"Yo! Hoe!"
Hawke stopped dead just before the entrance to the caves, causing Isabela to walk right into her. Their heads collided with a sickening crunch. Lana spun around, feeling the sore spot with her hand. She glared at the now cursing pirate.
"What did you just call me?" she demanded angrily, feeling as though the back of her skull had cracked in two. "Hoe!?"
Isabela glowered at her, holding her forehead.
"I didn't say a damn thing, Hawke!" she replied angrily, as Tallis and Varric chuckled at the pair of them. "I thought it was you speaking!"
"Oh ,really? So is that why you decided to head-butt me then?" Lana snarled, grimacing as the pain in her head continued to throb. She cursed under her breath.
"It was a bloody accident! Next time warn people before you stop suddenly in front of them," Isabela spat, feeling her eyes watering from the pain. "Andraste's tits, that hurts!"
"Next time watch where you're walking instead!" Hawke replied, equally as angry. "If it wasn't you who spoke and it wasn't me, then who in The Maker's name was it?"
"Over here!"
The four of them jumped simultaneously and cast their eyes around, looking for the source of the voice. Lana's hand instinctively reached for her dagger...which wasn't there. She and Tallis were still out of luck in finding their weapons and armor, despite having searched a few nearby storage rooms.
"Damn it! Of all the times to be unarmed," Lana cursed. Isabela chuckled, knowing Hawke hated being without her weapons. Just like I do. It brings an unsettling kind of nakedness.
"It's only a voice, Hawke. Try not to shit yourself," the pirate teased.
Seeing Isabela's second dagger still sheathed on her back (the other being in her hand), Hawke grinned impishly. She reached out quickly and snatched it.
"Oy! That's mine!" the Rivaini exclaimed in dismay, glancing back at her precious blade in Lana's hand.
"It's only a dagger, Bela. Try not to shit yourself," Hawke replied with a wink.
"Cheeky bastard," Isabela said, rolling her eyes, "That's my Heartbreaker, that is."
"I know," Hawke said with a smirk, "I recognized it."
"Funny," Isabela groaned, "You better give it back when you're done."
"Why? You can break hearts perfectly well without it," Lana teased, getting the double meaning before Isabela. The pirate threw her a dirty look. Ha ha, because I broke Hawke's heart even without the dagger...Actually, now that I think about it that's not so funny. It's kind of true.
The corridor outside the entrance to the caves was completely empty apart from themselves. Varric aimed Bianca into the distance, waiting for the first sign of trouble.
"Over here, you scurvy wench!"
They jumped again, realising the voice was right beside them.
"Wench?" Isabela repeated amused. "I guess they're talking to Hawke then...whoever they are."
Lana glared at her. Bitch. The pirate grinned back at her cheekily.
"Captain Isabela, sir! Over here!"
The four of them flinched at the sound of another voice and turned to their right, finding themselves face to face with only three life-sized statues made of stone.
"That statue is talking to me," Isabela said, frowning at it. "Like, really talking to me! Balls...I think I've drank too much."
"Guess you're the wench then, not me," Lana said, sniggering.
"Oh, who are you trying to fool, Hawke?" the pirate replied cheekily, "You're a bigger wench than I am."
"Actually," Lana began, "I think you'll find that-"
"Oh, will you both be quiet?" Tallis interrupted, "My head hurts!"
"Maybe because you have no horns to protect it, Qunari," Isabela replied. "It's rude to interrupt people mid-argument. Didn't the ox-men teach you any manners?"
Varric and Hawke burst out laughing. Tallis looked beside herself with anger.
"Qunari are not a race, Isabela. They're a religion," she replied matter-of-factly.
"Even worse," the pirate replied, rolling her eyes, "Now where were we?...Ah yes, I was having a drink-related hallucination."
"Not for the first time," Lana added with a cheeky smile. Isabela elbowed her.
The four of them turned back to the three statues.
"It's me, Captain," The tallest one said, "Paisley Pete! Crew of the Wicked Dancer. Helped you board that Nevarran brig."
"I remember," Isabela replied bitterly, her mind flashing back to that particular job. Maker's bloody balls, I'm talking to a statue, she thought, feeling completely insane. "I also remember your Captain Maldine tried to claim all the booty, selfish prig."
"Aye, and then he put a curse on us, the scurvy bastard," the lady statue said. "Only another Sea Captain can lift it. The damn Maleficar made it that way. Ever heard of the Dagger of The Four Winds?"
