He looked into the mine because he was part owner. Not because Aveline had told him to. Next thing he knew, Hubert was going on about thieves and Lothering and missing shipments and he was interrogating some poor idiot. At least he managed to talk Hubert out of having the man killed.

Then it was time for the actual killing. Revenge killing, for his dead employees. And a hunt for those responsible, then more revenge killing. As it turned out, this being Kirkwall, violence did solve problems.

And then, giant spiders. Undead. Arcane horrors. Rusty pickaxes. Then a vow to let Bodhan continue to handle all business affairs. Apparently, just him expressing an interest in anything made it all go to hell.

#

"How are you so successful with men? You're not that pretty." Aveline narrowed her eyes at Isabela.

"Cast a wide enough net, and you're bound to catch something." Isabela gestured.

Aveline laughed. "At least you're willing to admit it."

"Trust me. I've heard, "Get away from me, you pirate hag!" more times than I care to count."

"Doesn't that bother you?" Aveline raised an eyebrow.

Isabela gave her a blank look. "Why should it? They don't know me. I know me."

Gabriel sighed. He tossed the bag up, and then bent to boost Fenris out of the hole. Fenris reached down to help pull him out. Aveline emptied the bag. Four sovereigns, a rotting hat, and what had once been a very nice Dalish style short sword before the blade had rusted through.

"Well, it's a relic," Gabriel said. "Maybe Castillion won't be picky."

Isabela threw up her hands and made a vexed noise. Merrill smiled. "Well, at least it's a nice day. And the view is lovely." She gestured out towards the sea, then frowned and narrowed her eyes. "Um... Aveline?"

"Yes?"

"Why are your guards hiding?"

#

They approached the area quietly. A guard caught an arrow in the throat. Gabriel moved in quickly, and managed, just barely, to keep the man from bleeding out. Aveline nodded at the young woman who appeared to be in charge. "Lieutenant Harley?"

"Aveline?" Harley breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the Maker."

"I take it you know each other," Gabriel said, dragging the wounded guard to a more sheltered position.

"Harley is one of the guard, recently promoted."

Harley nodded. "This disaster is my first 'routine' assignment." She raised an eyebrow at Gabriel.

He shrugged. "I happened to be in the area. Seeing the sights, killing bandits. The usual."

"Not the best time for jest." She shook her head. "Bollocks. We're up against Evets Marauders."

"You're certain about that?" Aveline's voice became concerned.

"Fell Orden's up there." She gestured. "And Viktor Longdeath's handiwork you've already seen. We tried two sorties up the path, but it's trapped to oblivion. Now I'd be thankful just to get out of here alive."

"No fair, guard dog." One of the bandits started yelling taunts. "You've brought friends."

"Shut your mouth," Harley yelled back. The bandit only laughed. Aveline really was neglecting the 'witty repartee' part of guard training. He'd chat with Brennan about it later.

"Fell Orden? Viktor Longdeath?" Might as well find out what exactly he was in for here. "What are you talking about?"

"They've been robbing and raping for Maker knows how long. Did a broad daylight assault on the Keep to rescue one of their number two years back." Harley shook her head. "Fell Orden, a blood mage, is here. Viktor Longdeath. Sophie."

"Maker." Aveline shook her head. "You certainly drew a fine first detail."

Gabriel looked around at his comrades. Fenris and Isabela both nodded. Merrill was watching some clouds. "The longer we wait, the more of us they'll kill. Let's attack now."

"I'm with you. But my men may be too rattled to join us." Harley looked around at the wounded men.

"Get as many of them as you can, and let's go."

"Men, we're taking the battle to them. Look out for traps. Be careful, Evets Marauders are deadly."

He made a note to also suggest they work on their 'inspirational speeches'. Really, guarding didn't have to be all about hitting the bad guys with swords.

#

He threw up a barrier as the guards started to move, then summoned a tempest into the bandit's positions. The bandits fled the lightning into their own traps and the waiting swords of the guardsmen. Then he narrowed his eyes, and focused on taking down the blood mage. It was over in minutes.

"That should be the last of them." He wondered idly if they should have bothered to take any of them alive, then shrugged.

