"Hurry up! I think we've lost them!"
Isabela was sprinting desperately through the winding corridors of Chateau Haine, a slightly tipsy Varric in tow. There was sweat dripping from her brow and she was breathing heavily after being chased by no fewer than twenty, heavily armed guards. They had just attracted some unwanted attention from Duke Prosper's men as they tried to tail him to Hawke and Tallis' destination, where the two women were unknowingly about to stumble into an ambush. The pirate knew fine rightly Hawke could handle herself (and then some), but even the best can sometimes get overwhelmed by sheer numbers, and the number of guards who took off with the Duke left an uncomfortable feeling in the pirate's gut. If they so much as touch a hair on her head I'll string them up!
"Shit," Varric wheezed, catching up finally. He leaned over, clutching his side. "I think I'm going to vomit."
"Wine not sitting well?" Isabela teased, slowing to a light jog now, realising they had escaped their pursuers. Varric groaned.
"Uff, why did you tell me to down it?"
The pirate laughed, "You didn't need much encouragement, Varric."
"Fair point," he said chuckling, "It was some good stuff. Daisy's probably on her ass right about now."
"Either that or she's dragged Aveline up for a dance," Isabela replied. The two of them looked at each other for a second then, before bursting into laughter as the mental image of a sour-faced Aveline being led around a dance floor by a drunken, stumbling Merrill entered their minds.
After several minutes, the pirate wiped the tears from her eyes, having laughed so hard she had cried a little.
"Aww, curse Hawke for getting into trouble again," she said, still chuckling with the dwarf, "I'd have paid good coin to see that."
"Likewise," Varric replied, "Daisy really can't handle her drink, can she? A shocking feat considering how much time she spends with you."
Isabela laughed, "Excuse me," she replied, "I think you'll find you were the one who got her drunk tonight, not me...But you do have a point. I think we're a bad influence on her."
"Or a good influence," Varric corrected, "She really needs to get out of the house more often."
"Hmm, maybe your right," Isabela said, nodding her head as they made their way through a dark, damp corridor. "We'll have turned Kitten into a tiger before long."
Varric chuckled. "At least we escaped the stench of over seasoned meat," he continued. "Why they do that at fancy parties I'll never know."
Isabela snorted.
"Because if you can't smell how expensive the spices are, what's the point?" she said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. They both sniggered.
"Orlesians," the dwarf said, shaking his head as though he'll never understand them.
Suddenly their nostrils were assaulted by another foul smell. Maker's breath, it smells worse than a sweaty session at The Hanged Man. By the stench, the place they had just entered must have been where the slaves resided. There were less fancy Orlesian decorations adorning the walls here, and the sound of snoring elves echoed through the unkempt quarters, just loud enough to block out the sound of Isabela and Varric's footsteps as they crept past the numerous bedrooms and descended the stairs at the other end to the hallway below.
"Poor buggers," Isabela said sadly, a grim look on her face.
"Compassion from a pirate?" Varric teased, "Compassion from Isabela!? My, my, what has the world come to?"
"Oy, watch it!" the Rivaini replied, "Or do I need to tell everyone about the time you fell asleep spooning Bianca and whispering your love in her 'ear'."
"Touché," the dwarf replied, "I'll keep my mouth shut...But you never did say why you freed all those slaves years ago while working for Castillon."
"I don't want to talk about it," the pirate replied, her jaw tightening. She avoided that topic as best as she could (no matter how many times Fenris tried to pry it out of her). There was nothing noble about it. It was just a way for me to ease my conscience after what I had done before. Guess I have Hawke to thank for how long I've lasted. Castillon would have no doubt reached me by now if it wasn't for her.
"Alright, suit yourself," Varric said, realising the pirate wasn't going to elaborate.
"I always do," Isabela replied with a grin and a wink.
They traipsed through the dark corridors, until finally the decoration started to get fancier again.
"We'll have to double back at some point. We lost the Duke and the rest of his men... and I have no idea where this damn vault could be," Varric said, as they set off on a brisk run again, eager to make up for lost time.
"Don't worry, we'll find it," Isabela replied, darting out from the shadows and sneaking down another nearby staircase. Maker, I didn't realise we had run up so high. Damn guards chased us so far. Varric followed behind, Bianca still resting in his small, muscled arms. "Don't you think you'll run faster if you're not fingering her at the same time?" The Rivaini joked, nodding to the crossbow with a cheeky smirk. The dwarf chuckled.
