Chapter 45: The Wolf Hunts

Fenris had not seen Hawke in weeks not that that was a surprise, her duties as a member of the Viscount's court kept her busy for days on end. Part of him feared that Hawke would lose herself, that the politics of Kirkwall would corrupter her, and that she would become as shallow as any of the other Ladies in Hightown.

That she would forget those that aided her.

So it was a surprise when he heard her calling his name from the foyer of Danarius's old mansion. He shouted back that she should come up stairs.

He had just been finishing talking with Isabela. The pirate queen had dealt with a tax collector that had been sniffing around the mansion. Apparently the man was a young lordling, handsome, yet bored.

Isabela had been just going to chase him off, but offered something else to keep him occupied.

Fenris did not need to know.

The pirate queen gave Hawke a sly wink as they passed.

Hawke was still dressed in her court clothes, a simple gray and black gown; she was a far cry from many of the noble ladies that strutted around Hightown.

Not that Fenris minded; Hawke was beautiful to him, no matter what she wore.

She had come here straight from the Viscount's Keep. For some reason, Fenris felt a little self-conscious about the state of the mansion. He only maintained his personal room; the rest of the place was starting to fall into disrepair after almost three years.

Three years, and still no sign of Danarius.

Fenris tried to ignore the frustration he was feeling, his old master was certainly taking his own sweet time, coming up with something to try and retrieve his former slave. Not that Fenris had let his guard down of course.

Darnarius had to know that he had not moved on.

It did not matter; he would deal with Danarius eventually, now he had a problem that Hawke might be able to help him with, if she was willing of course.

He found himself hoping that she was.

IOI

"The Qunari asked for you, by name?"

"Apparently," Hawke shrugged, "I have no idea why though, and neither does the Viscount. Does this make any sense to you?"

Fenris tapped his chin thoughtfully, He was by no means an expert on them, but his dealings with them in the past told him all he needed to know.

The Qunari did not turn to outsiders lightly.

"I was hoping you would accompany me when I meet with them tomorrow. The Arishok responded well to you the last time.

"I shall go of course," the Tevinter elf promised, "But I do have a favor to ask of you today."

"I will help if I can Fenris, you know that."

The elf nodded; perhaps Hawke had not forgotten where she came from after all.

"A merchant approached me at the Hanged Man recently. He has been having problems with an apostate leading a gang of thieves. The man has demanded protection money from this merchant for every shipment he sends to Starkhaven. The merchant asked for my help in dealing with this."

Hawke nodded, it seemed like an easy enough job.

"I'm surprised to see you taking up this kind of work Fenris. Varric has been trying to convince you to do it for almost a year now.

"I need the coin," the elf sniffed, "My take as a member of your 'flock' has been increasingly small of late. Some of us are not wealthy you know, I still need to live after all."

His comment stopped Hawke cold; she had no idea that her busy schedule was hurting her friends. In the past they, with the exception of Aveline, who had her guard pay, had all taken equal shares of whatever coin they found while on the job. Sadly, Hawke had not been going out as much as she had in the past. It never occurred to her that her friends might be hurting for coin.

She would need to be more attentive in the future.

"My apologies Fenris, I had not realized that you were having problems."

"I'm not having a problem Hawke, and I do not desire your pity, only your help with this job."

The elf's curtness surprised her, but she took no offense, if anything she deserved a little tongue lashing for ignoring her friends' troubles.

"Let me go change into my play clothes," she said smiling, "Then we will stop by the Hanged Man and get the others. We will get this job done quicker that way."

Fenris nodded that seemed satisfactory.

Truthfully he hated asking her this favor, but what could he do.

He knew when to swallow his pride, especially when he needed to buy food.

IOI

Three hours later, the job was done, but not in the way any of them had expected.

Aveline helped Merrill to her feet; the dalish was covered in blood and ash. Hawke snorted as she peered through the smoke looking for any more attackers. Varric coughed, he prowled among the bodies of the dead, Bianca at the ready.

He was not taking any chances with Tevinter hunters.

The merchant's cart lay destroyed, the whole job had been a trap. The raiders had been a team of Tevinter bounty hunters sent to recapture Fenris. Hawke had slain their leader; she cleaned her great sword with the dead man's robes.

Fenris grabbed the merchant; he had hid under his cart during the attack. Now that it had failed, the elf needed answers, or rather just one answer.

"Where is he?" the elf growled.

"I don't…"

The elf slammed the man's head into the sand.

"Tell me!" he spat!

"I don't know," the merchant blubbered, "Hadriana hired me, she told me to…"

The elf slammed the man's head again.

"Then where is she?" he hissed.

"I can show you. The slaver caves outside the city. I can show you where…"

"No need, I know the place you speak of."

"Then…then let me go…please! I…I beg you!"

Fenris glared down at the man, Hadriana's pawn.

"You chose the wrong master," the elf growled.

He twisted the man's head, snapping his neck.

"Fenris?" Hawke asked.

The elf was beyond responding.

"Hadriana," he hissed, "I was a fool to think I was free! They will never let me be!"

"Who is this Hadriana?"

