New Age

Chapter Seven: Poison to the Hart

Athenril found out about the Golden Lotus. She chewed out Calder and Memerin for their foolishness. Hawke tried to save Calder and Memerin, only to find himself on the cutting board himself. She sent Calder and Memerin away with cuts to their pay. The pair were relieved to leave to with all their body parts still attached so they didn't mind the pay loss. Hawke on the other hand was given a long lecture on his actions.

"But Athenril I can protect myself." Hawke interrupted, trying to reassure her. Instead she got even more angry and shouted even louder. So Hawke sat quietly with his head bowed waiting for Athenril to run out of words. When she finally did she restricted him to doing work on the base under Athenril firm gaze.

So Hawke was reduced to using his talent to moving shipments, and lighting torches. After the third week of his punishment Hawke was bored. He was placing a new torches on the wall of one of the smuggling tunnels towards the docks. Hawke snapped his fingers and watched as the several torches along the wall all began to burn at the same time. He had tried to make this job interesting by using fairy light. But the green glowing fire seem to terrify everyone. So he was reduced to manipulating his control of fire. He signed dramatically unsatisfied.

"That a pretty neat trick" Hawke turned to find Anders standing behind him. Hawke's breath had caught in this throat, and he made a startled sound.

. Anders smiled reassuring at him, and tapped his staff,"You don't need to worry, lad. I'm a mage myself so I won't report you."

Hawke took a moment to remember he could in fact breath, and let out a long breath that seemed like sigh of relief.

"How do you do it? Charm each one then active them?" Anders indicated the torches.

Hawke shock his head, "Simple fire spell. But instead of focusing on a single flame, I set multiple target to direct my magic at. The timing is tricky but you just have to take into account the distance of each torch you and direct the spell at the further first accordingly. It doesn't take much to lite oil soaked torches, so the spell doesn't use much magic." Hawke knew he was blabbering but he didn't know what to do with the sudden appearance of his lost friend.

"You have a lot of control for someone your age." Anders then asked. "But what a boy like you doing in these tunnels? Aren't they owned by a group of smugglers?"

"Working for them." Hawke stated crossing his arms. "What are you doing in them?"

Anders shoulder fell, "Getting lost. I'm trying to find the smugglers base. I have a meeting with their leader."

"Oh, then I'll take you to her." Hawke said before heading back down the tunnel he just lite. Anders had a ability of getting lost underground. He remember the time the was locked in the Duke dungeon and he had to break himself out because Anders and Varric couldn't find him.

Hawke glanced back to his friend. Anders looked younger and far healthier than Hawke remembered. But then again in the months leading to the chantry explosion Anders wasn't sleeping or eating properly. Then when he ...Hawke clenched his hand at the memory of the dagger in his hand with blood on it.

"My name is Anders. What yours?" Anders asked calling Hawke attention away from his memories. The taller mage had matched his pace and walked beside Hawke.

"Hawke," he answered without looking up at him. He felt the guilt in his pit of his stomach and he didn't know what he expression had.

"So what a child like yourself doing working for a group of smugglers?" Anders asked trying he begin a conversation.

"Paying off my debt to them. Athenril paid my way into Kirkwall and got me out of the Gallows when during the blockage against Fereldans refugee's." Hawke replied honestly. He trusted Anders with that knowledge before and decided to do so now.

"What about your family?"

Hawke still recovering from his memories was caught off guard by Anders question. The image of his family from that day on the docks stabbed him in his heart. Hawke stopped mid stride, to take a breath and banish the image. It took only a moment but Hawke picked up his pace to move ahead of Anders.

"I'm an orphan." Hawke stated and realized it wasn't exactly a lie. "I can take care of my self."

Anders watched the boys back. He caught the flash of pain cross the boy face, causing twinge of anger at the injustice, and Vengeance stirred in his mind. Anders released his anger by replacing it with pity for the young boy who clearly had a hard life. But before Anders could think of anything to say. Two guards stepped into the tunnel blocking their way.

