Cassandra stepped out of the room for a moment to talk with Leliana privately in the hall.

"Well?" she asked crossing her arms.

The former bard crossed her arms. "He could be telling the truth."

"He's yet to tell us anything useful or even marginally helpful," Cassandra reminded.

"I wouldn't be so sure," said Leliana. "I remember Bethany back when I was in Lothering and I did wonder what happened to her after the Blight, though I never imagined that she was a mage at the time, I didn't even know that she and Daylen were even cousins. Still it is early in the story to contradict him."

Cassandra nodded in agreement, but house what the dwarf said next would shed more light on their situation.

Varric continued his story the moment that the Seeker re-entered the room, he was unsure why she had left and he didn't want to. The most important thing now was approved to the Seeker was that his friend was innocent.

"Thus began the Champion's first year in Kirkwall. Word arrived across the sea that the Hero of Ferelden had defeated the Blight. But Lothering was destroyed, Kirkwall was the Champion's home now. So he made his name, settling his debts with the mercenaries.

"It was a busy year in the city. That's when the Qunari landed. A great storm caught their ship and left hundreds of warriors stranded in the city, waiting to return home. That's also when the trouble began with the mages. The templars have become very powerful under Knight-Commander Meredith.

"But most importantly, that's when I first met the Champion."

Hawke and Carver were up in Hightown having a conversation with a dwarf named Bartrand Tethras, who is organising a expedition into the Deep Roads. If they could get on that expedition they could very well find a fortune down there.

Unfortunately, they weren't the only ones who had come up with the same idea and Bartrand had his fill of it. It did not help matters that Carver had gotten more angry over the year, especially after they cut ties with the Red Iron.

"No," said Bartrand, practically stomping away from them. "Andraste's tits, human! You know how many people want to hire onto this expedition?"

Carver clenched his fists. "Look, we know you're going into the Deep Roads. You'll need to hire the best, and we're—"

"No! You're too late! Already done!"

"The money from this trip could fix everything! You need us. We've fought darkspawn."

Bartrand squeezed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "Look, precious, I don't care if you tore the horns of an ogre with your bare hands."

Carver tried arguing further before throwing up his hands and turning to Hawke. "You make him understand. We're running from your bloody templars!"

"I know how you feel, but we'll earn no favours with your fist in his face," said Hawke calmly.

"Then we do nothing, as always," Carver grumbled.

Hawke rolled his eyes and turned to Bartrand. "My brother can be hotheaded, but we do have the skills to benefit your expedition."

Bartrand spat. "You're looking for a quick way out of the slums, right? You and every other Ferelden in this dump." He waved them away. "Find another meal ticket."

"Well," said Carver kicked at the ground. "Back to waiting for someone to turn us in."

"You can relax," Hawke said. "After all, the templars dogging us are 'mine'."

"Did I sound that bad?" Carver sighed as they started walking. "Maker, I'm turning into Gamlen." He shrugged. "Gamlen. He's got the head for this garbage. Maybe he can talk to Bartrand. He knows some people. After last week, we need all the coin and influence we can get."

The templars had recently been knocking on doors in Lowtown. Fortunately, he had been keeping his magic hidden very well, but he was unsure how long that would last. Hawke wasn't entirely convinced Gamlen wouldn't sell them out for some coin. "You catch more flies with honey, but Gamlen's bullshit could work too."

"Well, he did get us into the city, right?" Carver grumbled. "What else can we do? We're losing ground, and I don't fancy waking up in the Gallows."

Hawke sighed. His mother would likely get a light sentence for harbouring an apostate, but his brother would end up on a work detail. If he didn't get executed for actively trying to defend him. He'd told Carver a dozen times if they did get caught, just let the templars take him. Carver made it very clear he had no intention of listening.

Before he could say a single word, a young man brushed against him and he felt a hand brush his side. A quick look down revealed his coinpurse was missing. He wheeled around, catching sight of the red-haired thief.

"Hey!" he yelled.

At once he gave chase and Carver a step behind.

They turned the corner in time to see the thief take a crossbow bolt to the shoulder. The culprit was a ginger haired dwarf, with an absurd amount of chest hair and a strange looking crossbow alike to which he had never seen.

"I knew a guy once who could take every coin out of your pocket just by smiling at you," said the dwarf. "But you? You don't have the style to work Hightown, let alone the Merchants Guild."

He then extended his hand and the thief gave him the coinpurse. "Might what a find yourself a new line of work." He then punched him in the face and yanked out the bolt. "Off you go."

The dwarf then approached them and tossed Hawke back his coinpurse. "How do you do? Varric Tethras, at your service." He stowed the crossbow bolt. "I apologise for Bartrand. He wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit him square in the jaw."

