Author's disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Dragon Age 2!" Nada thing. Bioware owns the goods.
Author's notes: I'm going by some of the game's events with Castillon showing his face. The "getting taken in by Velasco" scene is different from the game though. And he gets to live up to when Castillon shows. Kept Isabela's "love confession dialogue" in near the end.
CharlieBarrow: Thank you for getting me into this pairing.
QueenTyzula: I hope you enjoy, my friend!
"Catching the Wind"
Chapter thirteen "Castillon"
Bodahn opened the front door of the Hawke manor and the Champion exited, Isabela on her arm. Hawke gave a groan as she cast a look where she had to go, which was to the guardsman barracks.
"I have to go, Bela," Hawke said. She raised the pirate's hand and kissed the back of it tenderly. Isabela grinned.
"Be on time for dinner. Here or the Hanged Man?"
"Hanged Man. I know you love it," Hawke said. Isabela stood on tiptoes to kiss her. Hawke wrapped her arms round her waist, drawing her in.
"Don't be late, Champion," Isabela teased. Hawke smiled softly. They kissed heatedly and finally Isabela gave her breastplate a shove. "Go on then! Or Big Girl will be pissed at me for making you late."
"I'm not on the guardsman payroll," Hawke insisted. She still smirked at the reference to Aveline. And really, she wasn't. She went to the barracks to help her friend run errands and small missions, and to train the guardsmen.
Isabela waved and sauntered off toward Lowtown's market. Sometimes the merchants had a real deal on jade jewelry and she wanted to give it a try. Her wide earrings jangled as she gave a jaunty shake of the head, hips swaying. Those that knew her called out greetings.
Nearing Lowtown, she did keep an eye out for Merrill. She knew she had a lock on Hawke now who adored her again, but she still felt guilty. She hadn't meant to take her friend's shot at happiness away. Isabela resolved to talk about that with Hawke sometime. But now….
"Hey, watch it!" Isabela winced as she bumped shoulders against a man. She winced.
"Apologies, my friend," she was saying when the man turned.
Isabela almost jumped out of her skin when she noticed the familiar face. He had grown a full beard, but she'd recognize him anywhere. Velasco, right hand to Castillon….the mere thought of her old nemesis' name was enough to make bile rise in the pirate's throat. She froze stupidly in her tracks.
"Isabela!" the pirate winced as he took her in. Abruptly, a snarl of a smile appeared on Velasco's face. "Castillon has been looking for you for some time. Thought you could hide forever, eh?"
Panic rose in Isabela's chest. She tamped it down carefully as she swallowed. Where Castillon went, Velasco was never far behind. That meant Castillon….the panic began rising, slowly but surely.
"I know," Isabela said truthfully. She lifted her chin.
"You're coming with me." A hard gleam entered Velasco's eye. He reached forward, and Isabela tried not to openly cringe as his hand fisted her bicep. His grip was unnaturally strong.
"That is apparent," Isabela tried to keep her old snap in her voice, but her confidence was fading as fast as a summer storm.
"This way. And don't try anything funny unless you want a knife in your vitals," Velasco growled. Isabela walked with him casually as he yanked and tugged her away from the market paths to the back alleys. It was a good thing Hawke wasn't here…. Isabela had enough of disrupting the lives of those she cared for.
No matter what happened, she had to see this through to the end. Even if it meant not seeing those smiling green eyes again. Her boys! She had to be strong for them…..
Each step away from the bustling market echoed in Isabela's ears and she swore she could hear the blood rushing in her head. Dizziness attempted to take her, but she forced her steps, Velasco partly dragging her in turn. Keep Hawke out of this, try to survive….. oh Maker's balls, if she didn't survive…Falcon, Lark…..
Just remembering her last words before leaving Zevran and her boys brought tears to her eyes. "If anything happens to me, keep the boys safe. And tell Hawke about them. Tell them all I'm sorry…."
Isabela focused on the stupid wispy hairs growing from Velasco's chin as she was marched along. Just thinking about never seeing her boys again was enough to destroy her. She knew now Hawke wanted her still. She had just gotten her back and now…. Now she may never see her again. Isabela was suddenly sorry, sorry she would involuntarily ruin Hawke's heart if she went, and her boys for never knowing her….
But if Hawke knew where she was going, she would get involved. She cared too much not to. Just as well. She'd have to fight this fight alone…. And in doing so, she'd lift any burden from her beloved Champion's shoulders.
