Chapter 3:

Hole in the sky

Áine Hawke, an apostate mage, Champion of Kirkwall was chosen and elected to become a Viscountess of Kirkwall. It was some-what of a miracle. As far as she knew, she was the only mage outside Trevinter Imperium to actually have power. It was unsettling to her, but it seemed that the people of Kirkwall – with few exceptions- were happy to grant it to her.

Six months have passed from that awful day when Anders, no Vengeance, blew up the Chantry. Nothing was as it used to be, but the life vent on regardless. At times Áine Hawke thought of just giving everything up, but those thoughts were fleeting. It simply was not in her nature to do so. It seemed that the people of Kirkwall needed her and as long as she would be needed, she would persist.

She avoided Fade, drinking questionable and dangerous potions that temporary cut connection with it while she slept. She wasn't ready to call upon Vengeance and Justice. She wasn't ready to what the Fade would pull from her mind. She wasn't ready for the desire demons that would hunt and taunt her in form of Anders.

It was not the smartest thing that she ever did. The effects of prolonged and constant consumption would be grave, possibly at one point even kill her. She was careful, yes, but that didn't lessen the chances of it by much.

Hawke just stopped reading a missive when a knock on the door sounded in the room.

"Enter," she sighted, getting braced for what-ever new will be thrown at her today.

"Viscountess," Seneshal Bran said in a way of greeting. "Knight-Captain Cullen is asking for a moment of your time."

After Meredith`s death, Cullen was promoted to the seat of Knight-Captain of Kirkwal`s Templars due to his exemplary work and with uttermost approval of other templars that worked with or under him in past.

„I believe I can spare a moment for him. Let him in, please," Áine answered.

Cullen entered her office and promptly bowed to her as a sign of respect:" Viscountess, thank you for receiving me."

„Cullen... How many times do I need to tell you that you don't have to use my title nor bow to me when we are speaking in private? I consider you a friend and I would hope I'm one to you also," Áine said with a smile.

Cullen chuckled: „I'm sorry... I guess it's a habit of a sort."

„Mhm... so, tell me, what do you need of me on this marvelous day," Hawke said and indicated to him to sit down.

„Can't I just come over for a friendly visit," Cullen mocked offense.

„Of course you can, but you don't usually come to my office for that, do you," she laughed.

„Perhaps... I just felt the need to speak with you... There is something that is giving me concern but I would prefer to speak about you in private," he said gravely, then turned towards Fenris who was sitting in the corner of the room: „No offense meant, Fenris."

„None taken," Fenris replied to him, then cast a questioning glance at Hawkse: „Áine?"

„I don't think that Cullen will try to murder me," she smiled to Fenris: „Go stretch your legs and get something to eat. You have been sitting here for whole morning."

„As have you," Fenris raised his eyebrow. „I believe you should follow that advice also," he added.

Hawke sighted: „I have way too much work to do for that... perhaps later?"

„No perhaps. If I will have to, I will drag you out by your hair," Fenris said with all seriousness.

„I believe you," she laughed. „Don't worry so much for me Fenris. I will be fine. Now SHOOO," she pushed him out of the room playfully.

Fenris just shook his head and left them, but not before she instructed the two elven royal-guards-mans standing at the front door to be extra attentive.

After Hawke became a Viscountess, Fenris was lost. He had no idea what to do, wondering if he should stay in Kirkwall or... leave. It was obvious that Áine would be buried in politics and renovations of Kirkwall and as such she wouldn't have much or even any time to hunt all sorts of mischievers around the country with her merry little band. That left Fenris in quite strange predicament. Danarius and Hadriana were both dead so he didn't have to plan how to defend if they would find him anymore. In all the years that he lived in Kirkwall, all he did was following Hawke from one battle into another.

He figured he could probably join some mercenary band or perhaps even start one of his own, but the thought wasn't appealing to him. He was literary at a loose.

After a month of restlessness he finally approached Áine to speak with her of it, seeking her advice. He once promised her to always be there for her... and that was one promises he never wanted to break, but he couldn't just... sit in his „borrowed" mansion.

He loved her, the only woman he ever did and just thinking of leaving... was heart-breaking for him. He always regretted that he left her that morning, so many years ago, after all walls that they had fallen and crumbled and they shared the most... beautiful and terrifying night of them all.

It was him leaving her that delivered her into the arms of Anders. After the death of Danarius, he came to her, hoping that she would accept him back, but at the end he couldn't bring himself to ask her. She was with Anders, and even if he was an abomination it was obvious that she loved him.

Oh, he wasn't a fool, he never doubted that she still loved him also. It was just like Hawke... her heart was too big and too generous... to kind.

He hated Anders. That was a fact. But he couldn't bring himself to put Hawke in a position that would break her heart. He knew that if he would say anything, he would. No matter whom she would choose, part of her would be devastated because she would refuse another. As such, he remained silent.

Fenris entertained the idea, that perhaps now he could get another chance at times, but he dismissed it at same time. His love for her was as strong as it was ever, perhaps even stronger than before. He wasn't same man than he was, a man he was, when he hurt her. Nevertheless the fact remained that he did hurt her. He wouldn't make the same mistake the second time, of that he was sure, but even if past was forgiven, it still existed.

