Varric had asked the twins to meet him in the Hightown Market after dark, concerning something he'd heard from a contact. As usual, Anders and Fenris were tagging along, and Isabella figured there might be some fun involved as well. However, when they all met up, it was only their group, and the Market was quiet. Varric began to pace, eyeing the shadows all around them. "Varric, there's no one here," Amber said, staying close to Adia and Anders.
"I'm not sure what's going on. Edge is usually very reliable," the Dwarf replied.
"Edge? That's his name?" the healer asked with a chuckle.
"Hey, it beats "My name is where I'm from"," Isabella retorted.
"...Point taken," he replied.
"Varric, are you sure about this? What if it's a trap?" Adia wondered, giving him a playful look. "This wouldn't be the first time one of your "contacts" set us up."
"Hey now, it's not always an ambush!"
"Except when it is," Fenris shot back. The words were no sooner out of his mouth then an entire gang of thugs and mercenaries burst out of hiding, weapons at the ready.
"You spoke too soon, my friend," Adia giggled as she patted Varric's shoulder.
"You die here, Hawkes!" a man shouted, walking towards them. However, a dagger embedded itself in his shoulder, and he dropped to the ground. A redhead Elf leapt from the nearest rooftop, and proceeded to hand some of the mercenaries' asses to them quite easily. She paused for a moment to stare at the twins.
"Hey, now would be a good time to fight back!" They had been watching in slight shock and awe, but quickly dove into the fray and made short work of their enemies. The newcomer stood up from examining a body, clucking her tongue. "Sloppy. The Crows are normally better than this," she commented.
"Only some of them," Isabella quipped with a smirk.
"I'd say thank you, but your timing is rather convenient," Amber stated, staff still out. Both Anders and Fenris were standing in front of the twins, weapons raised.
"Well, she technically wouldn't be the first Elf to lie to get our attention, now would she?" the redhead rogue reminded them, grinning at the back of Fenris' head as she lowered her bow. The warrior sighed and sheathed his weapon.
"You have made your point, Adia. We shall hear her out."
"Thank you. My name is Tallis," the redhead Elf introduced with a slight bow. "I had hoped our introduction would have a little less bloodshed, but..."
"Not to worry, the Hawkes are used to this sort of thing," Varric explained.
"As odd as that sounds..." Amber said with a sigh.
"Well, there was no bloodshed when we met you, Varric," Adia mused.
"Well, I'm here to ask your help in... Recovering a jewel from an Orlesian named Duke Prosper, who has no right in possessing it," Tallis continued. Adia's ears pricked up, and she started bouncing on her toes.
"A jewel? What kind of jewel? Is it expensive?"
"It's called the Heart of the Many, and it is valuable, just not how the Duke thinks." Varric smacked his hand into his palm, turning to the girls.
"That's what Edge was on about! Remember a few months ago, when the Viscount had that party? Duke Prosper was talking about a hunt at his estate in the mountains." Amber frowned and folded her arms.
"I remember thinking I'd never want to go to something like that. And you want to rob him?" she questioned Tallis. "What makes you think we just steal things because people ask us to?" Isabella shrugged and held up her hand.
"I would."
"Um, I may have talked you two up... More than once..." Varric said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
"Why am I not surprised?" Adia asked with a grin. "Did you also tell her Amber can shoot fire from her eyes and I shoot lightning from my bow? Or how about we eat small children for breakfast and drink the blood of virgins for power?"
"That would make you Tevinter," Fenris stated.
"That would make you frightening," Anders countered.
"That would make things interesting," Tallis teased, a small smile on her lips.
"That would make us awesome, actually," the archer realized.
"Look, it's not like I exaggerate... Much... Besides, stealing from Orlesians is never wrong, or so I've been told," the storyteller told them.
"No, and it's rather fun, too!" Isabella gushed.
"What's the catch?" Anders wondered, staring at the Elf rogue. "No one ever wants our help unless there's a catch.
"Anders has a point," Adia agreed. "There's always something else going on when people ask for our help." She gave Fenris a sideways smirk. "Like retrieving things from a chest only to find out that we're supposed to help with killing a magister. Or the time we went after a fugitive but didn't find out until we got there that it was really a magistrate's son."
"Or when we travel to the Deep Roads only to be almost sealed in by my bastard of a brother?" Varric added.
"That too," Amber said with a shudder. Even after three years, she didn't like thinking about that trip.
"Well, the catch is that the Heart of the Many is in the most trapped vault at Chateau Haine, which is supposed to be an impregnable fortress. Also, it's located in the middle of the mountains in Orlais, which is crawling with monsters," Tallis explained, kicking at a pebble on the ground.
"Oh, is that all? Sounds like a challenge," the pirate quipped.
"Sounds like another day in Kirkwall," Adia giggled.
"I am forced to agree with you," Fenris said as he rolled his eyes. "Is there ever going to be a normal day in this city?" Varric shrugged and shook his head.
"Probably not, and you're looking at the two ladies who get involved with it all, Elf." The warrior groaned and put a hand over his eyes.
"I know..." Adia lightly bumped Fenris with her hip.
"You act as if you don't enjoy every minute of it! Without us you'd be moping around your squalid mansion all day."
"So, does that mean you'll help me?" Tallis asked, looking hopeful.
"Are we really going to trust some random woman who leaps off buildings during an ambush by the Crows?" Anders demanded.
"Hey, I had nothing to do with that!" she shot back, hands on her hips.
"I didn't say you did."
"We've trusted crazier people. What do you think?" The redhead Hawke asked her sister. Amber gave the healer a sly grin.
"You have a point, sister," she admitted.
"Hey!" he shouted, eyes wide.
"I'm teasing," she told him, laying a gentle hand on his arm. "Well, going to Orlais will get us out of Kirkwall for a bit. Maker knows we could use a break."
