**Author's note: I just wanted to say thank you to all who have left reviews :D I am putting this out here for you guys and I really appreciate your contribution.**
Seamus kneeled in at the feet of the Statue of Andraste. Sebastian had insisted he not be interrupted.
"Priest, the boy is not breathing," Cullen whispered after a few minutes of watching Seamus intently.
"Surely you are mistaken, Knight-Captain," the holy man protested.
Hawke watched the Viscount's son and sighed. Cullen was right, she stepped forward and shook Seamus gently. He slumped onto his side, the light of life no longer in his eyes, making them look glossy. As if on cue, a group approached the companions. Petrice lead them to the foot of the alter.
"The Viscount's son, murdered here in the Chantry! Serrah Hawke, can you explain what is going on here?"
"I could ask you the same thing Petrice," Hawke replied coolly. She was fully aware that the Mother was trying to lay the blame at the mage's feet. "If you wish to see the true culprit, look to your leader."
"You dare?" The Mother gasped.
"You dare?" Sebastian asked, stepping forward. Petrice's eyes widened at the sight of her fellow priest, but she had come to far.
Turning to her gatherers Petrice said, "prove yourself worthy. These traitors wish to see the Chantry brought to it's knees in front of the Qunari! Earn your reward for this life and the next." The small group charged forward and Hawke watched Petrice run off into the deeper parts of the Chantry.
"Enough blood has been spilled her tonight. Aim to stun, not kill," Hawke instructed her companions. They sighed in relief at the apostate's request. Thankfully, most of the enemies were not skilled in combat. Their leader had been a templar, and Cullen was forced to kill him, but he was their only casualty. When all of the mislead zealots lay unconscious or had fled, Petrice returned with the Grand Cleric.
"See, Grand Cleric, they defile everything the Chantry stands for," Hawke turned to the voice and watched them walking down the stairs.
"It is just as you said young mother, too true," Elthina replied knowing all was not as it seemed.
"She is on to you Petrice, lie harder.," the apostate snickered.
"Don't spout your Qunari filth," the corrupt mother spat.
"Hold your tongue!" Sebastian growled, taking a threatening step towards her.
Elthina shook her head in disappointment as she took in the scene and saw the slain boy and templar.
"Your Grace, may I speak?"" The Knight-Captain inquired.
" Ser Knight, I can see what has been done here, but if you have something to add, then please."
"You should know that Hawke asked us to save these people even when they would not have shown us the same kindness. The templar refused to take a direct order from his superior and continued to press the attack against me until I was forced to lose my life or take his," Cullen said.
"I'm sorry that the man had to die. Is what the Knight-Captain says about your wish for mercy true, Serrah?" The Grand cleric asked the apostate.
Hawke, suddenly shy, nodded in reply.
"She is indeed something else," Elthina said pointedly at Cullen. "I know what Mother Petrice has done here is wrong, but she answers to the law. In this life and the next. I see you have the Guard Captain with you. Please, take the young mother into custody and let the courts decide her faith," the Grand Cleric said and swept passed the condemned.
"Grand Cleric?" Petrice begged, "Grand Cleric!" she repeated when she was ignored.
Aveline stepped forward to arrest the mother when an arrow zipped by and planted into Petrice's forehead. Another followed and landed next to the first, and she fell to her knees. "The Qunari take care of their own," the archer said as he retreated from the Chantry.
"Please, send for Viscount Dumar," Elthina whispered sadly a she finished making her way up the stairs.
"This isn't over, your Excellency. Kirkwall needs you to be strong," Hawke said to the Viscount. That's the argument that kept her going after she had lost so much, she was hoping it would work for him.
It didn't, "I have failed where it matters most," the man whispered with a shaky voice.
How had this man been Viscount? She had never had a child to lose, but compared to everything that Hawke had lost since she came here, she understood grief. She couldn't afford to fall prey to it though.
This wasn't even her home, and she still fought for it.
"Guard-Captain, do whatever needs to be done to get the Chantry back to rights," Aveline saluted and left without a word. "Leave me, Hawke." Dumar said as he rocked Seamus in his arms, and lost himself to his grief.
"Murder in the Chantry, with a Revered Mother as the culprit. The Viscount doesn't seem like he is going to be much help from here on out. What now?" Cullen asked. If this didn't go the right way, Hawke would be locked in The Gallows. He would be able to protect her in there, but she wasn't made for a cage.
"The Arishok is the one to worry about now. So, we clean up and wait for trouble to find us," Hawke said as she opened the door to her estate.
The two of them walked into the house and were greeted by yelling. Hawke sighed, she was doomed to never have a peaceful night. "Ladies. Please!" Bodgan begged. The apostate saw Aveline and heard Isabela swear vehemently at the Guard-Captain. When Hawke caught sight of the pirate, she was reaching to pull her daggers free.
"Are there any good seats left?" Hawke asked as she jogged into the room, to attempt to defuse the situation.
The two women ignored the comment and rounded on Hawke, talking over each other.
The mage threw her hands up to silence them. "I heard Arishok and killed. How about we take turns."
Aveline step forward, "the Arishok has allowed two elven murderers to join the Qun. They are under his protection and he won't let us near them. The family of the deceased wants to see justice for their son. With what just happened in the Chantry, we won't have organized zealots, but an angry mob running wild in the streets."
Hawke nodded and raised an eyebrow at the pirate, "your turn."
"I found the relic. A contact of mine, Wall-eyed Sam, has it. He is going to sell it to some Imperium Magistar tonight. This may be my last chance, and if I don't get Castilllon his relic soon, he is going to kill me."
"I am trying to save an entire city of people who are on the brink of war, and you are worried about your own hide!" Aveline yelled.
"Well, the relic might have something to do with all this," Isabela said quietly.
"What? Now you are trying to be responsible? Shit." The Guard-Captain groaned.
"I am just saying that someone wants it, right? It might be important," the other woman replied defensively.
Hawke looked to Aveline, "are the villagers sharpening their pitchforks and sending for torches yet?
"No, so far the situation is still under control. But it won't be for long."
"It will last the night at least," their leader turned to Isabela. "You know where the exchange is happening?"
She nodded.
"Aveline, finish up taking care of the Chantry mess. We will go get Fenris and get Isabela her relic. Then, we will talk to the Arishok in the morning."
"You trust her that much?" Aveline asked.
Before Hawke could answer, the pirate chuckled in relief," probably not, I wouldn't. Come on, they are meeting in Lowtown."