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"The treasure we found in the Deep Roads made us a fortune. The Champion moved up in the world. Literally. Bought a mansion in Hightown. Everyone knew who he was now. Even the viscount was taking notice. The Grey Wardens left Kirkwall. It was months before we learned Carver survived. Three years later, the Qunari still hadn't left. The Qunari insisted they were waiting for their ship. But some of us knew better…"
Six years ago
Isabela was lounging in a chair across from Fenris when Wanda dropped by. "So the seneschal's tax collector won't be coming around again, like you asked. Funny story."
"I'll pass, but thank you for the help." Fenris declined, once he noticed Wanda enter.
"Spoilsport. Why you want to squat up here in Hightown is beyond me." Isabela said.
"I like the view." Fenris replied.
"So do I." Isabela said as she chuckled before leaving, with Wanda sitting at where Isabela had been a moment ago.
"Three years. There's still no sign of Danarius. I'm beginning to wonder if he's finally given up." Fenris said as he looked around, thinking about getting his revenge on his former master.
"I thought he might know you're here. You said this was his mansion." Wanda noted.
"Would you be surprised to learn that it isn't, in fact, his mansion?" Fenris said. "It belongs to a Tevinter merchant, one who has evidently given up on the place. Perhaps he is dead. Perhaps Danarius killed him. Either way, if Danarius is aware of my presence, he has done nothing."
"That's what you wanted, is it not?" Wanda questioned.
"Yes, but…" Fenris paused before considering. "Tell me: what do you do when you stop running?"
Wanda herself had asked herself that question. No more living how she did in Sokovia, no more running because of the Accords… she would want to get a normal life. "I would try to start over. Would you?"
"I don't know how." Fenris said. "My first memory is receiving these markings, the lyrium being branded into my flesh. The agony wiped away everything. Whatever life I had before I became a slave… it's lost." He got up. "I shouldn't trouble you with this. My problems are not yours."
"That doesn't mean I can't help you." Wanda said as Fenris smiled.
"You're too kind. Thank you."
Wanda was about to return to the Hawke's family estate before she stopped to meet Marian.
"How's Carver doing?" Wanda asked.
"We got a letter from him this morning." Marian said. "He's… happy but… let's just say he's glad to step out of our shadow."
Wanda chuckled. "Of course he is."
"Bethany appreciates the visits and letters." Marian said. "Although the templars are keeping a close eye on her. You're lucky your powers aren't based on lyrium and they don't have a reason to arrest you. Cullen was willing to turn a blind eye towards you for saving him."
"He seems a good man, if not a bit… hurt." Wanda said as Marian nodded.
"But the viscount is concerned about the Qunari." Marian said as Wanda nodded. Three years had passed and they still had not left Kirkwall. They claimed to be waiting for a ship but it had not arrived, making then wonder, whether Qunari had a hidden agenda in staying in Kirkwall.
They entered the docks to face the Arishok, who watched them with narrowed eyes.
"Serah Hawke." The Arishok said.
"Messere." Marian nodded politely.
"Last we met, I did not know your name. Did not care to." The Arishok said. "You have changed your fortune over the years. The Qunari have not. I offer a courtesy, Hawke. Someone has stolen what he thinks is the formula for gaatlok. You will want to hunt him."
"Excuse me but this sounds like quite a feat." Marian said, surprised someone was able to steal from Qunari.
"It was allowed." The Arishok explained. "The stolen formula was a decoy. Saar-qamek—a poison gas, not explosives. A small amount is dangerous enough to your kind. But if made in quantity, perhaps by someone intending to sell it…"
Marian's eyes widened, just as the rest. There was only one person stupid enough to steal from the Qunari.
"You don't think that…" Wanda trailed off.
"That merchant… Javaris?" Marian said.
"Would he be cautious, or would he assume success and make enough to threaten a district?" The Arishok questioned. "A courtesy, Hawke. You will want to hunt him."
If anyone knew where to find a scoundrel dwarf trying to score some money, it was Varric. Wanda turned to him. "Do you know where we might find Javaris?"
"I heard about a sell-off. Merchant territories and such. They don't do that unless someone left in a hurry." Varric shrugged. "I'd have figured he rooked some noble. He's sure not a burglar."
"Where is he, Varric?" Wanda inquired.
"I haven't kept up on the squirt. Ask the Coterie." Varric said.
"So how dangerous does this fake mixture become?" Marian asked.
"It's not a threat to Qunari. For your kind, it is as dangerous as those who breathe it." The Arishok explained.
"Meaning?" Wanda asked.
"The gas kills, but first it turns allies against their own in blind rage. So, the greater the skill of those sent against us, the more dangerous they become to their own people." The Arishok said.
"Thank you for bringing this to us." Marian said.
"Panahedan, Hawke. I do not hope you die." The Arishok said
They questioned some members of the Thieves' Guild called the Coterie before they tracked down Javaris. They found the dwarf and he had every attempt to talk peacefully, but the moment he saw them he ordered his men to attack them. Which was a foolish move, considering what he asked him to do three years ago.
