Urgh…groaning, I release a small moan as I cradle my aching temple, hissing at my stinging sore temple. Grimacing at the painful flickers of images from last night flickering before my blues hues as I grimace, leaning back needing something cold on my heated head. I scowl at the sly snippet of the blazing roaring sun shyly peering in through my window, making me grimace.
"Did you have fun last night?" Scowling, I feel my brow twitch as I release a low moan as my body feels the faint movement of my bed, creaking dipping down making me glance at the Qunari sitting on the end of my bed, hunched over.
"Piss off Bull…" Grumbling, I curse him only making him chuckle.
"Oh come on I just came to check on you." Gently, he leans back looking down at me smirking.
"Well here you go, happy?" Annoyed, I outstretch my hands out tired.
"Eh it was…something. You should have seen Dorian he came into my room, crying, going on about how it was his fault going on about you…" Honestly, Bull confesses to me making me grimace leaning my head back, guilty.
"Urgh….what did I say!? I knew I shouldn't have been drinking…" Guilty, I groan at the mess blaming himself for things he couldn't control, not stop and knowing me in my state, I made it much worse, I wouldn't be surprised if I blamed or had a go at him. I shouldn't have done this, I shouldn't have.
"Guessing you said some stuff…" Bull guesses as I groan once more.
"He asked me some questions I don't know what I said I just…" Exasperated, I sigh slacking my shoulders exhausted.
"Dorian told me." Bull shrugs.
"Oh that little…Kaffas." Irritated, I curse my features scowling peeved as I glare darkly at the ground below me.
"Look I was just coming to check on you…" Concerned, Bull tells me.
"Who else knows?" Annoyed, I question him.
"Not many, I told Dorian to keep quiet about it though I'm a bit confused as to why. You two seemed like a great couple, like I thought you two would get hitched you know?" Bull blurts out making me grimace at the harsh sting in my chest.
"Yeah, well he was done with me." Abruptly, I cut him off, crossing my arms at the painful memory of that traitor, that abomination.
"What do you mean?" Perplexed, Bull raises a brow as I smirk shaking my head.
"He was using me for my marks it's obvious, but he got tired of it. His little project gave him data he grew bored off, he had his sketches and used our relationship to get close to my marks. He's no better than the abominations…" Disgusted, I spit out venom etched into my tone that would even make a sly snake blush.
"Oi, Fen…shit!" Suddenly, I hear the harsh crash of glass shattering, my ears ringing at the harsh sound of air cutting. I hiss at the brief sting, my body relishing it from the numbing stinging pain of the headache. Blankly, I glance to the side at my shoulder.
"Huh oh for…" Frustrated, I curse at the annoying twitchy like pain as I stare at my shoulder, an arrow impaled into my shoulder.
"Are you okay!?" Worried, Bull questions me cursing as he kneels down.
"I'm fine, been drinking some honeysuckle…" Casually, I dismiss him waving off his concern.
"Are they getting worse?" Sternly, he demands from me.
"They are then again its just Sebastian being petty." Lazily, I shrug only to grimace at the sharp stinging pain.
"Petty?" He scowls.
"His orders were to kill Ander's associates and here and behold here Varric and I are." Mockingly, I click my tongue.
"How do you think Robin is handling it?" Bull proposes making my blues dilate having not picked up on that.
"…Kaffas." Shocked, I blurt out.
"You didn't think…" Taken aback, he raises a brow.
"Tad bit busy…I'm used to it but Robin isn't." Guilty, I sigh for the poor kid, they are too innocent to be labelled as a criminal all because of Hawke, Fenris all because of our adventures in Kirkwall, all because of the abominations.
"That girl was born with a dead or alive poster on her." Honest, Bull sighs.
"I know…I just urgh…I didn't think of that." Pained, I grimace unsure if its emotional or physical.
"What are you going to do about it?" Bull asks me leaning back.
"Well first I guess I got to get this arrow out before I feel the poison kick…Oh boy here it comes." I groan at the rush of burning searing pain in my shoulder, making me grimace craning my neck from my shoulder.
"You okay?" Frowning, Bull asks.
