Casus Belli - Sequel Teaser
Dead templars, mages, and abominations littered the streets as Marian Hawke hurried to Hightown with Bethany and Anders at her side. The night was waning and the city guard rushed to find order around them. Kirkwall had become proficient at barricading itself. People knew well enough to cringe inside their homes - the qunari invasion had taught them that. Smouldering debris littered the market streets and a fuchsia haze hung in the sky where the chantry once stood.
Finally opening the front door of her estate, Hawke was nearly bowled over by her mabari, whose defensive growl faded into a series of plaintive barks.
"Good boy, your grace," Hawke said, laying a hand on his head.
"I missed you too," Bethany said as she collapsed into a chair, the licks and nuzzles from the massive hound lightening her expression momentarily. She laid the dragon-headed staff against the mantle.
"M'lady, where have you been?" Bodahn roused with a lamp in hand from where he had sat on watch by the fire. "Sandal and Orana have retired, but I couldn't rest knowing you were out there. With what happened to the chantry..."
Hawke exchanged a glance with Anders. "We're alive. Thank you, Bodahn."
"I - I'll gather things we need," Anders replied, averting his gaze. He disappeared upstairs.
Bethany threw her arms around the mabari as he put his paws up on the chair, squeezing tight as she shuddered and bit her lip.
"Miss Bethany... you're here, not in - there were templars in the street." Bodahn 's brow furrowed as he ran a hand down his beard. "Your mabari protected us again."
"That's his job," Hawke chuckled, and moved past them to open one of the chests by the fire and pull out a map, bow and a satchel with her flasks and other nefarious tools. The mabari whimpered behind her, laying his head on Bethany's shoulder as she choked on a sob. Hesitating, Hawke snagged a bottle from the table, pulled the cork out and took a glug. "But I'm afraid he won't be able to protect you anymore. He's coming with us."
"Will you be gone long, messere?"
"You could say that," Hawke said under her breath, taking another sip. She corked the bottle and tossed it onto the table. On second thought, she took it up and drank again. "We need to flee the city. You won't see us again after tonight."
Bodahn shook his head and took a step towards her. " Surely things cannot be so grim. Stop and think this through, messere!"
Hawke chuckled and hit open a concealed panel on her desk to retrieve the pouch of gold within. "Something tells me that's probably not the best idea. I find that limiting how much I actually think is the best practise."
"What has happened?" Bodahn asked, frowning.
Anders entered the foyer, dropping the packs he'd collected and disappearing into the library. Leaning on her hands, Hawke hung her head. "It's best if you don't know. They will come looking for us, and I'd rather you not suffer because of my actions."
"Milady..."
"Perhaps you and Sandal will end up in the court of Empress Celine sooner than later. You were planning on leaving within the year, yes?"
"We were," he said, dropping his hands as he watched her continue to gather things.
"Sooner than later," Hawke repeated and put a hand on his shoulder. She produced a number of coins from her purse. "Your debt to me is paid, Bodahn. It was paid long ago. Please tell Orana she is free to stay here, and that she has served me well."
"Messere, you must tell her. She will go to pieces - she is most faithful to you as a servant," Bodahn protested.
"I know," Hawke said, closing her eyes as she strode across the room to follow Anders into the library. "But there is no time. We all need to walk on our own two feet eventually. Or like myself, run."
Check out the rest of the story in Casus Belli, sequel to Anathema's Anchor - and find out what happens to Hawke/Anders and the rest in the aftermath of DA2!