Kevan touched the hilt of his blade and pondered, not for the first time, how best to stick Beraht. Single thrust up under the rib cage? Stab through the neck then slash open through the front? Base of the skull? At least Beraht wasn't laying hands on Rica. Words were just words. Still, nobody had the right to talk to his sister like that.

"I can't keep gambling on you forever, precious. You got a sweet look, something to light a man on fire. But you got to make it count." Beraht brushed the back of his hand over Rica's chest.

Rica stepped backwards. "Please, Beraht. Can we not do this in front of my brother-"

Beraht gave Kevan a leering look. "Why not? He knows the slope of the land, don't you boy?"

Kevan was unsuccessful in biting back the angry reply. "Didn't I tell you not to talk that way to my sister?"

Beraht smirked. "You've told me a lot of things, not one of which meant more than a fart in the middens. Before me, your sister was just another duster. Now check her out. Braids down to here, gold-capped teeth. She can recite elf-poetry and play the string-harp. Every man's dream. All she's gotta do is find a lord, squeeze out some kid who looks like him, and we're all living the easy life in the Diamond Quarter."

Rica put a hand on Kevan's arm and whispered, "please don't get involved. You know that never goes well."

"I don't like to see him treating you that way," Kevan replied.

He didn't quite keep his voice low enough. Beraht stared at him. "I'll treat her however I like, as long as you both eat off my plate. You keep your head down and say "Aye" to any job I decide is low enough for scum like you. In return, I put out coin so you can doll yourself up and get a bellyful of some nobleman's brat. Then you both go free. And I get to join the family and be called, 'my lord' for the rest of the little prince's life."

Kevan kept his fists unclenched through sheer force of will. "And her son will call you uncle and come visit on name-days?"

Beraht laughed. "That's what everyone likes - - a casteless with a big mouth. But I didn't come for the joy of your company. I've been looking at my investments, and this one hasn't borne much gold. I'm giving you another week, precious. If you haven't found a patron, you're back to sweeping streets."

Rica spoke up, stepping between her brother and Beraht. "But...I have. I've met someone... That is, I didn't want to promise, but he seemed interested."

Kevan looked at Beraht over Rica's head. "So get off her back and tell me my job for today."

"Your buddy Leske's waiting outside. He knows what I'll need from you today. Don't even think about bungling this job. Your whole family's on loose sand with me right now. And I know you don't have anywhere else to turn." Beraht turned and stormed out of the shack, slamming the door behind him.

#

Rica picked up a cloth, then set it down before picking it up again and fidgeting with it nervously. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Kevan moved up to stand next to her, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Rica."

She leaned into him. "I know. You've always been a good brother, always tried to protect me. Sigh, I should have told you. Beraht's been warning me ever since two of his other girls found patrons at Lord Harrowmont's reception. They've been getting gifts already. Lord Rousten gave Elsye a surface-silk gown and she's not even pregnant. Beraht's getting impatient."

Kevan held her for a moment. "I just wish we didn't have to kiss up to that cave tick."

"You know the other options. Cleaning middens... begging... going to the surface. No, unless you find a way to save us all from darkspawn and become a Paragon, we're pretty much on Beraht's leash for life." She straightened up, then pulled the overdress on over her head.

"Beraht expects too much from you." Kevan stepped up to help her adjust the garment, straightening the back.

"You know how desperate the nobles are for more children. They can barely field enough soldiers to hold the walls against the darkspawn. If I could give one of them a son, the whole house would celebrate. And we'd all be raised up to the noble caste to join the family." She sighed. "It's what Beraht's betting on. That's why he paid for my clothes, my voice lessons. He wants to share the reward."

"Did you say there was a noble who was interested?"

"Yes. That is, I hope. He certainly seems... charming. He treats me like a real lady, not just someone to tumble and forget."

Kevan's smile was genuine. "Who is he?"

