Chapter 10
A few days later
Fenris P.O.V.
The morning started out peacefully enough, his arms wrapped around a beautiful and sleeping woman. He groaned as soon as he heard the first sounds of disturbance from downstairs, knowing that they were signs for how the rest of the day would go. He's been dreading this moment since Bellanaris eluded to it, the day when things would go to shit. Reluctantly, he got out of bed to see what was causing such a fuss. Aveline and Isabella were bitching back and forth as to whose problem was more important, while Renan tried to calm them down, and neither had yet noticed a certain shirtless dark skinned Tevinter elf as he made his way down the stairs.
"What. Do. You. Want?" Fenris demanded, with cold authority. It got the two of the to stop bickering at any rate. "Orana hasn't even made breakfast yet. That's how early it is. What problems could the two of you possibly have that you couldn't go fight it out somewhere else? One at a time, or so help me."
"I need Hawke's help with the Arishok. I have two fugitives who are using him to hide behind." Aveline stated.
"Get the Viscount to do it. That's his job, not hers. Son or no son, no disrespect, that does not change the fact that he has used her as a crutch since he found out the Arishok has something akin to respect for that woman. Next." Fenris snapped, angrily.
"I'm going to die! There, a real problem." Isabella declared.
"Isabella, I'm sure Anders can cure whatever rash you've got this time. That's kind of what happens when you sleep around with the docks eye candy. You aren't going to die. Now, unless you want to admit whatever it is you've been lying to Bellanaris about all this time, I'm going back to bed, and neither of you are to disturb us." Fenris growled out.
He was bluffing on so many levels he wasn't even sure it would work, but the two women stared at him with wide eyes and slack jaws, so he thinks maybe it will...until he sees that Bellanaris is walking downstairs too. Of all the blasted luck, she would have to follow him down here. He'd had them just about ready to run out of the estate, and now they were going to have to listen to whatever problems they claimed to have. He'd been looking forward to staying in bed all morning, damn it! It was his day off from training the recruits, having finally taken Carver up on his offer of teaching Tevinter swordsmanship to Kirkwall guards.
She walks up until she's face to face with Aveline, her eyes barely open, one of her hands on Aveline's shoulder, with a finger pointing in her face. "If this keeps up, I'm taking that mans job, and I'm shoving it up Bran's ass." It's sleepily, but authoritative.
Then she turns to Isabella. "If this has any connection to the Arishok whatsoever, Isabella, I'll make sure that all the men you get for your ship will be the ugliest ones on record. There won't be a decent piece of eye candy on that damnable ship, and their dicks will be super tiny."
Then she turns to Orana, and her voice softens. "Orana, coffee if you would please, the strong stuff."
"Yes, Mistress Hawke." Orana replies, smiling softly.
"That girl understands me." Bellanaris says, to no one in particular.
"You're only saying that because she makes you breakfast in the mornings." Fenris countered.
"That's true too." Bellanaris admitted, and headed to the study, grumbling under her breath the whole way.
Bodahn and Sandal were up in no time, preparing the house for the busy day to come. Renan helped Orana with breakfast. There was no way Bellanaris was going to be up for talking business without it. Fenris could only shake his head at the foolishness that Isabella and Aveline tried to pull. Trying to talk to Bellanaris before breakfast was only successful if she was properly 'prepared', and Fenris was not going to share that bit of information.
Bellanaris sat down, glad that Orana would be quick with breakfast today. She would need it to deal with those two. No one talked while she ate, but instead tried to eat a bit themselves. Fenris would occasionally hold her hand, rubbing her knuckles as he did so. When she was awake enough, she eyed the two women suspiciously.
"Isabella, why are you going to die?" She asked, wary of her friend.
Isabella launched into a story about Wall-eyed Sam, who had apparently been holding onto the book...Yeah, everyone noticed that little slip up, which prompted Isabella to explain that she knew the thing was a book, but not much else. No one believed that, but didn't stop her from continuing the story. Apparently this Wall-eyed Sam character planned to sell the book, and she needed to get there before he did. Otherwise Castillon would kill her for not being able to give it back to him.
"Aveline?" Bellanaris asked, looking a little more awake than she had previously.
