Chapter 10: On the Loose

Two day later, Hawke once again found himself in the Hanged Man. He had to give it to Corff and whoever was backing him, the old place looked little different than it had before their battle with Danarius, a small burn here, or a blade cut in the wall there. Beyond that, the place looked exactly the same.

The regulars had returned to their various spots, even Isabela was back at the bar. Hawke had nodded to her when he had entered, the pirate queen had given him a small smile and a little wave but that was it.

Hawke's brow furrowed. Part of him still wanted to keep his distance from her, but another part…the part of him that still desired her…

That part was extremely unhappy right now. That part of him wanted to seize her in his arms, drag her up to her room, rip off all their clothes and have his way with her.

Most women wouldn't go along with that, but Isabela…well…

She might just expect it.

Not now, his conscience chided, you have work to do, focus on that, speak with Varric and then get bloody on with it.

Hawke sighed heavily, temptation had been resisted…

….At least, for now.

IOI

A few moments later he found himself sitting in Varric's suite, sipping dwarven brew and listening to his old friend's newest tale.

He found himself not believing a word of it. Hawke grinned at the dwarf.

"Werewolves?" he asked.

Varric nodded.

"Your contacts say they have seen werewolves on the wounded coast?"

"I'm not bullshitting you Hawke."

"I'm not saying you are," the champion replied, "I'm simply curious of the how, not if it is true."

Varric's expression turned serious.

"A couple years back," he said, "Werewolves attacked the Grey Warden base in Ansburg. Lot of people died, ironically few of the villagers, just soldiers and a few wardens. I still have a few friends left in the Templars who will still talk to me. According to them, the werewolves were created by a powerful witch that the wardens had captured and held against her will."

Hawke's brow furrowed.

"Wardens don't do that kind of thing Varric," he said, "Carver would have mentioned it to me in his letters if it was going on. I'm sure this is all just hearsay."

"Maybe," the dwarf shrugged, "My contacts say that the witch died at the end of all that trouble, but if werewolves are showing up along the wounded coast…"

"Then perhaps this witch survived somehow," Hawke said finishing his sentence.

"Exactly," Varric replied, "Might be some coin in hunting this witch down. We could contact Junior; see if the wardens would pay a bounty for her."

Hawke considered this. Such a witch would be a danger to Kirkwall, and better he find her than Meredith. He would actually listen to this mysterious mage's reasons for doing what she had done, and if the wardens had been holding her against her will…?

But again that made no sense, why not simply conscript her, the wardens still had the right to do that? Make her a Grey Warden and she would have had to of joined.

Hawke sighed, they could investigate, but first he had a couple little jobs he needed his friend's help with.

Anders had come to him last night, he said that he was finally trying to separate himself from Justice, to set the spirit free, but he needed a few items that he could not get on his own. Hawke was surprised that his friend would come to him with this. He found it hard to believe that Justice would want to be separated from Anders after all these years, but was grateful that Anders trusted him enough to help.

He would help his friend gather the last ingredients for this potion of his, and would be there for Anders if Justice tried to stop him at the last moment.

Separating the two would be a good idea, he thought.

Perhaps the two would finally know some peace.

Of course there was another problem; a messenger had arrived from the Gallows this morning. Knight-Commander Meredith had asked to speak with him. She promised him safe passage in and out of the Gallows in exchange for his services.

The champion had already spoken to Aveline, and she agreed to accompany him. Varric would also like to go he suspected a chance to see a civil conversation between Hawke and the Knight-Commander would be too good to pass up. He thought about getting Fenris to, but Varric had another idea.

"Rivaini is right down stairs," he suggested, "She has stood with us so far, and you two seemed pretty tight when we fought the elf's former master."

Hawke sighed.

"I'm not denying that Isabela would watch our backs," he said.

"But?" Varric said he could see the indecision in Hawke's eyes; it was not a common thing. Usually the champion knew what he wanted when he put his mind to it.

Hawke frowned and began to pace.

"I don't want her involved in this Varric," he murmured.

"Do you doubt her loyalty?"

"No."

"Rivaini isn't afraid of the Templars Hawke, and everyone knows that she used to travel with us."

"I know that."

So what is the problem?"

Hawke glanced over his shoulder, making sure that Isabela was still at her usual spot at the bar. He did not want her hearing the next part.

