he still finds no joy in the matter.

"We won't."

Sleep finds its way back to Hawke, no doubt the day they sustained still wearing on her, as he lies there restless once again. He replays the solo fight and recalls his old instincts as a slave fiercely protecting his master surfacing. He never left her side as he shielded her away from them. It almost scared him that as he sheathed his sword back and walked toward the leader trying to crawl away from him, he felt pleased with himself that he had successfully defeated them and she had not been further harmed. The part that bothered him being he was never pleased or anything remotely close to it when he protected Danarius, so why is he feeling this now? As he grabbed the frightened leader by the back of his armor, he knew he would do all within his power to finish his task with most pleasure. The man's begging still echoes in his mind as he released his hold on the mans heart, only to grab it again until the pathetic being finally gave into the torture and told him everything he wanted to know.

This is why he couldn't bring himself to tell her about Seheron, what changed him. She would know the monster he truly is deep down. It was encouraging for once to enjoy the company of someone who appreciated his own. The thought of ruining it was too much nor was he ready to reveal himself to anyone like that. Still, maybe it was better that he did, she might then decide she had made a mistake and he would no longer have to worry about her falling to the misery of the freedom he fights for. For now, he concluded, she had asked for his help and he will gladly render it with her own offer as a deal binder. His eyes drift upon on her before he closes them. The memory of what really occurred earlier impacting with great force once again. He couldn't tell her what actually transpired, even he had to admit there was no argue with the witch on this, she was right and it was enough the witch had saved her.

He gently lifts her head to place the flask against her naturally rouge lips as he slowly begins to pour the green liquid into her mouth. With the proper dosage administrated, he scoops her up with such caution so she could rest somewhere off the path and more comfortable. He almost laughs at himself, he is acting like she was a fragile piece of porcelain and one wronged movement would break her. When did he ever approach anything with such apprehension, but her limp body cradled in his arms for some reason brought out a nurturing nature he never knew he even possessed. After placing her down in a setting of his approval, he discards a gauntlet to reach over and check her pulse. Hesitation forces his fingers to stop just before the naked touch of his unarmored hand against her delicate looking skin still sullied by the bruising of her former chains. He has to mentally prepare himself for the contact and what horrible memories it may unearth. Carefully, he places his fingers against the inside of her wrist as they twitch at the mere friction, his lyrium beginning to throb beneath his skin as if something distant is beckoning it and a strange aura fills the surroundings. The pain intensifies and he bares it long enough to feel her pulse weakening. For some reason then, the pain is completely forgotten as he keeps his hand there moments longer and a rush of dread sets in as he contemplates what to do. Footsteps becoming closer draws him away from her and he finds his sword back in his grasp as he stares down the approaching person.

"Do you believe torture would be enough to convince an Antivan Crow to tell the truth even as extraordinary of a manner you chose?" A mysterious woman stares back at him with golden eyes that almost seem to shine through the dark shroud of the swamps. Her midnight hair seems like horns that extend from the back and her attire his completely new to what he is accustomed to seeing, the odd skull resting on her forehead a clear indicator of that.

She is nothing like anything he has encountered, but he starts to piece together what she is, "Get back witch!"

"If you are worried I will hurt you then that would be meaningless. I have been following you both for quite some time; observing, pondering the possibilities as to why of all places you would come here, and deciding what role you will play. Could it be that she will become one to take the center stage in this?" Her eyes fixate on him in a way that causes his grip to tighten, "If so, you will have to resolve whether to follow her to that point."

"What are you going on about!? Who are you!?"

She ignores his questions and states an obvious fact to him, "The girl only has a few breaths of life left in her." She starts to circle around him and continues, "They believed that would suffice to subdue me? Such a feeble attempt. I can rid her of that fate, but I will require a small courtesy from you."

"I will not deal with you witch! If you can help her, then do it! Otherwise I'm just going to kill you!" The witch stops and her face remains unmoved, "I only ask that you do not divulge any mention of me or this location to her nor anyone else. That is placing too much at stake."

Fenris remains silent and regards the dying woman behind him as he speaks his next words, "If you are lying, then you will suffer your own fate from me that is far worse than what the Crows had planned for you."

She takes no note of his threat, "Then you agree to my terms?"

"Only because I will not have her death on my conscience, when there is a chance you can save her." He mentions hesitantly.

She steps forward and holds her staff up, the magic emitting from it and encircling the air as heads toward Hawke. As the incantation engulfs her form, a glow pulses over her until it fades and the witch places her staff back down, "It is done, though her other ailment remains."

His sword does not leave his hand as the other reaches for her wrist once more, her pulse now beginning to stabilize under the warmth and softness of her flesh and her once paled complexion is now returning to its normal hue. Satisfied she is okay for the moment, he turns back to the witch who is now standing over them. He snaps to his feet and snarls at the swamp witch, "I agreed not to mention this now leave us!"

Her eyes explore him before she states, "You will face harder trials ahead than you have already conquered. Don't let your hardened beliefs blind you from the choices you will need to make. Your grasp of freedom is closer to you than you realize." She turns away and steps off as he raises his voice more in annoyance than anger, "I do not need cryptic advice from a nameless swamp witch! Do not cross our path again!"

She stops her advancement momentarily, "I cannot guarantee that. I will be watching… I suggest you pay close attention as well as the unavoidable future unravels. You will have to walk into it whether you are ready to or not, so I warn you not take pause to it as you performed earlier." Her movements now become more distant as she finishes, "For now, leave as quickly as possible, nothing pleasant awaits for you in here." Her body blends into the forestry of the swamps and knowing Hawke is alright for now, he heads toward the location of the Crows camp to gather supplies.

There was still many unanswered question left, but he wasn't about to go searching for them. The only one that bothered him however is recalling the witch's statement about Hawke's 'other ailment'. She seemed fine after he checked her, perhaps it is not so much an illness needing a cure, but something of a deeper meaning or none at all and he should not investigate. Her cut was not healed and her bruises remained for what he assumed would raise suspicions from Hawke, that was probably the reference. The cut was minor and should raise no concern, but he still felt obligated to tend to it for her; was it plausible the sense was brought about for the fact she received it protecting him or if secretly he wanted an excuse to experience that contact again. His fingers twitch again at the thought of the touch. It had triggered an oppressed memory to flash through his mind for a moment, but it was washed away by the oddity of the sensation. It would take him a long time to heal, if he ever fully could.

