Chapter 8

"Well, my reserve stash of gold is coming along nicely," Gavin said as he counted the coin stashed in Varric's strongbox. "Even with compensating everyone for their time the money is adding up quickly."

"A few more weeks and we'll have enough to pay Bartrand," Varric nodded. He looked back down at his table and picked up the notices he had found in Hightown. "These two jobs here sound like they could prove quite profitable. A request from Prince Vael of Starkhaven and a bounty from the Viscount's office."

"Not only profitable money wise, but in other ways," Gavin said as he locked the chest and stood up. He walked to the table to read the notices. "Being in the good graces of the powerful can do more for us than just netting a good chunk of gold."

"The mercenaries should prove no problem," Varric pointed out. "But if the Viscount's boy is in the hands of the Tal Vashoth, that could get dicey."

"At least this time we know what we're walking into," Gavin shook his head. "Unlike that whole business with Javaris and the Arishok." He fell silent thinking about the tough battle with the outlaws. He had never been more grateful to have Fenris along than that time.

Varric looked up to see his friend staring into the fire, his thoughts a million miles away. It wasn't the first time the mage had gone silent and moody. "Something bothering you Hawke?"

"No, why do you ask?" the mage turned back to the messages on the table.

"You've been extra moody lately," the dwarf answered. "Getting almost as bad as the broody elf." He saw a strange look come over the mage and if he didn't know better the man was blushing.

"It's nothing," Gavin shook his head. "And even if it was, I don't need to be giving you more fodder for your stories." He couldn't bring himself to tell the dwarf about his obsession with the elf. The past couple of weeks had been both good and bad for him. Good because he and Fenris were beginning to really trust and rely on each other. Bad because he fell more in love with the elf everyday.

Varric cocked his head at his friend, "Well, if you ever want to talk, I'm always ready to listen." He started sorting the papers on the table to put them away and came across one that looked odd. "Hmph, bread, cheese, polishing cloths, bolt of linen, thread...what's all this?"

"That's my shopping list," Gavin snatched the paper from the dwarf. "I'm going to Hightown today for mother."

"Hawke, you do the shopping for the family?" Varric asked in surprise.

"I do the majority of it," the mage shrugged. "Mother doesn't like the Lowtwon markets much, and she feels out of place going into Hightown. She'll pick up small things that we run out of, but that's about it. Most of the good quality items can only be found in Hightown."

"Why doesn't your brother do this? It's not like he's got anything better to do," the dwarf snorted.

"Been that way since I was old enough to help with the chores," Gavin shrugged. "Father didn't have the time between his work and training us. Carver never wanted to be bothered with learning. So, I was the one who always went with mother. She taught me how to judge the quality of items and how to barter for better prices."

"Did your brother do anything to help out?" Varric asked.

"We had a small vegetable garden, some chickens, and a cow," Gavin smiled at the memory. "He looked after them, but that was about it."

"Well, why doesn't he step up and help out now?" the dwarf was confused.

"Because if mother or I asked him he would get all snotty and petulent," the mage's smile faded. "I can't honestly remember a time when he didn't complain about how shitty and dull his life was. It's easier to just do these things myself. Keeps the peace in the house."

Varric wanted to say that the boy needed someone to slap him upside the head, but kept his opinion to himself. He had witnessed first hand how Carver operated and understood why Hawke found it easier to just leave well enough alone. "You know what you need Hawke? You need to just go out and have some fun, and I don't mean sitting in this tavern playing cards or dice either. I may not be fond of all that outdoor shit, but we could go camping or something. Sit around a fire, tell tall tales, drink until we pass out, that kind of thing."

"Sounds tempting," Gavin laughed, "but the countryside isn't exactly safe these days." He picked up the list and put it in his pocket. "I'd better get going and get the shopping done."

Varric watched the mage leave and then heaved a sigh. What he really wanted to do was go and kick Carver's ass for being a lazy, selfish twit. Instead, he went to find Isabela. The pirate would certainly have a few interesting ideas on what Hawke could do for fun. All work and no play made life dull and tedious.

After leaving the Hanged Man, Gavin made a bee line for the Hightwon markets. It was mid-morning already and he didn't want to get there too late. The best items usually went fairly quickly. Even though they'd lived the simple life in Lothering, his mother was used to the finer things in life. All of which she'd given up for their father. Even though he wouldn't be able to buy back their estate until after the expedition, he could still give her some nicer things.

