Ibi plus quam in hac terra uel in vidi consenuerunt.= There more things on this earth and in the fade than you or I have seen. – Latin (for my purposes, Arcanum)

His savage words on mages tugged at the subconscious pain caused by Ferelden's unbridled fear of magic. Attacking her breast and striking at her core. "It never ends." The sentiment struck at the part of her that coiled in anger when the chantry swore that her gift was a curse. It echoed, and she found herself wanting to echo the sentiment, turning it against him.

But she couldn't. The unhidden weariness reminded her of clear skies and beautiful fancies. Splashing in the surf, his warm lips grazing her neck like whispers, sweet whispers that warmed her core.

At first, when she had seen him stepping down the stairs of the alienage, she hadn't recognized him. The haunted eyes, dark from lack of sleep. Gaunt cheeks, firm words, accented by a hint of the speech patterns of Arcanum. His skin, such a warm brown color, emblazoned with lyrium, which, when activated, she knew not how, would liquefy and allow him to step half way into the fade. She remembered his words on his tattoos, seemingly so harsh and painful, and understood why.

"It never ends. I escaped a land of dark magic only to have it haunt me at every turn." He said, "It is a chain, burned into my flesh and my soul. And now, I find myself indebted to even more mages."

"Sister?" Bethany whispered as his harsh eyes fell upon her.

"It's alright Bethy. I'll take care of you." The reassurance was nearly silent, but as Fenris heard it, bells went off in his head. He stepped back as Hawke stepped forward, "You realize of course, that we mages would have helped you kill your master without hesitation?"

"I'm not ignorant that magic has it's uses, and there are indubitably some mages with good intentions."

Hawk feigned a theatrical whisper, "That's us Bethy."

Fenris' lips twitch into a smile, but he erased it before it could take more permanent residence. Hawke grinned in response. "But… the road to evil has been paved many times with the blood of well intentioned abominations."

"Oh, that's a new one, sister!" Carver chuckled.

"Hush Carver." Bethany whispered.

"He's not wrong." Hawke said quietly. "When a mage falls to the lure of a demon's call, all the training, all the love and all the good intentions in Thedas are worthless."

"I know, sister." Bethany said. "But-"

"Bethy, it won't help right now."

"Why is he here then? Why did he search us out? We weren't exactly advertising our presence-"

"Your sister's name is on many lips." Fenris said quietly, uncertain of what was going on.

"Hawke?" Carver asked. The elf nodded, "Well isn't that grand? Born to the same father yet still, you're the only one called by our family name."

"Carver, you know why."

"Bullshit. It's all bullshit." He growled.

"Carver you're an arse." Hawke smirked, "I'm the head of the family now that father's… gone."

"Yeah, and I'm the stunted growth by your side and two steps back, wishing I could get out of your big fat shadow."

She sighed, "What kind of growth? Are you a fungus or a boil?"

"Shut up." He said, "The only reason I'm still here is because of that big ass sword the elf has. I don't want that mage hater touching my sisters."

"Affection? I'm shocked! Beth, put it on the calendar, I think this is the first time he's said he loved us, since-"

"I never said that. I said I- oh never mind." He began to sulk mightily.

"Yes." Fenris said, shifting uncomfortably, "Well, I… thank you. I did not find Danarius, but I do still owe you for your efforts on my behalf."

"Fenris-"

"Sister, we need the coin."

"Honestly, brother, we looted three sovereigns out of the manor, I think that's payment enough." She spoke to both of them, looking between them.

"No. I owe you a debt, here is all the coin I possess, as Anso promised." He passed two gold into her hands not allowing her to protest. "And… if you should need help with anything, I would gladly lend you my sword."

Carver snickered.

"I'd kill your brother for the asking." Fenris joked lightly.

Carver was not amused.

"So why does the old shackle and irons want you back anyway, your master must want something more than a runaway slave." Carver asked nonchalantly, remembering being vaguely impressed that an elf could wield a broadsword let alone with any skill.

"He doesn't want me at all, just the markings in my skin." Fenris snapped, "They are lyrium, burned into my flesh to enhance my physical strength and power. Now, Danarius wishes his precious investment returned, even if he must rip it from my corpse." Bethany shifted uncomfortably as he stared at her, not truly seeing her.

