SHORT! I was going to make this longer, but decided to leave it as it is, and made the second part its own chapter.
Super late, and Zan is sleepy.
Hope you all enjoy!
Hawke grumbled to herself as she stumbled out her door and into the bright morning sun. As she attached her shield to her back she squinted at the light overhead with an increasingly dark scowl. She had been out till nearly dawn with Aveline after they had tracked down Donnic. She had somehow been talked into going to the Hanged Man with the Guard Captain while the larger woman had waited for her husband to finish his patrol. Too many drinks. Too many loud noises. It all made for much to early a morning when Orana had woken her with a quiet, but persistent tapping on her door.
Sending another scowl at the offending sun she made her way to Fenris'. She was in the mood for company, but only the quiet kind.
She opened the door to the mansion without knocking, long past such niceties with the elf. Checking for anyone in the immediate vicinity, she pitched her voice up, wincing only slightly at her own shouting. "Fenris! I need you!"
She waited a few moments, wondering if the usually early riser had actually slept in when she saw a white head peek out around the door at the top of the balcony in front of her. A squinted look was given in her direction before the head disappeared again. She smiled to herself and settled into a seat by the door to wait for him to ready himself.
Another handful of moments passed before Fenris joined her a questioning look on his face. "You are not one to come around so early, Hawke." It was said as a statement, and a true one at that. She hated mornings, she was much better with night work, and all of her companions knew it. "Tell Orana that. I need to speak with Cullen, and I wanted to make sure I got to him before he was taken up with something else." They headed out into the sunshine again, Hawke hating it a little less this time.
"Are your guests still asleep?" She asked conversationally.
He shrugged a shoulder and followed her down the stairs. "Out with the dawn as far as I can tell. Lyna appears to be an early riser. I believe she said something last night about needing to check on some things." He gave a faint smile. "I do know that Zevran would have a look very similar to yours when they left."
Hawke returned his smile and turned down another set of stairs. She thought briefly, and horribly, about stopping by the hanged man to wake up Isabela and Varric. If she had to be up early then everyone should, but she put it out of her mind. Neither of those two would be considered quiet company.
They made it the rest of the way to the docks in silence. By the time they settled onto a small boat that would take them to the Gallows she was feeling less like a sharp little bundle of hate for all things sunny, and more like her normal self. She even made a point to ask Fenris how he had been the last few days. He murmured something about having to wait and see, and then turned to look out over the water.
Cutting her off? Hmm. Not something he usually did, but a sign that he had something on his mind and didn't want to get into it. Thinking that trying to pry it out of him would only darken her slowly improving mood, she decided to let him have his secrets. At least for a time.
Making their way into the courtyard Hawke noticed the Knight Captain in the corner talking with some recruits. She made her way over to him and made a point to look as if she was in a very large hurry while she waited for him. She was in the middle of a particularly good huff, at least to her mind, when he finally turned around to address her.
"Serah Hawke. I am assuming you are here about the accusations regarding the Guard Captain, yes?"
She gave an emphatic nod and folded her arms behind her back. "I have successfully wasted my time, ser. The rumors are completely unfounded."
He nodded at her words, and heaved a sigh. "As I suspected."
She dropped her arms then ran a hand through her hair. "Then why press this?" She was unsure of the point. If he never thought that there was any base to the rumors, why not just ignore them?
"Some feel that the... solution... to the current crisis of leadership is to..." he waved a hand, "consolidate authority." Giving another sigh, he continued. "You have to understand. As long as these complaints continue, baseless or not, they will serve as justification for eliminating the position of guard captain."
He rubbed a hand over his chin, as if unsure how else to explain. "It would be the simplest fix, whether or not I agree."
Ah. Now she understood. She shot him a bright smile, and refolded her arms. "Just point me in the right direction, and I'll get you some peace and quiet."
She could see him bite back a smile, and an almost imperceptible look of relief in his eyes. "I have no answers for you other than to say that all of the complaints have come from Lowtown."
Hawke gave a nod. She would need to rely this information to Aveline, which almost certainly meant another trek into a guardsman's patrol.
She thanked Cullen and started to turn away before he stepped forward and called her back.
"I have heard... rumors, Serah Hawke, that the Hero of Ferelden is here in Kirkwall, and that she keeps your company."
She paused a moment before turning back to him, unsure of how to respond. She doubted Lyna wanted it spread around that she was here, she seemed the type to enjoy being anonymous; however, before she could form a reply Cullen spoke again. "I won't ask you to confirm it, but if I might ask a favor. She... she saved my life back at the Ferelden Circle. I would appreciate it if you could pass on to her that I wish to express my gratitude in person, should she allow it. I was... " he broke off with a short laugh, " somewhat ungrateful at the time. I would like to rectify that."
Hawke studied him a moment before giving a nodded assent. "I'll see what I can do." With that she was off and bounding back down the stairs to the boats. She hated this place, and tried never to stay longer then she had to. It reminded her of her sister.