Isabela bit her lip as a door was opened in an alley and she was shoved through. The door slammed shut behind them.
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"I'm surprised you could tear yourself away from that woman for a moment," Aveline said. Hawke glanced over a stack of papers on the captain's desk with a rueful smile.
"That woman has a name," she said. Aveline shrugged broad shoulders. Her armor made clanking noises at the gesture.
"Whatever. Can you focus on helping me today or not?"
"You know I can," Hawke said. A junior guardsmen brought in a tray and Hawke smiled to see there was coffee. She took a cup gladly.
"Good. The guardsmen have been hearing rumors around the docks of a possible slave ring trying to enter the Free Marches. We can't allow that to happen."
Hawke shuddered. "Agreed. Did they have a name?"
"Someone named Castillon."
The name seemed familiar but try as she might, Hawke couldn't drum up any memory as to why. She set the paper down on the stack.
"Let's head out then."
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Velasco cleaned his nails with the tip of a dagger, idly watching Isabela over the top of the blade. The pirate tried not to sweat but the waiting was killing her.
In that time, she had said goodbye to her boys at least a hundred times and fifty times to her lover as well. As the minutes ticked in long moments that threatened to drive her mad, Isabela sat against the wall, crossing her arms, thinking of more pleasant things. Of course, those thoughts would circle around her sons and Hawke. She remembered the first time her boys smiled at her, when she knew for a certainty after their birth that those brilliant green eyes weren't going to darken, when they stopped pulling at her teat and began eating solid foods keeping her and the prostitutes rushing to prepare them meals; all of these thoughts kept her in a better place.
Even Lark's first word, which was 'balls', brought a tear to her eye. The boys had, of course, learned that from her and her pup had delightfully proclaimed it as his first word, his brother scrambling to try and say it as well.
Her boy's faces, so similar to their sire's, of course made her think of Hawke. Her flashing green eyes, how her pale face would erupt to a bright red when she was aroused or embarrassed or both. How she'd given her the tiny ship in a bottle, promising there were a dozen sailors in attendance for her below decks. The small gestures went to romantic ones. How Hawke could stoke her lust to high spirals, and then tenderly share her passion, making her feel beloved and treasured. How she watched her sleep, when Hawke didn't know she woke slowly and noticed that. How stoic she looked when she kissed the back of her hand like she was a precious lady. All the stupidly amorous things she did that Isabela secretly loved.
And now Isabela wouldn't get to tell Hawke that she…..
Velasco sighed as a door from inside the warehouse opened. The squeal of the door made her head jolt up. "Finally," he complained.
Isabela straightened her gait as Castillon pushed through. The man hadn't changed much, other than obtaining fine new clothes. He grinned radiantly at her.
"Well! This is a surprise. Where did you find her?"
Velasco grinned. "In Lowtown market. Enjoying herself instead of searching for what's yours."
Isabela cringed inwardly. It all sounded like banter, but she knew what Castillon was capable of. Her blood turned to ice. Castillon gave an idle smile, even though it was clear by the harsh glint in his eyes that he was far from amused.
"Well done. Go on, Velasco. You've earned a reprieve," Castillon offered. His right-hand man saluted and left the warehouse, leaving Isabela with the viper of a man she had run so long from.
Castillon smiled charmingly at her. He gestured.
"Come come, where are my manners? Sit with me. The floor can't be too comfortable," he crooned. Isabela slowly stood. She sat gingerly on the chair's edge across from Castillon.
"It isn't…." Isabela tried for cocky as she crossed one leg. Castillon tapped his fingers on the table. His nails were well-manicured, and his posture was perfect. "About the relic…"
Castillon tsked her. "I have heard you had it, you know. You must have been on your way to deliver it to me. But you turned back to Kirkwall to help the Champion? You must have lost sight of your true focus."
Isabela swallowed hard. "I-I'm sorry, Castillon…." There was no use in trying to tell him it was the right thing to do by Hawke and to help protect the innocent people of Kirkwall.
Castillon gave a wry smile, even though she knew what that small dry smile could mean. "Sorry doesn't deliver me a priceless artifact. Sorry doesn't restore my coffers from the slaves you set free that were due to be given to me. You've made a lot of poor choices concerning our working relationship, Isabela."
