Chapter Title: To Catch A Thief
Written by: Wintryone, LucienGrey, & FenZev
Beta'd by: Erana
Chapter Summary: The fate of Kirkwall hangs in the balance, as does Hawke's friendship with Isabela.
The calm, serene warmth that normally permeated the Amell estate was no more. Bodahn moved swiftly from the vault to the kitchen to the bedrooms, following Hawke's instructions, as well as gathering his and Sandal's personal items from their rooms. Fenris watched from the living room as Bodahn and Hawke consistently passed each other in the hall, dancing around each other with the easy routine of two people who had shared a home for several years.
Orana was in the kitchen, fussing over goods that needed to be prepared for travel. Occasionally the sounds of dishes clanking or pots hitting the table were louder than her typical finesse, a sign she was upset and perhaps a bit fearful of the suddenly unknown future.
Sandal remained in the living room with Fenris, a sad expression on his face. After Hawke had explained to those who'd served her family so loyally over the years that they must leave Kirkwall, the house exploded into frantic hive of activity. Sandal seemed the most unsettled of all; Fenris couldn't recall ever seeing the younger dwarf appear so fragile.
"Are you alright?" Fenris questioned, not expecting much of a response other than the boy's one or two worded answers.
"I like pie," Sandal said, eyes wide.
"Orana, don't forget the pie," Hawke called as she came through the living room to drop one of her packs in the foyer. On her way back, she knelt before Sandal. "If all goes well, you'll be back here in a few days, alright?"
Sandal nodded, and then gave her a questioning look. "Enchantment?"
Hawke couldn't help the smile that curled her lips. Even in the most chaotic of situations, Sandal always broke the tension. She handed him her sword. "Please. Whatever you see fit, of course."
He clapped his hands together before taking her sword and laying it on the table. Hawke continued on back up the stairs to her room, but a knock at the door had her running back down with double her usual speed. Hoping it was Varric with some news, she swung the door open with an almost relieved sigh, until she saw that it wasn't her hairy-chested friend.
"Knight-Captain," she greeted Cullen. "Forgive me, but now is really not a good time for a visit."
Cullen's somber mood made her uneasy. "We need to talk, Hawke."
She glanced back at Fenris in the living room, who was already on his feet, as she opened the door wider for Cullen to enter. "Alright, come on in."
Hawke led him through the living room to the study, Fenris following close behind. She closed the door firmly and turned to face the knight-captain. "What can I do for you?" she asked, settling into a chair as Fenris took his place beside her.
"Unfortunately, this isn't a social call," Cullen began. "I am here under an official capacity."
"Oh?" Hawke said. "I am harboring no mages, so I don't see what the Templars would want with me."
Cullen cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable to begin the conversation. "The Knight-Commander has asked me to speak with you in regards to the recent death of a member of the Chantry," he said, watching her for a reaction. "Mother Petrice, to be specific. We are aware the two of you have had...altercations in the past."
"I see," Hawke said casually. "Odd that the Captain of the Guard was just here, and she made no mention of this."
"The matter has not been brought to the attention of the Guard," Cullen informed her. "This is an... internal matter."
"You are leading this investigation into Mother Petrice's death?" Hawke asked. That Cullen would be chosen for this task piqued her curiosity. Of all the Templars in the Gallows, Hawke had always believed him to be a man of honor.
"I am," Cullen replied.
"I'm curious then, are you also looking into the murder of Saemus Dumar?" Hawke questioned, now watching him for a reaction. "I believe you may find the two are very much connected."
Cullen sighed. "A statement that says you know full well what happened in the Chantry," he said. "The Viscount is beside himself, not speaking with me, Bran, or anyone on the matter. And Elthina is being just as evasive, yet two people are dead, and someone must answer for those crimes."
