A/N: Sorry for updating so late. Real life has been kicking me in the ass lately. I swear I still have plenty more coming for the story, thanks for sticking with it! You guys are awesome :)

Ashley leaned heavily over the long wooden table. The sun had set hours ago, leaving the library to be illuminated only by the fireplace and the dim desk lamp. The Divine's extensive contract had been sent over that morning, and still they hadn't worked their way through the nuances of it. She had hoped that Tallis would be around by now to help her navigate her way through this; she had a mind for these kinds of machinations, after all. But with her mysterious and quite notable absence, it was left up to herself and her Spymaster.

Zevran groaned indignantly as he twirled his favored dagger in his hand. "This is simply too wordy…you'd need an assembled team of egg-heads to read through this legal-ease."

"I imagine that's the point. Are we certain he's not a magister?"

That earned his tell-tale smirk. "No magic, but my contacts claim he does have a singular fixation on Kirkwall. Which is itself curious. Why take such an interest in a city so far from your own seat of power? And if you simply wanted to expand your reach, you could start with any of the cities. Kirkwall is an ambitious target to be sure."

"Unless you have an ally on the inside."

The Spymaster hummed in approval, but he'd been in the Hawkes' employ long enough for Ashley to know that he was holding something back. She had never expected it when her father bought out his contract from the Crows all those years ago, but their time together had tempered an easy friendship. Zevran proved to be an open-minded friend and a steadfast ally when the need arose. He remained outwardly flippant, of course. But such was his way. If asked he always claimed that the money was good and the estate's proximity to the Blooming Rose was unbeatable. But he had proven that he cared about her family. He had shed blood for them, put his own life at risk to protect Ashley's siblings. She recognized that it must be hard for a Crow to change his feathers, but his heart was in the right place, and that was all she could ask.

Ashley sunk down in the nearest armchair. Her fingers began fiddling with the wolf pendant around her neck. "Alright, spit it out. What's your theory?"

Zevran's eyes lit up as he pulled up a seat next to her. "Ah ha! I thought you'd never ask!" He reached across the table for a large, bright red folder. The thing was absolutely filled to the brim with papers. Zevran flipped it open carefully in front of her, revealing a clearly candid photo of a rather average-looking human man. "May I present the dreaded White Divine: Alexander the XIV…also known as Prince Sebastian Vael."

"A Prince?" She scoffed. "The only Monarchy left is Ferelden, and I don't see that man producing any legitimate heirs anytime soon."

Zevran chuckled. "You're right about that much, at least." He leafed through the pages until he pulled out a handful of obituaries. "The Vaels once ruled Starkhaven."

Ashley ran her hand over the papers solemnly. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for the man. She knew what it was like to lose family. And to lose so many so quickly…she counted herself lucky to still have Bethany and Leandra. It was all too easy to imagine the kind of despair he must have felt, the kind of anger…But he was no friend of hers, she reminded herself. She couldn't afford to have sympathy for someone that may very well be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

With a dastardly smirk, Zevran pulled out a photocopy of two separate maps in comparison. The second, more modern one, was notably missing another city-state adjacent to Kirkwall. "It used to be another city—Kirkwall's largest trade partner, even. They bowed to the Archon like everyone else for generations. But all that changed when the late King had a change of heart…" Another bit of rifling produced a rather fanciful and wordy declaration. "The man was seemingly so moved by the southerners' Chant that he saw fit to secede from the Imperial Marches."

Ashley answered with a bitter laugh. "Was he brave or stupid?"

"I would argue the latter, considering the outcome." He pulled a weathered pictured of a castle engulfed in flames with what appeared to be the entire magisterium standing in front of it. A large pile of bodies laid between them and the castle. "The story goes that young Sebastian here was saved thanks to a quick-thinking servant who used some sort of—and I quote— "Magic Trickery" to make him disappear before the magisters got to him."

"How is this not common knowledge? How did the Chantry not start a war over this?"

