I apologize for how long it has been since my last update and for the shortness of this chapter. I was sick and then had to make up work from the time I missed from being sick. I had told myself that this chapter would be longer, but I am quite tired and will try to put that longer goal on the next chapter. I didn't want to delay this chapter any longer. Please forgive me and I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Six
"It's been a month, Varric, and we are still at square one!"
Hawke paced back and forth across the room she had claimed for her personal study. Over the past weeks, she had spent her time poring over any tome or scroll she could find on Danarius' work. Aside from brief mentions of his lyrium project, the search had thus far been fruitless. Hawke's shaking hand raked through her short hair as frustration overcame her for what felt like the millionth time. Every time she felt like she was on to a lead, it came to a dead end.
"Be patient, Hawke. There are answers, we just have to keep looking."
"Keep looking?! Looking where, Varric? We have searched through every written word in this estate three times over and there is nothing!"
Varric leaned forward in his chair and rubbed his hands down his face. Suddenly, a thought came to him. "Then maybe we should start looking outside the estate."
o..o..o..o..o..o
Fenris stood outside of the closed door watching both ends of the hall while his Mistress spoke with her dwarven companion. During his Mistress' search, he had become a shadow of a presence in the household. After the incident over a month ago, no other odd occurrences had happened between them. In fact, it seemed to him that she was going out of her way to avoid him. Though it was his job to protect her, he often found himself dismissed when she was around. Several times, Fenris had attempted to guard her on her travels into the city. Each time, she would either slip out without him knowing or she would plainly order him to wait behind for her.
Fenris stiffened as a familiar worry passed through his mind. Every day, he tried to find the point at which he had displeased his Mistress so severely. However, aside from her odd behavior a month before, he could find no reason for her actions. So, despite his immense frustration at the situation, Fenris continued to protect her in what ever small way he could find on the estate. Though this task had been mostly uneventful, he had come across the odd spy or two on the grounds while making his rounds. This was not an unusual happening in Minrathous. What was odd was the fact that when he was able to catch one of them, Fenris found him to be dressed in the crest of the Chantry. The man had refused to speak when Fenris had quickly interrogated him and had managed to break free and flee the estate before he could push for anything more than silence.
Suddenly, the room behind him became very quiet. Over the past hour or so that his Mistress had been inside, Fenris had been able to hear her voice slightly raised. However, no matter how hard he tried, he could not make out the subject of their conversation. Sensing that her meeting was coming to a close, Fenris retreated several feet from the door. Given her recent dislike to his presence, he did not want to incur any more of her ire.
Confident that they had the first steps of a solid plan, Hawke made her way from Varric's room and into the hall. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of him hiding the the shadows. A small part of her cried out at seeing him, but she had become very good at avoiding that pain over the past month. Letting a small sigh past her lips, Hawke began to walk in the opposite direction of her elf guard.
o..o..o..o..o..o
The night air wailed though the alleys of the unusually quiet city as Hawke, Varric and Isabela made their way to their destination. After her long discussion with Varric earlier, Hawke had decided that it was unwise to wait much longer to continue on with their plan. As they made their way out of the rich inner city, the wind and chill only worsened. A particularly strong gust pushed Hawke's cloak hood from her head and she saw a shadow move to her right. Pulling her staff from her back, she continued on her way and kept a sharp eye on each dark alleyway they passed.
Luckily, they reached their destination without incident, though Hawke and the others had caught short glimpses of their follower. Stepping up the few step to the battered door, Hawke took a deep breath before knocking loudly on the door. The trio waited in silence for an answer. Pounding against the door a bit louder, Hawke heard movement in the room behind it.
With much scraping and colorful word from the inhabitant, the door finally came open to reveal a small, elvish woman in a quite tattered dress. Hawke and the woman stared at one another for several seconds before a deep scowl came over the elf woman's face.
"What is it you want, Magister?" There was emphasis on the title, loathing practically dripping from the woman's words.
"It's a great pleasure to see you again, Varania. May we come in?"
"You dare to have the audacity to come to my home and act like we are like long-lost friends? Your ill-gotten title or no, I will not bend my knee for a worthless Fereldan like you."
Varania began to push against the door to shut it in their face. If not for the seriousness of the situation, Hawke would have laughed at the comical act. Seething at her inability to make a dramatic ending to her statement, Varania huffed loudly and stood in the still mostly open gap of her doorway.
"Leave. You are not welcome here."
"I think we got that impression..." A small, feminine chuckle came from one of her companions at the other's whispered words.
Also catching the slight, Varania's face contorted further in anger. "I will not stand for your insults! I am a powerful mage, with or without your lady's patronage. You will show me respect, you dwarven filth!"
Hawke took this as a cue to continue with their reason for coming. "Now now, Varania. We did not come to add insult to injury. We came to talk and see if we may be able to come to a mutual understanding on a few things. If you would be so kind as to show proper hospitality and let us out of this dreadful weather, I would be happy to explain this to you further."
Varania narrowed her large eyes at Hawke as if examining her words for any kind of trickery. Trying not to show any signs of desperation, Hawke kept her friendly smile plastered on her face. This was the only real lead they had to follow. If anyone knew details of Danarius' work or where his findings may be found, it was his former apprentice. They had to gain her trust to find out what information she may have.
After several moments of uneasy silence, Varania seemed to be satisfied with what ever she saw.
"Fine. You may come in, but you had best make it worth my time."