"Hawke," the older guard nodded at the young boy. "Who's this?"

"Athenril next meeting. Got lost in the tunnels coming here. I'll bring him up to Athenril." Hawke replied gesturing to Anders

"Trying to get in Athenril good books again? Tried of lighting torches and moving boxes?" the other guard mocked. Hawke chose to ignore him and strode past them with Anders trailing behind.

"Jerks." Hawke said under his breath.

"Are you trying to use me to your favor?" Anders suddenly asked.

Hawke gave him a angry and hurt expression. "No. I was trying to help you. I know Athenril will call me for a job once her anger fades and I'm actually needed."

"You do smuggling?"

"Here it comes..." Hawke thought, as he rolled his eyes saying. "I do work for smugglers. And my magic is useful."

"But your just a boy. Isn't it dangerous?" Anders argued.

"I did say I could take care of myself. Ah, here you go. Athenril is inside. Go on your already late." Hawke stopped in from of Athenril office. Anders gave him a disapproving look before opening the door and entering. Hawke leaned against the wall and listened through the door.

Anders needed help smuggling out a couple of mages out of Kirkwall. Athenril was refusing because it would get her unwanted Templar attention. Back and for they argued voices slowing raising into shouts as the two temper flared. Then Anders accused her about being a money scrubbing bitch because she forces a child to endanger himself to pay off his debts. That when the dagger embedded itself through the door.

"Out! If I ever see you again. I'll tan your hide!" she roared. The door flew open and Anders marched out in a fury, eyes blazing blue as he exited the base. Seeing a storm brewing Hawke tried to sneak away.

"Hawke!" Athenril scream shock the building this time, and Hawke flinched.

Later that day, Hawke found Anders in Darktown and threw a stone at the back of the blonde head. Still clearly anger from before, Anders turned with a shout hand on his staff. Then he recognized Hawke approaching him. Hawke was equally as angry and marched right up to him to kick him in the shin. With a shout of pain Anders fell to his knees. Finally eye level, Hawke glared at him ferociously.

"Why did you have to go and bring me into your argument!?" Hawke snapped. "You made her even more angry with me! Now I have to clean the entire base from top to bottom. Then I have to do the same for the boat! Do you know how much hard work that is going to be?"

"You shouldn't have work for smugglers in the first place."

Hawke threw up his hands, "Grow up, Anders. This is the real world. Athenril didn't have to help me, and I'm grateful she did. And it just so happens that I don't mind working for her. It lets me use my magic effectively."

"But.." Anders started.

Hawke cut him off, " Did you even think that the reason Athenril refused to help you is because she didn't want to endanger me?"

"She ...she was protecting you." Anders stuttered.

" Not all mages are repressed and controlled, Anders. Think about the consequence fully before you act!"

Anders was stunned into silence. He had been lectured before but not like this dark hair, blue eyed child. Hawke didn't even insult him and had solid reasoning to his argument. This little ball of fury talked to him like a equal, and not someone who was older or wiser. And that confused him.

Hawke threw up his hands in frustration continuing his rant, "And now I have to spend the last two months of my debt in actual servitude."

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize. Your debt is almost paid?" Anders blinked in confusion.

Hawke rage died in those puppy dog eyes of Anders, and he breathed out, "Well, you thought you were justify. Anyway that's not the reason I'm here."

"It's not?"

"No. I'm here to tell you, if you can get your mages to the docks just before sunrise tomorrow there will be a boat there to take them to a waiting ship." Hawke explained.

Anders shot up, "How? Why? She?"

Hawke gave him a smug grin, "I had a couple of words with her. And she agreed. But it extended my punishment to including the boat. I can't be seen with Templars coming around."

Anders grabbed Hawke in a fierce hug, lifting him off the ground, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"

Hawke struggled in his grasp, "Hey, put me down. I'm not some kitten you can snuggle."

