Hawke walked towards the entrance of the magnificent Chateau Haine, ready to rejoin the party then formally 'take her leave' to begin what she had come here to do. She was eager to get this heist over and done with and get back home. Kirkwall had never looked so welcoming after this trip and Lana was tired of the noble act she had been putting on all day. The whole highborn crap really wasn't in her nature, and she hated the way these people looked at her, especially after the whole humiliating party-stopping argument which happened little over an hour ago. That little piece of drama will be talked about at gatherings for years to come I'm sure. The Champion of Kirkwall has a domestic spat worthy of an Orlesian housewife.
As soon as Lana, Tallis and Isabela reached the foyer, the pirate grabbed Hawke by the arm and pulled her to the side. Hawke looked at her in surprise. Tallis hovered in the doorway to the ballroom, realising the other two had stopped behind her.
"You go on, Tallis," Isabela said, glancing over her shoulder, "Hawke and I need to talk...alone."
The elf hesitated and stared at Lana. She did not look happy at having Isabela touch her. Tallis waited to see if she wanted this or not. She didn't look like she was in the mood for any more arguing today. After several seconds Hawke nodded stiffly, providing Tallis with the chance to take her leave, abandoning the two women in the large, empty foyer. As soon as she was gone, Hawke pulled out of Isabela's grip and glared at her.
"Look, Hawke..." the Rivaini began, getting ready to do battle again,"I'm s-"
"I don't want another sorry, Bela," Lana interrupted, knowing what she was going to say and knowing the pirate didn't want to say it anymore than she wanted to hear it. Isabela looked confused.
"After what I just did?" she asked, raising an eyebrow sceptically. "I thought you would have had me down on all fours...and not in a good way." Hawke gave a long, hard sigh and lowered herself down onto a nearby step belonging to a large marble staircase, which led to one of the overlooking balconies above. She stared into nothingness, shaking her head. It had been such a long day. After a slight pause, Isabela sat down beside her, leaving a little space in between them.
"She was bound to find out eventually," Lana said finally, breaking the silence. Her voice had returned to its normal level, having no energy left to shout anymore. "It was stupid of me to hide it from her for so long, to hide it from everyone...But at the time it was just easier I guess."
"Even so," Isabela pressed, talking normally as well, "You didn't deserve that, Hawke. I didn't mean to make a fool out of you...well, more of a fool out of you since I clearly have a talent for it now."
Hawke snorted silently and ran a hand through her hair. She looked up and scanned the extravagantly decorated foyer in one sweeping glance. Isabela certainly does have a talent for hurting me. But she's not the only one...Hearing her small sigh of laughter, Isabela smiled a little herself. It had been a while since Hawke had given her anything other than dirty looks and well-aimed insults. She would take what she could get right now.
"Maybe I am a fool, Bela," Hawke said suddenly. She turned to look at the pirate, a sad expression on her face. Isabela stared back, wondering how Hawke could even conjure up the strength to deal with everything the world had thrown at her over the years. Not to mention what I alone have slung at her. For most people that would be more than enough shit for one person to handle. But as the Rivaini stared into the woman's eyes she could see that her strength was waning under the pressure of it all. She had seen it happen gradually over the years she had known her. But now? Now Hawke was at her limit. This bullshit had to come to an end eventually, otherwise there would be nothing left of her to salvage.
"I don't believe that for a second, Hawke," Isabela answered, giving her an encouraging smile. Lana snorted silently once more and her head dropped. It was several seconds before she spoke again.
"Look, Isabela..." She lifted her head and turned to face the pirate again, "Right now I have just turned my back on the one person I loved most in the world, for the simple fact that she could never love me back...not in the way she used to anyway." Isabela swallowed over the lump in her throat. So it wasn't Bethany who had turned her sister away at all. It was the opposite. Hawke exhaled shakily before continuing. "I'm just so tired of fighting...I can't do it anymore."
"Then let's not fight," Isabela replied, wanting nothing more. She leaned over closer, trying to make her listen. "Hawke, I don't really expect you to forgive me for what I've done...for any of it. I mean, I wouldn't if I was in your shoes. But don't you remember what it was like a few years ago? Back before all this Qunari business?... We were so good together...us and Varric. The Hanged Man didn't know what had hit it when the three of us started drinking there."
Hawke managed a real laugh this time, with Isabela chuckling herself. The pirate was glad to see that her words could still put a smile on Lana's face. It had been so long since she had seen it there. The woman almost looked like her old self already.
