Chapter III-Meeting not so new people

One year later…

In Hightown

Marina POV

If Marina is a mage your story starts here:

It's been a year since I've been living with the Hawkes, Gamlen hates my presence in his "humble abode" and is the biggest racist I have ever met. Bethany has been teaching me magic and Carver has been trying to teach me some self-defense, but I'm damn clumsy. Hawke has been helping me to control my anxiety. Who would have thought that the future Champion of Kirkwall had anxiety when he was younger. And Leandra has been the mother figure I so much needed. She has been teaching me how to cook and how to embroider. The debt to Athenril is paid in full so now we need to make names for ourselves. Seeing that I played all the Dragon Age video games, I've decided to help them the best way I can, starting with Bartrand's expedition. Perhaps I'll be able to stop his betrayal before it even happens. I must try it, for them.

In Hightown

Hawke, the twins and I have reunited in the big plaza near the dwarven's stores. There on the farther left corner is Bartrand, the dwarf planning to do an expedition to the Deep Roads, the expedition that could make anyone rich. Even so, it's too dangerous and if we don't plan this well, the twins could very well die. I must try to change Hawke's mind.

"Hawke, I don't think he will let us in that easily…", I said as I tried to follow them as fast as I could with my small stubby legs.

"We have to try Marina. We must protect ourselves, we can´t let this chance go.", he said as he glanced at me.

Soon enough we reached the dwarf and Hawke tried to maneuver his way into the expedition:

"Bartrand, you know what we're capable of, let us into your expedition!", I watched from the back as Hawke and his siblings tried desperately to convince him.

"No! Andraste's tits, human! You know how many people want to be hired for this new expedition?", the blond-haired dwarf waved with his hands in the air, frustrated with their weak attempts.

"But we heard you're going into the Deep Roads. Surely, you'll need all the help you can-…", Bethany tried to appeal to him.

"NO! You're too late! Already done! This is the sort of venture that can make a man for life! I'm not about to take any chances hiring random humans.", Bartrand points his finger at us.

"We've fought and killed darkspawn. How many of your hired men can say the same?", Hawke started to speak louder, frustrated.

"Get in line, human. Half of Kirkwall wants to be my best friend right now. You're looking for a quick way out of the slums, right? You and every other Fereldan in this dump. Find another meal ticket.", shouted the dwarf as he left us behind.

"What are we supposed to do now? We've got nothing to stop the next person who tries to sells us out. This expedition was our last chance…", Carver sighed exasperatedly. Hawke tries to comfort his siblings:

"We've made a name for ourselves this last year. We'll find something.", he smiled hopeful at them.

"We have to. We need coins, status, something we can hide behind. As long as we're just refugees, we're no one. Maybe Gamlen knows someone who can talk to Bartrand for us…", Bethany sadly said.

Hawke pondered, with a hand in his chin, "He always seems to know what's going on."

"We might as well ask. Otherwise, I don't know what we'll do…", Bethany replied back.

As I saw them all mope in sadness, I decided to help them out: "I don't believe Gamlen will help us much… But I heard around town that Bartrand has a more … empathetic brother. We could try."

They stared at me shocked due to my information. "How do you know that Marina? Sometimes you surprise me with how much you know.", asked Hawke surprised.

"I may not be the biggest social butterfly, but I'm quite observant of other people.", I blushed softly with the attention and started twiddling with my fingers.

"Who would believe someone so little could be quite the spy?", teased Carver as he messes with my hair. I tried to stop him but soon enough everyone was laughing.

Suddenly, a man shoved me and I noticed my necklace was missing. My hand flew to my chest as I stare after the thief as he ran:

"Hey! My necklace!", I shout.

Hawke notices my state and we start running after him: "Hey! Get back here!"

We run after the thief when suddenly someone shoots an arrow that lodges itself in his shoulder, keeping the thief stuck in a stone column. It was my favorite dwarf in DA, Varric! He looked just as I remember: strawberry blond hair in a small low ponytail with Bianca, his most trusted crossbow in his hands.

He approaches the thief and takes the necklace from him. "I knew a guy once who could take every coin out of your pocket just by smiling at you. But you? You don't have the style to work in Hightown, let alone the Merchants Guild. Might want to find yourself a new line of work.", he said and punches him before taking his arrow from the thief's shoulder: "Off you go.", he says as he watches the thief run off.

He gets near us and throws me back my necklace. I thank him with a small bow: "Thank you so much! You must be Bartrand's brother, right?", I say as I put my necklace back on. He smiles and presents himself:

"Indeed, I am. How do you do? Varric Tethras, at your service! I apologize for Bartrand. He wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit him square in the jaw. By the way how do you know who I am…?" , he asks me, curious.

Oh boy, I have to make something up, he can't suspect a thing!

"I…I heard around the alienage about you!", I explain nervously.

"Interesting…", he says. His eyes, travel through my body from top to bottom, as if he were inspecting me and trying to figure me out.

As I fidget under the attention, Hawke takes notice and changes the subject:

"But you would recognize one opportunity when you see one?", Hawke asks as he puts himself in front of me.

"I would! What my brother doesn't realize is that we need someone like you. He would never admit it, either. He's too proud. I, however, am quite practical.", Varric points at himself.

"There must be some way to persuade your brother to hire us on.", Hawke ponders over it.

"We don't need another hireling- we need a partner! The truth is, Bartrand's been tearing his beard out trying to fund this on his own, but he can't do it. Invest in the expedition. Fifty sovereigns, and he can't refuse. Not with me there to vouch for you.", Varric smiled hopefully at all of us.

"It sounds interesting – but if I had any gold, I wouldn't need this job.", Hawke crosses his arm in front of his chest.

