Heeeyyyy, sorry for the mix up, if you notice I tried to upload a chapter that was more like a first draft of chapter 10. If you didn't notice, ignore what I just said.
Me and my beta Sarah have been trying to figure out how much has gotten mixed up with this when my computer was stolen in Florence last year. I should have enough chapters to last me anoter few weeks but I'm sorry to say that this story is far from over. Obviously, we haven't even finished the first year in Kirkwall.
"Another mage. Fantastic." Fenris' voice warbled through the glass in his hand. Everyone at the bar laughed, including our newest recruit, Merrill. She didn't particularly understand the venom in his voice at the beginning of our jaunt together. It was in fact the first night even the first hour since we had returned from Sundermount and Hawke dragged every exhausted person in the group to the Hanged Man.
"I still can't believe you came, Elf!" I cheered—already through my third pull. Us dwarves are gifted with wondrous drinking abilities. He didn't reply at first and I thought I saw him quite literally freeze up before he took the rest of his drink in one swipe.
"I was getting tired of the ridiculously delicious wine the I have in my new abode," he said with the straightest pace I have ever seen him. The bartender pulled him another drink.
"I can't tell if that's sarcasm," Hawke purred through her second fist of whiskey. She has never drunk me under the table before but she sure has gotten close. "But if it is, I like it." She leaned over and bumped her shoulder into his playfully. Whatever she was avoiding him for before, they had put it behind them. Fenris let out a noise that could have been misconstrued as a sniff. I, being the romantic, choose to believe that it was a laugh of sorts. He himself was just then receiving his second stein of the cheapest beer they serve.
"I'm happy to just be here! This place is AMAAAZING" Daisy squealed joyfully in the literal darkest, dirtiest room in the entirety of Kirkwall. Even the back room in the Blooming Rose doesn't deserve that title.
"Aren't you just the sweetest thing," I found myself cooing. Daisy, you were like the flame to my moth from the very first sight. And she really was. She was the sweetest thing that I had ever seen in Kirkwall. This place isn't good enough for people like my Daisy.
"Me? Sweet?" She turned toward me with her eyes wide and her very first beer still mostly full in her hands.
"Yes," came Fenris' voice again from behind us, "Her? The blood mage?" he emphasized for the group, though it wasn't necessary. We all vividly remembered the sights that we saw on the side of Sundermount. Of course, Merrill never stole another person's blood or raised demons to her side and she swore up and down that she was being careful. At first I assumed the worst about her, I'll admit that. Hawke, on the other hand, has always firmly believed in the rule "innocent until proven guilty", which sounds reasonable enough and yet I had never heard it from anyone before.
"She has shown us nothing but help and goodwill," Hawke said in the absence of her usual habitual smile. There was grit in her voice and a feeling she displayed when she shot a long look through the corner of her eye toward the elf. It was a chilling look. He saw but didn't seem to react until her smile popped back onto her face. He raised a single eyebrow. "Of course I have a thing for pretty elves." She rattled before taking a sip of the liquid amber in her hand. Merrill smiled widely back at Hawke, completely ignoring Fenris' prior comment. I admit that Hawke has some great tricks up her sleeves.
"Oh thank you, Hawke!" she fawned over her lovely new friend.
"You are welcome, Beautiful." Elizabeth smiled charmingly at the other young woman. That was when Fenris decided to place his beer down on the bar louder than was necessary. Hawke covered it with a loud beautiful laugh that she sent toward Merrill while simultaneously ignoring everything else in the room. I sent a snicker towards him and he set his eyes in my direction with a scowl.
"What do you want, Dwarf?" his eyes narrowed and I simply rolled mine.
"Nothing at all, Elf." I sent back at him with a smile of my own. "You just seemed to be a little tense all of a sudden. I choose my words carefully to get the biggest rise out of him possible. I don't mean to brag but it was working.
"I am simply starting to understand why this beer is so cheap," he said with some edge. Hawke turned from her current prey and leaned in towards the other. She was obviously starting to feel her alcohol choice and found herself drunktional. That is how she found herself both drunk enough not to care and functional enough to pull off a "bait and switch" of her own.
"At least the company is good, right Handsome?" she went to poke her finger against the tip of his nose. He grabbed her finger in his fist and raised one of his eyebrows again. This time he had a small smile on his face.
"I've had worse," he said with her finger still in a grip. She didn't show anything beside a smile on the face so he let her go rather quick. "Now, I really should be going. I believe I've had enough of this swill" he pushed his drink away.
"You know you like it, Elf." I teased as he stood up from his stool. The room was bustling around us and he still wasn't able to blend in correctly. In fact, his tattoos glowing drew attention of many eyes in the crowd. A few of them were quiet lecherous.
"I've. Had. Worse." He accentuated his prior statement before starting towards the door.
"Wait Handsome!" Hawke called after him. He turned around to hear her out. Shouldn't someone escort you? Ya know, in case someone has a thing for elves and knives?" She smiled but her words seemed almost rushed. Fenris shook his head and looked back at the broad sword that was taller than he was strapped to his back.
"I think I can take care of myself," he said with a small escape of breath. "Be safe yourself. I know you're fully capable but still. Be safe." And with that he turned around and headed out the door. Hawke smiled down at her now empty glass and placed a hand on Merrill's leg. A little close for my comfort.
"I think I should probably head home anyway," she said quietly with her usual smile. Merrill nodded in acceptance and we watch as she followed the elf out the door.
Merrill and I spent the rest of the night getting to know each other and telling each other stories. Hawke caught up to Fenris and he might have even walked her home for good measure.
I love how emotional Fenris gets, no matter what he's doing. Like- jealous Fenris? Heck yes.
You know what else I love? reviews 3 they make me so happy and make me feel like someones actually reading what I write. (wink wink)
