Chapter Six
Suspect Offers
Well, it wasn't lying when I told Axel we weren't going out last month… I had slipped through my cellar to comfort Anders and give him the Tevene amulet, even getting there in time for Hawke, Varric and Bela to show back up to give him the papers they found.
Now Hawke and I were in the office of the Viscount, a month later, finding out that 3 Qunari had been taken from the Keeps front step with no witnesses to the crime. Not to mention, Aveline had come to my place asking for help with Emeric and we were going to see her here in the Keep before heading out to the Hanged man… it was only noon, after all.
After assuring the Viscount and talking to Brann, we headed over to Avelines office.
"Hawke… could you wait outside for minute? I have a favor to ask of Ara." Hawke simply turned and walked out. "Copper Marigolds?" I asked and she went bright red.
"Tell me this will work?" I smirked, "Only one real way to find out, Captain." She gave me a small glare but handed over the Dowry Gift.
I skipped out of the office, chuckling.
Hawke lifted an eyebrow as I made a beeline for Donnic.
"Lady Cousland, it's been some time." I smiled sweetly and handed him the gift. "Someone asked me to give this to you."
He took it before looking at me, "It's… a copper relief of… Marigolds? And it so helpfully says, 'Marigolds'… how crafty… is there a meaning I should know about?"
I gave a chuckle, "Yes, but I'm not to tell you, yet. Just… hold onto that, will you? You'll look back on it one day with fondness."
He pocketed it and I headed back to the captains office. "Well?" she asked, suddenly not caring that Hawke was in the room.
"Well, I convinced him to hold onto it, but… he was unsure of what it was for."
"Post the roster? And listen?" I giggled and shook my head. "He'll think Hightown is a punishment, not a reward, sweetie." She groaned. "I need… um… three goats and a sheaf of wheat for his mother?"
That is when Hawke and Axel – the one Templar with me – both caught on. "Dowry traditions?" Hawke asked horrified.
"Well, what am I to say, Hawke? I've been focused on my career so long, that's it's all I know."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but what about Wesley? You were married once; or did I make that up?"
I snorted and hit Hawke in the back of the head.
"That was… a long time ago; it was easier or at least it seemed to be."
"Hanged man for drinks, Aveline. Tonight. That will be a place where you two aren't co-workers." I was sitting in a chair with my legs crossed.
"Will you tell Donnic? I'll… meet you there?" I nodded and stood, heading over to the poor oblivious man. Aveline couldn't be more obvious about her feelings; just her luck they were both a bit… yup.
"Donnic! I was wondering if you'd like to come to the Hanged man tonight. I'm the entertainment and I could really use some feedback from someone unused to hearing me sing…" he looked startled but nodded. "Should I bring anyone else?"
"The more the merrier! I'll buy a round for any guard who shows up – as long as they are not on duty!" I said, making sure my voice was loud enough to be heard even in the captains' office.
That evening, I dragged Aveline out to the pub, knowing what she would do. I yanked her over to the bar. I chose a knee-length black dress, black and brown strapped wedges, and a black waist-cincher. My hair was left in waterfall waves.
"Well, you're certainly a big spender," I commented to the man at the bar. He was 5'7 with red hair, an oddly shaped mustache and pasty skin.
"That's right, lady; tonight I'm paid and blessed! All I had to do was turn my head!" he turned and lifted his drink, "To all my friends!"
I got closer and he backed up a step, slightly unsteady, "Hey, step back, knife-ear, I know some important people. We're going to show this city what to do with those heathen Oxmen!"
I snorted and turned to Aveline, "Guard-Captain, would you like to have a word with your man here? Addressing a noble woman as a knife-ear is surely… unwise?"
"Guard-Captain?" the man squeaked and people stared at me.
She took a menacing step forward, and simply said, "Who?"
He backed himself up, "Who… what?"
"Who bought you?! Who bought the honor of a proud guard of Kirkwall and made him a drunken Mabari bitch?" she snarled as she grabbed him and slammed his back into a table. I waved of Corff, who had reached beneath the bar for the bat I'd gifted him after the last fight.
