The Guardian
Thanks for the support!
(:.:)
Chapter 11
Iron
From the dawn of time to the end of days
I will have to run away
I want to feel the pain and the bitter taste
Of the blood on my lips, again
This steady burst of snow is burning my hands
I am frozen to the bones, I am
A million mile from home, I'm walking away
I can't remind your eyes, your face
(Woodkid)
(:.:)
A child scream echoed through the dark house. The sound echoed and reached the ears of the other person in the house. Frantic footsteps drummed on the floor, making haste towards the screaming child.
The elven woman reached her child's door and entered it wildly. She looked with her blue eyes to her daughter and saw the child sitting straight up in her bed.
"Love, what is it?" she questioned the girl. In her hand she had a candle and the fire showed vaguely her face. The dalish tattoos in her eyes were showing her origin. She had a concerned look on her face.
"Momma, I had a bad dream again!" exclaimed the child. She had a panicked look in her face. "The dragon came again and told me to do bad things!"
Her Mother came towards her child and sat on her bed next to her. "The dragon is scary, mommy. I... am afraid…" the girl shivered as she reminds the dragon's face.
Gently, her mother placed a soft hand on her head and caressed her long brown hair. "It was only a dream, love. There is nothing to be afraid off."
The child still had a scared look on her face. And after a silence she looked at her mother. "What if I am losing my mind?"
The child said. The dalish woman got a smile on her face. "Let me see your hand."
The girl gave her hand the her mother, and in the candle light she studied it carefully. "Hmm, let's see… here is your lifeline, your healthline…"
Suddenly she frowned at the hand. The girl looked concerned at her mother, feeling a sting of fear through her.
"That's strange…" she said softly. "I don't see any insanity lines…" she looked up with a bright smile on her face and looked at her daughter.
Her face changed and she herself got a relieved smile. Softly, she kissed her daughter's forehead and she patted her hair. "Go back to sleep, and know, that I'll always be with you."
(:.:)
The party was colorful, as Saber expected. The ballroom had an high ceiling and was decorated with garlands in different colors and the symbol of the Tevinter Imperium. The music was cheerful and loudly, as people danced and drank.
They had managed to steal the invitations. But Merrill and Fenris were forced to pretend as slaves.
Fenris first refused and snarled that he would rather kill himself than he would accept himself as a slave. He was convinced after several attempts, but only on the condition he would be Saber's bodyguard, and no one else.
"I like balls." Merrill said happily to Saber. Saber chocked on her statement and looked bewildered at the dalish elf. "Do you like balls, Saber?"
Saber shook her head. Sometimes she wondered if the elf was doing it on purpose, or if she really was that naïve."Merrill…" Saber said tiredly and palmed her forehead.
"What?" Merrill asked confused. After she realized it. "O-oh! I mean- silly!
Splitting their ways and being scattered, they had entered successfully the party. They all wore some clothes that they had stolen. That they hoped they could blend more easier.
Wearing a dark blue dress, that had a skirt until the ground, with a cut until her hip that revealed her left leg. It also revealed her back, and her arms. The dress wasn't very traditional, like the ones she saw in Ferelden. But she guessed that this was the fashion in Tervinter. Unfortunately, the markings were visible now, and the black lines curled on her body elegant. For all other knew, they were merely tattoos, but she knew better than that. She didn't really care how she looked anyway, but she thanked the Maker for the warm weather in Tevinter.
Fenris wore an armory that covered his body from head to toe. He said it was meant to hide his lyrium markings. They had their weapons with them , though they got some looks of the guests on the party. The only thing that was revealed, was his mouth.
"Keep your eyes open, Fenris and stay alert." She said to him. She looked suspiciously around. "I can feel strong magic here."
He nodded, as his expression was hidden by his helmet. Saber turned around, feeling his eyes on her back. Suddenly she regretted that her hair was so short. She never liked her markings, and hated it even more if people were staring at her. She had to fight back to urge to snap at Fenris, to tell him he should stop staring.
She walked towards the stairs that led towards the upper level of the hall. Some guests of the party were standing there too, and Saber looked at Fenris. Seeing an empty spot by the balcony.
"Perhaps we should go there." Fenris said, and she nodded in agreement.