"Obviously," Isabela answered, "But it's just a legend."
"Maker's truth, Captain," Paisley Pete replied, "It's as real as life. We pried the jewels off the hilt to sell to the Duke, but the curse Captain Maldine put on it caught up with us. Only when a rightful Captain puts the dagger back together and in its place, will the curse be lifted."
Isabela chuckled, "And you want me to free you, I'm guessing?" she asked amused. "I assume you know my reputation is one of not giving a damn about anyone except myself. Isn't that right, Hawke?
"I don't think Captain Isabela will be much help to you," Lana interrupted, smirking, "She doesn't even have a pirate crew...or a ship."
Varric whistled, his eyes wide and turned to look at Tallis who tried not to laugh at Isabela's expense. Isabela turned to Hawke and glared at her. Ouch! Sore spot!
"Thanks for bringing that up," she said sarcastically, seeing the teasing look in Hawke's eye.
"Pirate Captain's are more than a ship and the dirty cut-throats who sail with them. A real Sea Captain is a force of nature, like the sea herself," Paisley Pete said to Hawke in a gruff voice.
"Hear that, Hawke? I'm a force of nature. A true sailor of the sea," Isabela said smugly.
"Well, unfortunately for you the only sea Isabela has sailed on recently is a sea of women," Lana replied to the statues. "A rose is a force of nature too, right? You know, a 'Blooming Rose'?"
Varric and Tallis sniggered, knowing Hawke was referring to the brothel in Kirkwall's Red Lantern District. Isabela's face fell. She knew the words were a joke but there was underlying hurt in Lana's tone that didn't sit well with her.
"Hawke..."
She stared at her, wanting to come clean about the fact that she hadn't slept with any one since leaving Kirkwall all those years ago, the fact that she couldn't even tonight with Elegant. But in front of everyone? Forget it. I'd never hear the end of it, she thought to herself, It wasn't like I had a choice anyway. Her lengthy sabbatical from whores was (mainly) because she had been on her own for the most part of her disappearance and hadn't had the opportunity. That would have taken some real willpower to refuse! Being chased by the Felicisima Armada meant having little or no time for pleasure unless you wanted a dagger in your back. They're such killjoys. But even if there had of been someone at hand Isabela would have found it very difficult to sleep with them when her mind was clouded with thoughts of Hawke. And that was exactly what had happened tonight with Lady Elegant. It was also the reason why The Blooming Rose had lost one of its best customers (lest any of her friends notice).
"I'm joking, Bela," Lana replied slowly, noticing the pirate's change of demeanour. Why's she looking at me like that? Hawke thought, confused, It's not like it isn't true. Isabela pulled herself together at once, feeling the others staring at her. She turned back to the statues without a response, acting as though she wasn't bothered.
"Alright you scurvy buggers. Tell me where this mythical dagger is and let's get this over and done with. I'm not making any promises though."
"I can't believe we're going all the way back up here for some thieving pirates," Isabela complained as they finally found their way out of the dungeons and re-entered Duke Prosper's estate to find the Dagger of The Four Winds.
"Eh, Isabela...You're a thieving pirate," Hawke reminded her. Everyone chuckled.
"I know, Sweetness. But at least I'm not stupid enough to get caught in some stupid pose and turned to stone like these idiots," she replied with a grin.
"Sweetness?" Hawke repeated, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Too soon?" the pirate guessed, glancing over at her.
"Definitely," Lana answered firmly. Isabela sighed.
"Nice try, Rivaini," Varric interjected, with a chuckle, "Next time wait until she's had a few whiskeys down her neck before you try that one again."
"Damn it, Varric! Whose side are you on?" Lana exclaimed loudly as he and Isabela started to laugh. Tallis glanced at all three of them, bewildered (like many others) as to the nature of the friendship between the trio. All she could hear were insults and teasings, something unaccustomed to someone who had lived among Qunari for a long time. The giant ox-men weren't exactly famous for their sense of humour. But there was a definite bond there somewhere between the three companions before her, a glue holding them all together. Tallis had a feeling it was Hawke. Something about the woman drew people to her, whether she wanted them there or not.
"Anyway," Hawke continued, when the others had finished chuckling, "We're back into the main hallway and-"
"Done with the party already are we? Such a shame!"
