"Ready?"
"Not in the least."
Hawke waited by the steps and glanced up at the ominous towers of The Viscount's Keep, glinting eerily in the moonlight. She was fighting the urge to turn and run, knowing that there was a likelihood of this whole meeting ending up with either her death or her imprisonment (the overwhelming odds were against her if past events were anything to go by). Meredith surely wouldn't be happy if she discovered this secret meeting taking place without her knowledge and Lana didn't need to give the Knight-Commander any more reasons to kill her. Why am I even doing this? she thought for what seemed like the millionth time.
Isabela stood leaning against the pillar opposite her, arms folded. She followed Hawke's gaze towards the Keep and mimicked here reluctant expression, unable to help but think that they were walking into a yet another trap.
"Balls, I w-w-wish the others would h-h-hurry up," she moaned, hugging herself tightly, "It's bloody f-f-freezing out here."
Lana snorted and turned back to her, seeing her huddle together, trying to keep warm. "Maybe you should start wearing more clothes then," she teased, eying the pirate's usual sleeveless shirt and bare legs. Isabela chuckled as her teeth chattered.
"How about you wear a little l-l-less instead and give me your j-j-jacket, Sweetness?" she replied, grinning at her cheekily. Lana rolled her eyes.
"I don't think so, Bela. We're not going to become one of those couples, are we?" she said, throwing her a weird look. Isabela laughed.
"Oh, Maker's Breath! Get over here!" she said impatiently, tugging Hawke towards her by the lapels. It's too damn cold for jokes! She snuggled into the woman's bosom, wrapping her arms around her and hugging her tightly as though trying to steal some of her body heat. Hawke laughed and hugged her back tightly, feeling Isabela shiver like crazy in her arms.
"Don't be such a girl," Lana teased, swaying with her a little. She felt the pirate's hand slap her backside. "Ouch!"
Isabela groaned. "S-s-shut up, Hawke."
Lana laughed and tightened her arms around her further, rubbing the pirate's arms with her hands to try and get some warmth into them.
"Uh, are we interrupting?"
Isabela looked up and both women turned to find Varric and Merrill crossing the square to join them. The dwarf wore his usual, cunning grin while Merrill's expression was that of someone who was about to embark on a relaxing midnight stroll.
"What bloody t-t-took you so long?" the pirate scolded them, still shivering and not loosening her grip on Lana just yet. "It's freezing out here!"
"Sorry, Rivaini," Varric said sincerely, seeing how tightly Isabela was clinging to Hawke, "Daisy got lost again and I couldn't find her."
"Oh Merrill," Isabela groaned, "You'd think after all these years you'd be able to tell your ass from your elbow."
The others laughed.
"I'm sorry," the little elf chimed in, embarrassed. "I'll try to be more careful next time. It was just so dark...I hate the dark."
"Aw, don't say that Daisy," Varric cooed. "All the most interesting things in Kirkwall happen in Hightown after dark. True story."
Everyone laughed at the look of confusion on Merrill's face.
"Anyway," Varric continued, rubbing his hands together, "Shall we get to it? I hope this won't take all night. There's a bottle of whiskey in The Hanged Man with our names on it."
The other murmured in agreement.
"Let's do this then," Lana said, as Isabela reluctantly released her. "I may need a drink after what Anders has asked me to do."
"Hear, hear," Isabela replied, grimly. "I don't like the idea of us doing his dirty work. There's something going on with him recently. I don't trust him."
The other three silently agreed as they made their way cautiously up the steps towards The Viscount's Keep.
When they reached the top, the four of them sunk into the shadows as they approached the massive double doors. Instead of taking their usual entrance they used a door on the right at the far corner which was conveniently unlocked for them.
"The Big Girl did her job then," Isabela observed in a whisper as she slid through the door after Hawke.
"Reluctantly," Lana replied, striking a match and holding it up to peer through the black corridor ahead of them, "I had to convince her I wasn't going to do as Anders asked. She didn't much like the idea of being an accomplice in murder."
