Chapter Eighty-Nine

The Opening Act

As part of my mandatory relaxation, I chose to promote Karaoke Night at the Hanged Man. I think the owner only allowed it at all because I offered to invest in his bar if he did… I gave him 50 Sovereigns up front and fronted the renovation costs to add a stage.

No one in Thedas knew the word Karaoke, of course, so the first night it was announced, people came to find out what it meant.

Once we had a decent amount of people around, I took the stage and explained.

"Alright – looks like we have quite a few people here tonight. I bet you're all wondering what Karaoke is, right?"

A cheer rang out. I beamed, "It's a thing from my homelands where you sign up with the person managing the stage – tell him or her your name and what song you want to sing – and then; when your name is called, you take your turn up here singing! To demonstrate, I'll go first. The song that I picked is called 'The Captains Wife's Lament' by Paul and Storm… I figure all the drunks and pirates among us will love it!"

The ship sailed into harbor after fifteen months at sea

The captain hit the tavern with his crew of fifty-three

After drinking up their pay, they staggered through the town

But all the inns and public houses turned the sailors down

There was hooting and whistles, though I caught sight of Cullen blushing: he and one other had followed me to work, so it was his own fault! I heard Isabela laughing and holding a Mug aloft. Some of the nobles that came by to figure out what Karaoke meant looked scandalized… but I would take no blame for that; they knew this was the seedy bar.

I eventually took a second turn on the stage at Hawkes urging – choosing to sing Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max.

Oh, she's sweet but a psycho

A little bit psycho

At night she's screamin'

"I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

Oh, she's hot but a psycho

So left but she's right though

At night she's screamin'

"I'm-ma-ma-ma out my mind"

I saw Hawke laughing before he hopped onto my stage once more to pull me into a dance. After, I walked over to the bar and Corff, the Owner and Bartender, said, "I admit – I didn't think this would be popular."

I chuckled, "Everyone wants a way to show off, let off steam and play around when they're drunk, my man. Maybe you should host ladies night once a month – women get x amount of drinks free. It brings in equal amount of men trying to get lucky and they pay for theirs."

"I'll consider it, to be sure. We'll see if this keeps up in popularity or not."

"Meh – the other bars might do it too, you know. You'll be the first and likely the best though; just on the fact that the nobles don't like the tawdry songs or sea shanties. Your clientele is mostly pirates, whores and the shady sons of bitches – this is the place to be if you want to sing the good songs."

He laughed, "Well – it's popular enough so far that I'm giving your group a round on the house. Enjoy."

I giggled and took the offer.

"So what is our plan for tomorrow?" I asked, sitting at the table in Varrics room. Cullen was standing near the door, watching me. Anders wasn't here, but Merrill was – she knew better than to rile Cullen up – since he didn't know that she was a mage.

"Viscount Dumar has asked me to meet with the Qunari Arishok tomorrow. Apparently he is asking for you and me, Ara. First thing he's asked for in three years, since that compound was apparently a gift for complacency."

I saw Cullen stiffen from the corner of my eye, but it was Fenris who spoke. "As Basalit-an, she must go. We do not know what we are dealing with…"

I sighed. "Yes, we do. Someone attempted to steal the Gaatlok formula but only managed to get something non-explosive. The Arishok allowed the theft to test our worth as we track the thief. A word of wisdom, Hawke… never lie to the Arishok. I do not care what the circumstances are; just don't lie and don't hide the truth. He will know."

Cullen hissed. "So there is someone out there with a lethal formula because the Arishok wants to test you?"

"This is the way of the Qun, Cullen. I have proven my worth, but the one who leads my group has not. I have been named a foreigner worthy of respect, but yet I follow another. Hawke must prove his own worth before they decide what to do with him. They are trapped here, because someone stole something important from them and they got shipwrecked in pursuit. The thief calls this city home. If they had found the thing that they search for… but it doesn't matter now. Honor demands they make things right, so when Opportunity knocked, they threw the damn door wide open and sat it down for tea," I explained, causing a few snorts at the end. Isabela threw me a grateful look when I didn't outright mention her… she knew I knew.

"Do you… really have to go?"

"Fuck yes I have to go, Cullen. If it makes you antsy, send Axel with me… he pretty chill. Fenris will be with me too – and maybe Sebastian."