The four of them look up at the nearest balcony to find Duke Prosper standing over them. They readied their weapons at once (Tallis stealing a small blade from Varric) just as the Duke's men surrounded them.
"We have other plans," Hawke said in a joking tone, "Any chance of that free bottle of wine I won for catching the biggest Wyvern before we go? I'd hate to let it go to waste. And after all, you did promise me."
Duke Prosper laughed loudly.
"You have a lot of stones, Serah," he replied in his think Orlesian accent, "Alas it is not time for my guests to leave so soon. You will miss the main event."
"I could live with that," Lana said, looking up at him, "I really wasn't looking forward to trying that Wyvern soup, Duke Prosper. I was just being polite."
The Duke laughed again, though more dangerously this time.
"Your sense of humour, while amusing, will not save you, Champion," he said menacingly.
"Oh drat, how unfortunate," she teased. "Then I should point out that standing on a balcony won't save you either."
"Let them go Prosper. It's me you want!" Tallis yelled angrily.
"Actually what I want is for you and your friends not to hinder anymore of my plans," he replied. The Duke looked up at his men then, who were reigning down on Lana and her companions in the middle of the lavishly decorated hall, "Do your job and kill them Chasind. Is that not why I keep you around?"
As soon as he turned his back on them and walked away, gate's fell down behind him and the fighting broke out at once.
Lana braced herself as the Duke's Chasind bodyguard came charging towards her. She was very aware that she was still in her underwear now, with only a fancy dagger to protect her from the giant maul that was being swung viciously at her. One hit from that thing and I'll be re-decorating the Duke's Chateau with my guts, she thought, eyeing the massive weapon warily. The four of them scattered at once, dodging the oncoming onslaught of mauls, swords and throwing knives. Hawke dived to the side, the giant maul narrowly missing her, and landed on the ground roughly before rolling to the side and getting back to her feet in one swift motion.
"Don't you get tired of fighting the Duke's battles?" she teased, staring up into the beast-like face of her foe.
"I don't fight for him. He is a fool. I pick my own battles," he replied angrily, "And you are an enemy worth facing."
"Bugger, I really wish people would stop singling me out," Lana joked, twirling the dagger in her hand in a taunting way, inviting the Chasind to attack. Out of the corner of her eye she could see Isabela fighting three guards at once a short distance away, as consistent with one dagger as she was with two. There's no way she's going to beat me. Got to kill more than her.
Lana ducked under another swing from the Chasind attacker and lunged forwards, sticking him with the pointy end of her dagger when he was off balance and then walloping him hard on the head with the hilt. He fell to the floor with a thud, blood dripping out from under him all over the precious Orlesian rug below. Without a seconds hesitation she engaged three new opponents, parrying away their oncoming attacks with a flurry of blocks before executing a killer combination of her own. It was a lot less fun with one dagger, but seeing the blood spurt from her enemies as she bested them brought about a satisfaction similar to that of sex. Hawke could see by the look of pleasure on Isabela's face that she felt the same way. The pirate was battling with another enemy as the others lay dead at her feet.
Lana glanced around looking for more. Across the hall she could see Varric in trouble. She dash through the makeshift battle field, felling four more enemies on her way before rescuing the dwarf from the hole he was being cornered into.
"Thanks, Hawke!" Varric called out, watching her victims fall to the ground.
"Anytime!" she called, before leaving him to it.
As she turned around, the fist of the giant Chasind she had stabbed earlier caught her in the face before she could block.
"Uff," she exhaled, feeling his knuckles bruise her jaw as her head flung back with the force. The dagger fell from her grasp as she staggered. There was a metallic taste of blood in her mouth. Spitting it onto the floor, Lana looked up just in time to shield herself from the next blow. The sheer size of the man's arms and the strength behind his punch combination was enough to knock her off her feet as a second and third punch came in from either side and caught her in her midsection.
"HAWKE!" Isabela yelled in warning, seeing the Chasind reaching for a nearby blade as Lana keeled over onto the floor in a heap. Hawke stirred a little at the pirate's continued shouts, feeling as though her rib cage had been shattered. Dazed, she stared up at the menacing Chasind, blood still pouring from his wound. He gained on her, raising the long-sword over his head ready to end her life.