Danarius had allowed him to return to his shallow cell for the evening and his body yearned for rest and quickly succumbed to it. It was short lived however as the sound of the door is heard slowly creaking open and he is snapped from his sleep, though he does not dare open his eyes. "Not this again," his thoughts shout.

"Oh Fenris…" A malicious voice purrs his name and he refuses to respond. "I know you are awake…"

The sensation of his burning brands causes him to twitch uncomfortably and she gives off a sinister laugh, "Deny me all you want, you are already mine regardless. When I kill Danarius, you will be under only my fingertips."

He cringes and his eyes open to glare up at the witch when her talons dig into him. He bites back the pain as they rake viciously down his torso and the strong impulse to end her life. He could not kill her however, she is Hadriana, his master's apprentice. Even though she is not allowed to be in here, he would be the one that faced the repercussions for harming his precious pupil. She straddles him now as her robes slip up her thighs and she makes his hand to run up them. "You should feel honored such a powerful and beautiful woman such as myself desires something like you Fenris." He can hear the possessiveness in her voice every time she utters his name and he has to fight back the flames of rage each time. "You are nothing but a marred up slave. When Danarius dies, no one will want you, you realize that. I will though…"

She grinds up against him and the disgust surfaces in his eyes. She then roughly grabs his chin, "You will have affection for me Fenris even if I have to force it into you. Now kiss me."

"No," he is instinctively defiant. He is not her slave and Danarius was not here. Giving into this venomous serpent was no option, he would much rather face her tortures than to obey her command. The taint of her magic begins to envelop him and once again no rest would come to him.

Rattled, Fenris wakes up from his nightmare his markings lighting the night air as his eyes drift across the camp only to see Hawke. The light dies as he is left awake in the darkness, even now that bitch still haunted his sleep. His hand combs back his hair as an audible breath disturbs the silence. Have affection for her? Try as hard as she might, my burning hatred for that harpy only continues to grow. I was such a coward then, I should have just killed her… I won't make that mistake again.

Hawke shifts in her sleep and he turns away. She is nothing like that frigid whore as I have seen thus far. Her value of family is to the point where she worried about them during her incarceration more than her own wellbeing. She has shown me kindness and tried to understand me, though we still have our clear disagreements. I sensed no judging or condemning from her part for my being an escaped slave, elf, or someone who should be feared as a living weapon. I myself don't know if I can hold back from turning on her… Hopefully she realizes by now she should remain spaced from me, though her torment prevented that before when she needed someone there for her and I was the only one around. I should have just pushed her away. His fists clinch as he regrets his actions, but it is far to late. It is easier to except that they would be working together. The sooner he helped her find her family, the sooner he could disappear and face the demons that lurk in his nightmares and reality.

"This must be it!" Hawke proclaims as a town comes into view. They had departed camp at sunrise to arrive before the sun rose to the center of the sky. It was a small but pretty port along the massive channel that made travel out into the open sea quite easy as merchants lined up the streets selling their wares to the herds of people filling them. He sensed no danger from within however, the smell would take so getting used to.

Hawke eagerly approached the masses, probably over joyed to have the chance of socializing with people not trying to kill or capture her. She was ready to embrace the world again and a small tug came to his lips at this. "Where should we go first?" She looks to him for an answer.

"How much coin did you count?" Before he can decide, he needs to know what exactly they have to work with. "Seventy-four bits, twenty-nine silvers, and six sovereigns. Those bandits you looted seemed to be pretty decent at picking on travelers."

"Yes the bandits… Not decent enough."

"Yeah, definitely," Hawke laughs in agreement, knowing he was referring to the fact he single-handedly killed them, not the amount of coin.

"Perhaps we look should search for a ship to depart with, the earlier the better," he suggests.

"Can we pick up some clothes too? I mean mine aren't in the best shape." She looks at the tears in her pants and wear of her armor she had worn since she fled the darkspawn. "I must look ridiculous. I don't want to scare people off before we can ask."

"You look…um…" Her clothes condition did nothing to belittle her appearance, but he quickly changed the thought, "I suppose we have enough coin for that. I intended on working for the ship we board, not paying anyhow and your armor is a bit insufficient if we encounter anymore conflicts."

She smiles as she leads him to the merchant stalls, "What about this?" She holds up a pair of black leather pants.

He turns away, "I am not a good source of advice on these matters." She huffs and turns her attention back to the merchant, "I'll give you five bits for these."

"You most be joking! That is high quality leather imported from Antiva City!" The merchant gawks back.

"Imported?!" Antiva City is just a stone's throw away from here and we are in Antiva. Fine how about ten bits." The merchant's disbelief grows, not any more pleased with her next offer and Fenris sighs, this is going to take all day.

Fenris manages to wait patiently as she continues to piece together her new attire and she ends up being quite successful at getting them for the lowest price possible. She even buys him a dark, green trimmed jerkin and pants to wear under his armor similar to ones he already owned, though she didn't let him have his say in the matter. "This should do it, unless you really want a pair of boots?" Fenris rejects the offer, "No, I am just fine without them."

"Fine, but don't blame me when you catch a cold." Fenris rolls his eyes again, she really knew nothing of elves.

"You seem to enjoy saving as much coin as possible," he states as they continue on.

"Of course, I didn't come from a wealthy background; well that isn't entirely accurate. With my family harboring apostates, coin was always tight, so I picked up this trade to say. Mother and father were always so happy together despite the hardships and they did their best for us, so I wouldn't even consider to hold it against them for running off together after he escaped the Circle. I think it brought us all closer together… before the blight broke us apart…" As she finishes, Fenris turns away, remaining silent.

Apostates? Then not only her sister, but her father is or…. was a mage? He questions if she realizes how dangerous mages really are, "Didn't your family ever consider maybe it would be a good idea for them to go to the circle?" She gives him a hard look and she says, "No, that was never an option. My father was a circle mage at one time and there was no way I would ever let them have Bethany." Her voice is threaded with anger and he continues, "You must realize the danger they posed to the rest of your family. What if they turned to demons?"