Javaris was cowering when the last of the mercenaries was either dead or fleeing as Marian neared him. "Calm yourself, Javaris. You're not dead yet."
"You?" Javaris demanded, recognizing her. "Granny's garters, she would hire you. I can't buy a break on discount. You know what? Go ahead. Take my head and pike it back to that sodding elf. I need the rest."
She? Elf? What was going on?
"Hold up. What are you talking about?" Wanda demanded.
"You don't know? Then, what, you're tracking for the Qunari?" Javaris's eyes widened. "Then she did it, that elf got them after me for nothing. Bitch-born."
Varric laughed. "Ah, I knew he was no burglar. We're not climbers."
"I suspected there might be more to it." Wanda nodded.
"Look, I'm minding business, same old, and out of the blue some elf tries to kill me." Javaris said. "Says she's got the Qunari powder and I'm her cover. I slipped her, hired some bodyguards, and ran for it. And now you're here. Great."
"If you're innocent, you could plead your case to the Arishok." Marian pointed out.
"Let's break this down." Javaris threw up his hands. "An elf with explosives wants me dead. Part two, the Qunari may think I'm a thief and also want me dead. Either option seems promising?" He demanded sarcastically as they were silent. "Didn't think so. Here, you want to drag dark into light, I had a man follow her. The elf's in Lowtown. I just want to get out. With my dead guards. Thanks for that."
"Better luck whatever you're bound, Javaris. The farther, the better." Marian said, not wanting to bother anymore with the dwarf, who nodded.
"Right. Got me a rosy future to plan out. Think I'll start by selling some boots." Javaris bent down, and started stripping the gear from the dead men. "Sodding bunch of… take a long breath on a short shaft you… blasted dog-lord in-roaders."
They entered Lowtown and went down the alleyway Javaris' man had tracked down the elf. There was already a guard trying to deal with a lot of scared and angry looking citizens.
"All of you, I can't fight the damned air! You want to live, stay out." The guard said.
"What's going on, Maecon?" Aveline asked.
Maecon turned to Aveline, terrified. "Guard-Captain. There's… I can't even describe…"
"On your time, son." Aveline tried to placate him.
Maecon seemed to calm down before turning to the green mist in the streets. "Reports of some haze with the stench of rust and… throw up. There was a cloud, then a… lingering mist. Anyone caught in the cloud just went mad. Then the others just retched themselves dead."
"All right, keep your post. We'll take it from here." Aveline started forward without even checking to see if they were going to follow. She did glance at him once they got to the gate. "He's a good man. Trust that it's as bad as he says."
"Let's hope this elf didn't try to make enough powder to sell." Marian said.
"Didn't sound like a merchant to me. Let's go." Aveline said.
They tried not to inhale the gas as Wanda used her powers to blow it up into the air, while Varric found himself a high vantage point as he fired from Bianca into a group of a little insane mercenaries, who had attacked them. Fenris blocked with his sword and cut them down as Marian threw daggers at them before Aveline charged forward, finishing them off.
"Where's that mist coming from?" Wanda wondered.
"There." Marian pointed into the barrels in the alley and picked a metal latch to close the barrels, while Wanda was trying to keep the green gas inside.
Few moments later, another group of thugs appeared, led, strangely, by an elven woman, who seemed very sick and barely able to stand on her feet.
"Easy, I'm just trying to find out what happened." Marian said, raising her hands.
"Is that…" The elf paused before smirking. "Serah Hawke. You have enemies. I'm glad it's you, really. These poor people. You are a much better target."
"You stole the gaatlok, what, to sell? Justify yourself?" Marian demanded.
"Qunari take my people. My siblings forget their culture, then go to the Qun for purpose. We're losing them twice. So, I get help from your people. We'll take the Qunari thunder, make some accidents, and make them hated. But this…" She looked around the alley. "This is all wrong."
"Which of my people put you up to this theft?" Marian demanded, although all of them had a good suspicion who.
"It can still work. They are hidden in your city. They'll enrage the faithful, and make sure the Qunari are blamed." The woman said, pulling out her sword. "Me, I'm finished. I just need a few more bodies. A few more."
Wanda had enough of it, knocking the elf back with a hex blast as Anders fired a fireball, burning her henchmen, while Aveline and Fenris engaged the rest, swiftly killing them.
The guard was relieved to see them survive. Aveline left him in charge of settling the situation, and the four of them limped back to the manor, still coughing. Bodhan immediately rushed down the passage, and came back up with Anders. The mage almost immediately began fussing. Varric smirked as he healed their wounds.
"Tell me… did you… did you ever meet a Dalish Warden when you were with the Wardens? Theron Mahariel?" Merrill asked Anders.
"As a matter of fact, I did. Do you know him?" Anders asked.
"We grew up together." Merrill nodded. "He was one of my clan. I keep hoping to hear some news…"
"Well, I only saw him once during the Battle of Amaranthine, he then began to study on certain darkspawn and headed to Orlais."
"So, I was wrong about our thief." The Arishok said, although he did not sound surprised.
"It appears so." Marian said.