"… I'd go with you myself if I could," he sighed, "But I have to be back at the Gallows tomorrow."

"I know, my Lion."

"On that note – I have a request," Sebastian said, "I have discovered who sent the assassins…"

"Oh damn – I knew I was forgetting something! The Harrimans!" I exclaimed.

"You… you knew?" Sebastian looked hurt.

"To be fair, you know I can't interfere too much; but also… er… I had thought about it when I was carrying Duncan and… the information just sort of… faded away for a while? I didn't remember until just now. I'm sorry, honey; I should have…"

"No – you have no reason to be sorry. It isn't like you could have prevented my families deaths. I shouldn't have put that on you for even a moment," Sebastian now seemed to blame himself.

He was too sweet. I leaned against him, "Still – I forgot about the Harrimans. You're not going to like it – Lady Harriman is consorting with a desire Demon."

"Ah – and I suddenly have reason to accompany you tomorrow," Cullen said. "Demons and Magic are Templar Jurisdiction. You do plan to go tomorrow right?"

"Yes – right after talking to the Arishok. We can't keep him waiting, and the Harrimans won't be… around until then anyway. Oh! You sneaky… you were looking for a reason to go to the compound with me!"

He winked at me and I laughed.

I loved when Cullen let his playful side show – he rarely did. He was still smirking at me as he said, "I'll send Caspar to the Gallows later to let Meredith know that we have a demon in the city and that I was tipped off to it. What kind of demon?"

"Desire, Cullen…" I frowned. He flinched to that one, "Maker – I can never catch a break, can I?"

He recently told me that Desire Demons had done more damage to him that any other when Kinlock had fallen – something about his crush on a mage named Solona Amell every single time. He hadn't been very proud as a boy – he knew he had failings in the form of having a crush on a mage. He'd been happy though – and despair couldn't do much. Terror – now there was a demon that could grip him. But Desire would always have a 'special' place in his heart now.

I got up and walked right into his arms, "You have me now, right? And soon enough…"

He smiled at that, "Indeed – soon enough." The thought of having more kids was… kinda exciting for me. I loved kids and wanted a whole basketball team – or more.

"What?" Isabela asked, "Soon enough what?"

I glanced between Cullen, Fenris and Sebastian in confusion – did no one tell everyone else?

Fenris scoffed, "It is none of their business."

Sebastian smiled, "It will be a joyous occasion – but I didn't want to muddle it by speaking of it before it happens."

Cullen kissed my temple, "I figured you would tell people if you wanted to."

I snorted, "Then we'll keep it quiet for now – only my mates need to know that much for now."

Hawke knew only because he'd been in the room too.

I curled closer to Cullen, "You know I'll be there – I'll keep the demon away from you."

"Thank you. Maker, I hate Desire Demons." He sighed.

"But those are the most fun," Bela quipped.

I shot her a small frown, "Not now, Bel – Desire Demons are the worst for Cullen. It's not my story to tell, but please… respect that."

"For you, Kitten? Anything. Oh – and that song you sang earlier was nice; I liked it."

"I sang that one for you, sweet thing," I quipped.

She laughed, "You know me so well."

The next day – Meredith had written back to Cullen and approved his venture to kill a demon in the city – Fenris, Varric, Sebastian, Cullen, Hawke and I all went to the Qunari Compound.

"Serah Hawke…" The Arishok sounded annoyed.

"Yes?" Hawke asked.

"Last we met, I did not know your name; did not care too, despite the company you keep. You have changed your fortune over the years; the Qunari have not. I offer you a courtesy, Hawke. Someone has stolen what they believe to be the formula for Gaatlok; you will want to hunt him."

"Excuse me, but this sound like quite the feat! Someone managed to steal from Qunari?"

"It was allowed. The formula was a decoy. Saar-qamek – poison gas, not explosives. A small amount is dangerous enough to your kind, but if made in quantity, perhaps by someone intending to sell it…"

"That merchant… Javaris?" Hawke lifted an eyebrow.

"Would he be cautious, or would he assume success and make enough to threaten a district. As I said, a courtesy; you will want to hunt him."

Hawke turned to Varric – not me? I was insulted, I tell you… nah, not really, "Any ideas where we can find him?"

"Well, I heard about a sell off… Merchant territories and such; they don't do that unless someone left in a hurry. I'd have figured he rooked some noble; he's sure not a burglar."

