.xviii.
"I've got news," Varric announces. The chatter in the room halts abruptly, and Fenris digs his fingers into the wood of his chair, resisting the urge to scream at the dwarf to just spit it out. Isabela snorts, but even she can't hide her concern. "Is it finally the good kind?"
"No, don't I wish. But it's news all the same. A few contacts came through with things they've been hearing over the last few weeks. And, from what I've gathered," he pauses, taking a deep breath, "It seems like a slaving ring from Tevinter has been inquiring about her."
His blood runs ice cold, mind fumbling over the words.
Tevinter slavers. Hawke.
"You're not saying what I really hope you're not saying, are you Varric?" Aveline questions, pushing off the wall and setting her hands on her hips. "I really hope this is an elaborate joke."
"Wouldn't that require it being funny?" Merrill asks, an atypical tinge of sarcasm in her voice.
"It's not. I think Hawke was led out by a slaving ring that operates covertly in the Free Marches, kidnapping and transporting people off to the Imperium, Which means-"
"That would explain the letter that we received," Aveline says. "No one will come after her if they don't know that's she's actually in peril."
"Hawke is in Tevinter? As a slave?" Sebastian says, righteous fire lighting his eyes. "But why? Why would slavers take her of all people? She's the Champion of Kirkwall! People are bound to notice her disappearance. They had to have planned this."
"Or someone paid them to do it," Anders says soberly.
Fenris is still struggling under the words. Hawke, damned to his fate, to the life he once lived. To the torment and humiliation. The corruption and evil of the place will destroy her good heart. She is strong, but not the kind of strong required to survive such a life.
"At least it's not Templars," Anders murmurs, and suddenly the world comes crashing down on his in stark relief. Rage boils under his skin and he launches at the smug mage, who never sees the blow coming. He swings without truly aiming. Without really meaning to maim. Not too bad, anyway. He can't imagine what Hawke would do to him if she saw him now. Hawke. Hawke.
"Fenris, Fenris!" He is dimly aware of someone calling his name, but he keeps slamming his fists into Anders' face and chest. Beneath him, the man struggles, trying to shield his face and strike back at the same time. Blood bursts from a split lip, streaming down his chin, and a closed-fisted blow from the man pinned beneath him momentarily blurs his vision. Roughly, hands yank him back, but he keeps swinging.
"Fenris!" Aveline shouts, her face appearing in front of his. "Stop this, right now. You think this is going to help things?" Her damnable logic gives him pause, if only for a moment. Long enough for Anders to throw his full body weight forward, slamming him jarringly into one of Varric's bookshelves, landing a few painful blows. It takes Varric, Aveline and Sebastian to separate them. The three hold him back while Merrill throws a glyph down on the wooden planks of Varric's suite, restraining the blonde mage.
"Never a dull moment," Isabela observes, still in her seat despite the scuffle. She drinks her ale while everyone else stands, tense and ready for round two.
"If you two can't handle yourselves then you can leave and let the adults take care of this," Aveline says, frustrated evident in her tone
Neither reply, allowing silence to be unwilling consent.
"Great, now that's we've got that out of our systems, I'll finish what I was saying." Varric gives him a look, one he ignores, but the dwarf steps away from him, righting his toppled chair as he speaks. "I can't confirm it, not yet, but this looks like the case."
Fenris sits back down, teeth gritted, staring at the wall, vision still unfocused from the astonishingly powerful blow.
"But you've got that look you get when you come up with a good plan," Merrill points out, sounding hopeful.
"Good eyes, Daisy." She smiles at him. "Yes, I've got a plan, so don't give up hope."
"Does this plan include burning Tevinter to the ground?" Sebastian grits out, "Might be the only solution."
"I agree," Fenris spits. Behind him, Aveline sighs quietly. He notices the mage stays wisely silent about the matter.
"No burning. We are severely outnumbered for that kind of attack."
"I think he was joking," Merrill tells him. Sebastian smirks. "Only a little."
"If we're going to find her, we're going to have to take the espionage approach."
"What do you mean, 'espionage'?" Anders frowns, touching two fingers to his split lip.
"Exactly what is sounds like. I think can arrange a meeting with a representative from the same ring that was asking about Hawke, the one that probably took her. With any luck, we'll be able to pry some information from them. But we can't walk in as we are."
"We are rather recognizable, I imagine. Hawke never met a slaver she liked and let live to tell the tale." Aveline does not sound like she minds this all.
"Right. So, we send in two people to talk, and the rest can hang back, in case things get messy, as they often do."
The mage lets his hand fall, all traces of injury gone, unfortunately. "And these two will be in disguise?"
"Exactly, Blondie. The question is, who wants to volunteer?"
"I will." Anders doesn't even pause. "I'm not a very well known face, am I?"
"I suppose not," Varric shrugs. "Then one more."
"How about Fenris?" Isabela volunteers for him. He had been considering offering, but in all likelihood he would be spotted from a mile away.
"You know he glows in the dark when he gets mad, Rivaini?" Varric asks, brows cocked. "Not exactly my first choice." She laughs.
"Only from hearsay, unfortunately." She winks at him, and he pointedly ignores her. Surprisingly, though, her easy manner is calming him, somewhat. If she's still blithely laughing, then things can't be too dire. "But that might actually be a good thing. We can set it up to look like Anders is someone hoping to collect a reward for finding a fugitive slave." His skin prickles at her description, but her suggestion is a useful one.
"You think that they'd buy that? Blondie, no offense, but you aren't that good of a liar."
"That's why you're terrible at Wicked Grace," Isabela laughs. "No bluffing abilities."
