"Hawke, you cannot be serious." Sebastian said in shock. The mage looked at him calmly.
"Going to the Grand Cleric now will only make things worse, Sebastian. When we have all the evidence against Petrice, we will reveal her crimes to Elthina. Until then, stay with Kierrai until she wakes up." he ordered. Sebastian was indignant. He shook his head furiously.
"Hawke, that woman who claims to serve the Maker himself is using her power to hurt you through the violation of an innocent woman, and you aren't going to do anything about it? I thought you cared for her, Hawke!" he shouted. Hawke stood quickly, advancing on Sebastian until they were nose to nose.
"Do not doubt that I care for Kierrai, princeling. If you weren't so damn blinded by your anger, you would see that as of this moment, the only evidence against Petrice that we have is our word. I know that Elthina is an understanding woman, but do you really think she would be more likely to believe me, an apostate, over a mother of her own chantry? We need more solid evidence before we will be able to do anything." he growled. The archer glared at the mage before stepping away from him.
"I will trust your judgement, for now. But if Kierrai wants this taken to the Grand Cleric, I will do it without hesitation." he said, turning on his heel and going into Hawke's bedroom, where Kierrai was still unconscious. He sighed guiltily as he watched her chest rise and fall with her deep breaths. If he hadn't left her alone, she would have been fine. He turned to the fire and lost himself in his thoughts and the dancing flames.
She awakened in a bed that was definitely not her own, as it was much too comfortable. She could tell that her injuries were gone, and she finally remembered the events of her rescue. Kierrai sat up slowly and saw Sebastian standing beside the fireplace. She realized that she was in Hawke's bedroom.
"Sebastian?" she asked softly. He turned, relief flooding his face. He rushed to her side.
"Kierrai. Thank the Maker. How are you feeling?" he asked, his worry obvious in his blue eyes. She shrugged.
"Hungry." She answered with a small smile. He smiled back at her and called to Hawke, who walked in with a tray of food. The smell hit her nose and she sighed with pleasure. Her friends grinned at her as they watched her stuff her face.
"How do you feel, Kierrai?" Hawke asked seriously. She shrugged.
"Fine. A bit sore, but otherwise unharmed." She responded, knowing that wasn't the answer he was looking for. He frowned at her.
"Kierrai, you know that isn't what I meant." He said. Anders walked through the door, preparing to check up on her.
"Oh good, you're awake. How do you feel?" he asked. Kierrai groaned.
"Why don't we just invite the entire city over so that they can ask me how I feel as well?" she shouted, exasperated. Anders raised his eyebrows at her outburst.
"We want to make sure you are all right, Kierrai. Do you want to tell us what happened?" Sebastian questioned quietly. She sighed, unable to remain angry.
"Do you want to know?" she asked. The three men nodded and she frowned. "They took me while I was sleeping. I managed to kill a few of them, but there were too many for me to take on alone. They knocked me out and when I woke up I was tied to a chair. Mother Petrice walked in and told me her plan to draw Hawke to her, which failed, and then she told my guards that they could do whatever they wanted with me when I explained to her that they had the wrong girl. The Qunari wanted no part in it, but the humans decided to have their fun with me. All of them beat me and raped me for…I don't even know how long, actually. Then, you found me and here I am." She said calmly. The men stared at her.
"I knew I shouldn't have left you alone, Kierrai. If I hadn't, those men…" Sebastian started. She grabbed his wrist.
"Do not blame yourself, Sebastian. It was no one's fault but Mother Petrice and her accomplices. I am fine." She assured. Anders stared at her, trying to see if she was lying, but she wasn't.
"How are you taking this so well, Kierrai? You just told us that you were raped without batting an eyelash." He said curiously. She shrugged.
"It is not the first time, my friend. I knew that I could make it through because I made it through the last time it happened to me. They cannot break me." She said proudly. Kierrai finished her meal and moved to stand. Sebastian helped her and she turned to Hawke.
"Now, I assume that there is more work to be done. Let us get on with it." She said. Blue eyes stared into brown for a very long time before Hawke nodded.