Hawke rubbed her temple, frustration building within her. Fenris placed his hand on the back of her chair, and though the show of support was subtle, it was enough to calm her demeanor. "Mother Petrice was responsible for Saemus' death," Hawke said quietly, knowing that within her role as viddathari, she must give him as much of the truth as she could. Her honor was now more than just a code of ethics, it was the life she'd chosen to live. "And as for Petrice's death, I'm sorry Cullen, but if I say any more on what I know, it could be construed as blasphemy."
"A line you have already crossed by implicating Petrice in Saemus' murder," Cullen pointed out.
The laughter that erupted from Hawke surprised both Cullen and Fenris. It took her a moment to recover before she apologized. The truth, it seemed, was very much setting her free from the last dregs of her anxiety. "I'm sorry, but the number of lines being crossed in this town lately is laughable. You want to know what happened to Petrice? Ask Elthina, or better yet, Meredith. Ask them exactly how Sister Petrice became Mother Petrice. And when you're done with those questions, ask them both about the dungeons below the Chantry. Or do you already know about those?"
Fenris held his breath, not realizing Hawke had planned to reveal what she knew to the Templar. He and Hawke both noticed the confusion in the knight-captain's expression. Clearly, Cullen knew nothing about the dungeons, or the extracurricular activities of the Knight-Commander and the Grand Cleric.
Thankfully, a knock at the door interrupted the tense moment, the sound soon followed by Bodahn entering to announce, "Sorry to disturb, but Varric Tethras is here."
"Tell him we'll be right out, Bodahn," Hawke informed the dwarf, before turning her attention back to Cullen. "Are we done here? Because as you can see, I am quite busy."
"I will resume my own investigations, but may need to talk with you again, Serah Hawke," Cullen said as he passed Varric on his way out the door.
Varric nearly walked into Hawke, his astonished gaze on the exiting knight-captain. "What was that about?" he asked.
"I'll explain later," Hawke replied, pushing back the tendril of fear that tried to reclaim her. "What do you know?"
"Well, it's not as simple as we thought, Hawke," Varric hedged.
"Did you find Sam or not?" she asked.
"Sort of?" he answered.
"Varric, you know we have no time for this. Tell me, where is Sam, and does he have the relic?"
"Could be he does," Varric said. "Or by now, someone else might have it."
"Someone else? Really Varric, you're never this evasive unless you know something you don't want me to know. Who..." she began. But in that moment, she heard the Arishok's voice as clearly as if he were in the room with them.
Years ago, filth stole from us, a simple act of greed...
Who had he been talking about? It was coming together in her mind, the pieces fitting slowly as her memory recalled other conversations among the Arishok and her companions.
"I did not intend to land here," the Arishok had said.
"You know, you promised me you'd tell me how your ship wrecked," a memory of Varric's voice lingered.
And Hawke could have smacked herself when she finally remembered just who had been talking about a relic for years. Looking for a relic she'd lost when her ship had wrecked in a storm. Add to that her constant avoidance of the compound...
"Isabela," Hawke said in a toneless voice.
"Now Hawke," Varric said. "Don't jump to conclusions. We need to talk to Rivaini first."
"I'll talk to her alright," replied Hawke. "Once the relic is safely in my hands."
Hawke exited the study and moved toward the vault when she heard the sounds of Bodahn collecting coin from one of the several stashes she always kept at the ready. "Good, you're here. Take extra coin to hire some mercenaries, and get yourselves out of the city tonight," she instructed him. "Assuming nothing drastic happens, you should be able to return in a few days."
Bodahn nodded, picking up another empty purse. "We'll go to Cumberland, though I know my boy and I would feel better if you were coming along with us."
"I know Bodahn, and I'm sorry to have to do this on such short notice. When you do return, I may not be here. But you and Sandal and Orana are welcome to stay as long as you'd like, if you promise to look after the place for me."
The dwarf nodded. "You can count on us," he said. "My Lady, it has been a pleasure to serve you."
Hawke smiled and lightly touched the dwarf's shoulder. "The pleasure has been mine, Bodahn, I assure you. Make haste, and tell no one why you are leaving."