Hawke grinned, "That would be a waste of an incredibly handsome elf."

Fenris chuckled, coughed and smiled, looking awkwardly away from her. "I- you flatter me."

"Mmm, you deserve it." She flirted unabashed, "Gorgeous eyes, strong-"

"Sister, I swear to the holy Maker, I will kill him. Do not talk about that near- no, just don't talk about it-"

"One word Carver? Peaches."

He blushed horribly, "That was different."

"Sure sure." She joked amicably, "I'm terrible at flirting anyway." She shrugged.

Fenris smiled slightly, "Perhaps you are a terrible flirt, but you are not bad at the act it's self."

Hawke grinned, "Will you join us? I mean, I'm investing in an expedition, and I'll need help. Would you like to be a part of it?"

He almost replied with a coy comment, but the courage to do so died in his throat, so he said, "I will. If you are ever in need of assistance, I will be here. If Danarius wishes his mansion back, he is free to attempt to reclaim it." Grimly, he looked up at the property. "I would… welcome the chance to speak with you. Please, come see me when you have a spare moment." He almost smiled.

"Perhaps now?"

"I swear elf, if you touch my sister, I'll cut it off."

Fenris smirked at Carver, "Peaches… who was Peaches, Hawke? Perhaps I can tell the story to a chatty drunk?"

He nearly choked.

"Perhaps I could send word to her father?"

Carver glowered darkly. "Right. Blackmail. Still, he's in Ferelden, and we're here."

"If you ever get within four feet of me I will pretend to be worried."

Hawke sighed, "I wish I hadn't realized what you were talking about. I wish I would have just tuned you out, Arvie…"

"Sister!" He hissed.

"Am I embarrassing you in front of your new friend? So sorry."

Carver heaved a dramatic sigh, "Alright. C'mon. It's almost sunrise. Beth, we should get home."

"You're leaving me alone with him? Gasp, Carver, I am surprised at you."

"Yeah, you and your attitude could cull a brothel."

"Ha." Hawke waved at her siblings as they walked away.

After a moment, Fenris gestured to the door, "I have nothing in the way of refreshments."

"I didn't expect you to, Fenris."

"Hmm, I… get the feeling that you are more than you appear."

"Oh, but isn't everyone?"

"I have not offered my blade to 'everyone'. I wish to know something more about you."

"Right. Ask away."

"You are an apostate?"

"Spot on. Did the staff tip you off?"

He nodded, choosing to either ignore the comment, or not noticing the joke in her tone. "You have no truck with demons?"

"Correct again. Most of them creep me out. Some are just irritating, and a select few are like suitors who feign ignorance that you have no interest in them."

"I have no point of reference for that comparison."

"Ah, yeah, sorry."

"No apology is necessary." He said, beckoning to her to come inside with him. He kicked a few bodies, which got in his way, before reaching the stairs. Hawke watched the satisfaction die on his face before going into the main room. He bent over the fireplace trying to coax something out of the ashen pit, before sighing and giving up. He went and pulled a chair at the table in the room out, gesturing for Hawke to take her seat, and then he took one beside her at the table's head. "What sort of mage are you?" He asked abruptly.

Hawke looked at her fingers, splaying them and turning them over, before looking back at him. He did not appear hostile. "The free kind."

"No one is free. Everyone is chained to something, fear, law, brutality, the past, the future, husband, child, family. The only difference-"

"Is that I forge my bonds, and tie myself to whom and what I choose. I will not submit my mind to Templar, to Demon, to Man. I am my father's daughter, and will die as he did, free, and surrounded by those I love."

"Your declarations are strange. It's almost as if you believe them."

She smiled softly, eyes crinkling in the corners, "Oh, I believe them. I wouldn't lie to you, Fenris."

"No?"

"Not on purpose." She said, "Sometimes I am misinformed, and if, in such a state, I pass you false information, I would feel terrible, and do everything in my power to correct my mistake."

He leaned back, "I feel… oddly at ease. You are both the reason for that and the disquiet it causes me."

"Why? Do you feel like you remember me from somewhere?"

