Chapter 12

On silent feet, I explore the bottom level of the mansion. Dust covers every spare inch of the place. Maybe Carver gave me bad directions, but he did say Fenris was in an abandoned mansion.

Each room is neglected and holds no life. Walls and shelves are empty of portraits or personal mementoes. A few pieces of old art and furniture remain, along with dark stains that can be seen leading in a trail to an open entryway. Other remains of a battle can be found around the room.

At the top of the stairs stands Fenris, great sword drawn, green eyes boring into me. Patiently I wait in the doorway, returning his gaze silently. Neither of us moves nor breathes a word for what seems like hours.

"Why are you here?" Fenris is the first to break the silence. His voice sends shivers down my spine but I refuse to change my expression or acknowledge the feeling.

"That is not a nice way to greet a guest," I scold, a small smile pulls at my lips. Fenris only stands there, imposing as ever. I keep up my small smile, not letting him get to me. Sighing I admit, "I have come with questions." I wanted to add that I will get the answers I am seeking but being aggressive does not seem to be the best way to go about things.

"My answer is no, now leave," his voice is deep and carries a note of finality.

You are not getting rid of me that easily buddy.

"Nope, I do not think that is going to work out for me. Carver offered me breakfast for having to stay on the floor, the least you can do is answer a couple things since I walked all the way over here to grace you with my presence. So what are you going to do?" Fenris is not amused by my logic.

"Nothing but throw you out the front door." Fenris is done talking and takes a step forward. I match his step, not breaking eye contact. My friendly air falls away and is replaced by a hard edge.

"That would greatly disappoint Garrett," maybe I can guilt him into it. "He was already worried about us last night when I was going to come over. Something about Anders and you squabbling like toddlers all the time and not wanting to include me into the mix," I explain. Fenris makes a fist and the markings covering his hand faintly glow.

"If Hawke would allow it, I would gladly end the abomination," distain colors his voice. I take a step forward; Fenris mimics my move, now standing at the banister. "So where is Hawke?"

"Who knows? Carver and I stepped out before things turned uglie." His eyes become slits as he hears my words.

"Explain."

"Well, last night Garrett was in trouble for having a messy room, Isabela offered to help, and we all know what that means. So I eventually fell asleep in the library on the floor, woke up to meet Carver, had breakfast, Leandra found out I stayed on the floor, became pissed at Garrett a second time, and started pounding on his door," I pause to take a breath. "Carver and I did not want to hang around to see Leandra's wrath so we stepped out. With slight persuasion, Carver gave me directions and finally left me alone. Since you have not kicked me out, can we stop yelling across the room at each other?"

Fenris relented, showing me into a room with his sword at the ready. Compared to the other rooms in the mansion, this one actually looked used. The hearth contained ash, the bed is unmade, and the chairs did not have dust covering them.

Without being invited, I plop down into one of the chairs. My posture stays relaxed as I attempt to convey to Fenris that I will not back down. Who knows how he could possibly be connected? Fenris is not a Guardian or a ranger, so that link is out. As far as my knowledge goes, no outsiders know about us. Well, except for Hawke and his group now, thanks to me.

Fenris continues standing, sword readied. Something about me unsettles him. Oblivious to one another's feelings, I attempt conversation again.

"Do not make me invite you to sit in your own home," I cock my head to the side, studying him. His body is taunt, ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. Silently he takes a seat, keeping his sword in reach.

"If I choose to answer some of your questions, will you leave?" Fenris is intrigued about what I want to ask, yet he does not want to continue being unsettled by some unknown attraction or emotion.

"If I must," I say with a grin. If I drag out asking my questions, maybe his discomfort will be enough to make him answer my questions. Half of myself does not want to ask any questions. Instead I should stall for time to see him squirm, maybe he will crack. Or stalling will mean being able to spend more time with him. Maybe I can-

Enough! No silly notions Amare! Ask the damn questions and get moving so you can return.

"Who was that woman, Hadriana?" is my first question now that my internal dialogue is over. At the mention of her name, Fenris visibly tenses, his markings briefly flaring. I make a mental note to ask about them later. Now does not seem to be the best time since my first question does not seem to be going over well with Fenris.

"An apprentice to Danarius," his words are short, clipped with anger.

"So who is Danarius?" His answer throws my second question out the window. Originally I believed Hadriana to be behind things but it seems there is another pulling the strings. If I thought Fenris tensed at the mention of Hadriana, then I completely underestimated his response to Danarius's name.

"I am not going to be questioned by some stranger," growls Fenris, rising from his chair, his fists clenched in anger. Again I mirror his actions, refusing to have him towering over me and putting me at a disadvantage.

"Calm yourself, I have done nothing to deserve your anger," I try and keep a passive tone, dropping the hard edge. Calm, peaceful interrogations have never been my strong suit. "The faster I figure this out, the quicker I am out of your hair and out of this city."

Fenris is unfazed by my reasoning. "I owe you no answers, nor do I believe you deserve them or can be trusted with them."

My eyes become slits as I try to keep my cool about his accusatory tone. Arguing will get us nowhere. Fenris is as stubborn as a damn rock.

The front door creaks open and heavy footsteps can be heard. I notice his ears twitch at the sound and I presume Fenris has sensitive hearing also. Judging from his lack of reaction to the intruder, Fenris must know who is begrudgingly making their way to the room.

Bet this is Garrett coming to spoil my fun.

Sure enough, Garrett comes stomping into the room. I drop my staring contest with Fenris to check Garrett over. He clearly survived the wrath of his mother to live another day but just barely. His clothes are plain, not his normal armor, and rumpled like he quickly picked them up off the floor and threw them on. From what I saw of his room, I would not be surprised. His hair has a few tuffs sticking up at odd angles and there are dark rings found around his eyes, betraying his lack of sleep. A knowing smile graces my lips from my observations.

"Not one word," Garrett mumbles, walking forward he plops facedown onto Fenris's bed. His actions finally cause Fenris to look away from me.

"Hawke?" Fenris questions, clearly thrown off by Garrett's actions.

"Like I was saying earlier, he has had a rough night… and then morning..." I remind with a smile.

Garrett seems to be mumbling something unintelligible into the bed. I make no effort to make out his words. Settling back into the chair, I glance up at Fenris. After some mild awkward silence, he retakes a seat. Deciding to forgo my questions for now, I antagonize Garrett until he turns his head out of the bed so he can speak clearly.

"I am mad at you," are the first words I understand from Garrett.

"Whatever for?" I decide to play innocent. I clearly did not go against Garrett's wishes to be on my own or to seek Fenris out without him. Defiantly was not me. Probably some other Guardian he knew that happened to have blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.

Garrett only grunts and rolls over onto his back. "You are going to be glued to my side today."

I cannot help but roll my eyes at his statement.

"I saw that. And I have a brilliant plan on how to make you literally stick to me," Garrett then rolls onto his side so he can face me. "I happen to know this spell that will literally make anything stick together. I could make you hold my hand all day." Garrett has a smug smile on his face, as if he just singlehandedly solved all of Thedas's problems. Fenris and I share a look, now both of us rolling our eyes at the absurdity of his statement.

"Magic is not the answer."

"That is your go to opinion about everything Fenris. How about getting a new point of view," Garrett grumbles.

"Isabela would not be pleased to find out I had to hold your hand all day. That is a valid point and there is no reason to continue this conversation," I finish.

In the end, I do spend the rest of the day by Garrett's side. Granted, we did not hold hands.