"They would never!" She shouts to him, but calms herself. "Not all mages are evil Fenris. My sister is completely disgusted by the whole idea. She is gentle and loving and our father warned us all about demons since birth. I know how Templars are and they can be just as bad as a blood mage. I would let one touch her as much as I would allow her to succumb to blood magic." She seethes out the last part.

"You don't honestly believe that do you? You are naive if you think any mage is above such influence, you have not seen…" She then cuts him off, "This is not what you have seen in Tevinter Fenris and I will not stand by and let you criticize my family as being anything comparable!"

With them both now angry, he finds himself closing the gap between them to argue back, "If more people begin to think like you Hawke then that is what it will become!"

"You know maybe this isn't such a good idea! If you are going to be like this then I do not want you near my family! Last thing I need is for you to go running to the Templars to point us out or run your hand through us for associating with mages!" She leans forward with gritted teeth as her hair begins to blend with his. With his intense stare locked on her's he hisses, "And now you compare me to a rat and a blood thirsty killer! Yes this was a horrible mistake! Glad your foolish self now realizes that!"

"Oh because you are so high and mighty to be able to label me as such!? At least I am willing to get to know people before deciding to condemn them like a cynical ass! Here's a tip for you, you are not always right, far from it in fact!"

"Which is why you will find yourself in an early grave! You are a risk to yourself and to others, that is why I am parting ways with you! Last thing I need is to get myself killed for allowing a asinine girl to tag along!"

"Fuck you….!" She pulls out her daggers as Fenris takes out his sword, but instead of using it on one another, they turn to the mass now encircling them. "There you are slave! Surrender yourself now!"

"We'll continue this later," is all Hawke says as her daggers pierce the closest man. The street is deserted as the people hide away from the violence plaguing it and not long after they finish off the last man, they go into hiding as the guardsmen show up. She and Fenris disappear into the shadows and slip away back out of town to wash the blood off in a nearby water source. Silence is the only thing shared between them until finally he is the one to speak up first, "If you wish to flee, now is the time. Otherwise we may run into more and they will eventually recognize and target you as well for assisting me."

"I don't want to…"

"Even after… Why do you choose this? You see what we face and you led me to believe you regretted your decision." He places down the gauntlet he was washing to face her and she focuses on her task. "We had a disagreement, it happens. Doesn't mean I'm just going to give up and walk away."

"Despite all that, is this really what you want Hawke?" She stops and looks over at him, "I do. Just don't insult my family again or I might be forced to punch you next time." She smirks the last bit and he calms a bit now that everything has settled a bit between them, "Duly noted, but I just wanted to make sure you understood the risks involved. You seem the type to trust others with your life too quickly, as you have with me or am I mistaken?"

"You have given me no reason not to so my trust has been offered to you, but if you lead me to think otherwise, don't think I will stay my blade Fenris. I won't let you or anyone else keep me from or hurt my family, even if we are friends." Her eyes narrow at him and for the first time, he feels a bit of respect for her. Finally she is beginning to show true self as someone who isn't a victim that clings to the nearest source of strength, but instead a fighter. That is what she needs to be if she is to achieve her goal. He never questioned her ability, only if she would be able to regain that sense of survival that had been drained away and weakened from her in captivity. He then becomes annoyed again at the word she referred to him as being and protests, "I am still not your friend."

"So you have said, doesn't make it true though." Changing the subject as if it seems something is bothering her, she asks, "So when we run into my family, you are not going to run to the nearest Templar?" Her eyebrow raises and he merely says, "Why would I do that when I can kill a mage just as easily?"

She glares down at him with a predatory look in her eye and he says, "If they pose no threat then I have no reason to attack do I? Even you must agree if your family did wish to case me harm when I have done nothing to provoke it then defending myself is reasonable. I do not 'kill' without cause nor do I seek it out aimlessly unless as a preemptive strike as you witnessed during our meeting." Her threatening gazes lightens a bit and she replies, "If you fear that as an option then don't, it would never happen. If it were the case however, then I would be your shield."

He looks to her perplexed and asks, "You would turn against your family? But you just said…" She shakes her head and says, "I would protect you, but I wouldn't fight them back nor allow you to harm them in return. Though I have been known to knock some sense into my brother."

"I do not understand you or your logic Hawke. First you threaten me if I was to hurt your family, then you say you would protect me from them? You have left me at a loss." She laughs, "Most people don't, but I have my own way of doing things so expect more disagreements in the future." She slides her chest piece back on and continues, "You ready to head back into town? Maybe we should find a place to stay for the night. I doubt any ships will leave today, it looks like a storm in the distance. Those clouds resemble the ones that hover over you all the time." Fenris scowls at her grin, before he turns his attention to the water, the dark clouds rolling up from the distance, "Alright let us get a meal in also and then head back out to talk to the captains." Her smile lets him know she agrees as they return to town.

"So inn or tavern?" Hawke inquires.

Fenris considers the question. While a inn would be a lot nicer, it also would cost more coin and not have a supply of a certain type of liquid that he desired for awhile now, "Tavern." Hawkes gives him a cheeky smile, "Oh someone likes their cheap alcohol and traditional bar wrench does he?" He throws away her comment, "It is less expensive, but also more likely to contain sailors and captains we can question."

"Good point there."

They comb the street searching for the nearest tavern, only for a small sign to catch her eye, "The Busty Broad? That sounds like a tavern to me!" Fenris shares her amusement, "That or a brothel." He shakes his head as she opens the door, only to turn back to him. "Stay here I have an idea."

"Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not, but don't worry." The door closes behind her and he obeys her request. Here he thought she would be following him around, but instead she seems to be very fond of taking charge. He then notices a stall and after he scans it, eyes something he almost forgot about. He pulls out the coin he hid on himself just incase and heads over to it.

Inside the bar is quiet, no doubt for the fact that it is still early, but the few pairs of eyes follow her as she sways toward the bar counter and her target. The young man smiles to her, studying her form before he asks, "May I help you miss?"