She rejoined Varric and Fenris in the living room, and Sandal presented her with her newly enchanted sword. Hawke studied the runes along the hilt and the blade, and saw the pride in the boy's eyes as she nodded her approval. "Impeccable work as always Sandal," she told him.
"Thank you," he said a bit awkwardly, then smiled and added, "I like Hawke."
Hawke sighed. She was going to miss the boy, and his father. After she said her goodbye to Orana, and assured the nervous elf that everything would be alright, Hawke was ready to go. "Where to Varric?"
"You're not gonna like it," Varric warned, leading them out of the estate.
._.\'/._.\~\/~/._.\'/._.
"Isabela!" Hawke called as they entered the foundry district. She'd seen the pirate materialize from the shadows only moments before.
"Hawke," Isabela turned toward her, clearly nervous. "What are you doing here?
"Perhaps I'm here for the same reason you are," Hawke replied. "Time to talk, my friend."
Isabela sighed. "Couldn't it wait? There this little problem I have to take care of first..."
"No," replied Hawke. "The relic, Isabela. Why did you lie to me all these years?"
"Shit," Isabela said. Then again, "Shit. I just didn't want to worry you, Hawke. I searched over three years for the blighted thing, but could never find it. Now that I have, if I don't get it back, Castillon will kill me." At the mention of Castillon, her eyes shone with real fear for the first time since Hawke had known her. "A man called Wall-eyed Sam has the relic." She cast another nervous glance toward the door in the stoneface of the building.
"I know this," said Hawke. "What I want to know now, is who's he selling it to?"
"Tevinter mages," replied Isabela hurriedly. "The Imperium has been at war with the Qunari for centuries. If the Tevinters get the relic, it will strike a blow to Qunari morale. That's probably what the mages want." Isabela took a step toward Hawke. "Please, help me get it back."
"You always told me your ship wrecked in a storm, but I never put it together before now, that so did the Qunari fleet," Hawke shook her head.
"The storm was only half of it," said Isabela. "I also had the Qunari dreadnought stuck to my behind like a bad rash, spitting fire and thunder at me."
"If you'd been honest, we could have solved this years ago - together," said Hawke.
Isabela frowned, but said, "Look, the book is right in this building, and I'm not letting it slip away again."
Before Hawke could stop her, Isabela slipped into the shadows like the rogue she was, and was through the foundry door before Hawke could blink twice.
When Hawke reached the entrance, she paused, a feeling of dread nearly overwhelming her.
"I'm sorry, Hawke," said Varric. "Of all the blasted places to hold a meeting."
She couldn't afford this right now, these memories of another night, chasing a trail of blood to find her mother. Hawke shut her eyes tightly, and took a steadying breath, hoping she could will the thoughts from her mind.
"Hawke," came Fenris' voice, close to her ear. The rumbling sound of it was something to hold onto. Something that did not involve a dead mother. "Listen to me. Leandra is at peace now. Tonight, you have a chance to save thousands of lives."
Oddly, it wasn't so much the words he said, but the calm certainty with which he said them. What would she have done without Fenris this day? She turned and gave him a brief smile. "Let's go in," she said.
A tall mage, her staff gripped tightly in her hand, was approaching a scruffy, timid man. "Where is the relic?" she asked him.
Hawke counted seven, maybe eight mages scattered around the room. She scanned the shadows for Isabela without success.
"I.. eh... I have it," said the man, clutching a large, leather-bound book to his chest.
"And I'll take it," said Hawke, drawing her sword from its sheath. Sandal's new runes immediately lit, sending tendrils of blue flame down the blade's edge.
"Blood and spite," said the mage as she lifted her staff into the air. The first blast of magic she released sent them all staggering.
Hawke recovered quickly, and cursed under her breath when she saw Sam running for the door from the corner of her eye. They needed to dispatch the blood mages quickly before Sam could get too far.
As if on cue, Fenris and Varric moved into action, and as a rain of arrows fell among the unarmored mages, Fenris cut a wide, bloody path through the group to Hawke's left. She smiled grimly and advanced on the leader, who pointed her staff directly at Hawke and began to gather her power for another spell.
