Just a warning, this chapter have not been beta, please excuse the weird grammar that I couldn't mastered xD
Bioware/EA owns everything.
"It's invigorating, isn't it?" Hawke asked cheerfully. "The air, I mean."
As she has thought, the Templars did not bother to replied. She doesn't even know if they are looking at her, with the, erhm, helmet blocking most of their faces. She have been waiting for about ten minutes, but it felt longer than that. Especially when the room she's in was devoid of anything except the bare minimum: a lone shelf against the wall, a simple wooden table, with a few chairs. The three Templars that was in the room with her was decked out in full armor and armed to the teeth; and they have not spoke a word ever since they told her to wait here for the Knight Captain. It was a few hours before dawn, and Hawke had opted to go straight here after her conversation with the Arishok. She haven't got a chance to come this far into the gallows, and she wonder - with a high amount of irritation - if the rest of the mages quarters is like this. While they have not been living in a lap of luxury, her family was still getting by with a little of comfort; there's nothing comforting about this room, and its starkness drove a stake through her heart with the thought of this how Bethany is living now.
"Andraste preserves me," Hawke took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and repeated the process a few time to get her feelings under control. Bethany would have loved the estate, Hawke thought, her heart aching. Hawke had let her mother furnished the mansion to her heart's content, and Leandra had made it a very comfortable home, with its many, many rooms and a little bit of extras. Her mother did not go overboard, but the estate was something a family could take pride in. Bethany could have live there, and live the life that she deserved. Hawke might be the heir, but Bethany was the one that took after their mother, the lady of the family.
She had tried to bring her sister little gifts that would have make it a little easier in the gallows, but seeing this make her realized that it was not enough. And knowing Bethany, she would share her things with the other mages. Her sister have a big heart, and Hawke is proud of Bethany, but it doesn't make it any easier knowing what she know now. If she could pour money into making this place better, she would have; however, her efforts to send donations to the Order has proved pointless. They did took the donations, but they send it to the Chantry, where 'it could be of better use.'
There have to be something I can do, Hawke sighed.
"Hawke." Her name was said quietly, but Hawke jumped, startled. Every little noise is so loud in this….total silence. It even echo, how creepy. How do they live like this?
She glance over to see Cullen standing at the door. "Knight Captain." She greeted, keeping her tone flat. "I apologize for disturbing your sleep, but there is an important matter."
"Is there anything I can help?" He asked, coming further into the room. Despite the late hours - or is it early? - he looks as ready as he always does, uniform neat, eyes alert.
She glance at the other Templars in the room, and he took the hint, dismissing them. Once the door was closed, Hawke began to fill him in. "I'm not sure how you would want to proceed with this information, but the Magisters have to be taken care of before they causes more damage."
"I understand, thank you for coming to me with this information." He said, heaving a sigh. "Are you sure they are still there?"
"I believe so, but probably not for long. One of their own were killed right under their noses, and I doubt they would let the matter be."
"Then we should make haste."
"I will bring some of my friends. Plus a few necessary...personnel." She wasn't sure how the Templars would react when they see what those necessary personnel are, but she will smooth the bridges later. Beside, they have similar goals, more or less, things should work out for the better. Or so she hope.
"We would appreciate the help." Cullen nodded. He already knew about her reputation, and have seen her in action once or twice; her involvement was a matter of fact that he had came to expect.
She only smile.
xxx
"You collared and leashed your mages?" Hawke hissed, her voice was quiet, but her whole body was tense, and when she turn her gaze from the Saarebas to him told the Arishok of her temper.
"Yes." He answered. She had been shocked at the first sight of the Saarebas, though he could not understand her anger. Her eyes flickered back to the Saarebas, cringed, then focus back to him, her fury even more evident in the few fast stride that took her right in front of him.
"Tell me this is not how you people treat mages." She said, her voice clipped, her hands clenching. "I don't judge your other actions, but this...This is barbaric!"
"It is to protect them and others." He motioned for the Arvaarad to finished getting ready. She had returned to the compound with some of her friend while he was readying some of his forces. She had agreed to take a few units up the mountain, until she saw the Arvaarad bring out one of the Saarebas. "You have a mage sister, you know how dangerous magic is."
"Collared and leashed!" She hissed again, shifting and putting her weight down on both feet, as if trying to stay still. She shook her hands a few time, and took a few measured breaths, confirming his assessment. "This is barbaric." She repeated, glaring up at him.
"A necessary precaution." He turned away, ending this conversation. She seems to have a lot to say, but this isn't the time. A hand gripped part of his forearm, stopping him, and he turned his head sideway, his silver eyes questioning.
"I am not done yet." The words were a warning, and he nodded. A hint of a headache was coming on at the promise of a long talk, as her logic doesn't really make sense to him, but he couldn't help feeling satisfied at her pent-up anger. Anger is good for the upcoming battle, let her use that to her advantage.
She took her hand back, muttering something inaudible under her breath, and stormed out of the compound, her friends and a few units of his men fast on her heels, with Arvaarad and the Saarebas not far behind. He walk back into the inner part of the compound, beginning his day as usual.
xxx
When she left, Hawke didn't think there would be any more surprise for the day; evidently, she was wrong. The plan haven't change, but her composure had been shaken by what the Qunari do to their mages. The idea of her sister being bound, her mouth sew shut, and a mask over her face to hide it….She let out a long breath, trying to put that image out of her mind, but it prove to be difficult when she can still see the Saarebas when she turn her head. And she have to look at him when they stop to organize the forces before attacking the Magisters' holding.
The Templars' shock mirrored her own when they saw the Qunari with her, but beside the usual questions of "Will they really help us?", "Can they distinguish the difference between friends and foes?", to which she had replied in clipped tone that she had brought them here, and the Templars can either accept that, or leave. Cullen as chose to stay, and the rest of the Templars followed his lead, but not without frowning at her and the Qunari entourage.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, Hawke reminded herself, her mask of calmness in place despite the Templars' stony silence at her strategic plans, and she have to have Cullen relay the orders to his men. She was irritated enough already without having the Templars taking up more of the time when they should be listening to sound plan of attack. Her mind keep thinking about not seeing Bethany's sweet smile, this time permanently as her sister being subjugated to the Qunari's methods of controlling mages.
Never, Hawke swore, not as long as I live!
"Move out!" Cullen command, and the Templars disburse, taking up shields and marching forward.
Hawke rushed forward ahead of the Templars, flitting in and out between the patrols, stunning them and let the Templars took care of them before moving inside the huge mansion. Screams greeted her, and she moved, blending in the shadows as the slaves make their escape.
"Varric!" She called out, sinking her daggers into one guard after another, but otherwise leaving the slaves alone.
