Adia, Amber, Anders, Isabella, and Fenris were on their way to the Docks, where Isabella was looking for information on The Relic. As they passed an alley, however, the group saw what appeared to be a woman in Chantry robes talking to a well-known Lowtown thug. "And you're sure you and your men are up to the task?" she asked him
"Oh certainly. Why don't we just step right this way, and my boys and I will count the money you've brought..." They headed into the alley, out of sight of the street.
"Some people shouldn't be allowed out," Isabella revealed, shaking her head.
"Idiot," Anders added.
"Would it be bad if we just let them kill her? I mean, she's pretty much asking for it at this point," Adia pointed out.
"Just because she's part of the Chantry?" Fenris wondered.
"Definitely," the healer retorted.
"No..." Amber said with a sigh. "We should help."
"No, not because she's part of the Chantry; because she's an idiot," Adia told the Elf, sticking her tongue out at him.
"I still stand by my statement," Anders huffed. Isabella started down the alley, but stopped and looked at her companions.
"Well come on, before we miss all the fun!" Following the pirate, they saw a large group of thugs surrounding the woman, who looked terrified. The leader turned and saw them, pointing his dagger at the group, who drew their own weapons.
"Witnesses! Kill them!"
"I think not!" Fenris retorted.
"Tsk, tsk. Naughty little boys need a spanking!" Adia added. While the archer went to town on the lowlifes, she noticed that neither Amber nor Anders were using their magick. They fought with their staffs, the healer using the blade on the end of his with deadly accuracy. As the last of the thugs fell, the woman came up to the redhead, brushing dirt off her robe.
"Well, it seems I am out of my element. Thank you for your timely rescue," she said, pursing her lips. Adia cocked an eyebrow and gave the woman an odd look.
"I'd say so. What are you doing down here alone?"
"I am Sister Petrice. I came here to find people who are willing to take someone outside the city. Perhaps they are the same people who would rescue a stranger from bandits?" She suddenly seemed more hopeful, and Amber came up beside her sister.
"I'm sorry, didn't that line of thinking almost get you killed a moment ago?"
"Are you going to kill me?" Petrice asked with a shrug.
"That depends on what it is you want us to do and if the money is good. We're not cheap," the archer informed her with a wicked smile.
"Do not worry: I have coin to pay you. Meet me at this address in an hour. Then you will see why I cannot entrust this to just anyone." She handed Adia a slip of paper.
"She works faster than me," Isabella said with a grin "That takes talent."
"As long as the money is good, we shall be there," Fenris told her. Petrice nodded and leaned out of the alley for a moment.
"Good. Varnell?" A Templar came up behind the group, and both mages' eyes went wide. Amber quickly wrapped her arms around Anders and pushed him against the wall. He closed his eyes and bowed his head over her, and they began whispering to each other. Neither Petrice nor the Templar seemed to notice. Adia eyed the Chantry people suspiciously, keeping her bow ready just in case.
"Well then, you're not as foolish as I thought. We'll be there." Both of them nodded and headed off down the street. After a few minutes, Fenris turned to the mages.
"Mage, Amber, they are gone."
"Give them a moment, Fenris," Isabella said with a chuckle, tapping Amber's shoulder. "I didn't know you could be that forceful, sweetie."
"I wasn't about to let Just- Anyone get to Anders," Amber said, stopping herself before she mentioned the Spirit in front of the warrior.
"Give us a moment, okay?" Anders said, his eyes still shut. Adia saw the tight set of his mouth, and the concerned look still on her twin's face. They couldn't risk Justice showing himself, especially in front of Fenris…
"Amber, Anders, do you two want to sit this one out? I think the three of us can handle this."
"I'll be all right, so long as I don't show what I am." She rested her hand gently against the blonde's cheek, and he opened his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Maybe it's a mage that needs help. Maybe they aren't like all the others... We should see what's going on." The tone in his voice sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than the others.
"You are surprisingly optimistic about this," Fenris noted.
"It's either that, or Just- I try to cut that Templar down where he stands."