Hawke quickened her pace, her sword held high, when the strangest thing happened. As the Magister let loose a wall of ice that should have frozen Hawke in her tracks, her sword seemed to draw the magic into itself of its own accord. The blue flames grew brighter, and the mage stared at Hawke, her mouth open in disbelief. Thank you, Sandal, thought Hawke.
"Surprise!" Hawke said, and swung her sword in a wide arc, removing the mages head as easily as if her neck were made of straw. This beheading thing was becoming an odd habit.
By the time she turned to aid her companions, all the mages lay dead, scattered across the foundry floor, and the three wasted no time in going after the tome. They were so close, so very close to stopping this war. Sam would not get away.
When they stepped outside, Hawke couldn't have been more surprised by what she saw if Andraste herself had been standing there.
Isabela was dueling... with Tallis. And there, discarded on the grimy stone, lay the tome. Hawke didn't hesitate, and it was cradled within her arms seconds later.
Tallis took a step back as Isabela lunged in her direction, and the elf blocked the pirate's incoming blades with ease. "The prize for this duel has been claimed by another," she said, looking at Hawke. "There is no need to continue."
"What? No!" Isabela gasped as she turned around, spotting Hawke clutching the ancient relic to her chest. "Hawke? Oh thank the Maker it's you."
"Don't thank Him," Hawke said softly. "I'm sorry Isabela, but I can not allow you to have this."
"You're going to side with those horned freaks instead of a friend?" Isabela asked. "I knew I couldn't trust you."
"I'm doing what's right. That relic wasn't yours for the taking to begin with. I am returning it to its owner - with or without your permission," Hawke replied. "And truthfully, Isabela? You haven't been much of a friend. You've lied from the very beginning. When we were trying to understand why the Qunari remained in Kirkwall, why the Arishok kept insisting that he was stuck here... You knew all along and said nothing. Nothing! All to what, save your own skin? All of Kirkwall depends on this book being returned, and I will see it done!"
Isabela pointed the tips of her blades toward Hawke. "Alright then, fine. Duel me for it. Winner keeps the book."
"Rivaini," Varric said as he stood behind Hawke. "Just...let it go."
"No! She wants to protect her precious Qun, let her fight for them," Isabela said. "Fight me."
Hawke shook her head. "After tomorrow, Varric will have the key to my estate. You are welcome to take whatever coin or goods you can find to pay off Castillon. You will not be getting the tome Isabela, I'm sorry. And if you force me to fight you, I will have Tallis and Fenris at my back."
"And me," Varric added. "Sorry Rivaini, but a Qunari invasion on Kirkwall is bad for business. My business, specifically."
Isabela glanced around and admitted to herself that the odds were not in her favor. "You'd really kill me over a stupid book?"
"You'd really kill me?" Hawke countered.
Isabela sighed. "No, I suppose not. But it'll take a lot of that coin to get Castillon off my back."
"You have it," Hawke assured her. "See to it, Varric, anything she needs."
Finally, the realization of what Hawke was offering seemed to sink in for the pirate. She stared at Hawke for several moments, and the longer she held Hawke's gaze, the more moisture gathered in her eyes. "You'd really do that?" she asked, her voice thick.
"Of course, Isabela," replied Hawke. "I would have always done so, if only you'd asked."
"Hawke... I," Isabela crossed the space between them in a heartbeat, and placing her hands on her friend's cheeks, Isabela planted a brief kiss on her lips. "Thank you. I... I'm so sorry I didn't..." She shook her head. "Just thank you."
"If you're handing those out, I'll take one," said Tallis, breaking the emotion of the moment.
Isabela turned, and in her usual manner, place a hand on her hip and said saucily, "You, little elf, look delicious."
"No time for that now, ladies," said Hawke. She glanced at Tallis, "Coming to the compound with me?"
Tallis grinned broadly and replied, "Oh yes."
._.\'/._.\~\/~/._.\'/._.