"Neither do I," the pirate admitted. The others stopped and turned to look at her. "Oh you know what I mean!" she continued, seeing their judgemental stares. "I just don't like the idea of being told who to kill by Anders. We don't even know who this Agent of The Divine is!"
"She's called Sister Nightingale," Hawke replied, "I went to meet with the Grand Cleric today after I helped Anders go flower picking for his potion to remove Justice."
"Yes, but the point is Anders would save his own skin before he would save any of ours so why are we risking this all for him?" Isabela continued.
"I'm wondering that myself, Hawke," Varric chimed in, "Blondie's not exactly himself lately. Should we really be doing this?"
"I didn't say I was definitely going to do what he asked," Hawke replied, opening another heavy door and ushering the others through first. "I'm here for the Grand Cleric's meeting. Once I see what we're up against I'll have to make a decision."
"But that's the other thing," Isabela continued, "How do we even know there is a meeting? For all we know the Grand Cleric could be setting us up."
"I don't think so," Hawke said, shaking her head, "She's not that type of person."
Isabela rolled her eyes. "You're too trusting for your own good, Hawke."
Lana stopped and turned to glare at her. The pirate held up her hands innocently.
"Not that I'm complaining!" she added hastily, knowing Hawke had given her the benefit of the doubt on many occasions in the past. "All I'm saying is be careful. You trusted me before and look where that got you."
Hawke sighed and began to walk again, with a relieved Isabela realising that she almost put her foot in it. Balls, I should really watch what I say sometimes...Ok, maybe most of the time. My words always have the potential to screw me over.
They reached the end of the secret tunnel which led into the barracks and climbed out from behind a portrait in Aveline's office, which was completely empty. The big girl stayed true to her words then, Hawke thought, seeing the vacated desk. When she had told Aveline of her plan the Guardswoman had said she wanted nothing at all to do with them and had only reluctantly revealed the secret passage into her office, saying it was the best she could do. Even so, Lana had been hoping she would have had a change of heart and been waiting for them on the other side, but she had been wrong. Aveline was a sucker for authority, and when it came to her own she wasn't likely to go against what she believed in.
"Tell me again why we're taking a detour through the barracks," Varric said as he helped Merrill to her feet (the elf had stumbled out of the portrait hole and landed on the floor of Aveline's office).
"To bypass the guards at the entrance. We're trying not to be seen," Hawke muttered, peeking out the crack in the office door to see if the coast was clear.
"Well, that's my point," the dwarf continued, "Won't there be guards at...oh I don't know...Everywhere?"
"Donnic's giving us a distraction," Lana whispered back. "We have to wait for the signal."
Sure enough, a few moments later Guardsman Donnic's voice was heard above the hustle and bustle of the barracks.
"If everyone will follow me to the mess hall, I have an important announcement from the Captain!"
There was a collective groan from those who were sleeping on bunks nearby and gradually the entire room outside Aveline's office was deserted.
"Let's go," Hawke whispered, ushering Isabela out first followed by Merrill and Varric. She crept out after them and the four of them headed up the stairs and walked through the empty corridors towards the giant doors which led to the Keep.
"How many servants do you think it takes to clean rafters in this place?" Varric pondered, staring up at the massive ceiling.
"Probably more than Fenris would care to admit," Hawke replied. The dwarf sniggered.
Since the Qunari uprising some years previous, the Keep had been all but deserted and the stone walls had a strange, foreboding silence emanating from them. I suppose there aren't pleasant memories here for anyone, especially after seeing your Viscount's head being thrown into a crowd of terrified nobles.
"I got used to this placed being filled with ox-men. It's strange not seeing them around," Varric said, scanning the area.
As they walked towards the red stairs, Lana's mind suddenly went into overdrive and she began to have painful flash backs of her duel with the Arishok. It was the first time she had been back since that day and it had a strange effect on her. She closed her eyes, screwing up her face as she relived the fear and the pain she had suffered in this very spot. Hawke could still feel the Arishok's horn tear open her ribcage as he charged her, the skin bursting open in one painful swipe, the sick, metallic taste of blood in her mouth. She gasped suddenly, bringing a hand to her forehead.