"Right!" Isabella said, clapping her hands. "So Adia, address?" The other rogue looked at the paper for a moment, and then started laughing.
"It's right across from Gamlen's house."
"Wonderful..." Amber mused as she rolled her eyes.
"Well, let's get to it. Should be a fun night," the redhead shot back with a grin.
The five of them made it to the hovel around the designated time, and walked in. Varnell was standing there, sword out as he glared at the group. Amber and Anders immediately froze, and Adia drew her bow and aimed an arrow at the Templar, glaring at him. "Some way to greet the people you just hired!" Petrice came from the back, laying a firm hand on the man's arm.
"Be at peace, Ser Varnell." He nodded and sheathed his sword, not saying a word. "Now then, as I told you before, I have need of you to take someone outside the city. This is my burden of charity." Petrice gestured towards a back room, and then a Qunari walked up next to her. However, this one looked different than the ones they'd seen in the compound: It wore a heavy metal collar and a mask over most of its face, and its lips were sewn together. Chains dangled from both arms, clinking as it moved. Adia lowered her bow and jumped back.
"Flaming Andraste's ass! What in the Void is that!"
"A Saarebas?" Fenris asked, eyes wide. Isabella jumped back in shock.
"Bloody waves, it's a damn Qunari!" The Sister gestured to the gray giant.
"Would even the Chantry leash their mages like this? I found this poor creature wandering around, having been the sole survivor from his group. Instead of returning him to his brutal kin, I would see him freed. Therefore I have named him Ketojan: A Bridge Between Worlds." Anders swallowed hard and took a step forward.
"That... Is a Qunari mage?" he asked softly
"Indeed," Fenris said with a curt nod.
"Maker have mercy..." Amber whispered, clutching Anders' arm.
"That is... Wrong. Just so very, very wrong. Why would they do that to one of their own?" Adia demanded.
"I do not know," Petrice replied with a shake of her head. "Perhaps you could ask him, but he does not speak to me. Will you accept this job?" The Elf waved his hand in a sign of rejection, anger clear on his face.
"This is not right. I have never seen a lone Saarebas. They always have a handler... An Arvaarad." Adia folded her arms over her chest and looked at the Sister.
"What exactly do you want us to do? And why us? Why not do it yourself?"
"The Chantry cannot become directly involved with the Qunari. But if Ketojan is freed, then people will see how brutal and foreign the Qunari are, and rise up against them. I merely wish for you to get him outside the city. What happens after that is none of my concern."
"Typical..." Isabella said with a heavy sigh.
"The people don't even care about what happens to human mages," Adia countered, raising an eyebrow. "What makes you think they'll care about a Qunari mage? I agree with Fenris: Something isn't right." The mages turned to her, pleading looks on their faces as their eyes flicked from the archer to the Qunari.
"Adia... We have to help him," Amber told her
"Please..." Anders added. The rogue stared at them for a moment before sighing and nodding. She was going to probably regret this.
"Fine... Where do we take him?" Petrice smiled, but it didn't seem very friendly.
"There is a tunnel that connects to this house. Follow it, and you will be outside the city walls within the hour. Thank you, and I shall have your payment ready when you return" Isabella looked at the Qunari and shook her head.
"Let's get this over with, shall we?"
"Let's go," Adia agreed as they walked to the tunnel door and headed down into the lower reaches of Darktown. Ketojan followed them closely, sticking to the back near Amber and Anders, who kept staring at him with a mixture of anger and pity. Amber would shake her head and rub her eyes every so often, but smiled when she caught Adia looking back at her. As they rounded a corner, they saw a group of men milling around, and two of them men walked over.
"Oh, what's this?" one asked, eyes narrowing. "Not enough that Lowtown's been taken over, but now you uppers need to climb through our sewers as well?" Adia gave him an odd look, scrunching up her face at the man. Did he not see what they were traveling with?
"Sir, I don't think you want to anger our large friend back there. It might be a good idea to just let us pass." She jerked her thumb at Ketojan, and the man did a double-take. However, he failed to see the danger of what he was about to unleash.