"Right behind you!" He replied, cocking Bianca's ring and fire, straight into the first Magister that made an appearance.
"Watch out, Hawke!" Cullen shout, and Hawke shift further into the shadow, a fireball flew by, missing her by an inch. "Drain them!" He shouted again, and this time, several Templars move forward, silencing the Magister who threw the fireball and cut him down.
On and on they move forward into the mansion, with Hawke scouting ahead, the Templars and Arvaarad using their abilities against the mages, while Saarebas pushing and pulling the bodies of the guards together, toward the Qunari warriors who quickly dispatched of them.
They cornered the last three Magisters into the back room of the mansion, and the Magisters wanted to bargain for their lives.
"Hold on." Hawke said, stopping a Templar before he strike at the Magisters. "I want to know why they are here."
The Templar scowled down at her, obviously unwilling to let the mages live. "They are here to wreck havoc, is that not clear enough?" He said, shrugging off Hawke's hand, but lower his sword.
"I need more than that." Hawke glance at Cullen, and the Knight Captain nodded.
"Perhaps we can learn more about them," Cullen agreed. "Tie them up, and bring them back to the Gallow. Knight Commander Meredith would want to deal with them herself."
"I think not." Hawke shook her head. "Once Meredith got a hold of them, I wouldn't be able to see them again. I need information, now!" She snapped the last sentence at the Magisters.
Despite having being cornered and mana drained, the Magisters still kept their chin high, and Hawke wasn't sure if she should admire them for their bravery, or pity them for their foolishness.
"We will tell nothing, unless you agree to spare us." The Magister in the middle said, his voice was deeper than his soft features revealed. He also seem to hold higher ranking, for the other two seems to deferred to him, despite his shorter height.
"If you tell me what I want to know, I might be able to convince the Knight Captain here to lessen his punishment." Hawke replied, giving Cullen a quick glance.
"A word, Hawke." Cullen said tersely, his face revealed nothing.
"Just….tie them up or something." She said to the Templar near her. "But don't do anything until I come back."
The Templar look over at Cullen, who nodded once, then walk to a far corner, out of hearing.
"Are you mad?" He asked, keeping his voice down, but it did nothing for the irritation showing on his face, now that they are away from the others.
"Some had said so." Hawke shrugged.
"This is no time for jest!" He snapped. "They are a menace, a danger to the people of Kirkwall, and you want to parley with them?"
"As I have said before, they will disappeared as soon as they are delivered to Meredith's hand; I am following up a lead, and these Magisters are at the other end of it. I need to know why they are here, and what they are up to."
"Things of that nature can be discovered by the Templars-"
"I have no doubt, but I cannot wait; also, my questions are partly personal reasons, surely you can understand my impatience."
"You have helped us more than a few times before, that is why you are here now." He sighed. "But the Magisters' punishment are not yours to decide."
"I know, but it doesn't hurt to let them think I can help them." She reasoned. "Once I get what I'm here for, they are all yours. No question ask."
Cullen rolled his eyes at her. "You toy with them as if this is nothing more than a picnic. Have it your way, but the moment you have your answer, I want you out of here."
"Yes, sir, Knight Captain, sir." Hawke grinned, saluting the Knight Captain, then sauntered back to the Magisters, only to see the Qunari pushing the Templars away, and Arvaarad waving a glowing stick at the Magisters, whom are on their knees, holding their heads in their hands.
"Whoa!" Hawke broke into a run, inserting herself between the Magisters and Arvaarad. "Stand down, Arvaarad."
"Stand aside, human." Arvaarad said, his commanding tone remind her of the way the Arishok spoke to her.
Hawke frowned at the Arvaarad, a hand at his shoulder to push him back. He did not yield, only stepping forward, his focus on the Magisters. She wasn't sure how he would react if she was to put him on the ground, and potentially embarrassed him in front of his people and the Templars, Hawke opted to take the safer choice of standing her ground and not letting him walk past her. "Arvaarad, what are you doing?" She asked, aware that she sounded like a mother scolding her wayward child. The tone also registered with the Arvaarad, and he stiffen, glaring down at her.
"We will take control of the Bas Saarebas. They might have information, and the Arishok will want to know what they know."
"You will not take them." One of the Templars said, drawing his sword. "They will be dealt with, by the Templars and no one else."
The Qunari responded by drawing their own weapons, the sharp edges pointing at the Templars.
"Cullen! Do something!" She called out to the Knight Captain, who was putting himself between the Templars and the Qunari even as she speak.
"Men, stand down!" He ordered.
"They plan to take the Magisters from us!" Another Templar voiced his opinions. "Who know what they intend to do with them."
"Our intentions are our own, Bas." A Sten said.
"They want to keep the Magisters!" Another voice cried out, putting the rest of the Templars on edge. "We cannot allow them to leave with the Magisters!"
"We do not need your permission to carry out our mission, Bas." The Sten snapped, responding to the chittering of the Templars with a look of disdain.
"I said, Stand. Down." Cullen gritted his teeth.
Warily, the Templars sheath their weapons, but they seems to ready to attack at any moment.
"We...might want to hurry this along." Fenris said, striding up to Hawke, his eyes looking from the Templars to the Qunari, then to the Arvaarad. "Peace, Arvaarad. We need to-"
"You will not hide the Bas Saarebas. I will take control of them before they infect us all with their magic." Roughly, he pushed both Hawke and Fenris away with an arm, revealing only two Magisters.
"I could have sworn there were three." Varric commented, drawing out Bianca.
"Dammit!" Hawke cursed, pulling her daggers out.
At once, the whole room was on alert, all except Arvaarad, who resume waving the glowing stick in his hand at the remaining Magisters, muttering something in the Qunari language.
"For Andraste's sake, Fenris-" Before she could finished the sentence, Saarebas grunted in alarm, catching the attention of the Arvaarad. The giant turned his head, only to grunt in pain as a fireball flew into his shoulder blade. Another two appeared out of nowhere, hitting the back of his knees. Arvaarad went down, still clutching the rod. Hissing in pain, he barked out something in a guttery tone; a white, glowing veil enveloped Saarebas and the Magisters, forcing them all to the ground with him.
Hawke was about to run over, but Fenris stopped her. "Priorities, Hawke." He said, pushing her away from the wounded Arvaarad and the mages. "They will be fine, for the moment." He assured her when she looked back, and she nodded, her eyes roaming the room. It was hard to find the Magisters, for the Templars and Qunari blocked most of her views. "Of all the times to be a short person." She muttered. Next to her, Varric's laughter boom, so infectious that she couldn't help but smile. "Guess I really can't complain." She said to the dwarf, darting between the Qunari and the Templars, maneuvering herself to a high balcony.
And promptly ran into someone at the top of the stairs.
