Lana lay in the bath tub in her Hightown Estate, eyes closed, trying to relax during one of the precious few moments she had all to herself. The warm water brushing gently against her skin, the complete silence and the deep, calming breaths in and out would unfortunately do nothing to help ease her aching muscles and overworked mind however. She opened her eyes, sighing in frustration and stared down at her scarred, naked body, seeing the continued tension in her perfectly toned figure. Straightening up into a sitting position, she reached down and brought a slender finger over the oval-shaped scar on the inside of her left thigh, still feeling some pain there despite her little sister's healing skills. It had been two weeks since they returned from Chateau Haine. In that time Hawke had barely seen or spoken to any of her friends because of the constant work she was doing for not only Knight-Commander Meredith, but now her opposite number as well, First Enchanter Orsino. Apparently the Templars and mages were beginning to form allegiances with each other against the obvious tyranny of Meredith, and who should they turn to for help? Me, of course...Lana exhaled again and lay her head back down against the stone tub. She closed her eyes once more, trying to shake the troubling thoughts from her mind and begging herself to unwind before something interrupted her much-needed peace and quiet. No sooner had the thought entered her head when there was a knock at the door downstairs.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Hawke opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling. You can't be serious! Who would be calling at this time? She groaned and closed her eyes once more, anticipating Bodhan or Sandal to answer it. After a few seconds, the door knocked again.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Lana stayed where she was, straining her ears to try to hear the light plodding footsteps of her faithful, dwarven manservant walk to the door. Suddenly her eyes flung open. She just remembered she had sent Bodhan and Sandal off for a few days vacation yesterday and that she was alone in the house. Hearing the door knock for the third time, Lana cursed loudly and reluctantly climbed out of the bath tub, wrapping a towel around her and thinking to herself that she was definitely losing her mind.
Making her way downstairs in light, slippery footsteps, Hawke then grabbed a dagger from her weapons rack in the hallway just in case. The friends I've made over the last couple of years are a constant warning of the type of people I tend to attract. Holding the small towel around her with her free hand, Lana reached out and opened the front door a crack.
"Hey, bad timing?"
There, standing before her in the lashing rain stood Isabela. The pirate glanced down at the apparent nakedness of her host, unable to stop herself. Hawke tried to hide the surprise from her face and yanked the towel up further, covering her visible cleavage.
"Isabela," she said, confused and a little flustered, "What-What are you doing here?"
The Rivaini grinned her favourite crooked smile and shrugged.
"I was in the neighbourhood," she said simply, "I just thought you might like some company."
Hawke sighed. She threw her dagger back onto the rack and ran a hand through her wet hair.
"Bela..."
Isabela held up her left hand in surrender. "Not that type of company," she said with a chuckle seeing her words had their desired effect. She pulled a bottled of whiskey out from behind her back with her other hand then, giving Lana a questioning look. "I just...well, we haven't really talked since the Dukes party and I just thought you might want to...Oh, never mind, it was a stupid idea."
The pirate turned on her heel then, seeing the reluctance on Hawke's face. She began to walk away, cursing herself for even thinking Lana would have agreed. Hawke bit her lip as she watched her go, unsure of whether or not to stop her.
"Bela, wait!" she called finally, unable to see her walking alone into the rain on such a cold night. Isabela turned back, surprised. Hawke stood back then and opened the door wider. She threw the pirate a small smile.
"It would be a shame to let good whiskey go to waste," she joked, holding the door open invitingly. A relieved smile appeared on Isabela's face and she walked back and entered the estate. Hawke closed the door tightly behind her and led the pirate into the living area. They took up two armchairs in front of the blazing fire. Isabela grabbed Hawke's red robe which was drying on a clothes-horse beside it and held it open for her.
"I can safely say this is the first time I've offered to put clothes on a woman instead of take them off," she said grinning, "So if I were you I'd take me up on it while you can."
Lana hesitated momentarily before turning and reluctantly allowing the pirate to help her into the robe, dropping the towel at her feet. She tried not to shiver at her touch. Isabela swallowed hard, feeling the warmth of the woman's skin through the fabric. Her hands lingered on the collar momentarily before Hawke pulled away and tied both sides around her naked body with the thin belt.