Fenris came to conclusion that Áine deserves something... that wasn't him. Of course he was not so egocentric to decide for her, no, and he would still entertain a small hope that perhaps they would find each other once more... but if that would to happen, it would happen of it's own accord and if she would find love elsewhere he would be happy for her... and kept one eye on the man so that if that one would even thought of hurting her, he would rip his heart out and feed it to him.

In any case, Fenris told Hawke that he has no idea what to do. He told her that he doesn't want to leave her, that he wishes he could still be there for her, help her in any way he can...

Hawke listened his ramblings with patience, as she always did, and then she offered him an actual job. He frowned at the thought of it at first, but when she explained what he would be in charge of as her personal Royal Guard Captain... he started to like it more and more.

It was a win-win situation for both. Fenris would be able to do what he always did and was extremely good at, and they could nourish their friendship. She proposed to him, that the Royal Guards under his command would be picked out entirely from the elves living in the Alienage and since the status of their citizenship would rise, they would be allowed to move to what-ever part of the town they would wish to live in, even Hightown.

Fenris liked the idea and he went for it. The elves in general loved the idea. Few nobles filled protests, but Hawke used her charm and persuaded them to see the things as she did. The complaints were removed by the respected complainers the next day.

Everybody agreed that Áine Hawke will change Kirkwall.

„So Cullen, now we are alone... so what is on your mind," Hawke encouraged Cullen when she closed the doors to her office.

„It came to my attention that... you are cutting your connection with Fade on daily basis," Cullen said straight to the point and made Hawke freeze in her chair.

„Did it now," she muttered.

„It did. I believe I don't have to remind you how dangerous it is, do I," he said to her.

„No, no you don't," she answered.

„Hawke...," he paused for a moment: „Áine... why are you doing that to yourself?"

Áine frowned: „I'm not ready to face Fade... not yet..."

„When then," Cullen asked with raised eyebrow.

„I... don't know," she answered honestly.

„Regardless of it, this needs to stop, Áine," he said sternly.

In last months their friendship deepened and he cared for her as much as he would care for his sister if he would have one.

„And if I don't," she raised her eyebrow, felling defensive.

„Then I will tell Fenris what you are doing to yourself. I doubt he would take that well," Cullen said.

„You wouldn't," Áine said with a frown.

„Would you like to test me," Cullen asked and he was serious.

If she wouldn't stop he definitely would tell Fenris about it and he had no doubt that Fenris would take care of this situation. He knew that she knew that also.

„Do you have an alternative? Because if you don't then...," Hawke said, his shoulders sagged.

„If you really need your connection severed, I can help you or Carver can help you, he is a Templar also as you well know," Cullen sighted. For such smart woman she was sometimes awfully dense.

„I... guess," she admitted.

„At least if one of us do it for you, it won't harm you. I can't believe you didn't seek one of us out and ask us for it. You know we would help," Cullen said, a bit of anger seeped through his voice.

„Yes...well...," she tried to find and excuse, but she failed at it.

„Anyhow, do we have a deal then," Cullen asked her warmer.

„We do," she nodded. She felt like a fool for not seeking his or her brother's help instead of resorting to those nasty potions.

„Good then. Just send someone to fetch either one of us when needed...," Cullen smiled at her. He won this time and it was a sweet victory for him, even sweeter because it would actually help her. „But... you shouldn't stay from Fade for longer... you are reaching the limit," he added seriously.

„I know... I just need few days more, two weeks at most so that I get some of these things in order," she indicated the piles of missives on her desk. „And I believe we should start re-constructing the Circle this week."

„I meant to ask you when we will begin with it, considering that we already made plans for all," Cullen nodded.

„Well, I thought that you could start with testing the mages that survived the massacre. I know we already dealt with those five that kept dealing with the blood-magic regardless of what happened, but I want you to double-cheek everybody and if there is even a hint that anybody is still dabbling with it, we will held a trial, as we planned and to things justly," she said.

„And then we give those who are clean and option to stay and become a part of this new Circle or being escorted beyond the border to seek their fortune elsewhere...," Cullen concluded.

„Exactly so. If any of them wishes to join some other Circle, then I hope I can trust you to arrange for them to get there unharmed," she nodded.

„Of course. From what I heard, none is all too enthusiastic to leave," Cullen said. „Have you decided who will be First Enchanter?"

„I'm still surprised that you are actually allowing me to choose one. I somewhat thought that you will want to that by yourself," Hawke smiled.

„I trust your judgment... after all... you were right about Orsino as you were also right about Meredith," he told her sincerely.

„I'm honored, really...," she blushed a little bit. „So, King Alistair arranged for me to meet few of the possible candidates out of the Circle in Ferelden. I wasn't all too enthusiastic about them, to be honest. There was this woman... hmm... Wynne, I think was her name... She seemed more than capable and all but... she was simply to preachy," Hawke frowned.

„I remember Wynne... She is definitely capable," Cullen nodded.

„But then there was also this guy that was actually suggested by Queen Elisa. King Alistair wasn't so fond that she suggested him, so my interest was piqued immediately," Hawke said slowly. She felt slightly uneasy about this, wondering how Cullen will react.