"But you would?"

"I would. What my brother doesn't realise is that we need someone like you. He would never admit it, either—he's too proud. I, however, am quite practical."

In Kirkwall, suspicion was a virtue. "What makes you so certain we can help? You know nothing about us."

Varric shook his head. "On the contrary—you've made quite the name for yourself over the last year." He paced from side to side. "Serving with the Red Iron is no mean feat; yet you not only served, you impressed. The name 'Hawke' is on many lips these days. Not bad for a Ferelden fresh off the boat."

He began to wonder how much the dwarf knew about him. "You must have heard of my brother as well, then."

"A little, yes, but it is you they speak most of, messere."

"That figures," Carver said. He shook his head.

"Your brother is certainly welcome to join us, by all means, but I'll leave that in your hands."

"Oh, I'm going. Without this expedition, we won't last out the year."

It was too easy. There had to be a catch, because as the witch said a year ago there was always a catch. "You're going awfully far out of your way just to hire another guard."

"We don't need another hireling—we need a partner!" Varric sighed. "The truth is, Bartrand's been tearing his beard out trying to fund this on his own, but he can't do it. Invest in the expedition. Fifty sovereigns and he can't refuse. Not with me there to vouch for you."

The coinpurse the dwarf had recently returned contains six coppers, two silvers, a shiny piece of quartz, and a tooth. "I hope there's more to this. Like how I'm supposed to get that much coin together."

"You need to think big! There's only a brief window after a Blight when the Deep Roads won't be crawling with darkspawn." Varric smiled confidently. "The treasure you find down there could set you and your family up for life."

"Come on, the dwarf makes some sense," said Carver glanced at Varric. "No offense." He turned back to Hawke. "Look, you started this—and it's a good idea. Certainly better than ending up in the Gallows."

"We work together, you and I, and before you know it, you'll have all the capital you need." Varric spat in his palm and held out his hand. "What do you say?"

Carver had actually admitted he had a good idea. Hawke spat in his own palm, and shook the dwarf's hand. "You have a deal."

"Perfect," Varric said. He then looked at them all businesslike. "Kirkwall's crawling with work. You set aside some coin for every job, and you'll have the money in no time!"

"Sure, easy," said Carver sceptically. "But… maybe Aveline's got some bounties out. She joined the city guard, right?"

It was settled that they would go and see Aveline, but as they walked Hawke heard something from Varric that made him question his decision for the deal.

"You named your crossbow Bianca?" he blinked.

"And why not? She's a beauty. Isn't that right, sweetheart?" He caressed the grip of the weapon.

It was, actually. The entire mechanism was fascinating. A spring like it had could perhaps be built into a staff, letting a blade shoot out. He knew people often name their weapons, but they don't usually give them a woman's name. He began to wonder there was more to the story than Varric was letting on.

They soon reached the keep, which was the centre of power in all of Kirkwall, it was where people went to deal with business with both the city guard and the viscount, the ruler of the city. It was easiest the tallest building in the entire city and no doubt was where the Imperium ruled from.

"You can't miss the keep," Varric said. "It practically screams 'nothing fun ever happens here."

"It was made by the Imperium," Hawke reminded. "I doubt any of them had a sense of humour."

Varric chuckled. "True enough."

They found Aveline in the barracks wearing her city guard armour. It looks as if she fitted quite well in Kirkwall, no doubt her time serving in the king's army helped get this position in the city guard.

She had her back turned to them and was looking at noticeboard fall of different routes and patrols.

"Aveline," Hawke smiled.

"Hello, Hawke," she said without turning around.

He sighed. "Been a while. Hasn't it?"

"What?" She turned around. "Oh, right. Sorry, it feels like we just talked. I've been keeping an eye on you. Information is one of the few perks of this job. Watch out for Bartrand—he's a son of a bitch."

He groaned, ever since she joined the city guard, Aveline had been keeping an eye on him. "You know I don't like it when you have people watch me."

"Saved me camping on your doorstep. After what we went through to get here…" She sighed. "Well… you're no child, but I take care of my friends." After a moment, she leaned on the wall. "The places they have me patrolling, I've got time."

"Still having trouble?" Hawke frowned. "I thought you were past all that."

"Lately, I don't know. I've been pushed out to some dead patrols. Maybe I stepped on someone's toes."

"You can be…" He paused as he tried to find the right word. "…forceful."

Aveline smiled. "My charm, right? I should be able to go I'm needed." She glanced to the side, then back at him. "In fact, I might have a job for you. Let me know if you want me to do a favor for Kirkwall." She shrugged. "Otherwise, I'm here if you need me. Maker knows I could use more satisfying work."