"It gets her going," he replied, staring down at his beloved weapon, "Then the bolt goes in and out more smoothly."
"Ahh, that old trick," Isabela replied, with longing in her voice.
The two of them laughed as they descended the rest of the stairs and finally found themselves back on the floor which they had started.
"Ok, right or left?" Isabela asked, catching her breath. She turned from one direction to the other. The hallway was lined with so many similar pictures that it was impossible to tell which direction they had been originally running while in pursuit of the Duke.
"You're asking me?" the dwarf grunted, "I was too busy knocking back my glass of wine to notice the decor."
"Balls," the pirate cursed, exhaling. She glanced down both ends of the corridor again, hands on hips, hoping something would jump out and catch her eye. Normally something worth stealing would have piqued her interest as she passed and embed itself in her brain. But all of this stuff is a pile of crap, she thought to herself, I wouldn't get two bloody sovereigns for the whole lot of it.
"Look's like we'll have to guess," Varric said, "If we end up back at the party then we'll know we took the wrong path."
Isabela shrugged, "Aw well," she relented, "At least we can grab another drink while we're there."
"Not to mention see Aveline get wooed by Daisy," The dwarf added. They both laughed again.
"I guess Hawke will just have to hold on a while longer," Isabela relented.
"She's got Tallis for company," Varric said.
Isabela sighed, "That's what I'm worried about."
"You're telling me," The dwarf replied, "I knew there wasn't something right about her."
Isabela averted her eyes. She knew Varric was referring to the 'assassin' (as the Duke had called her) that Hawke was unknowingly travelling with. Isabela was too obviously, but she didn't believe Tallis would turn on her. The pirate was more worried about the way Tallis acted when she was around Hawke. There was no mistaking that she desired her a little. The thought of them together somewhere, possibly in close proximity in a cell (if the Duke hadn't already killed them) was toying with Isabela's newly found jealous side. That uncomfortable feeling entered her stomach again as she turned left and began to run along what she hoped was the right way. I'm not losing you now Hawke...Not after everything we've been through. With that horrible sensation weighing on her mind, Isabela led the way, hoping that they weren't already too late.
"I have a question."
Hawke continued to pace angrily up and down the damp, cramped cell, cursing to herself. Maker, am I ever going to stop being such a trusting idiot? How do I get myself into these messes? The Duke had stripped them of their clothes and weapons, leaving them both in nothing but their underwear.
"Join the club!" Lana spat at the elf on the ground beside her, unable to believe she had the nerve after what Duke Prosper had just revealed to her about her newest companions' identity. As soon as the two of them had successfully kicked over all the statues and opened the iron gates which surrounded them, they were overcome with guards and the Duke himself. And now Lana found herself in a cell, though not entirely sure why she was there. The Heart of the Many clearly wasn't a jewel at all so technically I wasn't doing anything wrong. It's not like I'm a stranger to people betraying me though...or being in a cell, coming to think about it. Been in one, been in them all.
"Look, I know I should have told you who I was," Tallis sighed, "but would you have trusted me otherwise?"
"Definitely not!" Lana yelled, spinning back to glare at her, "I've had enough dealings with Qunari, thank you very much. I saw them recruit elves first-hand back in Kirkwall...Don't know why it didn't enter my head sooner that you were one of them. I clearly have a knack for attracting their attention... I already knew you were an assassin though. At least I got something right."
"You did?" Tallis asked in disbelief, "How?"
Hawke laughed, "Have you seen my friends?" she asked jokingly, "All of them are crazy and most of them are killers."
Tallis snorted, "Good point."
"And I know a real thief when I see one," she added. "You just don't cut it."
"Oh, thanks," Tallis replied grumpily.
When Hawke continued to pace restlessly, she got up, unable to watch any longer, and reached out a hand.
"Look, stop for a second," she said, grabbing Hawke's arm. Lana brushed her off, feeling as though she wanted to smack her. Restraining herself, she walked over to the bars of the cell, leaning on them, her back to the elf.
"I don't know why I didn't expect this," she groaned, cursing her stupidity for the millionth time. "Most people I meet tend to stab me in the back before long. And still I'm blind sighted. I think your time was a record though...Others tend to wait for years..."
Tallis hesitated before walking towards her, "Are you...talking about Isabela?" she asked gently. Lana spun back to her furiously.