He leaned in close to his old friend. What he said was for Varric's ears alone.

"I don't want her to get hurt," he whispered.

Varric shrugged.

"That's an occupational hazard for people like us Hawke," the dwarf reminded him.

The champion's frown deepened.

"Do you remember that business with Sebastian a few years back, those nobles that had his family killed?"

"Of course I remember," Varric replied, "I still think choir boy still has nightmares about that day."

"I know I still do," Hawke said, "But not for the reason you might think."

Varric's expression turned thoughtful.

He did remember.

IOI

Varric sighed.

That had been a bad time for Hawke. They had gone down into that ruin beneath Hightown looking for answers to why choirboy's family had been killed. What they found was a desire demon, and a noblewoman apostate. Isabela had tried to end the fight quick, and had ended up nearly dying that day. The blood mage bitch drained away her life force; left her so near death that healing magic could not save her.

He remembered the look on Hawke's face, the look of pure helplessness. Varric and Sebastian had covered him while he tried to save Rivaini's life, but it was clear that he could not do it…not without help.

It was the kind of help that Hawke would never have used until that day.

Daisy had been there, and she had shown Hawke a way to do it, a way that still haunted the Champion to this day.

That was the first time that Hawke had ever used blood magic, used it to drain away the life of their enemies, and restore Rivaini to full life.

Varric remembered the shame in his friend's eyes, and how he refused to meet either Varric or Sebastian's gaze. Choirboy had not turned Hawke over to the circle that day, but had taken to keeping a respectful distance.

Varric had known the truth, Hawke had not done that lightly, and the mage knew that using blood magic was a slippery slope. Merrill walked it, but even she stumbled some times. By choosing to use blood magic, Hawke had no doubt attracted more than a few hungry demons, but the dwarf also recognized something else about Hawke that day.

His friend had fallen in love with Rivaini. Hawke would have done anything to keep her safe.

This business with the Knight-commander, it likely would involve magic, and considering how hard she had clamped down on the mages in the city, likely any mage they went looking for would have turned to blood magic to keep him or herself safe.

Hawke was worried that history would repeat itself, and he did not wish Rivaini involved in this.

Varric understood that, but he still felt that it did not matter.

Rivaini would never admit it, not sober anyway, but…she also cared for Hawke. It was clear by what he had seen, how she was always at his side, and the many nights he had heard her awaken in her nearby room, crying out for Hawke after a nightmare.

Varric never told her about that, he kept it to himself. He liked Rivaini and she probably would have denied it anyway,

It was a conversation that he was not interested in having with her.

Perhaps it would be best if they did keep her out of this?

Not that she would allow it, if Hawke was going into danger, she would want to be there; want to be there at his side.

Maker help anyone who tried to stand in her way.

Varric recognized that.

There was nothing that they could do, for good or ill…

Isabela would be coming along.

IOI

Isabela sauntered along beside Varric; Hawke as always had the lead, with the big girl bringing up the rear.

The pirate queen chuckled. She never thought that the Templar bitch would ever invite Hawke into the Gallows, not without forcing him to stay anyway.

The conversation between the two had been civil, for the most part, three mages had slipped their chains, and the Knight-Commander had wanted them brought back. She had left the details with her tranquil assistant, who had spoken to Hawke and great length about the escapees. Some Darktown girl, an elf from the Alienage, and some noble git's son, they did not sound that threatening, but considering the fact that they might be blood mages made things a bit more interesting.

Isabela had been concerned for Hawke; he clearly did not like talking with that pet tranquil of the Templar's. She suspected that the Knight-Commander had had the girl there on purpose, to remind Hawke what would happen if he stepped out of line with her.

Isabela frowned.

If the Templar bitch made a move against Hawke, she would make the woman very, very sorry. Isabela already had one death mark on her head, adding one for killing a knight-commander of the chantry did not bother her that much.

Hawke had taken the job, or test as he suggested that it might be. If these three were as dangerous as the Templars thought, they still needed to be gotten off the street.

Hawke had decided that he had wanted Fenris in this as well. He was concerned for their elven companion's welfare. No one had seen him since they had dealt with his former master; he had not even left that old mansion of his.

Hawke was worried about him, what could he be doing in there for the last two days?

