And here is my second story in the fantastic world of Dragon Age. Thank you, Bioware for the wonderful and inspirational games. :)
It's a continuation of Marian Hawke's adventures from "Dragon Age II: Birth of Freedom".
Chapter 1 – Old friends
Denerim - the capital of Ferelden, as well as arlat. Andrastians call it a holy city because it is here that the bride of the Maker was born. Home to nobles and commoners alike, it is a willing destination for travelers visiting the marketplace, mage stores, armorers, and brothels. However, a visit is only for the brave, as the unwary risk being robbed at best or having their throats slit in a dark alley at worst. A veritable city of extremes, where at the main square the Chantry sisters preach the doctrines of the Maker's mercy, and the elves squeezed into the Alienages are purged from time to time to eliminate the overpopulation. Ferelden's predilection for personal freedom has resulted in a relaxation of law enforcement functions and the general conduct of society. The royal patrol was focused on defending the city and keeping order rather than enforcing the law. With time, this began to change, but only the most serious crimes are punished, while the minor ones are ignored and guards allow the citizens to solve them in their own way. Denerim has always been a paradise for merchants and other "entrepreneurs" due to the lack of trade regulations. If you paid taxes you could trade at will. Institutions such as brothels and gambling houses were not only tolerated but required.
The city has mostly recovered from the battle with the darkspaws and Archdemon himself that took place here ten years ago, but there were still traces of the battle in some places. Burnt-down buildings or entire streets covered with rubble were silent testimonies of the past nightmare.
Walking through the stark buildings, Varric found himself longing for Kirkwall. He smiled slightly. He must be getting old if this ridiculous city evoked such sentiment in him. He had heard somewhere that everyone whitewashes the image of their childhood home in their mind as time goes by. Today he had to admit that there was a grain of truth in that.
He stopped for a moment and pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket with the exact address of the meeting. He had a chance to visit the capital of Ferelden only once and it was a long time ago, but the instructions were clear enough that he had no problem with getting there. The Inn of the Gnawed Noble was like a mix between the Hanged Man and one of those "better" inns where the elite of Kirkwall drank middle-class wine. Here the local elite came to forget the horrors of ten years ago. At almost every table sat someone telling what had happened then. The dwarf knew that much of the story was exaggerated or made up, but it gave an idea of the people's mental state. He approached the bar ordering a pint of pale ale. He thanked the generously endowed barmaid and when he got his order he took a sip of the bitter liquid. He looked around carefully feeling sorry for these people. They had not yet recovered from the tragedy of a decade ago and a new, perhaps even worse threat was on the horizon. He took another sip and waited. This time his gaze lingered on the slowly fading white foam.
-You know you could have just sent me a copy of your latest book.
He suddenly heard a familiar warm voice. Another thing he was missing. Damn, he was really getting old. Then again, the last few months had rather not spoiled him so he didn't guard against a little nostalgia. He lifted his gaze. Blue eyes scowled at him for a moment, then fled to the barmaid.
-But then you would lose the opportunity to be in my company. - he replied gallantly. - I don't think you'd want to miss it, Hawke.
The Champion turned to him and a sincere smile graced her cherry lips.
-Never in my life. - she replied and, raising the freshly delivered tankard to the top, took a solid sip. Varric did not remain indebted to her. Hawke sighed quietly. - It's been a long time since you asked for a direct meeting. The matter must be serious. Could it be that the Seeker is pestering you again to reveal my whereabouts?
The dwarf shook his head negatively. After getting the situation in Kirkwall under control and getting rid of knight-commander Meredith, Varric decided to publish as it later turned out his most famous book, " Tale of the Champion". At that time he did not know that he had attracted the attention of quite powerful people. As news of the situation in Kirkwall spread, riots began in the Circles of Magi throughout Thedas. One of the Seekers, Casandra Pentagast, reached him and gave him a detailed and unpleasant interrogation. Varric informed Hawke of this and the two stated that they would limit their meetings to correspondence. The assassination attempt at the Temple of the Sacred Ashes and the open rebellion of the mages verified this decision somewhat.
-Hawke, Corypheus returned.
The Champion was just raising the tankard to her lips. Her hand froze halfway and with a slow-motion, she set the beverage down. One of the springy black strands landed behind her ear guided by the nervous reflex of her fingers. Varric furrowed his brow. He did not read the surprise in her face.
- You knew? - he asked after a moment.
- I had my suspicions. They were confirmed when I made contact with Aliana.
Varric remembered that Hawke had mentioned the meeting in letters. Aliana Amell was the Grey Warden who had saved Denerim and all of Ferelden from the Archdemon by ending the Fifth Blight. It also just so happened that Aliana was Hawke's cousin. The Champion tried to contact her family to help Bethany. The Grey Warden was a mage, so it seemed like a good idea.
- Ever since the disaster at the Conclave, things had started to accelerate like an avalanche coming down from the mountains. - she explained. - I quickly added two to two and realized that Corypheus had by some miracle survived our encounter.
The dwarf sighed loudly.
-You have already started acting, haven't you? - he asked although he knew the answer well. Hawke would not leave the matter to its fate. Of that he was sure.
-Aliana went in search of a cure for the Calling. She left Corypheus' case to me and Logain.
-Logain is helping you?
-Yes.
-All the more reason for you to join us. Together, maybe we can finally send Corypheus to his grave.
- "Us"? - the Champion wondered.
Varric raised his right hand and scraped the back of his head with it awkwardly.
-I sort of...joined the Inquisition. - said quietly. Hawke smiled slightly analyzing the situation.
-I heard that Haven was destroyed. - she answered after a while.
-The Inquisitor survived even though a whole mountain fell on his head. - explained the dwarf and then added. - He is a tough one I must admit. I think you two will get along.
The Champion smiled again, but there was sadness in her blue eyes. Varric took a moment to smile back. He sensed where her thoughts had gone. In one of her last letters, Hawke had mentioned that she had lost Anders. The information was short and to the point, mentioned somewhere between the lines of text. She did not reveal how it had happened as if she herself did not want to believe it. Apparently, she needed time to cope with that.
She took another sip of beer in silence.
-You're right. - she answered after a long moment. - Joining forces is the most sensible thing to do in this case.
The sadness seemed to be gone or buried under a layer of focus and purpose. Perhaps that and the knowledge that she had to protect her little sister still kept the Champion alive. Varric, however, subconsciously sensed that there must be something more.
-Where is the headquarters of this Inquisition now? - she asked, snapping the dwarf out of his reverie.
-The Frosty Ridge Mountains. You'll see you'll like it there. - a small smile crossed his face. Hawke furrowed her brow and then smiled slightly.
-I will make the necessary preparations and meet you there. - she said.
Varric gulped down the entire contents of his tankard and with a slight nod left the inn.