"Oh yes, I believe you can." She knew there was nothing special about her appearance, but like any woman, she had a pair of breast and an ass, so that is all that mattered. She was going to get a free room with the help of some innocent flirting and a small lie. That's why she had to ask Fenris to wait outside, it wouldn't work with him there. She swallows a nervous lump in her throat, what if he leaves…

"And how is that?" He gets a familiar gleam in his eyes. Oh yes that free room is ours. "You see I was hoping to get a room for tonight… Tears build in her eyes and she turns away from him. "I'm sorry.." She hears the concern in his voice, "Are you alright miss did I do something to upset you?" Damn I'm such a bitch. She turns back to him as the tears glimmer in her eyes, "No of course not, it's just my lover kicked me out and I have nothing but these few belongings thrown out. I have traveled such a long way…." She turns again to walk away, "I don't know why I'm here. This isn't your mess, I will go."

"No wait!" Hawke doesn't have a chance to take a step. "Here this is on the house. It is all the way down the hall to the right. Get a good night's rest." She felt dirty, but this was necessary. She didn't know what amount of coin they would need to bribe a captain with if it came down to it, "Are you sure about this?" He nods and says, "Anything for a pretty lady, who is far too under appreciated. If I had a girl like you, I'd never let you go." She smiles, this guys was too nice for her to be playing, unlike the lecherous men she remembered working at the Dane's Refuge in Lothering. "Thank you so much, I'm a stranger to such kindness."

"My shift ends soon, do you want to join me later?" He gives her a flirty smile.

"I'm sorry, but I have much to do, I can't stay here for long, I have to find a ship to take me back to my parents now." He frowns at her response, "Then will I see you tomorrow when I work?"

"Oh I should still be here." She takes the keys and waves as she heads back outside to find her companion.

"Fenris I…" She scans the area once outside, but sees no elf. Her heart wrenches as she moves further away from the tavern, he did leave….

"Hawke?" She lets out the breathe she was holding to face the elf walking up behind her, "Maker's breath Fenris I thought you had left!" She sighs, holding up the keys and says, "I got us a room."

"How much was it?"

"What if I told you it was free?"

"I would ask you how that happened."

She smiles but says, "When you're as charming as me, people tend to shower you with gifts for no reason." He doesn't look convinced.

"Well we should eat somewhere else and ask around before heading back there, just to be on the safe side." He huffs in annoyance, before saying, "Stand still." He reaches for her arm, but she backs away, "What did I say about keeping your hands to yourself?" Her eyebrow raises to the affronted elf, "You should learn to heed you own words. I have something for you." He holds his hand out and she smiles at what's in it.

"A healing poultice? See what I mean about showering with gifts?" Hawke teases as his clear annoyance remains, "I don't want it to become a problem later on."

"That's courteous of you Fenris, but I can do it myself. You've done enough for me." She takes it from him, untying the red cloth, before rubbing the substance on her wound and watching it begin to mend right before her eyes. The cloth that she once thought was red from her blood, instead was dyed the deep color. It was the reason why she previously wanted to check her wound, thinking she bled out a lot. The cut was in fact insignificant and she probably didn't even need it bandaged in the first place. She smiles at the endearing gesture that he preformed unnecessarily, before tying it around her right wrist, causing him to gaze upon her with a puzzled look.

"What? One of us might need it later."

"No you might need it later."

"Very funny." They leave the area to find food and the docks as the dark clouds become more visible on the horizon.

A few hours pass and Hawke has become visibly frustrated, "Why does no one have room!? Can't they plan for these kind of things?"

She feels the droplets of water starting to fall and Fenris tells her, "We will just have to keep trying again tomorrow. It's becoming dark and I doubt anyone will want to remain out in this."

"I know…" They turn around and head back to the tavern, Hawke making sure the friend she made is gone first before they both enter.

"We're not going to have an extra body joining us tonight are we?" Fenris questions her with slightest bit of tease slipping him.

"Now Fenris, when did I give you the impression I was that sort of girl. I'm not sleeping with one man, much less two. Are all elves as perverted as you are?"

His face reddens, "No that was… I worded that horribly wrong didn't I?

"You did. Don't worry, your teasing will get better over time," she laughs. That doesn't seem to give him any comfort though. "No I promise I didn't make any bribes of the flesh to get a free room. I do have respect for myself in that aspect mind you."

"That's.. good." They both eye the tavern and she notices it is far more packed compared to earlier.

"I'm going to bathe. Why not wait down here and enjoy yourself?" She looks to him as he thinks it over.

"It's still a bit early for that."

"Whatever you say mister proper etiquette. Are you going to decide to run off and become a Chantry brother while you're at it?" He grunts at her in response as they head upstairs to the room Hawke leads and stops in front of. With a click it opens to reveal a ordinary room with a small bed as another room leads to the bath.

He steps in past her, checking out the window and looking down at the streets below, causing Hawke to throw him a look, "What are you doing might I ask?"

"Escape route lest we are attacked." She smirks, "Paranoid much? We just killed off those slavers, is Danarius that efficient?"

"That was the main body for now, but there are other smaller groups of hunters who maybe lurking in this city now awaiting my arrival. I wouldn't place my reasoning past that, it has occurred before and we have already faced one group here. Regardless, you should be more cautious Hawke. It may prevent you from being seized once again," he doesn't look at her as he sizes up the room, but he clearly hears her make a sound of disapproval.

"You're not going to drop that are you?"

"Only because I do not wish for it to happen again. If you are going to travel at my side, then I shall not allow you to fall back into their grasp, even if that means being hard on you for your faults," he notices her face turn red before her eyes fall elsewhere.

"I will take the floor," He notices her eyeing the bed.

"No thanks, I haven't slept in a bed for a long time now, so I am more than fine taking the floor."

"All the more reason for you not to."

"Fine we'll come up with a game for the bar later and whoever loses takes the bed," Hawke begins to think of a game as she heads toward the bath.

"I've never played a game where the loser gets the supposed better end of the deal..." He trails of as she shuts the door.