"Yep just need a moment." Grimacing, I promise him.
"Then?" Bull prompts.
"Could you uh get Leliana?" Awkwardly, I request.
"Um sure just hold on…" He stands up as slowly, I feel my eyelids begin to droop feeling as heavy as stone, oh kaffas…it'll be fine it doesn't kill not with the honeysuckle within me, I just need a faint nap to allow my body to fight back.
"What on Thedas happened?" Startled, Leliana's voice snaps me out of my dazed state.
"Nothing much just dealing with some poison." Casually, I greet Leliana her brow furrowed at the shards of glass gleaming down below alongside the arrow impaled into my body.
"There's an arrow in you." She points out.
"Oh I thought I took it out guess I didn't…" Sighing, I easily take out the arrow flicking it to the side, glancing at the droplets of crimson seeping out.
"Um are you alright?" Frowning, she questions me.
"Yeah been through this worse weirdly enough this is rather nice." Pleased, I smile softly at the odd sense of euphoria.
"Riiight...actually I needed to talk to you." Leliana informs me.
"Oh yeah shoot." Smirking, I tell her.
"I got a letter it would seem Knight Captain Aveline is struggling with Sebastian's forces…" Leliana begins as I force myself to stand upright ignoring the rush of blood, causing quite the sore pain alongside my stinging shoulder.
"Seems chantry boy is stepping up. Heh, how do you think I got this arrow in me?" I counter making her blues widen.
"Will you be alright?" Worried, she enquires.
"I'll be fine, I've had honeysuckle I just need to rest for a while until the effects pass…" Half-heartedly, I assure her.
"So, you will consider it…" Hopeful, she smiles.
"Leliana I need this. You can trust me with this…" Confidently, I promise her.
"Good I'm glad and Fen, for what it's worth you deserved better…" Tenderly, she whispers to me about to leave lingering at the doorway as I groan.
"Does everyone fucking know!?" Angrily, I growl, tossing the pillow after having screamed into aside as I leave, preparing for the trip back to Kirkwall…
Eve POV:
"Where are we?" Curious, I question Cullen looking up at the foggy skies, the dark grey clouds looming over us watching over us as my ears hear the soft sound of the waves, making me furrow my brow, feeling a odd sense of nostalgia at the waves before me alongside the dock, reminding me of home…of the tower, me sat in that tiny little boat, sniffling, whimpering when returning to the tower, watching the distant figures of my father fleetingly vanishing
"You walk into danger every day. I wanted to take you somewhere away from that. If only for a moment… I grew up not far from here. This place was always so quiet…" Fondly, Cullen smiles in peace as my nose twitches at the sweet scent of damp rain lingering in the air.
"Did you come here often?" Fascinated, I quirk my head to the side smiling softly.
"I loved my siblings, but they were very loud. I would come here to clear my head. Of course, they always found me eventually." Lightly, Cullen smiles as he looks down at the dark depths of the water below.
"You were happy here?" I prompt.
"I was. I still am." Smiling, he looks down at me as I turn away, my brow furrowed.
"Even if you are alone with a mage? That doesn't concern you?" Warily, I raise a brow at the nagging questioning lingering in my head, haunting taunting me almost, ignoring my brain screaming at me for being so silly, for talking over something so silly.
"The templars have rules on…fraternization. But I'm no longer bound by them." Cullen assures me tenderly only making me furrow my brow.
"I know that but you've seen the worst of mages. How can you not see that in me? I mean you saw me try to heal that poor elf I set his hair on fire!" Exasperated, I point out animatedly gesturing it out scowling at the memory of my attempts at helping, only ending with someone screaming, crying and Fen, Dorian or Cullen having to come and calm me down.
"I don't. If I've given you reason to doubt…of course I have. Whatever I fear of magic. I see none of that in you." Guilty, Cullen sighs and bows his head.
"Are you sure about that?" Unsure, I whisper.
"I am…you know the last time I was here was the day I left for templar training. My brother gave me this it just happened to be in his pocket, but he said it was for luck. Templars are not supposed to carry such things our faith should see us through." Tenderly, he smiles at me.
