The Champion and the Dalish
Chapter 4
A new friend
A bright sunny day was gifted to the city of chains, cloudless blue sky with the promise of a warm day. Hawke stretched his limbs as he stood outside his uncle's shack of a house, enjoying the lovely weather. He pulled out his list of things to be done, a quill in hand as he begun to hum and ponder what would be more beneficial to him.
So far they were only thirty five sovereigns short of becoming part of Bartend's expedition, but sadly for the Hawkes, the jobs were becoming more scarce and more difficult to find from Varric. Hawke debated whether or not it would be a good idea to actually sell the loot their got from their previous journeys but as Varric pointed out, the loot was no better than garbage.
He scratched that off his list and added an "X" near the name. He could follow up on that Anso fella, maybe he'd pay good for the job. 'Making notes again?', Carver asked as he exited the house, his great sword strapped to his back. 'Just trying to decide who we should bother today? How bout you? Mages or templars?', the older Hawke joked.
He got a scowl from his brother, that must mean he wants mages. 'Okay then, mages it is!'. 'I'll see you at the Hanged man then', he grunted as he walked down the stairs. Clearly the city life wasn't for his brother, he despised being here. Every day was something, either he got into a brawl with marchers or get arrested by the guards. Not that Hawke could blame him for the fights, after all the majority of those fights were caused by the marchers.
Sadly though, Hawke had to pay for his bails many a times, sometimes he was tempted to just leave him there for a week or two to teach him a lesson. But he dreaded his mother's reaction to such actions, maker knows she still holds a bit of grief over…
He sighed. Maybe he should just grab Merrill and hopefully her cheerful demeanour can brighten the day.
He headed for the alienage, trying his best NOT to smell the stench of maker knows how old garbage or…other scents. He approached Merrill's door but just before his fist touched the wooden frame…
CRASH!
'HOLD STILL YOU LITTLE MONSTER!', her voice shrieked.
Hawke blinked for a bit, before another crash could be heard from inside, a flower pot possibly or glass. Then, her heard a yelp within and then a thud. Quickly he unlocked with the spare key he asked Varric to give him just in case Merrill forgot hers, which has happened numerous times.
He entered her home and was surprised by the sight before him.
Merrill was a clean person sure but her house was very disorganized with books of elven lore, several pieces of papers that were lists and notes, and finally dirt that her feet would tread in. Now however, it looked like a battlefield.
Several broken pieces of flower pots were scattered around the floor, books and tomes knocked off their shelves and flat. Merrill was sitting near her table, her usually braided hair was unkempt and bed hair like, she wore only a light green night dress with a pair of short trousers.
She was whimpering like a puppy as she cradled her foot, which Hawke noticed was bleeding and had piece of glass in it amidst the blood. 'Ow…ouch', she said, her finger and thumb pulling the glass out of her foot as she bit her lip.
'Andraste's blood Merrill', Hawke said. Merrill jumped slightly and turned her head to the approaching human. 'H-Hawke! I was… I didn't hear you', she rambled before the human knelt down and examined her foot. He grimaced, the foot was cut deeply and still bled. 'Let's get this patched up first, then you can explain your little accident', he said. Carefully he lifted the elf up from under her knees and held her back as he carefully placed her on the table, not noticing the deep hue of red that formed on her cheeks.
He carefully placed her foot on his knee after he pulled a chair up for himself. He gently placed his fingers upon her toes with his palm just inches away from her cut. With a quiet chant, a blue glow formed around his palm. Merrill felt a gentle soothing sensation wash over her foot, like a gentle breeze as she relaxed her muscles as Hawke continued to chant.
He finished the healing, sealing up the wound. He grabbed a cloth and begun to wash the blood off her foot before she could persist. She had to bite her lip to conceal the giggles, he rubbed a certain spot that was very sensitive to touch by another's skin. He glanced up at her, forming a smile of his own as he finished.
'So, care to explain?', he said as he placed the dirty rag down on the table. She opened her mouth to speak, but then her face formed a glare behind the human. He slowly turned to see a rat scratching its pink nose, making noises. 'Oh…the rats again', he mused.
One of the biggest problems Merrill had been having with this shack of a house, outside of the horrible neighbours, the creaky floors and vinegar straw bed, was the rats. She spent all day once trying to rid these pests out of her home but for some reason no matter what she did they seem to get in her house and nibble what food she had. Not to mention use her corners as chamber pots and scratch her chairs.
'Nasty little buggers! Where are they coming from?', she asked as she pouted at the little brown creature, it's rat eyes looking at her as if it was mocking her attempts to keep her house clean of the vermin. Hawke chuckled at her as he rubbed her head again, a habit he unconsciously started to develop. 'Hang on', he said, getting up from the chair. He aimed a hand at the little rat and fired a tiny ball of fire that vanished upon approaching the rat, sending it scurrying away.
'That'll give them time to rethink about living here', he said, though if Merrill couldn't scare them off he doubt single fire ball will convince them to vacate the place. 'Oh well, I'll figure something out later. Are going to have another adventure?', she asked with a excited look. Hawke smiled at that comment, he was glad SOMEONE thought these were adventures, where's he and Carver call them accidentally meddling.