"I don't… I don't know! He was a Templar! He… had the seal of the grand cleric and everything, I swear!"
Aveline let him up and took a step back, "The penalty for abandoning your post is ten days on the wall. I expect you to report first thing in the morning… and you owe Lady Cousland an apology for calling her by a derogatory term."
He paled and turned to me, throwing himself to his knees and said, "Please forgive me, My Lady!"
I nodded with a small smile. He ran for the door as Hawks sat next to Donnic with a smirk and I looked at Corff, "Each Guardsman gets one drink on me, hun."
The bartender gave me a smile when I handed him a gold piece.
I used my magic, causing the instruments I kept on the stage to come alive – I wasn't worried about theft since no one could even get close without me. I looked around the bar, noticing that most of the Guard, Hawkes whole group and quite a few Templars were here tonight. I also saw the owner from a Bar in Hightown… hmm.
The first thing I sang, was Walk of Shame… by P!nk.
One step, two steps, counting tiles on the floor
Three steps, four steps, guess this means that I'm a whore
Uh oh, hell no, how long 'til I reach the door?
Fuck me, my feet are sore
Continuing with the theme, Slut Like You was next… same artist.
I'm not a slut I just love, love
Tell me something new
'Cause I've heard this
Okay I'll fuck you
A little taste test
You'll be my little friend
You'll be my little friend
You'll be my little friend
And they think we fall in love
But that's not it
Just want to get some
Ain't that some shit
You'll be my little friend…
I saw Bela get up on the Table they were all seated at and begin to dance to it. She was mimicking my moves well enough that I teleported her to me and we began our own little 'dirty dance' sequence to the song, shocking everyone with my Magic.
For my final song, I winked at Bela – I had practiced this one with her last week; Pon De Replay by Rihanna.
Come Mr. DJ song pon de replay
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up?
All the gyal pon the dancefloor wanting some more what
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up?
It goes 1 by 1 even 2 by 2
Everybody on the floor let me show you how we do
Let's go dip it low then you bring it up slow
Wind it up 1 time wind it back once more
When I came of the stage, putting my instruments back to deactivate, I headed over to Hawkes table. As I walked, I changed my clothes; I now wore black jeans, a dark grey tank top, thigh-high black leather boots with a 2 inch high thick heel – I could not do thin heels; I was always afraid they would snap. My hair was pulled back at the sides and clipped with a metal Celtic Knot hair ornament in the back, but was otherwise left loose.
The owner of the Hightown bar came over. "Lady Cousland, my name is Cedric, Owner of…"
"I know. How can I help you, Mr…?"
"Just Cedric, my lady… I was hoping to offer you a job… as horrible as it sounds for a bar owner to offer a job to a Noble woman. I've been hearing nothing but good things about you for weeks from my customers, and came here tonight to see you myself. I'm not sure why a woman of your status would choose to work… here, but my Bar would be honored to host you," the man was 5'7 with golden-brown hair, grey eyes, and pale skin.
"Forgive me, but you seem to be under the mistaken impression that I actually need a job. I chose the Hanged Man, Cedric, not the other way around. This place has the support of one of my dearest friends, Lord Varric Tethras from Orzammar. Let me be level with you, Cedric… I love this place, and I don't see myself choosing to go elsewhere while I live in Kirkwall."
"Feathers, I'm not a lord…" Varric griped once Cedric had huffed and stormed off.
"No? So this letter from King Bhelen is all lies?" I smiled sweetly and he gave me a glare. "You didn't!"
"No, I didn't ask for it. Bhelen learned of our friendship and re-instated your family himself. Oh and I found your fathers' signet ring; the one Bartrand pawned." I hand him the Letter and the ring. He sighed, "Sometimes, I regret being friends with you."
"No you don't; I have all the best stories!" he sighed, "There is that. Oh and some of my contacts spotted my brother at his old place."
