A fortnight passed before the ship docked at the Free Marches. Triss strode up the steps to her captain, whom was piloting. Fenris was at her heels, weary from the trip, and cautious of hunters. The captain caught a glance of the two before taking his hands from the wheel. Triss wiped her brow and flashed a cheeky smile.
"Good evening, Captain William." She greeted. The captain returned the girl's smile and nodded towards Fenris.
"Evening, Triss. Your friend must be the one causing all the fuss." The Captain William chuckled. Fenris said nothing. "What's your name?" William asked the elf. Fenris stared momentarily before being nudged by Triss.
"Fenris." He replied, casting an annoyed glance at Triss. The two had grown on each other more that they should've during four days. Perhaps it was because they endured similar pasts? The captain noticed this, and smiled warmly.
"Well Fenris, I must thank you for accompanying my dear friend. She was so lonely." William jest. Triss stuck her tongue at him and tossed a lemon.
"Will, you had something for our dear friend here." Triss reminded. William chuckled and dug deep into the pack at his side, retrieving a small but significant amulet by its silver chain. Fenris gently took it in his hand.
"What is this?" He asked, staring at the fine, undamaged gem.
"A gift from a friend. Consider is a token of promise." William smiled.
"A promise for what?" Fenris asked, the moonstone glinting in the sun.
"A promise that you always remain hidden." Triss shrugged, a silly smirk on her face. Fenris stared meticulously for a moment. Triss rolled her dark eyes and took the necklace, tossing around on the boy's neck. "Now get going." The little woman smiled. Fenris started off, stepping onto port. He turned back to the ship that began sailing away. Triss leaned over the side at the last moment and mouthed the words 'May Shadows hide you, friend!'
William turned to look back at Triss, who was turning away from the port. She looked to her friend with a smile.
"I'm going to miss him." She stepped up to the Captain's side, a hand on the wheel. William chuckled.
"It's rare indeed when we get ones like that." William nudged the little woman lightly. "Do you have a photo?"
"I do. Isn't it gorgeous?" She retrieved a parchment from her pocket and showed the larger man. He smiled.
"It is indeed! I am forever appalled by your skills." He chuckled. Triss stared at it for a while.
"I'll put this with the others and tend to the 'cargo' downstairs." She began walking away. William nodded and continued on sailing his ship.
A Period of Three Years Drags Her By the Ears.
Triss sat at a table, silver tipped quill in hand. She wrote rapidly in a little book. Her long crimson hair was pulled up into a bun as to not get in the way of her duties. Another year of sailing back and forth through Thedas was not sitting well with her. She missed being able to walk for miles on end, slicing and dicing with her unique blades; to be able to walk through towns and cities, with the occasional debauchery. All that had been taken from her now. There was no way she'd ever get that back. Not her fellows, not her adventures.
A loud crash from the deck caught her attention. She snapped the book shut and shoved it into her blouse pocket. Triss practically flew up deck to see the dark skies and flying reds. Her eyes widened with disbelief as she shoved the elves into boats, making her way to William. The Captain was manning the cannons, fighting off the attackers.
"Will!" Triss called out. He turned for a second at her call.
"Triss, get out of here!" He commanded. Triss shook her head violently, reaching for the knives in her bootleg.
"We'll fight them off!" She demanded. Will grabbed her arm forcefully, throwing her to the edge of the ship.
"We are going to fall! There is nothing we can do." He frowned. Triss took a step back, avoiding the stampedes of slaves.
"You must come too!" Triss protested. William drew his sabre, an all too familiar sign to Triss's memory. She held back a sob and turned, leaping over the edge and falling into the sea.
What Our Lady Lachesis Deems End, Atropos Will Make It So.
Fenris sat quietly in his new mansion, staring over the walls and flooring. It was a filthy place. Hawke and Bethany had attempted to come over and clean earlier that day, but they ended up at the Hanged Man. He'd heard from Isabella that a ship full of cargo had been shot down by Qunari ships. He recognized the description to be the same one that'd helped him escape. He frowned at this as the others played a round of Wicked Grace before bed.
It was almost dawn now. Fenris hadn't any more time to be saddened by the deaths of those he didn't know. Denarius was still after him. Until the Magister lie dead, Fenris could not be distracted. Hawke would meet with them later about a few jobs he'd managed to scrounge up. He stood, taking his great sword in hand, and headed out towards the Keep to meet with Aveline. While he waited, he might as well try to pry some information out of her.