9:34 – Kirkwall – Lowtown

To Catch a Thief


"If I recall correctly, wasn't…?"

"We're almost to the part you're looking forward to, Seeker. There's just one thing prior."

"I see. Continue."


Two days after Saemus's memorial, Isabela burst into my living room, blowing right past a startled Bodhan. Unlike the last time, she was pale, wide eyed, and trembling. Nothing like the normally cocky Pirate Queen I was used to.

"I'm going to die," she told me bluntly. I blinked slowly, not quite processing. "I need your help."

"With… what?" I asked after a moment, standing cautiously from my desk. I didn't trust my knees. "Illness? Wound?"

"You remember the relic?" I… yes, I did. "A man called Wall-Eyed Sam has it. If I don't get it now, Castillon is going to slaughter me." Oh. That's what she meant. Okay. I could breath again. "He's been talking to black market dealers in Lowtown. I think it's really it."

"And you need my help."

"I have Tevinter mages involved." WHAT WAS THIS RELIC TO INVOLVE THEM?! "Please."

"Of course," I immediately reassured, even as I wondered what I just got myself in to. She slumped in relief. "You're sure it's the relic, though?"

"There were descriptions of the book." Huh? "It matches."

I stared at her for a long moment. "Isabela, you always said you never knew what it was." Her eyes widened. "But you just mentioned a book."

"I… look, it's written in a foreign language?" She looked away from me, eyes to the ground. Lying. She was lying. Again. She never looked anyone in the face when she lied, even by omission. "I didn't think it would help knowing that."

"I see."

"Does it matter, though? It'll save me! So, I need it!"

"I know." I sighed, leaning against my chair as I closed my eyes. "I know." Was there anyone around me who didn't need something? I was starting to feel like that's all everyone wanted. "When is it? The exchange, I mean."

"Tonight, near the destroyed Foundry."

"Okay."

"…Thanks, bird."

"Give me a few minutes to slip into some armor. I'll need it." I always needed it.

"That's fine." Sighing again, I opened my eyes and found her studying me. "…Why do you trust me?" she asked me when she realized I caught her.

"Hmm?" Why would she ask that? "Isn't it obvious?" I pushed myself off the desk. "You're my friend." She just stared. "That's all."

"…You're too good for me," she whispered. Her eyes shone and I half wondered if she was about to cry or if it was the candle's light reflecting on her eyes. "You are far too good for me, bird." What was she talking about? "I'll wait for you outside."

"I'll be right there."


"There are two Qunari outside of the door," I whispered, peeking around the corner. Isabela tiptoed to peer over my head. "Why are there Qunari?"

"Er… well…" Isabela began. I glanced up at her and she sighed. "Okay, okay. The relic belongs to the Qunari and there's… a chance they want it back?"

…What. "You stole from the Qunari?"

"No, I stole from Orlesians who were trying to return it to the Qunari." Oh, that was so much better. "Yes, I've always known. I just… you worry enough already, and I'd hope I could just get it and run, like normal. No fuss, no worrying."

"What is it?"

"A Qunari text handwritten by that philosopher of theirs. Keslan, Cousland…"

"The Couslands are a Fereldan noble house, Isabela."

"Whatever." She sighed and leaned against the wall. "Remember how my ship got sunk in the storm? I was trying to get away from the Qunari, avoiding the fire and thunder it spat at me. That's how they got caught too."

"They were shipwrecked and stuck here because…" The Arishok's words from what felt like so long ago echoed back. What had been stolen. It was right here. "That's why they're here."

"Yes. And they can't leave without it."

"It's that important?"

"It's a symbol," Isabela explained. "That's why the magisters are here. They've been at war for centuries. They get it and the Qunari get a massive blow to their morale."

"And now it's here."

"After three years of hunting, yes." She gave me a troubled look. "Will you still help me?"

I sighed, and returned to peeking at the Qunari again. They only stared in one direction. Should be possible to just slip past them. "Yeah, I'll help you."

"Really?"

"Isabela, they're going to attack whether or not they have that stupid thing. The time to stop that passed while the leaders played politics. I might as well save a dear friend."

"…I really don't deserve you." Hmm? "Let's sneak around. I'll lead."

"All right." With a shrug, I followed her through the shadows, tiptoeing around the guards and slipping inside. A group of mages wearing dark robes and darker glares approached a thin, scraggly looking man. The mages and Wall-Eyed Sam. As expected.

"Where is the relic?" one woman asked, sneering at Wall-Eyed Sam. "We're waiting."

He flinched and skittered back as the group converged on him. "I… er… I have it," he mumbled. "But… uh…" Qunari appeared on the second floor and the Tevinters groaned. "Well…"

"The Tome of Koslun won't fall into Tevinter hands!" one of the Qunari boomed, palming a bow. The Tevinters growled and called magic to their hands. "Never!"

"He's getting away!" Isabela gasped, about to lunge after the Wall-eyed Sam, who'd used the distraction to slip towards a back door. But she stopped and looked back at me. There was a question in her eyes, but I didn't know what it was, let alone what the answer was.