"That you know of," Anders retorts indignantly. "I can do it."
Now his skin is crawling.
"And I am to play the captured slave?" he all but growls. Aveline crosses her arms. "I'm not wild about it, myself, but it seems like a pretty good plan, considering nothing else has been offered. And I'm not sure Merrill would be convincing enough, she's very obviously Dalish."
"Are we really willing to risk letting these slavers get this close to Fenris, though?" Merrill asks.
"You assume they will walk away from the confrontation," he sneers.
He detests the idea. It is only a ruse, but it is stomach turning nonetheless. However, for Hawke... her smile flashes briefly in his mind, vibrant and warm. He knows she would not give a second thought were she in his position. He acquiesces. "Very well. This seems our only choice. What do we do?"
"I'll make the arrangements." Varric states. "Back here tomorrow, same time. Anyone have any idea where we can get some Tevinter magister garb?"
"I've got something, actually," Anders volunteers, raising his hand a little. Varric casts him a look, unspoken question lingering. He shrugs. "What? It was a gift from a friend."
"How surprising," Fenris snorts, feeling the dried blood smeared across his face crumbling with the force of his sneer. The mage ignores him.
"What can we do while we wait to enact this plan?" Sebastian asks, standing.
"Pick a rendezvous point and scout it out," Aveline suggests. He is eager to get on with it, tomorrow seems too far away, too long to wait, not while Hawke's life hangs in the balance.
"Yes. I will go with you," he more tells than offers, tip of his great sword scraping along the wooden floor as he stands. Anything to be away from the mage, at this point, and he is need of something to hit.
"Not wise," Isabela sing songs. "What you should do," she begins, rising from her seat and leaning close to his bruised face, "is come with me. That tussle was actually a good idea. We can make it look like he messed you up a bit. To be more convincing. I can make you look like you've gone through the wringer."
"Oh, so is that the look you're going for with your makeup?" Aveline prods, hint of a smirk on her face. The pirate laughs. "Well, I guarantee, it's much better than what you've achieved. 'Celibate bag lady', would you call it?"
"Shut up."
"A good idea." Aveline shoots Sebastian a dangerous look and he backpedals. "We'll need every edge we can get. I can help, if you need it."
"You know about costume makeup?" Isabela asks, equally surprised and amused.
"Choir Boy, just when I thought I had you all figured out..." Varric grins.
"No-it's-no! Nothing like that!" A blush rises to the Chantry brother's cheeks. "I-some of the sisters taught me some things..." he trails off as six pairs of disbelieving eyes appraise him. "Never mind. You have my aid should you need it."
"Oh I most definitely will."
"Merrill," Aveline speaks and Sebastian and Isabela leave the suite, in search of cosmetics no doubt, "I'd like to have you along, when we check the meeting point."
"Me?" The girl is very obviously surprised by the request.
"Yes. I would like if you were there to help me deal with any magical problems we may encounter."
"Of course!" Merrill looks all too happy to comply.
"So that leaves the three of us." Varric looks pointedly at him, and then at Anders, who is already making for the door on the heels of Aveline and Merrill.
"Count that as two. I'm going to go get my disguise together." And then he is mercifully gone.
"So, Broody..."
"Yes, I'm fine, no, I don't want to talk about it."
"You know me so well. Not very convincing, though, with that whole fist fighting Blondie thing." He snorts. The mage had it coming, really. "Well, what if I'm not fine and I do want to talk about it?"
"Is that the case?"
He expects more jokes, but is met with honesty. "I'm worried. I've lived in Kirkwall all my life, so I don't know anything about what it's like in Tevinter for a slave, outside of things I've read, and all the lovely stories you've had to share." He sneers. 'Lovely'. How laughable. "I know it can't be good, though. And Hawke is a pretty young lady with more compassion than is probably healthy, for her anyway."
"Do you want me to tell you she'll be fine?"
"I want you to tell me the truth. Do you think she's going to-" he stumbles. "Do you think she'll last for as long as it takes for us to find her?"
That is a difficult question. So far, all they have is suspicions. Something deep within the core of his being tells him that they're on the right trail. Even so, it is still hard to answer. More difficult still is trying to predict what she will be facing. Some masters are kinder than others.
"I don't know," he answers as truthfully as he can, after a beat, "but she is a strong woman."
"Well, not exactly comforting, but you did your best." Varric slaps him on the back amiably, heading for the door, as Sebastian and Isabela return, arms full of boxes.
"Have fun with the makeover, kids!"
The Rivaini woman looks too pleased at his discomfort as she stalks toward him, wielding a brush.
Author's Note: Finally! The team is on the hunt! And as you all know, they are on the right path. Ah, and of course, Anders and Fenris had to do something with that long standing animosity/jealousy. Promise you guys they won't be warring with each other for much longer, I hate it when they fight.
Amylianna: Oh yes, Hawke very much wants to beat him to a bloody pulp. Unfortunately, not only is she uncapable of that at the moment, but she's also too honorable to break her word. That is unless someone else breaks first...
Tanith's crazy twin: Yes, I've always loved how Dragon Age doesn't just give you allies, but friends and family as well. Now I expect that from every game I play!
Avatarfan444: Learned helplessness is the perfect description! Well, technically it's more like taught helplessness, as slaves are taught to be subservient and never question their masters. Slavery is a terrible, inhumane thing. I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
In our next installment: Hawke dearly missed Kirkwall and all of her friends. However, she learns a little about Fenris before the lyrium brands. Keep leaving those priceless reviews, follows and favorites and stay tuned!