Aveline explains that there have been a couple more criminals that escaped to the Qunari. While the others had been petty crimes, this one could not be let go. Murder of a city guard was not something to be ignored. The only problem was that with tensions as high as they were with the Qunari, it would likely result in an incident. Fenris snorted at this, but said nothing when Aveline glared at him.
"Alright, Isabella, we'll deal with your shit first. It shouldn't take too long, and then we can deal with Aveline's criminal stuff." Bellanaris stated. "I need to be a lot more awake before going to war with the Qunari."
Now it was Fenris's turn to glare at Aveline when she tried to object about war with the Qunari.
"Alright, Hawke. I'll be waiting by the compound with a few of the guard. Be ready for anything." Aveline replied, then looked to Isabella. "I can't believe she trusts you this much."
"I know. I wouldn't." Isabella remarked, also surprised but grateful, as Aveline left.
"Renan, I'm going to need you to go get Merrill. Tell her it's urgent, and that shit is about to hit the fan. She'll understand." Bellanaris stated. Her voice seemed far off, and she's pinching the bridge of her knows as she always does when she's planning several things at once. "When you get back, I'll need you to stay inside. Make sure the others do as well. Things are going to get very dangerous, and I don't want any of you to get hurt. Help Orana set up some kind of medical triage in my room, just in case."
Renan nodded, and then he was gone like a shot.
"I'm going with you. You will need a sword." Fenris stated, firmly.
"You know…" Bellanaris said, with a smile. "I think that's the exact thing you said to me just before the expedition."
"Try not to die on me this time." Fenris replied sternly, his voice barely above a whisper, resting his forehead against her own. "As much as I love you, I have no wish to hold your heart in my hands again, Amatus."
"You know I'll always try to do what's right." Bellanaris answered, like it was a promise, but it wasn't the words he'd needed to hear.
Several moments later, Merrill arrived with Renan. He went to prepare everything she'd asked, and the group went out to the docks, where it was rumored for Wall-eyed Sam to be. Fenris kept chewing over her answer from before, and didn't like the conclusion he'd reached. This could very well be the incident that she spoke of for Merrill to be needed. If so, he may actually witness the one time where blood magic would be needed.
Hawke's P.O.V.
Qunari were waiting for them when they got to where Isabella had spoken of, and at that moment, she knew. Isabella was about to get the ugliest crewmen she could find if it was the last thing Hawke did, with ugly tattoos and tiny dicks. Already the Qunari were shouting for her to give over the relic, and when Isabella said she didn't have it, the Qunari shouted that she had no honour and proceeded to attack the group. It did not take them long to cut through the small group of Qunari warriors. When it was over, Hawke turned to Isabella.
"Explain." She grounded out.
"Look, I've always known what the relic was, alright? I just…didn't want to worry you." Isabella admitted. "That book is some religious thing for them, written by that Coslin…Koslyn…whatever."
"That's the creator of the Qun. If that book is what you say it is, it's worth would be without measure to the Qunari." Fenris said, in a scolding manner. "How in the void did you steal it from them?"
"Technically, they never had it. The Orleasians did, and they were giving it back. I just had to steal it from the Orleasians before the Qunari convoy could arrive." Isabella explained. "Castillon ordered me to steal it to make up for the ship of slaves I'd freed. It was either do that, or have him kill me. So, I stole the book, and ran for it. The Qunari chased me into the storm that landed me here and stranded them."
"So the reason they're here…The reason all this has happened…is because of you?" Hawke asked, angrily. Isabella at least had the decency to look guilty. "It's their damned relic. Of course, they want it back!"
"Please say you'll help me get it back. My life is at stake here." Isabella pleaded.
"Seamus is dead because of you. Aveline is about to have a war with the Qunari because of you." Hawke growled. "We will get back the relic, give it to the Qunari, deal with Aveline's shit, and then I will help you with this Castillon."
Isabella groaned in defeat. "Oh alright. We'll give it back."
Hawke takes a sigh of relief. She had thought convincing her friend to do the right thing would have been more difficult. Maybe things wouldn't be as bad as she thought. If one could avoid a war with the Qunari, she could imagine the stories Varric would be able to tell then. What they walk in on looked like a drug deal about to go wrong, and wouldn't you know it, it would have to be with Tevinter mages.
