A/N: I like to thank my lovely beta the miss *mumble mumble* whose name eludes me...due to superstition of holding onto her for getting this chapter out ; ;

The sound of creaking wood echoed in the alley as the moon rose higher. Rats scurried in a packs after a hopeless tomcat who wandered into their territory and the smell of stale ale permeated the air. It was thankfully cooler tonight, allowing everyone to relax after the latest heatwave in Kirkwall, but not everyone was thankful for the respite.

Anso sat on a crate rubbing his hands together anxiously while looking at the ground like a sullen child. There was safety in the ground. It brought to mind the vast tunnels of Orzammar, heated all year long by the magma flowing beneath them, and the ever present scent of iron ore and lyrium sparks. He even missed his mother's prattle about keeping up a good image for the family and their house. What Anso wouldn't give to have his mother appear in front of him, berate him like some common duster, and pull him back to Orzammar. At least there he could feel sane, and be somewhat safe, if he fell in line like the other merchants. Sadly, Kirkwall was no welcoming place to call home for a dwarf like him.

Here the streets were filled to the brim with humans that dealt in various occupations and most possessed a distinct uneasiness, bordering on distrust, of all things magical, particularly mages. Anso tried asking about that once, but that earned him nothing more than an earful and three hours of his life wasted to a Chantry lecture. He wished he was back Orzammar; surrounded by the stone and not gawked by the tall people who looked at him funny. People who treated him like an imbecile every time he jolted from a flock of pigeons fluttering near him.

At least dealing with the humans was safer than dealing with the dwarves from the Carta. Casteless men and women, staring at him with their faces marked since birth. They could easily swallow poor Anso whole, akin to a nug hunted by those venomous little things. Those tiny creatures that looked like the surface birds, but featherless and spewing noxious venom.

A curse went off in his head as he realized he couldn't remember their blasted name if his life depended on it. Only a couple months topside and Anso wasalready forgetting the small things about living in Orzammar. Next thing he knew he would forgot what his mother looked like, though she would kill him for thinking such a thing, or all the Paragons he grew up learning. Surely this night couldn't get any worse than his memory.

"Are you Anso? I was told to contact you for furth-."

"Ahhh, sweet mother of Partha! You shouldn't sneak up on someone like that." For a moment Anso was glad his memory wasn't flailing him entirely as he eyed the woman with the impossibly large and furry four legged beast standing at her side. "Are you the one looking for work? You seem rather tall to be Varric."

A deep chuckle from behind the tall woman, caught his attention, as a rather scandalous dwarf emerged. "I have to say it's not everyday I get confused for a pair of sexy legs, but that would insult Bianca."

"Oh, I think Bianca would like the change of pace from a new perspective." An eager purr from the barely dressed woman with them caught Anso's attention.

"Isabela. Please." It seemed this woman with the beast was in charge, or at least trying to keep them down at Anso, "Just tell us what you want done and if its worth the trouble."

Anso runghis hands together out of nervous habit. "Yes, of course. I tend to rabble like a lyrium dealer, which I'm not, when I'm nervous. Especially when I think I might fall into that open sky of yours. Haven't been up here long, but it still scares me worse than darkspawn." Varric laughed at the description of the feeling common to most dwarves upon coming topsideas Isabela commented on how funny it was. "Yes, well, aside from that I need help. Really, really bad. I had a personal shipment coming in and my product...was misplaced."

"Stolen because your porter wanted a cut, you mean." The beast lady interrupted rather curtly as her beast nuzzled her hip.

"Hawke it's not just stolen when working in this business. It could be misplaced, mistake for another parcel, delayed due to weather, or maybe still under inspection." Varric commented, pouring on the charm.

"Did I even mention the words steal or stolen? Besides the men seemed like reasonable smugglers with smiles and everything. It seemed legit. I just don't want the Templars to become irate if their product was...misplaced."

Hawke pinched the bridge of her nose as she looked at Anso with a death glare. "You want us to smuggle in lyrium for the piss-pot Templars, after it was stolen in front of your nose?"

Varric whistled when he went over the figures in his head. "Maker's breathe, between the Chantry, Carta and the Coterie;you picked a hell of an occupation to start up-top."

"By the Paragons not so loud!"

"I'll be as loud as cats howling in heat if I have a say in this."Hawke's sighed at the dwarf.

"You would probably make the most delectable purrs. Or would that be howls, seeing as you have wolfy here guarding you." Hawke inhaled deeply focusing on ignoring the pirate's comment. "Or better yet, we could make a pretty penny if this dwarf is willing to cut us in on the deal."

