A/N: The non Varric and Cassandra portion opens on the evening following the previous chapter's end. Answers to questions in the guest review are again at the end. There will be spoilers for the game Inquisition if anyone hasn't played it.

Chapter Nine

"So," Cassandra asked, "Did you find your brother?"

Varric nodded sadly, "Oh yes, Bartrand was there."

"And the relic?"

He shook his head, "No. I never saw it again, nor did Hawke so far as I know."

Varric took a deep breath to steady himself. Hawke looked at the dwarf and asked, "Nervous?"

Varric snorted, "We're about to storm my brother's house, fight his guards, and kill him; I'm just fine."

Hawke nodded in understanding, "Just tell me when you are ready."

The dwarf steadied himself after a moment, then said, "Okay I'm good. Let's go."

Hawke motioned to Fenris who charged forward and bashed the door in, then charged inside. Hawke followed him, with Isabella close behind. The trio scattered as they entered the first room, ready to face anyone who stood in their way. Behind them were Varric, Bethany, and Merrill, each ready to give their support.

Nothing attacked them. The house was completely, eerily silent. Fenris muttered from Hawke's right, "I don't like this. It reminds me of the Fog Warrior ambushes."

Hawke nodded, then motioned toward another door. Fenris approached it, and at Hawke's signal he knocked the door in and lept through, ready to fight whatever was on the other side. There was silence for a moment, then Fenris called, "Hawke, you'll want to see this."

Slowly Hawke advanced through the door, his sword and shield ready. He lowered them when he was through as he saw the reason for the silence. Everyone in the room was dead. Mercenaries were thrown against walls, two had been hit with enough force to smash them through a far wall.

"What happened here?" Isabella asked, a bit in shock from the carnage before them.

Behind them Bethany said, "There was magic here, a lot of it."

Merrill nodded, "Yes." She frowned, then hurried over to a group of five mercenaries who had bled from their eyes, nose, mouth, and eyes. After a moment she said, "This was blood magic."

Fenris was quiet, restraining himself from commenting until finally he said, "And these over here," he motioned toward a number of corpses scattered around the room, "they were killed with swords."

"So," Varric said, "Whoever killed them had magic and soldiers backing them up. Come on, let's see if we can find Bartrand."

Slowly the group moved deeper into the house. In every room the sign of battle continued. After yet another room Fenris said, "There are no attackers."

Hawke glanced at him and asked, "What?"

Fenris motioned toward the latest bodies and said, "The attackers left no bodies behind, whoever did this wanted to leave no evidence of who they were."

"You know," Varric muttered, "He's right. We haven't seen a single body that looked like it might have been attacking. There's been several places there should have been a body, but there wasn't anything there."

Hawke frowned, "Let's see if we find something further in."

Finally the group neared the master room of the house. With a signal Hawke motioned the other's to wait, then pushed the door in. Nothing answered. He glanced inside and saw Bartrand, the dwarf's corpse thrown to one side of the room, his head was across the room. An ax was laying in two pieces near the body, and Hawke could see several fingers still holding onto both pieces. Isabella examined it, then noted, "The handle has been cut in half."

Finally Bethany said, "What were they looking for?"

Hawke glanced around, and finally noticed what she meant. The cabinets and chests in the room were all thrown open, and their contents was strewn across the entire room. He started looking through one pile and noted an open box of gems inside it. "They weren't after money," Hawke noted. "This box would keep a bandit gang eating for months."

No one said anything for a moment, then finally Bethany said, "So maybe they were after something else. The scepter maybe?"

Hawke nodded, "Possible. If Bartrand betrayed us for it who knows what a buyer might do if he turned them down."

Fenris though said, "I don't think so. The kind of magical power that was in the hall points to a very specific group." Hawke looked at him in puzzlement, and Fenris explained, "Think about it. We know Danarius is looking for me, its probably his doing. A Tevinter Magister could have done all of this."

Varric stood up from next to his brother's body and said, "Then let's hunt the bastard."

"Was the elf right?" Cassandra asked.

"Getting ahead of ourselves a bit aren't we Seeker?" Varric said.

She frowned at him, then answered, "Please just answer."

Varric shook his head, "No. I eventually figured out who probably broke in, but there was never any real evidence."

"Then who?" Cassandra pressed.

Varric sighed, "Understand I don't have anything actually pointing to them, but I think it was the Fereldans."

"The Fereldans?" Cassandra asked, skepticism evident in her voice.

