"Donnic's patrol should be near here." Aveline said as we ran around the moonlit streets of Lowtown.
"Hey look! An ambush on a lone guard!" I said as we came to a space between buildings, I threw a fireball as soon as I had a good enough vantage.
Best to draw their attention away from the downed guard, though, in hindsight, making myself a target was a pretty bad idea. Luckily Carver and Aveline rushed ahead into the mess of burning enemies. Oh, I hope I didn't hit Donnic. That'd be bad.
"Who…Ave…Aveline?" Donnic said after the fight as Aveline helped him to his feet, "Maker, you're a beautiful sight."
"Guardsman?" she replied smiling.
"I mean…uh…" Donnic stuttered, "I was on patrol, and there was an ambush, I took a few down but there were too many at once. The captain said this route was supposed to be quiet."
Ohhhhh… Cute.
I knelt down to sift through the dropped satchel, Carver hovering over my shoulder as I sorted through it.
"The seal of the viscount. Office details, city accounts." Carver said as I sorted through the mess.
"Valuable to a guild of thieves," I nodded, "forget Guard Captain, this man should be in government."
"Not now Hawke," Aveline was definitely angry, "a sacrificial delivery with one of our own. Captain Jevan will answer. This goes to the office of the viscount. This will be known."
"We'll they're probably asleep or something right now," I said stretching my arms, "why don't you two head back to the barracks for now, and us three will check up on you tomorrow morning?"
"All right Hawke," Aveline said taking the satchel from me, "I'll see you tomorrow then."
We watched her stomp away, yep, she really was angry.
"So, uh, Hawke," Varric started, "what do you think about a drink at the Hanged Man? You, me, and Junior, before we call it a day."
"Only if you're buying." I replied.
"Of course." Varric nodded.
"Alright, Varric," I said turning to him after we managed to get Carver safely distracted, "what did you want to talk about?"
"Here's the thing, we need to find a way into the Deep Roads," Varric said pacing in front of the fire place in his suite in the Hanged Man, "Bartrand can lead us where we want to go once we get down there, but we need a good entrance."
"What? You didn't have an entrance already? How were you expecting to get down there?" I blurted out.
"Bartrand had an entrance lined up but it was a bust." Varric sighed.
"Any entrance would do, though, wouldn't it? Unless there's a spider nest in it, I suppose." I said shuddering.
"What? The magnificent Hawke is afraid of spiders?" Varric said grinning.
"I wouldn't be grinning if I were you," I huffed, "what will YOU do when we're ambushed by spiders and I'm rendered useless?"
"Good point." he replied shaking his head.
"So, what are we going to do about this whole entrance thing?" I asked watching him start to pace back and forth again.
"We need an entrance that's close to our destination, but isn't already plundered or filled with darkspawn," he said stopping to look at me again, "fortunately, I've received some new information: there's a Grey Warden in the city, if anyone knows how to get down there, it'd be him."
"What's a Grey Warden doing here?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Who knows, anyway, the word is that he came in with some other Ferelden refugees not long ago. A Lowtown woman named Lirene has been helping the Ferelden, we talk to her, we learn where he is." Varric nodded.
"Sound's like you have this all planned out then." I grinned.
I rather enjoyed not having to come up with a plan myself.
"And that, messere, is why I'm here." He bowed.
"We'll check it out after we see what trouble Aveline's stirred up in the keep then," I said yawning, "I think it's time to go collect my brother and head home."
"Alright Hawke, I'll see you in the morning." Varric said as I left his room.
"How dare you! I am guard captain! I won't be treated like this!" I heard Jevan shouting as Varric, Carver, and I neared the barracks, "Ferelden bitch! This was none of your affair! I'll see you hanged! Quartered! This will not stand!"
We had to step aside as two guards dragged the struggling former guard captain away, still shouting obscenities.
Aveline was grinning. A good sign, the seneschal was with her so we eavesdropped on their conversation while we waited for a good time to ambush her. It was only fair; she has people watch me all the time. I should be allowed to eavesdrop on her important conversations too.
"We found a number of debts to…suspect peoples. Such poor character." The seneschal sighed.
"Hey, do you think he's a friend of Gamlen's?" I whispered to Carver.