"Thanks," she muttered, avoiding the pirate's eyes. "I'll go get us some mugs."
Isabela watched after her as Lana made her way into the other room. The same room, strangely enough, where her mother seen us kissing all those years ago, the pirate thought to herself, her mind flashing back to that disastrous moment which changed everything between them. Not to mention revealed Hawke's long kept secret about her sexuality. What Isabela wouldn't have given to follow her into that room right now and pick up from where they had been interrupted. That would be foolish though...I have to show her that I can be trusted again.
A few moments later, Lana reemerged with two pewter mugs.
"Gamlen stole my good ones so we'll have to make do with these," she said grimly, placing the mugs down on the small table in between the two armchairs. They both took a seat.
"Still stealing from you?" Isabela asked, shaking her head, "Greasy bastard."
"You're one to talk," Lana replied, attempting a joke with her dulcet tone. The pirate laughed.
"I don't steal from my friends, Hawke. Where's the fun in stealing a few mugs when there are plenty of other precious artifacts that need to change hands?" she replied, opening the bottle of The Hanged Mans finest and pouring them both generous servings. She handed a mug to Lana and held up her own. "What should we toast to?"
Lana smiled as best she could, "To my day off from being somebody's bitch?" she suggested. They both laughed and clinked mugs, before knocking back their whiskey in one.
"Maker, I needed that," Isabela said, placing her mug back on the little table. Lana silently agreed, doing the same. The pirate began to pour them another helping.
"So what's got you slumming it in Hightown on such a cold night?" Hawke asked, leaning back into her armchair and crossing her bare legs. Isabela leaned over and handed her a refilled mug before settling back into her own chair.
"Well," she began, staring at Lana, "It's been a while you know, since we've just...talked."
"I didn't feel like talking," Hawke said coldly, peeling her gaze away from Isabela's and staring into the dancing flames in the grate. Isabela smirked.
"Is that why you've been avoiding me?" she asked, tilting her head at her, "You didn't really think I hadn't noticed did you?"
Hawke's eyes darted over to the amber ones observing her. For the past two weeks, anytime Isabela's presence had been mentioned she had ducked out, leaving Varric and the rest of her friends with a lot of unfinished drinks in The Hanged Man. So she noticed then, Hawke thought to herself.
"I wasn't avoiding you," she lied, "I just... had to leave."
Isabela sighed, the smile falling off her face. "Look Hawke," she said, shifting uncomfortable in her chair, "I know I'm wrong about a lot of things, but don't lie to me about this."
Hawke turned back to the fire again, taking a sip of whiskey and exhaling loudly. She leaned over, resting her arms on her knees. Her head dropped and she began to swirl the whiskey in her mug.
"I just..." she shook her head, trying to find the words, "I... find it difficult to be around you, Bela."
Isabela frowned. "I know I've hurt you Hawke but...I'm starting to think that this isn't just about me anymore. Am I wrong?"
Lana sighed, still staring into the depths of her mug. "No," she replied grimly.
"Then what is it?" Isabela asked, wondering what it was making Hawke wear a permanent frown on her face every time she seen her. Hawke leaned back in her chair then, with a quick glance up at the ceiling and a shake of the head.
"I..."
Isabela leaned closer, "Hawke," she said, placing a hand on her chair, "Just tell me."
"It's... me," Lana replied, helplessly, "I just...I just can't let go of the past, Isabela."
She got to her feet and placed her mug down on the table, before walking to the fireplace and leaning over it with one hand, staring down into the flames again. Isabela placed her mug on the table and got to her feet as well. She approached Hawke and placed a gentle hand on her back.
"You're so tense," she said shocked, feeling Lana's contracted muscles from under the thin robe. It was as thought they hadn't unravelled in years.
"I know," she replied weakly, "I'm finding it hard to...unwind...Drinking helps."
Isabela smiled a little at the half-hearted joke. She really loves joking at the worst times.
"How long has this been going on, Hawke?" she asked worriedly, running her hand along Lana's stiff shoulder gently and massaging it a little. She felt her sigh, not speaking for several seconds. "Hawke?"
"Since the day my mother died..."