"If it weren't for the efforts of a certain devilishly handsome Spymaster, you wouldn't know any of this yourself. The event isn't even recorded in the public libraries. It seems they intended to wipe Starkhaven completely out of history itself…but as for the latter? It's difficult to say. Our would-be Prince would have been the only one left alive to make a fuss over it. But why wait so long? And now that he has the fanciful hat, why not declare your own war?"

She muttered under her breath as she looked over the documents in front of her. "Another answer, another question…"

"But of course. It'd be poor taste to simply spell out your evil plan. That would ruin the whole game."

"So what do you think he wants, then? Revenge? And how would a damned marriage-alliance further that goal?"

"Ah, all good questions, my bloodthirsty friend. And I think I have the answer…" He slipped out a very official-looking document from the very bottom of the pile. It was decorated with the seal of the Viscount and signed by every member of the magisterium at that time. "Three guesses who ordered the purging."

It didn't take long for her to find the biggest name at the bottom of the document. She nearly spat out the word. She truly couldn't despise the man any more than she already did. "Danarius."

"My theory, you ask? This fallen Prince had been watching Kirkwall for some time; he must seek to end Danarius, after all. He likely has his own spies inside the city, even at this very moment. And I'd bet my next paycheck that one of his little birds singled you out because of your obvious common enemy."

She pondered it for a moment. It was a plausible enough explanation. She wasn't naïve enough to think that she wasn't being watched. This was Kirkwall, if you believed you had true privacy within this city, you were a total fool. "So, what's your take? The enemy of my enemy sort of thing?"

"For him, yes. It's a smart plan if he can pull it off." Zevran slowly pulled the damnable marriage contract back in front of them. "But for you…can I be honest?"

"Always, Zevran."

He gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm not sure it's worth it. The contract talks about solidifying the marriage with heirs. It might just be political at its core, but he still intends to treat it like a true union of man-and-wife…he's also demanding a grand, andrastian wedding and really, who has time for that? All the singing, and the speeches, and the readings, and the—" He sighed, getting himself back on track before she could scold him for it. "You will never be happy with this. And you know your man will be royally pissed—pun intended—when he gets back here."

Ashley couldn't help but smile at that. "Thank you…for saying 'when', instead of 'if'…"

"Ha! Whoever said 'if' is a total moron. Fenris will quite literally tear through the whole damned world to get back home to you—innumerable darkspawn hordes or no." He nudged her elbow with his. It was his attempt at an encouraging gesture, Ashley realized. It was heartwarming to say the least. She was silently grateful that he was ever respectful of her need for personal space. "But only problem being: The Divine definitely has the wealth and resources to back his offer up…and the alliance could truly win this war for you, by a landslide."

"You don't think Fenris will understand?"

Zevran leaned back, carefully balancing his chair on the back legs. "Truly, that's a tough read. I can see it going two ways…"

"Which are…?"

"He could see the situation practically. Perhaps the ease of taking Danarius down would be too enticing for him to be truly angry."

"Or?"

"He might also very well see it as a betrayal. He just arrives home after trekking across the world to get back home to you and this is what he returns to? But no one knows him better than you, my friend."

Ashley let out an exasperated sigh, her fingers worried furiously over the pendant. "He'd be livid…You're right."

"Almost always." He smirked as he leaned against the table once again. "But if you're still amenable to unfiltered advice, I'll tell you something else: If I were you, I'd find a loophole."

"Not necessarily my strong suit."

"Of course not. But we do know some clever entrepreneurs who happen to have that particular talent…"

Her expression grew intrigued as she turned towards him. "You want to take it to the Carta."

Zevran shrugged. "No one better in the field of bullshittery, truth be told. And their discretion can be bought for the right price."

"Right. Until a higher bidder comes along, I assume."

"Surprisingly, no. Their new leader has a strict policy on the matter. He seems to think they'll get more…discretionary business if the secret trade is actually trustworthy on their end."