"You broke the order's rules!? How!? Weren't you scared!? I was scared if I ever even sneezed in the tower…" Amazed, I gawk at him, stunned by his rebellious nature I could never do it, then again I was trapped in a tower seeing weapons that could kill me twenty four seven alongside of them constantly reminding us of it.
"Until a year ago I was very good at following them. Most of the time. This was the only thing I took from Fereldan that the templars didn't give me. Humour me. We don't know what we'll face before the end. This can't hurt." Sweetly, he smiles at me making my features turn bright ruby red smiling goofily. Slowly, he passes me the coin his brother gave him, making my hammering heart swoon at the significance of it.
"I'll treasure it and keep it safe I promise." Lovingly, I smile placing the coin near my heart making him smile softly.
"Good I know it's foolish but I'm glad…" Cullen tells me leaning forward making my eyes wide as next thing I know, he leans in making my eyes dilate in awe, feeling my heart squeal excited as I lean in, feeling fireworks alight in my stomach. My soft, smooth lips meet his warm, scarred, rough pair, a part of me internally giggling, enjoying his stubble brushing against my cheeks as I happily return the kiss…
"Fen! Fen! You'll never believe this look!" Eagerly, I rush over into Fen's room once returning giddily grinning as I leap onto her bed, unaware of her hunched over features packing.
"…A coin?" Frowning, she furrows her brow.
"Not just a coin it's special Cullen gave it to me we were on a date it was amazing oh how was your date with Solas? I mean I saw you too go off somewhere…well then again when I came back, Solas seemed sad." I point out leaning back blissfully unaware of Fen's flinch, not seeing her hands shaking bawling into a pair of fist alongside her bloodshot blues as she bites her lips.
"It was…fine." Tightly, she assures me, confusing me.
"Hey what's with the bag?" I wonder gesturing to the bag on her bed.
"I…have to go for a few days." Aloofly, she informs me.
"Few days why?" Lost, I furrow my brow as she sighs tiredly.
"Seems Aveline is having some difficulties with Sebastian's troops…." Fen huffs shoving things aggressively into her back.
"Wait are you sure you want to go alone? Solas and I could-" I offer only to flinch back fearful of her sharp icy glare.
"No. I just…I need to do this alone, need some time to myself. Oh yeah tell Sera I'll be gone for a while, don't want to be punched in the face again anytime soon." Resolute, she informs me.
"But alone?" Quietly, I whisper lowering my hand not sure what to say, my head down from her piercing flinching glare.
"Be fortunate I told you this time now if you'll excuse me…" Curtly, she demands from me, standing up, bag tossed over her shoulder as she turns to exit the room.
"That's only because I came in that you did though…" Gently, I whisper my brow furrowed as Fen brushes me aside, packed up. I note Leliana in the doorway, her brow furrowed concerned as I note her simply shake her head. Conflicted, I open my mouth to rebuke only to watch the two leave, leaving me lost, confused and most of all concerned for Fen…
Fen what's wrong?
"I used to think it was just me who thought you humans all look alike." Calmly, Bull breaks through the tense silence noting the scowling Sera glaring icily at the solemn Solas, continuing on with the group through the Hinterlands.
"And now...?" Blackwall prompts sighing expecting another angry confrontation over the chain of events.
"Clearly, you guys can't tell each other apart, either. How the crap did you live as some other guy for all those years?" Curious, Iron Bull questions Blackwall.
"I grew a beard." Bluntly, Blackwall shrugs.
"Really? Puts some hair on your face, and no one can tell who you are anymore? That's some disguise, big guy." Impressed, Iron Bull praises.
"And I didn't talk to anyone for months at the time." Blackwall adds.
"All right, that probably helped." Iron Bull gives in.
"I always knew you were up to something…" Frowning, Sera begins.
"Sorry." Apologetically, Blackwall bows his head ashamed.
"For what? Trying? Better than most ever do. I don't get it. If you want to change, just change. Why this "fake Warden" rubbish?" Simply, Sera questions him.
