Dearest Father,

These mines in the Bone Pit continue to be more trouble than they are worth sometimes. Production was stopped again, this time due to some extremely large and very hairy spiders. Maker, where do these things come from? Back in Lothering, the largest spider that made Carver scream like a girl was still no bigger than my thumb. These creatures towered over us, their bodies hitting the ceiling of the caverns they crawled within. Sad to think that one of the workers under my protection lost his life to those things, but thankfully with the help of Fenris, Isabela, and Sebastian, we managed to clean out the mines.

Unfortunately, we weren't done. When we exited the mines, Jansen (sweetest guy, always going on about his wife, even wanted some spider fangs to make a necklace for her!) told us that the miners had uncovered some sealed off section of the mountain that housed a hoard of undead. I didn't believe him at first, thought maybe he was back on the drink, but sure enough when we checked it out, we were confronted by not only living corpses, but arcane horrors and a revenant! By this point I was regretting not bringing Anders along, as Fenris and Isabela got pretty banged up in the fight. But you know them Father, two fierce fighters that would never complain about being hurt. Isabela's only complaint was her clothes being ruined.

After I gave Jansen the go-ahead for he and his men to get back to work, he hesitated a bit, as if afraid to speak to me. It took some prodding to get it out of him what he wanted to ask me, but eventually he made mention that Hubert was supposed to re-supply them with new pickaxes but hadn't done so yet. Jansen didn't want to burden me with even more problems, saying how it was unfair I had to constantly come by and rescue the workers and do all the dirty work while Hubert sits on his ass in the Hightown market. I tend to agree with him there, but if Hubert wasn't fulfilling his end of our partnership, I had to fill in. Jansen told me about a smith in Lowtown that was going to supply the crew with the new pickaxes, so I promised him I'd see to it they were delivered soon.

On the walk back to Kirkwall, Fenris seemed a little more somber than usual. When I asked him what was on his mind, he told me that many slavers had died working in the Bone Pit over the decades. Claimed that their cries lingered in the stones. Kind of creepy the way he said it, but it got me thinking. Am I just as bad, providing these Ferelden refugees with work, only so that they may lose their lives to whatever darkness lingers in these caves? Jansen made mention that another one of his friends went missing, one we never found when we were in there. I had justified it all to myself for so long, that I was providing them work, coin, equipment, protection... but is it enough? No, not if lives are being lost. There has to be a better way, I just need to find it.

Spending the day with Sebastian wasn't as awkward as I thought it might be. I figured maybe if I took him out and we did what we usually do, rid some dark corners of some creepy monsters, he wouldn't feel so pressured about the decision he has to make. I tried to keep things light, as light as you can when surrounded by hairy smelly spiders bigger than Gamlen's home, and walking mindless corpses. I think it worked though. He didn't seem as tense as usual, and was even joking with Isabela a bit over the spider guts she was pulling out of her cleavage. A teasing lecture from him about how she should dress properly to avoid this had even Fenris smiling.

The man can work miracles, that's for sure.

Isabela took off for a much needed bath, and so Sebastian, Fenris, and I tracked down the smith in Lowtown. Turns out he had the order all ready to go, but was waiting on payment. Tomorrow Hubert and I are going to have a long talk about what it means to run these mines! Fifteen sovereigns later, the supplies were on their way. Hopefully they meet Jansen's approval and the men can have an easier time of it.


When Bodahn announced that Aveline had come visiting, Hawke was surprised. It had been some time since she'd seen the guard-captain, not since she refused to help in aiding Feynriel in the Fade. Hawke didn't blame her for not wanting to participate in such a ritual, and given the outcome, it was the last thing Hawke wanted to discuss. "Am I to assume this unexpected visit means there's trouble?" Hawke asked, fearing the answer. She was still exhausted from the mines, and had hoped for a quiet evening.

"There was," Aveline stated. "Rumor has it you took care of it though."

Hawke ran through her recent activities, trying to figure out what Aveline was referring to. She wouldn't care about the Bone Pit, and since they had just returned, that couldn't have been it. Was it the Coterie that was stealing from her? Again, personal business, shouldn't catch the red-heads attention. Finally it clicked. "Is this about those raiders?"

Aveline nodded. "You know it is," she said as she made herself comfortable on the couch. "I thought we were friends Hawke. Why would you not bring this to my attention?"

Hawke shrugged. "I didn't see it as anything but helping the guard clear out the coast," she said. "How does that make us not friends exactly?"

"Those under my command were in trouble, it should've been me out there assisting, not you," Aveline stated.

"Aveline, Lieutenant Harley and her men were pinned down by a blood mage," Hawke explained. "There was very little time, certainly not enough to come running back to Kirkwall to get you. I admit I probably should've come to find you afterward to let you know what happened, but I assumed Harley would have had to file some report."

Aveline nodded. "She did. That's how I found out you were involved."

Hawke eyed Aveline suspiciously. "What's this really about Aveline? You never would've left them to get backup, so I know you agree with my decision to stay and help. What's this visit really about?"

The guard-captain stood to stir the fire, refusing to meet Hawke's gaze. "You're right, it's not about that. And you know I'm not very comfortable with the emotional stuff."

"Go on," Hawke encouraged.

"It's been a long time since you and I have spoken," Aveline finally admitted. "I know I've been busy, and you have your hands full. But there are very few I consider a friend Hawke, and I don't want us to lose sight of that."

Hawke smiled as she walked over to Aveline. "You're right, we've both been a little preoccupied as of late. And I've missed you too," she added, saying what she knew Aveline never would. "How about tomorrow you come help me knock some sense into Hubert about maintaining the Bone Pit mines, and we catch up then."

Aveline nodded. "I'd like that. So, we're good then?"

"We've been good," Hawke assured her. "Busy, but good."

"That's... that's good then," Aveline said,. "Oh, and here," she added, handing a purse of coin to Hawke and happy to change the subject. "You never came by the Keep to see Jalen about the reward for the raiders. It comes with a warning though. Jalen is concerned Evets may try to seek revenge for what happened to his second in command and half the marauders. Keep an eye out Hawke, Evets is dangerous."

Hawke sighed. "I'll just add him to the list of people that want me dead. He'll have to get in line these days."

Aveline shook her head. "You should be more careful," she said as they walked to the front door. "I can't always be around to watch your back. If you get into any more trouble, I'll have to assign a few guards to watch you."

"On top of the ones doing so already?" Hawke asked with a grin, opening the door and nodding to the patrol passing by.

Aveline blushed. "So Hubert, tomorrow then."

Hawke nodded. "I look forward to it."