Walking towards the railing, Saber leaned over it, looking over the party, seeing the people clearly. Fenris stood next to her and they looked at the party.
Varric, and Isabela waved at them. Sebastian and Aveline were walking through the crowd, and Merrill and Anders were standing against the wall. She looked from them to the people that were attending the party. Most of them were filthy rich nobles, or so it seems. Others were Magisters, or so it seems.
"This is… not my thing." Saber concluded, as she saw one of the Magisters beating up some elven slave.
Fenris grunted at the sight. Even his face was hidden, she could feel his anger. "One day, the Imperium shall fall…" he said bitterly.
Saber looked at him, and felt a pang of remorse through her. She can't imagine how his life must have been as a slave. The scene she was witnessing now was saying enough.
Fenris cleared his throat, hinting her he doesn't want to say more about the subject. "But… I do wonder what Hawke needs from the Archon." They were silent then and just looked at the party.
(:.:)
The party continued with endlessly music and dances. Through time, they saw all kinds of guests. Mages, Magisters, slaves, humans or elves. Even dwarfs were attending on the party. Fenris said it had something to do with lyrium. There were even Templers, which surprised Saber. According to Fenris, the Templers in Tevinter still had the same duty as any other Templar. The only that was different was the boundary.
Fenris and Saber had waited on the balcony all the time. Sometimes they would talk to each, but most of the time they were quiet. In the last attempt of a conversation, he had asked about her marking, but she made a short story that she was once drunk in Nevarra, and so received her markings. Afterwards, the only interesting that happened was that Merrill accidently spilled a glass of drink over some Magister. Luckily Anders was able to push her away and some nobleman got the blame.
Saber had wondered what Fenris wanted to talk about. She felt herself being overwhelmed by curiosity, but she never asked for it. Because on the other hand she enjoyed the silence between them. Things have changed between them. She felt it. She felt herself being more attracted towards him, and he is one of the few persons she actually liked to be with. But she didn't gave this feeling a name. Because she knows that after they find Hawke, then their journey will end. He was going back to Starkhaven, and continue his life. One day, he will find a nice woman and have a family for himself. And live like a ordinary man. As it should be. She should be happy for him. But instead, she felt a small sting of jealously in her soul. And she hated it.
Her mind was also filled with the vision she saw in the Arlathan Forest. The dragon that fought the hawk. She had an idea, but she never dared to conclude it openly and honest.
After two hours, Saber sighed tiredly. Leaning on the railing, she looked at the others. They had a slight worried look on their faces, as Hawke stayed absent. Fenris had crossed his arms, as he leaned with his side to the railing. A sigh escaped him.
"I hope that this is not a waste of time." Fenris voice said with a small snarl. The sound was
Saber shot him a short glare, and sighed as she dropped her head. She stood right up and straightened her back, as she cursed.
"We have to stay here, Fenris. As long as the party isn't over, I'm not giving up hope." She looked at Isabela, who was shamelessly flirting with a man. She shook her head as Isabela noticed her, and showed her a big mockingly grin.
"Are you certain?" he asked with his deep voice out of the blue.
"What? That the party isn't over? Pretty much, yes." She gestured at the lively party.
"Not that." He mumbled.
He placed a hand on her cheek gently and looked at her with his deep green eyes hidden by the helmet. She felt butterflies in her stomach, and scowled at herself for the feeling. She ignored this feeling. Stepping out of his touch, she cleared her throat, and slightly hided her face with her hand.
"What do you mean?" She said hoarsely. She leaned a bit more over the railing and her lock of hair shadowed her eyes.
"After we find Hawke, your leaving." He stated.
Saber nodded, without looking him. "I thought it was quite obvious."
She had heard the sad tune in his voice, and something inside her squeezed. She turned towards him, and putted her hands on his shoulder.
"After this, you can leave this terrible place again and live as a free man in Starkhaven. And getting that funny accent of them."
She tried to cheer him up, and she heard a chuckle as his body lightly shook. She smiled and squeezed his shoulders a bit.
"One day, you'll find a lovely wife and you'll become a good father who loves his children. It's a life hope you receive one day, because you deserve it."