"I do remember," Lana said, nodding as she recalled some of the finer memories of stress-free times with her friends.
"Don't you miss it?" Isabela asked, staring off into the distance with a smile on her face as she remembered her own experiences back then.
Lana nodded, turning back to face the Rivaini. "I do," she admitted truthfully, "I really do, Bela...But now it's..."
The smile slid of the pirate's face. "I know," she agreed, nodding miserably. The two of them sat in silence for a minute, still a little lost in the fond memories of their time spent together in the good old days. Then Hawke sighed.
"I need some time, Isabela," she said simply, staring into the pirate's amber eyes. "I'm not ready to forgive you yet. Maybe someday I will but...Everything's just been so messed up lately...I need time to get my head around it all."
"I get it Hawke," the Rivaini replied, feeling the deepest regret once again at what she had done over the years. "I just...wish there was some way we could go back to how we were. But I understand if you never want to see me again."
"I've already cut one person out of my life today," Lana continued, painfully, "And it hurt me more than I could have ever imagined... I'm torn to pieces inside, Bela." The pirate wasn't at all surprised to hear that, but it still shocked her all the same. Hawke dropped her gaze and began fidgeting, ashamed to have said the words out loud. The pirate knew that Lana never liked to admit being weak in any way. Just like me. She could see her still struggling to hold it together, trying desperately not to let it show. After a moment of contemplation she finally looked back up at Isabela. "So... for that reason, I'm not about to do it again so soon."
Isabela's eyes widened. "...What does this mean?" she asked, surprised.
"Well, it means that right now I'm angrier at Bethany than I am with you. So...In order for me not to go entirely insane...I...I think we should try being civil to each other at the very least."
The pirate was stunned. "Really?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Unless you don't think you're capable," Hawke replied, giving her a stern look.
Isabela was taken aback, "No, I...I think I could manage that," she said, in awe at the mercy she was being granted.
"Good," Lana replied, almost in relief. "So if I was to call you a selfish pirate whore to your face, don't take it personally ok?"
It took Isabela a second to notice the unexpected joke. Seeing a small, mischievous smirk playing on the corner of Hawke's lips, she burst out laughing then.
"And if I was to call you a cheeky bastard?" she replied, smirking back.
"Well, it works both ways," Lana replied wickedly, her smirk getting wider.
Both women shared a moment of laughter together, almost a reflection of their old selves. Isabela took a deep breath, relaxing into Lana's company one more. She wondered where Hawke's good nature had reappeared from all of a sudden. Maybe it was just to do with everything that had happened with Bethany. Or maybe there was something more to it. Isabela had a feeling Leliana was the main reason for this sudden change of heart. If that's true, remind me to buy the woman a pint if I ever see her again. She's just dug me out of the deepest pit I've ever been in...Or at the very least threw me a little rigging to get myself out.
"Come on then," the pirate said, getting to her feet and pulling an exhausted Hawke to hers. "We have a jewel to steal."
Lana smiled and held out her arm, gesturing towards the door which led to the party.
"After you then," she said, waiting expectantly. As Isabela pushed open the door to the ballroom, Lana added under her breath, "You thieving little wench..."
"Oy!" The pirate scolded, turning her head and giving her a look. "Watch it...and isn't the saying 'ladies first'?
Hawke snorted, "Oh please, Isabela. We both know you're no lady."
"You would know."
Lana smiled, followed the chuckling pirate in through the door, both of them wondering how long this new-found peace between them would last. Because knowing Hawke and knowing Isabela, they were bound to blow up in each others faces again somewhere down the line. That was inevitable. There were still a lot of things left to be said between both women, but today wasn't that day. It wasn't clear when it would happen, but it was clear to both of them now that their relationship was always going to be explosive, one way or another.
"Ok, ready?" Tallis asked, eagerly.
Hawke glanced after Isabela who had walked on to find Varric. The pirate turned back and gave her a wink just before she disappeared into the crowd. Lana threw her a small smile in return. She turned back to Tallis then.
"Ready," she replied, nodding, "Where are the others?"
"I thought it would look too suspicious if all of us left at once," Tallis informed her quietly, "Aveline and the dwarf are going to be our look outs. The elven girl is little tipsy though."
Hawke began to snigger. Varric's fault no doubt. Merrill never could handle her drink. At least Aveline was there to keep her right though.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine," she informed a worried Tallis.
"If you say so," Tallis replied, looking amused. "Anyway, if any word of our presence gets back to the Duke, they'll know about it too and be able to help us out in case we're caught."