"For one, people wanted me dead. Being someone else kept me breathing. And then, knowing that people thought I was good made it easier." Blackwall answers.
"You needed them to think you could, so you could think you could! You're smart, but you're sort of stupid. So you didn't always have a beard." Laughing, Sera smiles at Blackwall's words, prompting him to continue.
"I didn't emerge from my mother with a hairy face, no." Bluntly, Blackwall answers.
"I saw a sketch of Todd Reynard. No beard." Sera points out.
"Warden Blackwall had a beard." Blackwall affirms.
"Ohhhh. That explains everything…" Sera gasps.
"Still, I never got to thank Fen for her words…" Blackwall exclaims.
"Words?" Sera raises a brow.
"When I was in that cell, I was…pathetic but she came and we spoke and I just next time I see her, I want to apologise to her and tell her everything." Sighing, Blackwall bows his head.
"I think Fox will hear you out." Varric promises him.
"You think so?" Hopeful, Blackwall asks.
"Fen is willing to listen so long as you buy her a pint first." Smirking, Varric exclaims.
"I'll buy her the whole tavern if I have to…" Blackwall promises.
"Hah I'll hold you to that." Chuckling, Varric smirks at the thought, his brow furrowed thinking back on a certain silver haired Fennic Fox.
"Hey Varric, why didn't you go?" Curious, Eve enquires.
"Well…" Shyly, Varric begins.
"He couldn't handle the sea sickness…" Bluntly, Cassandra answers.
"I would have put it better than that, besides stopping rebellions fighting and all that sort of thing isn't my specialty, that's Fen." Varric smiles.
"Then why are you here?" Frowning, Bull questions.
"Connections dear Seeker and entertainment you can't deny that." Smoothly, Varric smirks at the grumbling Cassandra as they continue onwards to their tasks unaware of a sullen silent Solas looking out at the land before him, his brow furrowed from Sera's words echoing in his head.
Fennic POV:
"Huh, still looks like a shit hole…" Impressed, I raise a brow at the chains stone statues standing tall and proudly before me.
"Lethallin!" Surprised, I am taken aback by the familiar perky voice and limbs leaping onto me.
"Woah! Merill chill!" Taken aback, I stumble back a bit as I catch her, feeling my muscles tensing up relaxing at the familiar chirpy voice.
"You didn't flip me! You didn't hurt me!" Cheerfully, she celebrates making me chuckle shaking my head at Merrill's antics.
"Um yeah guess I didn't what are you doing here?" Surprised, I raise a brow at her I knew Aveline would be here. I even expected Dominic but not Merill. Gently, I set her down, her legs removing themselves from me as she drops down, beaming brightly at me.
"The alienage was attacked by one of Sebastian's forces, so we thought it best to retreat back to Kirkwall." She informs me, a solemn look crossing her once perky features as she shyly twirls her staff about.
"I see. How are you?" Concerned, I question her, my brow furrowed at the poor shy recluse to think she would be a keeper now, a leader to many and a mother figure that level of responsibility must be hard. Then again, she's leading an alienage full of elf people so hopefully it isn't as bad as I had thought, hopefully.
"I'm great the alienage has been great but I will admit being keeper is tough work how about you?" Intrigued, she questions me eager to hear my tale making me sigh, conflicted.
"Oh I think I'm doing okay but I mean it are you okay?" I ask her again unsure.
"Well I think I am I mean I don't know the alienage are still trying to relax but they always seem to be stressed…" Sighing, Merill confesses to me scratching her cheek not sure what to say.
"Can you blame them being attacked?" I point out hand on hips.
"I can't. I really can't but still Aveline will be so happy to have you back come on. She's going to be thrilled!" Eagerly, Merill smiles at me, taking hold of my slick silver gauntlets. I furrow my brow going silent as I stare at Merill in precise her vallaslin, not sure what to think but what god has she enslaved herself to now? Should I tell her? Merill loves trying to discover and regain her elven identity for her people, that's the whole reason for her attempt at fixing the Eluvian and for the reason of her keeper's demise but should I tell her? Should I tell of her of the temple? The sentinels? Solas' reveal of the vallaslin…? Conflicted, I furrow my brow not sure what to say, not wishing to see her look of devastation not during this time, not wanting to break her not when so many are relying upon her.