"I've really missed Bartrand!" Hawke smirked from behind me. "I agree, Bianca has missed him something terrible!" Varric grinned.
Aveline approached and looked at Hawke, "I… couldn't do it. What'd he say?"
Hawke laughed, "He thought Ara arranged it to help me get to you. By the way, Ara, he says you have a nice voice, but he's afraid he's not the type to enjoy such… lewd songs." I giggled.
"I'm an idiot," Aveline sighed. "Well, if you were that far gone, you wouldn't have allowed me out of your office with the Marigolds, sweetie." This prompted questions from the rest of the group… Hawke obliged much to Avelines horror.
"I… need to talk to him, but I'm a mess unless I'm on patrol… I'm good at that, at least. But killing highway men doesn't provide for an intimate setting. I'm tired of embarrassing myself."
"There's an idea! Hawke and a few of us clear your patrol ahead of you while you talk with Donnic!"
She smiled at me. "Would that work?"
"In a way… I can't spoil the fun, can I? You may not like how it goes, but it'll be fine in the end." She nodded. "I'll set him on my patrol for the wounded coast next month! I'd do it this month but I've already posted the schedule…" I nodded.
The next morning, Hawke, Cullen, Axel, Sebastian Varric and I all headed for the Chantry.
"The man was a drunk, surely you don't think Grand Cleric Elthina is funding Zealots?!" Sebastian asked. "Don't forget the Kidnapped Qunari…" Hawke chuckled. "Keep an Open mind Hawke; that is all I ask."
I giggled. "Elthina didn't do it, I know that. It was someone we're more familiar with!" Hawke groaned. "Don't tell me…"
Hawke sighed and looked to a read headed Chantry sister, "The Grand Cleric please, tell her… Three Qunari leave an estate…" the sister stood and began to walk away when our blonde haired bitch stepped in front of us, waving the sister off.
"Serah Hawke… Lady Cousland…"
Hawke shook his head ruefully. "Sister Petrice."
"Mother Petrice; time has changed us both, Serah. Grand Cleric Elthina cannot grant an audience to just anyone. What do you want?"
"Funny how you and issues with the Qunari seem to go hand-in-hand," Hawke shrugged off-handedly. I snorted as Cullen and Axel were giving me wide-eyed looks. They couldn't believe I was letting Hawke accuse a Mother of the Chantry.
"And you seem to assume their side. Is you Ladyship a convert?" she sneered to me.
I giggled. "Oh I have no desire to have myself chained and my mouth sewn shut, Mother Petrice… I worship the Triple Goddess, mother of Sky, Land, and Sea and all in her domain. I'm a simple heathen, I'm afraid."
Sebastians head whipped to look at me with his jaw dropped. "But… you have the blessing of the Divine!" Mother Petrice paled.
I nodded, "Doroth… Justinia the fifth has been kind to me… going so far as to promise to arrange a wedding ceremony that she will preside over if you recall. For me and all three of my mates, should they agree."
"Anyway, we're here because someone may have used the Grand Clerics authority to abduct Qunari." Hawke had decided to cut off the religious debate.
Petrice, still staring at me, said nothing. "Hmm… that pause says you knew, Mother, but did her Grace?"
"The Grand Cleric trusts her stewards to enact the wishes of the Maker." She said hastily.
Cullen hissed a breath, and Hawke gave a dark chuckle. "Sounds like you've been a bad girl; this will no doubt shock her Grace."
"Stubborn…" Petrice grumbled before sighing and speaking a little louder. "Alright, Serah Hawke, since you won't abandon this, let me offer you something. The Templar you seek is a radical who has grown… unreliable. Confronting him may do us all a favor," she nodded to Cullen whose face had darkened at the mention that a Templar was involved.
"Let me guess… Ser Varnell?" Hawke sighed, causing Cullen to stiffen.
"Assume what you wish, but I offer you to him as… reconciliation. Meet me at this location. I invite you, Serah Hawke; come and see the unrest the Qunari have inspired." She handed Hawke a paper with the location of Varnells hide away.