He looked at her, but his expression was hidden. Without saying a word, he stepped away from the balcony. She looked questionable at him, and wondered if she had offended him. She turned slightly around, until she suddenly felt the cold gauntlets of his armor on the naked skin of her arms. She gasped, as he stepped closer to her until his chest was resting against her back. She looked bewildered without looking back at him. She could feel his face in her neck, and he placed a kiss on it. She shivered slightly. She could feel her necklace resting on her skin.
"What are you doing?" she asked calmly, but her mind was panicking.
"It's just… you are very beautiful tonight." He whispered in her ear. "I can't take my eyes away from your sight."
"Well, then try harder." She snarled at him. "This is hardly the place to act like… this."
She remembered the night they were on the ship, when it almost went wrong. Last time she was lucky, since it was a close call. She tried to shove him off, but he had a firm grip on her arms.
"Fenris-"
"Don't worry, no one will notice." He soothed her. "I know how these parties goes. Everyone is whoring themselves out."
She blinked surprised. She always found Fenris a shy man, who wouldn't do anything to draw much attention to himself. But if he continues like this, then he definitely will.
"Of course they will!" she hissed at him. "Why are you acting this strange?"
"That night, on the ship…" he whispered in her ear. Her eyes widened in shock. She clenched her hands around the railing of the balcony, shocked. She thought that he had a blackout because of the amount of alcohol he had been drinking. "I have been thinking of you. In fact, I haven't been able to think of little else."
Saber swallowed nervously. "And, if you remember it, I made clear that I have no further interest in this kind of intimacy."
He became quiet, but didn't release her. In fact, he held her closer to him. "You…" he said after a while. "I have noticed that you and that abomination were together today, in the ally."
Remembering the presence that was filled with lyrium, she knew for certain it was Fenris that she sensed. She tried to turn around, but he held her on her place. Feeling his breath in her neck, she sighed.
"What about it?" she managed to say. She felt another kiss in her cervix.
"…It seems you were rather close to him." He said the sentence with a sneer in his tone. He kissed down to her back. "Am I misunderstanding you?"
"About- ah! What?" she asked confused and distracted. "Maker's breath! You're bloody drawing attention now!"
"What are your intentions with Anders?" he asked directly. He took her face in his hands, and roughly forced her to look at him. Her eyes searched for his, but the helmet hided them.
"My intentions?" she repeated him. She looked away from him, trying to understand what he meant. She didn't meant to do anything with Anders. Why would she? What would she possible gain?
Before she can answer it, Fenris crashed his lips on hers, taking her breath away,. She protested against him. This was too much!
"-Come with me, Saber." He said between the kisses. Saber's eyes widened at that. Why would he want that?
Suddenly, the music stopped, and the sound of trumpets sounded through the ballroom. Everyone looked up. Fenris broke away from Saber and they both looked at the left side, where the stairs were. The door opened and a man came out with fancy robes on. His staff taped on the ground, and the crowd went quiet, looking at the announcer.
"Archon Nomaran, leader of Tevinter, has arrived." He announced.
A wave of clapping filled the room. It was clear that the Archon was loved by the people. She heard Fenris behind her growling and he leaned in to her. His grip on her became stronger.
"That man is the worst mage of all." He whispered to her. "He is the one who vowed that Tevinter will go back to its old days."
Saber looked back to the man who entered. It was a man with grey hair and a grey beard. On his face were several wrinkles and on his robe was a symbol of a hooded ferryman on it. He had a stern look on his face and waved weakly towards the people. Another men joined. Fenris made a sound of surprise as Saber narrowed her eyes. She looked at the others and the surprise was on their faces.
"I have to introduce the guest of honor." Nomaran said with a deep voice. "If I may, the Champion Of Kirkwall!"
tThe man beside him, Garret Hawke stood forward, as the people clapped loudly. He waved at them with one arm.
"He had stood up for his Brother and Sisters in Kirkwall. A man worthy for respect!" continued the Archon. "And with his aid, we shall be victorious!"
Saber frowned and looked confused at the man. Her eyes went from Hawke towards the man next to him. It was a young man, with blond short hair. He had an arrogant look on his face, but that wasn't what bothered her. His face, all of him, it looked very familiar. As if she knew him, but she couldn't say how or why.
"Soon, this war is going to bring the Imperium to a well deserved victory!" hailed the Archon. "Soon Thedas lies on our feet again, and with not only the help of the Champion, but also with our Orlesian friends, we shall win!"