One look at Hawke and Fenris, and the mages start attacking them. Qunari show up, in an effort to get their relic back, and fight everyone there. This spooks Wall-eyed Sam, and he runs. Isabella gives chase, as Hawke calls to her to stop. Her screams go unanswered, and the rest of the group has no choice but to engage the enemy. Disappointed can not begin to describe how she feels in this moment, and killing everything in that filthy room does nothing to stop it.
The others say nothing as they make their way outside. Sam is dead, and there is a note attached. She reads the note out loud. Isabella has run with the book, and left them to deal with the Qunari on their own. She wants to be mad at her friend, but can not bring herself to do it.
Hawke sends a warning look to Fenris, knowing what he is thinking, but not needing him to rub salt into the wound. They will need to deal with Aveline's situation, and hope against the signs that everyone makes it. When they get there, everyone is already tense. Aveline will not let this go, and at the moment she can not blame her. The murder of a city guard is a serious offense.
"Let's go." She tells Aveline, and Aveline nods and turns to the Qunari guards at the gate.
"We need to speak with the Arishok. May we pass?" Aveline asked, formally.
"Not so many of you." The guard replied.
"Alright then. Hawke, you're with me." Aveline said, looking to Hawke, then back to the Qunari guard. "Will this, and two of my guard, be alright then?"
"That will be sufficient." The Qunari replied, and stood aside. "You may enter."
The look of anger on his face is apparent. To suffer such indignancy so often would get on anyone's nerves, and Aveline has had to come down here a lot lately. The Arishok would not suffer false converts, and she had a law to uphold. Aveline spoke of the murder suspects, but it was obvious he was not listening to her. His eyes were only for Hawke, and the answers she could give him.
"That is irrelevant." The Arishok says, interrupting Aveline. "I would talk with Serah Hawke about the relic."
"It was stolen by a former companion of mine. She took it and ran." Hawke replied, the sting of betrayal thick in her voice. "It is no longer in Kirkwall."
"Her part in this was known to us. Your admission to this is welcome." The Arishok stated. Turning to Aveline he continued. "Your murder suspects are part of the Qun now. They will stay here."
"Arishok-" Aveline began, getting frustrated.
"Enough. Let us talk to these 'murderers' as you call them. Come here, and tell your story." Arishok said, ordering someone who had not been visible to them until that moment.
Two elves came up to stand by the Arishok.
"One of the city guards forced himself on our sister. We took complaints to the city guard, but they did nothing. So, we paid him a visit." One of them said.
"There had been reports, and it was being looked into, but that's no reason to take the law into your own hands." Aveline said, fuming.
"It's what I would have done." Hawke admitted, earning a smile from the two elves and a glare from a frustrated Aveline.
"Not helping, Hawke." Aveline said, frustration clear in her voice.
"What? It's true." Hawke admitted. This endeavor was pointless anyway, and she was tired of dealing with it.
"Hearing this, what would you have me do, Hawke?" The Arishok asked, looking to her now.
"Honestly? I'd refuse to give them up." She admitted, ignoring a frustrated Aveline. "They defended the honour of a beloved sister, and it is no less than what I would have done in their situation. Take them, and leave Kirkwall. The relic is no longer here, and it is no secret that you wish to leave this place. I will take up trying to restore order to the city."
She knew that Aveline could not see what she was trying to do. The Arishok could count this as a win, take the new converts and begin again his chase after the thief who stole the relic. Kirkwall would be free of the Qunari, and Aveline could have her city back. The elves looked ecstatic upon hearing this, but the Arishok simply shook his head.
"I can not ignore the chaos of this city any longer." He stated, standing up.
"Arishok, there is no need to-" Aveline tried to reason, but his arm raised was a signal to the one's above them with spears to begin firing down.
Already a guard was dead. Aveline grabbed her, and they ran out of there, but not before Hawke shared a look with the Arishok…one that spoke of retribution. Hawke began barking orders as they ran along, not caring for a moment that it should be Aveline doing this. She wasn't even sure what she was saying, but the others listened and ran to do whatever it was that she said. Merrill disappeared and reappeared several times, based on her orders alone.