We walked out of the Chantry and Cullen pinned me to the wall, "A Templar is involved… Ser Varnell?"
"One of the 5 Templars assigned to the Chantry, yes. Varnell has been working with Petrice, against the Qunari for the last 3 years, Knight-Captain. However, Mother Petrice is perfectly careful in her involvement – there is no evidence to link her to anything other than Varnell, and he thinks she won't turn on him so he won't turn on her." He nodded and let me go, much to Hawkes amusement. "Next time, you should just kiss her, Knight-Captain… she seems to like that kind of thing."
I smirked. "You would know, Mr. 'Pin her to the wall and kiss her the second time I lay eyes on her'!"
Cullen looked like he'd been struck by lightning. "Why would you do that?"
"I saved his sisters' life; I told you about that. Well, the way I did that was I told him back in Lothering before they fled the blight that they would encounter an Ogre. When he asked me what I wanted for the information I told him a hug – I was being sarcastic but he did give me a hug."
"When I pulled her into me, she told me that if she thought I'd actually do it, she'd have asked for a kiss. Well she also told me she'd see me again, so when her information saved my sister, I swore to myself that the next time I saw her…"
"Makes sense to me, but then… are you two… together?" Axel asked. Hawke and I looked at each other and laughed. "Goddess, no! I mean, I might sleep with him if Bela has her way, but those two are more likely to end up together than Hawke and I!"
"Bela what?" Hawke asked stunned.
"She's been trying to get me to agree to another threesome; with you, me and her this time instead of me, her and Alistair this time. Since Alistair said it was a one-time thing with him…"
"That could be… interesting." I snorted, "Taking my lines now? That's what I told Alistair when Bela wanted me and him."
Cullen was blushing. I looked at him. "Maybe if you had followed last month…"
"What?" Hawke looked lost.
"Fenris came over, day after that stuff with Hadriana…" I explained to Hawke what I had told Cullen.
"Wait! So you're married to Fenris, and he doesn't know? And Fenris invited Cullen to join you both? But you're not married to Bela?" Hawke asked.
"It only seems to work with the people I have a connection with. Basically, Alistair, Fenris… and Cullen if he chose to; but Bela or even you… no link." I shrugged as we were walking. Sebastian and Cullen were the only two who were blushing.
"Feathers… you have to tell him…" Varric muttered. "How, Varric? How do you tell someone that they married you without their knowledge? I tried telling him before hand, but he was rather… focused." I was getting sick of explaining things over-and-over.
"You know what? Next time someone has a question like this, it better be when the whole damn group is together; the less times I have to explain things, the better."
"We have to tell the Arishok that the delegate is missing…" Hawke sighed but we headed for the Docks.
"What do you want, Hawke? I have no interest in adding to my distractions." The Qunari around us was watching… me?
"And yet, you sent a delegate to the Viscounts office," Hawke shrugged, looking to me with his eyebrow lifted.
The Arishok whipped his head to look at us with narrowed eyes. "A brief attempt to educate; if the dwarf had stolen the Saar-qamek, it could have been used to show the price of greed, but you know the outcome of that. These fools are determined to be wrong; I won't waste the effort again."
I stepped forward, and Hawke bowed his head to me, "Arishok, Itwa-adim! Nehraa Shokrakar; Ebasit Vashedan… Ashkost say esaam Qun… Var-toh katashok, Ebadim Maraas issala toh! Ataash Qunari." They all fall! For Rebellion; it is crap. Seek peace in the Qun… they will struggle, and we will turn them into nothing. Glory to the Qunari.
"Shanedan, Katari. Were it anyone else, those words would have been their last. If it is you handling this, I will wait. But know this, Katari; the provocations we have suffered have worked. If this is not resolved, I can fulfill my duty to the Qun with far less annoyance by sifting through the rubble." I will hear you, one who brings death.
"Panahedan, Arishok." He nodded, "Panahedan."
"What did you say to him?" Hawke asked as soon as we were away from the compound.