Hawke is left in total bliss as she draws her bath and relaxes in the water just for a bit so she doesn't keep Fenris waiting too long. After throughly cleaning herself, she dries off, changing into her new cloths. She places on her fresh smalls first, before pulling a fitted long sleeve tunic over them, the material stopping in-between her hips. She loved the rich blue color and the black embroidery etched into it. Next she tugs the leather shorts up that mold to her curves like an extra layer of skin, tying the lances to keep them held up. The boots are black and she tightens them against her calf as they stop at her knee, where a guard rests over to protect them. She finishes with her fingerless leather gloves that reach her elbow and raises a chest piece over head and onto her shoulders, using a belt to tighten and hold it in place across her waist. It isn't too heavy, but enough chain mail and thick leather for decent protection. It is fringed in certain areas with white fur and leather is used to piece it together on her shoulders attached to the dark chain mail. She finds it interesting that it only had one shoulder pad over her left arm and not on her right. Being right arm dominate when it came to using a blade, this will be a good way to help her build up strength and shield her left arm. It made no sense to her at first, but not she can't but think it was a rather clever idea.

She braids her hair, securing it with a tight band and discards her old clothes off to the side before she cleans and refills the bath water for him from the basin. With her task completed, she opens the door, seeing the shine of discarded armor sitting against the wall to her right, then noticing the elf before her.

"So you can take off your armor. I was beginning to believe it was forged to your body from the anguished screams of your tormented soul," He scowls at her, unamused as normal, before it turns into something strange.

"So how does it look?" She breaks the uncomfortable air. He distances his gaze and hesitates, "It looks…supportive?"

She smirks and mocks one of his former statements, "Odd way to compliment a girl." He moves away from her, hiding his face with a snowy cover of hair as he reaches down for his armor. She takes this moment to get a better look at his arms now the armor wasn't obstructing the view. The pattern of the tattoos is now in full sight and she can see the taut muscles flex as he picks up the armor. She smiles with approval, her traveling companion is definitely nice to look at. I wonder what the rest of his markings look like or how far they go… Her thoughts cloud over with anger in her admiration however as she realizes she is ogling over something an evil bastard did to him. He deserved better than for her to find appreciation in torture and cruelty, what was she thinking? That horrible creature marked him in a very possessive way so others would relish his work along with him and she was no better for falling for it. She stumbles out of her thoughts by bringing in humor, "I almost didn't recognize you at first. You don't look nearly as malevolent without it." He glares as a response and she winks in return.

"Go on, your bath is ready." She can't distinguish what emotion is lingering in his eyes as he asks, "My…what?"

"Your bath. The water is a bit cold so sorry for that, but I replaced it with clean water. That is why it took me so long." His continuing strange look is beginning to make her grow nervous, "Something wrong with that?"

He shakes his head as if to shake off a feeling with it and states, "No, it's just… Nevermind." He then gives a small nod and heads toward the bath, shutting the door.

She lets out a jagged breath of relief and takes a seat to calm the heated blood flowing to her rapidly beating heart. When in her life did a man ever cause her body to react that way? She had been locked up for far too long.

Her heart then stops and she swallows a nervous lump in her throat as the sound of his clothing can be heard dropping followed by the splash of water. Her body heats up and she covers her ears trying to distract herself. Stop thinking about what is going on behind that door, your are not a pervert Marian! Maybe he was right, what exactly have I got myself into...

"It looks supportive.. Fasta vas," He scolds himself in his mind for his lack of proper flattery as a very unfamiliar and mind alarming feeling leaves him. There were many ways to describe the way it looked on her and he managed to pick the awkward one at the bottom of the list. He just didn't know how to handle that kind of question at the time or at any time truthfully. The anger that once existed from her acerbic comment about his armor was long forgotten the moment he looked up and was caught completely off guard by how amazing she appeared to him. Fierce, but still retaining the vibrancy of her beauty. It suited her well and his body acted on its own accord that he desperately tried to quiet.

Who was he fooling, it didn't matter what he said or thought, it would change nothing. A growing mutual respect was the only thing shared between them or could ever be between them, so it shouldn't matter to him anyway, he still barely knew her. There is no reason to care what this girl thinks or feels by what he says. What did matter is when they go downstairs, he doubts she will be left alone. He wanted this time to relax and blow off some steam during this down time away from the hunters, so he would just have to make due. At least he didn't have to worry about them walking into a bar full of rowdy sailors to scout for slaves or himself. It would not be good for business or their overall wellbeing.

As for the bath itself, he wondered what reason was behind it; why she would just offer to go on and prepare it for him for seemingly no reason. She was without doubt bewildered at him for acting so strangely over something that probably seems so ordinary to her. The truth is, no one has ever done something like that for him, just for the sake of it. Any kindness no matter how small was because of another intention wanting to be fulfilled. He could see no cause for it now and so it made no sense to him. Their agreement was to travel and fight alongside each other, so he did not understand a purpose for her performing this task for him; she had nothing to gain out of it. Perhaps it is an apology for earlier? No she has no reason to apologize to me, I was the one who provoked her. Anything she said I agree I deserved whether it was true or not, but I got the desired answer I was looking for.

After about a half hour he steps back out, clad in his spiky armor again and wearing the clothes Hawke picked out for him. "They fit okay?"

"Quite well actually… Hawke, will you be honest with me for a moment?"

"Sure… I usually am," her voice wavers with uncertainty.

"What is the reason for it?"

"For what, the clothes? We just went trudging through a swamp, we both needed new clothing after that venture."

"I was referring to the bath, why did you do that for me? Do you need something from me?" Her baffled expression soon turns into a bright flush, "Maker no! It was nothing more than a friendly gesture! I used to do it for my brother and sister as well, so it's just out of habit."

His face now reddens as what she thought he was suggesting, "That wasn't where I was going with that, I just wanted to hear your explanation for it and I have my answer now."

He lets his words turn away from her and she regains her calm, "There is no hidden motive if that is what's on your mind. If you aren't comfortable with it and want to do things on your own, just let me know. I'm not here to burden you and if that is the case, even if I'm only trying to be nice, then I will stop and I only ask you to discontinue doing the same for me."