"What, are you some kinda Qunari-lover? Maybe I should cut you up into little chunks and feed you to your pet."
"And maybe you should back off," Amber threatened, fire springing to life in her hands. At her back, Ketojan growled. The other man now looked unsure.
"Um... I don't think it likes you threatening its Mistress. Maybe we let them pass?" he suggested, tugging on his friend's shirt.
"It seems your friend is pretty smart. What he's doing working with you is beyond me," Adia said with a smirk. The "leader" turned to the other man, scowling.
"No, they don't get to pass. I'll cut this bitch-" Two fireballs immediately landed on him, and Ketojan and Amber were in front of the redhead a moment later. As the second man watched his friend's corpse burn, he shouted to his own group:
"By the flames, kill them all!" Ketojan growled as flames surrounded him.
"Nice shooting there, sister," Adia complimented as she giggled and flipped back, drawing her bow and nocking an arrow in one smooth motion. With the others joining in, the group made short work of the thugs. However, Ketojan was still on fire. Amber stood in front of him, concern on her face.
"Get a hold of yourself!" she yelled at him
"Amber, get away from him!" Anders warned, ice magick still on his fingers.
"He'll roast you alive, sweetie!" Isabella echoed. Adia kept her distance from the Qunari, not sure what was going on.
"Calm down there, big guy! The fight's over!" Ketojan growled again, and then Amber grabbed his hand, closing her eyes. All was silent for a bit, and then the fire around the Qunari receded. Amber swayed for a moment before dropping to her knees, hands over her eyes. Ketojan put a hand on her head and just stood there looking at her.
"Amber!" Adia shouted, rushing to her sister' side. She dropped down next to her, trying to see the mage's face. "Amber what's wrong? What happened?" The hooded girl shook her head, pressing her hands tighter against her face. Anders knelt on her other side, prying one hand off. The both saw that her eye was bleeding, and actually had small waves of heat coming off it.
"Maker's breath! What did you do?" the healer demanded, stunned.
"I put the fire out..." she replied matter-of-factly. Ketojan growled again, but it seemed softer. It made him seem less animalistic.
"Amber, that didn't work out so well for you the last time, remember?" Adia pointed out. The last time her sister had "put the fire out" had been when she had nearly burned the house down. When her eyes had gone red…
"Better than letting him burn to death and taking us with him," her twin shot back. Anders managed to pry one of her eyes open, and frowned at what he saw.
"Amber... Can you see?" he asked. The other mage was silent, and he sighed.
"Well shit, that's not good," Isabella said bluntly.
"That was foolish of you," Fenris told the elder Hawke. Ketojan suddenly whirled to face the Elf, snarling, and he stepped back. "Never mind..."
"Anders, can you do anything for her?" Adia asked as she cocked an eyebrow at Fenris. "I don't think irritating the large man is good idea."
"I can try," the healer replied. He placed his fingertips against Amber's temples, and the magick soaked into her skin. Anders moved his hands over her eyes, and when he removed them, there was a thin sheet of ice across her eyelids, which melted a moment later. Amber opened her eyes and blinked, and the blonde wiped the blood off her face with his thumbs. "Better?" he asked softly. She blushed and nodded.
"Thank you." Ketojan turned back around and put one hand on Amber's head again, the other now on Anders' head, and he looked up.
"Um... Personal space?" He received a soft growl in response. "Off, please?" The Qunari removed his hands from the two of them, and they stood up. Adia hugged her sister, and the mage returned the gesture.
"You need to stop doing that. I don't want you going blind before we're old." Then she pulled back and smiled at Anders. "Thank you. Let's get out of here before anyone else decides they want to shorten their lives."
No further incidents marked their trek through the sewers, and the group soon found themselves on the Wounded Coast. However, seemingly waiting for them was an armed group of Qunari, and the leader stepped forward. "Halt, basra! I am Arvaarad, leader of this Karataam, and I now claim possession of Saarebas at your heel!"
"Not good..." Isabella whispered, fingers hovering near her daggers. Adia frowned and grabbed her bow, gripping it tight.