She kept thinking that if she just had the book, none of this would be happening. It was a waste of time to think of such things, and Hawke tried to rid herself of those thoughts. They had a war to fight, and it did not look good. If Tevinter had had all that time planning only to end in a stalemate with the entire Qun, how was Kirkwall suppose to fight off a battalion of them with no planning at all? Plans raced through her mind as fast as lightening while the others told her of their progress.
"Carver, and Donnic haven't been able to report back since they sent word that Qunari were storming the keep." Aveline reported.
"If anyone can live through that, it's those two." Hawke replied, comforting Aveline. "What else?"
"Anders is defending the clinic at the moment. I helped by setting up a defense of thorns and spikes that will attack hostile forces." Merrill reported. "He said he'll go through the tunnels when it's safe to move. I've got the same defenses in place around the alienage, the Chantry, and Gamlins place."
"Good. Next?" Hawke asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Meredith is working to head off some of the Qunari soldiers, but they're pinned at the moment. They'll make their way to the keep as soon as they can." Cullen stated. "I haven't heard word from Orsino, so maybe they've made it further."
"I can work with that. Anything else?" Hawke asked, looking to the others.
"The Hanged Man has their defenses in place, and an emergency clinic has been erected for survivors that can make it there." Varric said, running up to them.
"Alright. Here's what we're going to do. Cullen, try to find Orsino if you can, but find Meredith. She'll seize power if given the chance. If she does, our plans will take longer, which we can deal with then, but we'll need to know first if it's headed that way." Hawke said, looking to him.
"Let's just hope the Viscount can stay alive." Cullen said, before running off.
"Anders already has his orders thanks to Merrill. We find any survivors along the way, we send them to the Hanged Man, thanks to Varric." Hawke stated, pinching the bridge of her nose again as she clinched her eyes closed. "Aveline, you're with me till we can get to the guard station. If they're pinned, we'll get them out, and then you'll lead them to wherever the Arishok is holed up."
"Most likely the throne room." Fenris said. "It's the seat of power in Kirkwall. If he's taking over the city, he'll kill the Viscount to take it."
"Then that is where we go. Sebastian should meet us there as soon as he finishes securing the Chantry. Merrill, Varric, Fenris, that leaves you all with me to fight through to the throne room. Aveline will cover us, and follow as she can. We will not lose this city." Hawke said, determined. "Let's go."
They ran through the city, killing Qunari and converts as they went. The converts were harder to fight, because sometimes it was not easy to tell them from the survivors, but they did it. Varric had taken it upon himself to tell any survivors they found to head to the Hanged Man. If it had been hard to keep up with her before, it was even harder to do so now, as she used the new lyrium lines for all the speed they were worth. It was something she had seen Fenris do many times.
It took time, but they made it to High Town. The sight was beyond anything Hawke had ever seen before. There were even some of the gangs fighting against the citizens and the Qunari, out for anything they could get. Merrill had taken to casting a massive root trapping spell when it came to dealing with the gangs. It was scary, but damned effective.
There was a moment of peace, one that Hawke did not trust, as they made their way through High Town. They found the First Enchanter Orsino unconscious and surrounded by many dead mages. It was clear they had given their lives to save his, as they also found several dead Qunari surrounding them. Orsino began to wake up, and look around him. Hawke could hear him mumbling about having told the others to get away while they could.
Before she could question him about what happened, more Qunari showed up. The elder elf was tired already, but he helped where he could, keeping the Qunari off of her as she fought through them. Fenris and Varric had teamed up to take care of another group of them, and Aveline seemed to be everywhere at once. They had that group cleared sooner than expected. That was what they thought, before every one of them were struck down by a Qunari mage.
Hawke was the first to recover, but she felt sluggish as she looked around to find the Qunari mage standing close to her. This was as real as her nightmare could get. To be made tranquil was a big fear of hers, but to become what was facing her was another. To have her lips sewn shut, to be blinded, and forced to wear that large collar so another could control her. To be forced to be a living weapon trapped inside her own mind, to be okay with it…
Her mind never finished that thought, as a sword sliced through the Qunari mage. She was pulled up to her feat by the very woman every mage in Kirkwall feared, Knight Commander Meredith. The others were being pulled to their feet as well, and being looked over to see if they were still capable of fighting. She looked to Fenris, and saw that he looked like he was having the same pains as when they were dealing with the red lyrium. She herself was feeling a slight pain, but she thought it was due to all the fighting.