Isabela's mouth fell open slightly. She didn't know what to say. Now she understood why Hawke found it hard to be around her. The events of that haunting day still tortured the dreams of every person present in that horrible place. The image of Leandra Hawke, tortured by a necromancer and asking for forgiveness as she lay dying in her eldest daughter's embrace was still hard to think about. In the end, it was what forced Lana to look for comfort in Isabela's arms in the first place. She went against her better judgement which told her what everyone already knew: that Isabela would hurt her in the end. And I did, the pirate thought to herself, watching the shell of her former-friend as she tried not to crack into tiny pieces.
"Hawke I...I'm sorry," she said, feeling inadequate as she so often did in these types of situations. But I'm responsible for this, at least in part .I can't abandon her again.
"Don't be," Lana replied with a snort, "It's not your fault. It's my issue. Four years she's been gone and she still has a hold over me. I can still hear her warnings and accusations in my ear...It's pathetic."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" The pirate asked, squeezing Lana's shoulder comfortingly. Hawke looked up at her.
"Tell them what? To leave me alone because I haven't had time to myself to grieve for my non-existent family?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.
The pirate shrugged, "I don't know, I mean I'm sure the Big Girl would have helped you out or something, or Varric. Why didn't you tell them?"
"Would you?"
Isabela didn't answer. No, she thought to herself, I wouldn't tell a soul. The pirate cursed under her breath. She and Hawke were their own worst enemies sometimes. She pulled a lock of Lana's dark brown hair back out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. For four years the woman had carried this grief, along with everyone else's. Isabela knew a day would come when she simply couldn't continue taking shit from everyone as well as keeping her own in check. The stress over the past eight or nine years was bound to catch up eventually. And now it had. And there was no Malcolm, no Leandra, no Carver and not even Bethany to free Lana from the burden they had all left on her.
"Look Hawke, I know you won't believe me when I say this, but I'm here for you," Isabela said staring into her chocolate-brown eyes. "I wasn't much comfort to you back then when Leandra died, and when Bethany was taken by the Templars... but I'm better at it now...I've changed."
"I don't want you to change, Bela," Lana said, shaking her head, "I never did. All I wanted was you...but you made it so damn difficult."
"I know I did," she groaned, "That's the difference between us, Hawke. I spent my whole life taking care of myself because no one would, and you spent yours looking after everyone else because you could. I'm still not able to open up to anyone emotionally. I just...don't think I'm capable of it."
"And that's why this was never going to work," Lana whispered, her face falling. She walked away and sat back down on her chair. Isabela's hand dropped to her side. She followed her, kneeling down in front of her and touching her leg.
"But our friendship can," she said, staring into her eyes, "Balls Hawke, you're the best damn friend I've had in possibly forever. And if you tell anyone that I'll deny it tooth and nail but...It's true."
Hawke looked into her amber eyes, seeing that she was being honest. She swallowed hard.
"I can't switch off my feelings, Isabela," she replied, her eyes filling up, "As much as I want to, I just can't!"
"I didn't ask you to, Sweetness," Isabela said painfully, touching her cheek. "Just don't write me off just yet."
"Why shouldn't I?" Hawke asked, a tear falling down her cheek, "Maker's Breath, I can't keep kidding myself any longer. Why should I keep doing this to myself, Bela?"
"Because I lov-I don't want to lose you!" Isabela said loudly, correcting herself mid-sentence. Balls, why can't I just say it!? Damn it!
"Then tell me how we can move on," Hawke said weakly, too upset to notice her slip up, "Because I'm all out of ideas..."
Isabela go to her feet and grabbed her mug of whiskey off the table, downing it. She began to pace the floor, thinking to herself. She knew she should have come clean about her feelings but it was so difficult for her. After years of turning off her emotions it was hard to just switch them on again. There must be some way to keep Hawke close, but at a safe distance.
"How about we go back to just being business partners?" she suggested. "You help me out, I help you, just like how it used to be in the beginning."
"That's it?" Hawke asked skeptically, staring up at her.
"For now at least," Isabela said nodding, "It will give you some much-needed distance from all the stress and give us both time to think about what we really want."