"I-I don't want to say... in case I'm wrong. It just seems too mad to think of one of the most important men in Orzammar with... someone like me. Anyway, time is rusting, and I need to get dressed. These fashions will be the death of me - - a hundred buttons on each sleeve!" She sighed again. "and Leske's probably already outside waiting for you."

"You're right." He pinched her nose playfully. "Goodbye."

She smacked him with the cloth. "Stay out of trouble. I'll see you tonight."

#

Kevan walked into the next room and sighed. His mother was face down on the table again. He shook his head and went to move the dishes off the table so she didn't knock them to the floor again.

"Whozzat? Why are you bothering me? Rica?"

"No, Mother. It's Kevan. Your son?" He couldn't keep the irritation out of his voice.

"Don't talk to me like I'm an idiot! You think I don't know my own kid? What're you doing here, anyway? Rica said you were finally making something useful of yourself." She stared up at him, the remains of her breakfast crusted into her face and hair.

"You have to stop this, Mother. You're killing yourself."

"You tell me, just what do I got that's worth living for?"

"What about me? What about Rica?"

"I know you both hate me. I-I know what I done to you, but... It was for your own good. The world's a cruel place. You... you had to learn that. You think you'd be where you are now if I'd let you hide from a few slaps? Everything you are, I made you!" She slammed her fist weakly into the table.

Kevan shook his head. "I've got work to do. Try to dry out by the time I get home."

"Oh, I shouldn't keep doing this to you. I know I shouldn't. It's just so hard... Hey, where's he going? Why's he leaving? Don't leave me!" She started to weep.

Rica came into the room and began guiding her to the pallet. "Never mind, Mother. Why don't you just lie down? That's good."

Kevan watched her settle their mother into the bed. The old woman was snoring before she was all the way down. "Mother seems worse today."

Rica stood. "She comes and goes. I think the moss-wine's finally rotted her brain."

"Watch out for her. I don't want her to hurt herself."

"She's hurting no matter what we do, brother. And you wonder why I keep telling you to find a way out of this gutter?" She punched him lightly in the shoulder. "So get moving, unless you know how to do a double-cross lace on the back of this thing." She gave him a threatening look.

He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender. "All right. I'm going. Goodbye."

#

Leske was leaning against a broken hovel when Brosca exited the house. "About sodding time. I was starting to think I'd have to bust in there and get an eyeful of that spicy sister of yours. Ga-row!"

Kevan patted his dagger. "Haven't I told you never to talk about my sister that way?"

Leske grinned broadly, waggling his eyebrows. "But no hot-blooded dwarf can help himself. Those perfect lips, just made to be screaming my name. You must have had a few naughty thoughts yourself, huh? What do you say?"

"That I might have to feed you your spleen."

"At least I'd have something to eat." Leske shrugged. "But much as I'd love to keep chatting, we'd better get down to business."

Kevan made a disappointed sound. "I was hoping our mission was me making fun of you."

Leske patted his shoulder sympathetically. "No such luck. Boss says we're out for a search and discipline. One of his smugglers is holding out on him. Name's Oskias. Some surfacer. Beraht got word that he's been selling shipments topside that never make it to Beraht's ears down here. He wants us to find the rotter and see what goods he's holding back."

"He's stealing from Beraht? I like him already." He fell into step next to Leske.

"Well, yours will be a short and tragic relationship. You ready to show him some pain?"

"I don't think it's right to just kill this guy."

"We're not just killing him. First, we take back anything he stole and then we kill him. Come on. You can feel bad later."

"Fine. But at least find out what he's done."

"Whatever lets you sleep at night, my friend."

#

Kevan entered the tavern, then looked around. Leske nodded at where the merchant was sitting, and he headed in that direction. Almost lazily, he took the seat across from Oskias.

"Hey, I was saving that seat!"

Leske moved to stand at Kevan's shoulder. "That's real thoughtful, Oskias. It's tiring work looking for you."