Varric nodded, "Oh yes, they could have had plenty of magic behind them, they had Idunna for blood magic, and they had soldiers in the city. The only reason we didn't go the night before, when the actual killing happened, was because King Alistair went drinking with Hawke. Almost immediately after the King left from what I'm told the ambassador left too, claiming he had business to attend to before the night was over. And I've only ever seen one sword that could cut through a weapon handle so cleanly. These were people who had fought and killed an archdemon. Do you really think breaking into a house and killing everyone inside would have been beyond them?"

Cassandra considered, then finally said, "I get your point."

Varric smiled a little, then said, "After all these years I finally have someone who will listen to that theory. Hawke always said it was baseless. He suspected the Coterie. Bethany would never have heard a word against the Fereldans even if she had stayed, Merrill never cared, and Aveline still held too much loyalty to her old home, loyalty she gave ultimately gave to Kirkwall as well."

Cassandra was quiet, then finally asked, "What about the others?"

Varric shook his head, "Fenris and Isabella never got to hear my theory, but we'll get to that. Now, I think I was getting to our raid on the Tevinters."

"The Holding Caves, I should have known," Fenris spat as he looked down on the entrance chiseled into the Cliffside. Hawke nodded, Varric's information had been right after all. There were fresh signs of habitation near the entrance, a still smoldering pile of ashes, footprints, and the guard Varric had just shot.

"Let's go," Hawke said as he dropped down.

"Be careful," Fenris whispered. "These caves were used in the ancient times, and they were built to defend against raids by fellow slavers. No doubt its why Danarius chose this place."

"Don't worry," Aveline said as she peered down the narrow entranceway, "they won't see us coming I'm sure." She sighed a bit, then said, "It will be good to get rid of some slavers. Finally pay you back for the help with those Marauders last week, right Hawke?"

Hawke snorted, and started down the passage, before whispering back, "Sure Aveline, we'll talk about the other dozen times later."

He emerged into a smooth passage branching off in several directions. Hawke paused for a moment until Fenris finally said, "straight ahead. The other passages are decoys, lined with traps."

"How can you tell?" Varric whispered.

Fenris pointed at a small pair of carvings on the passageway in front. "That's the symbol of Danarius's house. The other doors all have some very slight flaw in their version."

The group crept forward, until Aveline pushed open a door with her shield and glanced inside. She shook her head and whispered, "No one."

They moved inside and Hawke saw a table with a body on it, his chest had been ripped open and his heart removed. The elf looked down on it and said, "Behold the legacy of the Magisters."

Hawke nodded grimly, "Then let's keep going. Your former master has to be here somewhere."

The group moved on, until finally Aveline glanced down a passage into a long hallway and said, "Two guards inside, on either side." Hawke, you and Fenris take the ones on the right. Varric, take down one of the guards on the left. I'll get the other one." They nodded in understanding and Aveline whispered, "Go."

She kicked the door in and charged, followed rapidly by Hawke and Fenris. Varric fired a moment later, and the first guard went down. Fenris lept at a second, cutting him down before the man could react to the sudden attack. Hawke was on his opponent a moment later, and with a quick blow from his shield he forced the man against the wall, then finished him with a thrust.

Aveline's opponent was falling as well when Hawke turned around and Fenris said, "Let's go. Someone will have heard that."

Hawke nodded and motioned forward, this time far faster. Another room of guards awaited them, these already alert. Hawke rushed pair of soldiers, only for one to fall from a bolt Varric sent his way. The other brought his shield up to block Hawke's blow before bringing a mace down on Hawke's shield. Hawke slid the blow off, catching the weapon just long enough to bring his sword down on the man's right arm. There was a howl of pain and the soldier dropped his mace. Hawke drove forward with his shield, knocked the other man's away, then finished him. He heard a noise behind him and without thinking whirled to catch a blow from another soldier, blocking the ax barely in time. Before Hawke could strike he saw a claymore coming down, and Fenris's sword slammed into the soldier, smashing through his armor.

Only as the man fell did Hawke notice the cowering elf girl, or late teenager at least, in the room as well. He put down his sword and walked toward her, painfully aware of the blood splattering his armor.

The girl barely noticed him approach, she just kept repeating to herself, "I'm good, I've tried to be good. Don't hurt me, not like them. She loved my papa's soup, why would she do this."

Finally Hawke knelt and whispered, "Its going to be all right. This must have been terrible for you."

She looked up and said, "Everything was fine until today. Are you my master now?"

"NO," Fenris shouted.

The girl cowered back and said, "But…I can cook. And I can clean. I'm good, really." Her voice fell a bit and she said sadly, "What else can I do?"