'More or less, Varric said he may have a opportunity for us, so we're heading to the Hanged Man to see what whacky adventures he'll send us on', he explained as Merrill grabbed her staff and headed for her room to change. 'That sounds nice!', she chirped.
Hawke still kept that smile on his face, as she did the same…
Hanged Man
The two mages entered the ever welcoming Hanged Man, the smell of old beer and urine was ever present, maker was it too much to ask for some scented candles or incense? Hawke spotted his brother at a table, nursing a mug with his infamous scowl across his face. Varric was spotted by the hearth, regaling another story about Hawke and whatever he did. Honestly he wondered if people actually believed those stories Varric spun, surely anyone with a brain could call bull.
Then again it was Kirkwall, so for all they knew he was really an elf.
However, before he and Merrill could get close enough, a voice called out.
'So you're the guy Mr V over there has been going about?'.
They turned to see a very beautiful woman leaning on the counter. She was eyeing them both with a smirk, wearing a simple white tunic that gave view to her ample cleavage, a blue sash around her waist with her entire right arm covered in armour where's her left was naked save for a glove. Merrill took note of the fact she wasn't wearing any pants, the only thing beneath her waist was her brown boots.
Raven hair that reached her shoulders with a piercing through her bottom lip, hazel coloured eyes that were alit with life and mischief. A blue bandana around her hair with golden earrings and a golden choker, two daggers were strapped to her back.
'Depends on what he's told you', Hawke replied with a smile. The woman chuckled as she sauntered over to him with a coy smirk. 'He said you can get things done, namely when it involves stabbing and or blasting people', she explained. 'Ahh, that kind of work. Why yes, I have a thing for blasting things when working', he chuckled.
'Excellent, then you might be just what I need for a little problem of mine', she said. She sat at the table with them. 'I'm Isabela, previously Captain Isabela. And I've got an old pest from my past that won't leave me alone…so I challenged him to a dual and I've got a feeling he won't play fair, so I want back up just in case he plays dirty', she explained.
'So you want me and my group to be there just in case things go south?', he asked. 'That's the plan', she replied. Hawke pondered this, this seemed fairly straight forward and if it was just a dual, then he may be lucky enough to avoid fighting all together. Then again giving his recent history of jobs that promised no violence would often prove otherwise, he had a good feeling that he's gonna end up killing again.
'I think we can handle it. Just tell us when and where', he said. Isabela grinned as she patted the table. 'Near the Viscount's place at night, I'll see you and your girl there!', she cheered as she got up. She left a blushing Merrill and flabbergasted Hawke behind, with a coy smile at the squeak from the small elf.
Midnight
Kirkwall was much quieter at night, Hightown especially. The streets were empty and bare as the moon shined down upon the streets. Hawke and company were just on route to Isabela's location as promised, he and Carver in front with Merrill and Varric behind them. Merrill was amazed how clean Hightown was compared to Lowtown, not a spot of litter around the ground, garbage was nowhere in sight and it actually smelled nice.
'There she is', Varric said, pointing in Isabela's direction, who was pacing around impatiently. 'Her "friend" is running late it seems', Hawke said as they approached her. She kept pacing, her eyes scouring the area as the four approached. 'Judging by the lack of dead bodies, I'm guessing your pests haven't arrived?', Hawke asked as Isabela turned to them.
'Kinda hoping the guards got them…or the gangs…or the chantry forced them to repent and become templars, either way nothing yet', she replied. 'There's the wench we're looking for!'.
They all turned to the left to see three armed thugs, weapons drawn and eyeing Isabela. 'Gut her! And those four, not witnesses!', the light haired woman ordered, drawing her battle axe. 'We've got work to do!', Hawke said.
Quickly Isabela drew her daggers and charged at the captain as Carver ran at her with his own large weapon. She parried the first thug's sword easily and plunged her dagger into his neck, killing the sod. Next she spun around and delivered a round house kick to her second attack's face and once his back was turned, she plunged both daggers into his neck.
Hawke and Merrill stood side by side as they pommelled their own attackers with lighting and rock magic, Merrill breaking the bones of her enemies as Hawke shocked them. The human fired a chain of lightning through five men, creating large holes within their chests while Merrill crushed their bones.
Varric stood close to the elemental masters as Bianca unleashed raining bolts upon the enemies that dare to harm her beloved.
Carver struggled against his own enemy, the raider clearly had more practice then he as she was gaining ground from the young Hawke. That was until her confidence turned to arrogance as she pressed him, taking a step forward with a lunge, seeing this Carver evaded her lunge with his sword grazing her axe.
Once she was stumbling forward, Carver wasted no time and decapitated the raider in a clean stroke. As her head tumbled and rolled upon the pavement her body slumped to the ground with a heavy thud, twitching slightly as the blood spurted.
