Rushing into the kitchen, Hawke took in the scene. A templar stood in a fighting stance, sword drawn and facing away from them. Past the templar Hawke could see Orana cowering against the wall with a kettle clutched in her hands.
"Get away from her!" Hawke yelled angrily.
"What are you doing?" Cullen demanded.
"Ah, sir," the male templar said, not turning to face his commander. A growling explained why.
Coming around the templar, Hawke stopped. "For the love of the Maker," she said, rolling her eyes. She put a hand on her hip, the other pressing to her forehead.
"Enchantment?"
Cullen came to stand on the other side of the man. Before them stood the mabari, obviously protecting the dwarven boy behind him.
"I only tried to open the door, sir," the templar explained. "The dog jumped me!"
"What did you do to provoke him?" Hawke said with a glare, crossing her arms. Sandal looked on curiously, standing there in his nightshirt.
The man glanced at Cullen. "Well, ah, the boy wouldn't move. I… tried to, well, push him, just a bit."
"And the hound didn't like that, I take it," Cullen finished, exasperated. Leo growled, as if to agree.
"Are you alright, Sandal?" Hawke asked. The boy grinned, approaching her.
"I like doggy," he said.
"I'm glad," Hawke answered, patting the boy on the shoulder. "Leo, here," she ordered the dog, pointing at her feet. The mabari snapped at the templar one more time, then practically pranced over to Hawke. He was obviously proud of himself.
"Maker's breath," Cullen breathed, shaking his head. Demonstrating that not all templars were cruel, he walked over to Orana and helped her up. "Are you alright, miss?"
Orana held the kettle tightly to her chest as she nodded. "I'm sorry, I was startled. Very startled," she said with a shaky voice.
"Go on then," Hawke snapped at the templar. "Continue your search, if you really think she's hiding in the larder."
The man glanced warily between the mabari and Hawke. At Cullen's nod, he cautiously opened the door Sandal and Leo had been blocking. Finding nothing but food in the small storage room, the man sheathed his sword. He nearly drew it again as Bodahn entered the kitchen.
"Oh, there he is. I just went to wake him, and found him gone!" he said, moving to Sandal. "I do hope my boy wasn't any trouble," he added, concerned as he took in the scene and skittish templar. Cullen ordered the man from the room, off to search elsewhere.
"Well Cullen," Hawke said, rubbing her forehead. "Your men have managed to fully disrupt my household. If you are satisfied Bethany is not here, I ask that you all leave. Now, preferably." Her tone did not convey it as a request, though.
"We will need to question your servants as well, Serah Hawke," Cullen said, tone just as demanding.
"And how much do you expect to learn from a simple boy or a traumatized elf? Or perhaps you want to question my mabari?" Hawke said, gesturing and glaring. "I've already told you she's not here. Is the word of the Champion not enough?"
"This is an official investigation. We must gather as much information as possible," was Cullen's edged reply.
Hawke rubbed her eyes in frustration. She needed to be rid of these templars so she could focus on finding Bethy. "Fine. Ask."
"Not with you present," Cullen huffed. "They're more likely to lie with –"
"No," Hawke snapped. "I'm not leaving them alone with any of you after that. This is my compromise."
Cullen was about to argue his point, but Hawke cut him off again. "Sandal, have you seen Bethany lately?"
Sandal looked at her a moment, puzzled. "Enchantment?" was his only response.
"Serah Hawke, this is –" Cullen began, disapproving.
"Did I help her escape the Gallows? Am I hiding her?" Hawke asked, ignoring Cullen.
The boys eyes wandered. "Cheese?" he asked, pointing to the wheel on the kitchen table. Apparently he was hungry.
"Orana. Have you seen my sister? Did I help her escape or am I hiding her?" Hawke continued.
The elf's eyes widened at the implication if such things were true. "No," she answered, shaking her head vigorously. She looked at Cullen, voice earnest. "And Champion Hawke would never lie, Ser Templar."
"Bodahn?" Hawke asked, turning finally to the dwarf.
"Why, no, Messere. To each question," the dwarf answered. He turned to Cullen. "The last time Messere Hawke visited her sister was nearly a week ago. And she's been home all evening, answering messages," he added truthfully, hoping the information would aid Hawke.
"Satisfied?" Hawke asked, arms crossed. "Or do you wish to interrogate Leo, as well?"