"NO!" Isabela shouted, battling through the remaining guards to reach her. Varric and Tallis looked up in shock, seeing Lana collapsed on the floor, unable to defend herself. Time seemed to stand still for the three of them as they watched helplessly as the Chasind held the blade over his head, ready to administer the final swing.
In one swift movement, Isabela broke the neck of her nearest foe and instinctively slid her only dagger across the ground towards where Hawke lay. Lana felt it collide with her side painfully and rolled over grabbing it tightly in her right hand and feeling a swift breeze rush past her as the Chasind's sword collided with the marble floor where she had been laying moments before. She lunged upwards and pierced his side with the Backstabber, all the way up to the hilt.
"AARGGHH!" he yelled in anger, seeing Hawke roll away slowly and get to her feet. She picked up Isabela's other dagger and swung them both skilfully in her hands, waiting for him to charge again. He got up, stumbling slightly as he edged towards her, bleeding from both sides now. Raising his sword once more he made to swing. After a few seconds of threat however, the Chasind crumbled to the floor at her feet, finally having met his end.
Within a few minutes, the rest of the Duke's guards were dead. Hawke shook the blood off Isabela's blades and handed them back to her, trying to catch her breath.
"They handle pretty well," she said, impressed.
"Just like their owner," Isabela replied, smirking.
"Come on," Lana said, rolling her eyes, "Let's search for that dagger."
"And maybe our clothes as well?" Tallis asked, picking up a discarded sword at her feet.
"Actually I rather enjoy fighting naked. There's a lot more breeze. Armor's so restricting," Hawke joked. They all chuckled.
"It is rather distracting for those around you though," Tallis added, taking a sweeping glance at Lana's perfectly toned body, unable to hide her desire. Isabela noticed and threw the elf an icy stare, the smile sliding off her face at once. Hands off, Qunari! Pirates don't share.
"I could say the same about you, Tallis," Hawke flirted, chuckling. Isabela's frown deepened.
"Oh, get a room!" she blurted out before she could stop herself. Varric laughed a little too knowingly for Isabela's liking.
"You know better than anyone that you don't need a room for that, Bela," Lana said, winking at her. The pirate bit her tongue. She's just winding me up.
Hawke chuckled slightly, holding her bruised ribs, feeling them cry out under the strain. She suddenly noticed her bra had been cut cleanly in two and she was half way towards flashing them all.
"Isabela!" she exclaimed, realising her breasts were almost spilling out over the top. "Thank you so much for the life-saving throw and everything, but Maker's Breath, you cut my damn undergarments with your dagger."
Isabela laughed loudly, leaning in for a better look. Hawke showed her the damage as Varric and Tallis joined them and began to laugh as well. There was a thin slice on her skin where the dagger had speedily slid across the floor and caught her on the side. The fabric of her undergarment was barely covering her.
"Look at that!" Isabela said impressed with herself. She was still giggling with the others as Hawke tried to hold her assets in, "I wasn't even trying. I guess when you have a talent, you have a talent."
"Well, you better have a talent for tying knots as well!" Lana replied frantically, making the pirate laugh even more. "Fix it for me!"
"Oh, come on, Hawke," she said, "You look better without clothes...and didn't you say you were getting used to fighting naked anyway?"
Hawke glared at her.
"Oh, Andraste's Ass!" Tallis blurted out, "You two are impossible! I'll tie the damn knot. Turn around, Hawke. Let me see."
As the elf made her way forwards, arms outstretched, Isabela intercepted her.
"I think Hawke prefers a rogues'... touch," she said, glaring at Tallis as she saw the desire rise in her eyes. "A Rivaini rogue to be precise."
Tallis looked taken aback at Isabela's insistence. The pirate was flashing her a menacing look. That's right, Qunari. Put it back in your pants.
"As you wish," Tallis replied carefully, her jaw twitching, "But I think Hawke would prefer someone who won't...hurt her."
Isabela's eye narrowed, grasping her meaning. Bitch thinks she knows me. She doesn't...
"Enough!" Hawke interrupted, breaking the awkward silence and looking at them both in confusion, "Will someone just... tie the damn knot so we can move through the Chateau without me exposing myself?"
Tallis backed off, unwilling to mess with Isabela, and she and Varric led the way forwards as the Rivaini got to work.
"We'll go look for this dagger," Varric called over his shoulder. Tallis glanced back regretfully. The pirate shot her another look of warning before she began tying the two ends of Hawke's bra together, her hands lingering dangerously close to the woman's semi-naked breast. She felt Lana tense a little at her touch, uncomfortable with how close they were.