"Hawke, duck!" Varric called, shooting his bow. Hawke did as she was told, and moved out of the way. The sound of a pained cry and a body hitting the wall told her Varric did not miss his target.
Gotta love how he aim, Hawke grinned, turning to see the Magister pinned to the wall, the tail of Varric's arrow protruding from his shoulder.
"Now if we could just-" She began, but wasn't able to finished her words.
"Move aside, Bas!" Rich resonance from below made Hawke's shoulder drooped. She went over to the balcony, seeing a few of the giants flinging the Templars out of the way so they could get to Arvaarad. In response, the Templars closed around the group, blocking the Qunari in two big circles.
"Why can't you people get along?" She yelled, even as she step onto the banister and jumped down, barely missing the head of a Templar. The sight of Templars circling around the giants was comical, to say the least, but Hawke knew this is not the time for amusement. Angry hornheads and sharp objects does not mix well, she sighed. "Cullen, please get your men to back off."
"We will not back down until they do!" Shouted one of the voices, but it did not belong to Cullen.
"So what, you are going to stand there and point your swords at them?" She asked, pushing Templars aside to reach the giants, who have their weapons drawn and prominent feral expressions.
"We are defending ourselves!"
"So are they. They will not attack unless you do, so if you really want to stand there and waste your time and mine, do it somewhere else. We have wounded to attend to, and Magisters to interrogate." She glared at the Templars in general, eyes flitting from helmets to helmets. She planted her feet wide, hands on her hips.
"You're siding with them!" One of the Templar accused, pointing his sword at her.
"I'm preventing bloodshed, to which you are too willing to see." She replied, scanning the crowd for Cullen. She could take these Templars down, but she preferred not to alienated the Order more than she already has. There will be consequences for her dealings with the Templars today, and if it affected only her, she wouldn't have hesitated. As it is, she opted for damage control, unless they force her hand.
"Stand down!" A voice ringed out amongst the Templars, and Hawke was relief to hear Cullen's voice. Her relief was short lived, when the Knight Captain staggered into the inner circle. "The Order's mission is to protect people, not bloodshed." He said through gritted teeth, cradling his stomach.
"Cullen!" Hawke rushed over, helping him to stand up right. "What happened?"
"Just had the wind knocked out of me, that's all." He assured her, taking a few deep breath. "I'm afraid that with the Magisters still afoot, some of us got a little excited."
"Speaking of Magisters," Varric said from the balcony, still watching the trapped Magister. "What are you intending to do with them?"
"We still need answers." Hawke sighed.
"So does the Order, Hawke." Cullen reminded her, and Hawke nodded.
Once Cullen could stand on his feet by himself, she let go of him and went to the Arvaarad, the Templars parting as she approached. Fenris was crouching near the Arvaarad, who was gulping down red liquid from a bottle.
"Are you in pain?" She asked.
"Minor injuries." The Arvaarad replied, giving the empty bottle back to Fenris and stood up, rolling his shoulder. "It will not compromise the mission."
'It' was a patch of redness still lingers on the Arvaarad's shoulder blade, but it doesn't look any worse than blistered skin, and upon closer inspection, the thick leather behind his knees was still intact, so he wasn't burned there, at least. He still held the control rod tightly, and she felt the anger creeping up again.
"The Magisters-" She began, but the Arvaarad hold up a finger. He bared his teeth, not at her, but in the direction of the alcove above. Simultaneously, the Templars tensed.
"Hawke!" Varric called out, sounding alarmed.
The Magister with Varric had broke off the end of the arrow, and freed himself, then used the blood pouring from his shoulder to wake the dead bodies. Varric fired a few more bolts into the Magister, intending to stop him. The Magister once again broke off the arrows and keep on summoning. Exasperated, Varric fire a bolt right between his eyes. The Magister dropped dead but the deed was done, the dead bodies began to wake up, pouring into the room, cutting their way into Templars and Qunari alike.
"This seems familiar." Hawke sighed, began to attack the undeads.
"Make sure you cut off their heads!" Varric called out.
"That's a little grim." Cullen said, but swung his sword at the undead's heads anyhow.
"Oh, trust me, that's how you keep them down." Hawke answered a few feet away, her blades aiming for the soft flesh of the neck. Qunari warriors and Templar united, cutting down the undead; it brought a smile to Hawke's lips, though it was a little hard to fight when she have to keep dodging the giants and the Templars both. Her style of fighting was never meant for crowded combat like this, with as much friends as foes, but Hawke was quick to adapt, getting a hit in from time to time while watching for others' backs. It was thanks to that that she saw one of the undead headed for the easy targets on the ground, intending to kill the nearest target to it.
"Saarebas!" Hawke yelled, willing her feet to run faster. They did, and she reached Saarebas, throwing herself in front of him just as two sharp knives sunk into her side. "Andraste's tits." She gasped, bringing up her blades to slash at the dead guard. The guard staggered back, then move forward again. Hawke kicked at his chest, wincing at the pain. One hand against her side to stem the blood, she pushed her blade into its neck, slicing through. The undead head rolled across the floor, and the body dropped onto the ground, but so did Hawke, having using more energy to execute the move than she intended to. "Bloody blood mages!" She cursed, feeling her own blood dripping through her hand. One of the undead's blade has a broken edge, and that worries her, wondering if it was broken before or after he had stabbed her. With my luck, probably after, Hawke thought grimly, feeling sharp pain in her side with every breath.
Behind her, she felt a crackle of magic, and she turned. One of the Magisters had broken free from the glowing veil, staff in hand. Arvaarad had his blade up, about to strike the Magister.
"Ah, this isn't good." She winced, jumping over at the Magister, only to be hurled backward with a spell that felt like a mule's kick. She landed on her back, Arvaarad half on top of her, and pain exploded behind her eyes. Cursing the sky and back, she pushed Arvaarad off of her, and struggled into a sitting position. A shadow fell over her, and she looks up to see the Magister smiling down at her. It wasn't a nice smile. She jumped to her feet, hissing at the persistent pain, clutching the blades in her hands with trembling fingers. Arvaarad scrambled to his feet, but was hit with another blast.
So they do bounce, Hawke thought sluggishly, seeing Arvaarad hitting the wall, bounces off of it, and fell onto his hands and knees.
"You are a Hawke." The Magister commented, lifting his hand to blast a spell at her. "Your blood-"
Before he could use a spell, an arrow flew through the air and into the Magister's hand. He cried out, and Hawke glance down to see Varric at her side.
"I owe you one." She whisper, grimacing as the pain growing.
"Several, actually." Varric said, his face stern, and before she could say something else, he cocked Bianca, putting another bolt right into the Magister's neck.
"We...need him for questioning!" She gasped, falling to her knees as her vision darkened.