"Your armor is on the table. I had a feeling you would want to join us." He said with a small smile. She grinned and strapped on her armor as Anders and Hawke left the room. Sebastian waited with her as she armed herself. She turned to him when she was finished.
"Is there something you wished to say?" she asked. He marched over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Don't ever do that to me again." He murmured against her hair. For a moment, she felt relief, but it didn't last. She thought about their peculiar relationship and something inside her snapped. Maybe it was because of what had happened to her, or maybe those events had just been a catalyst for something that was already building up inside, but she couldn't take it any more. Anger replaced joy and she pushed away from him.
"What do you mean, 'don't do that to you'? You made it very clear a long time ago that you didn't want me anymore, Sebastian! You don't get a say in what I do. You told me that you wanted me to move on, yet you stand before me making me feel things I haven't felt in years, stringing me along when you know I cannot do anything about it because of your vows!" she shouted. Sebastian stepped back from her in surprise.
"Kierrai-" he began before she cut him off.
"Don't. You need to decide: Do you want me in your life, or do you want to remain a chantry brother forever?" she said, removing the ring he once gave her and shoving it into his hand. "You can have this back." She said, storming past him and leaving the room. Everyone was staring at her, and she realized that they had heard the entire conversation. She did not care. Kierrai marched over to Isabela.
"My daggers, please." She said calmly. Isabela handed over her precious weapons without resistance. Kierrai turned to Hawke. "Shall we?" she asked. Hawke nodded.
"Let's head over to meet the Arishok." He said. Isabela's dark skin paled.
"I completely forgot, I have to see a man about a dog." She said lamely before hurriedly leaving the mansion. Hawke shrugged as Sebastian came down the stairs. Kierrai refused to look at him, and the group left the estate together.
"I'm going to go to the chantry. I…I have a lot to think about." Sebastian said as they walked through Hightown. Kierrai watched him walk away, part of her wanting to run after him and apologize. She shook her head and followed Hawke, Fenris, and Anders to the docks. Not much time passed before they were standing in front of the Arishok. Even though Kierrai had seen the man many times, she was still a bit frightened of him. He never showed any emotion, and he was larger than any Qunari she had ever seen before.
"Serah Hawke." The giant boomed.
"I'm here about the Viscount's son." Hawke explained. The Arishok leaned forward.
"Are you? In four years, I have made no threat, and fanatics have line up to hate us, simply because we exist. But despite lies and fear, bas still beg me to let them come to the Qun. They hunger for purpose. The son has made a choice. You will not deny him that." He growled. Hawke raised an eyebrow.
"No doubt you see the advantage of having the Viscount's son at arm's reach." Hawke replied. The larger man glared.
"He is no longer the Viscount's son. Vidithari give up their lives for the certainty only Qunari know." He defended.
"You would not take advantage of his connections?" Kierrai asked in surprise. The Arishok turned his gaze to her.
"The Qun may demand that advantage, but I do not. It was his choice to be educated. He is not my prisoner. He is not even here. He went to his father. Ask the Viscount why he would send you and a letter both." He said sternly. Kierrai and Revin looked at each other in surprise. Something was wrong here.
"That seems…strange." Hawke said finally.
"They are meeting at the Chantry. A last pointless appeal I assume." The giant explained. Anders raised an eyebrow.
"The Viscount would involve the Chantry?" he asked quizzically. Hawke sighed.
"No, but we know who would. Mother Petrice." He realized. Kierrai growled at the name.
"A suspect in many things. If she has threatened someone under my command again, there is only one response." The Qunari leader threatened. Hawke shook his head.
"Don't make things worse by marching your men through the streets without cause." He warned. The giant glared.
"This is cause. This is the last insult I will suffer, Hawke. I will be watching. Vidithari are of the Qun. This offense will have an answer." He growled. Kierrai groaned at the implication as they left to go to the Chantry. It did not take long for them to arrive there, and what they found was surprising. Seamus Dumar was kneeling in front of the statue of Andraste on the top level of the Chantry. When Hawke approached the boy, he fell over, revealing a gruesome gash along his throat. Kierrai closed her eyes sadly. Seamus had been a good, kind young man.
