Isabela, didn't fancy a return trip to Hightown, so she had ditched us as we walked past the Hanged Man.
"Varric," I muttered with a yawn, "don't expect me to be fully functional tomorrow."
"My glorious Sister," Carver stated with a snort, "crumbles when she gets less than six hours of sleep."
"It's true," I nodded, "I really do."
"Didn't you used to live on a farm?" Varric asked raising a brow at me.
"I sucked at living on a farm." I replied.
"No one has left the mansion," Fenris said when we finally figured out where the damned mansion was, "but I've heard nothing within. Danarius may know we're here. I wouldn't put it past him."
He spat out the name Danarius like it was something I had cooked.
"I could stand to know a little more about this Danarius," I replied, "since we're gonna invade his house and kill him."
"He is a magister of the Tevinter Imperium." Fenris replied.
"Oh, is that all?" Varric asked with a laugh, "nothing to worry about then."
"Except maybe my Sister falling asleep in the middle of a fight." Carver muttered and I elbowed him in the ribs.
"There, he is a wealthy mage with great influence," Fenris continued, "here, he is but a man who sweats like any other when death comes for him."
"Well, what's the worst that could happen?" I asked with a shrug.
"Hawke, you know I hate it when people say things like that." Varric chided me.
"While I do not fear death," Fenris replied, "that does not mean we should be reckless."
"Then you probably hired the wrong mercenary," Carver rolled his eyes, "if my sister is anything: it's reckless."
"That's so not true!" I retorted, "I can be careful."
"Hawke," Varric said putting a hand on my arm, "who are you trying to kid?"
"I can be careful." I repeated with a huff as we followed Fenris into the mansion.
And not thirty minutes later, I was eating those words.
"So, who can be careful?" Carver asked after I had tripped the second or third trap since walking into the damn place.
I could only glower at him and pout in response.
"Gone…"Fenris sighed dejectedly after we cleared the last room of shades and demons, "I had hoped…no. It doesn't matter any longer."
Ahh there goes my heart, shattering like a dolt again. Good job me.
"I assume Danarius left valuables behind," Fenris said, "take them if you wish, I… need some air."
Well, this place does smell musty and dusty and musky and dank.
"It never ends," Fenris said as he heard us leaving the mansion, "I escaped a land of dark magic only to have it hunt me at every turn. It is a plague burned into my flesh and my soul. And now I find myself in the company of yet another mage."
I really should be used to disappointment already. I mean, seriously, I'm an apostate. Obviously, finding someone who understands is going to be hard as shit. To be honest, I'm actually a little surprised even Aveline has tolerated me. I'd expected her to have thrown me in the Gallows by now.
But I guess it's from acceptance from someone who had even married a templar that made me too soft. Man…Sorry Carver, but having grandkids for Mother is most likely going to be your duty.
"I saw you casting spells inside," Fenris continued walking over to us, "I should have realized sooner what you really were."
"Oh?" I said tilting my head giving him a blank look and pointing at my face with both hands, "So you realized that I'm a person?"
"What manner of mage are you?" he asked glaring at me, "what is it that you seek?"
Not gonna drop the mage thing then. All right.
"You want me to tell you and spoil all the fun?" I pouted, "Hmm, what manner of mage am I? What manner of mage am I…?"
I tapped my chin thoughtfully and thought about it for a bit.
"You know, I've never really given it much thought," I replied honestly, "something to ponder, certainly, and to find out as I go along. For now though, I think I'll continue to march to the beat of my own drum. Unless you're planning on having me thrown into the Gallows…"
"You are skilled," he admitted, "I know that much."
"If you have a problem with my sister," Carver said glaring, "then you have a problem with me."
"…Carver…" I said and threw my arms around him, "I always knew you actually did care."
"I imagine I appear ungrateful," Fenris said apologetically, "if so, I apologize, for nothing could be further from the truth. I did not find Danarius, but I still owe you a debt. Here is all the coin I have, as Anso promised."
I stared at his hand holding out the coin from behind Carver's shoulder.
"I don't want it." I said firmly.
"Sister." Carver said sternly.
"You don't want it either." I glared at him.
"But the expedition." Carver glared back.
"But if he gives us everything he has, how is he going to buy food?" I asked pouting, "or warmer clothes for the colder months? Or a place to sleep? Or other things?"
"Eh…We can probably make enough sovereigns without robbing the elf blind." Varric agreed.
"That's that, so you're keeping it." I said and took his hand, silently slipped some of my own silver into it and curled his spike-y armored fingers around all of the combined coin and pushed it back at him.
"But I insist…" he said trying to give it to me.
"If you give it to me I'm going to spend it in the stupidest way I can think of." I said firmly.
"Which is what?" Carver asked me with a raised eyebrow.
"I can't think of anything besides 'give it to Gamlen,' right now," I frowned, "probably because I'm tired."
"No, that is probably the stupidest way you can spend it." Varric said rubbing his at his forehead.
"Oh, well there you go then." I said turning back to Fenris.
He sighed and withdrew his money clad hand.
"Should you find yourself in need of assistance," he said and bowed his head slightly, "I would gladly render it then."
"Really?" I blurted, "You didn't seem all that thrilled with me a moment ago."
"You are not Danarius," he replied, "whether you are anything like him remains to be seen."
"Are you sure you want to volunteer to help us?" Carver asked him, "She'll more than likely bug you with obnoxious questions later."
"You're rather rude you know." I said narrowing my eyes at Carver.
"Rude and honest." Carver replied.
I grabbed Varric's arm and gestured to the both of us.
"We're planning an expedition to the Deep Roads, with his tit of a brother," I said pointing at Varric for the brother part, "We might need help with it, if you're not too busy. Or something."
"Fair enough," he replied, "should you ever have need of me, I will be here. If Danarius wishes his mansion back, he is free to return and claim it. Beyond that, I am at your disposal."
"First order of duty then!" I said practically hanging onto Carver's shoulder by now from exhaustion, "Someone…Carry me home."