"The Master….will rise," The Magister crackled, even as he gurgled on his own blood. "You will bow to Him!"
"That's the answer, I guess." Varric grunted, putting a hand on her shoulder to keep her from falling face down on the floor. "Dammit, Hawke!"
"She's losing too much blood!" Someone else said, and she slowly registered that the sound of fighting had stopped. She squeezed her eyes shut, then open them again, blinking hard to focus.
What she saw took her by surprise, as the Arvaarad sunk his blade into the last Magister. "We still need him!" She groaned.
"They are too dangerous." Was the answer.
Hawke ran a hand over her face, realizing that she was smearing blood, and groaned again.
Fenris push through the crowd, and made his way to her side, handing her a red vial, then examine her wound. "It's a deep wound." He grimaced, using the edge of her shirt to try and stem the bleeding.
Hawke jerked at the pressure, her entire body tensed. "I think something is lodged in there." She said, seeing stars. She couldn't drink the red liquid, not when there was a chance the wound isn't clean.
There was chatter behind her, and she turned her head slowly, searching out Cullen. The Knight Captain caught her eyes, and quickly move to her.
"How many are injured?" She asked, trying to stand up. Fenris clasped her forearm, helping her up.
Before the Knight Captain can answer, one of the giants step forward, and lift her up in his arms.
"What-?" She hissed, hands clutching at the giant for balance. The jarring made it worse, and pain engulfed her, darkness closing in. She went limp.
"Hawke!" Varric yelped, holstering Bianca picking up Hawke's daggers on the ground. They were already finished fighting, and with all the Magisters dead, there was no need to stay here, but he wasn't sure what the giant wanted with a wounded Hawke, so he followed as the giant move with purpose, lengthen strides but not too fast in consideration of the woman in his arms. The Qunari followed him, leaving the Templars behind. They haven't actually found anything that would be worth the trouble, but he was sure the Templars would search the mansion for anything that would tell them of the Magisters' intentions. For now, he followed the giants.
xxx
Varric had assumed the giant would took Hawke back to the Arishok, and he was right. He didn't have the breath to protest it, having to run to keep pace with the giants' long legs. It took them a while to get to the compound, and by then Hawke's blood had soaked through her clothings, transferring onto the Sten's arms despite his attempt to staunch the blood flow. In other situations, he would have been amused at the giant's obvious urgency. Carrying a bloodied Hawke through the streets of Kirkwall garnered many interested and panicked parties, and he heard murmurings of 'They killed her!'. No doubt this would incite more animosity toward the Qunari, but right now, saving Hawke is the first step, he would quell the rumors later.
The Qunari carrying Hawke burst into the compound, barking out guttery words, which had some of the other workers in the compound scrambling in different directions. The Sten forges on, with a few wounded Qunari follow behind. They got a few curious looks from the other Qunari as the small group took a few turns, arriving in a quiet, airy area consisting of a large tent in a corner, next to a few stacked crates.
At the hurried footsteps growing near, the tent's flap opened, and a female Qunari rushed out, two male Qunari behind her holding the tent's flap open. She made a motion, and the Sten carried Hawke into the tent. There were several makeshift beds inside, along with a long table on the side of the tent, holding various fresh and dried herbs, and a smaller table with gleaming instruments. Upon closer inspection, the instruments were tongs, scissors, and a few small knives - healer's tools. The Sten approached the bed closer to the small table, slowly laying her down on it. The female Qunari exchanged a few words with the Sten, before doing the same with the two male Qunari with her, whom began to ushered the other wounded Qunari in the remaining spare beds, tending to them.
Varric and Fenris made a beeline toward the unconscious Hawke, watching helplessly as the female Qunari examine Hawke. She muttered a few phrases, and Varric look toward Fenris for translation.
"She's not happy about the blood." Fenris said, staring intently at both Hawke and the female Qunari.
Varric sighed, unsure of what to do. He was surprised that he was allowed this far into the compound, but he supposed they figured Hawke's friends would want to be with her in this kind of situation. A female Qunari, Varric spared a thought over his worries for Hawke, never thought I'd see one.
"What is she doing?" Varric asked, turning his attention back to the situation at hand as the female Qunari stood up and went over the herbs table.
"She identified the poison, now she's getting the antidote for it." Fenris explained, hands clenching at his side.
"Poison!" He exclaimed, moving a little closer to Hawke.
"One that disrupt the wound, letting it keep bleeding."
"Bloody blood mages and their blood sacrifices!" Varric cursed.
"Exactly so." Fenris rolled his shoulders, reaching out a hand to smooth Hawke's hair back from her face. She was sweating, and her body started to trembled, her hands reaching out restlessly. "She's going into shock!" Fenris said, reaching for the blanket at Hawke's feet, covering up most of her save the site of the still-bleeding wound.
"Why did she not drank the red potion?" He asked, moving to elevate her legs, trying hard to keep his dismay from showing, catching both of her hands in his.
"She said the wound was not clean." Fenris replied.
"Nug humper!" Varric sighed.
The female Qunari returned with smashed herbs that smelled of musky swarm, and lathered it over the wound. Hawke jumped a little, shifting away from her touch. Fenris laid an arm across her hips, keeping her still. Her eyes opened and she gasped, almost jerking upright. Fenris stopped her movement with a hand on her shoulder. She look at him, breathing heavily, then at the other occupants of the tent, before resting her eyes on the female Qunari. Assured, she tried to relax. She took her hands back, covering her eyes.
"It's bloody burns!" She complained, shivering. "I need a drink."
"No alcohol on me, Chuckles." Varric said with forced cheer, patting her shoulder, eliciting a pitiful moan out of her. She was still in shock, her breathing was unsteady, and the muscles under his hand was spasming intermittently, and Varric hope the poultice work soon. They need to see what might be in her wound, and clean it up.
Hawke choked out a few breath, shivering harder as the poultice began to neutralize the poison. Light poured into the tent as the flap is lifted, and the Arishok made his way inside, sparing a few words to his men before walking over to Hawke.
"The Arvaarad said you put yourself in danger for the Saarebas." He said, silver eyes glittering at her.
"You questioned our methods," Fenris growled. "When it is your men's refusal to listen to her that she was wounded!"
"They did as they were instructed." The Arishok towered over the elf, who held his ground, glaring hotly up at the leader of the Qunari. "Your indecision had cost us the chance to gain valuable information."
"Those information could be had, if you had told us you wanted to take the Magisters for yourself!" Fenris said, his marking glowing faintly in reply to the Arishok's menacing presence.
"Alright, tattooed elf and painted giant need to calm down!" Hawke growled, and immediately regretted raising her voice as a cough wracked her body; her muscles clenched in protest, bringing a new wave of pain. "Dammit!" She gasped, clenching her hands against her stomach.
