Thanks Judy... as faithful as a Mabari.
The woman gasped. "Whitney, you didn't?"
"They weren't supposed to find me," she cried out irritated trying to pry my fingers off her bicep.
"Not true, child. If you hadn't wanted me to come after you. You would have never taken the bag after getting the silvers. Losing the money wasn't a big deal, especially since your daughter said she was taking it to feed her little sister. But I get here and find a mother who isn't lost and a sister that hasn't been fed."
"And you said you were an Ash Warrior and that King Cailan sent for us. You said the Hero was going to rescue us."
"Whitney, you know better. Don't lie like that," her mother said.
"Actually, I did introduce us as Ash Warriors. She just assumed the part about the king and the hero. Since you didn't' use the money to feed your family. Where is the coin?"
"Are you truly Ash Warriors? I didn't know they left Ferelden."
I released Whitney's arm and turned toward her mother. "Darragh, the man with the braids and blades is. They go where their cause takes them. In this case, he followed me. Now Whitney, where is the coin?"
She crossed her arms over her too thin body and stuck her chin and nose in the air. "And why should I tell you? You were supposed to find me before Brekker did. You weren't there. You deserve to lose it."
I listened to the giggling sound outside the curtain knowing the child was probably smiling for the first time since the blight started. I hated having to do this but the girl needed to be reined in. 'You know what child, we were wrong about you. Anyone can swear using the term mabari. But you're not worthy of being called a Ferelden. I hope the money you stole was worth it. Because, I am no longer interested in helping you."
"No wait," she cried. "Brekker wouldn't stop hitting Mamam until I said I would steal enough to make up for her not working. You were supposed to get there and stop him. He was going to beat Mamam again."
"Child had I known what the plan was I might have been there when you needed me. But you choose to try to trick me into helping you, instead of asking. Now you owe me the two hundred pieces of silver. And you are going to work it off."
"I'm no whore."
"Child do I look like a brothel owner to you. No you, your sister and mother are going to the Vigil in Amaranthine. You're going to serve under Ser Alec at a squire's wage."
"I will not."
"You will or your mother and sister will be stuck in Kirkwall getting the only work a woman in the slums can get. Is that the life you want to saddle them with, when you can do an honest day's work to pay what you owe?"
Her big toe slid out the hole in her boot as she kicked the stone floor and sullenly said, "No."
"Good then maybe I was being hasty when I said you weren't Ferelden. Now go tell Alton and Darragh to take you, the hounds and your little sister up to Low town and get some food and wood for the fire. I am going to take care of your mother." I tell Whitney handing her one of the pies aware that both Darragh and Alton heard the entire exchange.
She looked at her mother for permission. When the woman nodded her head, the girl squealed in delight.
I wait until I hear the group as they trod up the stairs and then turn to the woman and say, "despite what I said to her earlier that child is all Ferelden. I imagine you have your hands full."
"Please, can we forgo the niceties and you tell me what you plan to do with my children?"
"Exactly what I said. You and they are going back to Vigil's Keep in Ferelden. Your daughter has a debt she owes me and she is going to work it off. I will allow you and your other daughter to join her at the Vigil if you choose. There is something you can do to earn your keep that doesn't require you to sell yourself."
"I don't believe you. You are looking for slaves."
I shrug, unbuckle one of my pouches, and pull a vial of purple liquid. Handing it to her I say, "I don't know what to tell you. There is no slavery in Ferelden. And I am giving your daughter a steady wage. Which is more than she is getting running wild here in Kirkwall. Under Ser Alec she will have an opportunity to become a great knight."
"This is healing potion do you know how much money you can get for this? And you're just giving it to me, why?"
"Why not? Coin is not my goal and I can always make more. I can heal you without potions, but most people prefer them to the alternative."
"You…you…you're a mage." She squeaked out fearfully.
"I am. Are you too afraid of magic to accept my help?"
She squared her shoulders and her chin rose for just a moment before she flinched in pain. "I am not afraid. I have faced worse things here in Darktown than an apostate. There is another healer down here. He helps those that don't have anywhere else to go. And he is not evil."
I incline my head to acknowledge her backhanded compliment. "Good, I am glad to see your enlightened view of magic. Now if you would strip and I will heal your injuries while you tell me how you came to be living down here. Your daughter mentioned you have family here."