Hawke
Marian squeezed his hand as if he was going to get away somewhere. Blue eyes traveled over his pain-filled face, and a single thought was palpitating in her head. "He has to live."
- Are you sure you know what to do? - she asked the golden-haired woman suspiciously.
- I learned from him. - Mira pointed at Anders with her head. - I know exactly what to do.
Hawke only clenched her teeth. It was just another thing on the long list of questions that had been rattling around in her head ever since the woman stood in the doorway with the dwarf.
- How can I help? - she asked after a moment.
- Keep doing what you're doing. Hold him tightly so he moves as little as possible. He is conscious now, so it will be more difficult. - Mira answered informatively. She approached a nearby flask with dark liquid and dipped her knife into it. After a moment, she reached for a clean cloth and lightly wiped the blade. - I've nicked the wound area a bit, so it should be easier.
Hawke felt Anders' hand twitch under her fingers. His honey eyes stared ahead in great concentration and his heavy breathing flowed in and out through clenched teeth. His forehead was covered in drops of sweat. The mage knew full well what awaited him. Marian swallowed hard. The sight of him was tearing at her soul. She felt a touch on her shoulder. Her blue eyes met the cool green of the woman's gaze.
- I will save him. For Andraste's granny pants, I will not let him die.
The determination in her voice was startling. She moved closer to the bed. In her hand rested a piece of thick braided rope. She showed it to Anders. He merely nodded and opened his mouth. The cord landed clenched between his teeth.
- Felandaris should have started working by now. Get ready. - she informed.
Hawke felt Anders' muscles stiffen. He tensed nervously like a string.
Mira took action. As she made the first incision Anders gripped the cord tighter with his teeth and growled quietly. With each passing moment, he found it harder and harder to hold his position. Agony painted itself in every crease of his face. Hawke and Varric pinned him to the bed trying to keep him from doing more damage. An agonized scream, muffled by the thick rope came from between clenched teeth. Anders proved to be very strong and the dwarf with the Champion had a lot of keeping him in place.
- Makers' breath, hold him still. We're almost home. - Mira wheezed, maneuvering the knife with remarkable skill. Her hands were bathed in blood. Sweet Andraste, should there be this much blood?
Suddenly the mage's body was shaken by a strong shudder. Hawke noticed the blue glow on his skin for a moment. Justice tried to take control. "Just not that." Not that she'd ever liked it when that happened but this moment was the worst possible. She intertwined her left hand in his palm and the fingers of her right went to his cheek.
-Anders, look at me. Focus on me. - she said firmly. He looked at her with his penetrating honey eyes. By the Maker, she loved those eyes so much. His cheeks twitched from grinding his teeth into the string, but his body seemed to calm down. He wrinkled his forehead persistently staring into her face. - Yes. Exactly like this.
- I got it! - shouted Mira triumphantly, holding the bloody arrowhead in her hand. Hawke glanced at it in horror. Such a small scrap and it did so much damage. Suddenly, she felt Anders squeeze her fingers in a last conscious gesture, and then his mind drifted away. Marian shuddered and without letting go of his cheek she asked quietly.
- Anders?
Fear once again entered her mind. She felt a sudden gentle push back. She released her grip and stepped away slightly, giving Mira space. The woman pulled the cord from the mage's slackened jaws and placed a cloth dampened in the same concoction as the knife against the fresh wound.
- Pick him up. - she turned to the Champion. - I need to bandage it.
Hawke only nodded and grabbing Anders from behind under his shoulders she lifted his inert body into a sitting position. His head fell down on his chest. Marian lifted it gently and laid it on her shoulder. She supported the whole weight of his body on herself. She felt the heat beating from him. The fever stubbornly refused to go away.
Mira ordered Varric to hold a piece of moistened cloth and then began to bandage him. The whole process took place in complete silence. Even the usually talkative dwarf remained silent, allowing the woman to focus on the task at hand. Hawke wrapped her left hand around the mage's head putting her fingers on his forehead. She hugged it close watching as layer after layer of linen bandage covered the slightly bleeding wound. From time to time she felt his faint breath brushing against the skin of her neck. Each time she prayed that another one would come.