The man next Hawke waved triumphal. He was received with an applause, and whistles. The crowd went mad with his propaganda speech of the Archon. Saber could only look shocked at his statement.
"But, my friends-" roared his voice. "First, let us enjoy this party now, and celebrate our soon to be victory!"
The music started again, and the three man talked to each other. They retreated back towards the door and disappeared through it. Saber watched as Hawke disappeared through the door. She glanced at Fenris, and even through his mask, his body language was enough to see he was shocked. She saw Aveline, who gestured her to follow her and the others. Saber nodded silently and taped Fenris.
Aveline looked at the others, and they moved through the crowd unconsciously. Fenris walked before Saber, as she slowed her pace. She saw something through the crowd, as person with reddish hair. Something said that she knew that person, as it was a familiar feature. She narrowed her eyes to the person, trying to recognize the person.
"Hey, we don't have much time." A hand was placed roughly on her shoulder, and Saber flinched at Fenris. She nodded, and with one last glance she followed the elf.
(:.:)
Fenris and Saber entered a room, and Varric closed it behind them. They were in some guest room, away from the party. The others were sitting or standing in the room, looking dumbfounded and shocked at the revealing.
"Are we allowed to be here?" Asked Merrill. She looked around the room with fascination, as the room was richly clothed.
"I don't know? Why don't you ask?" snapped Anders.
Merrill was stopped by Isabela, as she was ready to ask. Saber took place against the wall, and crossed her arms. She was surprised that Hawke would side with the Imperium, but not as much as the others. Mariela stood next to her, and just like Saber, she felt out of the place, looking awaited to the others.
"Unbelievable." Aveline stated. Nobody said more to her.
"Unbelievable." She repeated again. She paced through the room nervously. Normally she was the calmest of all, but this had shocked even her. "If I didn't saw it with my own eyes, I would have never believed it! Hawke! How could he-"
"No. He wouldn't. I don't believe it." The Pirate's voice cut in harshly, receiving a surprised look from the Guardswoman.
"But Isabela, you saw him-" Aveline was interrupted again, but this time by a sharper tune of Isabela.
"I know him. He would never support… this." She glared at Aveline, in a way she never had. In her voice was much confidence, but she was lost at words then, as her eyes were confused.
Fenris grunted out loud . He had his helmet off and a scowl was on his face. "Once a mage, always a mage."
Nobody said something, but he got a glare from Anders, as from Isabela. He continued nevertheless, as he ignored their glares.
"Now the great Champion is supporting a man who hopes things are going back to the old day of the Imperium. Brilliant." He said the last word sarcastic. Palming his forehead, he let out a sigh. "I was a fool for trusting a mage. I should have killed him instead."
A sound of protest came loose from the others.
"Not all mages support that!" snarled Anders at Fenris. His body tensed as his fists were clenched together. "I… never wanted this! I didn't started a war for this!"
Fenris stepped forward towards Anders, and grabbed his collar. He lifted the mage slightly up, as Anders struggled against him.
"This is your fault!" roared Fenris. "You started this damn war! You and that idiotic spirit of yours!" His markings started to glow, reflecting his anger towards him. Anders eyes were starting to glow bright blue, and the spirit threatened to come out.
An arrow came between the faces of the men, and they looked at the direction where it came from. Varric still had Bianca up.
"Calm down. Both of you are no use if you're both dead." He said calmly. Both Anders as Fenris glared at him, but they let each other go nevertheless.
"If Hawke supports the Imperium, then I see no reason why we should support him." Sebastian sternly said. "I cannot support an empire that's against all the teachings of the Chantry. If they rule again, then Thedas shall be once again being suppressed by Tevinter."
"Hypocrite." Anders said. "If the Chantry didn't suppress the mages through the rest of Thedas, then wasn't anything of this necessary."
"Why you-" Sebastian took his bow as Anders took his staff, summoning his magic. As the others were starting to shout at each other, saying what they believed or not. Saber was looking at them silently. She didn't wanted to interfere with them. But she had to admit, she was also surprised at the Champions intentions here.