"That poison must still be disillusioning your mind if you believe me as being nice to you. Anything you may have confused with nice has only been to bring me closer to my accomplishing my objectives. I'm not looking for a 'friend' and currently we are allies, so I only see you as such even though that term can be used loosely."

"You asked for me to be honest and then you are going to flat out lie to me in return? You could have left me to die, but you stayed by me and made sure I was alright. Tell me, how did that bring you closer to your goals? You didn't even want my help at the time, so don't even try that excuse."

He feels the anger swell up in his throat as it projects out in words, "Only because you made a foolish move to endanger your life saving someone unworthy of it. Did you even consider the repercussions or care to? I have always been the protector and here you come along and strip me of even that. I was not about to let you die in my place."

Her eyes lock on his at that moment, "You don't have to belittle yourself anymore! Those people of your past aren't here now and I'll be damned if I just stand here letting you try to relate me with them! If it makes you feel better to blame me for your troubles then fine, but please don't match me up to being like them, I wasn't taking anything away from you! I too have always been the protector, but the one time when I failed at it and needed someone there for me, no one came! I do not and cannot blame anyone for it but myself, so you should be grateful that all the blame can be directed to someone else!" Her raise in voice slowly turned from one emotion to a completely different one and she slowly takes a deep breath and continues, "I didn't mean to get carried away like that. I just want you to know that so called foolish thing I did is in my nature and if we are ever in a situation like that again, I will not hesitate to handle it the same way. I don't expect anything from you, but to accept it. Believe it or not, you deserve someone watching out for you."

He lets out a short breath and the tension leaves him, "Sorry, I wasn't comparing you to them, you are…like no one I have ever known before and so I have difficulty perceiving you at times. I'm clearly putting too much thought into this however."

"I know, you are a very complex person to me as well, but I think I see the issue you have. What is normal behavior for me is an illogical basis to you. You have lived in a world that demands from you and gives back only cruel designs in return. As I told you, if this is too unusual for you to adjust to right now, I will stop. I mean the compliments, the friendly acts, sharing a room, anything you ask of me besides my instinctive actions in conflict. Our aims are the most important thing to focus on right now, but I would like to continue showing you what it's like when you are free."

He considers what she says for a moment. It did make him uncomfortable, but not necessarily in a bad way. The idea of everything being so unconstricted still weighed on his mind and forced him to feel like he was doing something wrong. No! I will not let my current state be dictated by my time in Tevinter! She has offered me a way to make sense of this so called freedom and I would be a fool not to take it. He drifts from his internal debate to see Hawke blushing from embarrassment, "I'm making you uncomfortable again aren't I!?"

"It's alright, it might be better if I grow more accustomed to it… I do have one more question for you however. You said before that you wouldn't let me keep you from your family, yet you endangered yourself then for my sake. Why?"

"That was different, I won't stop myself from doing what I believe is right. Risking my life for you had no involvement with you attempting to keep me from them. I made that decision on my own, so I guess in the end I am my own worst enemy when it comes to that. Even still I don't regret it and if I wasn't here right now, then I managed to save another life of someone who I thought deserved it. Though you managed to return the favor once again to me, even if you won't tell me the truth about it." She eyes him as his expression changes a bit and he replies, "I figured you saw through it, you're too clever for your own good." She smirks at that and he continues, "I do not enjoy hiding the truth from you, but just take my word that it best that you do not know everything that happened. I honestly don't believe it myself."

"There wasn't any wrist slitting or running around naked barking at the sky was there?" Her eyes narrow as amusement leaves her voice and he stutters, "No…NO!" She giggles at his distraught look and he says, "I pray that was you joking once again and wouldn't think that seriously..."

"Really Fenris, of course it was…" She sighs to the elf.

"With you I never know Hawke." She smiles to him and satisfied for now with the discussion his says, "I apologize for all the questions, I am just trying to understand you better. Usually I find others easy to read, but you are not the case. Soon as I think I have figured you out, I am left more uncertain."

She lets out a joyous laugh and he becomes uneasy; there she goes confusing him completely once again. "I don't think it is necessarily me that is the issue, I think that is women in general."

"Do you come with a handbook then?" Not that I would be able to read it if so… She lets out another laugh and she says, "Don't you men wish we did." Her laugh dies down to a smile before confidence leaves her, "Well now that's all settled and out of the way, shall we head downstairs? Whoever drinks the most gets their pick of where to sleep." Hawke relays the game to him. He smirks at that idea.

"What? Something about elves and alcohol I should worry about?" She returns the smirk in question. "No, you would only need to worry if I were a dwarf," He answers back.

"Now I'm a little disappointed. I at least wanted to challenge," She pouts.

"I think you'll still find one with me."

They waste no more time to head downstairs, but Hawke stops as the crowded tavern goes silent when she reaches the bottom and all eyes fall to her. Fenris is suddenly very glad he remembered his sword on the way down, this is going to be bad. He steps out in front of her, turning back slightly, "Stay close behind me." She nods nervously as he steps forward, sending a threatening look around the room. He must look like her personal guard to them, but it's better they believe that then an elf is accompanying a pretty human girl to a bar for a drinking competition. Matters would only become worse.

"Hey sweet ass, why don't you ditch that knife ear and have a drink with us!" His ears twitch at the slur, though its not the first time he's been called that, but things now escalate from bad to worst.

Hawke stops to face the drunken man that shouted, her nervousness now replaced with pure rage, "Who in Andraste's granny tits do you think you are calling us that you sodding nug humping son of a bitch!? Go find your kicks elsewhere or I'll find somewhere to kick! Now sod off!"

The room was silent now and a nervous sweat began to form on his brow; someone was about to die.

The tension is cut as the sound of boots fill the air and approaches them. Fenris turns his head to follow the direction of eyes, only to see a dusky woman making her way to them. Her ebony hair, tied back in a bandana, compared with her dark skin tone to give her an exotic look and bounced rhythmically with each step as it brushed against her shoulders. A golden piercing rested below her lips and glinted in the light given of by the flamed torches. Her hips sway with a certain swagger that could make any man's mouth drop, though he was no such man. She stops at Hawke and eyes her up and down as she speaks in a sultry voice, "There you are, I have been looking all over for you, we have…much to discuss." She takes in Hawke's appearance one more time before sending a wink to Fenris and taking her arm, leading her away. Fenris follows, he didn't know who the hell this woman is, but she very well may have just saved their lives.