I looked at the fighting, closed my eyes, and made a choice. "Go." She made some sort of questioning noise, so I opened my eyes and looked right at her. "Go and get it," I ordered. "I'll keep them off you." She hesitated. "It's okay. Go on." She hesitated a bit longer before setting her jaw, nodding, and racing outside, never once looking back.

I shifted to block the fighters from seeing her escape, and held myself still. Not getting involved to keep them from noticing their treasure had disappeared until one of them turn and saw me. Stared at me.

By that point, I'd already had three tempests ready, and I let them fly, electrocuting everyone in the room multiple times over. It was scary, how casually I viewed it now. Not quite 'detached', but… really, I'd killed far too often here in Kirkwall. That was scary. Still, there wasn't anything I could really do. Talking never worked, and everyone always went for the fight. So, with a sigh and uncomfortable thoughts, I turned away from the twitching bodies, and let the spells burn out on their own as I followed Isabela's path outside.

When I made it out of the building, far from the two guards I'd seen earlier, I found Wall-Eyed Sam face down in a puddle of blood. There was no Tome in sight, only a small slip of paper, just out of reach of the blood. It had 'Hawke' written on it, so I picked it up and unfolded it.

'Dear Hawke,' it read. 'I have the relic, and I'm gone. I'm sorry. You've been a loyal friend, but this is best. I don't want you to have to fight anyone for me. You have enough to deal with, and I've dragged you too far into this mess already. You don't have to forgive me, of course. I wouldn't be surprised. But I hope, at least, you understand. Love, Isabela.'

I sighed and slipped the note in my pack, shaking my head. I wasn't surprised. She was always as free as the wind, as untamable as the sea. That she'd leave straight from here without another word wasn't surprising at all. Hurtful, but unsurprising. Besides, just as I said, it wasn't like having the relic would stop the Qunari now.

"Serah Hawke!" I looked up and was startled to see Donnic running for me. His face was flushed and sweat dripped down his face. How long had he been looking for me? "Aveline needs your help," he informed me through pants. "At the Qunari Compound. It's urgent." Well, here we go again. Hawke to the rescue, or not.

Why was it always me?


"Wait, the Champion was asked to go to the Qunari?" the Seeker asks, interrupting the story.

"What, did you think she planned the whole thing?" the dwarf retorts mockingly, shifting in his seat.

"Considering what it led to…"

"Pain. Misery. A bunch of people dying. Seeker, have you been listening to what I said? What about her makes you think she willing chooses such a thing?" He glowers up at the human. "I'll never sell her short, but no one in power was willing to see what was obvious. Or do you think I'm lying to protect my dearest friend?"

"There… are elements in your story that makes sense." As close to an agreement as the Seeker was likely going to get.

"Well, that's a relief."

"That still doesn't mean you've told me everything."

"No offense, Seeker, but that's obvious. There are things I will never tell you. They're my stories. My secrets. I shared them with only Hawke, and I will tell no other unless I had to."

"And if I force?"

"I would honestly die first." He leans forward, studying the Seeker. "You're not the first to get everything wrong, and you won't be the last. But you're the first I'll tell this much too. This truest version. I want it known, so you stop blaming her. I owe it to her. She blames herself more than enough, and you people have done enough to her."


"So, what's going on exactly?" I asked as I walked up to Aveline. She was pale, and actually shaking from tension, as she stood outside the gates. "Aveline?"

"I have two fugitives hiding in the Qun," she whispered. Her hands were clenched into fists at her side. "I must get them. He's already feared. If people think criminals can get away…"

"Why do you need me, then?"

"None of them will talk to me." What. "The most I get is that they will hear me if you're here." Why? "Please, Hawke. The city is close to rioting."

But if they were only talking to me… "Aveline, I think they're planning on attacking."

"I need to try."

"Who are we dealing with anyway?"

"Elves accused of murder." I sighed and she grimaced. "I know. I know. But I have to look into it." She gripped my shoulder. "Are you ready? It's gong to be bad."

"As I'll ever be." I turned the Qunari standing guard. "I wish to speak with the Arishok." He nodded and waved us through. Other Qunari funneled us straight to the Arishok's normal waiting place. I didn't like this. I didn't like this one bit.

The Arishok met us at the foot of his stairs, an ax resting comfortably on his shoulder. It was the first time I'd seen him hold a weapon, and it screamed just how things were. "Shanedan," he said when Aveline and I were close enough. I hoped it was a greeting.

"Greetings, Arishok," Aveline returned, perfectly polite. Even if her hands kept hovering over her sword. "We come regarding the elven fugitives who took refuge here."

"Irrelevant." He turned his attention to me. "I would speak to Hawke of the relic stolen from my grasp."

"If I know Isabela, it's halfway to Ostwick or Wycome by now," I answered honestly. I doubted he'd bring it up if he didn't already know. "It's no longer in Kirkwall." Aveline gave me an incredulous look, but I kept my attention on the big guy with the weapon. "That's all I know about it."

"Can that be discussed later?" Aveline requested. The Arishok briefly glanced at her, as if in annoyance. "We are here now about the fugitives."

"If you mean the newest viddathari, they have chosen to submit to the Qun," the Arishok answered dismissively. "There is nothing to discuss. They will be protected."