Carver and Varric had to hold a hand over their mouths to stop their bark of laughter.
"But you, Aveline Vallen, have proven your loyalty, and ability." the seneschal continued.
"The guard deserves better than him messere." Aveline replied.
"Indeed," the seneschal agreed, "The viscount would have you put your care for the men into direct practice. You will assume the captain's job."
"What?" Aveline asked surprised.
"Why's she surprised?" Varric whispered, "I mean the rest of the guards are probably scared shitless of her anyway, who else could be guard captain?"
I bit the back of my hand to keep from laughing. Carver was holding his abdomen with his hand on the wall to keep him standing as his body shuddered from the laughter he was holding back.
"In due time, of course. There will be training, approvals. Months, at least," the seneschal continued, "but who better to rebuild the respect than the woman who exposed this…embarrassment. Resolve any outstanding business, Guardswoman. You will be very busy."
We quickly straightened up and tried to look as normal as possible as we heard the seneschal leaving the captain's office. After he walked past us we walked into her office, grinning at her.
"So, Aveline, what would you say about petitioning the viscount to help me claim ownership of the Hanged Man?" Varric asked.
"Varric, no." Aveline's smile was gone now.
"It'll be easy! You're the guard captain," Varric replied, "or you will be at least."
"I'm not petitioning the viscount to help you steal ownership of the Hanged Man." Aveline frowned.
"Steal? Madam, you wound me!" Varric cried in mock hurt.
"I'm about to." Aveline said narrowing her eyes at him and pointing at the door.
"Fine, fine, come get me when you're done congratulating the captain Hawke," Varric said as he started back out the door, "I'm being sent to the corner."
"So guard captain, will you approve of my application to join the guard now?" Carver asked.
"No." Aveline sighed.
"Why not? We were both soldiers, why won't you let me join?" Carver frowned.
"Because you seem tired of following orders," Aveline glared at him, "and that's dangerous."
"But—." Carver started.
"Out." Aveline said and pointed to the door again.
"I guess I'll be the blasted corner with Varric." Carver muttered walking through the door.
"Not even half an hour as guard captain and people are already trying to walk all over you, I see." I said glancing outside the office at the both of them standing around dejectedly.
"Tell me about it," Aveline sighed and leaned against the desk, "big changes are coming, huh? Captain of the guard. Thank you, Wesley."
"That you keep his memory, speaks well of him." I said diplomatically.
I refuse to be sent to the stupid corner, best play it safe.
"He's not with me. I know that. Wesley's at the Maker's side, or he's not," Aveline said giving me a sad smile, "either way, he knows no pain. What I keep is that moment. I won't let anyone down like that again,"
"At the Maker's side or he's not?" I asked raising my brow.
"Wesley believed. If he was right, then that's where he'll be," Aveline replied, "But… this business of "the less the Maker does, the more He's proven"? I don't find that compelling."
"I don't really find it all that compelling either," I nodded, "but you did marry a templar."
"I married a man," Aveline corrected me, "a good one, and he's gone. I have heard the chant, and it is lovely. Perhaps that's all it needs to be."
"I suppose so," I agreed, "whatever soothes the soul right?"
"Yes." Aveline agreed with a small laugh.
"I never asked this but…Do you blame me? For Wesley's death?" I asked tentatively.
"I did. I didn't want to, I knew why it had to be done, and so did Wesley," Aveline admitted, "but in my heart, that cut was cruel."
"I understand, I'd probably feel the same it I was in your position," I frowned slightly, "I could get used to having the law on my side though."
"You'll behave yourself, is what you'll do," Aveline said giving me a stern look, "I just sent Jevan to prison over corruption. I won't go the same road."
"You never let me have any fun!" I pouted.
"I think that's best for everyone." Aveline stated.
"Well, whatever, I'm proud of you," I huffed, "I look forward to working with you, Guard Captain Aveline."
"Still strange isn't it? Captain of the Guard," Aveline smiled, "thank you for helping me get here, Hawke. It's where I should be."
"Time to go collect the losers from their corner then, I think Varric had some leads dealing with the Deep Road's expedition. I'll see you later, Aveline." I said smiling at her brightly.