- Now we must wait. - Mira announced when she was finished. Hawke slid out from under the mage, placing him in a comfortable position. She brushed a damp strand of light hair away from his brow. He furrowed it for a moment before calm returned to his face.
Mira went to the bowl of water, washing her hands and face thoroughly. Varric went to the small chest of drawers and reached for the beverage on it.
- I don't know about you ladies, but I need a drink.
He flopped down on one of the chairs and took a big swig from the bottle.
- Maker's balls, what a day. - he wheezed.
Hawke wiped her tired face with her hand. She approached the dwarf and snatched the bottle from his hand took a big gulp. She sighed loudly then shifted her blue gaze to Mira.
- Talk. Both of you. - she said firmly. The woman had just finished wiping her hands. She licked her peachy lips and her green eyes rested on the Champion. Varric smiled nervously.
- I just remembered that I have to go check on the Hanged Man. - he said, getting up from his chair and walking towards the exit.
- You're not going anywhere dwarf. - hissed Marian. - You have to answer some serious questions for me.
Varric and Mira exchanged a brief glance. The dwarf lowered his gaze and sighed heavily sinking into his chair. The woman walked over to Marian and the bottle changed hands for the third time. She took a small sip and took a seat in the vacant chair next to the dwarf. Her gaze was fixed on the unconscious Anders. She remained silent, however. Hawke heard Varric draw in a breath.
- I assigned Mira to watch over Blondie. - he said after a while. Marian remained silent, clearly waiting for him to elaborate. - When the Carta found out that the local healer from the Darktown was a mage, they started blackmailing him. Mira was supposed to make sure the blackmail stopped.
- Anders never mentioned it. - Hawke wondered.
- Blondie didn't know anything about it. - Varric explained. - After a while, he began to guess but he did not pursue the subject further. The blackmailing had stopped so he could concentrate on his patients and that was all that mattered. Maker knows how these poor people needed help.
Hawke approached the woman.
- That doesn't explain your skills. You mentioned that Anders trained you to give aid.
The cold green gaze never left the mage. Mira took another gulp of the heavy drink cursing slightly.
- Varric thought that helping to get rid of Carta should be anonymous. - she finally spoke up. - Only then it would be most effective. So I volunteered to help him. What started as a cover story slowly became my everyday life. Over time, it became clear that I had a talent for patching up wounds. What's more, I started to like it. Anders picked up on that and asked me to assist him at every possible opportunity. A few years and it was me who take care of the clinic when he was gone.
The sound of glass filled the air. The dwarf was just sitting down in his seat with a second bottle in hand.
- So I see you have found your calling. - he said in his characteristic hoarse voice. Mira sighed loudly.
- Those people from Darktown Varric... they have nothing, but they are still people. He was almost the only one who treated them as such. - replied the golden-haired woman.
Hawke walked over to the bed and sitting down on its corner grabbed the mage's hand. He didn't even flinch. His shallow breathing lifted his ribs in even breaths. Another drop of sweat dripped down his cheek. She looked at the stained bedding and a shudder ran through her. She would have to replace it as soon as possible.
- Were you there at the clinic when this had happened? - she asked. Mira nodded. - How did they manage to surprise him?
- A cave-in somewhere in the southern part made that we had a lot of patients that day. - she explained. - They came almost nonstop. I and the other volunteers helped as much as we could, but a lot of the victims could only be saved by magic. Anders worked without any break for hours. I think he used up all the lyrium he had. - she fell silent for a moment. The green gaze fled first to the mage and then moved to the Champion. - He saved all of them, Hawke. - the corner of her mouth lifted in a sarcastic smile. - The damned mage managed to save everyone who made it to the clinic and believe me some of them were in really bad shape. - she fell silent again. A heavy sigh escaped her lips - Anders always knew if there were templars around. It was like he could sense them. - she said after a while.
"Justice" - Hawke thought immediately. She listened in concentration to the rest of the woman's explanation.
- This day, however, has dulled his senses. It dulled the senses of all of us. None of us noticed how they slipped inside.
Hawke noticed Mira's fingers tighten in her lap.
