(AN: Well, this took long enough, but since my fellow writer posted a new update to their story, it meant I needed to get off my arse and finish this chapter and get it posted by the end of the week. And voila! Here it is at the end of the week!)
Kitty was still grinning at Michael whilst waiting on her younger brother to show up. Michael Westen on the other hand was still shaking his head at the redheaded rogue's personality, which ranged from the odd mild quirk to the outright silly. Movement outside his peripheral vision caused the ex-spy to turn, and was greeted by the leader of the Templars in Kirkwall and her second-in-command, Ser Cullen. Knight-Commander Meredith leveled an icy glare at the Ferelden rogue whose fortunes had turned for the better in recent months.
"I will have you know that disturbing the peace inside the Gallows is frowned upon, Serra Hawke."
Kitty looked innocently at the knight-commander.
"Oh? I didn't think I was disturbing the peace, Knight-Commander, I was just calling for my brother."
The older woman's blue eyes narrowed.
"If you wish to speak to a recruit then one of my Templars can summon them for you. Shouting in the Gallows is unwarranted, and frowned upon."
She turned her glare to the stranger, who held her gaze behind his glass eye coverings. Although she would never admit it, deep down inside Meredith Stannard was unsettled by the stranger Michael Westen and his attitude. Any denizen of Thedas, be they elf, dwarf, human or mage, quailed before the authority of the Templars. And she, the living embodiment of the will of the Chantry, could cause anyone, noble or criminal, to wilt under her piercing gaze. All save one, this ex-spy from Orlais with his odd clothes and weapons. Outwardly her cold demeanor betrayed none of her inner thoughts as she spoke.
"And you, Ser Westen, I have warned you before about threatening members of the Templar order."
Michael gave the knight-commander a dazzling false smile.
"And to what do I owe the honor of your charming scrutiny, my dear Meredith?"
She frowned again.
"Ser Kerras informed me that you threatened him, and all the Templars here in Kirkwall."
The ex-spy took a step forward.
"Did Sir Kerras also mention his courageous behavior in the presence of an Orlesian spy? Or the fact that he soiled himself and begged for mercy?"
Hawke immediately stepped between the two, trying to prevent an escalation.
"Now, now, Michael, what did I tell you about that Orlesian feistiness? Save your energy for the battlefield and the bedroom."
She turned away from the odd look Michael was giving her, and faced Knight-Commander Meredith, who had an equally puzzled expression on her face. Kitty smiled depreciatively.
"Oh, you know these Orlesians, they think just because they have the sexual prowess of a tiger and the stamina of a Kossith in bed that they can flaunt lawful authority and do whatever they want."
The knight-commander's eyes widened at Hawke's words, and for a brief moment the rogue thought she saw a light flush on the older woman's cheeks. It passed, and Knight-Commander Meredith turned to leave.
"Your fortunes within Kirkwall have improved much, if Viscount Dumar is seeking your aid."
She gestured with one gauntleted hand towards the steps at the back of the courtyard in the Gallows.
"I will leave you to your mission, Serra Hawke. You will find Ser Thrask over there, he will have the information you seek."
Hawke raised an eyebrow.
"But Knight-Commander, I don't recall mentioning that we needed to speak with Ser Thrask."
The commander of the Templars paused, and looked back at Varric, allowing herself a small and rare smile.
"You are not the only one who employs spies, Serra Hawke. Keep that in mind, if you wish to stay in the viscount's good graces."
Hawke watched as the commander of the Templars left, leaving Ser Cullen there. The Templar seemed to be back to his old spirits and smiled wryly.
"It would appear that the Knight-Commander can be flustered, after all."
He continued, and although Cullen still had a pleasant smile on his face, his eyes were back to scrutinizing the rogue.
"Your sister Bethany did not return with you, was she lost to the Deep Roads?"
Kitty glanced over to Michael, who gave a small nod.
"No, Maker be praised she wasn't lost to the Taint or Darkspawn. She is back in Ferelden, serving as an advisor to King Alistair."
Ser Cullen's eyes widened at the revelation.
"King Alistair? But how?"
Hawke shrugged.
"We met my cousin Karisma Cousland in the Deep Roads, she was the one who warned me of the dangers of exposing my sister to the Taint."
"The Hero of Ferelden is your cousin?" Cullen seemed dumbfounded, "But how?"