"Do you think that's likely?" Hawke asked, feeling less confident.
Tallis shrugged, "Not really, but better safe than sorry."
Hawke nodded, agreeing with her logic.
"Ok, well, let's get go-"
"Wait a second, Hawke," Tallis interrupted, before she could begin to leave.
"What is it?" she asked, wondering what could have possibly gone wrong now. The elf hesitated.
"It's just that...well, your sister is still here as well and I thought-"
"No," Lana interrupted, realizing where she was going with this. "I don't want her involved in any way."
"But more sets of eyes with be use-"
"No!" Hawke said firmly, shaking her head. She couldn't even face looking at Bethany right now, let alone inviting her into their plan. Of course Tallis didn't have any idea though. She hadn't seen the argument. Unless she's spoken to Aveline or Varric...Actually pretty much anyone at the party could have told her. The look on her face said she knew more than she was letting on. Hawke's jaw tightened. "Just stay out of what you don't understand, Tallis. Leave her out of this, please."
Tallis was taken aback at Lana's firm reluctance.
"I...um...ok, if that's what you want."
"It is," Hawke answered seriously, "Now let's get out of here."
Without further ado, the two women left the party and re-entered the courtyard. As they passed the fountain, which was sparkling beautifully in the night, Hawke couldn't help but glance around hopefully in search for one last glance of Sister Leliana. But the woman was gone. Ignoring the sinking feeling in her heart, Lana followed Tallis in through one of the side doors which she opened with a small, bronze key. They closed it quietly behind them, sending the hall into semi-darkness.
"I take it this is the restricted area?" Hawke whispered, trying to adjust her eyes. Tallis grinned at her and pocketed the key.
"Don't tell me you've never entered somewhere you shouldn't have," she teased, giving her knowing look. "You know, somewhere 'forbidden'?" Hawke laughed quietly, rolling her eyes.
"All right, what have you heard?" she asked, smiling.
"I was simply talking about trespassing," Tallis answered, playing coy.
Hawke snorted, "Of course you were."
"And...maybe subtly referring to that Chantry Sister in the courtyard," Tallis added lightly, turning to Lana for her reaction.
"Oh please," Lana replied, trying not to laugh as they stalked down the dark corridor, "You're about as subtle as a Qunari in heavy armor."
Tallis giggled, "So it's true then?" she asked, interestedly.
"Depends on who you ask," Lana replied, smirking. Tallis sniggered again.
"Do you ever give a straight answer?" she mused.
"Do you ever ask a direct question?" Hawke countered, grinning cheekily at her as they rounded a corner and headed up the stairs towards a door at the far end. Tallis rolled her eyes.
"Fine," she relented, "Did you and the Chantry Sister ever have something going?"
"Hmm," Lana said pretending to ponder the question, "Define 'something going'?"
The elf groaned, "Ugh, you're not going to make this easy on me are you?"
"Make what easy?" Hawke answered, enjoying toying with her. Tallis sighed.
"Just answer the damn question, Hawke. Did you sleep with her or not?"
Hawke laughed. "Why so interested, Tallis?"
As they pass a lantern on the wall, Lana saw her face turn red. Aww, she's blushing.
"I...um...I'm not. Just wondering, that's all," the elf replied not looking at her. Lana sniggered again, saying nothing. Tallis glared at her then. "Fine!" she continued, realising she wasn't going to get an answer. "Play your little games."
"What games?" Hawke asked, grinning at her. She could see the frustration on Tallis' face.
"Oh, shut up," she replied, embarrassed. Hawke chuckled to herself and opened the door at the end of the hall, feeling the night air assault her face as the two of them made their way out onto one of the outside balconies. A sleeping guardsman greeted them at the bottom of the steps.
"Your work I take it?" Hawke asked, impressed. Tallis nodded.
"He's not dead, just knocked out. I put something in his drink."
Hawke snorted. "Would have been easier to kill him, don't you think?"
Tallis gave her a disapproving look. "Just because someone's in your way doesn't mean you have to kill them, Hawke. Everyone has their purpose in life. Who am I to decide when they should die?"
Lana gave her a weird look. "Says the elf who introduced herself by dropping out of thin air and killing a dozen guards in the space of a minute."
"Stopping them from killing you," Tallis added, as though that justified her actions.
Hawke shrugged. "What if that was their purpose?" she joked. The elf glared at her.
"Are you always this infuriating?" she asked, irritated. Lana laughed.