"Hawke? Are you alright?"
Merrill's concerned voice sounded as though it was miles away. Lana held her head with both hands now, trying desperately to un-see the horrible images in her mind. Blood! Bone! Agony!
"Argghh! No!" Hawke gasped involuntarily.
"Isabela! Quick! There's something wrong with Hawke!"
Merrill's terrified squeak alerted the others who had begun to examine the nearby statues. By this stage Hawke was on her knees, breathing rather heavily. Arishok! Axe! Horns! She heard Isabela shout and the footsteps of the others run towards her. Crunch! Crack! Snap! Blood! Bone! A soft hand placed itself on her back as her brain was attacked with images of her battle with the Arishok. She tried to open her eyes but she just couldn't. Death! Sick! Axe! Tear! Pain! Blood! Bone!
"What's happening to her?" Merrill squealed, sounding close to tears.
"It's alright, Kitten," Isabela's calming voice replied, sounding much closer than the elf's. "I think she's having flash backs."
The pirate was kneeling beside Lana. She could see the muscles in her neck contract as she held her head in her hands, grimacing as the painful, once-dormant memories rose up and consumed her. It was a few minutes before Hawke finally came round. Her hands dropped from her face and her eyes sprung open. She was surprised to find herself on the floor, being held by Isabela.
"What happened?" she asked, looking up at her. Isabela brushed Hawke's hair from her sweat soaked forehead.
"You went sort of rigid," she replied, stroking her face, "I think...Did you have flash backs...?"
Lana thought to herself. Yes...Yes I did, she remembered, feeling suddenly weak.
"That's never happened before," she said, shaking slightly.
"Never?" Isabela asked sceptically.
Hawke looked up at her. "Well...only after my mother...you know..."
Isabela gave her sympathetic smile and then helped Lana to her feet.
"Are you alright?" she asked, as though waiting for her to have another episode. Lana smiled back at her.
"I'm fine now," she replied. "Let's climb the stairs."
"Hey Hawke," came Varric's voice.
Hawke, Isabela and Merrill turned back to look at him. The dwarf was standing near a statue with a tiny engraving at the bottom. They walked back to him and read over his shoulder:
One day we will return.
"What do you think that means?" Merrill asked, confused.
"I think a Qunari must have engraved it before they left," Hawke said dully, remembering the Arishok's last words.
"You mean before you made them leave," Isabela said smugly, grinning at Hawke. "Did I ever tell you how sexy it was that you fought an Arishok for me and won?"
The others laughed. Hawke chuckled and rolled her eyes.
"You obviously didn't see much of the fight, Bela," she replied, grimly, "I spent most of it on my knees."
"Exactly," the pirate replied, giving her a cheeky grin. Varric and Hawke giggled (while Merrill looked as confused as ever).
"Ever the charmer, Isabela," Varric said, shaking his head.
"I try," she replied, smirking. "Anyway shall we get moving?"
No sooner were the words out of her mouth than they were surrounded. Mages appeared on the balconies above them and at the top of the stairs where the Arishok had stood all those years ago.
"Uh-oh," Hawke said, taking out her daggers and feeling the others do the same beside her. "We've got company!"
"And not the good kind!" Isabela added, eyeing the ambushers warily.
"So, even The Divine fears us now?" A female mage raged down at them from the top of the stairs. She made her way down towards the middle of the floor, pulling out her staff and holding a ball of flames in her hand.
"Eh...Do you want me answer that?" Hawke asked, wondering why she was being asked about the Divine who she had never met. "Or would you prefer just to fry us all?"
"She should fear us!" The woman yelled menacingly. "And so should you for siding with her! Kill the spies!"
Hawke dived, knocking Isabela to the floor as Varric and Merrill ducked behind the statue with the engraving that they had been reading before. A burst of flames exploded over their heads, showering Lana and Isabela with debris from the now decapitated statue.
"Oh, what is it with this place and decapitations?" Lana groaned, hauling the pirate to her feet as the mage readied herself for another blast at them. They both charged her before she could raise her staff, narrowly avoiding the bolts of lightning and frost being directed at them from above, and stabbing her simultaneously, Isabela with her right dagger and Hawke with her left. Blood spurted from the mages mouth and she fell to the ground in a heap.