Kitty giggled.
"Well, her mother was my father's sister, and you know how relations work, don't you?"
The knight shifted uncomfortably in his armor.
"No, er, I…I apologize for the lack of decorum, Serra Hawke. But you see…during the Fifth Blight I accompanied the Hero of Ferelden, that is, Karisma Cousland, on her quest to defeat the Arch-Demon. She rescued me at the Circle Tower that was overrun by abominations and demons…"
Ser Cullen then went on to recount how the Hero of Ferelden had liberated the Tower of Kinloch Hold, and ultimately defeated the rogue mage Uldred. When he finished Cullen finally shook his head.
"I never thought that I would see the Hero's relatives in Kirkwall, of all places."
He gave a respectful bow.
"And had I known I might have acted differently around you and your sister."
Kitty grinned.
"Oh, no apologies are necessary, just have a large chest of loot sent to the Hawke Estate in Hightown and we'll call it even."
Cullen looked up from his bow and gave the rogue his characteristic scowl.
"Bribery is also frowned upon within the ranks of the Templars, Serra Hawke."
Michael took a step forward.
"Um, Sir Cullen, I think Kitty was joking."
Kitty started to protest, but before she could say that she was indeed serious the ex-spy continued.
"As it is, I now understand why you treat all unfettered mages with such suspicion. I can't see how anyone who endured what you did could not."
That seemed to satisfy the Templar,
"As you say, Ser Westen. Once you have seen the horrors and damage that a possessed mage can inflict, your perspective is forever altered."
He turned to Hawke.
"Nonetheless, I take back my harsh words to you before your expedition; if your sister is with King Alistair and Karisma then she is in good hands, and the risk of her becoming an abomination remote."
He turned to leave.
"I look forward to working with you in the future, Serra. In the meantime I leave you to your quest."
Kitty watched Cullen leave then turned and made a pouty face at Michael.
"What was that joking bit about? I was serious! You don't turn down an opportunity for free loot!"
Michael gave the rogue another flat 'really' look, but then saw another figure approach. It was Hawke's younger brother Carver. That seemed to pull Kitty out of her pout, she grinned and turned to Michael pointing.
"See Michael? It works every time."
She turned back to her younger brother and gave him a broad smile.
"So, how's the Wart doing?"
Carver frowned.
"I would appreciate it if you would refrain from calling me that, especially here in the Gallows. Already Ser's Glossop and Kerras have started calling me that."
He shook his head.
"The worst bit came last week, when Ser Cullen accidentally called me 'Wart'."
Kitty reacted by bursting out into laughter. Her younger brother glared.
"And that was the reaction of everybody in the barracks, except it was louder and more embarrassing."
Kitty regained her composure and shrugged.
"Oh, all right I promise I'll try to show more restraint."
She reached into her satchel and pulled out a small object wrapped in cloth.
"Here, Bethany sent you this."
Carver took the bundle and unwrapped it, only to let out a low whistle when he saw the object within the bundle.
"Look, Kitty! It's a genuine Templar insignia from the chapter's Order in Ferelden! And it even has the seal of King Alistair himself!"
The rogue ruffled her younger brother's hair affectionately.
"Bethany sends her love as well. She's doing rather well in the royal court as well. Although she did have trouble deciphering the silverware on the first royal banquet she attended."
Carver gave a small smile.
"And how is the Hero of Ferelden doing?"
Kitty giggled and punched him lightly on his armor shoulder.
"Oh, come on, Wart! She has a name you know. Kari is doing quite well, and if her displays in the Deep Roads were anything to go off of, she still hasn't lost her touch."
Her younger brother nodded, and glanced over his shoulder to make sure no-one was listening.
"If you write to Bethany soon do send her my love, and tell her that I pray to the Maker for her well-being every day."
Kitty returned her brother smile.
"Of course I will, Wart."
Ignoring the glare Carver was giving her, Kitty started off in the direction of Ser Thrask.
"Come on Michael! If we keep dilly-dallying like this we'll never get this mission finished!"
(AN: So a short chapter, but at least it progress, right? And I know I skipped the whole Coterie barker in Darktown for Ser Thrask because this was lent to more comedy and allowed the story to skip right to the good stuff. Next chapter shouldn't take as long, might even have it up before next weekend. Until then!)