"I try to be," she replied, smirking cheekily. She heard Tallis sigh and followed her across the dark balcony which was littered with more sleeping guards. The elf unlocked the door on the other side and they closed it carefully behind them, blocking out the night chill once more. As they made their way through another dark corridor, lit only by a few lanterns on the walls, Tallis rounded on her again.
"What about the pirate?" she asked, glancing at Lana. She saw the woman's playful expression turn a little sombre.
"What about her?" Hawke replied, drier than she had been before. Tallis smiled to herself. This is what she had really wanted to ask. She had a feeling Hawke knew it too.
"You and she seem to be...close," Tallis continued, almost asking the question she wanted. She turned to Lana, waiting. Hawke avoided her gaze.
"We're friends," she said simply.
"Didn't look that way to me," Tallis said lightly, gently pressing her to say more. Hawke glanced at her, seeing the intrigued look on her face.
"Why, what did you see?" she asked, reluctant to speak on the subject. Tallis hesitated. Clearly she hadn't been expecting the question.
"Um, I don't know." She paused. "It just seemed like you two shared some sort of...history."
"How intuitive, Tallis," Hawke teased, in mock praise, "A round of applause for the smartest thief in all of Thedas!"
"Oh, you're so annoying," Tallis groaned, "It's like talking to an infant."
When Hawke just laughed, the elf tried a different tact.
"I heard about your big scene back at the party, you know," she said, staring at Hawke again. Hawke gasped.
"I know!" she exclaimed excitedly, turning to Tallis, "A free bottle of wine for catching the biggest Wyvern! Can you believe it? I'm all of a dither!"
"Andraste's Ass!" Tallis exclaimed, her patience wearing thin. "Is it possible for us to have a conversation without jokes and sarcasm?"
"Oh, Tallis," Lana said in a serious manner, holding her hand over her heart, "You wound me with that tone! I thought we were getting along so well."
"Oh, forget it!" Tallis groaned, rolling her eyes and shoving open another door a little too forcefully. Lana continued laughing to herself. The look of annoyance on Tallis' face could have given Aveline a run for her coin. Ah, how I love that look. How warm and fuzzy it makes me feel inside. After several minutes of sneaking through more corridors, Hawke realised she had no idea where they were going.
"I take it you know where this vault is?" she asked, hoping Tallis hadn't got lost. "We've been walking for almost half an hour now."
"Oh, of course," Tallis replied, "I just thought we should spend some time getting to know each other better, so I took the long way around."
Hawke chuckled at the obvious sarcasm.
"Infuriating isn't it, not getting a straight answer?" Tallis asked, smirking at her.
"I rather enjoyed it actually," Hawke teased. She heard the elf exhale loudly beside her and knew she had wound her up again.
After a few more long corridors (and a few more sleeping guards) they finally came to a strange-looking room.
"All right, this is it," Tallis said, catching her breath. As soon as the words left her mouth, a large gate dropped behind them, sealing them inside.
"It's never as easy as it looks, is it?" Hawke complained, grabbing one of the metal bars and tugging. It was shut tight.
"Opps," Tallis said, apologetically, "I swear that didn't happen last time."
Hawke groaned and took a look around, spotting the large metal gates all around them, blocking their way. Behind the one in front there was a giant door, which Hawke assumed led to the vault and to their treasure.
"Any ideas?" she asked, looking at the impenetrable passageways. "Unless you brought me here because you thought I could walk through steel."
"Couldn't hurt to give it a shot," Tallis joked, smirking. "Any way, I know how we open the vault. But it's a little tricky. See those slabs of concrete?" Hawke looked at where she was pointing, seeing parts of the floor raised higher than the others. She nodded. "Well, they act as some sort of mechanism for the gates to open, but there's some sort of pattern."
"Fancy," Hawke approved, "Very Orlesian."
Tallis rolled her eyes. "Come on," she said, wondering how Hawke could still be relaxed enough to make jokes, "Shouldn't be too difficult."
Reaching out with her foot, the tiny elf kicked over one of the statues nearby, causing it to land on one of the concrete buttons. The head of the statue broke off and rolled across the floor loudly crashing against the nearest gate. The gate suddenly raised itself, clearing the way to another passage and another button.
"Subtle," Hawke joked, folding her arms and nodding approvingly.
"As subtle as a Qunari in heavy armor," the elf replied, smirking, repeating Hawke's earlier words. "We'll figure this out as we go. Let's get to work."
"You!"