Work was good, it's what he'd come for. Having Aveline at his back was always good. She was family. "All right, Aveline. You have something worth doing?"

"My patrols may be empty walks in the dark, but there's something big coming up, and I could use you." She lowered her voice slightly. "An ambush. Probably for a caravan, although I can't find any shipments that match up." Her face set itself into determined lines. "Doesn't matter, though. Highwaymen waiting for someone to rob? I'm putting a stop to it, my district or not."

They both keep the city safe and get some extra coin. Kill two birds with one stone. "Aveline, you've got yourself a partner."

Her face lit up when she smiled. "I knew I could count on you. They're hidden up Sundermount. Remote and rough, but we can make good time with a shortcut this side." She started to walk away, then obviously remembered with whom she was speaking. Her finger pressed against his chest. "And no, you can't run off and do it without me. I trust you, but I have to be there. You're acting on behalf of the guard."

They brought Varric along. Partly to get an idea of the man's capabilities, partly because an extra hand was always welcome, but mostly to see whether he could trust the dwarf.

Sundermount took them nearly two hours outside of the city. Hawke stretched, and took a moment to breath. He glanced at Aveline. "Doesn't seem to be a lot of potential witnesses out here."

She glanced at him, catching the question. "A little fire would likely go unnoticed."

He smiled. "Seems like Kirkwall suits you."

"It has been a challenge. Lots of opportunity… if you're the type the locals want."

"Are you?"

She sighed. "If you argue enough, you kind of convince yourself."

"The Blight is over. You could go back to Lothering." He'd tried to convince his mother, but Leandra was determined to remain in Kirkwall. There were too many memories back in Ferelden.

"That wasn't home for me. It was just where the horde pressed us." She put a hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't the first village I saw fall. But you don't get used to people losing everything."

"It's not how I wanted to say goodbye, I'll give you that."

"You can't go home again. That's supposed to be about maturity. It's not the same if you don't have the option."

He glanced over his shoulder at where Carver and Varric were bickering about the merits and hardships of being younger siblings. "This must be a very different pace from serving King Cailan."

"I loved that life, but there's a new king for a new Ferelden." She shrugged. "Seems cocksure, but I guess he was there when the Archdemon fell. Can't fault an active hand." One of her shoulders twitched. "It's just one more change, though. The real end for me was Ostagar." She glanced back at the others. "What about you, Carver? You were there. Do you feel something similar?"

"No," said Carver simply.

She merely shook her head at him. "All right, then." She glanced back at Hawke. "Bit of a tit, your brother."

They hit the first bandits halfway up the trail. He called down a firestorm while Carver and Aveline hit the second group. Varric was certainly skilled with his crossbow, because he was able to place the bolt in a banded about one hundred yards away and then he was able disarmed the traps but they had laid.

There was another group before they found the main ambush party. He used another firestorm to break their lines. Carver and Aveline charged in as the bandits tried to run in all directions. Varric disarmed the traps as Aveline began to check the bodies.

"Well-equipped for bandits, but dead is dead and the road is clear," Aveline smiled. "Captain Jeven needs to know of this. Back to the barracks for your just reward."

Things did not go according to plan. He leaned against the doorway as he heard Jeven yelling at Aveline, he spoke so loudly that he could be heard through the wooden door

"I don't know how they do it where you're from, Guardswoman, but I decide the patrols, not you and your whims. You may have been put up for lieutenant in your first year, but I'll have no show-offs in my command. Have I made myself clear? Report to your post, before I have you and your Fereldan accomplice jailed."

Aveline then stormed out of the man's office with a look of frustration and fury on her face. He gave her a moment to catch her breath and compose herself. "A lot of yelling for doing him a favour."

"We killed a band of highwayman. What is the matter whose patrol it was?" He saw the concern in her green eyes. "It's not the first time he's made me wonder like this. Something is very wrong."

He agreed. "So let's find out whose toes you actually stepped on."

Aveline nodded. "Then let's check the duty roster, and see who was supposed to take that route." She walked towards the roster, muttering to herself. "What I stepped in this time?"

They wandered over to the duty roster and began searching for the duty patrols. That was when another guard came up to her, a woman with short dark blonde hair.

"Aveline." She smiled at Aveline. "I owe you for clearing that ambush the other night. Saved me a mess of trouble."

Aveline turned and looked at her. "Brennan, that route was yours?"

"It was. Single patrol. I'd have been dead for sure."

He exchanged a glance with Aveline. "So there was nothing unusual about it at all?"

Brennan shook her head. "It had been cleared for weeks. It lingered unusual until at that we heard about you and Aveline." She looked back at Aveline. "The captain reassigned me after he heard what you did, and I passed the satchel to Donnic for his patrol tonight."