"Enough!" Roared the unexpected voice of the Dalish elf. Magic infiltrated in the room and it stopped the fighting's. The others looked surprised at her, and she had an angry look in her green elven eyes.
"Hawke is our friend! And he never questioned us for anything! M-maybe he is in trouble, o-or maybe he does believe! Nevertheless, we weren't always right either and he supported us anyway! Why can't we do the same for him?"
Merrill breathed out loud, as the others looked stunned at her. They got a ashamed look on their faces, and stood there a bit uncomfortable. Saber sighed and pushed herself from the wall. The others looked at her.
"What are we going to do now, Lightning?" Varric asked as he placed Bianca back on his back. He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Saber was quiet again, and she looked searchingly to the wall. She frowned her mouth as she was thinking. She looked at Varric.
"This was most unexpected. I'll give you that. I never thought the Champion would support the Imperium." She chuckled. "My plan was, kick his ass and be done with it. But…." She looked away as if she was slightly embarrassed. Fumbling with a short lock of hair, she got a small flush on her cheeks. "-If you guys want to… we could find out what's wrong with him."
She looked back at the others. "I mean, if he's death, I won't have much use of him. And I can always kill him, right?"
"That one way to look at it." Varric said with a shrug. "Very well, let's get out of these clothes and find Hawke."
The others looked at Saber and then at each other. Saber could sense the hostility against each other in the group. She always knew that not all of them shared the same ideology, but she wasn't aware it was this bad. For a moment, she was convinced that they would attack each other! Saber frowned lightly, and wondered how Hawke must have felt. It almost seemed that he is the only factor that keep this group together. The others were slowly leaving the room, until only she and Varric were alone. Varric looked at Saber, who stayed in the room. She looked at him curious, as if he was going to say something.
"Thank you, Lightning." He said shortly.
She nodded at him. He made a hesitant gesture. "You know, after we find Hawke and all, you're probably going to leave, right?" he asked.
Saber got a small smile on her face. She should have expected this. "Yes. After I get what I need from Hawke, I will leave you all."
She had an unexpected sad tune in her voice. She may denied it out loud, but truth to be told, she had become attached to all of them. "After we find Hawke, you can all go back to your old lives. Without being in danger."
"What about you?" Varric asked. The merchant prince looked concerned at her.
Saber shrugged. "I have a mission, and I need to complete it. That's what I am going to do, Varric."
"I know, but… have you ever thought about, I don't know, live a life of yourself? From all the things I have heard from you, you pretty much don't have one."
"Don't offend me, Storyteller!" she said and pretended to be hurt. "You're making me cry!"
Varric laughed. "Forgive me, Messere!" he stopped laughing. "What I am trying to say is… you can come with us. And leave this mess behind you."
Saber got a surprised look on her face. Why would he offer such thing?
"This isn't your war, Saber." He said her name, which surprised her more. The dwarf looked sincere and serious at her. "You don't have to risk your life for anyone. I don't know why you do what you do, but all I am saying is… you don't have to."
Saber smirked and felt agitated. "Thank you Varric for your concern, but I can't leave this. It… has nothing to do with you, really."
Varric shrugged and sighed. "Alright, I am just saying that Daisy and Choir boy like you, and the Rivaini might pester you, but she actually likes you, as Aveline does. And let's not talk about the Elf and Blondie. They fight each other more than they already did."
Saber's smile faltered. Varric looked at her shocked at her sad expression. "Did I… say something wrong?"
"No, it's just…" she cut herself off. Shook her head and cleared her throat. She got her strong and determined expression back. "Let's move."
(:.:)
They sat in a room outside the party, and out of the eyes of the Guards that were on the party. All of them slight uncomfortable, they tried to figure out a plan. Fenris and Aveline were guarding the door.
"Alright, how are we going to get Hawke?" Aveline asked as she kept an eye on the guards.
Saber looked at the door where Hawke had gone through."That's the door we need to pass. All we need to is going through it."
"Simple! Let's go ravishing our way through it, and hoping that no one is noticing us!" Anders said sarcastic. "Come on! We need a plan!"
Saber growled. "Forgive me if I don't know the bloody way!" she snapped at him. "Now… let me see…"
"Someone's coming!" Aveline said hastily. She closed the door softly, as Fenris held his sword up for any intruder. Sebastian took a couple of steps back, and she strained her bow with an arrow.