Hawke was quiet for a second, then finally said, "Can you stay here until we get back?" She nodded. "He smiled and said, "I'll take you to Kirkwall and help you. All right."

The elf nodded, a bit happier, "Oh yes. Praise the Maker, thank you."

As she moved deeper into the shadow Fenris snapped, "I didn't realize you were in the market for a slave."

Hawke scowled at him and said, "I gave her a job Fenris, she's getting paid."

Fenris looked a bit startled, but finally said, "Oh…well…that's good I suppose. Let's keep going."

He started forward when Varric asked, "Who is she exactly?"

Fenris shrugged, "An elf slave…"

"Not her," the dwarf interrupted, "The one who loved soup, who is she?"

Fenris stopped as the realization sunk in. Then he cursed, "Of course. It was too much to hope Danarius might have come himself. He sent Hadriana, his apprentice." His voice dropped and he growled, "Well I guess today we kill the bitch rather than the leader."

He rapidly examined the markings on the doors, then finally selected one and went through. Hawke and the others followed. The stairs down led to another abandoned room, one which looked perfect for an ambush.

Finally Varric asked, "Where is everyone?"

Fenris shrugged, "most likely Hadriana has parties out looking for me. She would never have dreamed I would come for her instead."

They continued until finally Fenris raised one hand and whispered, "They are just ahead. I can sense them."

Hawke nodded and said, "Get ready." Fenris nodded, then the trio of warriors charged around the corner. Five soldiers were waiting for them. Hawke attacked the nearest two, while Aveline two the other three. Fenris bypassed the soldiers and charges straight at the young woman in long robes behind them. Hawke barely saw the elf collide with a magical field before his undivided attention was required on his opponents.

The left soldier brought a sword in from the side, but was forced to pull back as his partner tried to help. Hawke easily blocked the weakened blow and drove the partner back. He quickly realized his mistake as the more skilled soldier to his left took advantage of the move to bring his sword in on Hawke's side. The wind was knocked out of him as the blow collided and Hawke was thankful for his armor holding. He stepped back to catch his breath and his opponent was on him almost immediately.

The other man however was again forced to withdraw as his partner returned to the fight. As Hawke fended off another series of blows he realized he concentrated his own counterattacks on the more skilled opponent, if he could be finished the other man could be killed with far less hassle.

As Hawke pushed one of his opponent's swords away he saw his opening and with a quick thrust finished his left opponent. Without hesitating he brought the sword back and swung it onto the second man, who failed to move fast enough. He fell dead a moment later. He turned and saw Aveline had finished one of her opponent's as well, and thrust forward to finish a second who was facing away from him.

The pair advanced on the final soldier, and with a pair of quick blows he fell as well.

As the last man fell Hawke's attention was drawn back to the battle between Fenris and the woman, Hadriana he assumed. She had fended off even the lyrium driven abilities Fenris had but she wasn't looking at Hawke, who motioned to Varric. The dwarf nodded, and raised his crossbow. Hadriana saw him and darted back, direcly onto Hawke's sword.

With a slight gasp she fell, and Fenris quickly smashed her in the stomach with one foot. There was a crack and she fell against the wall, gasping. Realizing she had lost Hadriana raised one hand and gasped, "Stop, you don't want me dead."

Fenris snorted, "There's only one person I want dead more."

Hadriana coughed, and blood dribbled down her chin. "I have information elf, and I will trade it in return for my life."

"The location of Danarius? What good will that do me?" Fenris asked as he raised his sword.

"No," Hariana said weakly. "You have a sister, she is alive."

Fenris blinked, then lowered the blade. Seeing a chance Hadriana said, "You wish to reclaim your life? Let me go, and I will tell you where she is. Her name is Varani. She is a Qarinus serving a Magister by the name of Ahriman."

Before Fenris could answer Varric said, "One more thing, was it you're group that killed my brother?"

Confusion flashed across Hadriana's face and she shook her head quickly, "No. I was sent here only to find him." He gestured weakly at Fenris. "We haven't worked with any dwarves."

Varric frowned, but didn't question her.

Fenris finally said, "A servant, not a slave. He smiled, then rested one hand on Hadriana's shoulder before saying, "I believe you." His arm flashed blue, and a moment later Hadriana fell, dead.

Fenris shook with anger and said, "It's a trap, it has to be. Danarius sent her to lure me back to Tevinter with promises of a sister." He stopped and said, a bit happier, "But I finally got to crush this bitch's heart. May she rot, and all the other mages with her." Without another word Fenris ran, ignoring the calls from his companions."