She shot him a skeptical look. "And you would know this because?"

"Now, now, why pay top dollar to keep a secret if you so openly go blabbing it to your friends?"

She shook her head as she slid the contract towards him. "Give them whatever they want."

"And if they ask too much?"

"Then stab them."

"Just checking." Zevran chuckled as he shuffled away from the table. "We should have their demands in the morning."

Before the Spymaster could make it to the door, it burst open in front of him. Aveline stormed in, nearly running Zevran right over. It wasn't a necessarily uncommon way for her to enter a room, the woman always seemed to have an agenda that simply couldn't be delayed. But the fact that she was fully dressed for battle was an unsettling sight. Ashley was seemingly still lost in her thoughts though; she didn't look up when Aveline approached her.

"What's the emergency this time, Captain?" Her voice was full of sass, which did nothing to improve Aveline's mood.

"I'm locking down the estate. Your meeting is over."

"Oh for—What now?"

Aveline slammed her hands down on the table. The gesture startled Ashley into looking up at her. "The Arishok is mounting an invasion."

"What? Now?"

"No, He sent a courtesy invitation. You're expected to RSVP."

Zevran tried to hide his laughter behind a cough, but the Captain picked right up on it. "You: gather your agents and scour the grounds. If anyone breeches the perimeter, eliminate them." She turned back to Ashley, gesturing to her assertively. "And you: get to the vault and stay there."

She stared Aveline down for a short moment before rising from her chair and leaning over the table. "Did you forget who you answer to, Captain?

Aveline mirrored Ashley's actions. "I answer to Malcolm Hawke. And you haven't earned the right to take his place." She vaguely registered a notable change in Ashley's demeanor, but she was far too focused on doing her damned job to care. "Get to the Vault."

Ashley shoved away from the table, the chair behind her was pushed violently to the side. She stormed right passed Zevran as she barked her own orders at him. "Grab your sharpest daggers, Zevran. You're with me."

"Like hell he is." Aveline stomped right after her, taking long strides to catch up to her.

Ashley stood in the middle of the main hall, turning her head towards her own bedroom as she whistled loudly. Sadie darted out of Ashley's room before she had time to turn around. She strode over to the coat rack, shrugging on the overcoat she usually wears to the Magisterium. She ruffled the feathered pauldrons and laced up her fur-covered boots. Sadie dutifully took a seat beside her, awaiting further instructions. "Tell me, Captain. What would my father do?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Lockdown the estate and trust me to protect the family."

"You're really going to tell me that Malcolm Hawke wouldn't be out there defending his city, his family, his home and livelihood from aggressive invaders? You clearly don't know the man."

Zevran jogged up to her, donned in his armor with his dragonbone daggers on his hips. He gave her a simple nod and took a place beside Sadie. Aveline shook her head incredulously. "And just what do you think you're doing?"

"Earning my place, Captain. Do you know yours?" Ashley flipped her hood up, securing the black, bird-like mask over her eyes. She summoned the Hawke's Key into the form of a shortsword as she stepped out into the street, readying herself for whatever came her way.

Hightown was suspiciously quiet…the kind of quiet that all but confirmed that an ambush was just around the corner. Normally, it was just a bunch of ragtag bandits—an insignificant threat for a skilled Magister. But tonight was different. A Sarebass caught them off guard. Sadie whimpered in pain as Ashley and Zevran were thrown in to the nearest wall. Her weapon dissipated from her hand as her head collided with the wall. Ashley tried hard to blink the blurriness out of her vision, but she realized far too late that the Sarebass was nearly finished casting his next devastating spell.

She was certain that she was done for, her cockiness had finally caught up with her and she'd have nothing to show for it. But the Sarebass was suddenly knocked down by a charging warrior clad in black plate armor. Aveline wasted no time in executing the enemy mage while he was on the ground. Ashley finally got control of her vision again, she scanned the courtyard to see Zevran and Sadie shaking off the effects of the spell and making their way over to her. She brought her gaze back to Aveline, her snark still all too evident in her tone as she spoke to her. "And just what do you think you're doing, Captain?"