Harley was just staring. Slowly, a smile spread across her face. "They're all dead? I..." She clapped one of the other guards on the shoulder. "I can't believe it. I'll tell Lieutenant Jalen at the Keep what you've done. I'll make sure he rewards you."

"Good work yourself, Lieutenant." Aveline gave her a proud nod. "Make sure the others know it."

"Men, we're heading home."

Aveline smiled as she watched her guards leave. "Thank you all."

"Rescuing guards in distress?" Gabriel shook his head. "It's what we do."

She reached out and messed his hair affectionately. "And it's appreciated. All I'm saying. Let's head back in. I could use a drink."

They hadn't gone far when Aveline glanced at Isabela. "You're right."

Isabela gave her a confused look. "About?"

"About knowing who you are." Aveline spread her hands. "I'm the captain of the guard. I'm loyal, strong, and I don't look too bad naked."

"Exactly." Isabela nodded. "And if I called you a mannish, awkward, ball-crushing do-gooder, you'd say...?"

"Shut up, whore."

"That's my girl."

Fenris just shook his head as Gabriel ran a hand over his face.

#

"…then Hawke tore the door clean off its hinges, walked into the room, and..." Varric looked up, and waved his audience away. "I guess we'll finish this later."

Hawke greeted him with a cheerful smile. "Have you got a minute, Varric?"

"Of course, Hawke. Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you." Varric gestured for Hawke to follow him into his room. "People say you and that elf - you know, the angsty Tevinter one - are becoming quite the item. So, what's going on, Hawke?"

"Well, well, well." Hawke waggled his eyebrows and gave Varric a flirtatious grin. "I never thought you were the type, Varric. I'm flattered."

He put a hand over his heart. "Hawke, I know I'm damned near irresistible, but you're just too high-maintenance for me. Sorry." His tone became more serious. He liked the elf, but... well, after the incident at the slaver pens, he was frankly a bit surprised the two of them were still, well, whatever they were. "Listen, as your friend, I feel like I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't say anything. You do know the elf is covered in spikes, like an angsty porcupine? He might have some... issues."

The look Hawke gave him was amused. "In all the time you've known me, have I ever given you the impression that I was turned off by crazy?"

He laughed. "Okay, point taken. What'd you need?"

"I lost a bet with Isabela. So... apparently, I'm holding a Wintersend party."

"What were you doing that you lost a bet that involved a Wintersend party?"

#

He spent the afternoon helping in the clinic. Once the work started, the slight awkwardness between him and Anders vanished, and things seemed to settle back to normal. Well, what passed for normal, anyway.

After the clinic was emptied, he glanced over at Anders. "I brought you something. It's shiny and subversive. I thought you'd like it." Gabriel tossed the parcel at Anders.

Anders caught it, and smiled. "You got me a gift? I hardly think I've done anything to deserve that. Is it a..." He looked down at the contents. "That's a Tevinter Chantry amulet. Do you want me to get executed? It's sacrilege to wear those in any land under the Divine."

"Here I thought you fight for mages' rights, whoever's bad side that puts you on."

"I like it. Maybe not on the outside of my clothes - I'm not that eager to face the hangman's noose - but I appreciate the thought." He turned it around in his hands contemplatively. "I never really thought about what life would be like in the Tevinter Chantry. In the Circle, they make it sound like the Void itself. The Black Divine, stalking Thedas, making it unsafe for kittens and virgins."

"I haven't noticed too many of either in Kirkwall."

Anders laughed. "And fewer every day, I suspect. I appreciate the gift. Perhaps one day I can return one as meaningful."

"So Isabela is making me throw a Wintersend party. You coming?"

"Sounds fun."

#

Merrill was sitting with her head in her hands. It was a few moments before she realized he was in the room. "Oh. Hawke. Come in. I..." She sighed. "Was just..." She turned to face him. "Am I crazy?"

All his friends were crazy. "Yes, but in a good way." It's why they were his friends, after all.

"I thought the arulin'holm would fix everything. The mirror would work, and everything would be right again..." She sighed. "But I keep dreaming of Pol's face. Everyone that I care for thinks I'm a monster."