- He had helped so many people and they just wanted to take him away and lock him up like some criminal.
Marian squeezed Anders' hand tighter. But her gaze did not leave the woman sitting on the chair.
- Apparently, you and the other volunteers did not allow that.
The flame of surprise flickered and died in the green eyes.
- We blocked their way so he could escape. He was almost there only if not that damn templar... - hissed Mira in anger. - If he had woken up a moment later this conversation would not have happened. The captain wanted to capture Anders, but I could see the hatred in that templar's eyes. His hand did not even flinch when he fired. He wanted to kill him. Just like that.
Another sip of alcohol washed down the woman's throat.
- Mira what happened to all these people? - the dwarf asked suddenly.
- They have been arrested. They will be held responsible for helping the apostate. I have no idea what Meredith is going to do with those poor sods, but I heard that Elthina found out about the whole incident and intends to intervene. It's hard to predict what the outcome will be. Either way, Anders can't go back to the clinic.
Hawke clenched her teeth at her words. She wouldn't let him go anyway. Not after what had happened. Maker's breath, they could have captured him and locked him up in the Gallows, or worse, make him tranquil. A seed of hatred began to sprout in her mind.
-How did you get out? - she asked. Mira sucked in a breath and let it out.
- Templars are well trained but to fight demons and mages. Fortunately for me, I am neither. I suppose an ordinary guard would give me more trouble.
- If he was trained by Avelina then sure. - Varric muttered under his breath.
- I took advantage of the confusion and ran away. - continued the woman without paying attention to the sarcastic comment. - Later, one of Varric's contacts reached out to me. That's how I found out about Anders' whereabouts and condition.
The dwarf wiped his face with his hand. He took a sip of the new liquor then grimaced heavily and glanced at the bottle.
- For the sweet ass of Andraste what is this? An extract from Vivern's venom?
Hawke snorted under her breath.
- I think you've hit on one of Bodhan's bottles. - she said with amusement. Varric coughed twice and then put the bottle down in distaste.
- Good thing I got a better batch. - Mira raised her drink to the top and gulped down the contents. The empty glass landed on the dresser with a clatter. - I'm leaving Varric so I guess this will be my farewell.
- Are you sure? You know that no one will pay you as well as I do. - the dwarf winked at her.
- The templars know my face. Besides, black clouds are gathering over this city. Kirkwall is like a dormant volcano. There are only rumblings so far but it's only a matter of time before it erupts. I will leave tomorrow morning and I advise you to do the same.
The moment of silence was broken by a slight moan coming from the bed. Anders moved his head slightly wrinkling his eyebrows. His breathing became more nervous. Mira got up quickly from her chair and approached the mage, placing a hand on his forehead. She pressed her peachy lips together. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Hawke clutching his hand tightly. She smiled. She had never guessed that Anders had someone as powerful as the Champion of Kirkwall on his side. She had seen her occasionally at the clinic but their behavior had indicated only a passing acquaintance. Now she saw that there was something more between them. She was relieved. If she had no idea about their relationship the templars certainly didn't. Anders was beyond their reach. She pulled a fresh piece of cloth from her bag and dipped it into a bucket of cold water standing against the wall. She squeezed it thoroughly and then placed it on the mage's inflamed forehead. The coolness made Anders moan quietly again. Mira placed two more specifics on the small dresser. The jar contained something that resembled an ointment. The bottle was filled with a blue liquid. She glanced at the wrapped wound.
- So far everything looks fine. The wound is still fresh but it has stopped bleeding so the healing process has begun. The fever should subside by morning. If it rises, moisten his lips with a blue liquid. When changing the dressing, lubricate the wound area with ointment.
Hawke pulled her lips together and nodded slightly. Mira packed all her things and, putting the bag on her back, headed for the exit.
- If he gets worse you know where to find me Varric. I'll still be there until morning.
- Damn, you're really leaving. - groaned the dwarf. - You'll be hard to replace.
- You're cute when you lie like that. - snorted the woman.
- What can I do, that's my charm.
Mira smiled and then fixed her green gaze on Marian.
- I leave him in your hands, Champion of Kirkwall. - she chuckled quickly and left.
