Chapter 37

9:32 Dragon

City of Kirkwall

Riona's sleep the previous night had been restless, plagued by countless nightmares, and she had awoken drenched in cold sweat. The shocking discovery of last evening had made her cast doubts on her own ancestry and the history of her family, that now appeared to be much older than her mother believed. If it dates to the age of Tevinter rule here, there is little wonder they wanted to keep it forgotten.

She had awoken many times during the night with the horrible feeling of being dragged into someone's grand designs against her will, whether she wanted it or not, unable to avoid it, being swept by these mysterious currents of which she knew little of, but could start to sense their presence. There was a haunting thought at the back of her mind that her arrival in Kirkwall might not have been so completely up to chance.

Amongst all this, the spirits of Fade must have sensed her emotional vulnerability, for they had whispered to her more insistently in her sleep, offering her answers to the questions tormenting her, promising aid to break her sister free from the Circle. The temptation was lately getting more challenging to resist, but resist she did, stubbornly clinging to the lessons taught by her father.

Having eaten, Riona felt a little better and soon her attention returned to the assignments she had been entrusted with. She was not looking forward to either of the tasks, visiting the Gallows again or the Qunari compound. For the meeting with the Arishok, she supposed she wanted Fenris along, but... she wasn't sure she wanted to go see him and ask for his aid just yet. She felt in enough emotional turmoil as it was, without adding more to it, as these 'talks' with Fenris always seemed to do. That left only Emeric and the Gallows, and she wanted to have someone along with her there as well. And the only one she trusted to not cause any problems on the trip to the templar nest was Varric Tethras.

A short trip to the Hanged Man followed, and without much hesitation she walked upstairs and was about to knock on the door of Varric's fancy little hideout, when she became aware of voices inside. Riona just barely managed to withdraw from the door, when it was knocked open and a young man with dark hair pulled back in a ponytail left in a hurry, his departure accompanied by Varric's voice. "And do tell me if there is any more Coterie activity near the clinic!" he spoke loudly so that his companion rushing down the stairs would hear him, then quietly adding to himself. "Blondie has enough trouble already without those thieves going after him."

At that moment, Riona stepped back into the view, grinning sheepishly at her friend. Varric looked surprised to see her, an expression rare for the cunning dwarf. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important," she offered.

"Not at all, Hawke," Varric smiled, stepping aside and gesturing her to enter. "Come right in."

"So... Varric's rumored spy network isn't just a figment of people's imagination, eh?" Riona grinned, deciding to sit on the edge of the table, finding it just the right height while hoping doing so wasn't a great offense to dwarven sensibilities.

"I prefer to just call it... brotherhood of concerned citizens," Varric shrugged, taking a seat himself, but not choosing the table.

"Brotherhood of concerned citizens? That's a good one!" Riona laughed. "Anyway, is Anders in trouble? I am surprised you would actually help him!"

"He's not all bad, Hawke. We've shared many a drink in this time... must be more than a year now? And he has all those fascinating stories from Ferelden to tell me," Varric said. "But yes, Coterie are expanding their extortion racket and they consider Blondie's clinic to be a business worth targeting... even if he doesn't charge any gold for his services. I have tried to... discourage them, Anders really doesn't need this on top of the templar problems."

"What templar problems?" Riona asked, immediately alarmed.

"Ah, I guess you hadn't heard. They have become a lot more aggressive lately," Varric explained. "He's been telling me about templars on his doorstep, poking around, sweeping Darktown refugee camps for more apostates. Their presence in the Undercity was always very light."

"I wonder what has changed that? Are they looking for Anders in particular? They are still on trail for those Chantry murders?"

"He doesn't think so. Blondie thinks it's just a sign of Knight-Commander's growing paranoia and getting out of control even more."

"Just what I wanted to hear. That probably means she has increased the security tenfold at the Gallows. I just hope I can ever get Beth out of there," Riona sighed. "Still, nice of you to look out for Anders, when you didn't have to."

"Maybe I'm looking out for you as well," Varric winked. "You just don't know that because I am exceptionally stealthy."

