Chapter 11: The Brothers' Women

Two more darkspawn broods tried to attack Hawke and his companions, and each time the creatures had been put down. Darkspawn corpses littered the entryway of the room where Hawke and the others had taken shelter. Once the fighting was over, they dragged the dead from the room; they piled the darkspawn dead before the entrance.

Once there, Merrill set them all ablaze. The pyre stank, but it seemed to discourage any further darkspawn attacks, at least for the night.

The group was finally able to set up camp.

Lin had been prepared to take the first watch, but Isabela beat the elf to it. The pirate queen's decision surprised Hawke. He had hoped to have a chance to talk with her; the distance that had grown between them since Carver had come back had only seemed to grow over the last few days. Isabela swore to him that there was nothing wrong, and yet, she still would not speak with him about this.

He was surprised to admit it, but that…that…

That hurt.

Hawke settled down near the fire, close to where Varric was, the dwarf gave him a look, "the what's up with Rivaini look,"

Sadly, Hawke did not have an answer to that question.

He just wished that Isabela would talk to him.

One by one they settled down to rest. Merrill and Fenris both seemed very agitated, not that Hawke could blame them, this place did not inspire confidence, knowing that so many wardens had died here, it was not the type of place that Hawke would try to rest.

Varric had dozed off the fastest of them, after their little adventure in the deep roads, not to mention years of navigating the dwarven merchant's guild, very little shocked the dwarf anymore.

Of all of their companions, only the wardens did not seem bothered by what they had faced so far. Lin remained very stoic, and cold under the pressure. She still did not like their chances of getting out of this place alive.

Carver and Arika, well…Carver and Arika had their own ways to distract themselves.

The two wardens snuggled together under Carver's cloak. Carver tickled the reaver girl making her laugh. She responded by kissing her lover's neck. Carver groaned, enjoying her attention.

Finally, the two pulled the cloak completely over themselves, seeking a little private time in the darkness.

Garrett his best to ignore them, at least one of the Hawke brothers was getting a little affection tonight.

His eyes fell on Isabela; the pirate queen did not even look his way, so focused on keeping an eye out for the monster that still survived down here.

Hawke felt a surge of longing for her.

He knew that he shouldn't, the two of them were not exclusive after all. Isabela had always enjoyed her freedom, and he gave it to her.

He had no intention of turning into some over protective bastard. He and Isabela had fun that was all it was.

Though he had wondered more and more lately, if he did not want more, he could not help but wonder if Isabela would want more…

If he offered it to her?

Not that they had time for that kind of thing right now. They were all still in terrible danger, when this was over…maybe then…then there would be time to talk.

He rolled over trying not to think of her, he needed to get some rest.

They had a big day coming up tomorrow.

IOI

Isabela pretended to ignore Hawke; she pretended that she was not worried about how they were going to get out of here, and what would happen if these bastards hurt Hawke in anyway.

The pirate queen's eyes narrowed.

If any of these darkspawn hurt Garrett, she would teach them an entirely new definition of pain.

Of that …she was certain.

Isabela shook her head.

What in the name of Andraste's tits was she doing here?

Never before had she put herself in such danger, certainly not for any of the men or women she had ever slept with.

What made Hawke so different?

Why did she feel like she had to be here?

Why could she simply not just pack up and leave Kirkwall?

She was afraid of the answers.

The noises of the camp grew quiet as her companions began to drift off to sleep. That warden Lin promised to relieve her in two hours, and then it would be her turn to sleep.

Not that she would be getting much sleep tonight.

The pirate queen shivered, Anders had told her what the darkspawn did to the women they captured, the ones who were unlucky enough to survive a darkspawn attack.

Giant bloated monsters covered with teats and tentacles, monsters that birthed legions of darkspawn.

Broodmothers.

Isabela did not care what happened, if those monsters got a hold of her, if they infected her with their taint. She would happily slit her own throat.

She had no desire to be turned into one of those things.

She would rather be dead.

This of course went back to her original question.

What in the name of Andraste's tits was she doing here?

It could not be because of Hawke, they…they were not that close.

They could not be that close!

Of course it was a little late for self-recrimination now; she was stuck down here with the others.

She just had to stay strong and hope that Hawke could find them a way out of this mess.

Carver groaned in his sleep, his pretty little reaver slipped out of his arms. She kissed him softly on the lips, quieting him. Pulling up her leggings, the girl rose and started for the entrance.

Right where Isabela was keeping watch.

Lovely, she thought, I wonder what Carver's little love barbarian wants.

Arika regarded her with that cold stare of hers, it was likely very intimidating to the various thugs and darkspawn she encountered.

To Isabela, who had fought some of the biggest, baddest bruisers in Llomerryn it was just a little girl glaring at her.

"May I join you?' The reaver girl asked.

"Sure sweet thing," Isabela purred, "It is a free prison after all."

The reaver did not get the joke, so she said nothing; she took up position near the pirate and helped stand watch.

Isabela was still not sure what to make of the girl. She was strong, skilled, and vicious. Why she had decided to bind herself to someone like Carver was beyond her.