Isabela's last comment only angered Hawke further, finally causing her to stomp off in the opposite direction, her mabari trailing after her. Varric chose at that moment to use his short legs to run after her. "Hawke! Wait!"She stopped as he caught up to her, speaking in harsh whispers. Lady remained alert twitching, her tail, as Isabela looked over her knives out of boredom.

Anso became a little more jittery as Hawke became slightly more agitated. He could feel the seconds tick by as if they were hours until the woman, who was suddenly in front of him, thrust out her hand. Anso shrieked and shrunk back thinking he was about to be attacked, but no pain came. Peeking from behind his hands, he saw an open palm ready to shake on it.

"We have a deal so long as you don't let your clients know it was us." Hawke's hand were covered in Anso's two eager fists shaking with glee and reli.

"Oh by the stone, thank you! I can assure you, I will pay you handsomely. The smugglers do business around here. They work out of an abandon hovel in the Alienageand should be there tonight."

Hawke held up her hand, signaling that the conversation was over and heading up the stairs that would lead them to the Alienage. Isabela sauntered behind her, looking far too interested in the woman's backside, as Varric gave a shrug. "I'm terribly sorry for my partner's lack of manners, but they tend to grow them like that in Fereldan."

"She seems more reasonable than the men who took my merchandise. At least she didn't threaten to thrust a fist in my chest and pull out my heart."

"Shameful. The Merchants guild does that to Bartrand on a regular basis, but they buy him dinner and offer promises of profit first." He strolled after his companions, leaving Anso bewildered but smiling.

The trip to the Alienage wasn't much of a long walk if a person didn't mind that it was located in the lowest point of Lowtown and even further in distance to reach from the Docks and Hightown, let alone Darktown. The Alienage was almost a favorite hub with the elves crammed into those tiny houses that could barely hold a family of three. Still, no matter how little the space or dysentery infested the water, Kirkwall imposed a curfew on the Alienage unless you worked the night shift.

Hawke could feel the scowl forming on her face a manifestation of a new anger at these conditions. She was a long way from Denerim but even the Alienage there seemed more pleasant when you considered that they had houses for respectably sized family unit. However, in Kirkwall it seemed as if the elves were packed in like animals waiting for the slaughter.

"Hawke, you okay there sweet thing? You seemed lost at sea for a moment. Anything interesting you'd like to share?" Isabela moved from the shadows eying the area.

"Nothing so far. Everyone is inside for curfew and not one door has opened even a bit for a peek outside."

"Really now? Even a lookout has to be alert for any signs of a trouble on the horizon. Unless of course they are inside waiting for us." Hawke grunted at the remark pulling out a dagger. "Ah,the lovely magical murder-dagger has made an appearance; you smell a trap as well. Glad to know I wasn't the only one to gather that from the conversation with Anso."

"Oh, please. Anso couldn't move a merchant's meeting into a bloodbath if someone built a swimming hole filled with nug blood." Varric sauntered up with Bianca in his arms. "Ladies first, so the arrows wont be aimed at me."

Isabella laughed at the remark, dashing into the hovel as Hawke began casting. After several minutes of combat in excessively tight quarters that required just as much dodging as hitting; Hawke found herself thankful that her lessons with Anders were improving her skills , but she was starting to wish she could ask him on along on these ventures. Although there weren't that many opponents, it was oddly refreshing to finally clear the hovel, reach the chest and check it's contents.

"Nothing." Varric groaned slamming down the top. "I swear I will wring my fingers around the neck of whoever set this up for us."

"Technically, that would be Meeran since he was the first to hear of this job." Hawke mumbled scratching Lady's ear with a somber grin. "Or, you could punish yourself; since you're the idiot to blame for us taking this job."

"I wouldn't mind watching this punishment take place since Varric has those big, powerful hands to wrap around things." Isabela crooned at the image forming in her mind; secretly, or possibly not so secretly, getting aroused at the thought. She opened the door outside only to find the equivalent of an armada of waiting for them. "Shit. I vote we really blame Meeran for this." Hawke didn't bother to respond and simply cast a force spell to whittle down the mercenaries.

"Remember, if we kill them we get their stuff!" Isabela shouted as she ran out the door to launch herself into the foray followed by Hawke, Lady and Varric. The four made an effective team and the square was clear of all enemies in a few minutes.

Isabela immediately proceeded to loot the bodies for any valuables with Hawke in tow . Varric was moving amongst the bodies, trying to salvage what bolts he could. It was during the clean up that another armed hunter came rushing down the stairs, completely red faced and enraged.