"Hawke! You need to calm down." Varric said, concerned in his eyes as he smooth her damp hair back from her face.
"Out!" The female Qunari snapped, glaring at both the Arishok and Fenris.
The Arishok made a low growling noise in his throat, and turned, leaving the tent. Fenris frowned, staring hard at the female Qunari before resuming his place by Hawke's side.
"If you want to be here," The female Qunari said, her voice accented, but clear, and conveyed her displeasure clearly. "Keep your mouth shut. I do not need the patients to be riled."
He nodded once.
Ignoring the elf, the Qunari healer laid a hand on Hawke's cheeks and forehead, checking her temperature. Satisfied that Hawke was warming up, she moved over to the wound, using a big of white cloth to wipe the herbs away gently. The wound no longer bleed much, and she began to clean the area around the wound.
Hawke sighed, laying still, the water the healer's using was cold, but it soothes some of the pain. And now that she wasn't moving, the pain is somewhat tolerable, though the sting every time she breath was still making her wince. "Is it bad?" She asked, turning her head to look at the healer, who was frowning and focusing on cleaning.
"Deep cut, need stitching."
"Knock me out now." Hawke moaned.
One of the Qunari handed Varric a cup of green water, and Varric look at the water with a raised eyebrow.
"Sedative." The healer said.
Varric nodded, giving it to Fenris. The elf rest his hips against the bed, lifting Hawke's head and shoulders and held the cup to her lips. She drank greedily. Once the cup was empty, Fenris laid her back down.
"There's something in here." The healer said, her fingers ghosting over the upper cut. Hawke almost climbed off the table from the pain that light touch ignites.
"Kill me now, but stop touching it!" She snapped.
"It need to be taken out!" The healer snapped back, standing up and move away. She returned with a small, gleaming tong.
"This will be the end of me." Hawke said through clenched teeth. "Dead by the united forces of Tevinter Magisters and the Qunari."
Fenris snorted, moving closer. He took one of her hand, squeezing it gently. The sedative have not kicked in yet, but the blade in her wound needed to be taken out.
"I see it, should be quick." The healer said, pulling the skin taut to revealed the edge of a blade, lodged between the rib bones. It had done some damaged while it was there, resulting in multiple additional cuts in her flesh. Hawke swore every curses in her vocabulary, clenching tight to Fenris' hand as the healer work to slowly pull it out. The elf winced, but remained still. Soon, he, too, was gritting his teeth. Hawke wasn't controlling her strength, and his hand was starting to feel like pulp in her grip. Still, he did not say a word as sweat ran down his and her temples both. Soon, the healer lift the tong, laying the bloodied long piece of metal on the table; Hawke and Fenris let out a long sigh of relief at the same time. Hawke let go of Fenris' hand, letting her body relax.
"Remind me not to play with the Magisters anymore." She said tiredly, swallowing hard.
"I'm sure there will be more of them, somewhere." Varric said, dabbing the sweat from her forehead with his sleeve, wincing with sympathy when Fenris shook feeling back into his hand, with the white imprints of Hawke's fingers on it. The healer took a piece of cloth, soak it in yet another green mixture, and covered Hawke's wound with it.
Varric took out a red vial, then thought better of it when the healer narrowed her eyes at him, holding a cup of hot tea. He backed up a step when the healer advance, taking his place near Hawke's head.
Hawke groaned a little when the healer lift her shoulder and head, but she took the cup of tea, sipping it slowly, feeling the warmth of the tea seep into her. When Hawke was laid back down, she was breathing a little easier.
"Thank you." She said. "All of you."
Fenris smiled a little, moving closer to her, relieved to see colors back on her cheeks. Varric ruffled her hair, smiling.
"Still need stitching." The healer said, picking up a curved needle, threading it.
Hawke groaned.
"Stop acting like a child." The healer rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't feel this."
"Easy for you to say." Hawke grunt, bracing herself for the pain, but none come, and indeed, she couldn't even feel the healer's hands on her wounds. She relaxed, watching the healer methodically closing the long, jagged cut into neat stitches.
"Don't do that again." The healer admonished once she was done, knotting the thread close.
Varric chuckled outright, shaking his head. "Except for putting her in chains, I doubt you could keep her down for long. And even then, I'm not so sure."
"Don't tempt her." Hawke hiss at him good naturedly.
The healer moved toward the other patients of the tent, leaving Hawke to Fenris and Varric.
"You...scared me." Fenris said, narrowing his eyes at her.
"For one so small, that was a lot of blood." Varric chimed in.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm very hard to kill." She said, her voice soft, mellowed from the tea and the sedative at last. "Give me a table full of food and I should be up in no time."
"Had it been anyone else but you…" Fenris trailed off, looking away.
"Hey." She smiled, taking his hand in both of hers, wincing at the stretching of her wound. "I'm still here. Don't mourn me just yet."
"Meanwhile, I need to go see Cullen." Varric said. "Hopefully they have found something by now."
"Shame we didn't get what we came for." Hawke sighed ruefully.
"You're in one piece, that's what matter." Varric replied. "Well, mostly one piece."
Hawke didn't answer, already dropped into a deep sleep. The healer shooed Varric and Fenris out of the tent. They left reluctantly, wondering if they could come back to visit her.
It would have been easier to take Hawke to Low Town, with Anders' healing skills, she would have been up by now. However, one does not argue with an army of wounded, angry giants, especially when they had taken it upon themselves to took her in.
Varric focus on making a mental checklist of what to ask the Templars. When Hawke wake up, she would no doubt insist on getting the wound be heal sooner rather than later; she'll want to trace this lead, and healing by Anders usually get her back on her feet, faster than the Qunari's methods anyhow, if the way the healer refusal of the potion vials was the way how they do things around here.
xxx
She did have another visitor, one mighty leader of the Qunari army, but she was not awake to see him standing over her, deep in thought; his eyes studied her for a long while, watching her restless movements, every now and then stopping her arms and feet from moving too far, and once or twice prevented her from rolling off the bed entirely.
The healer later on told her of his visit, but she did not tell Hawke of the troubled look on the Arishok's face when he left. Non-Qunari, as always, confuses her people, and she attributes that to the Arishok's dealing of this female.
Hawke slept half the day away, and when she woke up, there were barely any light around her. The tent's flap was open, and light from an outside torch filled the room with low, flickering light. Hawke rub her eyes, then look around; her sleepy gaze focusing on nothing in particular in the empty tent. The stiffness in her limb was uncomfortable, and she shifted; immediately, pain radiate from her side, reminding her of the afternoon's event. Hawke laid still, breathing in and out and again, willing the pain to subside. After a moment, she tried again to gingerly lift her feet, sliding her body slowly to the edge of the bed. Once her toes touch the solid ground, she lift herself onto her elbows, taking care to move ever so slowly. Getting off the bed and stand up took more efforts than she thought, and Hawke stood still, huffing from the exertion.