Cullen frowned. A templar entered and saluted, drawing his attention. "We've searched the entire estate, sir. No sign of the mage. Though we did find quite a number of weapons in the study, sir," the female templar reported. Cullen huffed.
"That will have to do," Cullen said, glancing back at Hawke briefly, still frowning. "Form up. We'll return to the Gallows," he said to the other templar. She saluted again, exiting the kitchen. Hawke stepped forward, stopping Cullen from following with a hand on his chest plate.
"I've helped the templars before," Hawke started, voice dangerously quiet. She was a fair bit shorter, but she glared up at Cullen with an icy fury. "And in all honesty I would rather there be peace between you and the mages." Her hand curled into a fist, still pressed against Cullen's chest plate. "But if any of you hurt Bethany, Andraste herself will have to save you from me." The threat was clear.
"You have my word. If it is possible, we will return her to the Gallows unharmed. However, what happens after that I cannot guarantee," Cullen replied. Hawke understood the implication. If Bethany had escaped and was recaptured, the punishment would not be kind. She may even be made Tranquil.
After another moment, Hawke dropped her hand and stepped aside.
"You and your estate will be watched. As a precaution," Cullen explained. "I would recommend you leave this up to the templars," Cullen said, then hesitated before continuing. "But, I will mention, that the two being left for the watch are fairly young recruits, not very skilled in stealth or tracking."
Hawke looked at Cullen curiously. He obviously knew she would not stand by while her sister was missing. Was he… helping her?
"Goodnight, Champion," Cullen said, leaving. After a few moments they heard the front door open and close as the group of templars left.
"Bodahn," Hawke called as she strode back to the front room and the desk placed there.
"Y-yes, Messere?" Bodahn asked, scrambling after her.
Hawke pulled the cork from a bottle of ink. "I need you to deliver these messages immediately." She grabbed a stack of blank parchment and a quill. "You'll have to use the Darktown passage in the basement, but I'll be with you until we reach Lowtown," she said, referring to the secret entrance she and Bethany had used long ago to break into the mansion and find Grandfather's will. She scratched a message quickly on the page, setting it aside to dry as she scratched the same message on the next sheet.
"If I may ask, Messere, what are the messages for?"
"If I'm going to find Bethany I'll need my friends' help," Hawke replied, continuing writing.
Bodahn nodded in approval, "Of course, Messere. I'll just properly dressed then." He had noticed his shirt was on backwards. He left quickly, heading for his own quarters.
Hawke finished her messages and headed for the stairs leading to her quarters. Another knock, this one quieter, stopped her. She hesitated a moment, wondering what more the night could bring.
She opened the door slightly to find a boy of perhaps 12 or 13. "Can I come in, miss? Got a message for ya," the boy said eagerly. Seeing the folded paper in his hand, she opened the door more and indicated for him to enter.
"You've got templars watchin' ya, miss," said the boy as Hawke closed the door. "Not very smart ones, though. I threw a rock in the alley, and they almost tripped over their swords runnin' to check it, they did."
Hawke huffed a short laugh at the image. "But why would you do that?" she asked.
The boy wiped a sleeve across his nose. "The man said to make sure no one saw me bring ya the message, Champion, miss. Paid me a whole sovereign he did." With that he held out the folded piece of paper. Her name was written on it in a swirling script.
Hawke stilled, dread settling in her stomach. This couldn't be about anything other than Bethany. She took the message, striding into the front room to read it by the firelight. The boy followed, but Hawke noticed nothing but the paper in her hands.
She broke the wax sealing the paper, noticing no seal had been pressed into it to represent the sender. Another bad sign.
To Marra Hawke, Champion of Kirkwall,
We have not had the pleasure of meeting. I have, however, been enjoying the delightful company of your dear sister, Bethany, this evening. Perhaps you would like to join us, at your earliest convenience, at the Wounded Coast. I believe you are familiar with the old slaver caverns. Your friends are invited as well, though I do hope no templars or city guardsmen will interrupt us. Their appearance would certainly turn the gathering sour, especially for your dear sister. I'm sure I will see you soon, and look forward to introducing myself in person.
There was no signature.
Hawke read it over again, despising the arrogant politeness of the message. She was going to enjoy killing this bastard, whoever it was. This letter proved the kidnapping wasn't about ransom. Someone wanted Hawke herself.
