"I still blame them..." Dumar sobbed. They were in his office, talking about the next steps. And he had confirmed what she feared the most: he blamed in part the Qunari for Saemus. "If...if he hadn't joined them...if they had done better to protect him he wouldn't have...have-"

Javeen squeezed her arms harshly. "That's not fair. The Quanri didn't kill him. It's not their fault there's fanatics here."

"Be that as it may." Dumar wiped his eyes and face with his sleeve. "I know what my heart feels. But even if I blame them somewhat-I will not take action against them, legal or otherwise. I won't risk enraging them any further."

"What about the Chantry?" Javeen asked angrily. "Any action against them? I hardly think Petrice is the only one who-"

"I cannot do anything against the Chantry, Hawke. That is insane. The people wouldn't stand for it."

"Screw the "people"!" Javeen yelled. "An innocent is dead because of religious intolerance, and they shouldn't be excused for that!"

Always fucking excuses for the Chantry. Murdered and enslaved an entire people? Well they worshipped the wrong Gods. Lock away people for the rest of their lives because of powers they were born with? Well they could be dangerous, and the Maker said so. No blame to be laid at the Chantry's feet, it's righteous! It made Javeen sick.

"There's nothing I can do Hawke. I can't touch the Chantry, even if I wanted to. Besides, the one responsible is dead. I can only leave it at that."

Javeen scoffed, shaking her head. So stupid. Nothing will change. Absolutely nothing. And when it all goes to hell, the Chantry will be blameless again.

"The...the funeral is tomorrow." Dumar said quietly. "Will you attend?"

Javeen swallowed a lump in her throat. "I didn't even attend mother's. I-I don't know if I can."

"I understand the decision to run...half of me wants to run into the mountains and bury myself under endless rock." Dumar sat in his chair, sighing into it. "But I can't do that. I won't hold it against you if you cannot."

Oh, but you can hold the Qunari accountable for the Chantry's bullshit? Javeen wanted to say, but she was done. Done with all of this. She was tired.

She went home. She landed heavily onto her bed, sighing into the mattress. She had wanted to check up on the Compound after Saemus, but the guards had turned her away under the order of the Arishok. He was tired with dealing with the Viscount too, and that extended to her as well since she couldn't go in without his order. She wanted to attend Saemus' rite instead and see her friends. But she couldn't. Everything was fucked.

If only there was something that she could appeal to the Arishok. She missed him, she missed all of them. But he was stubborn, so he needed a good reason as well. Liking her and being friends wasn't enough for his position and what that entailed. He had to protect his people.

Merrill came in and curled up beside her. "I planted a strawberry bush in the garden for Saemus. He was a sweet boy. I suppose it's silly, but it seemed to suit him."

Dalish often plant things after deaths of loved ones. Usually a tree of some sort, but even Hawke manor couldn't accommodate all the trees it would take from all the death around them. They think it's important to grow life after death. Even though she was banished from her clan, Merrill held on to as many traditions and culture of the Dalish as she could. It was important to keep that alive as well.

"That's perfect," Javeen smiled.

It was amazing how much Merrill relaxed her. Cuddling with her eased all her worries for now, thinking of that tiny strawberry bush growing and living somehow brought some comfort. It had been comforting when she had planted a maple tree for mother, and though it would be a long time before they saw growth from it, to know that it was there because of mother...she didn't know. There was something about it that calmed her down, even just a little.

There were plants for a lot of people in the garden. There was a plant for Ketojan. There was even a plant for Bartrand, Varric's brother, even though he wasn't dead. One for Aveline's old husband. Father had one as well.

And of course, one for Carver. A prickly bush was large and strong in the garden, after many years of growing. She had planted a lot of them even before they had gotten together. It was one of the reasons why Javeen fell in love with her.

But that warmth came to an end too soon. Voices, familiar ones, struggled against the other to be heard as they filled out the foyer. It was Aveline and Isabela. Arguing, as they usually did. Javeen sighed and rolled out of bed.

"-is more important than what you have to say."

"Oh get off your high horse, I have problems too."

Aveline scoffed. "Oh please. The only problems you have are when you feel a new itch-"

"You had better not finish that sentence Aveline," Javeen warned from the top of the stairs. Her calling Isabela a whore every time they were together was one of Aveline's worst qualities.

One of them, anyway.

"Hawke, we need to talk," Aveline began, but Isabela interrupted.

"So do we."