"A rebellion has taken his men but he should seek pace for it will be resolved… in the way of the Qun."
"Resolved how?"
"Well, we aren't serving tea and cakes to murders, Hawke… especially when they attack us…"
Varric gave a strangled laugh, "Should I bring extra bolts?"
"We should bring extra people."
"Bela and Aveline?" Hawke asked; I nodded.
After picking up our friends, we made our way to Dark Town; to Varnells hidey hole.
"How did you become friends to the Qunari?" Axel asked.
"While traveling in Ferelden, I made a friend in one of their… highest ranking soldiers. Then a few months ago, I made a friend in their secret police… both named me as family, and gave me a title. The Arishok received the reports detailing that, causing them to accept me. I even have a fucking dragon bone and Dawn-stone dagger that was made by their smiths in Par-Vollen and sent especially for me. When one of the Qun receives a weapon made for them, it is considered their soul; to lose it is to be soulless… essentially, Axel, I was adopted… just like in Ferelden, Orzammar, and with the Dalish."
We killed spiders and spent a good 40 minutes making our way to the center room, where Varnell was.
I shouted, "Ashkost say esaam Qun; Itwa-adim issala!" seek peace in the Qun; they all fall to dust.
The three delegates all bowed their heads to me, shouting, "Ataash Qunari!" Glory to the Qunari!
"Ser Varnell!" Mother Petrice emerged from the shadows and he sneered and shouted to his following, "Take a knee, faithful; the Chantry blesses us."
"You claim a blessing when you have used the authority of the grand cleric so openly? You have brought wrath down upon you! You remember Serah Hawke and Lady Cousland? The Qunari have friends, Templar! How will you answer their allegations?"
"Stand down, Varnell!" Cullen shouted.
"You want a fight? Face someone whose weapons are not bound!" Hawke snarled.
Varnell looked directly at me with a smirk and his hand twitched. I shouted my earlier words and the bound Qunari all shouted back at me, embracing their fates.
"Kill her! She is obviously one of their converts!" Varnell shouted, and the fighting began.
When they were all dead, I began reciting the Qunari 'Prayer for the Dead' over each of the three bodies, while Hawke left to get the Viscount.
"What are you doing?" Cullen asked.
"These men were killed for their beliefs, Knight-Captain. I intend to give them their last rites in their culture. If they were Andrastian, I would say the Chant of Light for them, Christians would get theirs from the bible, and Wiccans like me would get a ritual for last rites… with candles, a smudge stick, a ritual circle and everything. I may not agree with their religion, Cullen, but I'm heathen enough to know 'do as ye well, so long as it harms none'. They truly believed in the Qun, even to their dying breath, and as a priestess, I cannot sit idle and allow their souls to linger."
"You're… a Priestess?" I heard a voice from behind me. I looked to see the Viscount. "In my own religion, yes. I worked hard to earn my role, Viscount Dumar."
He nodded. "This is madness," he sighed, looking at all the bodies that were now being loaded onto 'stretchers' and covered with sheets.
"That's one word for it…" Hawke shrugged.
Dumar rubbed his forehead, "Chantry involvement… even if it's fringe elements; it could not be worse! You killed all of the conspirators?"
I shook my head. "No, but the Mother that allowed this to happen has left no evidence of her part; nor will she do anything too stupid in the coming days. Soon, yes, but not yet. Until she makes a move, our hands are tied."
"The storm these allegations would cause… it would destroy what support I do have. I will make inquiries – gently – and you should be careful in your associations. For now, we have other problems. I can't return the bodies to the Arishok in this state…"
"You don't have to. I gave him my word that I would take care of it, and thus it falls to me to return them. Hiding this would only make it worse anyway."
"It would, wouldn't it? I am losing my sense of how to balance this nightmare. I appreciate your help in this matter; as bad as it is, it could have been much worse without the two of you. Kirkwall owes you; I owe you."