"I don't know who you peasants are, but you picked the wrong company to cross. Lieutenant, I want everyone in the clearing now!" Silence filled the air then the sound of armor clanking and a gurgling as the lieutenant stumbled into view leaving a trail of blood behind him like a man barely gurgled out his last breath before falling like a stone.

"Your men are dead." A deep voice rang out catching everyone's attention. A shadowy figure, clad in black armor, walked calmly down the stairs with a rather large sword in hand. "And your trap has failed. I suggest running back to your master while you can."

"I am going no where slave." Those were the man's last words as the mysterious man's hand lit up a moment before he shoved it through the chest armor of the slaver. It was surreal until the wet squelching sound of something normally internal hit the ground.

"I am not a slave." The mystery man turned around to face them stepping into the moonlight. It surprised Hawke to see that he was an elf with the most shockingly white hair and strange tribal tattoos. What was even stranger was the fact he had a giant bastard sword on his back when he killed the other man with his magical gift.

"I apologize. When I commissioned Anso to provide a distraction for the hunters, I had no idea that they'd be so...plentiful." The deep voice emitted from him caught Hawke's attention before he looked over at Varric. "If I had known they would of given you this trouble I would have made other arrangements. I apologize."

This slightly pissed Hawke off moving forward to take over the talk. "Ifs and woulds are pleasant enough, thankfully we managed to eliminate them without suffering any causalities." Hawke looked him in the eye letting business settle into her mind. "I take it you were the one with whom this task originated?"

The elf nodded before kneeling down to pilfer through the heartless hunter's pockets. "Yes, it seems my old master has sent mercenaries to track me down and bring me back to him. It hadn't surprised me since I knew they were on my trail , however I seemed to have under estimated their numbers." He looked over a piece of paper that caught his attention.

"I would be insulted at the thought of being your cannon fodder, but I feel better knowing you are upfront about." Hawke crossed her arms overlooking the corpses taking a closer look at their armor.

"Hawke here is quite forgiving, but I, however, tend to take things a little personally unless I am given the pay I am due. In your case, I would be willing to come to an alternative arrangement guaranteed to satisfy all parties." Isabela purred at the elf with a wink while slowly rubbing her thighs together.

"Careful Rivaini, he might be a real lady killer if he takes your offer." Varric chuckled patting Bianca.

"Oh, it's not like he'd be the first man to rough me up. Not unless he likes to play it rough and hard."

Hawke coughed rather loudly catching their attention as she shook her head at their banter . "If you two are done , I think we are still on the clock tonight. We should be introduced before going into any further negotiations."

"Ah yes, forgive me for my earlier rudeness." The elf focused on Hawke seeming a bit more calm. "My name is Fenris. These men were Imperial bounty hunters seeking to recover a magister's lost property, namely myself."

Varric let out a low whistle as Isabela raised an eyebrow. "Imperial bounty hunters are a dime a dozen, but if they are here that only means Castillon might of dealt with them."

"Unfortunately I have no idea who, or what, this Castillon person is. However, they were trying to lure me into the open. Crude as their methods were, I could not face them alone. Thankfully, Anso chose wisely." Fenris looked around surveying the damage with a frown on his face. " If I may ask: What was in the chest? The one they kept in the house?"

Varric held up his hands in a standoffish manner. "Frankly it had nothing inside, making the chest with more value for hiding a few body parts. Granted, getting rid of this mess won't be easy."

Lady perked her ears up in the air listening for something. With a slight nudge to Hawke's hands it ran towards an alley wagging it's tail in anticipation. Hawke took the sign looking toward Fenris with a stern look. "I'm afraid to cut this short but i we need to leave. Someone alerted the guard and I don't think I can explain to Aveline why a bunch of hired hunters from Tevinter are dirtying the street. Split up."

"Wait, I have further need of your assistance!" Fenris looked at them with a heated gaze as the sound of a whistle blowing in the distance. "Look, I know you have questions, but I must confront the man that sent the hunters before he flees and I cannot do so on my own."

"Perhaps this chat would be better done elsewhere. You know, not here." Varric gestured towards the stairs and back to Hawke who was heading towards the alley.

"Agreed. We need to proceed to the Noble's quarter since he is hiding there like the rat he is." Fenris growled at the thought marching ahead only to be stopped by Hawke.

"Then we had best follow Lady. She knows all the routes to reach Hightown. We can talk on the way."

"Like whats got tall and lanky in such a dark mood. I'm sure you aren't going to start a conversation with that sword of yours." Isabela was busy eying said tool letting the double meaning hang in the air. She still managed to keep staring while avoiding striping up a flight of stairs.