"Mine involves fugitives hiding behind the Compound," Aveline sneered. "Which do you think is more important to Hawke than your stupid little-"

"I'm going to die!" Isabela shouted, causing both of them to pause. "There, important enough for you?"

Javeen made it down the stairs, attention on Isabela. "What do you mean?"

"The relic. I know where it is. But...but Castillon knows too. If I don't bring it to him, he will kill me. I need your help to get it, I can't-" Isabela eyes grew desperate. "Please."

"How selfish can you be?" Aveline argued. "You created that situation by stealing. My problem is about protecting the people here. The Qunari are a convenient way out for a criminal and we need to figure out-"

"Maybe..." Isabela said, looking to the floor. "Maybe they're connected."

Another pause. "What?" Aveline demanded.

"Look, my contact gave me a location," Isabela continued, "it won't stay in one spot for long. We have to get the book tonight, otherwise it'll disappear again for another few years and...and Castillon is getting impatient."

Javeen narrowed her eyes. "I thought you didn't know what the relic was."

Isabela's eyes widened. "W-well...I knew it was a book. But I don't know what it's about or...or anything like that."

Javeen's brain had figured out what Isabela stole long before her heart did. It refused to click. What mattered in the moment was that Isabela was in danger, and the thing she had been trying to find all this time, that would free her from her problem, was within their grasp. Aveline's problem could wait.

"Okay. You need that relic. Your life depends on it."

Isabela gaped. "Really? You're going to help me, just like that?"

Aveline rolled her eyes. "Of course she is."

"Thank you," Isabela said, smiling a brilliant smile. "I wouldn't have picked me."

"Come on, let's get going. Who knows when it'll be moved."

Aveline did not join them, she said she needed to go back to the barracks to continue handling her situation. Fenris, Isabela, Merrill and Varric joined Javeen, but Isabela lead the way. It was getting late by the time they arrived, the sun starting to set. Less people around, which was preferable. Javeen expected a fight. She always expected a fight.

But not a fight with them.

Several qunari scouts were gathered around the entrance of the location. Dread washed through Javeen as she stared blankly at them. Why were qunari here? You know why. You know why.

"Oh, bugger," Isabela whispered, as Javeen approached them.

"Scouts! What mission are you on?"

An Ashaad stepped forward. "Basalit-an. There are Tevinter mages gathered to retrieve the-"

A shout from another qunari as he pointed to Isabela. The Ashaad eyes widened in rage. "The thief!"

Isabela had been trying to sneak away out of sight. Not this time. She took out her daggers as the qunari began to charge.

"NO!" Javeen wailed, "don't kill them!"

In those few seconds, Merrill stepped forward with her staff and slammed it on the ground. Yellow beads of magic flew at the qunari and latched onto their faces. It was a new spell Merrill was working hard on the past while, though she never said why she'd need it. The qunari wobbled as the yellow spores entered their noses, and moments later they fell to the ground, fast asleep. All except for one qunari.

Enraged at his fallen companions, he still went for Isabela-who was prepared to carve him up like a chicken. Javeen rushed in between them, not thinking of a plan. She tried to grab the spear before it skewered either her or Isabela. But it was over in a flash. Fenris appeared behind the Ashaad and brought down his weapon onto his head.

Thankfully, he used the hilt of his sword. The Ashaad dropped, unconscious.

"We don't have a lot of time," Merrill panted," I can't hold this forever."

Javeen whirled towards Isabela, not hiding the hurt she felt. "Isabela, what is going on?"

The pirate's shoulders slumped as she looked to the ground. "The relic. I stole from the Qunari."

Javeen had to fight the shakiness in her breath. That's why they were still here. Isabela had been the reason this whole time.

"And what..." Javeen began, wincing at how strained her voice sounded. "What is the relic, exactly?"

Isabela shrugged. "It's a book about a qunari named-Kes...Cousland, oh I don't know-"

Both Fenris and Javeen spoke. "Koslun?"

Isabela snapped her fingers. "That's the one."

"Koslun is the philosopher that founded the Qun," Javeen said quietly, a pit forming in her stomach. "So that text would be valuable beyond reason. Definitely enough to keep the Arishok here."

"I-it was them that destroyed my ship," Isabela nodded, "they chased me for days, unrelenting. Maker, I still can't believe I survived it. But Castillon still wants it and if I bring it to him, he'll stop hunting me for...for what I did."

"We can still...we can still fix this." Javeen paced. "We get the relic, bring it to Castillon, draw him out. Kill him. Bring it back to the qunari once he can't hurt you anymore. I'll deliver it myself."