He sat next to her, and draped an arm over her shoulders. "I don't think you're a monster, Merrill."

She snuggled into him for a moment. "I don't know what I would do without you. You're a true friend, Hawke. Someday, I'll make this up to you, lethallin."

"Come to the estate for Wintersend, and we'll call it even."

#

"You really should post some guards outside your estate, considering all the trouble you get into." Fenris glanced around as he entered the estate.

"If I hired guards and told them to keep troublesome people at bay, I'd never get to see any of you," Gabriel said.

Orana took the bottle of wine Fenris offered, and went back to fussing over the table. She'd really outdone herself on the meal. Brennan had taken up a position by the kitchen door, glaring every time Varric tried to sneak in to 'taste test'. Isabela was deftly moving through the room, attempting to keep Aveline between her and Gamlen. Why had he invited Gamlen? Had he invited Gamlen? Maybe he should hire some guards.

"I think dinner is ready, master."

"I'll chase everyone to the table. And don't call me master."

"Yes master."

Merrill sat next to Aveline, chatting away amiably. "You must have really liked the Hawke family."

"Why do you say that?"

"You came all the way from Lothering with them, didn't you? And they're not even your clan."

"Humans don't have clans, Merrill."

"Exactly! You came so far together, and you didn't even have a Keeper to make you get along."

"So your Keeper tells you to stop kicking each other, or she'll turn the aravel around?"

"Sometimes she also warns us to stop pulling hair," Merrill said.

Bodhan served a second course, and they all fell to happily, sharing the occasional story. Gabriel smiled. It was good to see everyone enjoying themselves. He'd been privately surprised that Saemus had actually come, but the young man did seem to be having a good time.

"Does the city guard never ask where you wander off to with Hawke?" Fenris asked Aveline.

"I am on a 'special investigation'."

"And what does that make me?" Gabriel asked.

"Someone who is helping me with my investigation."

Fenris chuckled. "How benevolent of you, Hawke."

"I'm a giver." Gabriel grinned.

After the meal, Orana got out her lute and played for them. Isabela dragged Maecon into a dance, and a heartbeat later, Donnic did the same to Aveline. Varric bowed, and offered Merrill his arm to enter the dance. It took Brennan a few moments to work up the nerve then she asked Sebastian to dance. Gabriel hid a smile in his glass as he saw Moira pull Anders in as a dance partner. Harley tried to get Cullen onto the floor, but the man demurred with an almost panic stricken expression. She shrugged, then came over and asked him. He smiled, and joined her.

As the evening began to wind down, Donnic cleared his throat nervously. Then, much to the delight of everyone present, he went down on one knee and asked Aveline to marry him. It took her three tries to get out a yes that wasn't a squeak.

#

Varric was about to head back to Lowtown with Isabela when he heard the elf and Blondie bickering again.

"I can't imagine what Hawke sees in you." Anders glared at Fenris.

Fenris narrowed his eyes. "It is done. Leave it be."

"Well, good." Anders couldn't quite hide a smile. "I always knew he had some sense."

"Do not make light of this." Fenris's stance became threatening. "Leaving was the hardest thing I've ever done."

Varric exchanged a look with a wide-eyed Isabela. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Isabela shook her head, then walked over to stop it from potentially coming to blows. With her usual style and tact. "Oh, will you two get over yourselves? You're like two dogs around a bitch in heat."

"We were talking about Hawke." Fenris glared at her, but something about his face suggested he was relieved at the intervention. "Not you."

#

A letter from the Viscount had Gabriel heading into the Keep. He lowered his voice and asked Fenris to get Aveline as he went to the Viscount's office. Viscount Dumar was pacing. "It is apparently not enough that the Qunari define my political life. They must also infect what I hold personal." He turned to face Gabriel. "It is my son, Saemus. The life you saved, he would now squander by converting to the Qun. He has left for the Qunari Compound." Dumar gave him a beseeching look. "Please, Serah Hawke. Convince Saemus to come home."

"Did anyone else see him leaving for the compound?"