"My master's apprentice, a sniveling social climber who would kill her own children if she thought it would please Danarius."

Another blood mage, Hawke thought wonderful.

"I'm going after her," Fenris said stalking away, "I must catch her before she flees."

"No Fenris," Hawke said flatly.

He turned his eyes burning with hate.

She held his gaze until he calmed down.

"We are going after him," she said with conviction, "An attack on one of my friends is an attack on all of us."

"Hawke is right elf," Varric said coming up next to them, "We'll help."

"Of course we will," Merrill said bobbing her head excitedly, "We will help you stop this woman."

"You're not alone anymore Fenris," Aveline reminded him.

Fenris paused, not quite sure how to respond.

"The slaver pens will not be the safest of places."

"Then I guess we won't be stopping for tea there then will we," Hawke quipped, "such a shame."

Fenris snorted, it was not quite a laugh but it was close.

"Come along then," he growled, "I will not let that bitch escape back to Danarius."

IOI

The bright morning turned cold and harsh.

The sun retreated beneath the clouds and a cold stinging rain battered Hawke and her party.

The old slave pens were built into a cave near Sundermount. The rock path turned icy as they made their way up.

Fenris did not care, the elf was in a fury, his markings glowed dimly even in the daytime.

Hawke had never seen him so furious.

It was not surprising that Hadriana had soldiers waiting. Fenris cut through them viciously. Hawke and the others brought up the rear.

Soon they pushed deep into the slave pens. Varric disabled any traps they came across. Merrill and Aveline dealt with any hunters who had been hiding outside and now tried to attack them from behind.

Merrill summoned black foul smelling roots that tore armor and limbs. The few that got past the Dalish, lost their lives and souls to her Magister's fork.

More power to help repair the mirror, she thought.

They fought their way down to one of the main holding areas. What they saw there horrified even Fenris.

Elves, strapped to tables, their arms and throats sliced open, sacrificed to fuel Hadriana's powers.

Fury flashed in Fenris's eyes.

"Behold," he snarled, "The legacy of the Magisters."

Merrill looked at the bodies, the Dalish turned pale.

"This is horrible," she said, "They sacrifice the unwilling."

"Why so surprised witch," Fenris spat, "You are only a few steps from using such powers yourself."

Merrill's green eyes widened.

"That is not true," she whimpered, it wasn't, everything she did was to help her people. Even the enemies she took with the fork were meant towards that goal.

It was always for others, never for her.

A terrified gasp drew their attention, Varric spun, Bianca at the ready.

"COME OUT OF THERE…NOW!" Fenris hissed.

A small blonde elven girl emerged from the shadows, her blue dressed was stained with dirt and blood, tears ran down her cheeks. A metal collar decorated her neck, a tevinter symbol of bondage.

Fenris's fury faded, it turned to pity, the girl was no threat, she was simply another slave.

"Are you all right?" he asked her, "Did they touch you?"

"They…they cut Papa bled him, why would they do it? We did everything that we were told? The Magister… she loved Papa's soup. I don't understand."

Hawke stepped forward, in the state that he was in; Fenris was terrifying the poor girl.

"What is your name," she asked the girl, her voice soothing.

"Orana…mistress," the elf said, managing a weak curtsey.

"Is the Magister still here Orana?" Hawke asked.

"Yes…she…she is very frightened…she said that someone was coming to kill her."

"She has reason to be afraid," Fenris growled.

"Everything was fine until today," Orana sobbed.

"No. It wasn't," Fenris said bowing his head, "You just didn't know any better."

The elf perked up as she regarded him.

"Are…Are you my master now?" she asked.

"No," Fenris gasped.

"But I can clean and I can cook," the girl said nervously, "Where else can I go? What else can I do?"

Hawke's heart went out to the girl; she could not leave this poor girl out on the street. Who knew what predators would fall upon her there?

No, Hawke had to make sure she was given a fair chance at a new life.

"You may come and work for me Orana," she offered, "wait at the cave entrance, I will be back soon."

"Yes," the girl sighed with relief, "Praise the Maker, I will do as you command Mistress."

She left the way they had entered.

Fenris turned to Hawke with an icy glare!

"I had no idea you were in the market for a slave Hawke," he spat.

The accusation angered her, she knew he was upset, but this was the last straw.

"I gave her a job Fenris," she snarled back, "that poor girl would not survive a week on the streets of Kirkwall. I can help her build a life for herself in the city."

Fenris paused, he…he had not considered that.

Shame made his ears burn.

"I…I didn't think of that…I…I am sorry."

Hawke nodded, she accepted his apology.

"Let's go find this Hadriana," Hawke said coldly, "It is time to end this."

IOI

"You will be sorry you found this place slave!"

Hadriana raised her staff she summoned shades to assault Hawke and her friends. They split up and attacked the monsters.

Fenris went for Hadriana.

"Not as sorry as you are about to be witch!" he snarled leaping at the retreating Magister.

Hawke used her Templar abilities robbing Hadriana of her mana. Fenris's markings pulsed, burning the Magister's skin. She called for more guards, but it was clear that this battle was not going to go in her favor.