What she wouldn't give for a few red vials, just so she could make it to Anders in one piece. As it is, she was moving way too slow, and pain restricted her movements. How annoying, Hawke thought as she shuffle toward the door, barely standing upright. Shuffling, like an old woman with no teeth, Hawke sighed. The carta would laugh until they cry. The mighty Hawke coming to get them all.
She made to to the opening of the tent, breathing raggedly, and took a peek around her. Her gaze met with a pair of golden eyes.
"Hi there." She said, smiling with forced cheer. "How it's going?"
"Bed. Rest." There was a frown accompanied the clipped words.
Hawke shook her head. "I need to get back to my friends."
"Rest." He repeated, frowning harder.
"I've slept wayyyyy too much already, thanks." Hawke frowned back, turning her back to him, and face another pair of golden eyes. She glance back over her shoulder, checking to see if there was another Qunari, or that he had managed to move so quickly. He was still there, and she look back and forth between them, trying to tell them apart, and to gauge her chance of success at convincing them to let her leave. Two guards for a wounded woman, now that's something else.
Is the Arishok mad? She wondered. They had came back empty hands, after all, and she wasn't sure how well he would take that.
"Am I a prisoner?" She asked.
"No." Both of them answer at once.
"Very well then." She smiled brightly, walking slowly out of the tent. Two clawed hands on both of her shoulders stopped her miniscule progress. "What?" She growled.
"You are wounded." One of them said.
"Really? I haven't noticed." Hawke glowered, shrugging their hands of, hissing at the resulting pain.
"You need healing."
"I know, and I will." Hawke moved forward again. "Once I'm healed, I will return."
"Where are you going, human?" The Qunari asked. His voice sounded closer than she thought, and she look back to see both of them walking behind her.
"You don't need to go with me." She turned to face them.
"The Arishok want us to watch you."
"Of course he does." She huffed. "The answer is no. Go report back to him. Tell him….Tell him to stop hovering."
Silence.
Hawke fought the urge to yell, she settled for a long glare. The pain in her side is bothering her, her stomach feel empty, she's not moving fast enough or well enough for her liking, and she certainly is not in the mood to argue with two chunk of rocks. Identical chunk of rocks.
"Take me to him." She said tiredly.
They both nodded; one went ahead, presumable to inform the Arishok of her arrival, and the other one walks by her side, steering her toward his tent.
When she got to him, he was in his usual seat; the sight of him sitting at the table, with a book in his hand was becoming a familiar sight, bringing a warm feeling. Despite that, she glare at him, letting him know her current mood without words. He dismissed the guard, watching her settling down across the table, lips pinched, and her face was pale from the effort it must have took to get here. He waited for her to speak.
"I don't like being watch." She told him, still glaring.
"The healer said that you need a long rest." He said, ignoring her previous comment. She poses no threat in her current state, yet does not see the wisdom in letting her body recover. As it is, her hands tremble where it rested on the table, her dry lips barely have any color in them, and dark shadows was forming under her eyes, even after the hours she spent sleeping. "Why are you up?"
The question took the ire out of her - the true concern of another person for her well being - and she sighed. "Because I already slept part of the day."
"Would you rather let the wound fester?" He asked.
"It won't." She assured him.
He made a gruff noise, reaching for something next to him and laid them on the table. When he lifted his hand, there were three red vials, and Hawke smile, scooping them up.
"They treated the symptoms, not the cause." He scoffed.
"It's useful." She grinned. "I have my own healer. One that won't pour weird herbal mixture down my throat or slather me with it. They smell, you know."
He did not argue, and she drank all three, feeling her stamina return, the pain lessen. She rolled her neck and stretch a little, still taking care not to disturb the wound, but no longer feeling half-dead. She settled back into her seat, reaching under the table and pulled some of the cushions on his side to her, making herself more comfortable. He huffed a breath through his nose, but said nothing.
"So then," She smiled brightly, her skin looking brighter from the effect of the potions. "Let's discuss today's event, shall we? You did not tell me that you wanted to capture the Magisters."
"They have information that I need. The need for them was obvious."
"Was that why you let the...Arvaarad come with me? So that he can chain and control the mages with that ridiculous glow stick?"
"The control rod was one of the methods to control them, yes."
"And you didn't think to tell me before hand?" Her eyes flashed, the anger flaring up again.
"Did you intend to question them yourself?" The furrows increased.
"No, I intend to worship them and offer myself up as a sacrifice." She glared. "Of course I want to question them myself-"
"They are a danger."
"Of course they are." She rolled her eyes. "I knew that, which was why there were Templars with me-"
"Your Templars are too lenient with the Saarebas, risking corruption before taking actions." His tone was one of clear disapproval, something that she was getting used to.
She opened her mouth, a rebuttal ready, but thought better of it. Mages are dangerous, but they do not deserved to be treated like monsters. This was an argument she had time and time again with Fenris, with the world at large; she had thought that with the way the Qunari place value on usefulness, they would treat mages differently. She should know better, after all, the Qunari and the Tevinters was almost always at war. She should have took that as a hint that they do not like mages much. She stared down at her hands, not sure what to think.
"You disapproved." He said, and she look up at him with a sad smile.
"You might think that prevention is the best cure, and most of the time it is true; but there are exceptions." She said, her voice soft, barely reaching his ears. "The core of the Qun is being useful, right? Why not use a mage's talents? I do not know how capable your Saarebas is, but surely he can do more to help? Destruction is not the only thing mages can do. I understand there is danger in magic, but there is also good that comes from it. There is so much to learn, if people can stop fearing it."
"They fear it for a reason."
"So grouping a bunch of people and punish them for what they might do?" She shook her head. "I do not agree with that logic."
"You do not agree, but you are safe from their corruption because they are contained. That is not a mere coincidence."
"I do not agree." She replied. "My father was a mage, if he had been imprisoned, or collared and leashed like your mages, then I wouldn't have been born. I own my existence to a mage, so I do not view them as others do. I do know and understand the danger of magic, but I think that letting fear color one's viewpoint, painting all mages the same is something that needed to be change."
She glance at him, noticing the strange look he was given her. She couldn't tell what he was thinking, and could only guess why he was giving her that look. "Do you see me different now? Since I am a child of a mage?"
"We judge people based on their actions, not their circumstances of birth." He replied. "Though, it is a surprise to learn of your bloodline. Perhaps that is why you are resistant to magic."
"Maybe." She shrugged with a small smile. If he wasn't judging her bloodline, could he be taking her words into consideration? Dare she even hope? "As it stands, fear of magic twisted what it could be. What if people are educated about magic, instead of being taught to fear it?"