"I knew something wasn't right about this." She looked over at Fenris "What is he talking about?"
"An Arvaarad is the handler, or controller of a Saarebas, or mage. No Saarebas can be without one."
"That is correct, Elf," Arvaarad agreed. "We found the members of his Karataam murdered, and the trail led to here. And now we find you with Saarebas."
"She set us up," Amber realized
"That lying bitch," Anders swore, fists clenching. Adia felt anger sweep through her, and her fingers tightened around the bow so tightly she heard the wood creak.
"I'm going to kill her. Chantry be damned, I will kill that woman," she said softly. Then louder to the Qunari: "We had nothing to do with murdering any Qunari. We were given charge of Saarebas or Ketojan- Whatever his name is. We knew nothing about anyone being killed."
"Who put him into your care?"
"A Chantry Sister, who claimed she found him as the sole survivor of his Karataam. It is possible she murdered them to acquire him," the Elf explained. There was a tone in his voice that no one had heard before, and Amber turned to stare at him.
"Fenris, you of all people should not be talking like he's an object!"
"He is a Saarebas! He is an object," he shot back. Arvaarad nodded.
"Just so. Saarebas wield the powers of darkness and chaos. They are not considered true Qunari. And we will now take the one you travel with, and bring him back to the Qun." The archer stared at Fenris for a moment before shaking her head sadly and turning away from him.
"Why don't we let him decide what it is he wants to do? Surely we can come to some kind of compromise."
"It is the will of the Qun that Saarebas comes with us." The warrior Qunari told them. Anders folded his arms over his chest.
"And what happens to him if he goes with you?"
"He shall be cleansed of any taint he might have acquired while outside his Karataam." Fenris blinked for a moment and then hung his head.
"They're going to kill him," he revealed.
"Over my dead body," Amber said, eyes narrowed. Ketojan eyed all of them, then looks at Arvaarad and shook his head, going to stand in front of Amber, who seemed surprised, but pleased.
"What is he doing?" Adia asked, confused. Arvaarad looked at Ketojan for a moment, and then turned to the other Qunari.
"Ataash Qunari!" he shouted, drawing his sword.
"Defend yourselves!" Fenris told the others, sword already in his hands
"Finally!" the pirate declared, eagerly jumping into the fray. The archer quickly found higher ground and started unloading her bow, switching to exploding arrows.
"I hate fighting these guys!" she told the others. The Qunari put up a good fight, and the redhead noticed that any time one of them came close to either mage, Ketojan immolated it. After a little while, the other side lay dead. Amber picked up a glowing rod that Arvaarad had on him, and Ketojan took it from her and smashed it on a rock. Everyone heard a "click" from his collar, and it fell off, as do the chains.
"I am... Unbound," he said, voice gravelly. Adia put her bow away, joining the group again, looking at the collar then up at Ketojan.
"So you're free?" The Qunari shrugged.
"In a sense, yes." He turned to Amber, again putting a hand on her head.
You are now Basvaraad: Worthy of Being Followed. I thank you for my life, though I am unsure what to do with it."
"Whatever you wish," she told him with a smile.
"I would just get as far from Kirkwall as you can," Anders cautioned.
"Perhaps I shall simply live peacefully somewhere, away from the Qun. Or find like-minded others of my kind," Ketojan told them, lips twisting in a quick smile.
"I agree with Anders. Get as far from here as you can. Kirkwall doesn't seem to like Mages or Qunari. And you're both," Adia reminded him with a sad smile.
"Thank you. If we meet again, know that I will be an ally." He walked away, not giving them so much as a second glance.
"That was... Odd," Fenris said after a few minutes.
"I'll say. But at least we completed the task. Now to find that Sister and demand some answers," Isabella quipped. Everyone nodded, and they decided to take a different route back to the city.
Once they were safely in Kirkwall, Anders stopped and put a hand on Amber's shoulder. "Adia, if it's all right, Amber and I will go back to the clinic. I want to make sure she's really okay," he brought up. The archer nodded.