"I thought that was why you left in the first place, Bela," Lana reminded her. Isabela said nothing. Hawke didn't have any idea just how much thinking she had done all those years on the run. And I can't find it in myself to admit it. Hawke considered her proposal for a second. She couldn't see how being business partners would be any different from being friends. I mean weren't we always just helping each other out? But it did mean not spending time alone with each other. No more drinks together in The Hanged Man, no more torturous near-misses and needless jealousy. They were free to do what they wanted, who they wanted. Was this the only way forwards for them? To take two steps back?
"Fine," Lana said sadly, seeing no other way. "So, I guess we finish this bottle of whiskey tonight and then...that's it."
Isabela seated herself down in her armchair again. "Guess so..."
She poured them both another mug of whiskey, draining the bottle and held Hawke's out to her, waiting.
"Shall we toast to it?" she asked grimly, already feeling as though this was a bad idea. Her breath caught as she pierced Lana's chocolate-brown eyes with her amber ones. Hawke swallowed hard.
"To sweet sacrifice," she said over the lump in her throat.
"To bittersweet sacrifice," Isabela corrected, "For the good of your health and my sanity."
Reluctantly the two women clinked mugs, closing a door (how ever temporarily) on their feelings towards one and other and sacrificing what could have been for the survival of their continued working relationship together (because truth be told that was the only relationship between them which could function efficiently). As the two women raised the whiskey to their lips they couldn't help both thinking how ironic it was that their companionship had started with a drink and now it was ending with one.
When they had finished, both got to their feet. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Isabela reached out a hand. Lana shook it, feeling a chapter of her life finally close, allowing her to let go of the past.
"I forgive you, Isabela," she said earnestly, not wanting to let her go. Isabela smiled at her.
"Thank you," she replied, relieved to finally hear those words, "I promise I won't betray you like that again, Hawke. You have my word."
They let each other go then. An awkward moment of silence passed as neither wanted to leave. Even if it was for the greater good, neither of them wanted to turn their backs on each other.
"I'll be in touch when I need you," Lana said. "Don't go too far."
Isabela nodded and turned away, making her way towards the front door. She hovered in the hallway and glanced back at Lana who was watching her go.
"Take care of yourself, Hawke," she said heavily. "For me...You look terrible."
Without another word the pirate opened the front door and walked out into the rain, closing the door behind her with a definitive snap.
"So how are things, Hawke? I feel as though we haven't spoken in an age."
Lana leaned against the stone wall in Aveline's office as the Guard Captain rifled through her mountain of paperwork. She gazed out the window, happy to be inside away from the bustling Hightown and its many admirers. Nowadays, even three years after her defeat of the Arishok, it was still hard for her to go about her business without being harassed by both children and adults alike.
"Fine," Lana replied simply, staring up through the window bars into the bright, mid-day sky. The Guardswoman looked up at her, frowning.
"Really Hawke? That's all you're going to give me?" she asked, her quill poised over a blank piece of vellum which she was using to write the next duty roster. Lana shook herself back to her senses and dropped herself onto the wooden chair in front of the Captain's desk.
"Sorry Av," she replied, rubbing her eye, "I haven't really been myself lately."
"Why do you think I was asking?" Aveline said, "Hawke when was the last time you slept?"
Lana considered this, "Hmm, about three days ago," she said dully.
"I'm serious, Hawke," Aveline blurted angrily. Maker she hated it when Lana joked when she was trying to have a serious conversation with her. Hawke gave her a strange look.
"So am I, Av..."
The Captain put down her quill and observed her friend more closely then. There were dark circles under her eyes and she didn't seem to be at all there. As though the lanterns were lit but no one was home. Aveline folded her hands and leaned over the desk.
"How come?" she asked, concerned. Hawke laughed a little.
"Come on, Aveline. Do you really have to ask?" she replied, sighing then. The Guardswoman's lips pursed.
"Isabela," she stated, a little angrier than before. Lana looked up then.
"No," she replied, half-amused at Aveline's answer, "For the first time in years I can safely say that Isabela is the last thing on my mind. I haven't really spoken to her in the last few months, unless you count talking business."