"Wait, I know you." Meredith said, eyeing her suspiciously. "The name Hawke shows up in my reports many times, too many times."
"You should hear some of the things I hear about you." Hawke said, with a wry smile. "Some of them involve you and Orsino…."
"Knight Commander, the Qunari, they-" Aveline said, running up to them as she tried to take attention away from her friend.
"I know what they're doing. They've gathered all the nobles into the keep, and killing everyone else." Meredith said, cutting Aveline off.
"Why would they do that? Why gather them at all?" Hawke asked, confused.
"It is standard when they take over a place. Anyone of import is gathered into one location, and they are given the choice to convert or die." Fenris replied.
"How charming." Hawke said, nonchalantly. "Alright then, to the keep."
"Just what do you think you're doing, mage? Do not think I can't sense the magic in you." Meredith countered, blocking her.
"You would be able to now, considering it's etched into my fucking skin like a tattoo. It's not like you were able to sense me without them." Hawke growled, glowing to reveal some of the lyrium lines. "I'm assuming you heard of my run in with several of the tevinter blood mages? This is their handiwork. Now can we go? We've got a city to save."
"You aren't even from here!" Meredith countered again.
"Neither am I." Orsino said, coming to her defense. "And yet we stand ready to defend the city, or do you think you can do this on your own?"
"Fine, but know this, Mage. Should your allegiance to this city change, do not think I will hesitate to act." Meredith threatened, making note of the lyrium lined elf that stood ready to defend the mage she was looking at.
"Great, more Qunari." Hawke muttered. "How the hell are we suppose to deal with that?"
"They are expecting us, I should think." Orsino replied, looking around the corner as well. "Maybe we should use that."
"What do you have in mind, Orsino? Something naughty, I hope?" She asked, looking to him, a conspiratorial glint in her eyes. "Maybe waving a big giant sign saying Qunari women this way?"
"I suppose that would be distracting enough." Orsino chuckled, lightly.
"We should attack them head on." Meredith said, outraged. It was obvious she did not like the First Enchanter and an apostate mage getting along so well.
"Too risky. We need a distraction to get in." Hawke stated. "Clear the way for us, and meet us when you can."
"What makes you think we should listen to you?" Meredith asked, outraged.
"Do you really want to have that fight right now? Or maybe you'd like to help me save the city?" Hawke asked, looking to her. "You just don't want your ass indebted to an apostate mage of all things. Now, Orsino, you think you got this?"
"Easily." Orsino replied, with a smile and a light in his eyes. This girl had spunk.
"Just how do you suppose you'll do that?" Meredith asked, angrily.
"Have a little faith, Knight Commander." Orsino said, twirling his staff as he made his way to the middle of the entryway to the keep. Hawke had to give him credit for his showmanship, looking like a total bad ass as he strolls out nonchalantly to face off with the Qunari.
Hawke would have stayed to watch the kick ass fire show she knew Orsino was putting on, but sneaking into the keep was more important. She was sure to get a play by play of the event later. At first, there was no resistance inside, and then they were everywhere. Qunari attacking them from all sides, fighting them with Qunari mages to weaken them before the kill. This enraged Fenris more than she thought it would, and she wasn't sure what his reasoning was.
Did it have to do with his time with Danarius, or something else? Did he see her every time one of those things came to attack them? They were what she feared becoming the most, simply a weapon to be used for anothers war. If they ever made it through this, she would ask. Now, they made their way to the barracks.
"Carver!" She shouted, happily, finding her brother among the guards that had managed to barricade the barracks from the Qunari. Aveline was busy holding onto Donnic.
"We've got people here. Nobles, townsfolk, and the like. We've kept them safe as we can for now." Carver said, looking over her. "You look like shit."
"Feel like it too. Ran into Meredith and Orsino all in one moment." Hawke replied. "I really really miss Flemeth."
"Shit. Think we can use the tunnels?" Carver asked, using hushed whispers to keep from being overheard.