"They say we were careless with our trap, that this is our fault. But even without the saar-qamek, there would have been death. This elf was determined to lay blame at our feet." The Arishok shook his head. "I admire conviction with a focus, but your kind are truly committed to weakness."
Marian glanced back at Aveline, who was glaring. She turned to look at the Arishok again. "She was angry to see her people losing their culture by claiming yours."
"We accept those who submit to the Qun. The weak naturally seek the strong. It doesn't matter. We do not come equipped to indoctrination. I am here to satisfy a demand you cannot understand."
"It's been a long time." Marian pointed out.
"It will take as long as needed. No ship is coming. There is no rescue from duty to the Qun. I am stuck here." The Arishok said.
"That is not the understanding of the city leaders and their… supporters." Marian protested.
"Let them rot. Filth stole from us. Not now, not the saar-qamek. Years ago. A simple act of greed has bound me. We are all denied Par Vollen until I alone recover what was lost under my command." The Arishok said. "This is why this elf and her shadows are unimportant. That is why I do not simply walk from this pustule of a city." He took a few steps towards them. "Fixing your mess is not a demand of the Qun. And you should all be grateful!" The Arishok took a moment to get ahold of himself before he sat down again. "Thank you, human, for your service. Leave."
The group was more than happy to leave the Arishok.
"That's an oxman ready to charge. The Viscount should know." Varric noted.
Wanda went to the Hanged Man when she found Isabela, unsurprisingly at the bar. "Hey, Isabela."
"Are you talking about the flush on my cheeks? It must be the whiskey." Isabela teased as Wanda blushed. Was the pirate flirting with her? "Do you remember the relic I told you about? The one I need to find? I've been following a lead. I'm so close, I can taste it."
"How many times have you said that?" Wanda questioned.
"Oh." Isabela gapped. "You mean when I went digging for that stash."
"In which was an old boot and some badly written poems." Wanda added dryly.
"It could've contained the relic." Isabela grabbed a couple mugs, and then sat down at one of the tables, gesturing for her and Fenris to join her. "I just thought I'd let you know that I may soon be taking you up on that offer of help."
"I'll see what I can do." Wanda said.
"Thanks. I appreciated it." Isabela smiled. "If I learn anything new, you'll be the first to hear about it." She leaned back, and then let her eyes travel over first Wanda, and then Merrill.
Merrill looked at her looked uncomfortably. "You've had many lovers, haven't you?"
Isabela shrugged. "Fewer than some think."
"But you never stay with them." Merrill said.
"No, why should I?" Isabela said.
"But the act of lovemaking is so… intimate." Merrill said uneasily.
"I don't make love. What I do is only skin-deep, Kitten." Isabella smirked. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
Wanda rolled her eyes in disgust before she clenched her jaw, trying to suppress her giggles as Merrill had a puzzled look on her face and Isabela looked like she was about to fall out of her chair and roll on the floor in laughter. It took quite a moment for Merrill to understand the innuendo as she blushed in embarrassment, the awkwardness and hilariousness of the situation filling the atmosphere as Wanda and Isabela were on verge of hysterical laughter. Wanda had accepted she might never find her way back or see her friends, but she was glad she had found new friends and family.
Varric handed over the small pouch of coins to a man. "Just tell me if you hear more rumblings from the Coterie about protection. Blondie's got enough trouble…" He waved the man away when he saw Marian enter, and gave his friend a considering look. "Let me ask you something, Hawke. You made it into Hightown. I'd expect anyone else to get complacent. But you… you must have plans."
"No plans yet. I'm simply trying to look out for my mother and sister and Wanda."
Varric nodded in understanding. Leandra was a kind woman and Bethany needed all the protection she could get, now that she had been taken into the Circle of Magi in the Gallows and the templars already had enough reasons to arrest Wanda as well due to her powers and the only reason she had been spared was because of Knight-Captain Cullen.
"I suppose after the whole business with Carver, it's a good idea to hang on to what you got." Varric immediately regretted mentioning her brother as he frowned upon seeing Marian scowl. "To be honest, I thought there might be a chance you'd want to go back to Ferelden now that things have calmed down. It's good to hear you're sticking around."
"What would I do without my trusty dwarf? I'd cry myself to sleep without you." Marian joked.
Varric put a hand over his heart. "Oh, don't get all teary-eyed on me, Marian. You know I can't stand to see a human cry." He slung Bianca over his shoulder. "So, we've got a whole city-state full of trouble to get into. Shall we get started?"
Present
Cassandra stood with Leliana, letting the dwarf rest before he would continue the tale. "The dwarf would have us believe the Champion and Wanda were without ambition, that they were drawn in rather than that they sought out."
Leliana nodded. "That might not change anything. Look at Elissa and Alistair. Both of them were drawn in, and rather against their will. Now Alistair rules Ferelden with Queen Anora and Elissa is his mistress."
"And their amnesty is causing no shortage of problems for everyone." Cassandra shook her head irritably, and then sighed when Leliana started to open her mouth. "No, now is not the time for us to have that discussion again."
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