"Hmm, I suppose you haven't," Aveline said, considering this. Chateau Haine had been months ago, despite the feeling as though it was only yesterday. The last time the Guardswoman had seen them together was two weeks ago while on business for First Enchanter Orsino. They were very civil to one another. No jokes, no flirting, just straight up business. "So if it isn't Isabela, then who?"
"Bethany," Lana sighed, "She's been sending me letter after letter, trying to get me to speak to her again."
"Oh," Aveline replied, remembering how the two sisters had left things back a Chateau Haine, "And have you wrote back?"
Hawke shook her head, "What would I say, Av? Sorry Sister, you blamed me for our mother's death so I never want to see you again?...I pretty much told her that back at the Duke's party. If it hurt that much saying it once, imagine saying it for a second time."
Aveline silently agreed. There was no use repeating such cold words to Bethany. As much as a front that she put on, she was a sensitive girl inside. She had already been hurt enough. But something about the youngest Hawke's demeanour had changed since they had returned from Chateau Haine. She was now sending regular letters to Lana with inside information on the allegiances between the mages and Templars in the Circle and was telling Hawke of the daily goings-on inside the Gallows, providing her with a reliable source to help her do her work for the Knight-Commander and Orsino. For someone who had distanced herself from her older sister for so many years, why was she suddenly so ready and willing to get in touch and try to repair their non-existent relationship? It was a question that had caused Lana many sleepless nights.
"I suppose you're right," the Guardswoman relented, "Why don't you go home and take a rest though, Hawke? You look dead on your feet."
"I thought you wanted to talk?" Lana asked, confused, "I know how you love to have nice, girly chats, Aveline. And I'm surprised that after all this time you haven't commented on me and Sister Leliana. Why do you think I'm here? Give it your best shot."
Aveline glared at her as she smirked back. It was true she had been itching to ask about Sister Leliana's involvement in the story between Hawke, Isabela and Bethany ever since they had been reunited back at Chateau Haine. There seemed to be more than just simple history there. And she never could resist an opportunity to tell Lana off for something. But the woman just didn't look up to a good chin-wag.
"I'll save my questions for later, Hawke. Just go get some sleep. I'll give you a tonic."
The Captain searched in one of her desk drawers for a small, corked bottle with a greeny-grey liquid inside and tossed it to Hawke, who caught it in one hand.
"What's this?" she asked, holding it up into the light. "Has the Guard Captain been working under the influence?"
Aveline rolled her eyes. "It's a legal potion, Hawke. We don't all buy Worthy's strange concoctions with our friends and spend entire weekends out of our tree, like you and Isabela do."
Lana chuckled, having almost forgotten the time a few years back when she and Isabela had mixed one of the dwarf Worthy's 'home-made' potions into their whiskey and drank it. Neither of them could remember any specific thing they had done that weekend. All they knew was that it was a good one. Isabela had woken up in the Chantry, bound by her hands and forced to listen to the Chant of light having ordered the 'Bad Girl Special' at The Blooming Rose and Lana found herself completely naked, tied to a headboard in a random tavern on the outskirts of the city, with red, spank marks on her ass and smeared lipstick all over her face. Ahh, good times.
"Eh, Hawke?" Aveline asked, clicking her fingers and pulling her back to her senses. Lana shook herself awake and turned to the Guardswoman.
"Ok, fine," she relented, getting to her feet and stowing the tiny vial in her pack.
"Go straight home, Hawke," Aveline ordered, "No trips to The Hanged Man beforehand and no more quests until you have rested, got it?"
"Yes sir!" Hawke said, giving her a mock salute. Aveline rolled her eyes.
"Good," she replied, "I'll be watching you. I'll know if you don't."
"Thanks for the warning. See you, Av."
Hawke walked out of the barracks and re-entered Hightown. She strolled down the steps, side-stepping a few stalkers she had picked up in recent years and began to wander back to her estate absentmindedly. As she rounded a corner, she stopped dead. Isabela was approaching, arm in arm with one of the local whores. She was laughing and joking, dragging the woman into a nearby alleyway when her eyes found Hawke. Lana took a deep breath and made her way towards them, unable to go any other way (however desperately she wanted to).