"You need to think big! There's only a brief window after a Blight when the Deep Roads won't be crawling with darkspawn. The treasure you find down there could set you and your family up for life!", Varric excitedly waves with his small hands.

Bethany looks at us and replies, "It won't be easy, but it's a chance. I think we have to take it. Better to work our way into this expedition than sit around waiting to be thrown in the Gallows."

"We work together, you and I, and before you know it, you'll have all the capital you need. What do you say?", Varric reaches his hand hoping to close the deal.

"You have a deal!", says Hawke as he shakes his head happily.

"Perfect! Kirkwall's crawling with work. You set aside some coin from every job, and you'll have the money in no time!", Varric explains how to get the money.

"Maybe Aveline can find us some work. She's got a position with the city guard now.", Carver touches his brother on the shoulder

"I think you should try! you have nothing to lose, Hawke.", I smiled at all of them with my hands behind my back.

"Very well, let's do this!", Hawke throws his fist in the air, hyped for the future.

"Best of luck with Aveline, Hawke! I'll go back to Leandra, she might need my help.", I start saying goodbye to them.

"Are you sure Mari? Don't you want to come with us?", Bethany pouted cutely at me.

"I do but I don't feel right leaving your mother alone with Gamlen. Maker knows that man has a short temper.", I explained.

"Very well Marina, be careful.", Hawke said as he smiled at me.

I part with them and go to Gamlen's house in Lowtown. The Hawkes and Varric direct themselves to Viscount's Keep in Hightown where Aveline, their old friend works as city guard.

If Marina is an archer your story starts here:

Viscount's Keep

As the Hawkes arrive at keep, they notice nobles and citizens in unending queues to wait for an audition with the Viscount. Hawke goes up the left staircase alongside his companions and enters through a wooden door. When he enters the room, he notices right away his friend.

"Aveline!", Hawke throws his hands in the air and walks in her direction.

The stoic woman is distracted, looking at a wooden board on the wall. "Hello, Hawke.", she answers deep in thought.

"Been a while. Hasn't it?", Hawkes says as he waves a hand in front of her head to call her to attention.

"What? Oh, right. Sorry, it feels like we just talked. I've been keeping an eye on you. Information is one of the few perks of this job. Watch out for Bartrand, he's a son of a bitch.", she shakes her head and finally stares at him.

"Still having trouble.?I thought you were past all that.", Hawkes asks worried for his friend.

"Lately, I don't know. I've been pushed out to some dead patrols. Maybe I stepped on someone's toes.", Aveline vents as she leans into a stone column.

"You can be … forceful.", he tries to compliment her.

"My charm, right? I should be able to go where I'm needed.", Aveline smirks as his failed attempt.

"That's a shame, wish I could help you. By the way where is Marina? I Haven't seen her over a year.", asks Hawke hopeful.

"Oh, Marina? She is alright. She had some difficulties at first with her training. Poor thing probably never fought once on her life. But eventually she got tired of failing and she became quite a good archer in just a year. That girl reminds me so much of myself at her age. Stubborn and always trying to prove others wrong.", Aveline answers, proud of her protegee's progress.

"An archer, really? She has magic, why did she decide to use other weapon?", he asks surprised.

"Hawke, she can't use her magic correctly. Every time she has a panic attack, her magic comes out and it's too difficult for her to control it. I can't keep her here anymore, for her safety. Even though she has her necklace, people have started suspecting the sudden magic surges in the quarters.", she begs worried of what may happen to the poor girl.

Hawke nods and smiles at his friend "I'll take her in. Perhaps Bethany can teach her to control it."

"Thank you Hawke, take care of her. I'll call her. Marina come here!", Aveline claps with her hands relieved and calls for her protegee.

Marina comes rushing from the training room with her bow and quiver on her back. She has grown quite a bit and is smiling as usual. As she notices Hawke she runs in his direction.

Marina's POV

"Hawke, it's been a while!", I greet him as I get nearer them.

"Marina!", he rushes to me, lifts me, and spins me around.

"Have you become even more beautiful since the last time we saw each other?", he teases me. I blush deep red and I beat in vain with my tiny hands on his broad back. He laughs at my weak attempts to get loose.

"Hawke put me down, I'm too heavy!" Hawke puts me down.

"Nonsense. I've told you, you're light as a feather.", he smiles at me with his beautiful blue eyes.

I blush even harder and avoid his eyes. "Sure, i am.", I sarcastically answer as I cross my arms in front of me.

Aveline watches our affectionate display amusedly and coughs, to call to our attention, "I know you're dying to catch up, but we have a matter at hands that needs to be taken care of.", she smiles knowingly.

Hawke blushes and lets me go, "Aveline is right. Marina, she told me of your condition, and we thought best that you live with me and my family.", he answers.

"Me? Are you sure? I don't want to give any problems to your family Hawke.", I said quite surprised with his offer.

"I´ve never been surer before. Bethany will help you.", he says.

"Very well, thank you Hawke and thank you Aveline for everything.", I bow as appreciation for their help. I thank Aveline and I get my things to move to Hawke's house. We leave Viscount's Keep. Varric, Bethany and Carver are waiting for us outside. Bethany hugs me like she hasn't seen me in years and excitedly tells me of their adventures. Carver nods his head at me and Varric presents himself. OMG! It's Varric. He's so cool. They tell me of their plans to enter the expedition and I tell them we should separate to cover more ground, because we need more teammates and we need a map of the Deep Roads.

Hawke wants to go home first to tell their mother of their plan.

Varric tells her that they need a map of the Deep Roads from a Grey Warden.

Hawke tells her they have a mission from a contact of Athenril.