.xxiv.
The estate is all abuzz with the news of Master Danarius' party. Hawke observes with jaded withdrawal as the other slaves chatter and speculate about the upcoming event. She has been run too ragged to care about the masquerade being thrown, or whom is attending with whom. She's actually more amazed at how any one else has the time to talk about it with all the work there is to be dealt with. So much work, even more than she had ever done on the farm in Lothering, and she was no layabout.
She sets down the books she is carrying to Danarius' study, the combined weight of the thick tomes, oppressive heat, and the collar making her travel across the wide courtyard difficult. Staring into the cloudless sky, she counts the seconds of her diversion, estimating how much time she has to rest before Danarius becomes irate with her absence. She is lost in calculation when a voice draws her from her thoughts.
"Ava!" Balazs calls with a shy smile, waving her over to the well. She gathers the books up again, supporting them on her hip, and walks over to him. Setting the cumbersome volumes down on the dusty ground, she leans against the adobe wall while he draws the bucket up, pouring her an earthenware cup of water. "You should drink something. You look unwell."
"Must be the heat. I'm sure I could fry eggs on the ground right now."
"I know it's more than that," he speaks quietly, pressing the large cup into her hand and folding her fingers around it. "I know the Master uses your blood for his rituals. He says the blood of mages is far more powerful." He pushes up the edge of her sleeve, exposing the long red lines or varying size hidden underneath.
She averts her eyes. It's the disgusting truth, and she is ashamed to be the walking sacrifice for blood magic, a vile art that goes against all she believes, all she stands for. Or stood for, once, when she was free to stand as she chose. She draws back, tugging the arm of her tunic down, brushing off his concern. "I've had worse. It's nothing, really. There was this one time with this angry bronto. Messy stuff."
"You will get used to it," he assures. The words he means to comfort chill her to the core, in spite of the midday heat. Eager to change the subject, she brushes aside his hair and investigates his face. Nearly every trace of his scars are gone. He smiles, so much more outgoing than he had known him to be before.
"My sister says she had almost forgotten what I had looked like without them. I can not thank you enough."
"Don't you start. You do not owe me a life debt, or anything of the sort, and if you say sorry again I'll throw you down this well."
He doesn't look convinced. "Drink your water, please."
Gratefully, she does as she's asked, downing the cup quickly. He pours her another, and she quickly consumes that too. Her time is dwindling though, so once again she gathers up her burden.
"Thank you Balazs. I'll see you later."
"Goodbye, Ava," he waves, and hefts a yoke with two brimming buckets of water over his shoulders, and sets off. Turning, she goes her own way, heading for Danarius' study.
When she arrives, he isn't there, strangely enough. Thanking the Maker, she drops the books on his desk with an umbrageous sigh and sags against it, closing her eyes for a moment.
"He should not keep you in that for as long as he does."
She jumps, reflexively grabbing for her staff, despite not having had it in her possession for a while, and sinks into a fighting posture. Her legs cry out at what is being required of them, and she endeavors not to wobble on her feet.
In the corner, a cool looking elven woman watches her with a look of mixed formality and distaste. The first thing Hawke notices about her is the vibrant flame red of her hair. Against the pallor of her skin, and the darkness of the room, it stands out.
"If he does not free you from it more often, he will kill you. I've told him as much, but he does not listen."
"It certainly feels like it." She lets out a wavering breath, the threat of confrontation seemingly nonexistent. Surreptitiously, she goes back to leaning on the desk for support. "Who are you?"
The elven woman stands, spine regally stiff. "I am Danarius' apprentice. You may call me Mistress Varania." Her demeanor is souring.
"Apprentice, is it? Hm. Did you hear about what happened to Danarius' last apprentice?"
"I heard he captured the one responsible for her death, and she now serves at his feet."
She huffs with amusement and the woman's quick response. "You got me there." Varania steps closer, out of the shadows, and something about her strikes Hawke in a way she cannot name. There is something familiar about her face. She has seen this woman before, somewhere..."You, do I know you? You look-"
"No. I have been away seeing to a task for the Master. I have only just returned. I wish to see him. Is he here?"
"He was a moment ago, when he sent me for all these books."
"I must speak to him. It is important."
"I haven't seen him. But if I run into him, I'll send him your way." She pushes away from the desk, heading toward the door, the crush of her duties for the day overshadowing her curiosity about this 'Varania'.
"Wait, slave, I have not yet dismissed you." Hawke stops, rounding on the woman slowly, biting back vitriol.
"With your leave, then, I have other-"
"Do you know a man named 'Fenris'?"
Her vexation is quickly replaced with shock. Then fear. And then rage. Another apprentice of Danarius' asking for him, by name no less. But Danarius had sworn to leave him alone! "Why? Do you know him? Did Danarius send you to find him?" She doesn't answer immediately. "Your Master has sworn an oath to leave him be. If this is not the case I guarantee-"
"You are too arrogant for your station, slave," the woman accuses, "You will address me with the respect I deserve."
Slowly she repeats herself, fists curling. "How do you know about Fenris?" Despite the obvious discrepancy in their strengths, Varania backs away from her.
"I know he is one of your companions. The tales of your exploits travel from Kirkwall to many places."
"That doesn't answer my question." Still she is advancing threateningly, and still the other woman is backing away from her.
"I- I knew him when he was still serving our Master. I wanted to know how his life of freedom has treated him." The last of her words are sneered, unmistakable in their resentment.
"Then you'll be pleased to know that he still suffers, even now, because of what your master did to him."
Varania blink at this, and then frowns. She does not look pleased at all. "What do you mean?"
"I mean you and your master have tortured him enough. Leave him alone, or I will ensure that you suffer the same fate as the one who came before you."
"Ava," a voice from the doorways drawls. They both snap to attention. She retreats from Varania, head dipping involuntarily as Danarius enters the room, robes swishing at his feet. "That's no way to treat your betters."
"You swore in blood that you would leave him be. Why is she asking me about him?"
"I would assume you mean Fenris? Has she not told you who she is?"
"Yes. She is your apprentice."
Varania shoots him a pained look, and Danarius looks entertained by her discomfort. "Not quite. She still has yet to prove herself."
"That is what I came to speak to you of, Master." She says no more, and Hawke wonders what it is she was sent to do.
"This has nothing do with Fenris, Ava. Now please go, I have much to discuss with Varania." He smiles, an overly slick expression that looks like it is meant to comfort, but only unsettles.
"You swear you are not breaking your word to me?"
"I swear it, little bird. Now, if you please?" He gestures to the door languorously.
With a final warning look cut at the elven woman, who once again stands proud and fearless, she backs out of the room with a curtsy, and closes the door. She is considering lingering to eavesdrop when another one of the other slaves bids her over to help them with some task or the other. Reluctantly, she goes.
Something about her encounter with this Varania sticks in her teeth, making her ill at ease in a way she cannot place.
Even worse, she fears that Danarius is not being completely forthright with her.
Author's Note: The second chapter of the birthday for all you lovely readers. Hope you're still enjoying yourselves!
Next chapter: We find out who gets seasick first! I'm taking bets in the reviews;) Until next time!