„All right... let's hear it then... I'm expecting it is somewhat bad, considering your hesitation," Cullen frowned.

„Well... it is... sort of," Hawke frowned. „He escaped the Circle once and... well, he used blood-magic to do so. Before you say anything else, let me point out that nobody was killed, just incapacitated," she said.

„All right... go on... I feel there is more you have to say about this," Cullen didn't liked where this is going.

„He found work in Redcliff... Isolde, Bann`s wife, hired him to teach her son Connor in secret," Hawke sighted: „And he... well, poisoned the Bann, working for Loghain or Howe, I'm not sure... and well, all hell broke loose as you probably know already."

„And this... is who you want for First Enchanter?! That is crazy, Hawke," Cullen scowled.

„Hold your horses... there is more," Hawke said tentatively.

„More?! By the Maker...," Cullen looked like he just got a permanent frown.

„Mmmm...yes... more... He regretted his actions and at the end, he helped Connor to be... hm... de-possessed. He went into the Fade and... well... made the demon let the boy free," Hawke said with a smile.

„And how can we be sure he really did that? Perhaps he just made who-knows-what deal with it," Cullen shook his head.

„Ha, I knew you will say that! We do know! Queen Elisa didn't completely trusted him, so she sent Wynne after him. The mages from the circle said that they have enough lyrium to send one person in the Fade, but they lied. Another group sent Wynne in and basically she was a safety for it. I spoke with her about it, and she confirmed that Jowan was not swayed, not even for a moment. Further-more, he then returned to the Circle and successfully passed the Harrowing," Hawke said.

„That is... remarkable," Cullen had to agree.

„I spoke with him and I think that he would be perfect for the job. He has seen how dangerous magic is, not only for non-mages, but for mages also. He understands. He is in unique position to also understand why some of the mages do it, the fears that lead them into it and as such, he would be very useful assistance in eliminating those fears that we can. Further-more, since he was blood-mage, he is in a unique position to see the signs if one would be following that path and," Hawke had much more to say on the matter but Cullen cut her off.

„I see you have given this a good thought," he chuckled even if the topic was sensitive and serious. „All right... I see your point. I can't say that I'm completely happy with it, however... yes...yes, I agree with your choice, for now at least. I will still have to speak with him on my own before I officially agree to this, but it might just work."

„Wonderful! I'm sure you will find him suitable when you speak with him," Hawke smiled. This was much easier as she thought it would be.

„So, since we were speaking of blood-mages, there is something I feel I need to tell you," Cullen's face darkened.

Hawke raised her eyebrow: „Oh?"

„We discovered that the amount of mages that turn to blood-magic in Kirkwall is bigger than anywhere else around Thedas, not including Trevinter of course," Cullen said.

„Do we know why that is," Hawke asked, hopping that Cullen would have an explanation.

„At first I thought that is all because Meredith, Kerras and the Templars like them... forcing them... but I'm afraid that is not the real reason," Cullen said.

„How do you know that," Hawke questioned.

„Well... I contacted few Templars around Thedas and... they did have or even have people as such in their ranks, at some places situation is even worse than it was here," he frowned.

„Worse?! That's... I'm at loss for words, really," Hawke scowled.

„I know, I know... I share the sentiment with you, believe me," Cullen said."What they are doing is not what the Templars were founded for! It is against the will of the Maker! It is, it is...," Cullen was visibly mad.

„I know... we will change that, together, you and I," Hawke put her hand over his hand: „Baby steps, one after another."

Cullen nodded his understanding: „In any case, they don't have as many cases of blood-magic than we do. We have no idea at this time what the source of this is, but we are making investigations and we will get to the bottom of it, I promise," he said.

„I would like to be given reports of everything you discover regarding this. Perhaps I can help you find the reason and then we can eliminate it," Hawke nodded her understanding.

„I would appreciate any help you can offer us with this," Cullen smiled. „In any case, that was all I had to say for now so I will let you get back to your work," he stood up.

„And I to yours," Hawke smiled and escorted him to the doors. Before she let him leave she called after him: „And I expect you to join us for the dinner today."

„That I will gladly, and perhaps you will be ready to speak of what happened when Meredith was..." Cullen replied.

"I doubt it... the evening is for relaxations... One day soon, I promise," Áine said.

Cullen nodded slightly and let her to her own devices.

Hawke was glad that the situation with First Enchanter was mostly dealt with, but this new information about the blood-mages gave her another headache. The matter was serious and it would demand uttermost attention... just as everything else in the city did.

Áine Hawke wondered if she is even able to put up to the task that was given to her, but at least she had her trusted friends who were more than willing to help her with it.

Hawke decided to take a tiny break and stretch her legs. Fenris returned from his lunch and even bought a snack for her. After she ate she asked him to walk with her to the Alienage. She was eager to see how things were progressing down there. Fenris of course ordered two more guards under his command to tag after them.

Viscountess of Kirkwall was after all only Áine Hawke and when Áine Hawke decides to take a stroll... it usually turns into something completely different... but perhaps this time nothing would happen...