The boy must be better in bed then she would have thought.

Of course, he was Garrett's brother; she supposed that those skills of his might just be hereditary.

If they were, maybe she could understand why the girl stayed with Carver.

She found herself smirking at Arika.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yes," the reaver replied flatly.

"You and Carver seem pretty close."

The reaver shrugged.

"He is my man," she replied.

So you said," Isabela grinned, I just find myself curious. I have a question that I think only you can answer."

"Then ask," the reaver said, "we have no time for all this pointless small talk."

Isabela chuckled; she was really starting to like this girl.

Maybe she and Carver would be interested in a little fun when they got back, just the three of them.

Hawke could come to, but she did not think he was in to that kind of thing, especially if his brother was involved.

"Fair enough," Isabela shrugged, "So…tell me…how is Carver? Is he cocksure?"

"I'm not sure I know what you mean," the reaver responded.

"Does he please you, between the sheets," Isabela responded, "Does he bring about that old fashion frenzy you reavers are so famous for?"

Arika chuckled. If the girl was offended she did not show it.

"Carver was right about you," she said.

"Really, what did he say?" she asked.

"That you would try to shock me. Bring up our relationship to try to put me off guard. It will not work. The world that Carver and I share, the things that we have seen, there is very little left in this world that will shock me."

"So you are perfectly comfortable," Isabela smiled, "You are you, you know yourself, and you're proud of that?"

"Yes," the reaver replied.

"Good," Isabela nodded.

That answer surprised Arika.

"I have found that too many women in this world don't know their own strength," Isabela informed her, "They need a man in their lives to define them. Most men would not want a woman who knows who she is. It pleases me to see that Carver does."

She considered what the pirate queen had said. She was shocked to realize that she agreed with her.

Arika smiled.

"I should have known you would understand," the reaver purred, "Like me, you are also a woman of a Hawke."

Isabela busted out laughing.

Arika paused; she did not see what was so funny?

"Oh…oh Maker," Isabela snickered, tears running down her cheeks, "Oh sweetie, I'm no man's woman. Hawke and I enjoy each other's company sure, but little more beyond that."

"You seem like you are his," Arika said thoughtfully.

The pirate queen's eyes turned cold.

"Let us get one thing straight warden," she said, all humor had faded from her voice, "No one owns me. My shrew of a mother sold me when I was just sixteen to a greasy bastard that called himself my husband. When I…freed myself, I swore I would never be trapped again. My life…my freedom is too important to me."

Arika did not respond right away, it was clear that she had hit a sensitive spot.

"Some men are worth bonding yourself to," the reaver responded, "They…evolve… they change you. For the first time in my life, I realize that part of me has been missing. When I am with my Carver, when he holds me, when we shed blood together, when…when he pleasures me. I feel…complete. He makes me whole, and I believe that I make him whole."

Isabela smirked.

"I guess our Carver is better between the sheets than I thought. HE certainly has cast a spell on you hasn't he?"

The reaver did not respond. The pirate was not what she would have expected. She was fierce, brave too, but a coward when it came to her heart.

What would she do if Garrett offered to make her the center of his world? Would she be grateful, or would she run away?

In many ways, she was a lot like Carver's brother. Personally Arika did not see why people flocked to Garrett Hawke; he was simply a scruffy lowland mage.

He was nothing special, unlike her Carver.

"I shall leave you to your duties," Arika informed her, "Lin should be here soon to relieve you."

"Nice chatting with you sweetie," Isabela snorted, "It isn't often I meet a kindred soul."

Arika returned to her bedroll, but not before she had the final word.

One last jibe at the pirate queen.

"To answer your question," Arika said giving her a lazy sexy smile, "My Carver is magnificent. When we are together, he brings me to my climax multiple times in a single evening. He is one of the strongest men I have ever known."

"Ooh," Isabela smirked, "Nice to hear that he knows how to lay you proper. It seems that our dear Hawkes have at least one thing in common."

Arika returned the smirk. She was not afraid to play this game. The pirate had her man, she had Carver.

In Arika's eyes, she knew who had gotten the better man.

He shared a bed with her, and in that she was content.

IOI

The figure listened from the shadows; it had been a long time since he had needed light to see by. He had hidden, and heard everything that the two women had said.

Including who they had brought down here.

The Hawke, the Hawke was here, did that mean that it was time? Was the land finally going to be free of Corypheus?

The figure wanted to walk into the camp, to see if it was true, that the Hawke had truly returned.

No! Patience! Let the Hawke come to you, it would be better that way. Wait until he was out in the open again, then there would be time to speak.

Time…there was no shortage of time, not for the figure…

Not for one who was already dead.

He retreated back from whence he came, back to the darkness, back to wait for the Hawke.

After all these years, perhaps now it would end.

Perhaps Corypheus would finally join him in death.

Perhaps…perhaps the figure would finally be free.

All would be known tomorrow, once he had seen the Hawke.

Once the Hawke knew what he had to do.

Then it would be time, death would finally be there for the figure, and with luck…

For Corypheus as well.