Penelope's P.O.V
It's been a day. One whole day since ship left the dock. Where is she? This is not like my sister. She should have been here hours ago. Ryoko is not one to keep others worried. She's precise in everything she does. The plan was for me to leave the ship when it docked at Kirkwall and after an hour it left, I was to meet Ryoko at the shore. She wasn't there. I can't think of the worst, I can't. The thought of my little sister being gone is too much to bear.
I don't have time to fret for baby Kai is fussing in his make shift crib. A sad smile plays across my lips as I hush him with gentle kisses. Kai falls asleep in my arms so I place him back in his tiny bed. I leave him after I'm sure he's sound asleep.
I stand in front of the fire pit stove that serves as my new kitchen. I can't tell if it's the cold or my worries that make me shiver. My eyes scan my little home. It's a shame that Ryoko's hard, earned coin and my life savings are only able to buy this two bedroom in Lowtown. It's dusty, old, and smells like hay, but it's ours. My and Kai's room is on the left of the main room that serves as the kitchen and living area. Ryoko's room is on the right with a made bed waiting for her. Her bag sits at the foot of the bed. It's her stuff that will be unpacked when she gets home. She will unpack for I will find her as soon as I feed Kai. He's up again and crying. I really wish my sister was here, she could always sing the baby to sleep.
Another day passes. Two days now. I'm not going to wait any longer. I'm going to send a search party. I would go myself if I didn't have to worry about Kai. In the Old City Slums of Lowtown, I begin asking for anyone who is willing to help. The only people who respond are only interested in how much I'll be paying for my search and rescue mission. I guess it's not enough to adventure to the Wounded Coast looking for one international fugitive to be brought safely home into Lowtown. It's when I'm studying a necklace that reminds me of Ryoko's eyes that I over hear of a former smuggler's dog looking for fool errands.
"His name is Hawke." I nearly jump back. The trinket monger hasn't spoken to me the entire time I've been at her booth.
"What are you talking about?" I place the necklace down. The trinket monger nods her head over to the discussion of the smuggling Ferelden.
"The word is that you're looking for some adventurers to find somebody. Hawke has been doing all sorts of odd jobs for some Deep Roads expedition."
"Would he really help? Just like that?" I can't believe this. I'm going to leave in a minute.
"He comes here all the time. I'll tell him that you have a job for him." She sees my disbelief and adds, "Or you can go to him. He lives passed the Hanged Man, take a left and his uncle's house is the first on your right."
"Thank you. I'll be sure to check into it." I make my leave and run as fast as I can once I'm no longer in her sight. Kai begins to fuss from all the jostling around my running causes to the baby carrier. It's not long till I find the house.
I take a moment to fix my hair and ease my breathing. With one last tug on my shirt, I walk up the stairs and knock on the door. A worm-like man greets me.
"What? What do you want? You here to sell something?" His eyes inspect me and settle on Kai. I assume this must be Hawke's uncle Gamlen.
"No Ser, I'm not here to sell anything. In fact, I'm here to find someone. I'm Penelope Black and I'm here to speak with Ser Hawke, if he's home." Kai begins to coo and I caress his little head, which causes Gamlen's eye to light up.
"Ah, I see. Hawke has him some lady baby trouble. Not so perfect, now is he? Leandra, come here! I have here someone that has a special interest with your son!" He motions me in and closes the door behind me. Why do all Ferelden homes smell like dog?
A gray haired woman walks into the room with another; young woman wearing a red scarf trails behind her. A staff leans against the wall next to a writing desk. Below that, I see a large dog sleeping on the floor, near a desk. This explains the dog smell.
"Is this what I think? Are you here because your babe is my son's son?" The woman with gray hair, Leandra, looks tearful as if she can't take any more unexpected news. I feel guilty before I can even introduce myself properly.
"Oh, no! No, that's not why I'm here. This is my son, Kai. His father lives back in my home nation. I'm here to inquire about a business deal with Ser Hawke. I'm in great need of a favor with little coin or time to spare." I pause for breath and continue. "My sister has been missing for two days and I have reason to believe that she's somewhere along the Wounded Coast. Please, my sister is all the family I have left."
I fight back tears as the thought of living here alone creeps into my mind once again. The brunette girl speaks first. "Maybe you should sit down and we can all start over." She smiles and I feel calm all of a sudden. "I'm Bethany Hawke and this is my mother and uncle. My brother, Hawke should be home any minute now, that is if he's not busy drinking with Isabella or Varric at the Hanged Man."
"My children will find your sister. We understand the importance of family and staying together." Leandra says. "Gamlen, can you make some tea please?"
As we wait for Hawke to arrive, I give as much detail I can about where Ryoko can be without risking her safety after her rescue. Kai doesn't mind the wait. He loves the attention he's getting from Leandra and Bethany. The dog, Riley, was blowing his breath into Kai's face causing him to giggle when Hawke came home.
Hawke is one attractive man, let me say. His hair appears to be the same color and texture as his sister's, but his eyes were a sharp, fierce blue. He was setting down a great sword; next to the mage's staff (maybe Bethany's?) before he embraced his mother.
"So I'm gone for an hour longer than expected and already, there is a new man to replace me." Hawke's smile reaches his eye as he asks to hold Kai. I nodded yes and Kai is tugging on Hawke's trim beard. Bethany introduces us and convinces him to search for my sister.
"I don't have much coin as a reward, but I will have plenty of gratitude if you can complete this service for me, Ser Hawke."
"Anything for a beautiful woman and I will on one condition."
"Anything."
He raises an eyebrow and smirks. "Ser Hawke was my father. I'm just Hawke."
"I think it's best if we go first thing in the morning, brother. It's too dark to start a search now." Hawke nods in agreement towards his sister and sits on the floor, playing with Riley.
"After dinner I'm going to make rounds, so the others know the plans for tomorrow. Besides Bethany, I definitely want to take Anders in case your sister needs healing. Isabella will know the waters best and Fenris will make good back up, just in case. Aveline can go with Merril, Varric and Sebastian as a second search patrol."
Hawke went on talking strategy and routes with his sister. Leandra had served some stew that was decent on my empty belly. I just nodded my head, listening to their conversations. I was probably smiling like a loon as I talked to my son. "Auntie is coming back to us, Kai." It was enough to put a toothless smile on his face as well.