Anders put him down with big grin on his face. Hawke straighten his cloak, looking as unimpressed as a disgruntled cat to Anders. It made him ruffle the younger mage hair. Hawke swatted his hand away and pulled up his hood pouting.

"What can I do to repay you?" Anders asked smirking.

"Nothing. Your paying Athenril for this service." Hawke replied half turned away from Anders.

"I'll pay her. But what can I do for you? You went out of your way to help me even when I had gotten you in trouble. So I'll ask again how can I repay you for your kindness?"

Hawke shook his head, "If us mages don't help each other who will?"

"No, I'll..." Anders was cut off by someone shouting Hawke's name.

Hawke turned to find Fawn grabbing his arm, "Hawke, you have to come. Hart she's ... sick again. It's worse, she's coughing blood!" Hawke didn't ask any questions as he ran with Fawn. He didn't notice that Anders had followed them until Fawn stopped before reaching her house. Fawn turned to stare at Anders with a hard questioning stare as Anders joggled to check up with them.

Anders caught up to them, "Good you stopped. How are you so fast running up those steps?"

"Who are you?" Fawn demanded, tense and uneasy.

Hawke waved her question away, "Anders is a mage and healer. He can help. If he wants to." Hawke directed the last comment at Anders.

The blonde mage nodded, "Of I'll help but could you tell me what it you are doing?"

"You'll see soon enough." Hawke said as he pushed open a door into one of the dirty houses in Lowtown. Fawn decided that there was more important things than the questioning the strange mage. She ignored him and went into her home as Hawke headed into the first room on the left. Curious Anders followed them, where he found a sickly girl with red hair laying in the bed.

Hawke went to Hart's side, and lifted her wrist to check her pulse, finding it fast and erratic. Hart's skin was sickly pale and didn't even twitch under Hawke hands. Her breathing was labored, and there was blood on her lips. Hawke open Hart eye, finding her pupil dilated but responsive as it looked at Hawke.

Hawke breathed as placed his hand on Hart's chest, allowing his magic to seep into the girl. Hawke spread his magic through out Hart's body, waving his wave gently. Hawke eased Hat's pain and the young girl began to breathe easier. But he couldn't find the source of the illness. As his magic began draining, Hawke released the spell. He cursed reached into his pocket for a lyrium potion.

Hawke had forgotten about Anders presence until he spoke, "If I may?" Anders touched Hawke shoulder gently. Hawke nodded and stepped out of the way.

"I can't find the source of the sickness." Hawke explained as Anders knelt beside Ben and began his own observations. "Each time I heal her, and she returned to being healthy she gets sick again."

"If I hadn't seen you just do it, I wouldn't have believed you." Anders replied. "But you have the ability to heal."

"Some skill. I wasn't formally trained in healing, battle magic taking a more necessary importance." Hawke replied. "I wishes I had learned more because I been finding myself healing more often than fighting these days."

"Hmm." Anders began his healing, hands glowing blue, magic trickling into Hart. Anders shoulder stiffened as the spell continued and the trailed his hands along Hart limbs healing her. Hart features eased as the pain lifted and skin beginning to have a better color. Anders released the spell, Hawke steadied Anders as he teetered back.

Hart open his eyes, and Fawn cried out jumping onto the bed to rap her arms around her sister. Hart groaned, but smiled and returned the hug.

"Hello, little sister." she gave her a cheeky smile.

Fawn punched her, "You really scared me! Don't do that again."

Hart lowered her gaze, "Can't do that. The Maker seems determined to bring me to his side." Hawke narrowed his eyes as Fawn whimpered, into her sister's chest.

"The Maker has nothing to do with this." Anders said voice going serious. "How long have you been poisoning yourself."

Hart looked stunned and shocked, eyes going wide, as she gasped, "Poison?"