"Serah Hawke. Look at what you have done!" Mother Petrice said from the foyer below. Kierrai snapped to attention at the sound of her voice. "To pounce upon the Viscount's son, a repentant convert, in the Chantry itself! A crime with no excuse. Your Qunari masters will finally answer." She said in a reprimanding tone. Kierrai saw Sebastian walk into the foyer with surprise. He met her eyes and moved to join them on the platform. Hawke was furious.
"You've been a headache, but to outright kill someone? That's new for you!" he said angrily. Petrice scoffed.
"He deliberately denied the Maker. How many would follow if he went unpunished? And yet, even this sympathizer will inspire vengeance when his brutal murder is exposed." She revealed.
"You won't get the Qunari ousted, you'll get a slaughter on both sides!" Hawke shouted.
"To die untested would be the real crime. People need the opportunity to defend faith, starting with you." She turned to her small group of followers. "Earn your reward in this life and next! These heretics must die!" she cried before fleeing like the coward she was. Kierrai sighed as the commoners attacked them. She tried not to kill them, but in some cases there was no other choice. The fight ended as soon as it began, and Petrice entered the room with Elthina.
"Do you see, Your Grace? Traitors attacking the very core of the Chantry! They defile with every step!" Petrice said worriedly. Kierrai glared at her.
"There is death in every corner, young mother. It is as you predicted, all too well." The Grand Cleric said cryptically.
"Forgive me, Your Grace, but you must know the truth about what happened here." Hawke stated.
"Don't you spout your Qunari filth. This is a hand of the Divine!" Petrice hissed. Elthina rolled her gray eyes.
"I have ears, Mother Petrice. The Maker would have me use them. Serah Hawke, is it?" she said. Hawke nodded.
"Viscount Dumar's son is dead, killed here in your name." he explained. Elthina stared for a long time.
"I'm sure my name won't like that." She said finally. Kierrai raised her eyebrows in shock. The Grand Cleric had a sense of humor? "Petrice?" she asked, not needing to finish her question.
"Seamus Dumar was…a Qunari convert. He came here to repent and was murdered!" Petrice lied. Kierrai glared at her.
"It's a ruse, Your Grace. Seamus was killed to set people against the Qunari." Kierrai said, stepping forward. Petrice glared at her.
"This is no longer a matter of heathens squatting in the docks. People are leaving us to join them!" she said, losing her cool.
"And we must pray for them like any other." Elthina said wisely.
"They deny the Maker." Petrice argued. Elthina turned to her.
"And you diminish him, even as you claim his side! Andraste did not volunteer for the flame. Serah Hawke, you stand with the captain of the guard? The young mother has erred in her judgment. A court will decide her fate. The chantry respects the law, and so must she." Elthina said before walking away to return to her chambers.
"Grand Cleric? Grand Cleric!" Petrice cried. The woman turned to them angrily, when suddenly an arrow sprouted from her chest. Kierrai turned to see a large Qunari standing there with another arrow nocked. He loosed it, and it hit Petrice between the eyes, killing her.
"We protect those of the Qun. We do not abandon our own." The large man said before leaving the Chantry. Elthina paused on the staircase.
"Please send for Viscount Dumar." She said calmly. Hawke sent Fenris to retrieve the ruler of the city while the rest of them waited with the bodies. It was not a long wait before the Viscount stormed through the doors of the chantry to take his son's body into his arms. He wept over the young man's corpse for a time before Hawke approached him.
"My…son. Murdered in the heart of the chantry by those who held his sacred trust. What hope for this city when we fail our own so completely?" the Viscount cried.
"The Arishok is still here, excellency. You must be ready to stand up to him." Hawke said. The old man shook his head wearily.
"I cannot. I have already failed where it mattered most. Please, Hawke, leave me." He sobbed. Hawke bowed his head in assent and gestured for them to follow him out of the chantry. They all walked over to his estate, where Aveline and Isabela were arguing.
A/N: I know some of you wanted a more gruesome death for Petrice, but I had already written the chapter and I couldn't think of a way to change it. Thank you all so much for your encouragement and continued reading of The Other Alternative! I appreciate you guys so much!