"Danarius, the bastard, wants to strip the flesh from my bones, he has sent so many hunters after me that I have lost count." Fenris spat with a edge of subdued anger as they reached the larger stairwell to Hightown. "And before that, he kept me on a leash like a Qunari mage, a personal pet to mock Qunari custom. So yes, I plan to do more than just talk. I can lead us to where he was staying."

Hawke bristled at the image not only of the man in chains, but the idea of being led like a pet by Qunari standards. She had never seen their magesroaming about the port, but from what she heard they were scarcely a step up from being a Tranquil in the Gallows. She left Isabela and Varric to weasel out any additional information from Fenris while she took up the rear with Lady by her side. Getting to HighTown was easier tonight as not only were the gangs absent, but the incident in the Alienage had garnered the attention of most of the guards in the area. Hawke felt guilty at the families being disturbed by the noise of their passing , but they were on a time limit to catch this Danarius off guard. After crossing the Hightown merchant's square and walking up the stairs that led them to near the Chantry, they walked up another flight in front of a mansion that emitted an eerie and malevolent presence.

Fenris stopped to look over the building before turning back to the group. "It is most likely that no one else has left the mansion after the main detachment was sent. There will be more hunters here."

"How you so sure elf? Seems like a decrepit place to me." Varric gave the door a once over tutting at its locks. "Besides nothing to worry over about a Magister being all lonely. Sure he has some demons to keep him company."

"If he were in Tevinter it would be yet another night of pleasure for a powerful man with no conscience. But here he is in a city where he would most likely made tranquil by the Templars for indulging in his preferred form of entertainment. He will have more guards with him. As cannon fodder if nothing else.." Fenris growled out feeling antsy.

Hawke shivered again at the casual tone he spewed his hatred at the man before pulling out her dagger. "We shouldn't wait any longer than need be."

"Yes, let us go." Fenris seemed elated as they quietly entered through the servant's entrance for their attack. However, someone else had certain other ideas. "Danarius! Come out and face me!"

At that moment it became clear that stealth was no longer a concern for the elf as shades erupted from the floor as they made their way through the derelict mansion. Hawke cursed up a storm while putting her dagger away and letting loose her magic. Gravity began to fluctuate around their foes making it easier for Lady tackle the abominations that sprouted from the floor. Varric hummed a special melody, whenever battle became a frenzy letting loose, exploding bolts on the shades. Isabela was having a grand time testing her blades on demons laughing about how they were still fighting with a missing limb. It was Fenris who surprised her the most, by wielding his weapon with such great ease. Demons fell before him like leaves from a tree as he glowingly dashed from one enemy to the next, like a vengeful ghost. He was disturbingly calm as he killed, seemingly not bothered by the ichor coating him

As the last demon fell the group caught their breathes and surveyed the damage done to the mansion. Hawke went into her usual routine of checking on wounds as Fenris slipped outside. She raised an eyebrow while Varric grimaced about theirpotential coin purse running away. It was minutes later when they exited that they found Fenris leaning against the stone columns near the front door.

"I escaped a land of dark magic only to have it haunt me at every turn. It is a plague burned into my flesh and soul." He turned to face them, eying Hawke especially. "And now I find myself in the company of even more mages."

"Well now Broody, Hawke doesn't wear the robes or hold a staff that screams 'magic'. Last I checked she was doing hand gestures to confuse the enemy. Weren't you sparkles?"

"I saw her casting spells inside." Turning to Hawke, "I should of realized sooner what you really were. A viper harbored in their midst who will attack when it is least expected. It's in the nature of all mages."

Hawke felt like pinching her nose at the remark and opened her mouth to speak. Isabela cut in to speak her mind. "Hey now, Handsome isn't just some viper waiting to strike. She's our little prude and manly dressed mage that heals me up for another night on the town." Hawke felt a small urge to deck Isabela.

"I'm not blind that magic has its uses outside blood magic. Nor to the idea that some mages have good intentions. But even the best-intentioned mage can fall prey to temptation, and then their power is a curse to inflict upon others."

"I'm sure Anders would revel in this discussion more than me." Hawke groaned applying a healing tingle along her spine.

Fenris grimaced a bit as the venom in his eyes slowly abated. "I imagine I appear ungrateful. If so, I apologize, for nothing could be further from the truth." He reached into his pocket to pull out a handful of coins. "Even though I did not find Danarius, I still owe you a debt. Here is all the coin I have, as Anso promised."

Varric had his hands extended out in acceptance, until Hawke reached out first. She grabbed Fenris hands, counting the money, before slowly pushing it back to him. "Keep it and buy some supplies for yourself. I don't feel right taking money from a man with nothing else."

"If you won't take his coin, sweet thing, I have no objection to taking it off his hands." The pirate gave a quick glance down well past his hands.

