I awoke the next morning feeling like I had been run over by a Bronto. My head ached, my muscles ached, everything ached. Laying in bed I thought back over all the events of the day before and I couldn't believe everything we had accomplished. Bandits, slavers, demons, and a dirty politician all in one day. That had to be a new record. I grudgingly swung my legs out of bed and began to get myself ready. Avaline would be expecting me at the Keep and it was best not to keep the burly guardswoman waiting, she became extremely testy when you kept her waiting. If I had to admit it to myself I was a little more than intrugued at finding out what the Guardcapitan would have to say for himself, the papers that were inside the satchel were ultimately very incriminating. I strapped my brestplate into place, sheathed my greatsword at my back and I was on my way to the keep. As I headed for the door, I paused briefly to say hello to Mother and Bethany. I felt bad for leaving Beth behind, but I knew deep down she was happier staying behind with Mother than trapsing around Kirkwall with me. After my brief conversation with them, where both Mother and Bethany expressed their worries about my safety and wellbeing, I said goodbye. The walk to the Keep didn't take long so I took my time, watching the citizens of Kirkwall going about their daily business. I was amazed at how many people this city could truly house. It seemed to be bursting at the seems and yet everyone had carved a nieche for themselves, or had seemed to, except for those poor people in darktown. Crammed in like rats, living in disgusting, festering conditions. I made a promise to myself that if I ever made it, if this deep roads expedition worked, I would fund some money to clean up darktown and make in an inhabitable place for my fellow Fereldens. I found myself at the stairs to the Keep, my thought process making the journey seem like it had only taken mere moments. I climed the stairs and found Avaline waiting for me just inside. "Hawke, one more minute and I would have gone to get you." The stern words didn't reach her eyes, and I knew that was her way of saying she was glad to see me. "Glad to see you too Avaline. Are you ready to enter the viper pit?" I couldn't mistake the mischevious glint in the warriors eyes as she responeded.
"Ready as I'll ever be, lets go." We headed to the guards quarters Avaline leading, and what happened next I will summerize as it all happened so fast I don't think I could remember it if I could. Avaline had already brought her case to the Viscount, and they were beyond ready to have the Guardcapitan removed from his post. However the Viscount wanted to see if the man would deny the claims or admit to being caught. Needless to say by the time the confrontation was over, Jeven had to be dragged screaming from the room, threatening Avaline with every bit of breath he had in him. She just stood, stoic as a statue and watched as justice was being carried out, what she believed was her one truest mission in life. I couldn't bring to words how awestruck and proud I was of the strength I saw in my friend; and I wasn't the least bit suprised when they named her Guardcapitan in Jeven's stead. Of course she accepted the role gladly, and I left her with words of congradulations and promises to visit her once she had a chance to settle in. I stepped out of her office and into the main hall, smiling at how far my friend had truly come. It had been a long journey for her, losing Wesley however had just made her stronger and more determined, and I knew there was nothing she couldn't do.
By now it was well past mid-day, and seeing as Varric had told me that in no way was he stirring from his suite until that evening, I decided I would go and see how Fenris had settled in. It wasn't far from the Keep to his "borrowed" mansion, so I headed off. I knocked on the door, and although I received no answer, I entered anyway. "Fenris..?" I called as I entered the foyer, marvelling at the silence in the large house.
"I am here." The response came from the main room at the top of the stairs. I noticed as I made my way through the house that the corpses still littered the floor, and made mental note to have them disposed of as soon as I could. I stepped into the room to find him sitting with his feet on the table, a bottle of wine in his hands. I was struck at his features, the fire turing his stark white hair into their own mirror image of the dancing flames, the same dancing light playing in his eyes. "Aggregio Parvali," he indicated the wine bottle in his hands, "I found it in the cellar. Denarius used to have me pour it for his guests, he said my apperance intimidated them. A fact which I know he found much enjoyment in."
I have no idea what brought me to say it, but I couldn't help it. I kicked myself for days afterwords I felt so dumb, I was glad at his reaction at the time mind you. "I rather like your apperance Fenris, I cannot imagine why they would be." He smiled as he responded.
"You say what you are thinking, that much is clear." There was no tone of distaste in his voice. Then out of no where I had to suppress the urge to jump as he turned and lobbed the bottle of wine at the wall. It shattered in a million pieces, deep purple running down the walls and onto the floor. I looked up to see a wide sneer spreading across his face. "I'm glad I can still find pleasure in the simple things of life." I found myself thinking how hard it must be for him, his life had been far from easy, but my natural defense mechanism kicked in. Humor.
"Well, that seemed to be a waste, you could have at least offered me some." He smiled at this.
"There are more bottles in the cellar if you wish."
"Oh no, perish the thought, how on earth would you be able to redecorate the walls if I drank it all." To my suprise this warrented a laugh, not just a chuckle, not just a smile, but a full on real laugh. The sound was like music, a suprising change from his grough speaking voice, but all too soon he had grown serious again. "I've attempted to leave my past behind me, but it refuses to stay there. Tell me, have you never wanted to return home. To Ferelden I mean?" His question took me a little off guard and I pondered my answer a moment before speaking.
"I have no home to return to, the Blight saw to that."
"The Blight is over, you could rebuild. Regain your old life. Do you not want to?"
"It has crossed my mind from time to time. I like the idea sometime in the future maybe."
"But not yet, I understand. To have to option however, that must be comforting, to have to option to go back wether you want to or not."
"Do you think you are going to make Kirkwall your home, stay here in the city?"
"I haven't decided yet. It seems like as good a city as any. I would return home if I could, but I know there is no life for me there anymore." I could feel the pain he was hiding about his past. We sit and talked a little longer, about his life before (he couldn't remember well), Denarius, and various other points in his life. He had spoken of Denarius, and I knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt he would find the magistrate and he would fall by the ex slaves hands; and we had spoken that on the day he finds him that I would not let him face his former master alone. By now it was much later than when I had arrived and night had fallen. We had fallen into a companionable silence, and I was amazed at how comfortable I was around my new companions. It was as if they were meant to be a part of my life. I was pulled from my thoughts by Fenris speaking.
"I suppose I should thank you again. Without your help with the hunters I don't know what would have happened. If I had known Anso would find someone so capable, I would have asked for help sooner." There it goes again, my mouth spoke before my brain could stop it. Mental note to self: NO MORE WINE. "Words are cheap." I could feel my ears turning red, but Fenris didn't seemed to mind. In fact he flashed one of his smiles, the ones that made me stomach knot. "Is that the case now? Perhaps I will work on my flattery for your next visit. You never know, I may become better at it. But it is getting late, I would hate for you to get into trouble on your journey back to Lowtown." He gave me a look that conveyed that he knew I could handle myself, he was just concerned for my safety, and I nodded. Mother would be worried if I came in late yet again, and I know her, Bethany, and Cookie would be glad for some time with me this evening. We said our goodbyes and I headed off to my home sweet hovel for the evening.