"That's the spirit!" Isabella said, pumping a fist in the air.
"Can we visit the Chantry there?" Adia asked, grinning a little too wide. "I want to see if my plan to overthrow them might work."
"Please tell me you don't mean the Grand Cathedral," Anders said, going pale.
"I've heard it's quite lovely. But... Overthrow them?" Tallis wondered.
"It was an inside joke from long ago," Adia replied with a shake of her head. "At any rate, when are we leaving?"
"As soon as you're ready. Meet me back here, and we'll set out as soon as possible." Varric started heading back towards Lowtown.
"I think I'm going to sit this one out. Someone needs to be here to watch over Daisy." Amber gave him a sideways glance. He never turned down an opportunity for more fodder for his stories. But he was right about keeping an eye on Merrill.
"You sure?" she asked. He turned and winked at the mage.
"Just tell me all the details when you get back, Fire Eyes." Adia was also staring oddly at the Dwarf.
"Oh! So we get to write the story this time? How do you know we won't tell our own version of it?"
"What do you think I do with you two?" he replied with a shrug.
"Wonderful… You'd better not be embellishing me in any of these wild tales," Fenris warned.
"Only when it suits me, Broody."
"I want to hear some of the embellishments," Adia told him, tilting her head.
"Another time, Birdie. For now, you should probably get home and pack for your excursion." With that, he headed down the stairs and out of sight.
"We need to tell Mother," Amber brought up.
"Are you three joining us?" Adia asked of their remaining companions.
"I wouldn't miss this for the world, sweetie," Isabella told her.
"Because I'm going to let Amber just jaunt off to Orlais without me?" Anders questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"You need someone reliable at your back. I am going," Fenris stated.
"It's settled then. We'll meet back here in an hour or so and we'll get going," the archer said to them as they all went their separate ways. As Adia, Amber, and Anders approached the front door of the estate, the mage sighed and chuckled.
"It's still odd to consider this my home..."
"You'll get used to it," Amber promised, taking his hand.
"And if you don't, I'm sure Mother and Amber will force you to," Adia teased as she opened the door and whistled for Diego. The Mabari came running in from the sitting room, followed by Leandra at a much slower pace. Diego put his paws on his mistress' shoulders and licked her face. She giggled and gently pushed him down to all fours and pet him, scratching behind his ears and under his chin.
"Welcome back. Did everything go well tonight?" Leandra wondered.
"About as well as can be expected when it's an ambush. Such is the life of the Hawke twins it seems," the redhead quipped. The older woman's eyes went wide.
"An ambush! Maker's breath, are-"
"Mother, we're fine, we promise," Amber told her.
"Nothing the girls couldn't handle," Anders added. She visibly relaxed.
"Well, you seem all right. I just wish that things weren't always so crazy around here." Adia shrugged and smiled.
"Life would be boring then, Mother. You need excitement in your life! And speaking of such, we're apparently going to Orlais for a few days."
"Orlais? Whatever for?"
"Well, we were invited a while ago by Duke Montfort to participate in one of his... Hunts," Amber replied, still not sure about this whole thing.
"Prosper invited you?" Leandra asked, a grin on her face. "Why, that's wonderful! My childhood friend Annette married him. It would be wonderful to see her again."
"Wait... You want to come with us?" Anders wondered, looking at the twins.
"Mother, we're um..." The rogue put a hand behind her head nervously. "Mother, we're not really going to Orlais for pleasure. It's more or less a job."
"Well, while you work, I'll socialize," she retorted, still smiling.
"Mother... This might be dangerous," Amber attempted.
"Nonsense! It's the Montforts. They are perfectly sane, wonderful people." Adia leaned over and whispered to her sister:
"No one we know is "perfectly sane"..."
"I know, but I don't think we're going to convince Mother to stay here."
"Girls, is there something wrong?" Leandra wondered, watching them hold their hushed conversation. The redhead shook her head and smiled at her.
"No, Mother. Nothing is wrong. Go and pack if you want to come with us. We're leaving pretty soon. Anders, Fenris, and Isabella are joining us as well."
"I won't be long," she promised hurrying up the stairs after hugging her daughters. Anders watched her go and sighed heavily.
"I'm just going to go on record as saying: This is not a good idea." Adia frowned and echoed his sigh.
"I know it's not, but it's not like we can tell her no. Besides, she'll be fine if we just leave her with the other nobles."
"The other nobles are what worry me. If they're anything like the nobility we have here... Ick," Amber quipped, making a face.
"They're Orlesian. It'll be worse," the healer warned.
"You are not making me feel better about this."
"That would be the point, love." Adia grinned and patted her sister's head.
"It'll be fine. If anything at least we get to wear fancy dresses and eat fancy food and pretend we give a nug's ass about this whole nobility thing. Besides, it's been boring around here lately. This could be fun!" The dark-haired girl shrugged.
"I guess. But only if everyone has to wear fancy clothes." Anders was halfway to the stairs when she said that, and he turned around, looking confused.
"Wait, what?" The rogue gave a wicked grin and rubbed her hands together. She was already plotting something.
"Oh, that'll be amazing."
"What, seeing Isabella in a dress, or Fenris in something other than armor?" her twin wondered.
"Plus Anders! Everyone dressed up would be amazing! If only the rest of the group were coming." She turned to Amber and grabbed her shoulders with an excited look. "We have to have some kind of party when we get back and require them all to dress up. I have to see this!" The mage shared the evil grin for a moment.
"Deal!"
"Do I get a say in this?" Anders asked, looking a little fearful.
"Nope!" his lover replied, racing upstairs to pack. He blinked and swallowed nervously, hoping to get some support from Adia.
"Why am I going again?"