"Hawke." Fenris whispers over her shoulder. "Yes Fenris?" She whispers back to him.

"Where did you learn to speak like that and why did you choose to use it now!?" His voice is low, but he forces hostility into it.

"A red bearded dwarf once told me in a bar in Lothering to say that if I was ever in a situation like this. I think he was drunk."

Fenris thinks the annoyance and sheer disbelief at the stupidity will be forever plastered on his face, "I figured as much. Never listen to a dwarf Hawke, especially when they are drunk. Sound advice."

The woman leads them to a secluded part of the bar, no question for well paying patrons and Fenris watches her hand run down Hawke's arm too intimate for his liking, before lifting it away and taking a seat.

"Oh so you must be the one this bar was named after. I was wondering about that," Hawke smirks to the woman.

The woman returns with a seductive smile, "I see you noticed." She shifts the leg she had crossed, to dip her chest down and expose her assets more. "I'm Isabela and I heard the most peculiar story earlier. They say this gorgeous redhead and…" She then looks to him, running her tongue across the bottom of her lip. He's beginning to think they were better off with the sailors.

"Elf who drips with masculine ecstasy are looking for a ship to Kirkwall." Fenris unknowing steps behind Hawke as she says this, he is way beyond his comfort zone around this woman.

"And here you two are about to stage a full on bar brawl. Normally when a woman has balls, she doesn't think with a cock too. You on the other hand are whole different story."

"Could you put that in terms I could understand?" Hawke questions the woman's saying.

"It means, when a woman's gutsy she uses her wits, unlike a man that uses something much further south. What in bloody void were you thinking girl?"

"Seemed like a good idea at the time." Hawke smiles to the woman taking a seat and Fenris wants to yell at her, but instead bares his teeth to the woman, "Enough of this charade! Why did you lead us over here!?"

She looks back at him, not at all put off by his outburst, "Other than the obvious, I maybe able to help you, but I will need something in return." A barmaid then brings them all drinks over, this woman must have planned this the moment she saw them. What is with these women and making deals? Are they all actually demons? Hm, that would make sense.

Isabela turns her focus back to the elf and teases, "Sit down and relax elf, I won't bite… Unless that's your kind of thing." Hawke giggles at her comment, he needs to drink and now.

He sits down taking a large gulp of the ale in front of him, not caring a thing that it tastes like year old sewer piss, between Hawke and this... He didn't even want to begin to label her.

"So do you two have names to go by so we can begin with our little transaction?"

"Where are my manners? My, I must have left them behind this morning, like you did with your pants," Hawke staying as sarcastic as ever.

"Alright alright I get it love. I'm captain of the Siren's Call. There got your attention now?" Both she and Fenris perk up with that.

"Hawke, and the snappy one over here is Fenris," Fenris just finishes off his drink at that and the barmaid brings him another.

"Hawke and Fenris eh? She leans back in her chair and says, "Now we're ready to party."

"So what do you need of us in exchange for a ride to Kirkwall?" Hawke questions the pirate wench.

"It's only a simple task of retrieving something for me and it is to Ostwick, did I say Kirkwall?"

"Ostwick is still a good distance from Kirkwall" Hawke states the apparent.

"Yes, but I am really in a bind and no one else will give you a better deal I promise. I'll even throw in a room just for the two of you onboard. You can always hitch a ride with another ship to Kirkwall. Just hear me out first."

"What do you need help with retrieving that you can't do yourself?" Hawke asks her skeptically as Fenris finishes his third mug. "You're going to have one terrible time of a hangover if you keep finishing drinks off like that!" He just ignores Hawke, she very well may lose the game, but she is too busy to care right now.

"If your friend can pound down drinks like that I wonder how he pounds down…." Hawke clears her throat to interrupt her, "You haven't answered my question."

"You see I am searching for a particular man and I would shove my dagger up his scrawny little ass and drag him back myself, but he's hiding in a cave outside of town and I can't wander too far from my crew. Otherwise, they might end up getting into bar fights with an audacious crimson beauty that has a very livid tongue."

"So that's why they just let you lead us away without so much as a word," Hawke smiles in realization and Isabela gives another one her seductive smiles before leaning toward Hawke, "You know you could always put that tongue of yours to other uses, want to join me in my room tonight for some fun after this? You're more than welcome to bring this divine creature along with you. Like I always say… The more, the better the rapture of release." Hawke rolls her eyes over at Fenris as he coughs, choking on the drink lodged in his throat after taking a gulp at the wrong time. Six of his mugs litter the table compared to her one. She needs to catch up.

"Sorry, but I will have to decline. I have a cheap drink in my hand and a dangerous and currently dying elf at my side. What more could a girl want?"

"Ha! Story of my life right there," Isabela relates. Despite the woman's serious case of lewdness, Hawke has a feeling she was going to get along just fine with the captain. Though not to be said with Fenris, he still has no desire to engage himself in the conversation. Probably because he is afraid she will direct all her flirtations to him.

Hawke changes the conversation back to main topic, "So who is this man and why is finding him so important to you?"

"He's an elf, an Antivan Crow to be more specific."

"A Crow? What brings an assassin here and what do you have to do with him?" Fenris finally brings himself into the discussion.

"Heck if I know why he's here. I think he said something about heading to Ferelden for a mission or something, but who in their right mind would go there now? As for your other question, I have a lot to do with him," She gives a lustful smile. Hawke didn't want to know anymore.

"His name is Zevran, the sneakiest little shit I know. He and I were knocking boots upstairs in this very tavern and I was way past my limit of booze. Next thing I know I'm waking up and he is no where to be seen. Ah, men.." Hawke's almost falls out of her chair, silently praying that didn't happen in their room, but overcomes her shock enough to say, "So wait, you're telling me you will give us a ship ride to Ostwick if we go run off into the forest, find your elven lover, who happens to be a assassin of a well renown group, and bring him back to you? Because if so I've had more to drink than this guy over here." Nine mugs are on the table now.