I had 12 people from the city guard following me; 4 to carry each body on their 'stretcher'. I was allowed entrance at once when they say horns poking from under the sheets.
"Arishok, Anaan-Katoh; but at great cost. I have said the Prayers of the dead for the fallen, all of whom were loyal to the Qun to their last breath. I bring to you now, their bodies."
He nodded to me, "Ataash varin kata, you have my thanks, Katari." In the end lies glory.
I began to walk away when he called out, "Hawke… I have seen every vice and weakness of the bas – and how few of them take responsibility… Hawke, your viscount remains a fool, but you are not. Panahedan, Hawke; I will keep one good thought of your kind." I saw Hawke give the Arishok a small bow before we all left.
We all got to the Gallows the next day to talk to Emeric.
"Serah, My Lady… thank you for coming."
"What can we do for you, Emeric?" Hawke asked. I caught sight of Cullen, training his recruits and I smiled. Then I saw Meredith coming toward me. I moved to meet her so that Hawke could get the information we needed from the Templar.
"Can I help you Knight-Commander?"
"I hear you've been using magic at the Hanged Man every week."
"Yes; my music performances. Several of your men have come to those, if I recall. I make the instruments play themselves, do some light shows and so on…"
"It needs to stop."
"Not according to this. I thought you may have some problems with my blatant use of magic, so I contacted Lelianna – I mean the Left Hand – and asked for this. As long as my Magic doesn't harm anyone without permission from a Templar, I can do whatever I want." I handed her the not signed by Justinia herself that had arrived last week.
She snarled at me as she read it. "I don't know how you gained the approval of the Divine when I hear you don't even worship the Maker, mage."
"That is enough! I have tried to be Civil to you, Meredith, really I have, but you have made that impossible. I am tired of you calling me Mage. I have a name. But if you really want to use titles, let me give you a list! Hero of Denerim, Lady Cousland, High Priestess… I could go on, but my other titles are a bit harder to swallow for someone like you! Call me mage one more time, and I will take it as an attack." I shouted, we had drawn a crowd when she'd snarled at me.
"High Priestess? Of what?" she sneered.
"That would 'of whom', Meredith. The Triple Goddess guides my path. I am ordained to preform weddings and rituals alike!"
Cullen stepped between us, "Surely this is not the place for this discussion?"
I glared at Meredith, "I am leaving."
She turned on her heal and stormed off. "Is it wise to rile up the Knight-Commander?" Cullen asked as he looked at me.
"No, but it is not wise for her to rile me up, either. I will see you tomorrow, Knight-Captain." I followed Hawke to the Ferry and then to Hightown.
Getting to Gascard DuPuis' home as the sun set, Isabela picked the lock, while Varric, Hawke, Fenris and I stood Guard… I had left the Templars at home – they couldn't actually follow me if I said no.
Hawke sighed and whispered to me, "You really should tell him."
Fenris heard, "Tell me what?"
"Why do you assume it's you?" Varric asked.
"Varric stop. Fenris… surely you've noticed your new tattoo?" he jerked in surprise, his hand coming up to his right arm.
"You have something to do with it?" he growled. I flinched – hard.
"In a way… I'll tell you now, Alistair and I both have one as well. Whatever I am…"
"What?!" he demanded, grabbing me by the arm.
"Broody, it's not her fault you didn't listen that night." Varric tried getting between us. "Didn't listen?"
"Remember I was telling you that I had to warn you…?"
"Spit it out!"
"You're married, broody. Apparently, being with her does that."
"Kitten, does this mean we are married?" Bela asked with a playful smirk, knowing the answer.
"No… only the ones who get the tattoo are… and so far, there are only three who could. I have to have a specific connection for that to happen…"
We began our trek through the house, killing shades and demons. "Why didn't you tell me over the last month?"
"How am I supposed to bring that up, Fenris? You left me, and then you didn't bother to acknowledge the tattoo… you've been avoiding me… you refuse to go out with Hawke unless I'm not going to be there… when could I have said anything?"