"It would lead to chaos." He said. "The temptation of magic is not to be taken lightly. The weak and powerless will always yearn to be more, and instead of good, they will use it for personal gains. Selfishness will always destroy both the greedy and the people around them. They should not be let free to bring pain to others; that is why order is required, so that chaos will not reign."
"You and Fenris would get along famously." She said, running a hand over her face. "He said the same thing."
"The elf was protective of you." He commented, recalling the elf's fury over how she was wounded.
"He's a good friend." She smiled. "Maybe I should introduce you two formally."
He remained silent, waiting for her to continue.
Well, at least he's not saying no, she thought, shifting to put another plush cushion behind her back to support her weight, and leaned back. Despite the energy rush from the potions, her mood was mellow, a telltale sign that her strength was not fully return. Beside, the tent was getting familiar, and Hawke felt relaxed here. Safe, even. She shook the thought from her head, reminding herself that she should still be miff at him. "I still can't believe how your people treat mages. As if they are not even people. Also, you did not tell me of your plan, and I only barely managed to avert a fight between the Templars and your people."
"The Arvaarad informed me. You protected my people, that's commendable." The Arishok said. "However, risking yourself to do so is foolish."
"You can chide me with just about anything, can't you." Hawke rolled her eyes.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why risk your life for people you barely know? You've only met the Saarebas, yet you were willing to throw yourself between him and his death."
"Not the smartest thing to do when you put it that way." She laughed softly. "I don't know. I just...reacted, I guess. You know me, can't stand by doing nothing."
"The Saarebas is not an innocent bystander."
"He's people." She glared at him. "And that's what I do, I protect people."
"At the cost of your own life?"
"I'm not dead. Yet." She shrugged. "Beside, don't tell me you and your people wouldn't have done the same for each other."
"Perhaps." There was a ghost of a smile on his lips. "I wonder if you haven't already think of the Qunari as your own people."
"You're not trying to convert me, are you?" She narrowed her eyes, but the blush on her cheeks was in contrast with her tone.
"The Qun is not forced, only you can accept the teachings and follow it."
"To the letter, it seems." She muttered under her breath.
"Yes."
The word was a simple one, but it conveyed so much; Hawke stared at him, only grasping several meanings of that simple word. Confidence, for one, a person that know and understand the world; indeed, it was this that had drew her interest to him, beside his fighting skills. Confidence that he is using the best of his capabilities. He exudes power, to put it lightly.
She smiled slightly. He was giving her lessons in the simplest way possible, letting her understand what she can, waiting for her to ask questions on what she cannot. He had said that he was no teacher, but he is doing his best to impart knowledge to her. The stubborn oxman.
I can work with that, she decided. This was as close to learning the Qun as she can get without actually converting.
She mulled over it a little bit more, looking at the matter with different angles. She had accepted his offer to stay in the compound, and he had accepted to let her retain her autonomy. There was not really anything else that she can ask, not yet anyhow. She nodded to herself, satisfied with her choice. She look up to see him watching her, his silver eyes seemingly following her every move.
"I should go get myself healed up." She said, slowly standing up. "I will give the Templars another visit tomorrow, and I'll let you know what news they have."
"The Sten shall see to your arrival home." He told her.
She looked back at him for a moment, then sighed, conceding to this. She cannot fight at her current state, so the escort is appreciated. Maker knows, there are too many people throwing themselves into her blades in the night. "Thank you." She said.
He made an acknowledgement noise, eyes still on her.
She walk out of the tent, where two armed guards were waiting for her. She heaved another sigh, then put on a smile, to which both of her bodyguards ignored.
xxx
When she got to the underground clinic, she told the guards to leave, and breathe a breath of relief when they did. The door was locked, and there weren't any light coming from the clinic, but she let herself in anyway.
Anders was in the farther corner of the clinic, scribbling something at a table, with only a candle lighting his area. She closed the door behind her, making sure to lock it again.
"Anders." She said softly, making her way toward him.
He lift a hand to wave, still focusing on his writing.
"You should be sleeping." She said, a hand on his back as she peered over his shoulder. "Are you writing a love letter?" She asked, seeing endearment terms here and there.
He chuckled, finishing the sentence and put the feather pen into the inkpot. "I wish. There are no time for such frivolities these days." He peered up at her, the smile fading. "Last I heard, you were bleeding and unconscious. Are you alright?"
"Could be better." She grinned.
"How bad was it?" He asked, standing up and move the letter and the inkpot away before motioning for her to sit.
Hawke sat on the chair instead of climbing on the table as she normally would, lifting her tunic to revealed a big square of cloth covering most of her side.
"Andraste's flaming knickers, Hawke." He winced, gently pulling on the cloth to revealed a long gash covered in green poultice, the skin around it red. "I should have came with you."
"I didn't want to risk it, with so many Templars." She shrugged one shoulder, peering down at her own wound. "It's not bleeding anymore, at least."
"Why did you waited so long?" He asked, motioning for her to remove the cloth while he light another candle, then went to his store room.
"The healer drugged me." She said, putting the half white, half green cloth down, shivering a little when the night air nipping her exposed skin.
"What healer?" He came back with a clean cloth and a bowl of steaming water. "All Varric said was that the Qunari was patching you up. He also said they kicked him out when you fell asleep."
"There was little else they could do." She watch as he soak the wet cloth in the hot water, and wrung it out.
"It's a little warm," He warned, crouching down, one hand holding the back of the chair for balance. "I need to clean the poultice off."
She nodded, holding still. He fold the cloth and press it softly over her wound. The warmth was a pleasant sensation, in contrast with the cool night air. She sighed in contentment.
"What do you mean there were little else they could do?" He raised an eyebrow. "Fenris could have carry you to me."
"A Sten took me straight to the compound." She replied with a small grin. "And the healer set on sewing me up right away."
"This healer…..Did not heal you?"
"Not with magic, no. You would not believe how they treat mages." She said sourly. "She slathered me with weird herbs, and insist on closing my wound with needle and thread."
"How primitive." He lifted the cloth, rewet it, and press it over the wound again, softening the hardened herbs slowly. "How does the Qunari treat mages?"
"Badly." She put an arm around his waist, leaning her forehead against his. "I would not have thought the Qunari was barbaric, but they are in that regard."
"What do you mean?"
"They put their mages in chains, sew their mouth, and use a control rod to control them." She closed her eyes. "Mage or no, no one should have been treated that way."
He was silent, and when Hawke look at him, he had his eyes closed, jaws tight, as if he was fighting down anger. She sighed, running her free hand through his hair, soothing him the best she could.
"I would never let them do that to you, or any other mages. Not if I can help it."