Isabela tried to look contrite, but she was a terrified mess. Castillon was playing with her by speaking cordially. He never liked getting his hands dirty, so she wondered how many of his men were in the next room awaiting the word to jump on her all at once and overpower her.
Despite herself, Isabela closed her thighs and tried not to look afraid. In her heart, she knew she was saying goodbye to her lover, to her boys. Oh, Hawke…..
Castillon smiled widely, showing his even white teeth, as he ticked off ways Isabela could repay his generosity. Coldness crept into her soul. He may want her dead, but he would definitely keep her alive at first, and torture her body and soul.
"You could work off your debts with your body. You won't mind that, I should think. First you can service my men then live in chains and work off your debt, alpha by alpha, locked in a small room…"
Isabela blanched. Her fists clenched tightly. Instead of her usual righteous fury, cold dread seeped through her. Castillon COULD make that happen. She knew some of the stories that surrounded the status of his wealth and had known to get from him when the getting was good.
But she was caught and unless she saw an opening, she was sure as dead if she lifted a hand. Castillon may be well-dressed and not enjoy getting his hands dirty, but he wasn't above physical violence. In one business deal with him, she'd walked in on him strangling a prostitute with his bare hands. So clearly it wasn't beneath him.
Isabela swallowed hard. "Please, Castillon…you don't have to do that….I'll get your money….I will, somehow…"
"No. The time for frivolous promises is over. You belong to me now, Isabela and I will have what's due me!..."
Isabela closed her eyes tightly as his large hand settled over her wrist and yanked her to her feet.
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"It's around here somewhere…" Aveline mumbled. She and Hawke stalked the streets leading up to the docks. Any attempt Aveline made to flag down a vagrant to question, the street rats beat feet, no doubt fearing an arrest. Hawke pulled a silver from her pouch and flipped it into the air. A bedraggled urchin peeled from the walls and gingerly crept closer. Hawke gave a comforting smile.
"We're looking for a certain man. This is yours if you've seen anything that could help us," Hawke urged. The young boy wiped his wrist across his nose.
"Sure, Champion! Who are you seeking?"
"A slaver named Castillon," Aveline said. The boy flinched and looked around both ways.
"Heard that name. You don't want to run into him. His man goes in and out of that warehouse there." He pointed down the dock alleys toward a building. "But you didn't hear it from me!"
Hawke flipped him the silver and ruffled his hair. "Head to the Hanged Man and ask for Varric. He'll get you set up, lad. And thanks."
"Yes, Champion!" The boy grinned. He took off at a run. Hawke and Aveline shared a look.
"He could have more than one man. Should we send for the guardsmen?" Hawke asked. Aveline shook her head.
"Let's scout it out first. If we need to come back with more muscle, we will," Aveline said. Hawke nodded. They quietly picked the lock of the warehouse door and crept in. Hawke was surprised muscled men weren't on guard just inside. If this slaver had guards of his own, they must be further inside closer to his person. She clenched a fist over the hilt of her blade as they stalked quietly along the corridors.
Aveline held up a gauntlet, hearing low male voices. They sidled past a room where guards were noisily playing cards and betting gold. Hawke held up five fingers as she and Aveline crept past. She heard at least five men, so they could easily take care of that on their own. Aveline shook her head and pointed down the corridor. Hawke nodded.
Aveline wanted the slaver leader so they'd continue to scout ahead. If the hue was raised and the guards jumped in, five was an easy number to dispatch. Hawke prowled beside her friend as they heard a muffled conversation in a room up ahead. An accented male voice was oozing insincerity to whoever he was talking to. There was a muffled woman's answer and Hawke's hackles rose. She and Aveline locked eyes and nodded.
They neared the room and the words became clearer.
"Please, Castillon… you don't have to do that….I'll get your money….I will, somehow…"
Hawke frowned as the primal parts of her brain screamed for her companion. Was that…Isabela?!
She stalked forward faster, Aveline trying to wrench her back by the arm quietly. The man's response was coming louder as she neared the room.
"No. The time for frivolous promises is over. You belong to me now, Isabela and I will have what's due me….!"
There was a woman's small scream of terror and Hawke burst into the room, mind red-tinged, eyes ablaze. She knew that voice, and she wasn't surprised to see her lover shielding herself with one arm from a well-dressed man. His hand was over her wrist, large enough to crush her lover's arm and seeing him touch Isabela sent Hawke's mind to a primal place.