"She's got you there, Broody." Varric snorted as we headed into the 'dining area'.
After killing more shades and finding the 'Reply from Starkhaven', we moved up the stairs.
"Women's clothes; from the murdered women?" Fenris asked and I shrugged. I wasn't really sure if they were from all the dead women or not. I had guilt weighing on me. I was thinking furiously of who I could substitute for Leandra later… I was worried I wouldn't find a suitable 'evil' woman, though I knew of several I needed one that was the right height. Then I would need to cate Glamour – an illusion to disguise both women as each-other – and not tell Hawke until after it was all over… this was tricky, but I think I could pull it off.
We entered the Master bedroom and saw a white-haired woman with green eyes… Alessa… she was almost older than Leandra.
She saw us and cried, "Help me… please! He's gone mad…"
Gascard turned to face us; he was 5'6 with short blonde and brown hair, dull bronze eyes and pasty skin. His features spoke of inbreeding though his voice would trick people into thinking he was handsome if they hadn't seen his face… what a waste.
"You're not… you're not him. Shit; I know what this looks like, but I didn't hurt her!"
"So the wild eyed hysteria was just for show then?" Hawke asked in his laid back manner as I inched around to the women.
Gascard snorted, "I do not know why you're here, but there is a killer out there, and I think he is playing us both."
"Alright, let's hear you talk your way out of this," I smirked.
"20 Silvers if he says 'it wasn't me, it was the one-armed man!'" Varric snorted.
"Several years ago, my sister was murdered. The bastard is now in Kirkwall, killing again the same way he killed my sister. It starts with a bouquet of white lilies, he sends them to each new victim; Alessa was going to be next. I took her so he'd have to come to me; I was finally going to face my sisters' killer… but then you showed up."
"He's lying! He hurt me…" Alessa whimpered. I nodded to her, and Gascard finally realized I was next to her. I cut the bindings on her hands and gestured for her to leave.
"I have explained this! I needed her blood to track her if he got to her! It was for her protection." He shouted, watching her leave with growing irritation.
"DuPuis had only one child… you." I sneered and he paled. Hawke smirked and Sebastian readied his bow, realizing that I had played Gascard to allow the woman to escape.
"I'm so sorry, Ser, but your story just doesn't add up; I can't let you go." Hawke sneered and the fight began.
The next morning, we headed for the Gallows – Hawke, Alano, Varric, Aveline and I… I had made the swap, and both women knew what was happening. The woman who was set to die in Leandras place was doing it for not one, but two reasons. I had paid 15 gold for her family to live a better life, and she wanted to repent her life of crime. Leandra was currently staying at my place until everything was settled.
From what I'd heard, this was the last quest before… Hawke had done everything else and Leandra was supposed to meet Gamlen tomorrow evening.
"Moira, sweetie! How are you, dear?" I asked as we approached the Templar, much to Hawkes confusion.
"Ara? Emeric just left to meet you and Hawke… what are you doing here?"
"Meet us? Hun, we had no plans to meet him anywhere…"
"But… your note…" she handed me a note.
"This isn't my hand writing… Hawke, we have to go." Hawke turned on his heel and I followed as we headed for the meeting spot. "Did you know?" Varric asked. "It is his time. Take solace in the fact that his end was peaceful, no drawn out. He never saw it coming…"
Alano sighed, "If the Knight-Captain hadn't told me… I'd never have believed this. It is nice that it's only Axel, the Captain and I on your detail now, though." Casper and Becca had been reassigned due to the increase in blood mage activity.
After killing the ones who killed Emeric, Moira came running up… "I… I followed when you said… he… oh, Maker… some mage sent those things here to… why would anyone… the murders! Emeric was right, wasn't he? He suspected a man named Gascard DuPuis; was it him?"
"No, Moira… DuPuis is dead. He'd kidnapped a woman… didn't Alessa come to the Gallows?" Hawke asked.
