Welcome ladyluck278. Thank you for following the story. I hope you continue to enjoy. **I missed an update last week so there will be two this week. My apologies life is somewhat chacotic right now.**

Varric noted Hawke's body language as he turned to survey the laughing couple. The warrior watched with narrowed eyes and clenched hands, as if he expected trouble. "Relax Hawke, he means Sunshine no harm. Besides if you hadn't told her you were leaving her here, he wouldn't be over there cheering her up."

When Garret exhaled it sounded if he had pushed all the air out of his body through clenched teeth. He was in one of those situations where he was damned either way. "My mother is afraid that if Bethany goes into the Deep Roads, we will lose her like we did Carver. I have either Bethany upset with me or mother. Bethany will get over it easier than mother will. She doesn't even want to go but Bethany is terrified about getting caught by the Templars."

"Sunshine is right to be worried. I feel sorry for the Mages in there. But don't tell blondie. He already dominates every conversation with mage injustice." Varric said with a shrug. "Have you thought about our new friend?"

"Can we trust them?"

Varric chuckled. "Are you just sore they won the majority of games tonight and then refused to take our money?"

"That didn't feel like a set up to you?"

"Obliviously they felt they didn't need it. She said they came for the stories and the ale; the game was for fun. There is something more too them than what they are saying. Their arrival was too quiet. She says she is titled, but she acts common born."

Fenris frowned thinking about the woman they met tonight. She was a walking contradiction. Generous with her coin but not frivolous. Claiming nobility but not petty and coy. Alleging leadership but allowing her men to make decisions. "I think she bears watching. I don't believe her agenda. Nobility has little interest in refugees."

Hawke shrugged glancing at the woman speaking in hushed tones to the Ash Warrior. "Actually, I think that is the only thing she is telling us the truth about. Fenris, while we are in the Deep Roads, I want you to watch her. I want to know her real purpose in Kirkwall. And if our meeting was as much of a chance as it appeared to be."

"My money is on her being truthful. When I talk to her, I get the same feeling when talking to you. Both of you are…" Varric paused looking for the right words. "First did you know she is on a first name bases with your king and mine?"

"Explain?" Fenris said. He was still thinking about the fact Hawke said he wasn't going with them to the Deep Roads.

"She said they weren't going to place 'Cailan' in danger again. She caught herself and added the title. But then she was talking about weapons and specifically called my king and paragon by their given names no title. Either she didn't notice it or chose not to correct herself."

"Your leaving me behind because you think she will tell me?" Fenris asked.

Hawke sighed and raked his fingers through short dark hair. "No I am leaving you because I can only take so many before Bertram doesn't allow us to tag along. Gold or no gold. And with Bethany here I am not leaving Sebastian behind. I don't need him duty bound reporting an apostate. I am leaving you here to protect them and while you are protecting her... well we did offer them to stay with you."

A wry chuckle escaped Fenris. "And if she tries to kill me?"

"Don't worry Broody. She doesn't strike me as that type. Besides, I think the sword is for show. You probably have to worry more about her men."

"Unless it's his virtue," Garret said with a chuckle.

Fenris coughed uncomfortably.

"Now Hawke, why would you torment Broody like that. You don't even know that she likes elves. She is traveling with two humans."

"Look at her. She is a comely wench traveling alone with two men unchaperoned. Admitting to strangers she lost her clothes in a card game. And talking about prostitutes. If we weren't leaving, I might find out…"

"Then I suggest you do not have her stay with me. I have no interest in being another nobleman's toy." Fenris said interrupting Hawke.

"Call it a dwarf's intuition but you have nothing to worry about. She will stay with you. Probably let you follow her around for the use of your blade. But I don't think you will get anything more than that from her."

"I'll take that bet Varric."

"I knew you would. And I will be happy to take your money."

As Hawke and Fenris made their way back to the table Hawke looked over his shoulder at the dwarf grabbing another bottle of ale and said, "Use every skill you have to get the information and I will split the winnings with you"

Fenris laughed at the competitive nature of the duo. "That's a seventy- thirty split for me since I am doing all the work and putting my virtue in danger?"

"Sixty-forty. You'll get the other ten percent laying with the girl." Hawke heard the elf scoff and tried to keep the grin off his face. Even if the girl didn't try anything which he doubted. Fenris needed to loosen up.

"Ona, Fenris is staying in a mansion up in High Town owned by the magister who kept him as a slave. He is hoping to ambush the man. If you stay, there you might have to watch out for the Guard. Aveline, a guardswoman tries to head off any investigations. Are you alright with that?"

I groaned a little at this recent development. It would have been easier just to find a spot in Darktown. But that would probably require defending myself and running into trouble with Templars.

Most of the time I tried to obey the laws especially since I was supposed to be upholding it at the Vigil. But being a Grey Warden meant I broke as many as it took to get the job done. And technically I was still dealing with the blight. "I think we can manage. We will be out and about most of the time so it shouldn't affect us too much."

"And if that doesn't work there is always the power of gold," Alton suggested.

I shrugged Cailan had given me extra to deal with bribes. I was sure he wouldn't mind me using a little for securing a place to stay. "Could you direct Alton, Teyrn and I. Darragh will stay elsewhere for a while."

Darragh set his ale on the table and stood to join us. Enid at his heals and Teyrn at mine. He would follow us to the mansion, for future reference and then make his way to the dwarven compound to leave with them in the morning.