"Come on!" Happily, she beams at me snapping me out of my thoughts as my brow furrows, her eyes widening as I reach my arm out to her, bringing her into my arms surprising her.
"What was that for?" Confused, she questions.
"Nothing Merill just…don't change alright," Gently, I smile at her confusing her as she follows after me as we head to Aveline.
"I hear you've gotten yourself into a relationship with an elf! Varric sent me a letter at first, I couldn't believe it I mean you in a relationship is one thing I mean you staying with one guy is something but an elf at that! You could imagine my surprise I mean this elf must be one special elf to catch your interest." Amazed, Merill gushes as I grimace, already imagining myself hunching over in pain from Merrill's words, oblivious to the harsh stinging sore pain in my chest, the beams of arrows impaling into my chest.
"No I haven't." Curtly, I answer distantly glancing to the side scowling at the sour taste in my mouth.
"Huh? What do you mean? Varric wrote to us about it." Perplexed, Marril furrows her brow at me.
"Kaffas, Varric…" Annoyed, I curse under my breath, facepalming.
"Is it not true?" Confused, Merill whispers as I glance at the fleeting sight of the docks, my ears hearing the gentle waves fade as I note debris of statue, pillars, of the great big wall having scattered all over, noting some ash coal black stains marks from the battle long before still marred into the opening as I note many broken boats barley afloat. Sadden, my blues soften at the damages, shops slacken, markets we had often visited now abandoned and laid in disarray.
I wonder if that tree in the alienage is still there? Who knows with Sebastian's troops all I know and can guarantee is…why am I not surprised that the chantry remains have been left intact not a dent, scratch or mark on them? Unless bestowed upon them during the fight before.
"It was true." Coldly, I answer scowling my arms crossed as my pace quickens.
"What does that mean…?" Lost, Merill quirks her head to the side.
"Merill…" Patiently, I groan cradling my aching temple.
"Oh…did he bore you again? Was he doing a Zevran again?" Innocently, Merill questions making me grimace at another painful stab as I patiently chant to myself it's Merill, she knows nothing, she's innocent, she means no harm.
"A Zevran?" Sceptical, I raise a brow irritation etched into my sharp tone.
"You know getting to close, freaking you out…" Merrill describes making me sigh.
"Merill…you…you're special you know that." Gently, I tell her placing my hand on her shoulder surprising her stopping her ranting as she turns to look up at me blinking, astonished by me cutting her off but more on the lines of my hand on her shoulder, stopping her rant.
"Ah I miss this you often called me special…" Fondly, Merill smiles innocently at the memory while I glance to the side, laughing nervously. Merill having no idea of my definition of special, having met many similar to Merill back then only their lives would end abruptly, mainly ending with either their head cracked open, neck twisted or spasming out and us having to end up putting them out of their misery.
"That I did Merill that will never change okay?" Calmly, I assure her.
"Um okay…Oh hugs this is new I like it, it's nice. Aveline will be so happy to see you!" Brightly, she smiles at my side hug.
"I hope so. Mind leading me to her?" I request from her.
"I don't mind come on Aveline will be so happy to see you!" Eagerly, Merill insists making me sigh shaking my head a small shy chuckle escaping my lips as she drags me away, towards the main part of Kirkwall being greeted by men roaring, doing some sort of manoeuvre or training, I'm guessing from the harsh clash of metal ringing and bashing shields.
"Oi baldy what did you do to Fennic!?" Angrily, Sera's voice breaks through the harsh silence as the others camp for the night, Sera sat on the log, glaring at the elf across from her calming gazing into the flickering flames. Nervously, Eve watches on as Varric exhales tiredly while Cassandra silently watches on, not sure what to say.
"What me and Fennic had has nothing to do with you…" Sternly, Solas answers back.
"Yes, it does it's the reason she left again isn't it?!" Frustrated, Sera glowers.
"Actually, no it isn't." Coolly, Varric intervenes.
"Huh?" Surprised, Sera arches a brow.