The others held their hands on their weapons, as they heard footsteps approach them. It stopped before their door, and the tension went through them all.
A woman's chuckle was heard from the outside. A laugh Saber somewhere knew from. Some murmured something. Saber moved slowly closer towards the door, and had her hand on her blade. She looked at the door.
"Shok ebasit hissra. Meraad astaarit, meraad itwasit, aban aqun. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun." Was sounded at the other side of the door.
Saber looked surprised at the language. She knew what it meant, and then realization hit her. She got a grin on her mouth.
"Isn't that… qunari? Why in the Blight would a qunari be here?" Anders said suspiciously.
Unconsciously, they looked at Isabela, who got a nervous look on her face, remembering the giants in Kirkwall. "I didn't do anything. At least, not this time."
Saber let her guard down. She laughed. Why didn't notice it before? "Struggle is an illusion. The tide rises, the tide falls, but the sea is changeless. There is nothing to struggle against. Victory is in the Qun." Translated Saber.
She walked to the door and pulled it open. She laughed and shook her head. The others looked confused at Saber. "Isn't that right, Tallis?"
The elven qunari steps in the room, having the same twinkles in her eyes as always. Her red hair lose on her shoulder, and wearing the green armor as she always did. Merrill gasped at her appearance.
"I am so pleased you recognize me, Sab!" She said with a small grin. "I thought I would lose my head now."
She glanced at Fenris, who still had his sword up. Tallis poked the sword slightly. "Hello to you too, Fenris." She said mockingly. Fenris let his sword down and rolled with his eyes.
"By Andraste's flame! Tallis! What are you doing here? Varric exclaimed as he recognized the elf.
Aveline crossed her arms disapproved. "If you're here, then there is trouble, as always."
Tallis stepped in further, and Saber wanted to slam the door closed, but Tallis stopped her.
"Oh, wait." She pulled someone else in the room, another mage.
"Feynriel?" Anders said surprised. The mage greeted them with a wave. "Well, what would you know."
The other let their weapons down. Fenris closed the door, as he looked at Saber for a moment. She saw questions in his eyes, but he turned and guarded the door. She looked at the man called Feynriel and the others seem to trust him. Saber walked towards Tallis, who had a grin on her face.
"I thought I recognized a red haired qunari elf. How are you, my friend?"
"You've changed Saber. How long must has it been? Five years? And your long hair is short now! Hmm… quite practical. I like it."
Saber laughed. "I haven't changed much over the years, believe me."
"Still a cranky stick-in-the-mud?"
"Still a follower of the Qun?" Saber putted her hands on her hips. "Tell me, Tallis, why are you here? I suspect it has something to do with the Qunari."
Isabela growled at this. Tallis turned around. "Well, well… I see you took all the friends of the Champion with you."
"Don't talk as if we're not here, girl." Aveline said harshly. "If you came here for our help, well… we have a lot on our mind now."
"Hmm. They are still as cross as always." Tallis mumbled. She turned back to Saber. "And about the qunari business, you're correct about that."
She walked away from Saber, and went to window. She leaned on the edge, as Saber followed her. "I saw you on the party, and I thought I could use your help, as I think you could use mine."
Aveline sighed, and Saber looked at her. "Please, say me you won't accept it." She said tiredly. "I still need to recover from the qunari invasion in Kirkwall."
Saber crossed her arms. "First, tell us what's this about." She demanded.
"Did you saw that man on the party? Next to Hawke?" she asked. Saber nodded, remembering the Orlesian man. "Well, he had stolen something from-"
"Old story! Don't be so vague now. We'll find it out anyway!" Varric interrupted.
Tallis sighed. "Alright, I shall be honest. That man, he had formed an incredible dangerous weapon with the technology from the Qunari." She said it with a frown.
Saber raised an eyebrow. "How dangerous to be exactly?"
"Dangerous enough that the Qunari are worried. It has been made with gaatlok, the gunpowder of the Qunari. And now the Orlesian has made a weapon for Tevinter that spits iron and fire."
"A dragon? It sounds like a dragon." suggested Merrill confused.
Tallis shook her head. "With that weapon, he could kill a dragon without a scratch." She turned back to Saber. "My mission is to destroy this weapon. And to make sure that Gaston, the Orlesian man, is dead."