'I'm guessing none of these was the old pest?', Hawke asked as he approached the dead raider, Isabela rummaging her armour for something. 'No, like I thought Hayder sent these wannabe raiders', she said, pulling out a note and smirking at the contents. 'Looks like he's hiding out in the chantry, come on!'.
Isabela sprinted off towards the building, leaving everyone in the dust.
'We're visiting the chantry more often than we did back home', Hawke said as the four followed the pirate. If Hawke was a gambling man, which thankfully he was not, he had a good feeling the chantry was going to be another battle ground.
He REALLY should write an apology letter to the sisters…
Chantry
He should've made a bet with Varric.
Once more a conversation that didn't HAVE to end in killing everyone, ended with them killing them all.
Hawke was busy dealing with a raider with an axe who seemed very intent on killing the mage, but to be fair Hawke did set his feet on fire so fair dues to the man. He parried his attack and pierced his chest with the blade par to of his staff.
He kicked him aside, spun around and whacked a man's jaw with the pommel of his staff, sending him to the floor. He stabbed him in the gut and fired a ball of fire at an on coming foe. Isabela was busying duelling Hayder, barely giving him any time to attack and just barely blocking her attacks.
He was starting to see why Hayder sent raiders against her instead of facing her himself, he was no dualist.
His brother and Varric stood side by side as the warrior swung his sword and cut down anyone brave enough to try and get near him as Varric covered him, firing bolt after bolt, skilfully landing head shots with each shot. It was an impressive scene to see a dwarf with accuracy with a range weapon as an elf.
Merrill to her credit was like an elven goddess of the earth, using the rock and root beneath her feet to turn the very earth against the raiders, rocks crushing bones and limbs as the roots penetrated their necks and torsos.
A dangerous woman to behold indeed.
Finally, Isabela silenced her old crew member just as the others dealt with their own on coming horde of raiders. 'Bastard, Castillon really wants that relic back', she sighed as she wiped the blood off Hayder's armour. 'So this relic we've been hearing so much about', Varric states the obvious information the lovely women neglected to mention to them.
Said woman giggles as they awaited for a response and explanation. 'Right…see another reason I'm kinda being chased is I…sort've kinda lost a relic that he really REALLY wanted after I freed the slaves. So I just got to hand it over and presto, he'll leave me alone', she explained. 'How did you sort've kinda lose a relic?', she asked curiously.
'…', Isabela replied, her eyes darting left and right as she kept muttering a weak reply. 'Looks like Daisy's got ya pegged', Varric playfully chirped. Isabela made a playful glare at the elf, who was now the centre of attention. She froze on the spot as the eyes turned on her as smirks formed upon the lips. 'Thanks for that Kitten', the pirate said.
'Well it seems we're not done. We'll see if we can help find your missing relic and hopefully get Castillon off your arse', Hawke said. 'As soon as I find out more, I'll let you know, thanks again', she said. She gave him a saucy wink as she swaggered out of the chantry, the men's eyes were keenly focused on her rear end as Merrill stood there confused.
'…Does she have something on her butt?', she asked innocently. 'Three sets of eyes I'm sure!', Isabela chirped. The men quickly averted their gazes, tiny hues of red formed on their cheeks as they awkwardly coughed.
'Thank you for that Merrill', Hawke muttered. 'You're welcome?'.
Home
Merrill sat at her desk as she finished wrapping the loaf of bread for tomorrow, hoping to the Creators it'll be safe from the nasty rats. She was having company tonight it seemed as she saw one or two of those furry bastards sneak in the dark.
'If I wasn't so nervous about using magic at night…', she muttered. She was sure her neighbours would see the flashes of light from her windows and door, and the last thing she needed was an entire horde of templars to deal with.
Just as she lamented, she heard a knock on her door.
She hopped off her chair and approached the door. She mentally thought she should get those tiny glass window things that humans put on their door to see who it is. She opened the door to see Hawke, smiling at her with that smile of his.
Before she could greet him, she heard a tiny sound.
She looked down and saw a tiny kitten in his arms, staring up at her with bright blue eyes. 'I found a little helper for you', he said. He gently placed the tiny kitten in her hands as the elf held the precious creature with adoring eyes as the kitten raised its paws towards her.
'Oh she's so cute~ Where'd you find this little wonder?', the elf cooed as the kitten purred in her arms. 'Poor blighter was stuck in a gutter near my home. Chewy would've eaten the poor bugger so I hoped she could stay with you', he explained. Merrill nodded eagerly as the placed the kitten down at her table. Hawke had placed a bottle of milk as Merrill grabbed a bowl for the small thing.
No sooner did the milk land upon the bowl the creature licked the milk as if it was her last meal. Merrill petted and stroked the little kitten as she purred from her new master's hand.
Those rats are in so much trouble now~
A/N. So firstly to those who were waiting for this, I am sorry it took ALL week to finish this. Secondly, I want to thank the people who favoured this and are watching it, it truly warms my heart.
Also I wanna know what you think of this, since it's not following the main story as much, but I am gonna do the main plot with just a few alterations here and there.
Let me know what you guys think and I'll see you all the next chapter!