Fenris looked slightly uneasy as he forced the money back at Hawke. "I can't accept this. I refuse to owe a mage a debt, let alone, feel pity for me because of my situation."

"Just think of it more as a fellow in the same boat as you, working for free." Hawke sighed stepping back.

"I don't think we are in the position to be working Pro Bono with our deadline Hawke." Varric muttered while patting Bianca.

"I wouldn't mind working a little Bono for a bit of elven charity." Isabela eyes drooped to a sultry stare.

"Wench, keep it in your pants until we part ways. I can understand if you find him handsome, but we're working." A chuckle emitted from the elf, in a tone unused to such words. Hawke caught a hint of blush on the tips of his ears before looking back. "Sorry, I tend to get flippant when I'm tired. If you won't accept my warped sense of generosity perhaps you can pay me back with your skill? I'm running an expedition and could use all the help I can get since we are short a sword arm. However, if-"

"Fair enough." She was caught by surprise at how easily he agreed to the idea. "I will be residing here in Danarius' mansion should you have need of me. Should he want it back, he is free to return and claim it."

"That seems like a horrible plan should he ever come. I mean that house had so many holes inside it, twenty men could easily storm it and overwhelm you." Isabela and Varric were smirking at the thought holding in their laughter. "That's not what I meant and I am too tired to deal with your dirty minds any longer tonight. Go away you two."

Varric stopped his antics looking at Hawke. "You sure about that? I can walk you home, back to your wonderful apartment."

Hawke shifted her eyes for a bit leaning towards Lady. "I'm good. Just gonna walk Lady to mark her usual places and I'll head back."

Varric eyed the woman carefully before letting out a sigh. "Alright, I know an argument I can't win when I see one. See ya in the morning, Hawke."

"Aye, night." She replied as the dwarf and pirate walked down the stairs back to the Hanged Man. Hawke watched them leave, smoothing out her pants wearily. Looking up into the pair of green eyes that stared at her. "I take it you have more to say?"

"You seemed to put your friends at ease with that misdirection. You clearly do not have a hovel to return to that requires the presence of another." He narrows his eyes. "What manner of mage are you to hide such a thing?"

Hawke leaned on the wall letting her bravado fade. "In all honesty a mage who is desperately trying to get by in life, but can't because all I can do is heal wounds or move objects. Not really a bread winning or safe job when others can turn you in for a fair amount ofgold."

"Why not use your skills with the mercenary guilds here? I'm sure they would agree to keep a mage safe in exchange for healing." A bark of laughter erupted from her leaving Fenris confused. "I take it you find the idea of working like a common man funny?"

"No, not really. It's just I tried that route and someone wanted more than just my healing in exchange." Her eyes went blank as memories of her 'training' flashed. "Lets just say I be happier working on a farm digging shit, then work for mercenaries again."

They stayed still like that, looking at one another in the courtyard. Fenris eying the woman with all the grace one would expect of a paranoid slave, while Hawke looked like she would break from the demons of her past. Lady made a small whuffing noise and licked her hands to change the mood. With a small sad smile Hawke moved her hands to slowly rub on Lady's ears.

"Sorry for letting my own problems come out. Compared to yours they seem small and I shouldn't complain. I'll see you tomorrow at the Hanged Man."

"You can stay here." Fenris moved towards the entrance to the mansion letting his markings flash as he opened the door. "I meant, you can stay here for the night until you find yourself proper quarters."

"Didn't you mention earlier how I was a viper ready to strike out if given the chance?"

"I did, but I figure if more slavers were to come, an angry half-trained mage would be a good surprise to have waiting for them. Granted I still don't trust you and I am highly wary."

"Good, I was hoping to earn your trust before we left on the expedition. Not like I can do that over night." Fenris nodded leading her back through the mansion with Lady trotting behind them. Hawke followed Fenris up the flight of stairs, ignoring the smell of Rage demon ashes. "Although if you're up for it I could earn it during some training since I'm more accustomed to hand to hand combat than magic."

"We shall see mage. Until then, you can sleep in the guest room for tonight."

Hawke yawned and walked into the room dragging her feet. She sat on the bed removing her boots, and unbuckling her belts. One moment she was getting ready for bed, the next passed out on the dusty mattress.

Fenris narrowed his eyes on the woman. She could be easily killed by leaving herself so open. However, as if reading his mind, Lady raised her head and growled from her spot at the foot of the bed. Fenris moved from the doorway, not the least bit perturbed, before settling himself in the main bedroom. He knew a few hours of sleep were needed to restore his reserves.

However, he stayed up a bit longer, relaxing for the first time.