Viscount Dumar's shoulders slumped. "He made no secret of it. I'm sure he intended it as another of his 'statements' about closer relations." He folded his arms. "Your example inspired him. I might agree, but now is not the time. These matters are..." He sighed. "Delicate."

"He is of age. The decision seems rightly his." If it was genuinely what Saemus wanted... He wasn't close with the young man, but they were friends in their way.

"I want to let him find his way, but in my position..." Dumar leaned on his desk. "He's taken a great deal of inspiration from you. I want to allow his idealism, but not blindly. At best, my opponents will claim that my office is now in Qunari hands. At worst..." Dumar's voice broke slightly. "I lose my son."

Perhaps there was a better way. The Arishok had been interested in diplomacy once. Maybe Saemus could be a liaison or whatever the word was. Maker, if there was a decent avenue of communication between the Viscount and the Arishok, many problems could be solved. "He's your child. How fast can he be?"

"Who knows, he might actually listen to you." Dumar's face was hopeful. "No one else has dealt as closely with the Qunari. I hope he will see that we can be accepting and still be a proud citizen of Kirkwall." Dumar sighed. "I wish we could all see that."

#

Aveline, Sebastian, and Fenris were waiting for him when he left the Viscount's office. He filled them in on the move, and started heading for the compound. They were moving through Lowtown when mercenaries attacked. And were promptly splattered all over the alley. "So was that anti-Qunari, anti-viscount, or Saemus himself not wanting to be rescued?"

Gabriel shook his head. "Saemus isn't the type. Let's go." And Saemus and the Arishok both had a very good idea of their capabilities. Neither would have been foolish enough to send a small band of half-competent thugs.

#

"Serah Hawke." The Arishok didn't appear surprised to see him.

"I'm here about the viscount's son."

"Are you?" The Arishok settled back on his bench. "In four years I have made no threat, and fanatics have lined up to hate us simply because we exist. But despite lies and fear, bas still beg me to let them come to the Qun. They hunger for purpose. The son has made a choice. You will not deny him that."

No. He wouldn't. But perhaps there was still a chance of making it work for everyone. "Converting the viscount's son... his opposition will have a field day."

"And?"

"The enemy of your enemy should be your friend?" It would be really nice if the Arishok would work with him just a little here.

"I don't fear the whole of them together, and it is not my role to reject the free choice of viddathari. The son responded to his own demand of the Qun. He is neither my slave nor my prisoner." The Arishok gestured. "He is not even here. He went to his father. Ask the viscount why he would send you and a letter both."

Gabriel blinked. "That probably could have been mentioned earlier." He could feel a chill trying to climb up his spine.

"They are meeting at the chantry. A last, pointless appeal, I assume."

Sebastian shook his head. "The viscount has not tried to involve the Chantry before."

"No." Gabriel sighed. "But we know who would. Mother Petrice." He really should have just killed her.

The Arishok frowned. "A suspect in many things. If she has threatened someone under my command again, there is only one response."

On that, they could agree. "I've had about enough of Petrice. Several times over."

"A threat against viddathari can have only one answer. I will suffer only one outcome." The Arishok gave him a nod. "I will be watching, Hawke. The demand of the Qun is clear."

#

He tried the healing spell, but it was too late. Saemus's body was already cooling. He'd liked the kid. From the floor below came Petrice's voice. "Serah Hawke, look at what you have done." She sounded smug. "To pounce upon the viscount's son, a repentant convert, in the chantry itself? A crime with no excuse." She gestured at the armed men with her. "Your Qunari masters will finally answer."

Slowly, he rose to his feet. "All this will do is make people hate you."

She smirked. "I have kept the fear of the Qunari fresh in every sermon, every prayer. They will know whose word to believe." She gestured. "When people learn of this attack, they will rise. Not zealots or the unknowing, but the true majority."

Dealing with crazy was easier. This was just plain dealing with stupid. "Great plan, until people start dying in a war with the Qunari."

"To die untested would be the real crime. People need the opportunity to defend faith. Starting with you." She turned to the people with her. "Earn your reward in this life and the next. These heretics must die."