Aveline's eyes narrowed and her expression grew even more serious. "All as one."

"All as one. You may be a Hawke, but you should never fly alone." Malcolm offered his hand to help Ashley up yet again. "Once more, Sunshine."

She shrugged off his help and stood on her own indignantly. She brushed the dirt off of her tattered clothes. The memory reminded her briefly that the Hawkes' will never again have to trade hand-me-downs or steal bread…But was it really worth it? "This is stupid. I don't need anyone."

"If that were the case, you'd have no issue knocking me into the dirt. Overconfidence is for the foolish. Trust in your allies. Fight as one."

Ashley rolled her eyes, shooting a glance at her siblings. They seemed just as tired of this nonsense as she was, which brought her a small amount of comfort. "And what if we have no allies to fight with, what then?"

Malcolm gripped her shoulders tightly, forcing her to focus on him. "Then you have made either a grave mistake or several of them." He let her go and spoke to each of his children. "But either the case: if you find yourself cornered and alone, you have only one option left. You have to fight like the fate of the world depends on it. Because for all you know, it does."

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure the Chantry will be begging for our aid during the next great sheep invasion."

Malcolm's hand came around the back of her head and smacked her swiftly. "You won't be fighting anything with your wit alone." He nodded towards his children. "Again."

The four of them descended upon their father just as they had done countless times before. But Malcolm dodged or parried every potential blow. It was so tiring, so damned maddening…but something suddenly clicked in her head. They attacked simultaneously, but not together. When Garrett slashed at him, Bethany held her icicles for fear of hitting him; When Carver lunged for him, Garrett stepped too wide to give Carver room and brought himself off balance…While Malcolm was distracted with Carver and Garrett, Ashley slunk over to Bethany. She quietly told her to wait for her signal and copy her moves. Ashley waited for the moment she knew was coming, it had happened so many times before, it was nearly precisely predictable now. Malcolm shoved both Carver and Garrett away from him, sending them stumbling back a couple of steps.

"Now!" Ashley launched herself into an icy charge, aiming herself to go right through Malcolm. Bethany was right after her, coming from a different direction. The dual attack froze their father for just a moment. Carver and Garrett reacted quickly. Carver hit him hard with the pummel of his sword, while Garrett kicked his feet out from under him. The four of them were quick to draw their weapons on him as he laid there in the dirt for once.

Malcolm laughed heartily; his eyes were nearly overflowing with pride. "You're stronger together, young Hawkes. Remember that."

"All as one." She agreed. It seemed Malcolm had given her the same speech…Ashley steeled herself to combat the emotion that welled up in her. She hid it well enough as she extended a hand towards Aveline. A slight smile crossed Aveline's otherwise stern features as she shook Ashley's hand.

"No more infighting then? Ah, good. That would have made chopping off the Arishock's head markedly more difficult."

Aveline shook her head at the Spymaster. "Killing the man will only cause further incident."

"Whether the Arishock dies today is solely up to him." Ashley motioned to the large staircase that led to the upper city, where the Viscount's Keep sat. "We confirm Danarius's status first. Then we deal with the Qunari."

"And if we happen to find our illustrious Archon in a…compromised state?" Zevran asked wistfully.

Ashley shot him a slightly amused look. "Then stab him."

Zevran chuckled as he followed behind her, stepping carefully over the Sarebass corpse. "Just the once?"

"If anyone gets the honor of decorating the halls with that bastard's blood, it's going to be me." As they neared the first steps of the stone staircase, Ashley narrowly dodged a thrown spear. It landed uncomfortably close to Sadie, making the mabari growl ferociously. A number of Qunari emerged from the darkened corners of the nearby alcoves, shouting their battle cries. It seemed that the path to their objective would be bloody, but it wouldn't stop them now. "Kill them all."