"I'm talking about you!" she lied, pushing the pirate's face to the back of her mind and hiding her real thoughts from Tallis. The assassin wasn't fooled, however.
"Isabela regrets what she did, Hawke," she informed her, uncomfortable with the hurt she could see in Hawke's eyes. "But someone like her won't ever forgive themselves for their mistakes...so you have to."
"Don't talk to me about Isabela," Lana spat, her temper flaring, "Don't pretend you know what's going on between us...It's not any of your business."
"Sorry," Tallis said, ashamed, "I guess you're right...But I know if it was me I'd be kicking myself for betraying someone like you...and I am."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lana asked curiously. Tallis' face went bright red.
"Please don't make me say it," she replied embarrassed. "Why do you think I chose you to help me in the first place? It wasn't just because you had an invitation..."
Suddenly Lana's suspicions were confirmed. She has a crush on me...More fool her.
"I'm not as great as you think I am, Tallis. The stories you've heard about me were just figments of Varric's imagination, nothing more."
"I know when people are lying and when they are telling the truth, Hawke," Tallis replied, staring back at her again. "I know where the truth starts and the lies end...whether it be Varric's words...or Isabela's."
Lana's jaw tightened, "Don't force this," she warned, "I'm already on speaking terms with her, Tallis...That's the best I can do right now...and that's pushing it."
"I understand," Tallis replied, "But I was in her position once, Hawke...I empathise with her. Give her another chance."
"Look, I really don't want to talk about this," Lana said angrily, "Especially not with you seeing as you did the same sort of thing and then got me imprisoned. I wouldn't be surprised if we're lined up for the block by sunrise...or used to season the wyvern soup."
"I am sorry," Tallis said earnestly, brushing over the sticky subject, "This didn't really go to plan...obviously."
Hawke turned away and sat herself down on a nearby cot, before staring up at Tallis once more.
"What was your plan exactly?" she asked, almost amused that the elf thought she could get away with this without scuppering her true identity. Tallis sighed.
"I can't explain it," Tallis replied.
"Try!"
The assassin sighed. "The one I expected to find was names Salit, part of the Ben-Hassrath...The Heart of the Many in other words. I was told he was here to sell Qunari secrets to the Orlesians, endangering our people. I intended to stop him."
"So you recruited me to help save the Qunari? Oh the irony," Lana said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"No," Tallis replied firmly, "This battle was...personal."
"Personal? How?"
"Salit was my tutor, the one who recruited me to the Ben-Hassrath. He's the one who saw my potential and convinced me I could make a difference...Not like it matters now though. He's going to sell secrets to the Orlesians. One last act of defiance. I had intended to stop him. He'll hurt so many others in the process."
"You mean he'll hurt other Qunari," Lana corrected, "Tell me why I should care. The last I checked the Qunari weren't exactly unable to defend themselves."
"Not every Qunari is a soldier you know!" Tallis replied angrily. "They are people too. People whose only crime is living and they don't deserve what he's going to do to them. But it's more than my duty to stop Salit...It's my moral obligation."
"How touching," Lana replied sarcastically, "But unless we get out of this cell, the point is mute."
"'We'?" Tallis repeated, surprised. "You mean you're still going to help me?"
"I don't take kindly to being thrown in prison," Lana replied, "So if killing the Duke helps you in your quest then yes, I am still going to help you. He's one person who would be improved by the loss of a head."
"You're right," Tallis agreed, "But that's not the solution for everyone, you know."
"So...the others just lose a foot?...Maybe a big toe?" Lana joked.
Tallis groaned, "Now's not the time for jokes, Hawke."
"On the contrary, now is the perfect time or jokes," Lana replied, smirking, "It saves me from yelling my lungs out at you."
Tallis exhaled with relief and plucked up the courage to sit down on the cot beside her, seeing that Hawke's anger had almost passed.
"You really are amazing Hawke," she said gently, placing a hand on her knee. "You know that? What I would have given to know someone like you sooner."
Hawke snorted, "People like me are normally bad news, Tallis. Don't go thinking I'm some kind of hero or something."
The elf chuckled, "Hero?" she asked. "I think you got the wrong impression of the stories I heard about you. Why do you think I didn't treat you with the respect you deserved from the start?"
"Oh, so you heard those stories," Lana said with a chuckle, "Then I shouldn't be surprised that you didn't tell me the truth from the beginning."
Tallis laughed, "You're not exactly what I expected, Hawke."