"I think that'd be best. We'll take care of the Sister and her tin can." Her eyes darkened slightly. "I don't like being lied to. Or set up." Her twin gave her a quick hug.
"Please be careful."
"I'll be fine. Go get some rest." The mages headed for Darktown, and the rest of them made their way to the hovel. Petrice was still inside, apparently directing Varnell in cleaning things up.
"No one must know we were-" She saw them and turned, the smile instantly back on her face. "Oh, you have returned."
"Barely," Fenris scowled, glaring at them.
"You double-crossed us," Isabella told her, one eyebrow raised. "I thought the Chantry played nicer than that." Adia echoed the Elf's glare, balling her hands into fists at her sides in an attempt to not strangle Petrice and the Templar.
"Oh yes. We're back. No thanks to the very angry Qunari who were looking for their lost mage." The Sister tilted her head, seemingly intrigued.
"But you had no trouble with them? Or did you? I notice that two of your number are not with you."
"Why yes, we did have trouble. My sister was nearly blinded!" This news did not seem to bother the blonde, who shrugged.
"Oh, then my condolences for her injury. However, the task was completed?" The pirate stepped up, pointing a finger at Petrice.
"Do you mean freeing the Qunari, slaughtering the ones waiting for us, or not getting killed by your trap?"
"I don't like being lied to," Adia added, barely able to contain her anger at this point. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't put you through that wall." The Templar once more drew his sword, but Isabella and Fenris brandished their weapons.
"It would not do for a Sister to be found dead in Lowtown. That would bring the wrath of the Knight Commander down on this section, and I doubt anyone wants that. That is the very reason why I chose this place: You all need coin, yet fear repercussions if anything unsavory or illegal is discovered. I regret that you had injuries to your party, but not the ultimate outcome. A few less Qunari will do this city some good," Petrice calmly explained. If she had any fear about death, it did not show, and that bothered Adia.
"The Qunari have never attacked anyone here. Why provoke them?" Fenris wanted to know.
"Because they go against everything the Maker intended! Only when everyone sees that will the problem be truly dealt with." The redhead was looking at Varnell with a smirk, and then started laughing.
"You do not scare me, metal man. Not in the least." Her attention then shifted once more to the Sister. "Oh yes, because some twit Sister knows exactly what the Maker wants. Give us our coin and get out of here." She threw a pouch of coins at the archer.
"Take it and disappear back into Lowtown. We will not meet again."
"Oh, I hope not," the pirate quipped as they left the hovel. Adia stomped away a few feet, growling to herself.
"If I ever see that woman again, I think I will kill her. Just for the hell of it."
"That would be unwise. As she pointed out, she is a Chantry Sister, and that would bring Templars here in greater numbers," Fenris reminded her.
"Well I don't know about you two, but I need a stiff one after that... And a drink. I'll see you both later," Isabella said with a wink. Adia tilted her head, pretty sure that she was missing something important.
"So you're going for a not-so-stiff drink and a stiff drink?" The pirate leaned over and pinched her cheek.
"You are so much like Kitten, sweet thing! Tell you what, tell your sister what I said, and have her explain it to you." She sauntered off, chuckling. The redhead frowned and rubbed her cheek, but still stared a little when the pirate walked away, shaking her head to clear it out.
"That woman confuses me something fierce." Fenris snickered and came up beside her, hand resting on her shoulder for a moment.
"She enjoys confusing you, I think."
"I think a lot of people do." She wrinkled her nose and looked up at him. "Fenris, can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
"Why did you call that Saarebas an object? Was it because he's a mage?" He looked surprised and stepped back, rubbing a hand behind his head.
"I... It's difficult to explain. Saarebas aren't seen as actual Qunari. They are war machines, and that is all. It is a great sin to be a mage in Qunari society."
"But you're not a Qunari. When you told Amber he was an object, it sounded like you meant it." The warrior looked down and sighed.
"I did. I lived with a group of Qunari in Seheron for a few months. It's how I know their language and customs." Adia tilted her head and raised an eyebrow at him.
"Do you think all mages should be treated like that? Like little more than a weapon?" The Elf looked up again, knowing that this conversation was bound to get violent, like most of their discussions about mages.