"Because it will make my sister happy and she enjoys having you around. Also, your healing comes in handy." She gave him a pat on the back.
"Adia, I'm not nobility. I don't know the first thing about how to act around them. What if I mess something up and embarrass Amber?" But the archer shook her head.
"You're worrying about embarrassing her? Anders... She's related to me. I embarrass her all the time. I doubt there's anything you need to worry about. Nobility or not, I'm sure you were taught manners at some point, right? Just stick your nose up in the air and pretend you're better than everyone." He smirked and chuckled.
"I think I can manage that," he agreed, heading upstairs as well. Diego tilted his head at his mistress and gave a short bark.
"You're coming too, boy," she told the Mabari. "Let's go get packed up, okay?" With Leandra leaving instructions with Bodahn, the Hawkes and Anders made their way down the street. Adia spotted Fenris leaning against a building, as if waiting for them.
"There you-" He looked up, and his eyes widened in slight shock. "Lady Amell, what are you doing here?"
"Good evening, Fenris. I'm coming with you. I know the Montforts, and this will be a nice change of pace for me." Adia gave the warrior a sheepish grin.
"Mother wanted to come. She wasn't going to be talked out of it."
"Are you certain that this is wise?" Fenris asked, knowing that even though it wasn't, there was no way he was going to be able to convince Leandra to stay if her own daughters couldn't.
"That's why Diego is coming as well," Amber informed him.
"Leandra will be fine," Anders predicted. Fenris gave the healer a sideways glare.
"I will make sure that she is." Anders looked ready to retort, until Leandra sighed and stepped between them, a stern look on her face.
"Boys, no fighting on this trip."
"Listen to Mother, boys," Adia cautioned. "You're both not too old for a good old-fashioned whooping from her." Fenris pulled back, blinked, and shifted uneasily. Anders hung his head and whispered.
"Yes ma'am." Isabella then sauntered around the corner.
"Well, hello my little - Oh, Leandra... What are you doing here?"
"Coming along."
"Oh balls..." the pirate swore softly, frowning a bit. There went any fun she'd planned to have on this trip. However, Adia heard her and tilted her head in confusion.
"...I have balls if you want to play with them, Isabella. They're Diego's, but I'm sure he'll share." Everyone stared at her, and Amber pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Adia, that's not - You know what... Never mind," she said, waving her hand in dismissal. Leandra was just staring at her daughter, shock and horror on her face.
"The Market?" Anders asked.
"The Market!" Isabella agreed.
"And hurry..." Fenris added under his breath. Adia pouted for a moment, but then shrugged and skipped ahead of the group, Diego trailing after her.
"I'm not even going to ask. I'm going to be happy in my ignorance." By the time they reached the Market, Tallis was pacing around the now-body-free area. When she saw everyone, she smiled slightly.
"Is this everyone?" she asked, eyes sweeping over them all.
"It is. Oh yes, Mother, this is Tallis. She's our... Guide," Amber introduced.
"How do you do, Tallis. You may call me Leandra." The redhead Elf raised an eyebrow, but took the news in stride.
"Pleasure to meet you, ma'am. You're coming as well?"
"To see my childhood friend Annette Montfort again, yes." This brought a grin to Tallis' face. That bit of information might come in handy…
"Oh, I see."
"Well then, now that we're all here, let's get a move on," Adia told them. "I'm anxious to see what all the fuss is about over Orlais. Not to mention I don't mind saying goodbye to Kirkwall for a few days." They began heading for the main gate, and Tallis dropped back to walk between the twins.
"Does your Mother know why we're going?" she whispered, making sure Leandra stayed well behind them.
"Nope, not a clue," the archer admitted. "She really wanted to come and we couldn't say no to her. She knows we're going for a job, but that's about it."
"We'll make sure she stays out of any "business" we do," Amber promised.
"Very well. I just hope you don't regret letting her come."
"She'll be fine. If anything she'll be a distraction to some of the nobles. Mother likes to talk," Adia explained.
"Right then," Tallis said with a shrug.
It was a few days journey to Chateau Haine, and by the time they reached there, the hunt seemed to be just starting. The girls approached Duke Prosper, but a Chasind man with a large double axe on his back stepped in front of them, a stern look on his face. "Um, we're expected?" Amber told him, feeling her heart speed up a bit.
"Hi there, oh tall and scary one. Ahh... The Duke invited us?" Adia added, looking him up and down. The Duke saw them and came over, smiling broadly.
"Ah, the Hawke sisters!" He looked at the Chasind. "These are honored guests." As the large man stepped back, the Duke chuckled. "Please excuse Cahir. A polite bodyguard is a contradiction in terms, or so I am told."
"It's quite all right. We're accustomed to big men with sharp weapons greeting us that way. Usually there's more bloodshed though," Adia flippantly replied.
"I'm sure. I've heard many stories about you two," he told them, still chuckling. Then he saw their mother. "Andraste's tears, is that you, Leandra?" She stepped forward with a smile and curtsied to him.
"So nice to see you again, Prosper. My daughters were kind enough to allow me to come with them. Tell me, is Annette with you?"
"She is indeed. Please, make your way into the Chateau, and have the servants show you to the sitting room. She will be overjoyed to see you!" Leandra turned and gave the twins a quick hug.
"Good luck, girls. And be careful." She then looked at Fenris and Anders, pointing to her children. "Keep them safe."
"Yes Leandra," Anders replied with no hesitation.
"Of course, Lady Amell," Fenris told her.
"We'll be fine, Mother," Amber assured her.
"We'll be fine, Mother. We're good girls, remember?" Adia reminded her with a grin. "Have fun with your friends." As their mother made her way past the hunters and into the Chateau, Duke Prosper turned to the group once more.