Isabela jumped slightly and turned around to find an angry, red face in front of hers. She grinned, trying not to laugh.
"And you," she replied, jokingly.
"Don't you bloody dare!" Aveline scolded, holding up a warning finger. She was in no mood for jokes after what she had just witnessed. "You've got some explaining to do!"
"Actually I've got some drinking to do," Isabela corrected, toasting her with her goblet of wine. "So if you'll excuse me-"
"I don't think so!" Aveline growled under her breath, trying not to cause another scene. She grabbed the pirate by the scruff as she tried to walk round her, causing her to spill some of her wine.
"Oh, what a waste!" Isabela lamented, watching the red liquid splash on the marble floor. As soon as it hit, an elven servant appeared out of no where and soaked it up before anyone could see. Aveline still had a firm grip on Isabela's, making sure she couldn't escape.
"What in The Maker's name did I tell you before you came here!?" she hissed angrily. Isabela stared back at her, unfazed.
"To have a good time?" she joked, trying to take a sip from her glass. Aveline snatched the goblet from the pirate's grasp and slammed it down on the nearby table. She glared at Isabela, their faces inches apart.
"I told you, Slattern. I warned you not to make a scene when you came here, and what did you do?" she asked, her grip tightening on the Rivaini's arm. Isabela sighed, feeling a little ashamed of herself. Who'd have thought the Big Girl would make me feel like this? Normally I couldn't give a damn what she thinks. Aveline was beside herself with anger.
"Look, I know alright?" Isabela muttered, avoiding eye contact.
"I gave you a chance," Aveline continued furiously, "More than you deserved and you wasted it. All because that bitch Elegant was here. Can you not keep it in your pants for one night?"
"I made a mistake," Isabela replied, successfully retrieving her arm from Aveline's vice-like grip.
"Story of your life," the guardswoman spat, "I just hope for your sake that you can live with it."
"Hey!" the pirate exclaimed hauling Aveline back as she went to walk away, "Do you think this is what I wanted?" she hissed in her ear.
"I thought you wanted to be with Hawke!" Aveline said back, a little too loudly as her anger got the better of her. Suddenly the two of them noticed Bethany alone by the food table. She was staring at them as though she had been listening to their conversation. Aveline pulled away from Isabela and scowled at the pirate before walking over to where Merrill was standing, swaying unsteadily to the music. The pirate turned back to Bethany and took a deep breath. She grabbed her goblet of wine from the table and made her way over to the youngest Hawke.
"It's been a long time, Sweet Thing," she said, giving her a smile. Bethany tried to smile back but couldn't manage it.
"I fear it will be even longer now," she replied sadly, staring at the ground. "Considering what I've heard about you and my sister...if I can even call her that anymore. She doesn't want to see me ever again."
"Look, Bethany," Isabela began, leaning on the table beside her, "Hawke had her reasons for not saying anything in the beginning. Try to see it from her point of view. She didn't want to lose you...And us? Well, that happened long after you joined the Circle. And there was really nothing much to tell."
"That's why I'm mad!" Bethany replied, looking at Isabela, "Why did she think that I would hate her for something like that? She's my sister, Bela. Doesn't she know me at all?"
The pirate sighed. "Things have been tough for her since you were taken, Bethany," she informed her, "With your mother in particular."
Bethany shook her head, "I know they didn't get along," she said, sadly, "Ever since Carver...But that's still no excuse for letting her die."
Isabela choked on her wine. "Is that what you think happened?" she asked, in disbelief, wiping her mouth. She could hear the bitterness and blame in Bethany's tone. Balls, she can't be serious!
"Isn't it?" Bethany asked, getting angry, "She didn't even write to tell me when Mother died, Bela! I had to hear the news from Uncle Gamlen. Gamlen! Of all people!"
Isabela shook her head, "You weren't there Bethany. You didn't see what happened."
"I know exactly what happened to her, Bela," Bethany said, "Murdered by a necromancer. Gamlen's letter wasn't exactly thorough but I was able to decipher enough from what he meant."
The pirate sighed. "I wasn't talking about Leandra..."
"What?" Bethany asked, confused now.
"I was talking about your sister," Isabela said seriously. Bethany looked surprised.
"What about her?"
Isabela took a sip of her wine, trying to find the words to describe the state Hawke had been in that day. She cringed, remembering the woman's face. It wasn't sad. It wasn't full of pain. It was just...blank, as though she was dead inside. "Hawke was..." The pirate sighed, shaking her head, "I can't explain it, Bethany. Please don't ask me to. The woman was tormented like I've never seen. She was beating herself up, taking the blame for you, your brother, Leandra...and Maker knows what else."
