The next morning saw Fenris again arriving at the gates making sure he'd be there already when they opened. This time he had unexpected company though as Bodahn insistently joined him in the wait, like a merchant of his stature had nothing better to do. While Fenris didn't drive him off, there was no real reason to, he was rather silent company for the talkative dwarf. In the lack of conversation companion Bodahn started to reminiscence about the elf he had traveled with the good part of the previous year. He told of how she had been merely a runaway warden with that human in tow when they had first met but how he'd instantly knew they were destined for greatness. And that they had, she had moved the nation, and he had ended up as the king of it. She'd had that quality that people just wanted to help her and follow her. Hawke had reminded him of that he pointed out. Fenris who had been half listening gave one of his rare half smiles. His help in particular had not been hard to gain.
-o-
When the group had finally cleared their way through multitude of traps and Fade spawn it had become clear that this had been just another bait. If Danarius had even been there he had been long gone. In his exasperation Fenris had left the group to loot the place, something Hawke seemed to do with meticulous eagerness, while getting out himself. Suddenly the walls had felt suffocating, the stench of magic too much to bear. He could have fled then, regardless of the high promises of reward he had given to that group, but for better or worse, he had chosen not to. He had been waiting them when they had come out with full pockets and pouches, couple bundles of fine cloth and some candelabra dangling from the dwarfs belt.
Fenris had told them his tale of fugitive, his existence as a mere object in his former masters eye. He had offered all the coin he had as a reward, even if it was a paltry sum, but more importantly, he had offered himself, his continued help. Had it been because he had felt the silver he gave wasn't even nearly adequate for the support they had given? He hadn't had trouble stealing what he needed before during his freedom. Or had it been because he had wanted to belong, to feel being part of this group that seemed to be built on mutual trust? Fenris hadn't done much to gain such trust himself and still the humans attitude towards him had felt friendly, caring even if he'd believed he could deserve such. Hawke had grinned and warned him that she might come calling on that promise sooner than he'd think. When Fenris had turned to walk away she had called his name and he had turned around just in time to catch a flying coin purse he had handed out only moments earlier. Hawke had only laughed at his questioning look.
Hawke had been true to her word. It had only been the next day that she had come to find Fenris from the abandoned mansion to which he had settled in. Not to call him on any adventure even, but just to talk. Fenris had not had many actual conversations before. Even after his escape he hadn't been one to approach people except in purely professional matters, and those who might have been curious enough to seek a conversation themselves had been put off by his looks. That hadn't seem to bother her though. Fenris had told about his past, more than to anyone even if not all that much. She had listened, understood but not pried nor offered empty condolences. Instead she had told her own tale which, while fundamentally different, had felt familiar, both being refugees who'd found a home in Kirkwall. Had it been already back then that he'd decided to stay there? When he had asked what she was doing now she had told playfully that she was gathering a small fortune in a manner of weeks. It had took him a while to realize she was serious. All that for that cursed expedition.
-o-
Fenris was shaken out of his memories only to notice Bodahn was long gone. He had parted a while earlier when he'd noticed that apart from talking, Fenris wasn't listening much. He took a quick look around to see what had caught his attention and saw a young woman running through the plaza towards the gates with a templar hot in pursuit. Most of the onlookers made way in fear of the runaway mages retaliation. Even if it wasn't all that busy day that left a clear path in the crowd. Fenris didn't have such reservations though and as the girl was already heading his way he took a few quick steps to confront her, his markings flaring angrily. The girl, taken by surprise, was slowed long enough for the templar to caught up with her. When she had been properly apprehended the templar took a look on Fenris from head to toe as if challenging him to explain what he was. Fenris who had already subdued the surge of lyrium in his skin, as painful as it was, didn't like the attention and only acknowledged the templar with a faint nod before slinking back to his position between the grates.
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