"No. We can't risk it, and Anders might not be at the clinic anymore. He's suppose to try to make his way to the Keep or the Chantry to see to survivors. If you can get them out, get them to the Hanged Man. Varric has the place set up like a clinic right now. You could try the Chantry. Sebastian might have set something up there too, but I haven't heard back from him yet." Hawke replied, knowing what he was thinking. "Take some of the guards with you. The rest will be heading with Aveline and Donnic as my backup. Check on Gamlin if you can. Merrill has the place defended, but it can't hurt. I don't know if you two will be able to make it to the estate, or if you should risk it."
"We'll find you once this is done." Carver said, then looking to a few of the guards. "Alright you lot, you're with me. We're getting these people medical attention. A triage clinic is set up in the Hanged Man, with defenses against the Qunari."
"Hawke, Donnic and the others are ready to move now." Aveline said, walking up to her.
"Good. We'll need them. There's still the fight to get into the throne room." Hawke said, in agreement.
Fenris P.O.V.
He's watched her through all of this. At first, he had been worried that she'd take this all on her own. However, she'd been delegating tasks out to people to cover the entire city. He could see it in her eyes that she had several plans running at once. The Fog Warriors would be impressed, if they ever hear of this. Her eyes are wild as she fights her way through the Qunari, and he sticks beside her at every opportunity. He will not see her come to harm if he can help it. This will not be like the deep roads.
When Meredith entered the picture, Fenris took a mental step back. Somewhere on her person, she had red lyrium. It hurt just to stand near her, but as she moved threateningly towards Bellanaris, he took a protective stance near her just in case. If she thought she was going to get close to his mage, that woman had another thing coming. To think that there was a time when he would have agreed that Meredith had the right of it, now seemed like the most heinous falsehood when he thought of Bellanaris.
After watching Meredith and Orsino bicker, they finally made it into the keep. He wondered if the world would implode if those two just admitted they wanted to fuck each other senseless. Many of the guards were alright, and Hawke began delegating tasks to them too. Her brother left with many of the wounded, and a few of the guard, while Aveline took charge of those that remained to be Bellanaris's backup. Just trying to get to the throne room proved to be a challenge.
When they did, he was not surprised by what he saw, though he was sure the others would be. The nobles had been gathered in the room, as he knew they would. This is where they would convert or die. What he did not know, was how Bellanaris planned to win this. He had seen enough fights with the Qunari to know that head on tactics like this one tended to fail. Then again, this was Bellanaris, and she was known for pulling off the impossible.
"Here is your Viscount!" The Arishok shouted, tossing the head of the deceased old man down the stairs. The crown rolled all the way to Bellanaris's feet, an omen if there ever was one. "Ah, Serah Hawke. So they didn't manage to kill you, after all. You truly are Basalit-an."
"You know I can't let you do this." Bellanaris said, as if they were simply having one of the talks they'd shared before.
"And yet, I can not leave without the relic. So where does that leave us, Hawke?" Arishok reasoned.
The two stood so close now that Fenris was growing nervous. This was not a time to call someone's bluff. What did she think she was doing? Standing that close to an Arishok would get her killed. He was about to say something, when a resounding knock seemed to blow apart the doors, and a Qunari soldier fell into the room dead.
Isabella sauntered into the room as if she had been expected. The look on Bellanaris's face is instantly uplifting. She has her friend back. It doesn't matter what the pirate had done previously. To know that her friend had finally been willing to do the right thing was enough that he knew Bellanaris would forgive her.
"I believe I can answer that." Isabella said, as she saunters in. "I believe you will find it mostly undamaged. It took me a while to get here, what with all the fighting and everything."
"Heroic acts of sacrifice? What will people say? They may even sing songs in your honour, you know." Bellanaris teased. Fenris snorted. Of course the woman would think to tease her friend at a moment like this.
"It's all your fault, Hawke." Isabella scoffed, looking to Bellanaris. "Everywhere I looked, I saw you calling me back."
"Now we can leave…with the thief." the Arishok said, now that the book had been given to them.
"I'm sorry, what now?" Bellanaris asked, looking angrily up at the Arishok.
Fenris knew that look. It usually didn't end well for whatever she was looking at, but this was an Arishok for fucks sake. In that moment he knew, this was going to end up exactly like it did in the deep roads, with her pulling some outrageous stunt, and him in some kind of emotional mess. Fuck it all, and the Maker's bleeding ass hole! She was going to antagonize an Arishok, because this is his Bellanaris, and of course she would.