"Yes, you have been exposed to low levels of poison. Over time you started getting sicker. You probably would have died long ago if Hawke had been healing you of the poison." Anders explained. "So where would you have been exposed to poison if you aren't taking yourself?"

Hart shook his head slowly, "No where. I work as dress-maker's apprentice. The only things I touch are fabrics, thread, and needles."

Suddenly the house door open and a woman called in, "Henrietta, Flora. I'm home. I've picked up some herbs that Winifred swears can help with the illness you have." A mousey hair woman open the bedroom door. Startled by how many people were in the room she covers her mouth and shift the basket behind her. Hawke narrow his eyes at her.

Doreen was Hart and Fawn aunt, and their guardian after their parents death. Hart and Fawn had lived in the Pit for five months until Hart was old enough to get her inheritance. Then she could pay for a low rent house in Low Town. Their aunt appeared and moved in with them a week later. She help with the rent and cooked the food, so Hart had allowed her to stay.

"Oh, Hawke your back. I glad to see that Henrietta has a such a good friend who come to see her." she smiles sweety at Hawke. But Hawke can see the smile is feign as it doesn't reach her eyes as she looks at him. She studies Anders a moment, then changes her stance and curls her hair behind her ear.

"And who is this fine ser?" she asks stepping towards Anders holding out her hand.

"Anders, ma'am. I'm a skilled healer, and Hawke as me to come help heal his friend." Anders bowed his head not taking her hand.

Doreen looked hesitant for a moment before she smiled, "Thanks good. And how is Henrietta?" Hawke saw that hesitation and noticed her moment of nervousness as she gripped the basket. He stepped closer to her unnoticed as Doreen watched Anders.

"She should be fine now, ma'am. She should get a few day rest to let the healing take hold. But I've healed the illness." Anders replied vaguely, he had also noticed Doreen odd behavior.

"Oh, good. How much will the healing cost?"

"Nothing, ma'am. This is a favor for Hawke. And I was happy to help."

Doreen looked relieved, "That's good. Henrietta is forever getting sick. I didn't know how I was going to pay for all the healing's."

Hawke choose that moment to snatch the basket from her, "Well you won't have to worry about that once we find the source of Hart's illness."

"Give that back, you brat!" Doreen snarled lunging for Hawke.

Anders stepped in the way, giving her a grave expression, "I wouldn't do that if I was you."

Hawke shifted through the vegetables and bread till he found what he was looking for near the bottom of the baskets. He held out the offending plant, saying, "Deathroot."

The room fell deathly silent as everyone stared hard at Doreen. Doreen tried to play innocent saying, "Is that what that is. Winifred told me it was a healing herb."

"Don't...just don't. I don't want to hear more of your lies." Hart said softy, she looked at her aunt sadly. "But tell me why? I though we were family. I let you stay here when you had nowhere else to go."

"Let me? LET ME!" Doreen spat on the floor. "You took everything from me. I was living fine on the inheritance until you took it. It was MINE!" A knife flashed in her hand and she lunged at Hart and Fawn. Since Anders was between Hawke and Doreen, he couldn't strike at her.

Fawn raised her hands and screamed, "NO!" Magic spilled from her hands and Doreen was frozen solid to the floor. Fawn collapsed into her sister's arms, and Hart hugged her tight, crying out her name.

"It's alright, Hart. She just exhausted from using her magic for the first time." Hawke said, as Fawn blinked up at her sister. "Well done, Fawn." Fawn gave him a weak smile.

"Bitch," Anders said staring at Doreen frozen form. "She should be taken straight to the guards and charged for attempted murder."

Hawke shock his head, "Can't. Then it will be revealed that Fawn's a mage and she will be taken to the Circle."

"No! I won't allow it." Hart stated firmly.

"I know you won't." Hawke said with a smile. "But as it stands you can't stay in Kirkwall any longer. There's too much risk to Hart."

"Why? You and Feynriel live here as apostates." Hart stated, "We can hide like you."