"Location, Varric…"

"I haven't actually kept up on it; ask the Coterie."

The Arishok gave a small nod, "Panahedan, Hawke; I do hope you do not die."

"Panahedan, Arishok." I gave him a small bow.

We were heading away when I remembered and turned back, "One more thing, Arishok – I would like to send a Broker to Par Vollen – for those of the Qun to buy my items such as Dreadnaught. Depending on response to that, I may open a shop with the more popular items there; and by popular, I mean whatever sells among them, not what is popular to the Bas. Do you believe the Triumvirate would allow my broker – a team of 2-4 people – to come, or should I not bother?"

"… Get your team together – I will send word to the other two; your broker will be allowed." He inclined his head. I gave a respectful nod, "My thanks."

And we left.

Varric blew out a breath once we were well clear, "Damn, Feathers – was that really the right time to ask him that?"

"For now, he is in a good mood – later, he will not be. I'm sorry, Cullen – we apparently have one more stop before going to the Harrimans; I didn't expect Javaris to be so… quick on the fleeing. He's not the culprit, actually, so we could just let him escape – the real culprit is an elf in the back alleyways, and she won't make a move until sunset."

"Do you know the location?" Hawke asked.

"I do now – had a vision or I wouldn't offer leaving Javaris alone. His guards will all still die if we don't kill them… but so will he. He could live or die at Hawkes hand – but us interfering is the only way he lives; and with no substitute too. Because we show up in time for the Qunari assassin to watch us interrogate him."HaHH

"And you would be okay not going – knowing that he'll die without us?" Sebastian asked – not sounding judgmental, just worried.

"Honestly… I don't know. We wouldn't be killing him; but he'd still die and we could have done something about it… I just don't know."

"Then we save him," Fenris sighed. He really didn't care for Javaris.

We made our way through the 'pass' in the underground of Kirkwall fairly quickly. When we exited, we were attacked by the Mercenaries Javaris hired – I bit my lip and used magic to lift 20 throwing stars, embedding them into necks and foreheads before going about and giving last rites. Cullen looked curious about the 'ability' – all I'd done was manipulate the metal in the throwing stars.

The mates I had with me all helped me with the burying and rites – Sebastian was especially helpful – giving Andrastian rites with me.

Revas came over and nudged me. I smiled and gave him some petting while I reached into my magic pack and pulled out three beef jerky sticks; one for me and one for each pup.

"Why didn't you do that kind of thing before?" Hawke grumbled, likely thinking of when we were at Chateau Haine or the Deep Roads…

I looked away, "Hawke… I don't like killing so many people all at once. I could… I can see doing this for Darkspawn, but… but I don't…"

"Hey – I didn't mean… shit. Forget that I said anything," Hawke shook his head.

We approached the trembling Javaris. "Well, is that any way to greet an old friend?" Hawke asked with a grin.

"Granny's Garters, she would send you. I can't seem to buy a break on a discount! You know what? Go ahead; take my head and pike it back to that sodding elf! I need the rest."

"Relax – we only came because if we didn't, the Qunari would kill you. We already know who the real culprit is and even plan to go after them. Ara here is the only reason you will enjoy life past today." Fenris growled.

"Then… why kill my men?" Javaris asked.

"They attacked us," Sebastian pointed out, "Had they stayed their weapons for even a moment, they'd still be alive to guard you."

We left not long after that.

Our next stop was taking care of Sebastians' quest in Hightown since it was on our way… it went pretty much as expected and we picked up his grandfathers bow. He kissed me when I passed it to him. Varric left our group about then for a meeting with 'an informant'.

When we got to Lowtown for the rest of the Blackpowder quest, I gave each person in our party surgical masks; then promptly had to assist each person in putting them on.

"Tell me again how these will help?" Cullen asked, poking at his gold-colored mask… I couldn't resist matching his to his eyes. Fenris had emerald and Sebastian had sapphire. Hawke had red.

"It's something from my homeland that helps filter the air you breathe. Even if some poison gas makes it through, it won't be enough to kill you or drive you mad… maybe make your throat itch, or your eyes will water, but not much else."

"All of you; I can't fight the damned air! You want to live, stay out."

"Keep your post, Guardsman; we'll handle this. As you can see, we have special gear for it," Hawke was likely smirking behind his mask.