"STOP!" Hawke bellowed. She was drawing her blade, the rasp of steel on leather loud in the small room. Her lover's eyes opened and met hers, shock registering in her gaze. Aveline was shouting in Hawke's peripheral to stop, slow down, reason with him! But Hawke grabbed the elbow of the arm that was touching HER Isabela, and flung the man off of her pirate. Isabela scampered back behind her chair as Castillon went down. She had time to meet his shocked eyes, before Hawke surprised them all by driving her blade down his torso in a savage diagonal slash. The blade caught in his middle and Castillon's screams of pain were ugly to hear. Hawke growled, spitting curses, as she set her boot on his side, and worked the blade through, effectively chopping him in half.
Castillon was dead before the two halves of him hit the dirty floor and Isabela fairly stared. Just like that, Hawke had saved her…. This time, she didn't care for the help. It was over. Hawke leaned her blade hastily against the table, not even securing it, as she reached for her, babbling if she was okay, gloved hands searching for injury.
Isabela twined shaking arms around her alpha's neck, shaking in her embrace. "I'm okay! I'm okay….I am!" she promised.
Beside them, both finally could hear Aveline's outraged shouts. "You bloody fool! We could have arrested him, Hawke! The Viscount may not have your back on this one! This was cold-blooded murder! Hawke!"
Hawke kept one hand on her lover's waist, keeping herself tethered by touch. She took up her bloodied blade, and wiped the fluids off on Castillon's lower half on his trousers. She re-sheathed, having the grace to blush.
"I'll explain myself to the Viscount if need be. But he was going to hurt Isabela. And we'll find his slaving contracts for your case, Aveline. I swear," Hawke sounded contrite, but her eyes kept roaming over Isabela. Her pirate clung to her arm tightly. Aveline sighed with disgust.
"Well, help me arrest those five goons before you get all gushy with her! Come on!" Aveline led the charge into the guard's room and Hawke rushed to help. On the way, Isabela found her confiscated daggers and helped the two secure the five men. It was the least she could do for the old girl, mad as she was.
After calling in the guardsmen and sending the ruffians to jail, Aveline was barely placated with finding Castillon's papers. Barely.
"See? He was going to send a few shipments of slaves through here. That should be proof enough," Isabela said. Hawke's arm was round her waist protectively. Isabela would have protested with anyone else that she knew how to handle herself, but she was truly grateful for Hawke's outburst.
An old foe would trouble her no longer, and her lover would have the Viscount's support if any of Castillon's business contacts wanted to play roughly in retaliation. Slavery wasn't tolerated in Kirkwall any longer and the Viscount wouldn't tolerate bad juju falling on his Champion.
Aveline was still angry, collecting the slavery contracts and other business scrolls. Hawke spoke up finally.
"I am sorry for not following your example. But I couldn't let him hurt Isabela. I hope you understand that, Aveline."
"I blame this on her, not you," Aveline snarled, glaring at Isabela. The pirate blinked. "She turns your eye to her only, no matter what the cost."
Hawke's serious gaze made Isabela's heart thud hard. "Yes, she does…."
The three left the warehouse, the idly chatter and commands of city guardsmen all around the area, securing it. Hawke gave a polite salute to Aveline.
"If the Viscount wants to talk, he knows where to find me," she said. Aveline sighed raggedly.
"Of course I'll include the slaver was about to harm your lover. That would account for the alpha outburst."
Hawke scrubbed the back of her neck with her fist. "Well…."
"Go on. I'm sure you're not going to stay anyways," Aveline sniffed. Hawke took Isabela's hand.
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The two headed in the direction of the Hanged Man and Isabela kept half an eye out for Merrill. She didn't see sight of the skinny elf anywhere and Hawke's furtive glances her way told her Merrill was furthest from her mind right now.
Inside the comfort of the Hanged Man's rowdiness, Isabela steered Hawke to a corner table from the action. Varric had settled in amongst a few merchants and ladies, spinning an elaborate tale. He waved happily to both women, but didn't move from his perch. Isabela was grateful.
Drinks were ordered, but Isabela fidgeted nervously. Hawke's eyes swept up and down her lover.
"Are you sure you're not hurt?"
"I'm sure."
"Then, what's wrong?" Hawke reached for Isabela's hand. Isabela clutched her hands tightly. Hawke's lips quirked in a joking smirk. "Don't tell me you have a funeral to attend."