Merrill slashed her hand; blood rose from the wound and spun at the hunters. Their skin melted as they wailed in agony. Aveline and Varric finished them off quickly.

Hawke and Fenris engaged Hadriana; the Magister was powerful, but between Fenris's markings, and Hawke's Templar training. The woman was outmatched.

Hawke back handed her causing her to spin to the floor. Hadriana spat teeth on the ground.

Fenris stood over her, his great sword raised.

"STOP!" the woman cried, "You do not want me dead!"

"There is only one person in this world I want dead more!" Fenris said with an angry laugh.

"I have information elf, information you will want. I will trade it for my life."

"The location of Danarius," Fenris shook his head, "I would rather he lose his star pupil."

"You have a sister," Hadriana said quickly, "she is alive."

Fenris froze, a sister? He…he had family?

He glanced at Hawke, she could not tell him what to do in this.

Hadriana was his enemy; he had to make this call.

Hadriana spoke quickly telling Fenris everything she knew. His sister's name was Verania; she served in the empire as a servant of a Magister named Arimand. She told Fenris everything, her location, what she looked like, and everything else she knew.

"I believe you," Fenris purred.

Hadriana started to rise; she thought that she was safe.

Fenris was too fast for her.

His markings pulsed as he shoved his hand into her chest. He crushed the woman's beating heart. He found himself slightly surprised.

He always suspected that she did not have one.

His friends stood there, watching him in silence.

"We are done here," he growled, turning to leave.

"Do…do you want to talk about this?" Hawke asked him.

"NO! I don't want to talk!" Fenris spat, "this may be all another trap. Hadriana may have been sent here with information about this…sister of mine! If she knows then Danarius must as well! But…but at least I got to crush this bitch's heart! May she rot, and all the other mages with her!"

"Do you include my sister in that as well Fenris," Hawke asked crossing her arms.

Fenris's green eyes widened, no…he would never ask to see Viper hurt. But Hadriana, Danarius, they deserved…

Fenris growled he left the slaver den without saying another word; he stormed out into the cold winter rain and did not look back.

IOI

Hawke's return trip to Kirkwall was a quiet one. Aveline returned to the barracks to make a report on the dead slavers. Varric returned to the Hanged Man, he had not gotten a chance to speak with Hawke today about what he had learned, but that could wait until tomorrow. Merrill returned to her hovel, after what she had seen, what she had heard.

She would not be working on the Eluvian tonight.

Hawke brought Orana home. Her Mother was extremely skeptical about taking in an elven slave, but Marian reminded her that they needed a good maid servant, and Hawke intended to pay the girl for her services.

The first thing that Hawke did was remove Orana's slave collar, she informed the girl of her new station as a paid house servant.

Hawke did not keep slaves.

Orana immediately got to work, the girl found comfort in routine. Hawke asked Bodahn to keep an eye on her, to start educating her as a free woman.

As the sun set the rain became more torrential. Anders sent word that he would be staying in the clinic tonight, some poor boy had been badly injured in dark town and he did not wish to abandon him.

Hawke understood, she was proud to have such a kind and determined lover.

She had just been getting ready for bed when a knock sounded on her door.

Orana ran to answer it, Hawke right on her heels, she had tried to convince the girl to rest, but she would not hear of it.

She intended to prove her usefulness to her new mistress.

Fenris stood at the door, he was soaked, his silver hair plastered to his head, water dripped from the points of his ears and the tip of his nose.

Hawke sent Orana for some towels.

"I'm sorry I ran away earlier," he said through chattering teeth.

"It is alright," she answered him, "I'm just grateful to see that you are all right."

He snorted, all right? He did not think so.

"You are wondering why I did not spare Hadriana?"

"She did you a great injustice," Hawke shrugged.

"It is more than that," Fenris growled, "when I was still a slave, Hadriana was a torment, she denied my meals, haunted my sleep. The thought…the thought of her slipping through my grasp…I couldn't…I can't…"

Orana returned with dry towels, she handed them to Fenris who nodded gratefully. Hawke told her to go and rest for the rest of the evening. Orana bowed and left quickly.

Fenris gave Hawke and arched look.

Hawke shrugged, it would take time to break Orana of the habits of being a slave.

"Are you going to do anything about your sister?" she asked Fenris.

The Tevinter elf sighed.

"I'm not sure, even if Hadriana was telling the truth, who knows what the Magisters have done to her. And me…this…this hate…It has poisoned my soul; it was Danarius and Hadriana that did that to me. Does my sister need me to bring such things into her life?"

Fenris turned; he opened the door and began to head back out into the rain.

"I will help you if you need it," Hawke offered.

"Why?" he asked her.

"We are friends Fenris,' she replied.

Friends? The Tevinter elf almost chuckled. He was grateful for Hawke's friendship, but he wanted so much more.

The elf shook his head…he was a selfish arrogant fool.

"I don't think I know what that means Hawke," he sighed.

He ran back out into the night. The rain soaking his skin and armor, it would not wash the blood from his hands however.

Or the pain in his heart.