"Yes." He said, "Although I have never been to this part of the world."

"Hmm, that's so strange. I've been in Ferelden and here, so… no help from me."

"Perhaps…" His eyes shut and his face crinkled as he struggled to drag forth a certain thought, "Perhaps a family member serves in the Imperium?" He asked, grasping at straws.

"Not to my knowledge. Father hates Tevinter. He always said, 'We may be mages, but no Hawke will ever be a tyrant.' I… think he may have lived there for a while, in his youth. Not as a magister, as a slave." She amended quickly as she saw his face go from easy to panicked.

"He and mother didn't meet until he was… oh… thirty year old, or something, she was much younger, but…" Hawke smiled, "To this day, I've never seen two people more devoted to each other." She looked up at him through her eyelashes, "He died recently… just before the blight."

Fenris frowned, "Your father was an escaped slave?"

"Yes, he ran from the Imperium to the Kirkwall circle, but… found it no better. The abusers simply wielded a different sort of power, and blood, to them, was cheaper. So he escaped."

"An apostate." Fenris' lip curled, "You come from a family of illegal mages."

"And your skin sings, burns and boils because of magic."

He frowned harder, "Sings?"

"The lyrium sings like a good blade. A high, ringing note which makes the air around you tingle… pleasantly." She blushed a little at the admission. "It's… terrible, and beautiful."

"I do not know… it has only ever caused me pain."

"And kept you alive. Kept you lucid when you should have been unconscious, kept you moving when you would have fallen. When was the last time you slept?" She asked, "You look like it's been many days."

"It has." He replied quietly. "I… there was something…" He sighed, "I do not know if I can entrust this to you." He said, referring to the urgency and fear for someone…

"If you will, I'll make you a whole batch of cookies." She said, hinting at their shared dreamtime.

He blinked, mouth watering, "You… secrets for cookies?"

"Certainly, if you'll promise to share with me, I'll even teach you to make them."

His mouth opened, then he bit his lip, reluctant, yet… he could not resist the pastries, "I have…" He took a deep breath, "I accept the offer. Secrets for cookies. I have been dreaming. At first the dreams were terrible, dark and full of pain. Memories from my first moments of lucidity after these markings were inflicted upon me. Then… I met some mages in the fade. I do not… I can not remember… much. Three weeks ago, they were abruptly wakened, but since then, every night I sleep, I have not found them, instead being attacked by hordes of demons, and the echoes of my Master in the Fade."

"They were wakened abruptly?"

"Yes, I… this is the reason for my haste. I… Hardly remember, but they were allies, and I believe that they may be in danger."

Her eyes were round as saucers, when she asked, "You came all the way here for a couple mages?"

"I… did. Do not make light. They were dear to me."

Hawke blushed prettily, "Fenris, what were their names?"

He replied with a shrug, "I remember flashes of smiles, battles and skin. Things are more clear while I dream, but when I wake, the memories are gone."

Hawke hummed for a moment, "I've been having dreams like that for over a year now, myself."

He looked at her suspiciously, "Really?"

"Mmhm. You'll laugh…"

"I might."

"Pretty beaches, swirling storms, a… dark haired elvhen man comes to see me, well, he did… for a while. My dreams have been… fitful of late."

"You mock me."

"Never, serrah." She said, "I have been harried, of late, by my former employer. She's trying to extort more work from me. Attacks just as I've fallen to sleep. I'm starting to wear."

"Perhaps you should fight her."

"Would that I could. Though… this afternoon she sent me a letter confessing, and apologizing. Your job with Anso was a sort of peace offering, I think."

He didn't respond, instead glancing back at the hearth wistfully, as if lost in his own mind. Hawke stood softly, and skipped over. She pulled the ashes out, setting them in a bucket, then she placed a broken table leg into the pit along with a few other bits of flammables, and lit it with a spark from her fingers, careful to hide it behind her body. "Magic." He said distastefully.

"Hmm, Should have known you'd feel it. The lyrium. I was trying to be discreet, so you wouldn't be uncomfortable."

"Certainly I feel it. I spent an entire lifetime being tormented by mages and their foul powers, how could I miss that-"

"Sorry, Fenris. You look cold."