"I never am," Lana replied with a grin, having heard the phrase so many times before.
"I'll try to stay on the right side of you from now on," Tallis said apologetically, "You still have a reputation among my people for being an Arishok killer, don't forget."
Lana chuckled, "Good choice," she agreed, "I'd hate to have to kill you as well."
Tallis gulped. "You can be a little scary sometimes."
"That was the intention. Don't ever double-cross me like that again...Unless you want to decorate my blade with your blood."
"Qunari killer..."
Lana nudged her hard in the ribs.
"Ouch," she groaned, clutching her side, "Ok, maybe this isn't really prison cell conversation."
"Then what do you want to talk about?" Hawke asked, satisfied that the elf was feeling the pain of her elbow.
"Oh I dunno, lost loves? Pirates? Driving the Qunari out of Kirkwall?"
Hawke nudged her in the ribs again.
"How about we just find a way out of here before I throttle you?" she replied getting to her feet as the elf doubled over once more.
"Good choice," Tallis wheezed. "I think you cracked a rib."
"Know where we are?" Varric asked, as they ran through a dark tunnel.
"Not a damn clue!" Isabela replied from somewhere beside him, "I give up. We've been through every inch of this place twice and there's no sign of them."
"Or we've been through the same twenty feet of this place about a dozen times. It's hard to tell Rivaini. The guards said they were here though. We can't be too far away."
"We should have gone treasure hunting in Wildervale instead," the pirate moaned.
"You're just upset because you couldn't steal another drink from the party aren't you?" the dwarf teased.
"Hardly," Isabela said with a wicked grin, "When hid from the guards in that scullery back there I grabbed a bottle of wine before leaving."
"You scoundrel!" Varric exclaimed with glee as Isabela whipped out a dusty bottle of Orlesian red with a triumphant laugh. "Crack it open."
"At least we won't be extremely bored now," she chuckled, uncorking the bottle with the point of her dagger and taking a generous couple of swigs.
Varric chuckled, "Pass it over, Rivaini. I'm parched."
Isabela handed him the half empty bottle and grabbed a lantern of one of the nearby walls, holding it out and trying to judge their location.
"If these aren't the dungeons then I'm a virgin princess," she joked, seeing the familiar cold, hard, unforgiving stone which lined so many of her cells in recent years.
"Our little Hawke's going up Rivaini. Spending her days in Orlesian prisons, where does the time go?"
"I know," Isabela exclaimed, "Burglary and espionage! We should have hired a painter to get her portrait so we can remember this day forever."
"Next thing she'll be cutting purses and conning guards without us," the dwarf chuckled.
"Actually I think she already does," Isabela replied, sniggering, "But no one can lie like you Varric."
"And no one can steal like you Rivaini."
With a few more chuckles, the two of them continued on down into the dungeons, finishing the bottle of wine between them.
"I thought you said your friends were coming," Tallis moaned, still holding her side. There was a small bruise forming where Hawke's elbow had connected with her the second time.
"You were the one who wanted to leave lookouts," Lana replied, "What's the point in them if they haven't realised we're captured."
"Good point," Tallis said, "But the last time we seen them, the majority were already drunk and the other half were on their way there."
"Hey!" Hawke scolded, pointing a finger at Tallis in warning, "My friends are more effective when they're drunk."
Tallis groaned, "Do you ever stop making jokes?"
"Do you ever laugh at my jokes?"
"They're not that funny," the elf replied, irritated.
"Then how do you know they're jokes?" Hawke countered, grinning cheekily.
"Oh shut up, please!" Tallis snapped, "You really know how to be annoying...Andraste's Ass..."
"Thank you," Lana said, enjoying herself, "Imagine the length of time you're going to be stuck in here with me, Tallis. I'm going to drive you crazy."
The elf jumped to her feet, "Well in that case I'm going to try to pick this lock. I can't wait any longer."
"Be my guest," Lana teased, gesturing to the iron bars of the cell from where she lay relaxing on the cot with her hands behind her head. Ah, bittersweet revenge.
"Andraste's granny-panties, we've been her before!" Isabela exclaimed, poking at the same crack in the wall. Varric started to giggle.
"You have a talent for fingering cracks Rivaini," he joked. The two of them burst into hysterical laughter, the wine having taken its toll.
"Oh, we should have brought someone else with us," Isabela chuckled, "Someone sensible and sober..."