Isabela had suggested that he was likely just getting drunk, but Hawke decided to make the journey to see him anyway, make sure that he was still fine after the confrontation with his sister.

They walked right up to the mansion; Hawke pushed on the door, but found it locked.

The champion's brow furrowed with concern. Isabela found that she was a little surprised. Fenris never locked the main door, people in Hightown knew he was there, and what he would do to any thieves he caught, he locked his main rooms, but never the front door.

Perhaps Hawke was right to be concerned.

He knocked loudly.

Isabela pulled her daggers, if that Magister had left some trap behind for the elf, they would have to be ready.

Hawke knocked loudly again.

"Kaffas, I'm coming damn you!"

Hawke relaxed at the sound of Fenris's voice, Isabela sheathed her blades. The sound of locks turning was followed by Fenris opening the door slightly. He squinted in the bright daylight.

Isabela grinned.

Yum.

Fenris looked…well…a bit bedraggled, his silver hair mussed, his body sheened with sweat, he was also naked from the waist up.

He glared at his comrades. Clearly, he did not want guests right now.

Isabela smirked; enjoying the view the elf definitely had a nice body. Fenris was far more muscled than most elves she had seen.

He wasn't Hawke, but that did not mean that she could not enjoy a little art appreciation.

"Yes," Fenris said gruffly.

"Hello Fenris," Hawke said suspiciously.

"Do you need something?" the elf asked.

"We came for your help," Varric said.

Fenris's ears twitched.

"I'm…currently occupied," he said glancing behind him, "Can this wait."

Isabela was curious now, she had lived in Kirkwall for almost four years, never had she seen Fenris like this."

"We catch you napping?" she asked him.

"No," he snarled, color coming to the tips of his ears, "I'm…occupied, come back later…please."

Isabela's interest was now peaked.

Please?

Fenris never said please.

Hawke recognized that something was up too.

"Are you okay Fenris," he asked.

"I'm fine," he said, "please go away."

"What's up elf," Isabela grinned, "What…you got a girl in there with you or something?"

The elf's emerald eyes narrowed.

"As a matter of fact…" a voice called out from behind him.

Fenris lowered his head, cursing he stepped aside.

Isabela's smile grew wider.

A pale skinned elven girl stood behind Fenris, she was dressed in nothing but one of Fenris's shirts. Her cheeks and ears a little pink.

She smiled shyly at Hawke.

"Greeting Serah Hawke," she said, "It has been awhile."

Hawke was actually blushing now too.

"Um…Hello Lin, it…it has been a long time hasn't it?"

The elven archer nodded.

Varric chuckled.

"You could have just told us elf," he said to Fenris.

The male elf growled, his markings glowing with embarrassment and frustration.

Isabela grinned lecherously.

Fenris you lucky bastard.

IOI

Fenris was not pleased, he was not ashamed of his feelings for Lin, but why did Hawke have to bring the others along?

He would never live this down, not with Varric and Isabela.

"What do you need," he growled at Hawke.

The champion at least had the decency to appear embarrassed.

"Sorry to interrupt your…nap," Hawke said, "But there are apparently some blood mages that got free from the Gallows. I thought you might want to help us stop them."

Fenris growled; his loyalty to Hawke warred with his desire for Lin.

The archer made things easy for him.

She gently touched his face and kissed his nose.

"You are needed," she purred.

"I know," he growled.

She turned to Hawke.

"Give us some time," she said, "We shall meet you outside the Viscount's Keep."

Hawke arched his eyebrow.

"You want to help?"

She smiled.

"Fenris is needed," she said, "My scouting group is currently on leave, I have a month," she smiled. "This should not take that long."

"A month?" Isabela laughed, "Ooh Fenris, I hope you can keep it up for that long."

He growled at the pirate.

Lin blushed.

"Leave him be Isabela," Hawke said, "We shall meet you outside the keep."

Fenris and Lin both nodded.

He closed the door.

A Tevinter curse spat from his lips.

Damn Hawke, damn them all!

Lin laughed lightly.

Fenris gave her a look.

"I think you could do it," she said innocently.

Despite the awkwardness of the situation, and the confrontation with his friends, Fenris smiled.

It would be a challenge, he thought.

Perhaps they would try it…

…After helping Hawke of course.

Yes.

After would be better