He found what he was looking for at a cloth merchant in the Hightown square. A beautiful bolt of finely woven blue linen that his mother could use to make a nice dress for her meeting with the Viscount. Appearance was everything to the nobility and it wouldn't help her cause if she showed up in any of the garments she currently had. He picked out some fine thread, needles, and clothing shears as well. He made arrangements to have the items delivered to the Hanged Man for him. As he turned away to check out a robe merchant, he overheard a loud argument. He moved closer to better hear what they were saying.

"She's my wife, you have to bring her back," a man was yelling at a couple of city guard.

"This is a domestic matter serah," one of them responded. "If your wife has decided to leave you there's nothing we can do about it. I'm sorry."

Gavin waited until the soldiers were gone and then approached the man, "I can help you find her."

"Finally, someone listens to me," the man said. "I am Ghyslaine de Carrac. My wife Ninette has been gone for almost two months. No one has seen or heard from her and they all think she left me."

"Why would they think that?" Gavin asked suspiciously.

"We've been fighting, her family thinks I've done something to her," Ghyslaine wrung his hands. "They think I married her for her money, but we did love each other once. The past few years it's gotten worse, much worse. She sees other men and throws it in my face. Now she's run off and I want her dragged home. She's still my wife and belongs to me."

"It sounds like she had good reason to leave you," Gavin said in disgust.

"Please, just find out what happened to her," Ghyslaine pleaded. "I must tell her family something."

"Any ideas on where to start?" Gavin sighed.

"Jethann, at the Blooming Rose," the man spat. "She visited whores, whores!"

"I'll look into it, but no promises," Gavin warned. Shaking his head, he turned on his heel and walked away. The idea of going to the whorehouse made him uncomfortable. However, a woman going missing for two months was suspicious. If she had truly left her husband, someone would know about it.

Entering the Blooming Rose, he braced himself to be pounced upon by someone. To his surprise, all he got were several appraising glances. He stood looking around for a while before he spotted a well dressed older woman. He stepped up to her, "Excuse me, but could you tell me where I can find a man named Jethann?"

"He's not working today," the woman replied and cast a disparaging glance at his simple clothes. "He's one of my best and thus his time is very valuable."

Gavin flushed as he realized what the woman was saying. "Uhm, I'm not here for, uhm, that. I'm actually looking for Ninette de Carrac and her husband told me she visited here regularly."

"Ninette?" the woman's brows arched. "She hasn't been in for a while now. I heard she left her husband."

"He claims that she didn't and that no one has seen her for a couple of months," Gavin told her. "Maybe she told Jethann something, maybe she didn't. Regardless, a woman just disappearing without a trace for over two months is suspicious. This is as good a place to start looking as anywhere."

"Well, as I said, Jethann is off today," the woman told him. "The building next door is owned by us and he rents a room there. You can look for him there. If you decide you are interested in other things, then come back and talk to me. Just ask for Madame Lusene."

"Uh, okay, thank you," Gavin felt himself turning red again and he quickly turned and hurried out.

Madame Lusene watched him flee, chuckling softly to herself. He was just about the handsomest man to ever enter her establishment, and his shyness and embarassment were endearing. Pity that he didn't look to have the money to afford to the services they offered. Sighing, she turned her attention back to the books and put him from her mind as he probably wouldn't be back.

"Who was that?"

Lusene turned to see Adriano standing next to her. "Someone looking for Ninette de Carrac." She saw the expression on his face and broke the bad news. "Sorry sweetie, but I don't think he could afford you."

"Too bad," Adriano sighed dramatically. "All those muscles, that strong jaw, and the greenest eyes I've ever seen. He'd make a refreshing change from the clients that currently come in."

"You've been doing this long enough to know that guys like him don't have to pay for companionship," Lusene reminded him. "Unless of course they're married and not getting it at home. The way he was behaving, I seriously doubt he's married.

"I know I would never turn him down," Adriano sighed again and returned to his table.

Shaking her head, she closed the books and looked around the room. It was a quiet day and her people were mostly sitting and talking to each other. As she passed through the room to her office, she overheard most of them talking about the young man who'd just left. Probably just as well if he didn't come back, for he was the type of client that could incite jealousy amongst the guys and girls working there. That was the last thing she needed.