"I must say, I had not expected you to come to this hunt. Neither of you expressed any interest when I visited Kirkwall. But yet here you are, along with your manservants and two lovely ladies."
"Manservants?" Fenris asked, bristling a bit. Anders started snickering. Adia turned to the warrior, a playful smile on her face.
"Yes, quiet manservant," she mock-commanded, giggling and turning back to the Duke. "Mother had caught wind of your invitation and convinced us to come. Hunting isn't exactly our thing, but Diego here could use the running about, can't you boy?" She patted the Mabari's head, and he barked. Isabella and Anders were both laughing behind their hands as Fenris alternated glaring at them and Adia.
"Duke Prosper, Anders isn't my manservant. He's my… Suitor," Amber corrected. The older man shrugged and winked at her.
"He could have been both, my dear. One never knows."
"Right, moving on... Please..." Anders begged, turning red.
"The wyvern hunt is just beginning. The first to find and slay one of the creatures wins all honors and bragging rights at this evening's party." Adia stepped back from the mad Elf and hid next to Isabella.
"A wyvern? What's a wyvern? It sounds like something you'd eat."
"Dangerous beasts that spit poison. Also rather large, with sharp claws. However, their poison is highly valuable."
"Oh, why?" the red-eyed girl wondered.
"It is distilled into a drink called Aquae Lucidis, a libation enjoyed even by the Empress herself," the Duke answered, looking proud. Everyone appeared stunned.
"...You drink its poison?" Adia finally asked. "Why in Andraste's flame-stained knickers would you put poison into your body?"
"You really should try it," Tallis spoke up. "You'll be seeing purple dragons in the sky for days." The mages both stared at her, jaws hitting the floor. Fenris composed himself enough to shrug and say:
"...Might be fun."
"Might be? That would definitely be fun!" Isabella quipped. Adia looked at her sister, eyes wide and a smile stretching from ear to ear.
"I have to try this."
"NO!" her group shouted, knowing that was the last thing they needed on this trip. The Duke looked them over again and laughed.
"But here you are wasting valuable time. You don't want the others to get the wyvern before you, do you?" he asked. The archer shrunk back from everyone and pouted for a moment.
"I suppose not. Where would we find this wyvern?" Prosper pointed towards the edge of a large forest.
"Through there are the hunting grounds. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll think of some way to lure one out."
"Don't worry, we will," Tallis assured him. The Duke and his bodyguard headed towards the hunt, and another man approached them.
"My name is Gabriel, chief huntsman for Duke Prosper," he introduced with a bow. "Forgive me for this observation, but none of you strike me as hunters. If that is the case, I would offer a word or two of caution regarding the wyverns."
"We could use all the help we can get, messere," Amber acknowledged.
"Any insight to a beast we've never fought before is a good thing," Adia agreed.
"Wyverns are tricky creatures, but also fast and extremely temperamental. The most dangerous thing about them is their poison. They can either spit it, or coat their teeth and claws with it for even greater damage. The poison is fatal, so for the Maker's sake, try and either flank them, or blind them first."
"Wait, the poison is always fatal? What about healers? Doesn't anyone bring one or two with them?" Anders wondered, taken aback by this news. Gabriel shook his head.
"The poison wreaks havoc with magick, messere. It is one of the chief ingredients of Magebane, after all." Amber and Anders both looked at each other and paled.
"Oh, well that's not good," Isabella said with a frown.
"Mage-what-now?" Adia asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Magebane is a poison heavily-used in Orlais. It strips mana from a mage, or makes healing someone injured by it twice as difficult," her sister explained.
"Not something we want to deal with," Anders added.
"And if this wyvern spit is the main ingredient, it's safe to say we don't want to get it on us, either," the pirate reasoned.
"Well then! We wouldn't want this to be too easy, now would we? That would make this whole trip a waste of time!" the archer huffed, throwing her hands in the air.
"There is a way to counteract the poison," Gabriel continued. "A salve made from equal parts drakevein, Andraste's mantle, and winterberry. All of these things also grow on the mountain. Do you know what they look like?"
"I do," the healer replied as he and Amber both nodded.
"Me too. Thank you very much for your help," the dark-haired Hawke said.
"Be careful, and do not take foolish risks. I would hate to see any of you ladies injured for this sport."
"Thank you, messere. We'll try our best to come back in one piece," Adia told him, regaining her composure as they headed out. When they broke through the line of trees, the travelers beheld a breathtaking landscape: Small jagged peaks poked out of a forest that seemed to stretch endlessly before them. A breeze ruffled their hair, and all around were men and dogs frantically looking for traces of the wyvern. However, a moment later, Fenris grabbed Adia's shoulders and slammed her into a tree.
"Manservant?!" he shouted, markings flaring. "You would degrade me in front of these... People, for your own amusement!"
"Eep!" the archer squealed, flattening against the tree and staring up at the Elf for a moment. Shock was momentarily on her face before she frowned and started squirming.
"Easy there, killer. Adia's just having fun," Isabella reminded him.
"Get off my sister!" Amber commanded, eyes narrowing.
"Fenris, it was a joke. I didn't mean it to be disrespectful," she tried to explain.
"Well it was! Don't treat me like I'm still a slave. You could have even said I was a bodyguard! Just... Why that?" There was anger and hurt in his voice, even as the light from the markings died down.
"Fenris, I will not tell you again: Get your hands off my sister." Adia heard the crackle of lightning, and goosebumps raced up her arms. "Now."
"Let her go. You should know Adia's humor by now," Anders pointed out.
"Do not think to give me orders, abomination!" Fenris shot back, taking his eyes off the redhead and glaring at the blonde. He should have known better, for the rogue growled and pushed herself off, grabbing the warrior by his shoulders and spinning their bodies around so that he was the one slammed into the tree. She heard the trunk crack slightly, but ignored it.
