AN: This is the third chapter that I am uploading today (Dec. 7th). You may want to start at Chapter 26, if you have not read it already.
"I thought Aveline would have been here ages ago," Katherine muttered, looking out at the hustle and bustle from the Chantry steps.
"She is usually punctual," Sebastian commented. "Perhaps we should look for her."
Katherine sighed, again searching for the redhead. Aveline should have been there an hour ago. "Let's wait a little longer," she suggested. "Maybe she got sidetracked." She began to mentally check off things she had done today and reminded herself of what else needed done.
Sebastian's voice drew her from her thoughts. "So how goes the relationship with Fenris?"
"It is good," Katherine answered without a second thought. Something in her tone must have showed Sebastian that something was off, for he looked at her hard with his turquoise eyes. She tried to ignore him, but he did not cease staring. "It could be better," she finally added.
"Care to elaborate?" Sebastian asked.
"Not really."
"Perhaps I can be of help," he assured her. "From the outside looking in, your relationship seems good and healthy."
"Appearances can be deceiving?" Katherine said uncertainly, then shrugged.
"What is the problem?" he asked patiently.
She hesitated, not really wanting to share. Finally, she decided to, seeing how he was her best friend. "It's just . . . I don't know. He doesn't seem to care for me as much as I care for him." She looked away for a second, willing tears not to form in her eyes. She added quietly, "at least, not anymore."
Sebastian looked taken aback, when she again met his gaze. "I can't believe that to be so. Everyone can see how he cares for you. Perhaps you are mistaken. Fenris may not be entirely eloquent at sharing his feelings."
"That's not it," she stated.
"Then explain to me why you think he no longer cares as much for you?" he entreated.
She sighed, purposely not meeting his gaze. "Trust me, Sebastian, you don't want to know."
"I do," he assured her. "Come, Katherine, tell me the issue. Perhaps I can help you with it."
"He has been turning me down," she said quietly. He looked like he did not know what she was talking about, so she elaborated. "He has been avoiding me at times. When I invite him back to my place, he says no."
Sebastian thought for a moment. "Maybe he doesn't enjoy Isabela's company," he suggested.
Katherine wanted to roll her eyes, but didn't. "That is not it, Sebastian." He looked at her expectantly. She sighed in frustration. "He avoids it when I hint at going to his place, as well. It is not Isabela he is concerned about. It is sex. He has been avoiding sex with me."
Sebastian blushed and looked away. "I . . . uh . . . Oh."
She had to chuckle a little. "I told you that you wouldn't want to know."
She waited while he gathered his thoughts. After several moments, he seemed to get himself back in control. "You know, godineb yn bechod." (Translation: fornication is a sin) He paused a moment, no doubt waiting for his blush to subside. Katherine was fairly certain he spoke in his language because he would be embarrassed if a passerby overheard him speaking of such a thing. He finally said, "I would be willing to take your confession, if you wish. Since Aveline has not come yet, we could do so now." He grasped her by the wrist, as if to lead her into the Chantry. She firmly pushed his hand away.
"I have told you before, fy mrawd, (Translation: my brother) I do not need to confess to a man," she said wearily. She fished out the cross necklace from beneath her armor, holding it above slightly where he could see it. "I need only pray to my God for forgiveness, if that is my intent."
Sebastian shook his head slightly. "That is still so odd to me." There was a brief pause. "What do you mean by 'if that was your intent'? Surely, you would want forgiveness for your sins. You cannot simply go on sinning, when you know it is wrong, Katherine."
When he would have lectured her further, the sound of Tomwise calling her name drew their attention. The elf was panting and seemed almost in a panic. "What is it?" Katherine asked him.
Tomwise tried to catch his breath some, before he began to talk. "It is important. We cannot talk here. Follow me."
She looked at him oddly. "Why? We are to meet with Aveline here."
"She will not be coming," the elf blurted out. "It is Hawke. He was taken. They were all taken."
She stared at him in shock. "You can't be serious. Taken? Taken where? By whom?"
Tomwise narrowed his eyes some. "Trust me, Wren. You are not safe here. Follow me. We can talk safely in my home."
She looked back at Sebastian in question. "Let's follow him," he told her. "See what he has to say." She nodded in agreement.
"Good," Tomwise said. "Now follow me. Quickly. We don't have the time for questions here." So Katherine and Sebastian followed Tomwise as he very nearly ran from the Chantry steps.
