A usual day in the Keep was mostly the bustling noise of the Nobles filing away tedious paperwork. Or perhaps the familiar clinking sound of chain mail from the city guards stationed around or on break. Or perhaps it was the monotony of seeing cases piled up with nary a sight of being labeled closed. For Aveline, her days spent working as part of the guard were, well, rather dull. She noticed it, plainly by the subtle hate her superiors held for all Fereldans, and only on her second day of training. It was all mostly from Captain Jeven and his insecurities, which Aveline wasn't going to let bother her. As long as she got the job done by the book everything was well in her book.
Except lately there were troubling patterns popping up that poked inside her head for clues. Routes were being changed at the last minute, guardsmen injury was rising at an significant rate, and training was becoming more abysmal at the gear they used. Aveline however, knew a pattern if she ever saw one, but was shortchange by the reasoning behind it. So here she was looking over the board, after a finished shift, mulling over how to solve this little problem. She didn't noticed two bodies milling about standing on the outside of her vision. If it wasn't some servant running an errand it was probably another guardsmen looking at their next time off.
"Aveline, it's good to see you!" Hawke spoke with warmth.
"Hello, Hawke." Aveline mumbled back. She thought how useful it would be to have Hawke at her side to help with this mess. That is, until she took a moment to process that Hawke was indeed right next to her and back. "Oh, Hawke. I'm sorry but I was busy looking over some jobs."
Hawke rolled her eyes hugging Aveline like a child as Lady moved in to nuzzle her leg. "I'll act the same whenever you call for me, but I'm too happy to see you again."
Aveline smiled at the two, thinking how nice it was to be welcomed until she turned her made back to pressing matters. "Well seeing you two means you must of done well for yourself working with the Red Irons. I was glad you stopped working with Athenril. Rumors told how the small fortune you were amassing for her were changing the Darktown dynamics, making it uneasy for everyone. Then again, working for the Red Irons did that for Lowtown with certain merchants bringing in better wares. I might have to keep an extra watch on you."
"Please you say that like it's bad to stir up fun in this dull city." Varric boasted fixing his coat.
Aveline quirked an eyebrow looking at him than back to Hawke, who was scratching Lady's ear. "Well I see you have Varric Tethras accompanying you. I thought you have more common sense than that."
"And why, pray tell, would that be a problem, Guardsmen?"
"Because a month prior you printed up recruitment posters for the Blooming Rose on this board. Which I have to say wasn't the least bit funny for the Seneschal."
Varric put his hands up in the air shrugging as if it were a harmless joke. "I'm just saying the guard needed to spice up their recruitment so they can catch pervs better. Not that I complain if someone Idunna were to handcuff me."
"As much as you like that She most likely throw you into the jail as well if she's being paid to keep the peace. But enough, I don't like to think about guardsmen keeping the peace in beds." Aveline ignored the devious glint in Varrics' eyes before clearing her throat. "It seems you showed up at the right time Hawke. Lately my patrols have become empty walks in the dark, but there's something big coming up and I could use you. There is a possible ambush for a caravan, although I can't find any shipments that match up. Doesn't matter, though. Highwaymen waiting for someone to rob. It's not part of my district, but I'm planning to stop it."
"So, I take it you need my special help to take care of the mess." Hawke eyed Aveline choosing her words.
"I wouldn't ask you unless I wasn't sure on needing your help Hawke. I like to look after my friends and I'm a year in debt for helping you." Aveline looked at her with a stern face but held a soft gaze.
Exhaling out her nose, Hawke looked at the guards woman before nodding her head toward the stairs. "You got yourself a hired hand."
"I knew I could count on you." Aveline smiled before grabbing her gear by her feet. "They're hidden up on Sundermount. Remote and rough, but we can make good time with a shortcut this side."
"So we use Lady to scout ahead, set up a trap and put the boots to their heads?"
The change of fresh air from the keep changed heir surrounding to talk a bit more freely as the nobles eyed them with suspicion. However Aveline ignored them as she exited the keep and replied to her friend. "I'm afraid not so much as how your used to doing this. You're acting on behalf of the guard now so I need you to play by my orders to get it done."
This made Varric chuckle, writing in a notebook, at the conversation. "You know Red I expect this outing to be more fun with your around in case we need someone to scare the bandits shitless. Not that they don't already whenever you are present."
"Hawke, again why do you have this Dwarf following us outside of his boredom to wreck havoc in the Guard?"
"Well, if you are so curious I am officially Hawke's partner, don't look at me that way I'm already taken," A quick rub on Bianca's holster helped. "in the expedition I'm planning with my lovely brother into the Deep Roads."
Aveline stopped in her tracks looking at Hawke with a grim look on her face. She wanted to feel happy that her only friend was given a humble opportunity to earn a name for herself, but doing so by risking the monsters that took her Wesley away. A stony expression emerged on her face. "Well, it be best we talk about this another time in detail when we have the chance, however I like to reach our destination."