"When have I ever treated you like a slave? It was a joke, Fenris. I would never, have never, and will never treat you like a slave. I'm sorry if that offended you, but I meant no harm, and you should know that by now." Then she leaned in and whispered: "And don't you dare call Anders an abomination ever again."
"Or what?" he asked, voice just as low.
"Do it again and find out. Just remember, you only know half of what I'm capable of." She let him go, frowning a little as she pulled back, almost like she was hurt, and continued walking. Isabella raised an eyebrow and nodded at the elder twin.
"See Amber, your sister can more than handle Fenris." Amber gave her sister a sideways glance as the spell died on her fingers.
"I... Maker's ass, she's stronger than she looks." Tallis, having watched the exchange in silence, caught up with the other redhead.
"Problems at home?" Adia gave her a funny look.
"What do you mean?"
"You and Fenris. You two fight like that all the time, or is he just easily offended?" Adia blinked for a moment and then snickered.
"Oh! That. That's normal. One of us usually ends up against a wall... Or a tree... Or pillar... Or a gate... Or whatever solid surface happens to be around."
"Oh, someone likes it hard and fast, does she?" Isabella teased. Amber stopped dead in her tracks and put her hands over her ears.
"I'm not listening! I did not hear that!" Tallis started laughing.
"Ah, never can tell just from looking at someone, I guess." Anders was snickering as Fenris blushed for a moment.
"It is not what you're thinking, Tallis, despite Isabella's comment," he quickly stated. Adia tilted her head, greatly confused by Isabella's comment.
"...Who likes what hard and fast?"
"I meant that you like-" But Amber cut the pirate off.
"No, stop! Do not explain! Let's just find a wyvern and be done with this."
"So, what are we supposed to do anyway? Beat the bushes with sticks?" the healer wondered, looking around the area. The archer stuck her tongue out at her twin.
"Really! I would like to be in on some of these jokes I apparently don't ge-" She cut herself off when she heard the suggestion about bushes and sticks. "I like your idea."
"I have a better plan: We look around for signs of what a wyvern might like, or if there's one in the area," Tallis proposed.
"Or we could do that, and the mages could go beat the bushes... With sticks..." Isabella quipped, grinning at Amber and Anders, who both turned scarlet.
"Well they do have their staffs. They could whack at bushes and find things faster that way," Adia agreed. Amber realized that this was going to be a long trip…
"Adia, that's- No... No, I am not explaining this."
"Yes, let's just get this hunt started," Anders agreed. Diego came bounding back from wherever he'd go, barking at them. Adia was glad the hound had been preoccupied, or he might have attacked Fenris during their little "misunderstanding". She dropped next to the Mabari and scratched his head.
"What did you catch wind of, boy?" He took off running up a hill, and the group followed. They came across a puddle of blood that looked relatively fresh. The hound stood next to it, looking proud. "Good boy!" Adia praised, rubbing his ears. "Look at this!" Amber paled for a moment at the sight of the puddle, but regained her composure.
"That's a lot of blood."
"Is that from a wyvern, or prey?" Fenris asked.
"I've heard they fight for dominance. Can't be gentle," Tallis told them.
"Is it all right if I pretend that wyverns are small, fluffy, bunny-like creatures?" Isabella brought up, looking a bit skittish. She didn't mind danger, but this suddenly seemed like a fool's errand. The rogue Elf smirked at her.
"If you want to get killed, sure."
"Bunnies with sharp pointed fangs that'll tear your throat out," Adia teased, grinning at the pirate.
"Well, we might be able to use this blood to draw out rivals," Anders suggested, pulling out a small flask and bottling the blood. Diego suddenly froze, ears going back as he growled and took off further up the trail, barking like mad.
"He's got the scent of something," the warrior said as the archer chased after her hound, nocking an arrow just in case. The others followed her lead.
"Diego! You better be careful!" As they crested the hill, there seemingly waiting for them was a small pack of dragonlings, along with two actual dragons. Diego made sure his mistress was in range before diving on the closest one. Everyone else drew their weapons, and it didn't take long for the creatures to fall.
"Well, not the right type of lizard-thing, but maybe the Duke won't know the difference?" Isabella offered with a shrug.
"Do dragons and wyverns even mix?" Tallis wondered with a shake of her head. "I don't think so."
"You mean they're rivals as well?" Fenris questioned.
"They might be. Do we even know what a wyvern even looks like? Maybe we can just paint one of these and bring it back," Adia added hopefully.
"Somehow I doubt that. The Duke seemed to know a great deal about these creatures," the healer reminded them.
"The Montfort family has been hunting them for six generations now," their guide informed them. "However, we can probably use a part of the dragon as bait, if we find the right spot to set it down." Adia looked to Diego as Fenris grabbed a piece from a carcass.
"Well, so far you're the best hunter in this group. Find us a spot to set up this hunk of meat." He started sniffing again, and followed another trail back down. Again they saw the larger group of hunters, but the hound blazed right past them.
"I've heard that wyverns roost in the trees. Maybe if we shake them?" one hunter was heard asking.
"I think we've found something!" another called out.
"Nicodemus! Sylvain! Here boys!" This man seemed to be looking for something else, and approached the group. "Excuse me, but have you seen a pair of coursers around?" Adia raised an eyebrow at him.
"You... Lost your hounds?"
"They took off after a stag not ten minutes ago, and I haven't seen them since. Nicodemus should know better, but Sylvain never had an ounce of sense in his head. Please, if you see them, can you let me know? Maker knows I'd be heartbroken if anything happened to them." Diego whined softly, and his mistress gave him a reassuring pat, but glared at the man.
"We'll look for them, but you better keep an eye on them from now on. Letting your hounds get away from you is very irresponsible."