"You don't have to, really. In fact, our partnership is formally concluded after the Deep Roads expedition, I'm not honestly expecting everyone of the group to stick together," Riona said. "I'd certainly love if you'd stuck around, though. Sometimes a trusty dwarf is an apostate's best friend."

"Oh, I don't plan on going anywhere, Hawke, you can count on that," Varric said earnestly. "The others are still around too, except Isabela and Bethany, of course, and I'm sure you can call on any of us if you have need."

"I suppose, though... Anders and I are not always on best speaking terms, Aveline is mostly too busy to spend time with me, and Fenris is just... eh, I..." she hesitated, seeing something like curiosity in Varric's eyes. "He's just frustrating at times," Riona finished quickly. "That leaves you and Merrill, and you know how that elf can be sometimes."

"Worry not, Hawke," Varric said, standing up and bowing deeply. "Varric Tethras, always glad to extend his help to beautiful women."

"Again with the beautiful," Riona chuckled. "You're making me wonder here, fortunately or maybe sadly, I know nothing of dwarven courtship manners!"

"I'm sure you don't want to know anything about that," Varric grinned. "It might involve a great less talking than I do and more getting hit with a hammer on the back of your head and being dragged off to the lair of a male dwarf."

"Hah! I'd love to see you try that!" Riona laughed.

"I don't want to spend the rest of my life as a lump of charcoal, thank you very much," Varric said, smiling broadly. "Besides, it wouldn't be proper. You're the heroine and I'm the storyteller. I'm supposed to remain objective, here!"

"Varric Tethras, the objective and trustworthy historian?" Riona looked at the dwarf with her most dubious stare. "You'll have to excuse me for feeling a little doubtful! Besides... this tale seems to have settled into a boring story of domestic Hightown bliss. I should apologize for not supplying you with enough material."

"Ah, but I sense that is about to change," Varric replied, his enthusiasm undeterred.

"You really think this is going somewhere?" Riona asked, for once serious. "If so, where?"

Varric looked at her, his nonchalance fading. "I don't know, Hawke. I just feel it in my bones. It's going to be something big. Trust me on this."

Riona suddenly looked uncomfortable, remembering her discovery of last night, the cryptic hints of her fate and destiny. She wanted to stop thinking about this, needing to put her mind on something else... like the business she had come here for in the first place. "Well, maybe the proposition I came to you with will mark the start of these events," she said then. Varric suddenly looked very interested. "I need to go to the Gallows and speak with our old friend Emeric."

"The templar-investigator?" Varric asked. "Don't tell me, the white lily killer is back?"

"He believes so," Riona answered. "It's up to us to prove him wrong."

The Gallows seemed more empty and glum compared to her previous visits there, many months ago. There were less templars roaming about, perhaps it was true then that Meredith had increased the amount of patrols, looking out for apostates in the city. With the corner of her eye she saw a familiar figure of certain templar quickly heading back to their barracks shortly after her arrival. Did Cullen really think she would make a scene? Or maybe he thought she would think him responsible and try to exact bloody revenge?

Looking around for someone familiar to speak with, they quickly noticed Thrask, talking with rather unpleasant looking bald, eagle-eyed fellow templar who gave her and Varric a dirty glare before barking something to Thrask and hurriedly walking off.

"Mistress Hawke, so good to see you," Thrask greeted her warmly. He then turned to look at the templar he had been talking to. "You might wish to make yourself more... inconspicuous, when you meet Ser Alrik next time. He is one of those who would not be deterred by your newly acquired social status, if he had recognized you."

Ser Alrik? The most widely hated templar amongst mages, even more so than Meredith herself, the man who had ordered dozens to be made Tranquil? Shiver passed through Riona as she stared after the man. "I trust you received my messages about your sister?" she nodded absentmindedly at Thrask's needlessly polite inquiry. "Unfortunate situation, but we all knew that any carelessness on your part, and we won't be able to help either of you. Rest assured, she is well taken care of."