"For me?" Bethany asked timidly. The Rivaini nodded.
"You might think that you made the decision to work for Anders, Sweetness," Isabela said, grimacing, "But your sister has been kicking herself since the day the Templars took you, believing that she was the one responsible."
"B-But why?" Bethany stammered, shocked, "I mean, I-I was the one...It was me who-"
"Exactly!" The pirate interrupted. "And it was your mother who made the decision which inevitably led to her own death. Can you see where I'm going with this?"
Bethany stared at her in shock. She could see what Isabela was implying. The truth began to dawn on the youngest Hawke at last. Lana hadn't let their mother die at all. Just like she hadn't let Bethany get taken by the Templars. Bethany alone had gotten herself into that situation, and so had their mother. Even Carver had made the split-second decision himself to charge down that ogre which ultimately led to his death. And all these years Lana had taken the blame for all of them. Bethany placed a hand over her open mouth as the realization finally hit her.
"Maker's Breath!" she exclaimed, eyes wide.
"You're welcome," Isabela said to her, seeing she had got there at last. She let Bethany sit for a minute, as the revelation sunk in. The pirate took a satisfied sip of her wine. I deserve a medal for that, she thought to herself, Was that the first selfless good deed I have ever done? Look at me interfering in other peoples lives. And everyone says I haven't changed. As the pirate joked to herself, she heard a stunned Bethany groan beside her then, finally regaining her voice.
"Oh, Bela, I've been a complete and utter fool all these years!" she cried. The pirate gave her a look and a nod of the head.
"I hear you," she replied, knowing she wasn't in any position to judge.
"What am I going to do?" Bethany asked, her heart sinking in regret. "She's never going to speak to me again, Bela. Oh, damn it! I'm such an idiot!"
"Can't help you there, Sweet Thing," the pirate replied, "I'm not exactly in Hawke's good books either."
"B-But I thought you and she were...were..."
Isabela laughed at the embarrassment on Bethany's face. It reminded her of the teenage girl she had first met all those years ago. The cute, innocent little virgin who occasionally inquired about her sexual partners and was appalled at the filth which Isabela would reply with. Maybe I should send her more reading material to the Circle. It must get pretty lonely there.
"We're not, Sweetness," she said sadly, "I've been a bit of a fool as well."
"Oh," Bethany replied, "So you never...It-It was with just Leliana then?"
Isabela chuckled again. "How did you know I slept with-Oh, you mean Hawke?" she said, interrupting herself. "Eh, no I don't think there was anything with her either."
"Then what was all that about in the courtyard?" Bethany asked confused. "Just...sex?"
"Uhm..." The pirate's train of thought was interrupted suddenly as two armed guards burst through the ballroom doors. Shit, Isabela thought as she watched them approach Duke Prosper talking animatedly to one of his guests. This can't be good. "Hold that thought, Bethany," she said, caressing a finger along her cheek before straightening up off the table and placing her empty goblet down. "I'll be back soon."
The Rivaini squeezed through the party guests who were chatting wildly with flailing hands and pompous manners and then cut across the dance floor towards the Duke's table. She got as close as possible, without raising too much alarm and strained her ears to listen in to his ongoing conversation with his guards.
"...near the vault, Serah. The statues are broken..."
"...Guards were poisoned..."
"...Women's voices..."
The Duke's face grew menacing. "I knew it," he hissed, getting to his feet. "That assassin is mine."
"Assassin?" Isabela whispered to herself, frowning.
"Get my bodyguard and rouse the others," the Duke ordered, getting to his feet.
"Oh balls!" Isabela groaned, watching the men exit the ballroom. The Duke say a courteous goodbye to his guests before following after his guards out of the hall. The pirate rushed through the crowd towards Varric at the wine cask.
"We have a problem," she said, "Hawke's walking into a trap. I'll fill you in on the way. Let's go."
"Ah, damn it!" the dwarf complained, "I was just about to have another drink."
"Down it!" Isabela called over her shoulder as she rushed after the Duke and his men.
Varric obeyed, draining the glass of wine in one as he raced after the Rivaini, hoping that they would make it on time. He had a feeling something wasn't right with that Tallis. His instincts were usually correct. The Dwarf followed after Isabela towards the commotion, hoping Hawke could handle a few guards herself until they got there. Something about this whole heist stank. Bianca was beginning to tingle.