The sun had begun its descent in the clear blue sky as Hawke and Tallis made their way through the streets of Kirkwall to the docks. Varric and Fenris were close behind, and Isabela followed in the shadows. Though the Tome of Koslun was safely pressed to Hawke's chest, her companions did not risk her going alone to the compound. Even though Tallis was a force all her own to be reckoned with, Hawke would be unable to battle any ambush while still holding the bulky tome in her arms. Every step closer brought relief and apprehension, waiting to reach their final destination.
Tallis hurried down the stairs to the docks first, Fenris and Varric closing in around Hawke. The nimble elf scouted the immediate area, slipping through the crowds making their way to the ships for the evening departures. As every day life continued throughout the city, Hawke waited with bated breath, praying silently the next few paces would be blessedly free from confrontation.
Appearing at the bottom of the stairwell, Tallis nodded, and Hawke began her descent. The dwarf and elf beside her let no one within an arms reach of their friend as she moved swiftly to the compound entrance. Once there, with her companions at her back and the entire Qunari force in front of her, Hawke was finally able to release the breath she'd held, closing her eyes for a moment of thanks.
"I think I need a stiff one," Isabela called. "And a drink."
Hawke turned and opened her eyes to look at the pirate. "Put it on my tab, " she said, accepting the fact that Isabela would never enter the compound, and it was probably safer for her not to.
Isabela kept her distance, but hesitated to leave. "Will I see you there?" she asked.
A small smile turned her lips. "Wouldn't miss it," Hawke said, feeling the sting of tears behind her eyes. "Now go."
The sassy rogue disappeared into the crowd with ease, and Hawke turned to face the compound gate. The guard, who was in the inside of the compound instead of his usual post in front of it, slowly opened the gate upon recognizing Hawke and Tallis. He was about to utter refusal of the additional members in the party until he saw the book Hawke held tightly to her breast.
"The big guy around?" Tallis asked, securing the gate after everyone entered the compound. "We have a present for him."
They entered the compound and stood in the middle of the wide open space. Hawke considered how many times she had done so before; when first meeting the Arishok, thanks to that annoying dwarf Javaris. Then confronting him about Saemus' not-so-much kidnapping. Informing him of the fate of Ketojan, and the possibility the Chantry was behind the provocations and deaths of so many Qun. How she had delivered the fallen swords to him, slept among them, vented her grief to him, and then ultimately gave her body, mind, and soul to him.
It all happened within the confines of these walls, this long string of events that led her to her destiny. Now she was able to present him with this gift, a gesture of peace, and of thanks.
Heavy footfalls ascended the stairs from the lower reaches of the compound. The tips of his horns became visible, followed by broad shoulders protected under large pauldrons. Every step revealed the leader Hawke had come to admire and respect. When he turned to walk toward her, and his eyes fixated on what lay in her outstretched arms, the Arishok paused.
"The Tome of Koslun?" he questioned, as if unable to believe it himself.
Hawke gave a slight nod, resisting the urge to break her stoic expression and beam a bright smile. As he approached, the nerves in her stomach flipped several times, wanting to remain respectful in this moment, but also wanting to jump for joy.
Large, hesitant hands wrapped around the book as the Arishok lifted it from her hands. "The relic is reclaimed," he announced to the several Qunari that Hawke hadn't noticed gathered around them. "We are free to return to Par Vollen." He spoke as if he did not believe his own words, and met Hawke's gaze as if seeking confirmation. "You have done this for the Qun?" he then asked. "Or to save your precious city?"
"Can't it be both?" Hawke queried. "Though this city is not mine, as you say. It was simply a stop on the journey. My place is with you."
The Arishok nodded, turning to hand the tome to his second. "Then we depart come dawn. I have had enough of this... place. Come, there is much work to do."
He turned his back on her, but Hawke asked him to wait. "Forgive me, but if I may still have the remaining hours you've granted me? I have some business of my own to wrap up here before we leave."
"You have until sunrise Kadan," the Arishok said. "Know that we will not wait."
Hawke smiled then. "I'll be here."