Carelessness, I guess that's what they call it, Riona thought bitterly but declined to comment. "It's alright, Ser Thrask, I'm not here about my sister," she said plainly. "I'm looking for Emeric. Do you know where he can be found?"

"Being put on a simple guard duty by Meredith, I fear," Thrask shook his head sadly. "His 'investigation' caused him no small amount of trouble... I guess that's why you are here, yes?" Riona nodded. "Wait here, I'll replace him on his post long enough so that you can talk."

"Much appreciated, Ser Thrask," Riona bowed her head.

They didn't have to wait long for the grim, gray-haired templar to emerge from the barracks and approach them in a determined step. "Serah Hawke, you've come," he spoke excitedly. "May I hope you are here to help with my investigation? Our killer... he has returned!"

"Are you sure?" Riona asked. "The guard didn't seem to think you had enough proof."

"Bah, the guard..." Emeric looked exasperated. "They just don't want to get involved. I looked into the last three disappearances. All three women received flowers from a mysterious suitor and shortly afterwards were never seen again."

"That is significant," Riona admitted, wondering how Aveline hadn't acknowledged this detail as being important enough. Perhaps that part of the information hadn't even reached her ears.

"More significant is that I finally have a suspect," Emeric said. "A man named Gascard DuPuis, descendant of Orlesian nobility."

"What is it about him that aroused your suspicions?" Riona asked.

"Gascard is a reclusive nobleman rarely seen outside his estate in Hightown, and someone who personally knew two of the murdered women and has been seen inquiring about the others," Emeric explained. "I just know he's hiding something!"

"Amongst Hightown nobility, everyone is hiding something," Varric laughed. "But he's also reclusive, that's a big hint to something not being right here!"

Riona grinned. "I was told you already urged the guard into checking the estate of this DuPuis, but turned up nothing?" she turned back to the templar.

"Yes. That is the reason why I'm stuck here in the barracks and unable to continue my investigation," Emeric replied, clearly unhappy. "The guards who searched the mansion were clearly incompetent."

"That can't be right, I now Lieutenant Eustice rather well and she's not known to be sloppy," Riona shook her head.

"Perhaps she didn't know what to look for?" Varric suggested.

"That is possible," Emeric admitted after a moment's pause. "...in fact, yes, I suppose if what I suspect is true..."

"What would one need to look for?" Riona wondered.

"Blood magic," Emeric replied grimly, looking at her firmly. "Guards would not sense any hints of it, that is true. But you... you would."

"Me? You expect two upstanding members of society like Lord Tethras and myself to just break into a nobleman's mansion?" Riona gasped, feigning shock, much to Varric's amusement and Emeric's incomprehension.

"I badly need outside help with this, Serah Hawke," the templar said. "Gascard must be stopped, do you not agree? What if he went after someone you cared about?"

"It's alright, Emeric. We'll help," Riona smiled. "We shall check out the DuPuis mansion at the earliest opportunity."

"I truly appreciate you doing this," Emeric shook her hand, then Varric's. "Now I better head back and relieve Thrask, he's doing me a big favor here."

"I'll return soon with the news," Riona said, as the templar withdrew to return to the barracks. "I guess we should be off then," she told Varric, about to turn around and leave only to be interrupted again.

"Hawke!" it was Cullen's voice. The young Knight-Captain was all but running towards her, holding something in his hand. "I must speak with you."

"Knight-Captain?" Riona turned towards him, as he caught up with her and Varric.

"First of all," he started, carefully looking around to make sure no one was listening in. "I want you to know that the order to retrieve your sister did not come from me. And once it had been done, I was powerless to stop it."

"I knew that already," Riona said simply.

Cullen looked relieved. "I do believe that the Circle is place for all mages to be in. Even for you," he said pointedly, but Riona held his stare without budging. "But you had my word, and I will not be seen as a man who breaks his promises."

"There are no ill feelings on my side," Riona spoke. "I know who those responsible are."

"Then you know that you not only have made powerful friends, but also powerful enemies," Cullen said. "Beware, Hawke. By remaining free, you have so far done much good for the templars, and also for the mages, which is why I have allowed for this to continue. Do not give me a reason to change my mind."