"Yes, but the people who know that we are mages aren't going to tell the Templars. This bitch will. Unless you want me to kill her." Hawke said coldly eyeing Doreen. This offer stunned both Anders and Hart because they just stared at him.

Then Hart shock her head, "She may have tried to kill me, but she's still family. I won't fall to her level and have her killed."

Hawke nodded, "Then you can come to the Pit. It's safest there until I can get you passage out of Kirkwall."

"You don't have to do that Hawke."

"It's the least I can do for failing to see a viper threatening you." Hawke replied. "Tell me what you packed."

"Hawke..."

Hawke gave her a pleading look, "Let me do this." Hart shut her mouth and nodded. She began a short list of supplies to collect. When Fawn awoke she help him carry the packs. Anders picked up the still weak Hart in his arms. She blushed as he carried her with a wink.

Hawke lead Anders back to the Pit to be greeted by the other children. Cub ran to him to show him this cut on his elbow that he got fighting a dragon. Hawke chuckled and healed it with a brush of his fingers. Hawke had Anders place Hart in the largest bed in the shack. Fawn promptly climbed into the bed with her sister and fell asleep.

"Sorry Anders, there isn't a bed large enough for you. But it you can help me move some fur from the cart then we can set something up that you can at least be comfortable on." Hawke said, showing Anders his mining cart bed.

Anders was giving him a odd look, "Why are you doing this?"

"What setting you up a bed?" Hawke replied laying out the furs.

"No...well that too. But why do anything of this? Why help heal people without a fee? Why shelter the orphans? Why help me?"

Hawke gave him a confused look, "Because it's the right thing to do. I'm sure you would do the same."

"But aren't you afraid people will reveal you to the Templars."

"No, well a bit." Hawke shrugged, then he looked up directly into Anders eyes. "Anders let me tell you something. I've done some bad things. I've killed people, more people than I can count. And I know I will kill again. But ever time I see their face when I heal them it chases the shadows away. I can go on doing good things not because of the reward but because they are good."

Hawke turned to watch the children cooking around the fire pit, and continued, "I won't let the fact that I'm a mage stop me from doing that. Because you know what, if you help people see the good that you can do with magic then they will stop being afraid of you. See the children here. All them have been thrown aside by society and deeply scarred. But here they can be children and grow. And when they will grow up and have children of their own they will tell their children what a mage did for them. Not the Chantry, not Kirkwall, a mage. This is the first step is mage equality."

Anders listened silently, mind in a haze over what this small child was telling him. He sat and curled his knees up to his chest. Hawke noticed that Anders had lost himself in thought and pulled a fur blanket over his shoulders. He left his friend with those thoughts. Hawke had spend years thinking of what he would have said to convince Anders that his actions were wrong. It took coming back to Kirkwall for Hawke to find his answer. He just hoped Anders would listen.

Anders awoke to a finger poking at his face, and he open his eyes to find a green eyes toddler staring at him. He blinked confused by the sight.

"R' thu' dead?" the toddler lad asked. Anders shot up and remembered why he was in a cavern filled with children.

"Of course he's not dead, Cub." Hart called. "Now come here and eat your breakfast." Cub ran back over to the fire pit where Hart was holding some bread. He grabbed the bread and sat down by his twin sister quietly munching on her piece of bread. Anders stood up and follow the toddler, to sit by the still burning fire. Anders noticed that it had a green glow to it and leaned closer to study it.

"Hawke made it." Hart explained to his questioning gaze. "Continues to burning even if we don't have any wood to feed it. It the only source of warmth down here so it don't matter if it's green."

"Magic fire," Cub said with a mouth full of food. Anders smiled and remembered Hawke's words.

"How are you feel Henrietta?" Anders asked leaning into put his hand on her forehead.

She smiled. "Just fine. I slept like the dead last night and feel as refreshed as a daisy. And call me Hart. Everyone down here has animal names, it's a bit of a tradition. I think I going have to change our name anyway, and these are as good as any other."