He nodded, leaning into her touch. After a moment, he took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, his eyes were a warm golden tint as he look at her. "You're a good kid." He said, smiling as he drew back to check her wound. The poultice was soften enough to wipe off, and he soak the cloth in the water, dabbed at the green herb, working slowly to wipe them off.
"I'm afraid I'll have to remove the stitching." He said with a sigh.
"Do you have to?" She said, her lips turned downward, looking at him pitifully. "I don't mind having those threads in me."
"They have to come out." He glowered, standing up to get a clean scissors. "It will teach you to stop jumping into everything at once. Now take off your shirt."
"I didn't know you wanted to see me naked that badly." She said, resigning herself to more inconveniences. Perhaps she shouldn't let the Qunari heal her again, if this was the result. Maker's breath, how does their warrior still remain standing, with how slow they were healing, and how long it must take to be fully recover. She sighed, gingerly peeling off her top; with only her breastband keeping her warm, she shiver a little as the cold night air nips at her exposed skin.
"Don't be silly." He said simply, resuming his place in front of her.
"You are a boost to my ego." She rolled her eyes, tensing up when he move the scissors closer to her.
"Someone have to keep you in line." He said, eyes on the neat stitches. "Be a dear, and hold your skin steady for me."
She huffed, holding her side, focusing on his face. She watch him work, giggling softly when his breaths ran over her skin, tickling her. After he was done removing the threads, he put the scissors down, and hold a warm hand above her wound. Then the glowing light faded, revealing a long faint scar, running from her the middle of her left side rib to the beginning of her hip bone, and she smiled.
"Battle trophy." She said happily, wiggling her body cheerfully at her freedom of movements. "This is so much better." She jumped up from the chair and pulled Anders into a tight hug. "Thank you." She whispered, kissing his stubbled cheek.
He rest his chin in the nook of her neck, one arm across her lower back, and one across her shoulders. Despite her being half-naked, there were no attraction, just a sense of comfort. He relaxed into her embrace, feeling the tension in his body ebbing away. It had been somewhat strange when he first knew her, the touch of someone who does not expect nor interested in anything but the hug itself. He had grew to enjoy these moments, lately, and that worried him.
"Anders," She called softly, feeling the tensing of his body, running a hand up and down his back. "Stop thinking whatever you're thinking of."
"Fine, fine." He forced his body to relax again, clearing his mind - or tried to. Moments like this should be treasure, and he intended to do just that. Anders smiled a little, tightening his arms a little, imprinting the feel of her into his memory. This. This is Hawke: soft, small, comfortable, and giving. He made an appreciative noise in his throat, pressing a kiss on her bare shoulder; then he closed his eyes and enjoy the warm hug. Maker knows, no one else would be willing to hug a dirt poor apostate hosting a spirit of Justice.
xxx
Hawke sneaked into the Hanged Man by picking its lock - since there were no chance anyone is up at this hour, finding her way to Varric's suite in the dark. Using the key he gave her long ago, she opened it, feeling silly for walking in the dark like this.
It didn't take much to wake him up, since he is a light sleeper - as most rogues are, having train to react fast. Her footsteps was quiet, but his even breathing stuttered, and he opened his eyes, squinting at her. "Hawke?" He shook his head to wake himself up, pulling himself into a sitting position, but Hawke stopped him. "How are you?" He asked, running a hand over his face, voice thick with sleep.
"I'm all healed." She whispered with a big smile, her white teeth glinting in the dark as walk over to his bed. He shifted to his side to look at her.
"Glad to hear it." He yawned. "Anything news?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow." She kissed his forehead. "Good night Varric."
"Night, Hawke." He smiled, closing his eyes.
Smiling, she went to her bed nearby, sectioned-off with dressing screens - closed by, but still afford her some privacy whenever she needed it. She'd preferred to sleep on Varric's bed with him to save space, but with her sleeping habit, it's just not going to work. This was a necessary devil, and she was grateful to Varric for making the space. She took off her boots, dropped onto the bed, and fell asleep.
xxx
"They were after you, Hawke." Varric said the next morning. He was gone when she woke up, but returned when she was getting dressed for the day. "Something about your blood."
"So blood mages wanted my blood?" She asked, peering around the screen at him. "I'm not surprise, but what for? Their slaves is no longer enough?"
"I'm not sure, but something about a ritual with the Wardens."
"Since when does Warden aligned themselves with blood mages? Especially blood mages from Tevinter." She rolled her eyes, stepping out once she finished putting her tunic on.
"Desperate time call for desperate measures, I supposed." Varric snort. "The question is, what make them desperate, for you, of all things?"
"Well, one sure way to find out." She grinned, glancing over to the long table, where breakfast was waiting.
"We're going back to Vinmark Mountain?" He asked, but didn't wait for her answer. "I'm starting to think you have a thing for mountains and forests."
She only kissed his forehead, pulling him toward the food. Once they were settled down in front of the steaming plates, Hawke happily digged in. She really need to replenish her energy.
"Hawke." Varric said, something in his voice make her look up from the fried noodles. "Listen, as your friend, I feel like I'd be doing you a disservice if I didn't say something. You do know what pass between a man and a woman, right?"
"Oh, Maker, we are not going to have a bird and bee talk, are we?" She groaned.
"Up until the Arishok, I'd thought you were asexual." He grinned. "You know, one of those people who doesn't care for sex."
"What? After all the dirty stories we've been passing back and forth?" She raised an eyebrow.
"One never know. You didn't show any interest in men or women, and I'm pretty sure your taste didn't run to children or animals." He shrugged unrepentantly. "Turned out you just like them bigger than most." He sniggered.
"You know us women, very picky." She laugh, reaching over to swat his shoulder.
xxx
"Think about it Fenris, it'll be fun." She smiled.
"You considered being surrounded by horned behemoths fun?" Fenris asked with a tone flat and dry. "I don't share the same...fascination with them as you do."
She blushed, but grinned at him. "Horned behemoths aside, it'll be good for you. A break from this city, yes?"
"What is this for?" He scowled. "I am fine here."
"Right, because it is so comfy here." She rolled her eyes. "This place is deteriorating, Fenris. You can't live here forever."
"No?" He raised an amused eyebrow.
"No." She confirmed. "Beside, it will be just for a little while. And I need your help translating grumpy giants."
He did not answer, only glaring at her with icy green eyes. She crossed her arms and tap her foot in the silence, not backing down from the staring contest, her cerulean eyes imploring him with hundreds of unspoken reasons why he should come with her. Well, ok, hundreds is a bit much, but still. Their eyes locked with determination, but at last, Fenris rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Alright, Hawke. If it will make you happy." He said with a long suffering sigh.
"It will." She grinned brightly. This would be a nice change, and would be good for the both of them. Closure, she told herself, and don't drool.