The room fell silent, with the occasional sound of the fire crackling in the fireplace. The shadows cast by various objects danced their evening dance on the walls. Ori lay his head down on the soft carpet comfortably by his owner's feet, who sat steadfastly by the bed without taking her eyes off the sleeping Anders. He looked so fragile and helpless lying in the bloodstained sheets. It was so close that the templars had taken him from her. The seed of hatred had just sprouted its first leaf. She gnashed her teeth.
- Well I will be going too. - the dwarf broke the silence. - If Blondie will need help you know where to find me.
- He's right Varric. - Hawke said firmly. Her gaze still on the mage. Her hands cupped over his palm. The dwarf furrowed his brow, clearly unsure of what was she meant. - If nothing changes mages like my sister, like my father, like him will be hunted down and eliminated. They will be locked in Circles away from loved ones or deprived of their lives through tranquility.
Varric sighed quietly and lowered his gaze. Usually talkative now he was silent not finding the words. Marian turned her blue gaze on him.
- Don't you think mages should be free? - she asked, breaking the prolonged silence.
The dwarf made a hard face.
- Everyone should be able to decide their own fate but the revolution Hawke? This city is already on the verge of collapse anyway ... I don't know.
- To hell with this city! - shouted Marian suddenly and, getting up abruptly, walked over to the fireplace. Her right hand rested on the heated bricks and her blue gaze anchored on the flames. Twitching cheeks betrayed tension. Springy strands of black hair flowed loosely along her face. She corrected them while nervously licking her lips. - The oppressive templars, the mages pinned down, and the Chantry looking on passively. The moral plague had eaten away at this city long ago. Add to that the ever downward spiral of the poor and the self-centered nobility and you have the whole picture.
- Hawke do you realize that you are beginning to sound like Arishok? - asked the dwarf carefully.
She turned her head slightly as if to look at him but her gaze stopped halfway. She pulled her lips together and let out a loud puff of air through her nose. All her frustration accumulated in her right hand. She clenched it into a fist and slammed it against the wall. She growled like a wild animal in the process. Varric didn't move from his spot observing the situation. A quiet groan drew the attention of both of them. Anders moved slightly on the bed. All anger evaporated from Hawke in an instant. Her attention was once again focused on the mage. She walked over to him and checked his forehead.
- The fever is up. - she said as if to herself. She walked over to a bucket of cold water. After a moment a small piece of damp cloth landed on Anders' forehead. The mage drew back his eyebrows, mumbling quietly the whole time. His fingers clenched the cloth tightly. Hawke looked for the medications Mira had left behind. She went to one of the drawers and pulled out an ornate handkerchief. She grabbed the bottle of liquid and returned to the bed. She moistened the handkerchief then gently applied it to Anders' chapped lips. He turned his head slightly toward her but did not wake up. It was several minutes before the mumbling stopped and calm returned to his face.
- Go now, Varric. - said the Champion calmly, putting down the bottle.
- Hawke, Kirkwall is home to many good people. It is my home and yours. - explained the dwarf. The Champion raised her blue eyes.
- I know. - she said in a calm and composed voice.
- All right. I am glad that we have this settled. - he said shortly and left.
The room was silent again, and the dark shapes cast by the waning flames tirelessly continued their performance. Hawke walked over to a small box of wood pieces and added a couple to the fireplace, keeping the fire burning. She took a few steps toward the liquor shelf, grabbed the first bottle she could find and took a solid swig. She coughed quietly and took another. She clenched her teeth and tears glazed in her eyes. Once again everything was out of her control. After a few months of relative peace, fate had thrown her into a corner again. After her third sip, she began to feel a humming in her head. She put down the alcohol and, taking the extra pillows from the bed, arranged them in the armchair next to her. She stretched out on it comfortably and grabbed Anders' hand. She turned toward him and curled her legs up, focusing her blue gaze on his face. The weight of the entire evening settled on her like a heavy blanket. Drowsiness was approaching with great strides. She tried to fight with her leaden eyelids but after a few minutes, she lost the battle. She closed her eyes, plunging into blissful nothingness.