"Was she telling the truth?" Cassandra asked.

Varric shrugged, "To be honest I have no idea. If I had to guess though, yes, I think she was. There were lots of stories she could have used to lie, but this felt true. I can't really explain it though."

"Will you be okay in here," Hawke asked the elven servant, Orana, as he showed her the room.

She nodded a little scared, "Who else will be here?"

Hawke smiled reassuringly and said, "No one, this is you're room. Get settled in. Mother will be along to discuss your pay and duties, okay."

Orana's eyes widened and she whispered, "Pay?"

He nodded, "Of course. I'm not a slaver, we've given you a job."

Orana nodded a bit, sat down on her bed. Hawke turned to leave and found Bodahn waiting for him, "Excuse me messir," the dwarf said. "Master Fenris is here to see you. He's waiting by the entrance." Hawke nodded and started downstairs.

"I've been thining about what happened with Hadriana," Fenris said as Hawke came into the entryway of the mansion. "I'm sorry if I seemed angry with you. I accused you of slavery without cause, I haven't been myself lately, I'm sorry."

Hawke raised one hand and said, "There's no need to apologize."

"You're generous. When I was a slave Hadriana was a constant torment. She tortured me constantly, and because of her status I was powerless to respond, and she knew it. I couldn't let her go, no matter what else happened I just couldn't." He started pacing, then said, "I should be happy that Hadrianna is dead. Instead I feel nothing but disquiet. I thought I had escaped this hate, but it still dogs me wherever I go. But I didn't come to burden you further."

Hawke set one hand on Fenris's shoulder and said, "We're friends Fenris, you can always share your burdens, and you can always trust me."

Fenris looked away and answered, "I'm not certain I know what trust is anymore Hawke, but maybe I've finally found people who won't betray me."

He started to leave and Hawke said after him, "Of course we won't. We'll never betray you."

"Coming, coming," Hawke called as the knock on the door increased in volume and speed.

Finally he reached the front door and opened it, to find Aveline waiting for him. Without pausing she said, "Hawke, I need you to get your armor on and come with me."

He nodded and said, "of course, what's going on?"

She sighed and said, "Some insane elf is poisoning Lowtown, and I can't send in any more guardsmen. I'll get the others. Meet me in front of the Hanged Man."

To guest: You misunderstand, Legacy will have happened, but I won't be covering it. Corypheus will still be free to cause havoc unopposed until the Inquisitor starts messing up his plans. The main issue isn't that the SI is ignoring him, but rather that the SI doesn't KNOW Corypheus exists. It's one of the big gaps in his knowledge, largely because when I was planning out the story early on I didn't know anything about Corypheus. Like I said, I've never played Legacy, or Mark of the Assassin, so until he actually showed up I didn't know who or what Corypheus was; and the SI doesn't either. He will find out about Corypheus when Bethany goes back to Fereldan, about a year and a half after where the timeline is currently, at the moment she's not particularly in a rush to mention her father was a blood mage. By then it is far too late. It actually already has happened by this point, but like I said Varric doesn't consider it something Cassandra needs to know about, she's there to learn about how the war started, and Corypheus has no hand in it yet.

While I would have liked to have included Sebastion as well, I just don't know anything about him beyond the basics, and have never played through his DLC.

For the other pieces. Bipods on guns aren't really useful with blackpowder weapons. While iron sights could, theoretically, be replicated when blackpowder is still used they aren't really necessary. The battlefield will be covered in so much smoke aiming isn't easy, and they just add too much complexity to an already slow process. The only people who could really put them to good use are Fisher's band of crazies, and they won't be using guns on a large scale for quite some time, too noisy, too inaccurate, and too much smoke.

The terrorist subplot, which is the note the chapter ends on of course, will be what kicks off the main portion of Act II, which will be a string of Qunari quests which will take up the majority of Act II's events. Ser Alrick will appear eventually (or rather reappear since he was actually in one earlier scene), but not until Act III. With all the horrific implications that entails…

Valena is a bit of both. Theoretically she's his assistant, she was selected based on a charming personality, quick wit, etc. on the recommendation of Isolde. In a castle of several hundred people exactly ONE managed to evade the demons, keep herself alive, and make it out fine when help arrived, you ask me that's impressive. Additionally, as is she's basically a blank slate in game, so I'm giving her a bit of an expanded role in the universe, much like Alec, Bethany, and Idunna will receive (also it means I don't have to create someone from scratch). Long-term she's intended to replace him when William is recalled permanently to Fereldan, though for reasons that will become clear there will not be any embassies in Kirkwall after he leaves.