Hawke gave a sheepish smile to the guards woman, no doubt giving her some new stress, before focusing on following Varric. The trip to Sundermount was quite different than all the times she spent with the Red Irons. True Owen and Douglas were there to work as a much needed team, but living with them was a different matter. Thankfully, working with Aveline and Varric was much different. It been a solid year since Hawke last fought with the sword woman, but Aveline was still a formidable warrior, an unmoving wall of steel that took the brunt of the attacks.
Varric was helpful as well showing his crossbow wasn't just to look pretty and complicated. In fact all that complication made her a firing machine tearing out eye sockets and firing smoke bombs to hide hi away from danger. Where these two were nice, it still made Hawke feel inadequate in battle since her recent training had her casting spells. Sadly they weren't battle spells to light a fool into ash or freeze up snowmen. No, her powers were best in the field of support, using paralyzing glyphs to even the odds of being out numbered, or pulling the attackers together in hectic pull that left them dizzy.
Hawke would be lying if she wish she could summon a lightening storm to send fear into her foes, but alas she was in the back casting healing and support while Lady joined in the fray. Of course she did feel happy gutting a few unlucky idiots trying to attack the 'defenseless' mage. Of course, it wasn't sad to remind them why her staff had a long reach.
Hawke sent the last of her healing around for everyone after the crank of Bianca took down the last man. It was a little draining that she had to cast the same healing spell repeated on everyone, yet Owen wasn't the best in healing magic, just force magic and the uses you can knock a thug out with only a flick of your wrist.
"It seems we did some good here today. None of these thugs will hurt anyone today." Aveline wiped her blade on a shirt with smile from the finished task.
"You know Aveline some people have this thing called "Fun" whenever they have an off day to themselves." Varric muttered looking over Bianca for scratches.
"In case you have forgotten," Aveline kicked a corpse out the way like it was a ball. "This is my off day."
"You have officially made me scared shitless." Varric deadpanned edging towards Lady to put space between him and Aveline.
Hawke felt like laughing at the scene if she didn't feel like repeating Aveline. She was also on an off day, of sorts, but she was still looking to fill in the chore of being given orders. With a whistle to Lady they began walking back to Kirkwall in relative silence. Of course Varric filled in with stories he had heard, or fabricated most likely, just for the purpose of hearing his own voice.
By the time they reached Lowtown Aveline gave her goodbyes in hopes that her report would give her an extra pay for taking initiative to help the guard. Hawke took this time to follow Varric towards the Hanged man. Lucky for her, the Red Irons stationed here were gone on another job, leaving her free without the usual paranoid stress. Instead she could focus on feeling herself as part of the crowd, filling up with the usual drunks, while Varric lead them to his quarters.
"So, here's the thing we need a way into the Deep Roads that ensures safety at the entrance." Varric paced in front of the fire thinking over the idea while Hawke sat on his table.
"I thought either you or Bartrand would have that covered. What with being Dwarves and all."
"Madame I will let that slide until I find something equally distasteful for you." Hawke shrugged in apology. "My brother knows the way to the Thaig, but not a safe way to reach it. The Deep Roads are rarely crawling with the usual beasties that live down there and usually after a blight is around the right to venture for some extra coin. Fortunately for use, I gained some information of a Grey Warden residing in the city. If anyone knows a way down there it has to be him."
Hawke narrowed her eyes at the mention of 'Grey Warden' thinking back to the Battle of Ostagar and Kali being forcibly taken away at Lothering. For a moment she almost thought how ill humored it be to ask for help one of the people who ruined her life. Still, she had no other resources left to her.
"You seem to have this all planned out"
"And that milady is why I'm here. I also gather information that he came with some Fereldan refugees that came here not long ago. The best way to find him, is a Lowtown woman named Lirene, we talk to her, find him and find our way out closer to being richer."
Somehow, Hawke thought it was never going to be that easy just listening to Varric explain it. However, if things went the slightest bit wrong they could always steal the info out of this warden. They made their way to Lirene's hospice, letting Varric butter her up with sympathy talk, as Hawke tried to ignore the desperate situation her countrymen were in. It seems this Grey Warden wasn't just another Fereldan refugee, but he was also a mage hiding in Darktown healing the sick and his countrymen for free. Sadly, said countrymen outside didn't like the idea that two supposed Kirkwallers might turn in their savior over to the templars. Hawke decided it was a good thing her accent, and not the obvious Mabari, that deterred the fight, but also allowed them an escort to the healer's clinic.
It was like any other shanty hovel in Darktown that had the lingering smell of decay and desperation mixed into the air. It was clear as day the difference in safety for the residents were much less appealing than Lowtown, but it was also noticeable that the Grey Warden's clinic was the safest place. The men gave pardons for being rude to Hawke, on account of Lady eying them like annoying rats, as they entered the clinic. Suffice to say the Warden was hunched over a young boy lying deathly still on a cot while his parents stood by in tears. He seemed to work his magic, without disregard for them calling him a Maleficar or some other nonsense for his powers. Instead they gave him gratitude and small parcel of food.