"Believe me madam, I know. Thank you for helping me." He headed off, still calling out: "Nicodemus! Sylvain! Please come back." Diego again put his nose to the ground, seeming to follow another pair of hunters. As they all raced after the Mabari, Anders veered off the trail and stripped the leaves from nearby plants.
"Drakevein?" Amber asked.
"Yes. I'm not taking any chances with that poison."
"Diego, don't you run too far off!" Adia cautioned. He stopped a little ways back from the men he'd followed, who were bending over a giant hole in the ground.
"I think we found a nest, or some-" A small creature suddenly jumped on the one, planting a spear in his throat. It laughed as more came leaping from the hole, killing the other unfortunate man. The group was momentarily taken aback.
"What in the name of Andraste's flaming naughty bits is that?" the archer demanded, bringing her bow up.
"Ghasts!" Tallis replied, leaping onto the nearest one and driving her daggers into it. "Cave creatures."
"Who cares what they are! Kill them quickly!" Isabella advised. There was hacking, slashing, arrows, and spells flying for a few minutes. Soon, small, misshapen bodies littered the clearing.
"Nasty things!" Amber spat, shivering for a moment.
"Nasty is an understatement!" her sister countered. "Why can't we ever encounter any normal creatures on these little adventures? Like nugs with rabies, or crazed thugs?"
"We see enough thugs in Kirkwall, don't we?" Fenris shot back.
"And nugs with rabies are... Not fun," Tallis added. "C'mon, let's keep looking." Seeing that there was nothing else to do in this area, Diego headed back down the trail towards another section of the hunting grounds. The others followed, when something HUGE leapt across the path, and everyone stopped dead.
"AH!" Adia screamed, flailing back into Fenris, who caught her.
"Are you all right?" he asked, as she got her breathing under control.
"Please tell me that wasn't a wyvern..." Isabella said softly.
"Andraste's flaming knickers! It's gigantic!" Anders stated, his arms protectively around Amber. Even Justice was awed by the sheer size of the beast.
'Kirkwall and Meredith suddenly seem much safer than here,' the Spirit mused.
"And people hunt them for sport? Idiots," Fenris quipped, frowning a bit.
"I want to go home..." Amber whispered, clutching Anders jacket. The healer hugged her until she stopped shaking.
"Sweetheart, it'll be fine," he promised. Adia finally managed to look up at Fenris with a sheepish grin as she wiggled herself upright.
"Yes, I'm fine." Then she looked sideways at Tallis. "This jewel better be worth as much as you've made it out to be. Because if that is what we have to fight I swear to the Maker I will spank you with a large stick." Isabella raised an eyebrow, fear momentarily forgotten
"Do I get to watch? Because that would make it worth it for me too."
"You worry too much! I'm sure they look worse than they are," the rogue Elf assured them with a wave of her hand. The group started forward once more, albeit slower this time, and eyes on the trees. When they broke through cover, a lake was just a bit further down the path, the peaks still jabbing up through the forest And right in the dead center of the path… Was a giant, steaming pile of crap.
"Well, at least we're going the right way," Fenris mused, covering his nose.
"Maker, that stinks!" Amber said, holding her sleeve over her face. Adia sighed as an idea came to her, taking off her gloves and handing them to the warrior. Then she rolled up her sleeves, shoved her hands into the pile, and came out with some bones.
"Well, at least we know what it eats..." she told the others, who looked slightly nauseated. All except Tallis, who looked excited.
"Oh, nug bones! I wonder if a nug call will attract one..."
"You know a nug call?" Anders asked, looking perplexed.
"She goes elbow-deep in wyvern shit, and I'm the weird one?"
"Considering who we hang out with, her knowing a nug call isn't all that strange," Adia reminded the healer as she giggled. However, when she looked at her hands, she frowned. "I didn't really think that one through." She started wiping her hands on the grass in an attempt to clean them. Amber tapped her sister's shoulder.
"Um, Adia... The lake?" There was an audible pause as the twins locked eyes.
"...I knew that." As the archer wandered over to the water and started washing up, Anders spied the last ingredient he needed for the anti-wyvern salve.
"Hey, winterberries!" He grabbed a handful, and then pulled out a mortar, pestle, and container from his pack. "Now I've got enough for a few applications." Barking reached their ears, and Diego responded and took off, looking like he was calling to a smaller hound that was running up from around a bend.
"Oh Maker, he's made a friend. I've lost my hound..." Adia quipped, taking off after him again. "Diego! You don't run up to strange dogs, you know better than that!" The two hounds stared at her, and the rogue saw that the new one had a collar with a tag bearing the name "Sylvain". He barked excitedly, turned in a circle, and then ran off a little way, looking at her.
"Does he want us to follow him?" Isabella wondered. Diego barked and tugged gently on Adia's belt.
"Diego seems to trust him." Then she gave the hound a playful smile. "If we walk into an ambush you're not getting any bones for a week." The group followed the other dog, and he led them to a secluded grove, where another dog lay whimpering and cowering. Blood was all over its leg, and a gash went from its paw to its shoulder.
"Oh, the poor thing!" Tallis exclaimed. Adia's jaw hit the floor as she rushed over to the injured dog, dropping to her knees next to him and lightly patting his head.
"Easy boy, we'll get you fixed up. Just hold on..." She looked at Anders. "Is there anything you can do?" He knelt down, healing magick glowing on his hands as he sighed.
"Well, good thing we have that salve. Spreading it across the gash on the hound, the healer frowned as the poor creature started shivering. "Oh, forgot about that. Winterberries sap the heat from your blood, but it makes the poison spread slower." Amber dropped next to her sister, laying both hands on the dog's back. A faint heat shimmer enveloped the animal, and its shivers ceased.
"There we go," the red-eyed mage said, smiling at her twin.