"It might be if they are taking advantage of you," I gently suggested. My hand automatically dropped to my sheath as I saw movement in the corner of my eye. "Are they simply using your as a shield?"

"They have chosen, and so have I." Yeah, I was strangely unsurprised. "You, Hawke, never hid the corruption of your city or the abuses of your zealots." Hey! Neither were mine! "Others ignored, but you did not. You understand why I must do this."

"That doesn't mean I want you to."

"No, I suppose not." He nodded to the side and two elves, young and thin, stepped out from the crowd. "Speak, viddathari." Were these the two, then? "Who did you murder and why?"

"A city guard forced himself on our sister," one answered after a moment's hesitation. I felt myself go cold. "We reported him, or tried to. But they did nothing, so my brothers and I paid him a visit."

I gave Aveline a look and she sighed heavily. "I was looking into it," she muttered. "Quietly. To not alert him. Regardless, it doesn't excuse murder, or taking the law in their own hands." I… rather thought it did, actually, but that was why she was the Guard and I wasn't.

"But your laws don't protect them," the Arishok stated bluntly. "Your society protects only the ones who are filthy, weak, and corrupted from the consequences of their actions, and puts down those who must do what it takes to defend themselves. Your society is a disease, and the actions are merely symptoms." He looked to me. "You think the same. That is why you don't take her job. That is why you work outside of the limitations."

"Is now really the time?" I sighed, looking at the ground awkwardly. It was unnerving he knew my thoughts. "We would just like to talk to the elves in a slightly controlled setting."

"They have chosen. The viddathari will submit to the Qun and find a path your way has denied them." Aveline made to protest, but the Arishok ignored her for me. "What would you do, Hawke, in my place?" Oh, for crying out… "You hesitate in answering. To avoid hurting your friend. But that is an answer in of itself."

"Maker, I hate you," I growled, glaring up at him. "All right, fine. I'd protect them. I'd give them the second chance." The elves looked startled. "That's what I do. I'm an idiot like that. I'd kill the Maker to defend them and others like them."

"Exactly so." The Arishok stepped back, and I noticed how quiet everything was. "That is your purpose, after all." Excuse me? "I cannot leave without the relic, and I cannot stay and remain blind to this dysfunction."

"Arishok, there's no need for this!" Aveline tried to intervene. She made to step closer, but I held her arm to keep her back. "We can-"

"There is only one solution," the Arishok interrupted, voice firm and decided. He turned away and headed for the back. I saw him gesture up as he walked and, confused, I decided to see what was going on. I half wished I hadn't. Qunari all over the second level with spears and arrows. "Vinek kathas."

And the spears and arrows flew. Aveline tried to tuck me under her and her shield, but I knew that wouldn't work. She'd die if…!

"No!" I conjured my magic up and incinerated them all. The ash rained down and I glared at the Qunari who remained. "Aveline, we need to get out of here." She was staring at ash, unmoving with wide eyes. "AVELINE!"

"R-right…" Aveline whispered. She shook her head. "Okay, I get how you destroyed the Foundry now." Huh? …Oh yeah. I did do that. I'd forgotten. "More!" She sliced a spear right out of the air. "Behind you!" I turned and punched the qunari in the face with a Stonefist. "We have to get out of here!" I nodded at her to show my agreement and she led the way out of the Compound.

As we escaped, I saw the Arishok watching me. I stopped to stare right back at him, wondering what he thought. He nodded as if confirming something. What was it? No time to learn here. I had to leave with Aveline.

As we left, I launched some arcane bolts into the walls and collapsed the entrance of the compound to prevent the Qunari in there from attacking us immediately. Buying a bit of time to breath. If, you know, the smoke didn't choke us first.

"Just listen to it all," Aveline moaned, leaning on her knees to stretch out her legs. All around us, everything was burning. Ships, buildings, people. In the distance, screams and wails echoed down. "They're attacking."

"Aveline, I have eyes and ears both," I deadpanned. I leaned against a wall, sighing and stretching. My back protested. "I kind of figured that out for myself."

"But what can this accomplish? It doesn't make sense."

"Well, he'll probably have less of a headache shifting through rubble." She glared at me and I shrugged. "Aveline, he's tired and wants us all out of his misery. It doesn't matter what other reasons. We have to move."

"Yes, you're right. Action is the best policy here." She sighed, though, shaking her head. "But we'll be hard pressed by ourselves. This is moving fast. He's planned this for a while." She nodded at me. "Still, no choice. Shall we, and see if we happen to run into some luck along the way?"

"Yeah, sounds good." I pushed myself off the wall and twisted to pop my back. Getting ready for the chaos. "Lead on, Aveline."

After four years of being taunted and ridiculed, the Qunari had finally had enough. And, just like I'd predicted years ago, it was far too high a price for a city to pay.


Author's Notes: Here we go! To Catch a Thief! Just Isabela and Hawke here, as I never quite felt the confrontation between Isabela and Aveline in the Estate was necessary, even if it was a little amusing. (This will probably be the last chapter I get out for this story before I head to visit family for the holidays, so happy whatever you celebrate during December!)

Next Chapter – The Demands of the Qun