A/N: I hope no walks away from this chapter thinking I favored one character over the other. I think I did a good job of keeping them equal in this match. Bioware still owns everything… in case you were wondering.

Chapter 7: The Hero of Ferelden vs the Champion of Kirkwall

"What's the big idea?" Hawke asked. "What's with the knife-throwing?"

Almost offended by the questin, Vaela scoffed. "I'm sure this isn't the first time a Dalish has attacked you."

Hawke's eyes grew wide when he heard the mention about the Dalish. Hawke and the Pirate Queen, Isabela, both drew their weapons.

"Look," Hawke began, "it didn't happen the way you think it did."

Vaela chuckled to herself. "Look at the both of you… are you afraid of me?" Deafening silence filled the air. The tension was almost overwhelming. "I'm not here to kill you."

"Good, because you couldn't kill us anyway."

A smile crept upon the Warden's face. "I'm not even here to fight you. I only want to know one thing: where is she?"

"Who?"

"Merrill."

"Why do you want to know?"

"You know damn well why!"

"Like I said, it didn't the happen the way you might think."

"Hawke… Isabela… I'm only giving you this one opportunity to tell me where she is and walk away."

"Is that a threat?"

"It's a promise."

"Hmph." Hawke was grinning like a child in a sweets shop, it'd been a while since he had a good fight. "I've got this," he told Isabela confidently.

Vaela reached behind her back and threw a dagger at Hawke who made no effort to dodge the attack. The Mantle of the Champion armor withstood the blow although the Warden dashed right at him, following her dagger.

Sword and blade clashed as the Champion and the Warden stood deadlocked in the middle of the highway. With her free hand, the Warden got in a clean hit when her fist connected with Hawke's face.

As he was reeling Vaela continued her assault, slashing forward with her dagger. Already off balance, Hawke could only attempt to dodge. When finally one of her blows connected, Hawke saw an opening. The Champion's armor was simply not going to break under the weight of the Warden's attacks. In the moment between the attack connecting, and Vaela's hesitation after failing to harm the Champion, Hawke slammed his weapon into the ground causing a tremor.

The mini earthquake threw the Warden off-balance and Hawke was finally able to go on the offensive. Hawke charged at her and swung his sword in a large, sweeping arc. Despite dodging the full force of the attack, the front of her armor was left with a deep gash.

Vaela dropped to a knee, struggling for air. "Damn it," she thought. "What's happening? He didn't even touch me!"

"I see you've noticed," Hawke said jokingly. "I call that one 'Whirlwind'. Even if you do manage to avoid my sword, the air itself becomes an extension of my weapon."

"You're good… but you let your guard down," Vaela said almost tauntingly as she seemed to disappear.

"Wh-what?!" Hawke yelled.
"Hawke! Watch out!" Isabela yelled.

In an instant, the chest piece of Hawke's armor was ripped to shreds. Vaela appeared behind him, with two new and enchanted daggers in hand. The combatants turned and faced each other.

"You disappeared!" Hawke said in disbelief.

"No," Vaela responded, "I flickered."

"It doesn't matter whatyou call it ! This ends here!" Hawke yelled before focusing holy energy into his left hand.

Valea joined her Twinblades together as if they were one sword. After taking a glance at Isabela to see if she were going to interfere, The Warden and the Champion chargerd at each other.

"Holy Smite!"

"Heartseeker!"

A blinding light enveloped the opponents and both were sent flying from the crash.

"Hawke!" Isabela yelled as she ran towards the warrior. "Please… wake up, Hawke."

"Ungh…." Hawke stirred. "What… happened?"

"You were both sent flying!" Isabela answered.

Hawke took a look at the Warden, wondering if she was even alive.

"I wouldn't worry about her. She's tough, and I trained her, you know," Isabela bragged. "Still, we should get going. You can't fight in this condition."

"You're right… let's go."

Isabela helped Hawke to his feet and they left the Warden alone on the highway, hoping someone else would take care of her.