"Relax buttercup, Fennic is fine she's in her element back in Kirkwall besides she's doing it for herself." Smirking, Varric assures her.
"What do you mean?" Confused,
"Seems Sebastian's men got to Hawke and Fenris. Varric begins perched upon the log opposite Eve, giving Varric a look of gratitude.
"Are they alright?" Worried, Eve enquires.
"Oh yeah they are but Robin it was a close call, Fenris was in a mess and knew Sebastian had to be stopped…" Grimacing, Varric tells the group, their eyes widening in alarm.
"I thought Sebastian was one of your friends?" Confused, Eve voices out.
"He was but with the decision to spare Anders he was angry, proclaiming about burning Kirkwall to the ground. We never thought he would but alongside that order he ordered each of Anders associates to be hunted down." Sighing, Varric confesses to the group.
"Wait does that mean…?" Eve's eyes widen in alarm.
"Yeah Robin too." Varric confirms.
"What about you and Fen?" Sera questions.
"Me and Fen are used to it but Fen when it comes to family, she will do what she must to stop it. She's used to people hating her, hunting her, attacking her but Robin sint imagine being born with a wanted poster dead or alive…" Sadly, Varric informs them.
"That's unfair she's just a kid!" Scowling, Eve argues.
"Exactly, seems that's why Fenris and Hawke have split." Tired, Varric looks up at the starry sky.
"What?" Horrified, Cassandra blurts out, her eyes wide at the couple having split up.
"They want to keep Robin safe and due to Fenris being the one with the most men and women after him eh thought it best to leave." Varric reasons to Cassandra.
"And Fennic?" Gently, Solas questions concern etched into his tone pain on his features as Sera sharply glares at him.
"Fennic is the most wanted one of the group, especially to the magisters she's used to it…" Varric states the fact.
"You didn't deserve it! She deserved better so I'm glad you guys broke up; you were wasting her time." Bitterly, Sera proclaims making the others eyes widen stunned by her harsh words.
"Sera!" Together, both Eve and Cassandra scold the huffing blonde.
"No Inquisitor…she has a point." Solas states surprising Varric, Cass and Eve.
"Oi Chuckles just because things don't work out…" Softly, Varric begins as he stands up, ready to head in to sleep for the night.
"It's fine if you will excuse me," Politely, Solas excuses him returning to his tent and resting for the night with the crisp flares flickering soon begin to die out as the others head to bed.
Fen POV:
"I see something's haven't changed eh Ave?" Teasingly, I smirk as I enter the main hub of Kirkwall finding numerous men, soldiers doing maneuvers, bashing shields, and slashing blades, roaring as they continue their movements.
"Fennic! It's been a while," Aveline turns to my voice smiling softly as she makes her way over to Merill and I, glaring at her men to continue as they comply, my ears hearing the roaring battle cries of the men alongside the ringing of metal.
"You can say that again. So how are you and Donnic?" Curious, I question Aveline quirking my head to the side at the thought of Marigold.
"I'm fine. He's fine, he's looking after Marigold." Aveline informs me as my brow furrows at the thought of the bright perky girl.
"Oh yeah. How is she?" Fascinated, I enquire thinking of the small bundle of gold, so loud, lively, some would say she's a clone of Aveline almost from her outgoing nature and quick temper, despite being so young.
"She's safe with Donnic but…" Pained, Aveline begins
"You're worried." Sighing, I catch on.
"After hearing of Robin's attack I can't help but worry about Marigold…" Grimly, she bows her head, her brow furrowed pained
"I don't blame you the reason I'm here is due to Robin." I agree with her scowling at the thought of Robin, she already has enough on her having a wanted poster on her the moment she was born, the fear alone of the magister's getting her, terrifies me.
"I see…great minds think alike I suppose…" Tightly, Aveline exclaims.
"Yeah so what's been going on?" Perplexed, I question her, looking over at the destroyed remains of Kirkwall still surprised to find it standing even after leaving.
"Sebastian's troops have been trying to get us from the docks." Grimly, Aveline tells me as we make our way towards her office as Merill leave sus to tend to the alienage.