The dwarf started to laugh again. "You must be drunk. Are you really suggesting we bring Aveline along for help?"
"Maker's bloody balls, no!" the pirate spat, "I just meant we should have brought her along to laugh at and tease."
"Oh," Varric chuckled, "That would have been fun!"
"It's funny how many parties I go to end up like this," Isabela informed him. "Must be something in the water."
"Or must be something to do with you," Varric teased, "You really know how to irritate people. Such talent, Rivaini."
"It does mean fewer invitations though," she lamented. "My husband used to have hunting parties like these you know."
They were beginning to regain their composure a little as they walked down the unfamiliar path.
"I'd forgotten you were married," the dwarf replied, looking up at her.
"Well, I don't like to talk about it much," she said, avoiding his eye.
"So you normally spent your time running around the dungeons?"
"Mostly," she replied, a little sombre, "If I got out of hand, which was almost always, he would lock me away with a bottle of wine and a dirty book. Told everyone I was indisposed."
"And I'm sure you were," Varric replied cheekily. Isabela grinned down at him.
"You know me too well," she joked, throwing him a wink.
"Not really," he said, "I just happen to live a few rooms down from you in The Hanged Man."
"How lucky for you," Isabela said grinning. "Still, at least then I didn't have to waste time playing the hostess and taking cloaks from rich folk. They were so easy to steal from it became boring. I like a challenge every once in a while."
"Well at least I'm travelling through these dungeons with a professional," Varric teased.
"Hey, we're both professionals at wandering like drunken vagrants," the pirate replied. "Though I did spend some time in a prison in Val Chevin."
"And you broke out?"
"Broke in actually," Isabela corrected him, "To rescue my first-mate Casavir. Always liked him. Getting in was the easy part. Getting out was a bitch!"
"And I suppose he's dead now along with the rest of your crew?" Varric asked delicately.
"What?" Isabela blurted, "No! I left him on the docks, the idiot."
The two of them began laughing again and continued on, hoping they were at last going the right way. The dark corridors were so familiar it was becoming like a maze.
"I think it's this way," Varric said, pointing down a narrow hallway. "It doesn't look the same as the others."
"Hmm, worth a shot. Let's hope there's another bottle of wine at the end," The pirate replied, tossing the empty bottle behind her and hearing it smash.
They both turned right and began wandering along the stone floor. The effect of the wine was wearing off a little now and Isabela's worries about Hawke entered her mind again. I'll get you out of here Hawke...and Tallis too I suppose. That's if she hasn't snuggled in beside you on a hard prison cot after a passionate sex session. As much as the pirate tried to push the jealous thoughts from her mind she just couldn't. Seeing Hawke with Sister Leliana earlier had been hard enough, especially knowing they already had a history together. Seeing her with Tallis would be ten times worse, since Hawke had only recently started talking to her again. But what would I do if I was stuck in a tight cell with a nice-looking piece of ass? Isabela shuddered. Don't think about that. Hawke wouldn't do that sort of thing...Actually she would. The woman's as bad as me sometimes. Shit! With an uneasy feeling, the pirate led the way forwards, sprinting now. She hoped that Hawke could keep it in her pants before they got there.
"What's the rush?" Varric called behind her, speeding up to match her footsteps.
"I just can't wait to get out of here," Isabela lied.
"And you want to make sure Hawke's alright," Varric corrected.
"Don't start Varric. I don't want to talk about it," the Rivaini replied, trying to hide the worry from her voice.
"You've fallen for her Rivaini. I'm telling you!"
"Don't. Say. A. Word."
"Fine, have it your way."
The cell gate sprung open.
"How did you do that?" Lana asked, jumping up from where she lay, impressed by how little time Tallis needed to pick the lock.
"And you said I wasn't a real thief," the elf teased with a grin. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"We're not going to be able to do much naked," Hawke said, dashing out after her. "We need to find our things."
"I could think of a few things to do naked!" a female voice said from behind them. Tallis and Hawke almost jumped out of their skin as Varric and Isabela rounded the corner then, satisfied smiles on their faces.
"Took you long enough," Lana said to the dwarf. "How was the party?"
"I can't remember," the dwarf joked, "The wine's gone to my head."
"So...good then?" Lana teased. The four of them chuckled. Lana's eyes found Isabela's then. The pirate looked relieved to see her. She could see the worry in her amber eyes, even as Isabela tried to wrestle it back.