Oskias gulped. "H-how do you know my name?"

Kevan showed just a hint of teeth. "Did you think Beraht wouldn't find out you're cheating him?"

"Look, I-I always been loyal to Beraht." Oskias held up his hands. "He's been good to my family; I-I know how much I owe him."

"Save your excuses. Leske, search his bags."

"My pleasure." Leske started to step around the table.

"W-wait! I do have some lyrium. It's just ore. I-I made a side deal with one of the mining families. If it worked out, I was gonna bring Beraht his cut, I swear. I-I'd be crazy not to."

Leske and Kevan exchanged a look. "Suicidal, one might say," Leske said.

"How much ore did you take?"

"Just a little. Maybe twenty-five sovereigns worth -"

Leske's mouth opened. "Twenty-five sovereigns?"

Oskias held up a hand. "Most of that's with my buyers on the surface. I just picked up a few nuggets down here. If I were to... maybe give you a piece, that's a lot of coin. Could you, uh, forget to mention this to Beraht?"

Kevan exchanged another look with Leske. "I'm listening..." Kevan said.

"I-I don't got any coin myself. I make that topside. But you can take the ore, sell it, maybe get enough to get out of this nest? What do you say?"

"Give me all you have, and I'll pretend you weren't here." Kevan said.

"All I have is the two nuggets, but they're yours if you let me out of here."

Leske shook his head at Kevan. "Are you breathing smoke? Beraht'll kill you if he catches you with his lyrium!"

"Me? You think I wouldn't share with my best friend?" Kevan gave him a knowing wink.

A slow smile spread across Leske's face. "Well, that's a whole other story. We'd need to sell it before we go back to Beraht. And to someone who won't run to him. Tell you what - cut me in fifty, and we'll take it to Olinda. Remember her? She likes me and refuses to work with the old man."

"Deal"

Oskias looked from one to the other. "Then what happens to me?"

"I'm killing you..." Kevan saw Oskias's face go pale behind his beard. "As far as Beraht knows. Got it?"

"Yes. Yes! I'll go back up to the surface right now. I'll move to Orlais, to Antiva! Thank you! You're as noble as you are strong! May the ancestors bless your steps!" He fumbled a small pouch out of his bag as they lead him out of the building. He handed it to Kevan, hands still shaking, before he turned and fled.

#

The two shoved each other back and forth playfully as they walked back into the commons. Leske led them straight to Olinda's booth. "Leske! You old scamp, what're you doing here? Trying to charm me out of another set of ribbons for your girl?"

Leske gave her a charming smile. "Trying to talk you into being my girl, Olinda. You know my heart's breaking for you."

"Don't you go saying that around my husband." She laughed as she shook her head at the man nearly young enough to be her son. "How have you been?"

Kevan stepped up. "We've got some Lyrium to sell you."

"Well... that's not what I was expecting to hear cross those lips. Where exactly would someone like you pick up lyrium?"

"Where do you think?" Kevan gave her a wink.

"I think..." She shrugged. "That's probably something I should never know."

Leske elbowed him. "Didn't I tell you she's a gem!"

"How much do you have?"

"Two nuggets."

"I can give you thirty silvers per nugget"

"Only thirty..." Disappointment filled Leske's voice.

"It's less than it's worth, I won't lie to you, but the market for its topside and that won't be easy for me to reach. And I'll have to find a buyer who won't ask where it came from. For that, I can't afford more than thirty."

"I'll sell you two nuggets," Brosca said. "For thirty each, and this," he said, picking up a bottle of moss wine.

"All right, then. Let me take that off your hands. And you probably shouldn't come around here for a while... just in case."

Kevan handed Leske his share of the coins as they headed in to report to Beraht. "Try not to blow it all on drinks."

"Maybe drinks and a bit of slightly less masculine companionship." Leske waggled his eyebrows. "I mean, you're pretty and all, but..."

"I forget, why am I not stabbing you right now?"