Varric knew he could feel that familiar itch in his palms that there was a story to be written just watching the healer at work as he moved in closer. However, this caused the Healer to go from tired to alert as he branded his staff.
"Halt! I have made this place a sanctum of healing and salvation. Why do you threaten it?" He bellowed fingers lighting up with energy.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! We just got hear after being escorted by your fan club, only after they threaten to gut us." Varric explained ignoring his initial reaction to unlock Bianca.
"We're just here to talk and not cause you any trouble." Hawke hoped this would ease the tensions before Varric spoke again.
"Me and my partner here we interested in getting into the Deep Roads and rumor has it you were a Warden. So connecting the dots, we were hoping if you knew of a safe way."
"Did the Wardens send you to bring me back?" Anders suddenly looked forlorn on the subject. "I'm not going back. Those bastards made me get rid of my cat. Poor Ser Pounce-a-lot. He hated the Deep Roads terribly."
"I'm going to regret asking this, but you brought a cat into the Deep Roads?" Hawked asked in disbelief.
"He was a gift, a noble beast. Almost got ripped by a genlock once. He swatted the bugger on the nose. Drew blood, too. However, a certain blighted Warden said he was 'making me too soft.' I had to give him to a friend in Amaranthine before I left for good."
"Well I heard joining the Grey Wardens was permanent like my relationship to Bartrand."
This earned a scoff from the healer as he sat down on the cot. "The 'hopelessly tainted by the darkspawn' and 'plagued by nightmares about the Archdemon' parts don't go away. But it turns out if you hide well, you don't have to wear the uniform or go to the parties."
"Despite you abandoning the Wardens, you still have information that would be helpful to us. Any information yo have could save people's lives on this trip." Hawke looked at him giving her best calm features to not scare him.
The healer on the other hand showed a small smile before frowning his eyes. When he looked up he made eye connect with Hawke. "I would die a happy man if I didn't have to set foot back into the Deep roads. You can't even imagine what I've come through to get here. However, if you were willing to help me in exchange. You help me, Ill help you."
Hawke felt the tension in the nape of her neck raise hoping he wasn't going to ask for something underhanded. "Let's be more specific. I don't do anything involving children, animals or anything degrading."
"I originally came to Kirkwall to aid a friend. A mage who was transferred only to become a prisoner in the wretched Gallows. The Templars learned of my plans to free him, so I will need your help to bring him safety outside the city. Help me hide him from their eyes and you shall have your maps."
Hawke remained silent as she narrow her eyes. "Your practically asking us to make the Templars have us on their most wanted list."
"I'm not asking you to kill any should they decide to take you to the Gallows as well. If we fight any Templars, it is because they decide anyone who befriends a mage deserves death without questioning."
"Well, no harm will come to me since I can just bribe them with tells of lyrium dust." Varric joked as he patted Bianca.
"Joke as you may, these are my terms. If you want aid with your expedition, meet me in the chantry tonight. I have sent word to Karl-"
"Hold on a damn minute!" Hawke shouted scaring some of the patients. "You basically were going to go, either way, to save your friend, yet you think maybe you could of let us known ahead of time you already contacted him and meeting him in the most Templars infested area?"
"I don't see how it matters since you need my maps. We will meet outside after hours and maker willing, we will all leave free men." The healer stood his ground letting the words sink in.
Hawke held in her anger before shaking hands with the man wishing to rip it off. "I guess we have a deal mister.."
"Anders." He said before going to help another patient. "Its just Anders."
"I'm Hawke and this is Varric." She said before leaving with Lady at her side.
Varric took this as a sign to say his goodbyes before catching up with the woman. Last thing he needed was a repeat event of carrying her through Darktown to safety.
Aveline was pacing in Varric's suite as she went over the events from the Keep. It seems she was right about the Captain somehow in on the attack, since he berated her out of his office on temporary leave. Never mind the fact that Brenner came up to her giving details about how it was her shift that was suppose to carry the parcel that was in question. Now that hands were changed and the patrol rerouted, this left a decent guard in trouble during the early morning shift to act as bait. Aveline knew her chances were best with Hawke helping her get the evidence she needed to solve this. Luckily for her Hawke entered along with Varric looking glum as usual.
"Hello Hawke. I thought I update you on what happened with the outcome of our little sortie that might require your help again."
Hawke grumbled as she sat in a chair. "Only if you hear what sort of job I have tonight and what it details."
Aveline felt a little on edge thinking her backup was going to be complicated. "Well only if it isn't too late since I need your help protecting a guardsmen from the latest ambush."
Varric took that moment making a grand entrance into his favorite chair. "Red, I hate to say it, but you just given me the best idea to hit two nugs with one bolt." Aveline gave a quizzical look along with Hawke. "Ladies how familiar are you with the term Alibi?"
a/n:Finals are over! Still going to have to fight my brain to write up these chapters, which might take a hit in the creative department. I'm trying to make quality short chapters over quantity long chapters, but I dunno if anyone would care. Read and review as usual for anyone still reading this.