Hawke looked up. "The satchel?"

"Pay and order assignments. Captain has us run deliveries to the outposts during light duty. It's usually just an updated copy of the roster. The satchel for that night was heavy, though. Anyway, thanks again, Aveline. You're a good one."

Aveline turned to look at him. "So the satchel gets heavy the same day we discover an ambush."

He nodded. "A messy way to pass information, and Brennan already said it along."

"Another guard is walking into the same trap, I can't let that happen." She looked over the roster. "Brennan said Donnic… a good man, Donnic… Donnic. I've got his route. A night walk in Lowtown. Let's go make sure his quiet patrol stays that way."

"Carver and Varric were heading to the Hanged Man. We can grab them on the way."

"Thank you."

"What do you mean that wasn't the right group of bandits?" Carver sighed. "How many groups of bandits are there in Kirkwall?"

"It's a long story, I'll explain later," said Hawke. He glanced at Aveline. "Which way?"

"Towards the foundry." She started moving, and he fell into step behind her.

After a minute, she held up her hand, then glanced back at him. Donnic was on the ground. He wasn't moving, which meant he was still alive, but with that many around him… if they charged in, Donnic would either be killed or used as a hostage. He met Aveline's eyes, then touched his staff. She nodded.

He sent the swath of ice high, catching most of the bandits at the waste level and missing Donnic entirely. Aveline and Carver charged the moment he flung the spell, taking advantage of the confusion to plant themselves on either side of the downed man. He then fired a fireball and brought down the group of archers that were aiming at the two of them.

Aveline moved to the downed guard's side as soon as the last of the bandits were dead. She glanced up at Hawke, and he wove a healing spell before going to investigate the satchel. Donnic blinked up at Aveline. "Who… Ave… Aveline?" She pulled him to his feet. "You're a beautiful sight."

"Guardsman?" Aveline's voice was soft. However Hawke was more focused on the satchel.

Donnic shook his head as if clearing cobwebs. "I mean, I was on patrol, and they came out of nowhere. I took a few down but there were too many at once." He looked around, and his eyes widened slightly. "The captain said this route was supposed to be quiet."

Hawke began laying out the contents of the satchel. Carver frowned. "The seal of the viscount. Office details, city accounts."

"Valuable to a guild of thieves," Hawke said.

Aveline narrowed her eyes. "A sacrificial delivery with one of our own. Captain Jeven will answer."

Hawke placed the contents back in the satchel and handed it over to her. "Exposing this kind of corruption could make the garden look weak."

Aveline just gave him a firm look. "Then we look weak. The others deserve better." She looked down at the satchel. "This goes to the office of the viscount. This will be known." She looked down at the dead. "The captain likes his thieves so much, let's see if they welcome him in prison."

Hawke stood, and nodded to Donnic. The man returned the nod. "I'll make it back to the barracks." His eyes went briefly to Hawke's staff. "Thank you for your help."

The moment they returned back to the keep they informed the proper officials of the situation immediately. Seneschal Bran accompanied both he and Aveline to witness the arrest of Jeven. Jeven was practically throwing a tantrum. "How dare you! I am guard captain! I won't be treated like this!" He glared at Aveline. "Ferelden bitch! This was none of your affair! I'll see you hanged! Quartered! This will not stand!"

More than a few of the guards were hiding smiles. Some weren't bothering. Captain Jeven, it seemed, was not a well-liked man. Seneschal Bran turned towards Aveline. "We found a number of debts to… suspect peoples. Such poor character." He gave Aveline a respectful nod. "But you, Aveline Vallen, have proven your loyalty and ability."

"The guard deserves better than him, messere," she said plainly.

"Indeed. The viscount would have you put your care for the men into direct practice. You will assume the captain's job."

"What?" Aveline could only stare. Hawke started to smile.

"In due time, of course. There will be training, approvals. Months, at least." Seneschal Bran gestured. "But who better than to rebuild respect than the woman who exposed this… embarrassment. Resolve any outstanding business, Guardswoman. You will be very busy." Seneschal Bran left.

Aveline glanced over at him, and he gave her an encouraging smile. He wasn't the only one. Her one smile was a little bit trembling. She looked around the office, a trace of wonder on her face. He just smiled as he left the room and couldn't help but think that Aveline's promotion was a long time coming.

"It was a conspiracy that put Aveline into the Guard Captain's office, just not the one we thought." Cassandra shook her head.

"Considering what she has done in that position…" Leliana sighed. "Even if she'd personally slit Jeven's throat, we dare not act against her."

"True." Cassandra glanced back into the other room. "Do you think he is telling the truth?"

"I will need to hear more."