"See, all better," the archer told the dog, putting his head in her lap as she continued to pet him. After a few minutes, Anders started healing the hound, and the dog stood up a moment later, licking all of you. The twins giggled, but the blonde was less than amused, and gently but firmly pushed the affectionate beast away.
"Oh gross..." Adia flipped the dog over and rubbed his belly.
"Someone feels better, doesn't he? Good, puppy!" Diego watched the attention being given to someone other than him, and whimpered. The redhead pulled him closer and gave him a rubdown. "Oh, don't worry. You'll always be my number one guy."
"Well, I guess we can't keep him, can we?" Tallis asked with a smile. "His owner is probably waiting back at camp." Then they all heard:
"Nicodemus! Sylvain! Where are you?!" Immediately, both hounds took off, barking excitedly. Adia stood slowly, fists clenched at her side.
"...I want to beat their owner. Who lets their hounds run off and get hurt like that?" As the group exited the grove, the man from earlier was now on the ground, being licked by both animals.
"You're safe! Praise Andraste!" Then he saw Adia. "Madam, I am forever in your debt. Any boon you wish, tell me, and I will grant it if I can."
"Sir, those dogs are a gift. You'll never find a more loyal friend and companion. A master who lets his pets run off and get injured is not worthy of them. What I want from you is your word you will never let them out of your sight again. You have no idea how close you came to losing one of them," she sternly replied. Shock and horror were clear on his face as her words set in.
"Losing them?! No..." He hugged both dogs. "You have my word that I will never take my eyes off them again." Diego gave a short bark, and the other two answered, all three wagging their tails.
"...I take it they're all friends now?" Fenris asked.
"Aw, puppy love!" Isabella gushed, giggling a bit. Adia seemed pleased by the hunter's response, and nodded at him before turning to the warrior.
"More than likely." She bent down and hugged Diego tightly. "But he's still my best friend." The hunter and his hounds took their leave, but not before the man pressed a few sovereigns into the archer's hand. Diego started walking back towards the lake, and they saw a small trail heading up another hill.
"Well, want to try up there?" Tallis suggested.
"Couldn't hurt," Adia replied. "So... We've got the meat and we know what they like to eat; now all we need is a spot to set up the bait." As the group climbed higher, everyone realized that it was quiet... Very quiet. Tallis spoke first.
"Hey, what happened to the birds and... Everything..."
"Everyone stay alert," Fenris cautioned, one hand on his sword. Isabella drew her daggers and looked at the mages.
"I get bit, I am screaming my fool head off, understand?"
"Just keep alert," Anders shot back, staff in hand. Adia drew her bow and snapped her fingers, calling Diego back to her side.
"I don't like this at all. Something doesn't feel right."
"Well, this is probably a good spot to set up everything," the redhead Elf stated. Fenris laid out the piece of dragon carcass, Isabella put out the other bait they'd found, and then Tallis took the flask and splashed the wyvern blood on herself.
"What in the Maker's name are you doing?!" Amber demanded, eyes wide.
"What? The prey has to be moving, doesn't it?" She starts jumping around, making odd noises. "Get ready!" Anders' jaw nearly hit the ground.
"She really does know a nug call." As Adia watched Tallis basically make a fool of herself, she shook her head.
"...Okay, she's most definitely the weirdest person we know." A minute or so later, they heard trees cracking, and a large creature landed in the center of the clearing, its roar nearly deafening the group.
"Wyvern!" Tallis screamed, drawing her blades. The sheer power and size of the creature had everyone's eyes nearly pop out of their heads.
"HOLY ANDRASTE ON LYRIUM!" Adia swore. The creature proceeded to launch a glob of orange... stuff at the group, who scattered. It hit the ground, which sizzled and turned black.
"I'm guessing that's the poison?" Anders called out.
"Who cares; just take it down before it does that again!" Fenris retorted.
"Ew!" Adia squealed, dodging the goo and beginning to rapidly firing at the thing. She decided to get up on a fallen tree to better take the high ground. The wyvern was fast and vicious, never remaining in one spot for long, and forcing everyone to race around. Finally, it appeared to be on its last legs, but charged towards the archer, knocking Isabella, Diego, and Amber down. It lunged at the girl, jaws mere inches from her head. Fenris' markings flared, and he rocketed forward.
"Adia!"
"Get out of there!" Tallis warned. Amber looked to the Mabari as they both scrambled to their feet.
"Diego, we have to help her!" Adia screamed and tried to dodge; jumping to the side and putting her arms in front of her face.
"I'm too cute to die!" A moment later, she heard a "crunch", but felt no pain. She opened her eyes to see why, and fear stabbed through her: Fenris was in front of her, one arm pushing her back, and the other in the wyvern's jaws. Poison dripped from the creature's mouth, sizzling on the Elf's arm and the ground around him. However, his sword had gone through the creature's skull, and it dropped dead.
"FENRIS!" She yelled, trying to pry open the wyvern's mouth. "You silly man, what did you do?!"
"Kept it from taking off that pretty head of yours..." he explained with a wince. The others ran over and got the creature off him, and Anders dove into his pack and grabbed the salve. But when he went to apply it, the Elf pushed weakly at him.
"Do not touch me..."
"Are you mad?! You need this, you stubborn Elf!" Isabella took the container.
"I'll do it." Amber pulled the healer away as he shook his head. Adia glared at Fenris through the tears forming in her eyes.
"He was only trying to help. Why do you have to be so stubborn all the time?"
"I don't need his help..." came the soft retort.
"Funny, because from where I'm standing, you do," Tallis interjected.
"He'll be fine, sweetie," Isabella assured the younger Hawke. "Anders, do we have bandages?"