She crossed her arms. "I've heard you're looking for Hawke. Help me, and I'll get you in the palace. Once this is over you can do as you please."
Saber putted a finger on her chin as it was tempting to accept the offer.
"Don't do it, Saber. She cannot be trusted." Fenris voiced interrupted behind her. She turned and saw Fenris looking skeptic at the other elf. "And when are you going to reveal that this is some lie? When we are all dead? I have not forgotten how you tricked us the last time."
Tallis sighed. "Aright, fair enough. First, I have not been honest with you people. But Saber-" Saber looked at her. "We were friends once, right? Please, I need you now."
She raised an eyebrow. "I don't know… how are you going to get us in anyway?"
Tallis pointed out at Feynriel, who stood behind Saber. "That our man."
"Isn't he a mage from Tevinter. Why would he betray the Archon for us, or you?" Saber looked at the man with narrowed eyes.
Tallis gestured him to answer her question. "Hawke have helped me a long time ago. If it wasn't for him, I would have been dead, or been made tranquil."
"Hmpf. You don't have tell me." Snorted Varric.
"When he came here, he was invited by the Archon." Feynriel got a worried look. "He was normal when he came here, but the next day he acted strangely. As if he was… under control or something."
"Then, maybe there is hope!" exclaimed Isabela happily.
"Maybe. Or perhaps he saw his opportunities in Tevinter." Fenris said skeptic.
"Enough." Commanded Saber. "Feynriel, was it? Could it have been blood magic?"
He nodded. "The Archon was always there wherever he was. And I was kept away from him ever since."
"Great. Blood Magic." Fenris said with a grunt. "Welcome in the Imperium, Fenris…" he mumbled.
"Tallis knew Hawke. I… hoped she could help me too, so…" he trailed off.
Saber looked back to Tallis. Tallis held her hand up, and had a grin on her face. Saber looked from her hand to her, and narrowed her eyes a bit.
"Promise me you won't do anything funny." Saber said.
She tilted her face. "Who me? Never." Saber looked at precautionary. "Alright. I promise that I won't and as I a follower of the Qun I shall hold my word."
Saber took her hand. They shook it."Alright. Deal."
"I know a secret passage through the palace. You can enter it without being seen by anyone." Feynriel said.
"Just like old time, Sab. Let's go."
She left the room, and the other followed her, shooting one for one a look at Saber. She sighed and knew they had a skeptic view on Tallis, but Saber trusted her. She stepped forward to follow the rest, but was stopped by a cough.
She turned around, and saw Anders. He looked concerned at her, and she had a feeling what this was about and looked expectedly at him.
"What now, mage? Having any demonic problems now?"
He glared at her. "No. I need to say something to you. Something important."
Saber crossed her arms. "Oh? This should be interesting. Go on then."
"I know we don't always look… eye to eye, but I just want to say…" he scratched uncomfortable behind his head, and ruffled his blond hair in the progress.
She brought her weight to one leg, and looked impatiently at him. "What is it now? Spit it out already!"
Anders looked at her with a small frown. "Don't go." He said, rather blunt.
Saber somehow got a feeling that the rest had discussed her when she wasn't around. She sighed.
"That's not up to you, Anders"
"I know." He answered and his shoulder fell a bit. "I… like being with you. Even with our disagreements…" he looked away from her.
Saber was surprised. "Uh, thanks. I hope that the demon inside you says the same thing…"
Anders laughed, but it faltered. "I have been thinking about you since you told me about your sister. I… am sorry for what happened to her and you. I'm certain you had your reasons."
Saber got a sad feeling inside her. She snorted "It happened a long time ago." That's all what she said. "I don't need your pity, mage."
"N-no, that's not what I meant! I just want to say…" He looked at her keen and searchingly. "I respect you, Saber. You are like a knight… who likes to climb on rooftops."
At this Saber laughed. "I'm sorry! I didn't mend to traumatize you!"
He shook his head, and looked serious at her. "For the short time I've know you, I can see you had- have endured a harsh life."
Her smile faltered, and Anders sighed. "I don't know what you're planning to do. I just want to ask you… don't go."