"Has Sebastian arrived?" Seriously, I question her gravely entering a familiar room, my brow furrowed. Briefly, I see a flicker of an image of a familiar elderly male, his crowned head tossed to the floor, blood pooling out. Grimacing, I blink, brushing off the memory of the viscount's demise. I follow Ave through the hallway to her office.
"Yes, we tried talking to him but he's camped out outside Kirkwall where Merrill's clan was." Frowning, Aveline informs me as I stand from the other side of her desk, looking down at the map laid sprawled on the desk noting the numerous circles and notes littered all over the map, my brow furrowed at the numerous openings through the line of defence.
"How long have they been stationed there?" Frowning, I question Aveline as we begin strategizing.
"A while, after kicking Merrill's alienage were kicked out…" Aveline reports to me.
"And to think Sebastian was going on about me and Fenris joining the chantry just the other day…" Slyly, I remark my brow furrowed at the annoying memory of him proclaiming Andraste being the reason for our escape, what bull I did all the work while Andraste watched on.
"Things change, he's changed." Aveline states.
"I'll need to talk to him." Sighing, I push myself off the desk.
"Are you sure? We tried…" Aveline begins.
"I know you did and Merill no doubt tried but I need to try besides we need to get the people out of here." Sternly, I reason pointing to the alienage hoping to use it as some sort of sanctuary, for those who had tried to evacuate only to end up being attacked by Sebastian's troops.
"I tried I manage to evacuate some but that hasn't stopped Sebastian's troops…" Aveline informs me.
"We need to have a safe location for both sides at the very least…" I reason crossing my arms.
"That sounds fair. We've had guard patrols be attacked during the night…" Aveline tells me.
"Where are they stationed?" I enquire brow raised.
"Darktown mainly…" She sighs pointing to the familiar location on the match.
"That place screams trouble we should go over patrols tonight see more effective spots, besides knowing the people down there. They are working for both sides." Bluntly, I deadpan.
"You think so?" Uncertain, Aveline frowns.
"Ave we've been down there, the people down their lunge for war, to get money from both sides. They don't care who wins profit is key to them." Honestly, I state the fact to her as she nods her head, agreeing with my words.
"Agreed…my soldiers have been training hard. Some elves form the alienage have volunteered to help…" Aveline informs me.
"We need all the help we can get…" I exclaim crossing my arms.
"You're not wrong so…" Aveline prompts leaning back on her desk confusing me.
"So what?" Warily, I raise a brow noting her discomfort.
"How are things between you and…Solas?" She questions making my eyes widen, feeling a wave of dread and rush of unwelcomed emotions.
"You know too!?" Gawking, I scowl at her.
"Varric…" Aveline simply states.
"Kaffas, I'm going to kill him." Scowling, I curse under my breath.
"Well? Who is this Solas? Do I have to talk to him?" Sternly, she demands making me groan bowing my head.
"No." Curtly, I cut her off.
"Hm?" Surprised, she raises a brow.
"It would be a waste of time." Aloofly, I answer.
"What do you mean?" Perplexed, she raises a brow.
"You got the letter a bit late…" Slyly, I remark making her eyes widen.
"Fen if I had…" Gently, she begins making me sigh raising my hand silencing her.
"No it's fine. He got what he wanted in the end and I was taken like a fool…" Bitterly, I hiss poison etched into my tone at the sheer thought of that traitor.
"What do you mean?" Lost, Aveline demands from me.
"His interest in me, it was purely for my markings. He's no better than Anders..." Coldly, I state the fact.
"And here we are paying for his mistake." Scowling, Aveline exclaims.
"Seems so…" I sigh slacking my shoulders.
"He hasn't done anything to you because if he has…" Firmly, Aveline begins making me scowl, irritation flowing through my burning bubbling veins.
"He'll get the special Aveline punch am I right?" Teasingly, I smile chuckling emptily.
"Much more if he's…" Disgusted, Ave sneers.
"There's no need to Ave. don't waste your breath on that abomination…" Scowling, I sneer as I stand up, storming off, going to grab some much needed drink…