Hawke nearly crumpled the letter, but thought better of it. She set it on her desk, then folded the messages she had written earlier. She added a name to the outside of each, but didn't bother sealing them. She eyed the messenger boy.
"Tell me about the man who paid you. What did he look like? Did he give his name?"
The boy rubbed his sleeve against his nose again. "Uh, he was tall. Had silver armor, and a sword. Didn't say 'is name."
Hawke sighed inwardly at the useless information. "Did you see his face? Did he say anything else?"
The boy's nose crinkled as he thought. "He had a mask and helmet on. Had a weird accent, but he didn't say nothin' but to get the message to you quiet like."
Frustrated, Hawke decided she would get nothing else from the boy. A man in nondescript armor with a sword and accent was little to go on.
"You know how to get around Hightown?"
"You bet, miss," the boy answered, nodding vigorously.
"Good," Hawke responded, holding out the three messages. She would pick up the rest of her companions herself. "Get these delivered before dawn, and I'll pay you two sovereigns, alright?"
The boy's eyes grew round at the prospect of that much money. "A'course, miss. But, uh, them templars outside…"
Hawke thought a moment. The boy could likely give the inexperienced templars the slip, as most of the urchins were quite resourceful. But if they saw him leave her home after not seeing anyone enter, they would likely come knocking and asking questions. "I have a secret exit. Wait here a moment," Hawke responded, already sprinting up the stairs to her quarters.
When she returned moments later in full gear and armed, Bodahn had joined the boy.
"Change of plans, Bodahn. I need you to watch the house until I return. Try to keep the templars out. It's better they not know I'm gone, but don't get hurt doing it. And when the boy comes back, give him two sovereigns," Hawke explained. Bodahn agreed, but was unable to hide his concern.
Hawke turned toward the hallway to make for the basement. She stopped, seeing Orana, Sandal, and Leo standing just inside the doorway. She had been thinking only of Bethany, but now paused. She was about to head into a trap. She should take a moment, in case things did not go as planned.
She stepped forward, taking Orana's hands in hers. "Orana. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. You were always kind with my Mama and I've always enjoyed your tea the best."
"Th..thank you, Messere Hawke," Orana stammered. "I really just add honey. Sometimes lemon."
Hawke gave the girl a half-smile, patting her hands. She moved to Sandal, crouching to be closer to eye level with him. "Thank you for all the great enchanting, Sandal."
"I like enchantment!" Sandal said enthusiastically.
Hawke smiled again. She glanced at Leo, the mabari standing contentedly next to Sandal. She looked back to the dwarf. "Would you mind keeping an eye on Leo for me, Sandal?"
"Doggy!" was Sandal's ecstatic reply.
Leo seemed to understand Hawke meant to leave without him. He whined and nudged Hawke's hand. "Good boy," Hawke said, scratching behind the mabari's ears. "You keep an eye on Sandal, alright? Keep everyone safe," she said seriously, looking into the mabari's eyes. Leo's ears swiveled, then he sat dutifully next to Sandal.
Hawke stood, sighing as she turned to speak with Bodahn.
"You don't need to say anything, Messere," Bodahn said quickly. "I've enjoyed my time here, and I do appreciate you watching out for my boy and me. We'll take good care of the estate while you're gone."
Hawke smiled, thinking of what a good man the dwarf was. He looked anxious, but was doing his best to sound confident for all their sakes. Hawke placed a hand on his shoulder, nodding once. She hesitated again, looking past him at the fireplace. Her eyes flickered back to him, gaze serious and voice low. "If I'm not back in a week, you know where to find the… relevant paperwork."
"Now Messere," Bodahn started, trying to wave off Hawke's grim words.
"One week, Bodahn. At most," Hawke insisted, holding up one finger.
"As you say, Messere Hawke," he replied with a sigh. "Luck go with you."
Hawke nodded once and turned on her heel. She motioned for the messenger boy to follow her as she marched down the hall toward the basement entrance. On the way, Hawke described to the boy where to deliver the messages. To Aveline at the guardsmen headquarters, Sebastian at the Chantry, and Fenris at his mansion. She herself would pick up Anders and Merrill on the way to the Hanged Man, where she was sure to find Isabela and Varric. After moving storage crates and a false wall Hawke and the messenger descended into Darktown.