"In my pack, like always." The pirate tossed them to Adia, even as Fenris started shivering, and swore in Tevinter. After the archer bandaged the wound, she untied the red strip of cloth at the end of her braid and used it to secure the wrapping. Then she hugged the Elf, knowing her sister wasn't about to use her magick to help him.
"Don't scare me like that," she gently admonished.
"I am in no danger of dying, Adia."
"And that's thanks to Anders making that salve!" Amber called over, looking annoyed. The blonde placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"It's all right. Let him think he could handle everything himself." Fenris eventually stopped shivering, and smiles slightly at the redhead.
"See, I'm fine now." He cringed as he moved his arm. "Mostly..." She gave him a half-smile and a quick kiss on the forehead before helping him stand. Then she looked at Anders and gave him a full smile.
"Even though I know he won't say it: Thank you."
"You're wel-"
"Well, if it isn't the Ferelden turnips!" a new voice interrupted. A group of armored men came towards them, the lead one obviously a noble. "I am Baron Arlange. You must be the Amell twins I have heard about. It is rumored that you used to be nothing but gutter trash, but are now nobles. Quite an achievement, I'm sure." Even if he hadn't actually turned up his nose at them, his tone of voice sounded like he had.
"I sense trouble..." Amber whispered.
"I sense an idiot..." Isabella added. Adia was staring wide-eyed at him, mouthing the words "gutter trash" with an annoyed look on her face.
"...Well, it's nice to meet you too."
"You have stolen my rightful kill!" the Baron continued. "I paid good coin to win the hunt this time, and this wyvern was mine to take down! Mine! Mine! Mine!" He even stamped his foot for emphasis, and the group all turned to stare at one another. Diego started growling, ears flat against his head.
"...Oh my Maker," Adia said when she found her voice again. "Are you five? Are you really throwing a temper tantrum over this?" She put a hand on Diego's back to calm him, and felt the tension in his frame.
"I'm sure we can come to some arrangement, Baron," Amber politely told him.
"You step away from the wyvern, and you get to keep your tongue in your head! That is the arrangement!" he countered, pointing at her. Anders was in front of her in a second, blue veins dancing across his skin.
"Are you threatening her?" he asked, voices intermingled.
"Now see what you've done? You don't want to see him angry, Baron. Trust me on this," Isabella warned the noble with a smirk. Tallis was staring at the mages, eyes wide. Adia frowned at the Spirit/healer.
"Anders... Justice... Whichever one of you it is: Now is not the time to go all glowy. Not here."
"You would spare him, Adia Hawke?" Justice asked, now in full control.
"Just walk away, Baron. These girls have nasty little men like you for supper," Tallis said, hoping to diffuse the situation. But that was not going to happen…
"More insolence! From a knife-ear this time!" Arlange screamed.
"Is that the best you've got, human?" Fenris wondered, eyes narrowed. But Adia had heard enough, and looked at her Mabari.
"Get. Him," she ordered, voice like ice. The hound vaulted forward, teeth bared.
"Kill them! We can say the wyvern was too much for them!" the baron ordered his men. However, either they were not as well-trained as they should have been, or they vastly underestimated their opponents: The fight was relatively short, and the Baron was soon the ground, Diego standing over him, biting and snarling. Around him lay his dead men. Suddenly, Duke Prosper and his men arrived on the scene.
"What is going on here?" the Duke asked, looking at the twins.
"Prosper, these she-bitches tried to steal my kill!"
"Now, now, is that any way to speak of the Amell-Hawkes? They have just as much right to kill a wyvern as you do," the other man replied with a shake of his head. Adia looked at the Duke, eyes still narrowed.
"He insulted my friends. My hound is hungry now. Either do something with him, or my hound is going to eat."
"Wait, are you serious?" Tallis asked, going pale as she turned to the archer. "Just let him go... He can't be any more than he is. He's not worth your time."
"We can make him worth it," Amber pointed out.
"We've been here before, Tallis. He'll only be more trouble later," Fenris brought up. Isabella shrugged and nodded.
"Killing him now makes everything easier in the end." Adia grinned evilly.
"Oh good, we all agree. Have at it boy." The snap she gave Diego was louder this time: A signal for him to do what he was bred for. As the others (save Tallis) watched, the Mabari tore he man's throat out.
"My apologies for his rudeness, my dear ladies," the Duke said after the deed was done. "However, my congratulations on finding the wyvern. It is a fine specimen indeed. Shall we return to the Chateau to prepare for this evening's party?"
"Sounds fine to me," Adia agreed, petting Diego and whispering to him what a good boy he'd been. Then her stomach rumbled, and she blushed. "...And my appetite agrees with you." As the Duke and his men departed, Tallis sighed heavily.
"Was that necessary?"
"Of course it was. Adia does not take insults lightly," Fenris explained.
"Much as I hate death, I agree with what happened," Anders said. Justice had retreated once the danger had passed, and he'd need to have a talk later with him abut keeping hidden in enemy territory. The rogue elf blinked at the healer, frowning.
"What are you, exactly?" she finally asked. He shrugged and gave her a lopsided grin. She wasn't trying to kill him, so maybe she wasn't so bad.
"Depends on who you ask: Mage, Grey Warden, Abomination-"
"Lover," Amber put in with a small smile. Adia appeared to be thinking something over as she looked at her sister. And then suddenly, she had an epiphany:
"EW!" she screamed, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. Her twin have her an odd look, not understanding what the issue was.
"What?! It's not exactly a secret."
"Sweetie, did you just realize something? Anders and your sister have been together for over a month now," Isabella told her, chuckling.
"Is... You... MY LIGHTS WERE MOVING!"
"What?" Anders wondered, completely confused. Adia turned scarlet and spun on her heel, heading for the Chateau.
"I hate you. All of you. You're all bad people." Passing puzzled looks around, the others followed her.