"Relax Hawke," the pirate said quietly when they were alone, "It's strictly business."
"Then what was all that about with Tallis just now," Hawke muttered back, feeling the pirate trying unsuccessfully to avoid brushing against her.
"She likes you. I was just warning her off."
"Warning her off?" Hawke asked, turning her head to look at Isabela. The pirate froze, staring into her eyes. Hawke sighed."You don't own me, Isabela..."
"I didn't claim to, Hawke," Isabela replied quickly, swallowing hard, "I just...Balls...Forget it."
"Just what?" Lana asked, seeing the pirate's eyes drop and focus a little too much on the knot she was trying to make with too-small pieces of fabric.
"Nothing," the Rivaini answered, avoiding her stare. Her jaw tightened. She pulled the tiny pieces together, forming a tight knot just under Hawke's bosom. Her hands lingered momentarily. Suddenly she felt Lana's hand cover hers.
"Isabela..."
The pirate looked up reluctantly, loosing herself in Lana's chocolate-brown eyes. The woman's hand on hers made her quiver. After several seconds, without warning, their faces began to draw closer. Hawke could feel Isabela's warm breath trickle across her face. Her eyes dropped, as she moved in, her hand still holding Isabela's. The pirate ran her free hand up Lana's arm and neck, before resting on her cheek, feeling to softness of her skin. She felt the woman flinch a little, her breathing quicken with every stroke. Just as their lips were about to meet, Lana hesitated, halting Isabela in her tracks.
"I..."
She pulled back, flustered, letting Isabela's hand fall away from her face.
"Hawke..."
Lana looked back up into Isabela's amber eyes, seeing the longing there. But this was all too much for her.
"I'm not doing this here, Bela," she said sadly, shaking her head, "It's too soon...It was a mistake what happened between us..."
"Don't say that," Isabela replied, feeling Lana's hand slip away from hers. She had no idea that words could hurt so much, "Don't ever say that..."
Lana bit her lip, still shaking her head.
"It's the truth," she whispered weakly, feeling the words tear from her chest and watching the pirate's face fall at their effect. Neither of them had any idea who leaned in first. It was almost like a reflex action. Hawke turned to walk away then, wishing she hadn't of looked into Isabela's eyes. That's always been where my weakness lies.
"You still love me, Hawke," Isabela called after her loudly.
Her words stung the air. Hawke froze, as though they had struck her. She turned around, feeling her eyes sting with angry tears.
"Since what was that ever the issue?" she asked bitterly, gazing at Isabela helplessly.
Isabela hesitated.
"I can't keep waiting for you to decide you want me, Bela. I can't keep kidding myself," Hawke continued.
"I do want you, Hawke," the pirate said, moving closer to her. Lana shook her head.
"But you don't love me?" she asked, as though she already knew the answer.
"I...Hawke..." Isabela's words failed her. Say something... Anything! Anything to stop her from walking away!
Hawke snorted, a bitter smile forming on her face. "Just as I thought..."
She turned away again and made to follow the others, wiping away a tear which had fallen down her cheek.
"Hawke stop!" Isabela called after her. "WAIT!"
"Come on!" Lana called without looking back, "Let's just find this damn dagger and get out of this place. I've had just about enough of Chateau Haine and its so-called 'party'."
The four companions walked through the caves, searching for the way out which would lead them to the mountain top and out of Chateau Haine entirely. Lana couldn't wait to be rid of it. This had been the most agonizing party she had ever been too, even compared to that gathering all those years ago which her mother had organized. Between Isabela, Lady Elegant, Tallis, Bethany and the appearance of Leliana after such a long time apart, Hawke felt more drained in the last twenty-four hours than she had in the last three years.
"I still can't believe you made me give away that dagger," Isabela moaned, referring to her having to deposit of the Dagger of The Four Winds soon after they had found it to break the curse and free the three pirates made of stone.
"It was the right thing to do, Bela," Hawke replied, walking alongside her behind the others. "You weren't really going to leave them like that, were you?"
"No," she admitted reluctantly, "But it was so shiny!"
"It was cursed!" Hawke replied, giving her a weird look, "Don't tell me you wanted to keep a cursed dagger."
"But it wasn't harmful to me," Isabela countered. She sighed then. "Oh, balls, maybe you're right...as usual."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lana asked, frowning.