We began walking past him as he said, "Shit."

Wow; there really was a cloud of green fog all over the district! I levitated 50 throwing stars; if I needed more than that at one time, we were fucked anyway!

Cullens' reassuring hand on my arm was the only reason I didn't slump at the thought of killing so many people.

"Is this how you cleared Kinlock Hold?" Cullen asked.

I snorted. "Back then, I was still too new to my magic to have this… ability. No, we cleared Kinlock the old-fashioned way, love. That and I can see Auras, so I knew who was or was not a Blood Mage. If I marked them as such, they died. When we… got to you, we had just dealt with a sloth demon trying to trap us in the Fade. I was in a dream… my son and husband… it was still such a fresh wound."

"I'm… sorry. I shouldn't have brought it up."

"You couldn't know just how fresh that wound was at the time. I had only been… lost to my family a few weeks at that point. Less than 2 months. When I saw you… well, no point dwelling in the past."

Each wave was under 50 – but I wanted to know when and where this elf had recruited. Wave one was 15 strong; wave 2 was 33; wave 3 was 26… I had managed to latch the fourth barrel and heard that damn Elf speak.

"Is that… Serah Hawke! You and your queenly friend have enemies… but I'm glad it's you. These poor people… you are a much better target!" she had blackened veins running along her face and I saw my companions all shoot me grateful looks… I assumed for the masks…

Hawke was pissed; he lost all façade of joking and shouted, "Explain yourself; now!"

"The Qunari take my people; my siblings forget their culture, then go to the Qun for purpose… we're losing them twice! So I get help from your people! We'll take the Qunari thunder, make some accidents, and make them hated… but this… I don't know what went wrong! I followed the recipe; I know I did!"

Hawke sighed. "The second crazy person in less than a year trying for the Powder… maybe you should set up a class, Ara…"

"I am not teaching these people how to make gun… blackpowder, Hawke. They're Crazy enough. Varric would have said… 'I often look at every second idiot and think… they need more power,' I refuse to provide that power, Hawke!"

"You! You know how to make it?" the Elf shouted.

"Well, yeah… it's the most basic weapon form where I'm from…"

"Kill them all… but leave the Queen Ali-"

I used my magic and they were all killed in an instant. I turned to the others, "This information… about me knowing how to make the damn powder…"

"Doesn't leave this group. I'll not let anyone take you!" Cullen growled.

"That's sweet of you, but I'm afraid it's worse than that. If the Qunari knew that I could… they wouldn't just take me. They'd either kill me, torture me for information, or submit me for 're-education' before chaining me up like their own mages, even though they admit that I have no real magic… and then they'd sew my mouth shut in the process so I can't tell anyone anything."

Fenris yanked me into him and growled, "I won't allow it. I know what they do to their prisoners… they can't have you."

"My hero… now come on… we need to speak with the Arishok."

Cullen stood on my right, Fenris to my left, Axel at my back as I stood to Hawkes flank.

Hawke had just spent the last 15 minutes explaining everything he knew. The Arishok looked at me, with my entourage and motioned me to speak after Hawke had explained what happened, "What are your views on this… matter?" I hid my astonishment better than many of the Qunari around us. The Arishok, to my knowledge, didn't ask such things from one who was not of the Triumvirate. I guess because my title started with 'Ari'?

"This situation will get more volatile. It will escalate to the point of no return."

He nodded and refocused his attentions to Hawke, "They say we were careless with our trap, that this was our fault. But this elf was looking for death; there would have been death enough without the Saar-qamek. The bas was determined to lay the blame at our feet. Selfishness, want, denial… how do you allow this to continue?" he directed the question at me, so I stepped forward.

"Change does not come in a single night. Even those sent to be re-educated by the Tamassrans and Vidathiss spend more than a single night, Arishok."

"Since my… arrival, I have seen nothing but greed and weakness Dwarves, humans, elves… all of it just festering; no order, no goal. You are two of the few I have met with any ability and yet this too was random, the result of selfishness. I cannot fathom ow a mire like this can be justified. How can you bare to stay in this… chaos?" his deep voice seemed to echo as he pointed to Hawke.

"My welcome to the city was no so different from yours." Hawke pointed out.

"And yet you suffer it."