Anders nodded understanding, then looked around, "Where's your sister?"

"Fawn? She over in Hawke training area trying to do magic," she pointed over to the darker section of the cavern. "I told her to wait for Hawke return. But she wants to surprise him."

"Where is he by the way?"

"Went to the smugglers. He's going to ask them to smuggle Fawn and I with the mages they're going to transport to tonight."

Anders looked startled, "How are you going to pay for that?"

"Hawke going to ask that the fee be added to his debt." she glanced away ashamed. "Hawke had told me that I best save my money for setting up a new life. But I couldn't pay it even if I wanted to. And Hawke had already decided to help. We all learned early that when Hawke makes a decision that nothing can be done to change that.'

"He's a good lad." Anders smiled softly knowing the feeling. "So do you know anything about him?"

"I know he's as stubborn and as powerful as a dragon. He's protective of anyone who lives in the Pit. He's also smart, even smarter than Chantry mothers. His maturity come from his hard life and experience. About his past. Nothing." Hart replied shaking her head. "He's got Andraste blood in him. Who are we to question where he come's from."

Anders shifted uncomfortably, but a sudden explosion of light caught their attention.

"Fawn!" Hart called with a worried tone. Rising to head into the shadows with Anders at her heels.

"I'm alright," the young girl picked herself off the ground, dusting the dirt of her leggings.

Hart sighed, "This is why I said wait for Hawke. He can show you properly."

"But I did magic yesterday."

"That was a formless spell working off your intent." Anders explained.

"Huh?" Fawn tilted her head in confusion. Anders thought how to best explain it. He was never allowed even close to the young apprentices back in the tower in case his rebellious nature would spread

"Lets see you wanted to stop your aunt yesterday, right?"

"Yes!"

"So your magic used your will to create ice. It wasn't a spell which needed structure and intent to create a form." Anders tried.

"I still don't understand." Fawn said. " But I created ice because I wanted to."

"Sort of..." Anders shoulders slumped. "Magic need your will to work, but it also need structure. Like...like water!"

"Huh?"

"Well, lets say magic is like water. If you pour water on the floor it just get every where. But if you had pore water into a cup it takes a form. Like what you did, your magic just went everywhere as a fireball. But if you give it form." Anders threw out his hand, lighting a torch on the wall. "It creates the shape you want."

"Oh..." Fawn stared at the fire then at Anders. "How do I do that?"

"Hmm..." Anders floundered.

"Alright, that enough magic, Fawn. Wait for Hawke to return and he can teach you. Come eat." Hart stated drawing her sister to the fire pit.

Anders felt a bit bad having a child teach another child. But Hawke could talk to the children in a way he couldn't. Kitten came up to him and sat herself in the light of the torch and began drawing in the dirt with a stick.

"What's are you doing?" Anders tried talking to the child, looking down.

"Doggy!" Kitten pointed at her scribble.

"I see." He really didn't it looked like scribble to him.

"Draw! Like Hawke." the little girl pointed up at the wall. Anders turned his head and could see something carved into the cavern wall. He got closer but he couldn't make it out in the dim light of the torch. Then he saw more torches, and lite them with his magic.

Anders found himself surrounded by writings carved into the walls. Complex runes, ancient languages, enchanted symbols, and magic calculation. He couldn't even understand half of the things on the walls. And what he did understand scared him.

He turned frantically to Hart grabbing her shoulder, "Did Hawke draw those?!"

Hart gave him a startled look, "Of course he did."

"How!" Anders nearly shock her.

"I did say he was smart. And before you ask I don't know what he draws there, but he's been doing that from the beginning. Hawke is trying to figure something out. He used to stare at those walls for hours." She detached her self from him, and asked, "Do you know what he's doing?"

"No, and that scares me. Being able to use magic at a young age is one thing. This..." He gesture at the runes. "Is something entirely different."