She shook her head and everyone looked at me. "Looks like Gascard wasn't completely full of shit. Alessa was the next victim. But he was still a Blood Mage, and was summoning Demons… he needed to die. And that bullshit lie about having a sister? I think he was in league with the killer." Everyone took me at my word.
The next evening, after making sure Leandra was comfortable in my home, and telling Cullen and Revas to stay alert – just in cast – I walked next door to Hawkes… just in time to see Hawke getting home.
I walked in with him and we heard Gamlen, shouting at Sandal.
"Shouting won't make him understand you better, you know," Hawke chuckled.
Gamlen came over to us and asked, "Where's your mother? Is she feeling alright?"
Hawke lifted an eyebrow at me and said in an amused voice, "I'm tempted to say she isn't, just to see your reaction."
"Your mother didn't show up for her weekly visit. Is she ill? She is here, isn't she?" Hawkes face fell.
Bodahn ambled over, "Could she be with her suitor, perhaps?"
"Suitor? Leandra never mentioned a suitor…" Gamlen muttered.
"Well those lilies arrived for her this morning…" Hawkes face snapped to mine and he gripped me by the arms. "Tell me it isn't the killer."
Gamlen gasped. "You have to trust me, Garrett. The killer has targeted you mother; without me, Leandra would die… trust in me, and we will follow the clues." He nodded.
"You saved my sister twice, and Carver once… if you say my mother will be okay… let's go!" he grabbed me, and we rushed out the door, almost running into Varric and Fenris on our way out; they followed us.
We rushed our way to Lowtown, though Varric and Fenris kept sneaking glances at me.
We found the blood trail easily enough, though I still tossed a small pouch of 50 silvers to the urchin with the black-eye.
We were all running as we got to the foundry… "Isn't this…" Hawke asked. I nodded and headed for the trap door.
"Alessa…" Hawke breathed as we came across her body almost at once.
We continued to rush our way through the warrens, undoing traps and finding the lair.
"That picture… it almost looks like mother…" Hawke looked sick.
"This man is either very devoted or very insane." Fenris remarked, looking at me. "Both. That picture was his wife…"
"We need to find her… now."
It wasn't much longer before we found him.
"Shame really! My glamour doesn't hold past death," I shouted when I saw the man roar in rage.
"This isn't the right woman! All my work; for nothing! She was chosen because she was special… she was supposed to be part of something… greater!"
"Oh Quentin, I know everything. I know who your partner is, I know DuPuis was your protégé, and I knew you would try for Leandra so I found a woman willing to redeem herself, to die at your hands to spare her. You are crazy. The dead cannot be brought back!" I shouted and I saw Hawke slump in relief as Fenris looked at me.
"This woman knew?!" Quentin shouted.
I smirked, "Poor pitiful Quentin… Leandra looks so much like your beloved, and now I've ruined your pet project." I allowed my wings to shoot out and the pasty bald mage fell backwards as my hair seemed to catch fire and my eyes shone with unseen light.
"You have angered a Fae, Quentin! The punishment is death!" my voice boomed with power and the very wall shook as vines burst from the ground and bound him.
"By my authority, I grant this execution to Lord Garrett Hawke as the intended victim of this crime was his mother!" Hawke moved forward and stabbed the blade of his staff into the old mages neck before coming over to me and throwing his arms around me. I allowed my wings to fold and hair to extinguish while I looked up to the mage hugging me fiercely while shook with tears falling from his eyes.
"Hawke?" I asked in a small voice.
"You saved both my siblings, and now my mother… thank you…"
"Did I hear right? This woman knew she would die?" Fenris asked.
"Yes. She actually sought me out for death. She was tired of being seen as evil and wanted redemption. I paid her 15 Sovereigns for her family and implemented her as Leandra yesterday. Her name was Selia… and I've already arranged for her to be buried with honors in the cemetery of Kirkwall's nobility."
We made our way back to my place, where Cullen answered the door and asked, "Is it… done?"
I nodded and he called out, "Lady Hawke, your son is here for you!"
Leandra gave me a hug as I dropped her glamour and she left with Hawke.