"They are weapons, Adia. Some of them have other talents, yes. But in our group, we have two mages who use purely destructive forces, and one who generally heals, but can also kill as well. I am not saying that they should all be chained, but to have them have a handler wouldn't be so bad."
"They do have handlers, Fenris. They're called Templars and all they do is bully the mages... And anyone else they can. I've seen it. Condemning a person because they have different talents is just wrong. You could be considered a weapon too, if you wanted to get into it." The Elf scowled.
"I was made into a weapon. That's the difference. Mages are born the way they are, and they cannot change it. And all Templars cannot possibly be as bad as you think. What about Thrask?" Ah yes, the Templar that even Darktown seemed to acknowledge as being a decent person. Though she'd never met him, all the stories they'd heard of him pointed to him being a reasonable individual… For a Templar.
"Thrask is the exception. But by your own logic, if all Templars aren't as bad as I think, wouldn't that mean that all mages aren't as bad as you think?" Fenris stared at her, frowning now. For someone so random, Adia could occasionally make sense.
"All mages desire power. They would become magisters if they could. Wouldn't your sister be more comfortable in a land where mages ruled, and were shown respect instead of fear?" Adia put her hands on her hips and gave him an annoyed look. Maker, why did he have to be so frustrating on this subject?
"My sister does not desire power. She never has. She'd be more comfortable in a place where she didn't have to worry about being ripped from her family and just be a normal person. She didn't ask to become a mage just like you didn't ask to become a slave." But the Elf was far from done.
"So you think she would give up her magick if she could? What about Merrill and Anders? She's a blood mage, and he wants to free other mages from the Circle."
"I don't know if she would or not. When we were younger..." She sighed and waved a dismissive hand. "That's not my story to tell. Merrill is naive at best; even worse than me. She believes she's doing what's right for her people. And Anders..."Adia looked up at him, pursing her lips. "If you could, would you free other slaves?"
"Yes, but that is true slavery. The Circle is nothing like Tevinter! The atrocities committed there on a daily basis... I was one of the lucky ones, if you could call it that."
"The Circle forcibly removes people from their families and does not allow them to leave! If they rebel or show a little bit of free will, stick up for themselves, anything, they're made Tranquil. I know it's not complete slavery, but it's still a form."
"Tranquility is not death, which is what most slaves face if they anger their masters or cannot be sold on the market. Some are even used in "sport" for fighting each other and placing wagers on. I was told that that is how Danarius found me." Adia's hands curled into fists now, and her arms went rigid. They had had this conversation before, so why was he still insistent about it?
"Tranquility might as well be a death! They strip you of everything that makes you a person. No free will, no personality, you're just a shell of a person. Would you rather die, or live life as mindless tool for some Templar to order around?" Fenris pulled back, grimacing at both the imagery and the tone in the redhead's voice.
"I... Would rather die than be a puppet. Is that what you fear will happen to Amber if she is discovered?" Adia frowned and stared at the ground, shoulders slumping.
"It used to be that my biggest fear would be the Templars finding her and taking her away from me. I learned about Tranquils when we came to Kirkwall last year. If that ever happened..." She shuddered. "I don't know what I'd do."
"She at least, is careful. Anders on the other hand... He will be caught if he continues to act so... Forceful around Templars, like tonight."
"He has his reasons. Ones I know you wouldn't understand, but his anger is not misplaced." Fenris raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
"Some of his anger is justified, but not all. You do not wish to lose your sister, so I can understand your feelings more. You have never even considered being apart from her, have you?"
"The longest we've ever been apart was when Carver and I joined the army and were stationed at Ostagar. I wrote her all the time...it got to the point where I was asked to stop sending so many letters. Carver used to tease me and say I looked like I was a lost dog." The rogue smiled as she thought back to her time in the army. It hadn't ended the way she'd hoped, but the training hadn't been a complete waste. At least for her. Fenris was quiet for a few moments as he considered her words.
"That bond is something I know nothing about. Is it like that with all twins, or just the two of you?" Adia shrugged and kicked at the ground.
