Chapter Four

The scent of sex was heavy in the air as soon as Torrac and Andraste entered the nook of Hightown where the Blooming Rose was hidden. Andraste's face crinkled up in disgust, while Torrac's mouth spread into a wide grin.

"Ahh, the Blooming Rose. Prime destination for people with lust on their minds and coin to spare." he stated jovially, walking with a bit of a spring in his step now.

The black-haired mage rolled her eyes. "Don't get too distracted. We're here for information, not to pleasure ourselves."

With that comment, they stepped inside of the establishment, drawing the eyes of many of the men and women working there. Torrac saw the madam, and was about to approach her for the information he sought when he heard a familiar drawl calling out to him.

"Well, hello again, big boy." one of the men working at the Rose hailed, causing Torrac to turn around.

The white-haired rogue recognized the voice as soon as he heard it. He hardly needed to see the elven ears, red hair, and intensely blue eyes to realize who it was that had called out to him. "Jethann. Good to see you again, old friend."

The red-haired elf smirked at the archer, a suggestive look entering his eyes. "So, what are you here for today, hmm? Business, or pleasure?"

"Officially, business." Torrac answered smoothly. "But that could be moved to make room for some pleasure, if we have coin to spare later- ow!"

A sharp pain in the half-elf's left foot let him know that he needed to get to the real purpose of their visit, and fast. Sighing, he amended, "Well, perhaps some other time, Jethann. Right now, we're on a very important mission."

"My, someone's focused today." Jethann teased. "Well, what can I do you for?"

"Have you had the pleasure of servicing a young lady by the name of Genevive?" Torrac queried.

"Hmmm... Genevive... Genevive..." Jethann murmured, thinking aloud. "Ahh, yes, that pretty red-haired Orlesian girl, I remember her now."

"When was the last time she was here?" Andraste asked, taking over the questioning.

"It was about a week ago. Haven't seen her since." the elf replied smoothly, flashing a charming smile at Andraste. "Haven't exactly seen you around here, either. If you have some spare coin, maybe the three of us could arrange something..."

"Tempting-" Torrac began, only to get cut off by Andraste's voice.

"No thanks."

"Aww, too bad. Well, last I heard of Genevive, she was headed off toward Darktown. You know, to that old clinic that used to help Ferelden refugees, before, well, you know." Jethann replied, his voice becoming oddly somber.

Oh, yes. Both of them knew what had happened. Andraste and Torrac remembered how the debris from the Chantry had fallen over the city, demolished houses in Lowtown and Darktown alike. How the man responsible had been put to death by his own companion. How they had been forced to defend themselves and each other as Templars, given the order of the Right of Annulment, dragged possible apostates from their houses, slaughtered former Circle mages. And how so many abominations began roaming the streets, born of the desperation of the mages who lived in Kirkwall. That night would live long in both of their memories. But it seemed some remnants of the mad mage's presence remained- his old clinic still stood.

"Now why would she go there?" Torrac wondered aloud. "With Anders no longer among the living, what purpose would there be in going to an abandoned clinic?"

Jethann shrugged. "Beats me. Though I have heard rumors of some new apostate maybe trying to take over the clinic and help those in need. Just rumors, though. They probably aren't true."

"Well, looks like we'll be heading over to my side of town." Andraste sighed. "I remember where that clinic is. Come on, Torrac, let's get out of here before you get distracted."

Torrac looked back at Jethann almost apologetically before following his dark-haired companion out of the whorehouse. Pleasure could wait until later- they had work to do.

**CODEX UPDATE: Aftermath of the Explosion**

"Following the destruction of the Chantry by the mage Anders, a great time of rebuilding has begun in Kirkwall, particularly in the lower sectors. It is because of this need to rebuild that the current boiling tensions between Mage and Templar are not fully accentuated as of yet. However, the day will soon come when another explosion will rock the foundations of Kirkwall- the true beginning of the war at hand."