Isabela looked more scared than anything. "You don't think I thought of that? Castillon is powerful, killing him will be..."

"Isa. I got this. We can do this without...without hurting the qunari more." She sounded desperate, but it was true. There was still a way.

Without another word, they moved the unconscious qunari out of the way, out of sight. Javeen didn't want any Kirkwallers getting the chance to hurt them while they were vulnerable. Once they were tucked away safely out of sight, they entered the building.

They walked right into the middle of a battle. A Sten lead several subordinates against four mages-the Tevinters the qunari had mentioned. In the corner was a terrified human man, who Javeen recognized as Isabela's contact-wall eyed Sam. He held a book in his arms. The moment he saw them, he shrieked in terror and ran through the open door.

"Wait!" Isabela yelled, "get back here you-" And she was gone.

"Isabela!" Javeen yelled after, and then narrowly missed a bolt of magical energy flung at her face. "Damn it!"

The Sten recognized Javeen as an ally, and together they dispatched the Tevinter mages much better than alone. The Tevinter Imperium was always at war with the Qunari. It did not surprise her that they were here trying to steal one of the most sacred tomes the Qunari had.

The Sten nodded to her once the battle was over. "Basalit-an," he said, then turned towards a door behind him, motioning for someone to come out. It was the healer, there to help with injuries if the battle went south.

Javen grinned, ecstatic he was there, but Isabela had run off and probably needed backup. But if the qunari were still there when they met up...she had to check first and warn her to run. "Just a sec-" she said rather lamely, and rushed back outside.

To her horror, Isabela wasn't there. Wall eyed Sam lay dead on the ground, a note sitting on top of his corpse. No, no, no, Isa you didn't-

Her hand shook as she grabbed the letter, reading the contents.

Dear Hawke,

I have the relic, and I am gone. I'm sorry it has to be this way. You've been a loyal ally, but this is best for us both. You promised me the relic, and I know you'll fight Castillon for me, but I don't want this. I've dragged you too far into this mess already.

You don't have to forgive me, but I hope you understand.

Isabela

She was gone. The relic was gone.

"Once a thief, always a thief," the healer said behind her. She didn't realize she had been standing there blankly for a few minutes.

"I-" she said weakly. But she couldn't say anything. She wanted to throw up.

The healer knelt next to her, checking the pulse of wall eyed Sam. He eyed her calmly, but she knew he was nothing but. "I choose to believe you did not know who she was when we took you in."

Javeen shook her head, jittery and terrified. "N-no, I didn't, I didn't know until-"

All the qunari that had been knocked out earlier, save for one, emerged from the hiding spot they had been placed, carrying the one that had been unconscious the old fashioned way. Merrill took a long breath as the spell released properly. The healer moved over to check on the downed qunari, and nodded once his inspection was over. He told the others to return to the Compound in Qunlat, and turned to face her.

"Hawke...you did your best. We acknowledge this." His eyes were troubled, and he took a long breath. "But you cannot stop what is to come. None of us can. Please run, my friend. I do not wish to see you die."

Then he disappeared, rejoining his people. Leaving Javeen to remember what the true meaning of fear was.

Joanna feverishly watched the preparations, weapons being sharpened, arrows made with a speed she had never seen before. She watched with fascinated horror as the viddathari were taken through new stances...new ways to kill. She felt the absolute determination to fulfill the Arishok's command, mixed in with confusion and perhaps as bit of questioning. But no one did. No one went forward. There was no way she could. She wouldn't even fight. She wasn't allowed.

Did she choose wrong? If she had known...would she had made the same choice? No, that was cowardly. To think that because of this she would not have joined and stayed still in her old life...she couldn't think she would have chosen that. But she couldn't help it as she watched Camlen practice a killing blow, fear bubbling up in his eyes as the time grew closer and closer.

All she could hope for was that the healer returned with the relic. That would change things, that would make them leave. Instead of...instead of...

Oh, how her heart clenched at the thought.

She prayed. Not to the Maker, no. She prayed to whoever was listening. She prayed for Hawke to magically cure all, to stop this entire thing. She'd been cold towards her since mother's death, but still she prayed. Hawke could do anything. It wasn't her fault that Saemus was...was...

She wiped at her eyes. Saemus. The world was too cruel. And even she would admit she wanted to see Kirkwall punished for Saemus. But not like this.

In her corner, she gripped her arms tightly and watched.

The qunari were preparing for war.