He paused, "I am."

"Seheron is much warmer this time of year, no?"

"How did you know I come from Seheron?"

She gulped, "Lucky guess."

"Liar." He said simply. "You are a poor liar. This must be why you do not make a habit of it."

She flushed, "I'm sorry, you- I'm sorry. OK, I promised I wouldn't lie… but you won't believe me."

"Ibi plus quam in hac terra uel in vidi consenuerunt." Fenris said, his voice flush with emotion as he quoted in his native tongue, "So perhaps you will humor me, by allowing me the decision to believe you or not?"

She frowned, "Is it so simple?"

"Perhaps not. I am willing to compromise, however. I swear that unless you confess to a deal with a Demon, I will not harm you, and I will try to find you credible."

"Well, sounds fair enough. Alright. My name is Li'rae Hawke, and I along with my sister, Bethy, have been meeting you in the Fade nightly for the past… nearly two years. For the last few months you and I have been…" She smiled, "Close. And a few weeks ago, you promised me protection, and swore you'd come to me in two moths time. After that-"

He held up a hand, glowering, "You mock me."

"I do not. Why would I?"

He pursed his lips, "You are a mage."

"But not a Magister. Just as you wield a blade, but you are not a raider or a thug."

"No Hawke will ever be a tyrant?" He repeated the words with an acrid turn of his voice, "Certainly not." Sarcasm dripped from his words.

"You have accused me of mocking you, and yet you twist my words and scorn me." She observed.

"You were lying!"

She stood up, "I told you that you would not believe me."

He winced, "Hawke-"

"Another time, Fenris." She said, scooting the chair away from her legs, and moving toward the exit quickly. Panicking, Fenris grabbed her arm She regarded him coldly, closing off the warmth from her olive colored eyes.

"Hawke, don't go yet." He cursed himself as the words tumbled from his lips, "I don't want you to go… yet."

She frowned, "My father was a good man. I will not allow you, or anyone else to use him to hurt me."

"I apologize. I have deeply offended you, and I-" He noticed her hand in his, and dropped it, stepping away carefully, "I humbly ask your forgiveness. Please."

She glared at him, then sighed. "Fenris…" His name on her lips sounded so much sweeter than he knew it to be. He wanted to brush away the tickle in his throat, and the uneasy knots in his gut, which did not stem from hunger or pain. She wasn't looking at him. He wanted her to look at him.

"Yes?"

"No. I have to go. I'll see you later."

"You will?" His voice was a little too eager. If she knew how he desired her presence, curse him for a fool, he had already let her know, since she knew… she would use that against him. Mages were all the same.

"Yeah." Her voice was soft, choked. "Please, go to sleep in a bit."

His eye twitched, "You persist in this charade?"

She turned to him fully, eyes hard. Advanced on him, his reflexes pushed him back, submissively. She pushed him bodily into the wall, and just when he expected to be physically punished, her so soft lips brushed his jaw. "I am nothing," She muttered into his ear, warm breath sending erotic shocks through his body, as it tickled him, "If not persistent."

His mind sat dumb, instincts in a frenzy, telling him to do everything, yet he couldn't move. Her hands pressed against him were soft, molded against his armor. He knew he could overpower her, but he could not bring himself to move. Her left hand moved to his neck molding against him, then up roughly through his hair. He closed his eyes, allowing the raw pleasure to warm him as nothing had been able to for weeks. "I see." He murmured through sluggish lips.

She smiled, brushing her cheek against his, then she pulled away, stepping backward. He heard her leave. Did not open his eyes for nearly half an hour. He swallowed roughly, as he did. "You are lucky she is not a demon." He chided himself quietly, "She could have had your soul for the asking, and you'd have relished giving it to her. Once a slave…" He muttered, his voice growing more and more harsh. "My chains are burned into my skin…"

…

So, guys, how's it going? I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter, those who've reviewed are saying they do. :D I love the feedback. If you guys want to see something particular, review, I reply to all of them- I think. So sorry if I missed anyone. Hmm, so question, for anyone who wants to review but can't think of anything to say, what was your favorite mission, line, or character trait in act I of DAII?

Thanks for your thoughts.

E.D.