Gabriel sighed. With the exception of a couple templars, she was sending unarmored men against him, Fenris, the Prince of Starkhaven, and the Captain of the Kirkwall Guard. While they had the high ground, with two chokepoints. Aveline stood at one set of stairs, and Fenris at the other. Gabriel just shrugged, and called up a tempest, forcing any who wanted to try their luck at the warriors to first pass through a gauntlet of lightning. Next to him, Sebastian gave voice to a similar sentiment. "Maker preserve their stupid, stupid souls."

#

Petrice led Grand Cleric Elthina into the hall. "Do you see, Your Grace? Traitors attacking the very core of the Chantry. They defile with every step."

Elthina's eyes traced over the state of the room. Her gaze went first to Sebastian, then to Aveline, and then to Gabriel. "There is death in every corner, young mother. It is as you predicted." Her eyes narrowed. "All too well."

"She's on to you, Petrice." Gabriel smiled. "Quick, lie harder." Was Petrice just completely oblivious to who he was with?

"Don't you spout your Qunari filth. This is a hand of the Divine." Petrice justed her jaw out defiantly, proving that yes, she was really that stupid.

"I have ears, Mother Petrice." Elthina's voice was firm, a mother tired of misbehaving children. "The Maker would have me use them."

Gabriel gave her an apologetic look. "Viscount Dumar's son is dead, killed here in your name."

She closed her eyes for a moment, sorrow filling her features. "I'm sure my name won't like that." She turned to look at Petrice, her pale eyes cold. "Petrice?"

"Saemus Dumar was a Qunari convert. He came here to repent and was murdered." Petrice stumbled over the lie.

"Love or hate the Qunari," Gabriel said. He gestured at the bodies. Sebastian stood near the still form of Saemus. "A blind nug could see she took this too far."

Petrice actually shook a fist at him. "No price is too much when we speak of eternity."

"Eternity is long enough that we need not rush to meet it." Elthina cut Petrice off.

"They deny the Maker," Petrice said, her eyes hot with hatred.

"And you diminish Him, even as you claim His side." Elthina's face was calm with disapproval. "Andraste did not volunteer for the flame." She turned back towards them. "Serah Hawke, you stand with the captain of the guard?" He saw Petrice's eyes widen as he nodded. Maybe she really didn't know who Aveline was. Elthina returned his nod. "The young mother has erred in her judgment. A court will decide her fate. The Chantry respects the law, and so must she."

"Grand Cleric?" Petrice's face was shocked. Had she actually thought of herself as some kind of diabolical genius? Gamlen could have plotted this better. "Grand Cleric!" She stared beseechingly as Elthina started back up the stairs. Then she turned to face them. Her eyes suddenly widened as she caught sight of something over his shoulder, and an arrow suddenly appeared in her chest. She fell to her knees.

Gabriel turned to see a Qunari archer fire a second arrow, this one catching Petrice between the eyes. He sighed. He'd wanted to kill her. He gave the archer a nod, and the man returned it. "We protect those of the Qun. We do not abandon our own."

"Please," Elthina's voice came back through the room. He looked up at her. Her facial expression hadn't changed at the sight of the Qunari or the dead Petrice. "Send for Viscount Dumar."

#

He stood protectively as Dumar cradled his son's body. Below, servants were removing the other corpses. "My son," Dumar said softly, tears falling from his eyes. "Murdered in the heart of the chantry, by those who held a sacred trust. What hope for this city, when we fail our own so completely?"

Gabriel wished he knew what to say. "The Arishok is still here, Excellency. You must be ready to stand up to him."

"I cannot. I have already failed where it mattered most. Please, Hawke. Leave me."

He hesitated a moment, then glanced over at where Elthina stood. She nodded to him. He returned the gesture, then followed his companions out of the Chantry. Aveline stopped just outside. "This won't exactly ease tensions. The viscount's son and Qunari aggression, even if justified..." She sighed, and looked out at the where a warming of the sky hinted at the possibility of sunrise. "It won't end, Hawke. I thought this could wait, but..." She shrugged. "I need to speak to you at your home. Very soon."

He nodded to her. "Check in with your guards. I'll see you in a few hours."