"You know..." Isabela began, "You're always influencing me to do stuff, Hawke, against my better judgement."
"Like what?"
Isabela looked at her, "Like bringing back the Tome of Koslun! Freeing stupid pirates from a curse! Not sleeping with El-Nevermind."
"Not sleeping with who?" Hawke asked at once, as the pirate cut off mid-sentence. Isabela looked dead ahead, silently cursing herself for what had escaped her mouth. Shit!
"No one," she replied distantly, avoiding her eye.
"Isabela?" Hawke questioned, putting a hand on her arm, "Who were you talk-"
"I said no one alright!" the pirate snapped angrily, pulling away from her touch and turning to glare at her. Lana was taken aback.
"I...Fine," she replied, a little confused t the pirate's retort. "Don't tell me then..."
Silence fell between the two of them at once and they continued to follow Tallis and Varric further into the caves. As she walked, Isabela berated herself over and over again for almost having revealed her rejection of Lady Elegant's 'splendours' earlier on that night. She was still a little confused by her actions and, truth be told, embarrassed as well. Never before had she given up on a sure thing like that. Why couldn't I go through with it? Elegant's actually pretty good once she get's going. The pirate played back the event in her head, trying to find out what it actually was that made her stop when Elegant had mentioned Hawke and Leliana kissing. Jealousy? Love? Anger? Hurt? Betrayal? She couldn't comprehend any of the words which were flying through her head. When Hawke had asked her whether she loved her back at the Chateau, Isabela didn't know what to reply. Originally she thought that if the topic came up it would be easy to admit. But Isabela knew that once she admitted being in love, her life would be turned upside down and even now she wasn't sure whether she really wanted it. She loved her life. Loved being the Captain of a ship, sailing across the Eastern Sea, getting drunk with dangerous vagrants, exploring the depths of both men and women alike, stealing precious jewels, and all the while not knowing if she would live to see the sunrise the next morning. It was exhilarating, exciting, and she didn't want to change it for anyone. Not even Hawke? The question stuck uncomfortably in her throat and she swallowed hard, forcing it to the back of her mind unanswered.
"Ok this is it. The way out," Tallis informed them, hovering beside the exit to the mountains. She rounded on Hawke once more. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Lana nodded, "I told you already, Tallis. I'll help you."
The elf smiled at her. "Now's the time to turn back if you change your mind."
"Oh good, I'll see you later then," Isabela said, turning on her heel. Lana reached out and grabbed her hand as she tried to pass her. One look from those chocolate-brown eyes had the Rivaini turning back towards Tallis and waiting with the rest of them.
"Thank you," Tallis said, staring at Isabela. "I know this can't be easy for you."
"Just get it done," The pirate answered bitterly, distancing herself from Hawke. Tallis nodded.
"Let's go," Hawke said, leading the way.
The four of the walked through the exit (some a little reluctantly) and found themselves at the top of the same mountains they had been hunting Wyverns on earlier.
"Déjà vu anyone?" Hawke joked, noticing their familiar surroundings.
"Ghast hole," Varric said chuckling. The others laughed.
"Is it just me or are there a lot more dead Tal-Vashoth lying around than before?" Isabela interjected. The others scanned the mountainside, seeing the bodies of around a dozen dead ox-men
"Let's get down to the base of the mountain," Tallis said, "Salit must already be here. I'm pretty sure that's where the exchange will take place."
"Makers Breath, does that mean we have to run down the mountain?" Isabela asked after her, "I don't remember signing on for a marathon."
"Stay here if you want," Tallis called back, "I bet the Wyverns would love the taste of Rivaini meat."
The pirate groaned, "Fine, I'm coming," she relented, sprinting after the rest of them.
"Let's get this over with, Qunari. Before your assassins find us," Duke Prosper said, speaking to the imposing Qunari entourage before him. Both parties withdrew their weapons simultaneously, each wary of the other. Then, unexpectedly, the tallest Qunari in the party, shoved his spears in the ground and made his way forwards, withdrawing a golden scroll in his hand.
"That's Salit!" Tallis whispered to Hawke, crouched beside her as they overlooked the meeting. "I'm going to get closer. Cover me!"
Hawke watched the elf drop down from an impossible height and land perfectly on her feet before hiding behind another rock at the foot of the cliff they were on. The four of them turned their eyes back to the exchange, simultaneously meandering down the rough mountain path getting into a more advantageous position.