"I don't know. I don't know any other twins. I mean, we can't read each other's minds or anything like that. Maybe we are just special." She looked up and smiled again. "She's my best friend and my sister. The thought of being away from her is just...Depressing." The Elf sighed and looked down.
"If it is any comfort, I do not see Amber as an object. She will always be your sister... Mage or not."
"Well good. Because if you did, I was planning on putting you through the wall I was going to put Petrice through." She gave him a devious smirk, and he raised his head and returned the look.
"Oh really? I doubt you have the strength for that, little rogue." Before he could react, she grinned and grabbed his shoulders, shoving him up against the wall that supported the stairs leading to Gamlen's house as hard as she could, holding him there.
"You were saying, oh mighty Warrior?" The look of shock on his face made her grin widen, but it didn't last long.
"Well..." He took hold of her arms and pivoted; now shoving her into the wall where he had just been. "I underestimated you." Adia squeaked when she hit the wall and she stared up at the warrior, a blush creeping across her face.
"What in Andraste's name is going on?" Amber's voice reached their ears. They both jumped and turned to the street, where the mages were standing, eyes wide.
"A-Amber! It's not what it looks like!" With Fenris distracted, the redhead managed to wiggle free from him. Anders raised an eyebrow, the concern on his face quickly changing to a smug smirk.
"Oh, then what were you two doing?"
"None of your business, mage!" Fenris shot back with a snarl.
"Adia, you're okay?" Amber asked, ignoring the men for the moment. At this point her sister was blushing fiercely, and she couldn't help but smile.
"We were messing around. Fenris didn't think I could put him through a wall so I pinned him to the steps, and then he flipped me around! But yes, I'm fine." The healer and warrior were glaring at each other by this point, and Amber rolled her eyes.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" She tugged on Anders' coat to get his attention, and he looked at her with a smile.
"Of course. Get some rest." Fenris turned to the rogue and bowed slightly.
"I should retire as well. Goodnight, Adia."
"Goodnight, Fenris. See you tomorrow?" He gave her a small smile.
"Of course." He and Anders headed off, leaving Amber grinning at her sister.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Adia wondered, raising an eyebrow.
"No reason. Just sorry that I interrupted you. I didn't know you liked it rough, sister." Now Adia tilted her head, thoroughly confused.
"...Liked what rough? We were just messing around, I promise!" The mage chuckled and shook her head.
"You keep using that word. It means something other than "playing", Adia." The look she was getting reminded her of a confused child… Or Merrill.
"...This is another Isabella thing, isn't it? She said something earlier that confused me...she said she was going to get a "stiff" one and a drink...I didn't get it." Adia was pouting now, and Amber stared at her, jaw falling for a moment.
"Oh... Um..." She cleared her throat. "Well... She meant she was going to find a man to bed, and that's all I'm willing to get into. And "messing around" can mean foreplay, by the way." It was Adia's turn to have her jaw fall, and her eyes went wide.
"WE WERE DOING NO SUCH THING!"
"I know," Amber told her, giggling. "Come on, we should get some sleep." The archer stuck her tongue out at her sister, and then sobered up.
"I suppose you're right. Are your eyes okay?"
"Yes, they don't hurt any more. It took me a while to convince Anders that I really was okay. He wasn't sure what was wrong exactly, so didn't know if he fixed it. I'm sorry for worrying you."
"Promise me you won't do that again. I don't want you to lose your sight or worse...I'd be very sad if you left me." The pout was back as the sisters embraced.
"I'm not going anywhere, Adia. And I'd prefer not to lose my sight either. Then you couldn't tease me about staring at Anders..."
"That would be a shame, now wouldn't it? The only upside would be not having to clean up your drool," Adia shot back with a snicker. Amber's face turned the same shade as her eyes.
"Get in the house and go to bed, or I'll throw fireballs at you until you do!"
"You wouldn't dare!" She smirked and tapped the mage on the nose before running into the house laughing. Amber laughed and gave chase, but decided against using fire… This time, anyway.