He came closer, and she looked curious at him. "When I'm with you… when we searched Minrathous together, I felt myself…" he looked at her, and her green and blue eyes reflected his own reflection. "I felt myself being a human again."
Saber laughed. "Maybe I scared the crap out of Justice, and he doesn't dare to show up when I'm here!"
Anders started to laugh too. "Well, that would be… awkward." He got a serious look on his face. "Sab, whatever you're planning to do, please, don't do it alone. Just as I did."
He looked ashamed for a moment. Saber shook her head and punched lightly Anders arm. He yelped and looked offended at her, as he rubbed his arm.
"Don't worry, mage, since there is no need for it." She said, and walked out of the room.
(:.:)
Isabela and Saber were left alone in the room, as they were sent to watch over the hallway. Tallis and Feynriel were going to the secret entrance, as the other helped them.
They both have been quiet. Normally, they would have mocked each other with comments, and snarled answered. Now they were quiet.
Saber looked at the passing guards, and had her hand on her blade.
"So… we have almost found him." Isabela said, with an awkward voice.
Saber looked at her and nodded. "Yes. I'm certain you're happy about it. Getting someone you love back is always joyful."
Isabela snorted. "You speak as if it's a fact." She was quiet then. "He… rejected me, three years ago."
Saber looked up, but not directly to her. Isabela leaned against the wall, and crossed her arms. Her black corset she always wore, hugged her body even more.
"I never liked Hawke much. Always so serious, always doing the right thing." She said it mockingly. "He always told me… that I was better than I acted. I hated it when he said that." She laughed a bit. "Actually, he is a bit like you. Both of you are no fun," She shifted uncomfortable. "And you both are good people. Better than me."
Saber glanced slightly at Isabela. "A man named Castilion came after me nine years ago." She said. "That's the reason why I stole the relic from the Qunari. You see, I lost my ship during a storm and because of the Qunari. And ever since I was searching for a new ship."
Isabela smiled. "Garret… Hawke… he saved me then. Of course he was angry at me, and as always he told me that I was the worst person in whole Thedas. Very dramatic. But when he said to the Arishok that he wouldn not give me to them…That was the moment I fell in love with him."
Isabela chuckled delighted. "Sure, the sex we had was amazing." She sighed and Saber looked a bit uncomfortable. "But that moment… oh, nothing was better than that moment."
Saber looked at Isabela, but held her mouth. Isabela's smile faltered and she continued with talking. "After that, I left for three years. We got in a terrible argument, and I, of course, ran away from it."
She got a fake smile, but her eyes betrayed her, as they glanced in the light. Unshed tears were there, and a reflection of regret. "When I came back, Castilion came in town."
She snorted. "That bastard… before we found him, we found documents about some cargo of slaves."
Saber too leaned against the wall and listened to Pirate queen. Isabela got an ashamed look on her face. "I… traded the documents… for his ship. Hawke, of course, was against it. But he let me do as I pleased, and I owned the ship."
Isabela shook her head. "He got extremely mad at me. He called me selfish, and asked why I didn't want to change a situation in something better for others. I got so mad. I told him that he was making everything more complicate than it really was. Afterwards, I ran off, yelling that I didn't want to talk to him anymore."
Casting her eyes low, she sighed. "After a couple months, he visited me in the Hanged Man." Her eyes were pained by the memory she had. "I… felt regret. I couldn't even enjoy the new ship! Every time I was there, I heard Hawke's voice echoing through my mind."
She sighed and palmed her forehead. "I told him I was sorry, and that he was right all along. I am selfish."
She looked at Saber. "But I wanted to change! For him. So that he could be proud to be with me! But then…"
"He rejected you." Filled Saber in, saying for the first time something. Isabela looked at her and then nodded slowly.
"You had a chance. That's what he said, and he walked away. Afterwards I left the ship, got a drink and I stiff one. I tried to forget him…" Isabela's jaw clenched as her fists. "But I couldn't and I still can't! I took numerous lovers after that moment. But, never, was I able to forget Hawke. And I still can't."
Before Saber could react, they were called. "Come on! It's time!" Merrill chirped.
Isabela went to her wordlessly and Saber watched the pirates queen back.
(:.:)
Please review! And thanks for reading!
Next:
Chapter 11
Help is on the Way