"Hawke," Isabela greeted her, pulling her arm out of the whore's vice-like grip. "I...How are you?"
"Fine," Lana replied, a little hoarsely, "I'm just... going home."
"Visiting Aveline?" the pirate asked, grasping for a topic. Hawke nodded.
"Got a tonic to help me sleep," she replied, holding up the tiny vial of potion. Isabela smiled.
"I hope it's not anything like Worthy's mixture," she said, chuckling a little, "Remember the time we..."
Hawke smiled back, "I remember..." she said, trying to hide her sadness. Both women stared at each other for a few seconds.
"Ehh, Isabela. Shouldn't we...?" the whore interrupted. They shifted uncomfortably and looked away from each other, Lana's eyes dropping to the ground as she began to scuff her feet along the pavement.
"Well...It was nice to run into you, Hawke," Isabela said, breaking the awkward silence. "I'll...see you around."
"Of course," Lana replied, glancing up at her. Without further ado the whore grabbed Isabela by the arm again and sidestepped Hawke, who had taken to staring at the ground again.
"Who's that your ex girlfriend or something?" Lana heard the whore snigger as the two of them walked away. She heard a faint slap then.
"Shut up, Whore," Isabela scolded, "I don't pay you to talk, do I?"
With a regretful glance back at Hawke, Isabela then led the slut away towards The Blooming Rose and the two of them disappeared into the rapidly falling darkness, leaving Lana alone on the deserted street. She picked up her feet and made her way through the alleyway towards her Estate, trying not to let her emotions overcome her. Well, why shouldn't she sleep with someone else? She asked herself, It's not like I own her or anything. Even as she told herself she had no right to be upset with the pirate, she still felt a little hurt and angry. Reaching her Estate finally, she opened the door and let herself in, slamming it a little too hard behind her.
Bodhan came rushing into the hallway.
"Ancestors Serah Hawke!" he exclaimed, "You made me jump. Is everything alright, Messer?"
"Sorry Bodhan, everything's fine," Lana replied grimly.
"You have another letter from your sister," he informed her, holding it out to her.
"Leave it on the desk, Bodhan," she replied, not even looking at it, "I'll read it later. And hold all emergencies unless it's a matter of life or death for those closest to me. I'm going for a lie down. Can you make up this tonic for me?"
"Of course, Serah," the dwarf said graciously, bowing to her, "You go on upstairs, my dear, and I'll bring it up."
"Thanks," Lana replied, throwing him a tired smile. "What would I ever do without you Bodhan?"
The dwarf smiled at her and bowed his head again, rushing to the scullery to whip up the tonic. Lana trudged up the stairs and entered her bedroom. She took off her weapons and armor and threw a shirt over her nakedness, before climbing into her large four-poster bed. She closed her eyes, waiting for Bodhan to come. Suddenly a gruff voice interrupted her.
"Here's your tonic, Lana."
Hawke opened her eyes and sat up, seeing Gamlen standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?" she asked surprised. Gamlen entered her bedroom and sat down on the edge of her bed. He handed her the tonic. Lana took it warily and downed it in one. She placed the mug on the nightstand and lay beck down, waiting for Gamlen to speak.
"I...well I hadn't seen you in a while and..."
"What?" Lana asked, frowning, "You just thought you'd steal what little mugs I have left?"
"No, of course not," Gamlen snapped, "I brought the glasses back with me anyway. I only needed them because I had...company."
"Ugh! Uncle I don't want to hear about the whores you bring to your shack!" Lana exclaimed, cringing.
"That's not what I'm here to talk about," he said, "I just...Well, we're the only family either one of us has got left, and...I was wondering if you would, I dunno, come and visit me sometime?"
Hawke looked at him in surprise, not believing what she was hearing. If she hadn't seen her uncle's lips moving then she wouldn't have believe they had come from him.
"If you want something Uncle then just bloody ask for it," she said, feeling a little angry, "Don't try to butter me up."
Gamlen shook his head, "I don't want something," he snarled, "I just feel like I haven't seen you in years, that's all..."