"What? You mean Castillon's?" Isabela smiled, giving a laugh. "I hope the cleansing blaze of the funeral pyres reject his vile sagging ass."
Hawke laughed in turn. She could feel Isabela's relief surging through her chi. "I'm glad you're here. I…wanted to thank you. For everything you've done for me." Isabela's fingers stroked the backs of Hawke's hands. She was glad her Champion had taken off their gloves some time ago. Hawke's fingers were warm in her hands. "I'm glad you walked in here all those years ago…."
Hawke's smirk returned. "I was drawn in by the intoxicating aroma of stale piss and vomit."
Isabela's laughter was infectious. She gave a serious gaze up to Hawke's shining green eyes. "It's funny, now that I think about it, getting a ship just doesn't seem that important. Everything I care about is here…YOU'RE here. I….I'm sorry… I don't know what's come over me." Isabela's smile was nervous, so nervous.
Hawke squeezed her hands gently. "What's going through your mind?"
Isabela exhaled, letting loose a confession of words. "I think I….I think I'm falling for you. Just….tell me, Hawke…. If I have a chance with you?"
Hawke gave a wry look. "Didn't you say love wasn't for you?" She kissed the back of Isabela's hand though. Isabela's heart gladdened.
"I know what I said, and I know why I said it. You were right; I wasn't afraid of love. I was afraid of being loved."
Hawke scooted her chair closer, sliding an arm around Isabela's waist. "Promise you won't run off and break my heart?"
Isabela felt guilt tear through her. She had already done so. Her nod was fervent as she slid into her Champion's lap. "I won't if you don't give me a reason to."
Hawke nuzzled her shoulder. "I won't…just stay with me."
"I will…" Isabela was all shades of red by now. After sharing a nice drink and cuddles, Isabela stood and took Hawke's hand. She took her to the barkeep's counter to buy her old room for the night and both women ascended the stairs.
Once inside, Hawke gave her a wry smile. "We could just go to my house. The bed's much bigger."
"You always have that on your mind, don't you?" Isabela teased. Hawke's eyes were on her pirate's lusciously round ass. She nodded.
"I can't help it. You always look so good…."
"You too, sweet thing…" Isabela turned, and pulled her hair over one shoulder. Hawke came up behind her. Isabela shuddered as her arms went round her waist. "Hawke…"
"Hmm?"
"Can you help me off with this?" Isabela gestured to her gold choker. She looked over her shoulder to see her lover's eyes widen. Isabela never took it off. That meant…. Hawke visibly shuddered, with anticipation and happiness.
"You mean…."
Isabela nodded. She closed her eyes as Hawke's clever fingers found the fastenings and off went the heavy piece of jewelry. She shuddered, rubbing back against the Champion as Hawke's lips and teeth found her throat and shoulder, setting several pre-mating bite nips in preparation. Her hands went up and down, unfastening Isabela's tunic, sliding in to caress her breasts and belly. Isabela gasped as she was brought to her knees on the bed. She could hear Hawke push her breast plate and gauntlets off, random articles of clothing following. When she pressed up against Isabela's bare back again, heated flesh slid against hers.
Hawke kissed the side of her throat tenderly as the head of her cock slid through Isabela's wet folds. "Tell me you want this…"
"Yes!" Isabela murmured. She sighed as Hawke probed against her opening and tested her with a few shallow thrusts that slid through her dampness without sinking in. Isabela widened her thighs, trembling. "I already marked YOU….."
Hawke's hand steadied her hip as she held herself by the base with her free hand. She nudged Isabela's damp cave and gently pushed upward, burying her head in slippery wet heat. Hawke hissed with pleasure. Her thrusts getting in were gentle and after Hawke finally worked herself in fully, hips flush against her ass, Isabela shook in her embrace.
Hawke chuckled behind her and gently rocked, keeping her shaft seated with the slow thrust. Isabela keened in response. "Now it's my turn, love…."
Isabela blushed as she was taken, and pushed and nudged toward a mind-blowing orgasm. She didn't want the moment to ever end. When Hawke's teeth finally sank into the back of her right shoulder, setting her mating mark, bright lights erupted behind Isabela's eyes.
She was right where she belonged.
End for now
End notes: Like it, hit me up with a review. Happy new year's!
Sincerely, pen 12/31/2017