Isabela raises an eyebrow, "Where does he put it all?"

"Probably in the endless void of his afflicted being," she says melodramatically. "Andraste's flaccid ass! When is the lady going to cut him off and get the mugs up!?"

"I'm doing just fine Hawke, but you on the other hand are falling behind." Fenris his words are slowed and he puts down another mug while she glares at him, "You haven't been any help at all!" She can tell the alcohol is wearing on him, but surprisingly he is not far gone yet.

"I know it sounds crazy, but it's a pride thing. I can't be taken seriously if my crew knows a man ran off on me, especially when that man is Zevran. It's just a little game we play and I'd rather not lose."

"This has to be a trap!" Hawke won't believe something like this could possibly not be, it's far too ridiculous.

"Oh honestly of course it is a trap, but not the kind you are thinking. Listen I'm sure he has some surprises waiting for me there, but we aren't trying to kill each other, just trying to best one another. I promise you."

"Why can't you both play card games or something normal instead… Well he is expecting you, not us, what's stopping him then?"

Isabela smirks at this, "You have even less to worry, that's why I chose you and this piece of eye candy. Zevran is a sucker for pretty people, he will know I sent you. You just have to find him, lug him back here, and you can be on your way to Ostwick."

"I don't believe this! Fenris what do you think?" She turns to him and he looks even more discerned than her.

"As you said, this is some kind of trap and there has to be more to it than she is letting on. This sounds far too easy and inane. If you do not wish this man dead, why send complete strangers after him?" Fenris asks, finally slowing down from his drinking.

"Zevran wouldn't be easy to kill trust me on that, so I wouldn't suggest letting your ego man hormones get the best of you around him. That being said, I wouldn't mind for you to ruff him up and scare him a bit. Maybe then he will think twice before attempting this again." She then stands up and says, "We're not departing for awhile, the waters are too rough with this blighted storm now. I'll leave you both to think on it. You know where to find me if you decide to accept any of my offers."

"We'll pass!" Fenris remarks quickly.

"Suit yourself you sexy elf," She then sways off, leaving the two of them alone.

Hawke face palms herself, "Did that conversation really just happen now or did someone put something in my drink?"

"No, it did happen," Fenris places his glass down.

"Are you really still going," Hawke looks to the elf. He's going to be knocked on his ass when he stands up.

She looks at her third glass and caves, "You know what, I think I'm tired of games for now Fenris. I forfeit, you win. Besides I don't want to think of what would happen if I had that many."

He gives her a broad half smile, "Giving up so soon? I didn't know I intimidated you that much Hawke."

She lightly laughs at his slurred speech as his constant scowl is now replaced with joviality, "You a happy drunk? My the maker has a grand sense of humor doesn't he, never saw that one coming. I'll be sure to get you to drink more often. No wait, scratch that, I don't want to be in debt the rest of my life helping pay off your bar tabs."

He gives a drunken laugh at that and she smiles, finding it incredibly adorable due to it being so completely uncharacteristic of him. She then stretches her arms out and stands saying, "I think I'm ready to turn in then, goodnight." She tries to turn and leave, but Fenris quickly stands up, only to lose his balance.

Hawke notices and quickly grabs him to help keep him steady, before laughing out, "Have you ever drank before? You don't just snap up like that after downing that many." He yanks away from her hold in a way that seems instinctively in her mind and the scowl forms back.

"Did I hurt you?" Her eyes expand as she looks up to him and the scowl turns into embarrassment, "No… Sorry, I will join you. I don't want you to walk out there by yourself and decide to quote a dwarf again."

Satisfied he is okay and can stand on his own now, she says, "If that's what you want, but I doubt we have to worry about them anymore."

"I'd rather not tempt fate." Hawke nods to him and places the coin of the table for the drinks as they both head back to the room or the night.

"So which one are you taking huh?" Hawke raises an eyebrow to Fenris. "Floor."

Hawke sighs, not arguing it since he did win and takes off the armor, gloves, and boots she was wearing. She tries to go over to the bed, but turns to her companion first, seeing him struggling to unstrap his chest plate. Shaking her head, a sigh escapes as she walks over to him.

"Here, let me help you with that." De-gloved fingers brush his gauntlet hands away and begin to unclasp the buckles holding it together. While he smells heavy of alcohol, she notices the faintest scent beneath it. It was nice and reminded her of nature itself. A hand snatches her wrists however and she is greeted with another scowl, "Don't touch me…"

Her amusement soon leaves her as she looks up and comes face to face with him. She never realized until now just how viridescent his eyes are as he holds such intensity within them that seems to emphasize the color more. It almost leaves her overwhelmed completely at how memorizing they are fixated on hers. She didn't know how much time passed as they stayed like that, both of them too afraid and too unwilling to move. Finally the awkwardness takes hold and they look away from one another as she steps back, freeing her wrist from his grasp. They were too close.

"I… understand… goodnight Fenris," the smallest fragment of hurt manages to leak out. She climbs into her bed and closes her eyes as the fresh memory of that moment racks her mind.

Fenris's arms cross behind the back of his head as he gazes up at the ceiling lost in thought, the pounding of the raindrops above him now barely audible. He couldn't just go to sleep, not after what just happened, the sensation still coursed it's way through his blood. She was close to him, her alluring fragrance filling the air and diminishing his sense of everything else around. Her small fingers began to work at his clasps with such softness that he had to hold in harsh breaths of uneasiness. He stood there paralyzed in fear and anger, until her voice broke him of the spell only to cast him into a new one. Their eyes met and she looked to him with such awe aside the harsh hold on her wrist. They were so full of depth and emotion, unlike the cold and desolate ones of his own. Why did she still look upon him so when he reacted like that to her? He couldn't understand, how could this girl who possesses no magic controls him in such a way that even magisters were unable to, without being aware of it herself. She had made him smile on more than one occasion… The only time he could remember forming a smile was when that mage was sailing off without him. He even laughed around her, though the alcohol was to blame for that as well. Drunk or not, he had to admit, it was a genuine laugh… He cursed himself for being so weak. The thoughts slowly become suppressed when he realizes they will only lead to trouble and finally relaxes enough to sleep.