"This is a list of names!" Duke Prosper exclaimed loudly, "We expected the Gatlock formula, dreadnought plans, anything but this. This is useless!"
"You asked for a weapon," Salit said in a deep voice, "We have provided one."
Just then Hawke entered the clearing, Isabela and Varric in tow.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Champion," Duke Prosper said, grinning, "Still naked I see."
"I'd like my things back," she said, noticing her clothes peek out of a satchel at the Duke's feet. "And then I can go home."
The Duke and his men started to laugh.
"Pah!" he spat, throwing the bag towards her, "Take your filthy garments then. I have no use for such horrible fabric!"
"Hitting me where it hurts...My fashion sense," Hawke joked, scrambling to put on her clothes.
"Joke while you can, Champion. You will not find it funny for long," the Duke replied. When Hawke had withdrawn her things from the bag she tossed it to the side, behind the stone where Tallis was lingering, allowing her to get changed as well.
"Not saving the remains for your little elven friend?" the Duke asked, surprised.
"Tallis," Salit said to himself, as though knowing she would be here. "I told her I would slay her if she tried to stop me."
"She's late," Hawke replied, "Unlike her I have an excellent sense for dramatic timing...and good hair. But I think she won't mind if I kill you without her."
"If anyone is to do any killing it will be me!" the Duke replied, shoving his scroll back to one of his guards blindly. Hawke spotted a familiar face smile gleefully behind him, as he handed it to her unknowingly. Suddenly the Duke pulled out a weird-looking crossbow and aimed it at his Qunari business partner, shooting a horrible green, sticky substance at him.
Salit growled, staring down at his torso in confusion. All of a sudden the cries of a wyvern echoed throughout the mountainside. Everyone looked up in surprise, scattering to the side at the sight of the Duke's pet wyvern from the party swooping down to catch Salit in its mouth, then tearing him to pieces.
"Kill them all!" Prosper shouted insanely.
The three-way fight broke out at once. Lana caught the blade Isabela tossed towards her and charged with the rest of them, spotting her daggers in one of the guard's hands. They're mine, you bastard. She ran to him first, dodging his attacks and burying Isabela's Heartbreaker in his chest. Blood spurted from his mouth, showering her recently-added clothing. She used her foot to push him off the end of her blade and stared down at herself in dismay. Typical! Seeing the guard fight to stay alive, Lana tossed the Heartbreaker back to a busy Isabela and leaned over him.
"I'll take these back, thank you very much," she said happily, picking up her beloved daggers again. The guard gurgled blood at her in response. She chuckled before turning away, running to take the pressure off Isabela who was surrounded by two Qunari and another Orlesian guard.
"Leave them, Hawke!" Tallis called, intercepting her. "Get the Duke!"
Lana obeyed, turning away and staring across the clearing to see Duke Prosper sitting atop his beloved wyvern, trying to direct his crossbow at Varric, who was battling a short distance away. She ran towards him before springing into the air and tackling him. They both fell from the wyvern's saddle and began to wrestle on the ground. The Duke fell backwards with Lana on top of him, his weapon falling from his hand. Hawke dropped one of her blades in the process of the scuffle. As soon as she got on top, she held the other one to his throat, seeing his hand begin to bleed as he grabbed the blade, preventing her from cutting his throat.
"You're going to regret putting me in that cell," she growled, pushing down harder against him. His teeth were bared, trying to resist her strength. He struggled underneath her, trying with all his might to escape. Suddenly Lana felt a sharp pain in her thigh.
"Ugh!" she groaned, falling limply onto of him. He pushed her to the side and got back to his feet picking up his crossbow and climbing back onto the wyvern's saddle. Hawke gasped for breath. Looking down, she saw the shining silver of a small knife protruding from the inside of her thigh. Then she was assaulted by green-goo, the same substance which the Duke had shot at Salit to entice the Wyvern.
In once painful movement, Hawke tried to wrench the knife out of her leg to no avail. She scrambled to her feet, dagger in hand as the wyvern raced towards her, Duke Prosper riding it like a horse. The mountain shook with its heavy footsteps, causing the other fighters to turn and stare. At the last-minute Hawke dived to the side, swinging her blade at the beast's leg and watching it lose its footing. She spun around, just in time to see it slide on its stomach and fall over the edge of the cliff along with the Duke.