He's warning me not to rescue Bethany, isn't he, Riona realized. Well, too bad for him that I won't listen. "I shall endeavor my best to be the model citizen amongst the Hightown nobility." She glared at Varric's amused snort. "What?"

"Take this, Hawke," Cullen then passed the envelope he had been holding in his hand over to her. "It's from your sister. Starting from this day, we are moving her out of the quarantine and she will be able to write and receive letters, and if she behaves well enough, we may allow for visitors and brief walks out in the courtyard."

"Your charity will be mentioned in my prayers to the Maker," Riona replied, watching Cullen recoil slightly, as if slapped by her sarcasm. "I apologize... that was uncalled for, I know you are doing what you can."

"I am and try to remember that, Hawke," Cullen said, tight-lipped as he bowed his head stiffly and left them alone in the courtyard, Riona holding her sister's letter in her hand.

Soon after leaving the Gallows, Riona parted with Varric and rushed straight home to read Bethany's letter, alone at first before showing it to mother, in case it contained something disturbing. And in a way, it did, as she started to read through it.

Riona, my dearest sister,

First and foremost, I'm so glad you're alive! So many people here have been telling me that you will surely perish in the Deep Roads, many of them gloatingly, but I knew better. I'm told we have our estate back! Sure... I may never see it myself, but... I'm happy for you and mother. Just don't end up here like I did, alright?

I guess by now you've found out who put me here, eh? Be careful with them, I implore you. They probably plan to use me to keep you in line, threatening to hurt me or to put me through Tranquility... I suppose those threats are real... I've seen Varnell together with Alrik many times, and we know what Alrik is like, right? So... uh, I can't ask you not to do the right thing... but know that it may have consequences for me... but you already realized that, I'm sure.

Some of the templars here are decent like Thrask and Cullen. Now that I'm allowed to write letters, they say they can get mine to you without them being read by three other templars before they deem it's harmless enough for you to read... I didn't expect it to be so restricting even with the stories we heard.

The other mages aren't really all that nice, I expected better from them at least. Someone we both know might be at fault here, remember that Starkhaven woman, Grace? She's here and none too happy about us putting her in the Circle. She has... tried to make my life miserable, but fortunately she was moved out of quarantine some months earlier. But now that I'm relocated, I'll meet her again... not looking towards that. She has made friends here, and I think she's been turning people against me, against us both. Have you ever heard about the Circle politics and their factions? There are some called the Resolutionists, violent and aggressive group and they try to fight templars at every turn... and I think this Grace is now one of them. We turned a mage, one of our own, over to the Circle, so we are traitors to them all. For that, she and her new friends will no doubt try to make my life a living nightmare.

I've met First Enchanter Orsino a few times, and he seems nice enough. He even gave me a few books to read and there was a really interesting one about the history of the Kirkwall Circle. I wish I could get you that one to read for yourself, but the most important thing I've learned is that this Circle has a much more troubled history than any other. More mages here do not survive the Harrowing for whatever reason, almost double than Starkhaven and Ostwick. A lot more mages here turn to blood magic than anywhere else. You gotta wonder why that is so? Maybe something to do with the research we started poking into? Maybe mention this to Merrill, perhaps you can figure something out.

I need to wrap this up now, Cullen is here waiting for me to finish. I wish you all the best and don't do anything stupid, alright? Hug mother for me and tell her I'm doing fine, but don't show her the letter. She doesn't need to know some of the things that would alarm her too greatly. Send my love to Merrill and give her lots of hugs from me, I miss her somewhat terribly and I'm sure she feels the same. Hugs for the others too, Varric and Aveline especially, and about A. I am sure he'll try something to get me out of here, tell him not to do something rash and stupid, alright?

Love,

Your sister Bethany

Riona's heart was beating alarmingly fast when she finally finished the letter. She had forgotten all about that damn Grace. Bethany was in far more trouble than they had thought and needed to be rescued from that place as soon as possible, and then probably sent away from Kirkwall. This could not be delayed for long.