"She will be reeducated into the Qun to be taught the error of her ways." The Arishok stated.
"Oh no, if anyone's going to kick her ass, it's going to be me." Aveline vowed.
"She's not going anywhere with you. You're just nitpicking because you want a fight. Take your book and go." Bellanaris objected, throwing out the formalities.
"The Qun demands we take her. If you do not allow this, then you must fight me in single combat." The Arishok said, with something close to happiness or respect. No one is every really sure, considering he looks angry all the time.
"No! If you want a duel, duel me!" Isabella cried out, in alarm. Fenris doubted this is what she had in mind when she came back, though he had to give her credit for it.
"You are not worthy." The Arishok said, dismissing her.
"You are not Basalit-an, Isabella, she is. He has recognized Bellanaris as someone worthy of respect though they are not of the Qun. He sees her as equal to himself. It is a rare honour." Fenris explained, trying to keep the worry from his voice.
He knows what this will mean, knows what will happen before it unfolds. She will not back down from a fight with the Arishok, will not sacrifice her friend to him. Fenris knows he can not interfere in the fight, can not come to her defense in this, and is beside himself with worry. All he can think is this can't be happening. She can't be about to sacrifice herself now of all times, not for Isabella, not now when he's finally ready to-
"Alright, when you lose, you and your lot take your happy asses out of Kirkwall with the book and no thief." Bellanaris sassed, naming her terms, her arms crossed.
"When you lose, we take the thief and the book." The Arishok countered. It almost looked like he was grinning.
"Bellanaris, are you sure about this? These fights are usually to the death." Fenris whispered, dragging her aside, as everyone clears the lower floor for the fight.
"I'll be fine, Fenris. Trust me." Bellanaris said, confidently.
"Promise me. Promise me you will make it through this alive, Bellanaris." Fenris implored, almost demanding, his hands gripping her shoulders. He lowers his forehead to her own, and whispers so only she could hear. "I can not lose you, Amatus."
"You won't. I promise, I will make it through this, Ma'fenor." She promised.
"You had better." Fenris growls, possessively, leveling her with one of those smoldering looks of his before pulling her in for a kiss.
This kiss was not as all their others had been. This was rough, filled with urgency. In all likelihood, Varric was somewhere taking notes for his latest book. When he managed to pull himself away from her, she looked shocked but nodded in understanding. He wanted her to live, needed her to live.
He stood with the others near the door, not wanting to be too far from her should something go wrong. The others that were there already joined him. He did not notice when Anders had gotten there, or that he was strategically placed just in case Fenris instinctively tried to run to her. Carver had made it there at some point, and had taken his station on the other side of Fenris. Bellanaris walked calmly to the center of the room, and prepared to face the Arishok alone.
"She'll make it, Fenris." Aveline said, trying to comfort her friend.
"She wants to live. She wont throw her life away." Merrill said, joining in the effort.
"She called me Ma'fenor. What does that mean?" Fenris asked, humoring them. He did not take his eyes off of Bellanaris.
"It means 'my beloved'." Merrill replied, shocking Fenris.
"That was some kiss, Broody." Varric commented, sounding rather impressed. His way of trying to distract him from the worry, Fenris imagined.
"I'll say. You mind trying that with me later?" Isabella asked, suggestively. Fenris can't stand it anymore, that being the last straw, and whips around to face her.
"You're the reason Bellanaris is in this mess. So, I'd keep the lewd comments to myself if I were you." He growled, threateningly. "If she dies, you die, and the Arishok can reeducate what's left."
Isabella wisely chooses to keep her mouth shut after that, and Fenris turns back around to watch the fight he doesn't want to see but can't look away from.
"What Isabella said before still holds true, Fenris." Carver said, not looking at him, his eyes on his sister. "She'll pull through. She's too stubborn to do anything else."
"My apologies, Isabella. This is something she would do for any of us, no matter what we may have done. She would do this for you under any circumstance, as you have always been her friend." Fenris said, begrudgingly. "Just do not make those kinds of comments towards me again. There has only ever been her. There will only ever be her."
"Wow." Both Varric and Isabella comment, almost reverently. Then Varric adds. "You really are great for source material, Broody."