Lana limped towards the edge, sensing her companions behind her. The other guards must have either been killed by now or ran off. She leaned over the edge, feeling dizzy as she realised how far up they were. Ugh, I think I'm afraid of heights. Suddenly a bloody hand reached up and grabbed her foot.
"...All...All of you will die...screaming...I swear it," Duke Prosper wheezed, staring up at her with loathing.
"Really?" Hawke asked amused, "Why don't you show us how it's done?"
She kicked away his hand causing the Duke to lose his grip. He began to fall.
"ARRRGGGHHHH!"
His voice eventually drifted off and they saw him crash painfully off a rock.
"You see that?" Isabela asked amused, "He bounced."
Varric and Tallis laughed.
"Bastard," Lana muttered, dropping to the ground. She looked down at the silver knife sticking out of the inside of her leg and tried to wrench it out again. The blade was wedged in deep, causing the blood to gush out as she removed it, turning the ground red.
"Sister!"
The four of them turned around in surprise to see Bethany, Aveline and Merrill walking towards them. Well, walking wasn't exactly the right word. Bethany was sprinting as she spotted Lana bleeding on the ground and Aveline was directing a staggering Merrill over to them, her hand around her waist. As soon as they caught up, Bethany fell to her knees beside her sister.
"You're hurt!" she exclaimed worriedly, touching Lana's leg. Lana avoided her eyes.
"What do you care?" she said dryly, shaking her off and helping herself to her feet.
"Lana please," Bethany said, "I know you must hate me right now but...Let me heal you at least."
"I'm fine," Hawke replied firmly, without looking at her.
"Hawke," Isabela began, as the others looked on, "The wound's pretty deep. Your leg's pouring with blood. Let her help."
Lana stared at her, wondering why she was taking Bethany's side. They probably had a good laugh about me back at the party when I was searching for the vault with Tallis, she thought angrily.
"Whatever," she replied, "Do it then if it will make you feel better...But this doesn't change a thing."
Bethany tried to hide her sadness as she bent down and began to heal her older sister's leg with magic. The wound stitched itself together, stopping the blood from flowing immediately. Bethany straightened up then.
"I'm sorry, Lana," she said gently, placing a hand on her arm, "For everything..."
Hawke turned her back on her. "Let's go home," she said dully, "I'm sick of this place."
"Where's the Duke?" Aveline asked, bewildered.
"He took a little tumble off the cliff," Isabela answered, "Want to join him?"
Aveline glared at her. "Shut up, Whore!"
Qunari words caught Hawke's ear and she turned away from the bickering behind her towards where Tallis lay beside Salit's dismembered body. The elf straightened up.
"Thank you," she said, "There's no way I could have done this without your help. If the Duke only knew what he had in his hand...I dread to think." She stowed the golden scroll in her pack.
"So what now? You aren't just going to leave are you?" Lana asked.
Tallis laughed. "You think I would fit into your merry entourage?" she asked. They both glanced back at the bickering companions behind them. Lana laughed as well.
"Better than most," she said with a grin.
"Maybe some other time Hawke," she said, smiling at her, "I have some other things to do...I am grateful for all your help though."
"Happy to be of service," she replied. "You've changed my opinion of Qunari."
"Really?" Tallis asked excitedly.
"No."
The elf rolled her eyes.
"If it weren't for Isabela, I'd give you a kiss right now," she admitted a little shyly. Hawke smirked.
"Afraid of her?" she teased.
"Not really," Tallis replied, "I just don't want to mess up what you two have got going...You may fool each other Hawke, but I see right through you both. You care about each other more than you think."
This time Lana rolled her eyes. "Stick to killing rogue Tal-Vashoth, Tallis," she joked, dismissing her comment. "Isabela and I are too complicated to be analysed."
"You got that right," the elf replied. "Oh, before I forget!" She tossed Hawke a giant ruby jewel. "That was supposed to be the Heart of The Many. I did promise you a jewel. Take care of yourself, Hawke. Maybe we'll meet again."
"Goodbye, Tallis," Hawke called after her, pocketing the jewel in her discarded backpack by the rocks. All of her possessions still seemed to be inside thankfully. She picked it up and slung it over her back before turning back to the others.
"Ready to head back to Kirkwall?" she asked. Isabela smirked at her.
"Like you wouldn't believe."