"Then I suggest you ask Hawke then." Hart replied. "He might answer you."

So Anders waited studying the wall in all it forms, even using the fairy light on them. The longer he stared the more confused he got. He was lost in his thought when Hawke returned and found him sitting there.

"It was too much to hope for you not to notice these." Hawke sighed.

Anders shot up, waving at he wall "And what are these!"

"You know what they are." Hawke met his gaze firmly.

"No, I don't."

"You don't? But you had a Circle education."

"I didn't stay long enough in the Circle to get a proper education. I favored my practical lesson more than the ones on magical theory." Anders snapped. "I want to know how you do!"

Hawke hesitated and looked away trying to think of an answer.

Anders saw this and said, "Don't lie to me, Hawke. Tell me the truth."

Hawke body stiffened and a stubborn frown appeared on his lips, "No. I don't need to tell you anything."

"Hawke, this isn't possible. A child your age shouldn't know thing like this!" Anders stated, grabbing his shoulder.

Hawke tugged his shoulder out of Anders grip, turning away from him as he said, "No they shouldn't. But I do. You already know I'm not a normal child."

"Does it have to do with what's written here?"

Hawke spun and shot a fireball at the largest rune circle scorching the wall, "Forget what you seen. How I came to be this way is to dangerous for you to know. But it won't happen again."

"Hawke..." Anders tried.

"No, leave it!" Hawke snapped. "I don't need to be saved Anders."

Anders stepped back, stunned, "Is that what you think...I'm just worried."

"I don't need your pity or your idea of justice. Go save another mage." Hawke turned his back, dismissing him. Anders felt he had pushed Hawke to far. Justice lingering in the shadows of his mind was out raged at Hawke's words. Anders turned and walked away from Hawke before he did something he regretted. He stormed out of the carven not looking back.

That night he when he brought the mages to the docks he could still hear those words in his mind. He found Hart, Fawn, and Hawke waiting at the meeting spot at the docks. He ignored Hawke and turned to the sea to see a boat arriving through the fog. It signaled them with a lantern which Hawke returned with a glow from his hand.

Hart came up to him, "Sorry about Hawke. If I had known he was going to reach that way I would have warned you. I'm just used to how gentle he is with the children that I can forget how hard he can be to adults."

"You have nothing to apologize for. I think I pushed Hawke too far. I mean he doesn't knows me, so why would he open up to me." Anders replied with a bit of harshness in his voice.

"I'm not certain about that. Hawke does seem to trust you."

Anders raised his eyebrow, "How do you know that?"

"Because you're the only adult Hawke has ever brought to the Pit," Hart replied. "The last one that entered without Hawke's permission, he broke the floor."

"What?"

"Yes. And I've seen him with you. It usually takes a long time for Hawke to warm you others enough that he can relax around them."

Anders turned his gaze to Hawke who was talking to the smugglers. "He does?"

"Perhaps because you didn't meet him before Fennec you can't see the difference." Hart said vaguely.

"I...think I should..."

"Hart, Fawn. Come along the boat waiting." Hawke called.

Hart rapped a arm around Anders waist, "Don't destroy what Hawke's seems willing to give. His friendship. Goodbye Anders, and thank you."

Hart took Fawn hand who waved at Anders. Anders watched Hawke be hugged by the girls a warm smile of his face that made his seem so young. The other mages shook Anders hand gratefully and board the small vessel. Once everyone as on the boat, it pushed off and disappeared into the fog leaving Anders and Hawke alone.

"Hawke..."Anders started throat a bit dry.

"Anders." Hawke replied crossing his arms.

"Hmm...I know I didn't seem grateful last night. But I am." Anders turned to look Hawke in the eye. "I thought about your words. And I know that you don't need my help. But can I ask for yours when I need it?" Anders saw Hawke relax, realizing the truth of Harts words.

"Only if you show me how to be a better healer," Hawke said with a wide smile.

"That I can do."