As her uncle mumbled on, Lana felt the effects of the tonic fully kick in. Her eyes grew heavy and she fought to stay awake. Gamlen being sincere is such a rare occasion. I'd hate to miss it. Before she could stop herself, Hawke fell into a deep sleep in the middle of the conversation.
"...and I just thought your mother would have preferred us to spend more time...Lana?" Gamlen stared at her, realising she had just fallen asleep. He chuckled to himself, glad to see how peaceful she looked, free from all the strain she wore like a mask during the day. He pulled the covers up around her and leaned over, giving her a swift kiss on the forehead and silently apologising for the burden he had been ever since she met him.
"Good night, Lana," he whispered, feeling more like her uncle in that moment than he had his entire life. Seeing Hawke succumb to exhaustion like that made him finally realise that under all that bravado, under all the jokes and sarcasm, the heroics and the fame, she was still just a person like the rest of them. "Sweet dreams, dear," he whispered.
Gamlen got to his feet and extinguished the lamp on the nightstand before stealing one last look at his niece and then taking his leave.
Isabela woke up in a bedroom in The Blooming Rose. She turned to her left and saw with disgust that she had finally succumbed to her sexual desires and slept with a whore. And Hawke had seen me with her, she thought, cursing her stupidity. But what was I supposed to do? We can't even look at each other anymore. Feeling ashamed, the pirate sat upright in the bed and sat on the end of it, feeling her throbbing headache and knowing she deserved worse. She glanced back at the whore in the other side and prayed that she wouldn't wake up. The bitch wasn't even worth the coin...and I'm still thinking about Hawke. It had been months since their last drink together. And not a day had gone by when she didn't think about what would have happened had she not brought that bottle of whiskey to Lana's Estate and forced them into a conversation that both had been wanting to avoid. Isabela knew the situation was her fault though. If only she could have plucked up the courage in that moment to tell Hawke that she loved her then she wouldn't have woken up this morning in a brothel bed with only a hangover and a passed out whore for company.
Sighing, the pirate got to her feet and began to dress quickly, wanting to be rid of her mistake and go back to the comfort of The Hanged Man. She reluctantly threw two sovereigns at Madam Lusine, the proprietor for The Blooming Rose (having ducked out of payment before and payed the price in a different way) and made her way out into the blinding, sunlit Hightown. As she walked through the streets, her mind flashed back to the scene with Hawke last night. The woman had looked exhausted. And me having a whore on my arm couldn't have helped. She hoped Aveline's tonic had worked for Hawke. If it did I'll buy the Big Girl a pint. As much as she and Lana were trying to ignore their feelings towards one another, unexpectedly meeting last night proved that they were both still hurting. The time apart had made it easier for them to be around each other without arguing, and in actual fact they had started having fun again, torturing Aveline and messing around with Varric and Fenris while on quests. But any kind of social gathering, like drinks or card games was out of the question. To the others, their relationship seemed to have taken a turn for the better. On the outside they were fine, on the inside though they were in pain.
"Captain Isabela, Sir?"
Isabela's thoughts were interrupted as soon as she reached her usual spot at bar in The Hanged Man. She turned around, seeing one of her sources standing behind her, though not the most trusting one.
"What is it, Lucky?" she asked, turning back to the bar and signalling for a drink. "Here to sell me some more bullshit?"
"Not this time, Isabela," he said, sliding in beside her. "You got your coin's worth this time."
"Is that right?" she asked, barely listening as she took a sip of ale. "Spill it then."
"The eagle has landed," Lucky said with a grin. Isabela turned to look at him then, hoping he wasn't say what she had dreaded. He looked pleased with himself.
"You're kidding me," she replied, her mouth falling open slightly. Lucky picked dirt from his teeth with his finger and flicked it to the floor, shaking his head.
"Maker's truth, Captain," he said, looking up at her. "There's no mistaking that ship. The dragon head at the front, black mast and the emblem of the Felicisima Armada. He's here."
Isabela reached into her purse and flicked a sovereign at the repulsive man before her in a daze. He caught it and winked at her before taking his leave. The pirate turned back to the bar then, feeling an unsettling sense of fear grip her for the first time in an age. This was it. This was what she had been waiting for all these years. Castillon had finally caught up with her, and there was only one person she trusted enough to help her kill him.