"It's an opportunity to make a real difference." The Arishok stood from his perch and paced forward the 4 steps to the very top of the stairs before him.

"Karasten are soldiers; the Qun made it so. They can never vary from that assigned path, never be other than they are meant to be. But they are free to choose within that role – to accept and succeed or deny and die. Glory is clear and defined. You claim it is no different anywhere else; we deny that with a certainty that would benefit not just you, but this whole city."

I saw Hawke and… well the whole group other than myself, stiffen and close ranks around me.

"Have you come here to convert us then?" the Arishok actually looked amused.

"You surround the one person who needs no protection. She is not defenseless. I know not how a female earned a fighting status from a Sten to begin with, but she is Basalit-an. And she is Aribas."

I shook my head, "I once told Sten; I am a threat to my enemies and an Ally to my Kadan, Arishok. Think not of me as a female, think of me more as… an omen. Weather it is a good one or bad is entirely dependent on how you treat not me, but those around me. Sataareth Kadan hass-toh issala ebasit; it is my purpose to do what I must for those I consider important. That is my role. If it means the death of their enemies, the fall of an Archdemon was within my abilities. If it means I stand aside, then I will kneel and know my place. Where I am from, Arishok, you would be seen as a tyrant, a dangerous fool; yet I have not treated you as my people demand, I have treated you as one of my Kadan would. Tread carefully Arishok – or you and I will meet on the battlefield."

There were people of all kinds gaping at me. "An Omen, hmm? Indeed. I will remember this, Aribas. You have given me much to think of."

When we got far enough away from the compound, Cullen pulled me into an alcove. It seemed all the men and both dogs were in on it, because the others all moved to stand guard.

"Are you crazy? Do you have some kind of death wish? What if the Arishok took that as provocation?"

"He wouldn't; he asked for my opinion, I gave it. The fact that he asked was unprecedented. The Arishok takes advice only from the Arigena – the leader of the workers – or the Ariqun – the leader of their religion. The Arigena is always female and the Ariqun can be either male or female… I guess my sex really had no bearing on this… but when one of the Triumvirate asks for an opinion, they won't attack just because they don't like the answer. Besides – I am Aribas; I am on equal standing with him. But if that's not why he asked me…" I bit my lip.

"What do you mean?" Cullen sounded worried.

"He may be intending – if he attacks the city – to put me in charge; as it stands, I am already a leader of the 'bas'. I hold a Qunari made weapon, I know my place in society, I have proven my honor and my role wouldn't change much in the Qun since I've been established. Can we go home? I suddenly feel the need for a bath and prayer."

We began walking and Sebastian asked, "Would they really put you in charge?"

"I… I want to say no; I already lead a large force so I could be a threat… but if they managed to convert me, then it would be a huge gain for them. Converting the queen of a race where her dominance is absolute? They'd gain the entirety of Danu and its forces. Giving me enough benefits that are within my current role could be seen as a way to 'sway' me. Eventually, the Qun may try the tried-and-true kidnap and brainwash method simply due to my status alone."

Fenris nodded, "I am of the same mind."

I shuddered and went quiet.

I didn't speak again until we were inside my house. I looked through the mail that one of the Templars had been nice enough to collect for me. I cursed and said, "I have to go out tomorrow…"

Cullen said, "I'll be at the Gallows, but Axel has requested being your… permanent guard so you'll see him 6 days out of 7 if you take a 'guard' with you."

"Awesome! We're headed up Sundermount to see the Dalish."

He froze, "Why?"

"Remember Feynriel? He's there and needs my help; nothing too bad, Serah. Your men will be asked to wait at the entry with the Hunters, but otherwise we should be fine. I'll be back by supper-time if we leave at dawn."

Merrill would be coming with us; she'd already made her request of Hawke and I and we had already agreed to take her when we received word about Feynriel.

He growled, "I wish I could come with you; I have a bad feeling about it…"

"I promise you, love, we'll be fine. Now I need to get some rest, will you let Axel and Drake know – they should get sleep if they're coming with."

he nodded and made for the Barracks.

I yawned and Revas whimpered – he missed Anders' cat. Unlike in the game, Ser Pounce-a-lot had made it to Kirkwall with us… but the poor thing had recently died of old age. Apparently, the tabby was very old when we found him at the Vigil. Pal – what I called the cat – had slept his last year away, hardly being interested in anything else.