"You're alright...Of course you're alright," she said, exhaling. Lana gave her a small smile.
"I'm glad you came..."
After a few awkward moments of silence, Varric cleared his throat and clapped his hands together.
"Ok!" he said, "Let's find your gear and get out of here."
"Come on, I know a way!" Tallis called, setting off with Varric in tow. Lana and Isabela stared at each other for several more seconds before turning and following after them.
"Are you hurt?" The pirate asked, trying not to sound too concerned.
"I'm fine," Lana replied, staring dead ahead. "You?"
"More than fine, now that I found out you're still alive. Who was I going to argue with if you were dead?" she asked sarcastically.
"Funny," Hawke replied dryly, "I can still withdraw my peace-offering you know."
"Ouch," Isabela said, "Then I best shut my mouth."
"That'd be a first," Lana teased, grinning at her.
"Oy!" the pirate exclaimed, "You were the one slinging insults, not me."
"You love it."
Isabela glanced at her out of the corner of her eyes, unable to help taking a glance down at her semi-naked body. She felt herself quiver as her mind flashed back to their sexual encounter all those years ago. Maker's breath, she looks good! Why couldn't I have realised back then that I loved her? ...Why can't I get the balls to tell her now that I do? I should have told her when I returned with the Tome...Now it's just too complicated. She swallowed over the lump in her throat. Lana turned to look at her, feeling herself burn under the pirate's gaze. Isabela fixed her eyes firmly ahead then, and continued to walk alongside her.
"You were staring at me," Hawke observed, feeling a little uncomfortable.
"Do you blame me?" the pirate asked with a grin. "I'm almost jealous that Tallis got to spend all that time half-naked in close proximity with you."
The words were meant as a joke but they came out sounding bitter and insecure. Damn it!
"Almost?" Lana repeated skeptically, not missing the tone with which Isabela spoke. She raised an eyebrow at the Rivaini.
"Almost," Isabela repeated, not wanting to elaborate. Hawke laughed a little under her breath and turned away, seeing Tallis and Varric turn right well a head of them. "Come on. Let's hurry. We don't want to lose them."
Isabela watched her sprint on ahead for a few moments, cursing her transparency, before taking off after her.
"I suppose you know she's an assassin already?" she asked as she caught up, eyeing Tallis with mistrust.
"I also found out she's Qunari."
The pirate stopped dead. "WHAT!?" she exclaimed, "You've got to be kidding me, Hawke!"
"Come on. We have to get out of here!" Lana said, doubling back and dragging the Rivaini by the arm when she didn't move. "Now's not the time for this."
"Now is the perfect time for this!" Isabela yelled, shaking out of her grip and stopping once more. "Whenever the Qunari are involved it's usually bad news."
"I know that better than anyone!" Lana said back bitterly. Isabela stared into her eyes, knowing what she was referring to. She could still see the pain that she had caused there. Her words failed for several seconds before she finally regained her voice.
"And yet you want me, of all people, to work with them?" she asked in disbelief.
"No," Hawke said firmly, "I want you to work with me, Isabela! Help me kill the Duke. But if that's too much to ask-"
"It isn't," Isabela interrupted, relaxing at once, "Just...don't drop me into any Qunari business, Hawke. I learned my lesson dealing with those bastards."
"Glad to hear it," Lana replied. "I wish I'd learnt mine."
As she turned away Isabela grabbed her arm, understanding her meaning. Yet another person had betrayed Hawke. Bugger, it's becoming something of a tradition now...She doesn't deserve this shit.
"It's who you are Hawke," Isabela said gently, staring into her chocolate-brown eyes, "You're a trusting person...It's one of your better qualities, if I'm honest. Don't start to doubt yourself now."
"I doubted myself since the day you turned your back on me, Isabela," Lana replied weakly, her eyes beginning to sparkle with tears in the light of the nearest wall lantern. The pirate's jaw tightened. She released her arm and dropped her gaze, feeling so ashamed she was unable to look at her anymore. Hawke turned away and began to follow after the others again, who had stopped at the far end of the hall at an entrance to some caves.
"I'll prove to you that I can be trusted again, Hawke," Isabela called after her, hoping to at least be given the chance. I'm done apologising.
"Prove it to yourself, Bela. You don't owe me anything." Lana replied, not looking back. "Now let's go...There's a royal decapitation to take place before we go home. You wouldn't want to miss that, would you?"