Before they could celebrate, a flash of light streaked past Isabela's right side and she gasped in pain.
"Arrrgh!"
As more spells were hurled towards them a protective barrier erupted out of nowhere, keeping them safe.
"Thanks Merrill!" Hawke called, seeing the tiny elf and Varric charge the others down. She bent down to check on Isabela, who was on the ground.
"Bela! Are you ok?"
She rolled her over. The pirate's face was screwed up in pain as she hissed and held her arm.
"Let me see!" Hawke said urgently, knowing the circular barrier around them wasn't going to hold forever. She pried Isabela's hands away from her right arm and saw with horror that there was a horrible, angry red burn across her bicep.
"Shit!" the pirate cursed angrily.
"Sshh, it's fine!" Hawke said, trying to hide her shock, "You'll be fine! Let's get to cover. Quick!"
She pulled Isabela's uninjured arm over her shoulder and helped her to her feet. The two of them hobbled over to the nearest statue (the protective barrier moving with them) and hid behind it, hearing the shouts and war cries of the others as they fought the onslaught of mages.
"Stay here!" Hawke demanded, setting Isabela down against the stone plinth. "I need to help the others.
Isabela could only groan in response as Hawke ran out from behind Merrill's blue magical barrier and ascended the red stairs to join the others, who were struggling slightly under sheer numbers. She slashed her dagger at the nearest mages throat, seeing it spurt with blood and shower her sleeve. Lana couldn't help but notice before she moved on to fell her next victim that the mage in question was very, very young. Bile rose in her throat as she dreaded to think what age was. Such a waste of life. Fighting it back she turned and directed her attention to the large group surrounding Varric and Merrill.
After a few minutes the Keep was littered with dead mages. Their colourful corpse scarred the floor, turning the marble a deep, dark, scarlet-red.
"I'm getting to old for this shit," Varric groaned, feeling his back and grimacing.
"Aren't we all?" Hawke agreed, massaging her shoulder.
"I think I'll just call that bunch 'enemies' and footnote it later when I tell this story back at The Hanged Man," the dwarf said, as though making a mental note. Lana and Merrill chuckled.
Wiping her daggers, Hawke turned and rushed down the stairs to check on Isabela.
"Did you get the bastards?" the pirate asked weakly, still holding her arm and sitting with her back against the statue. Lana nodded and stroked her cheek.
"They're dead," she replied, giving her a quick kiss and then helping her to her feet. "How's the arm?"
"It hurts like a bitch!" Isabela spat angrily, staring down at the severe burn. There were several scorch marks on her with shirt, showing some less severe burns along her side as well. Hawke placed her arm around her waist and helped her over to the others.
"Someday I'll visit a place with no ancient evils, mages, horrors, devouring plagues, or insanity," Hawke joked, "Maybe a beach."
"Good idea," the pirate said, smiling up at her through her pain, "I can recommend a few, if you'd like."
"Please do."
"The day you two go to the beach is the day an armada of angry demon pirates show up," Varric said chuckling.
Hawke groaned. "Ugh, I've got a bad feeling all of a sudden."
"Thank the ancestors that's over," Varric said, as they stopped beside him and peered down at the female mage whose entrails were decorating the floor.
"Who do you reckon-?"
Suddenly a loud bang interrupted Hawke's words. The four of them turned around to see a cloud of grey smoke hover over the doorway and two bodies falling to the ground.
"Resolutionists...I might have known they'd be a part of this."
Through the smoke a red haired woman entered the clearing, placing her dagger back onto her back.
Lana's mouth fell open. "Leliana?" she asked in disbelief. "You're the Agent of The Divine?"
"Hawke? I had no idea it would be you I was meeting!" she exclaimed, smiling at her. "I should have known. It's harder to remain anonymous so close to the Ferelden boarder."
"Sister Nightingale indeed," Isabela said, smirking through her painful grimace as she held her ribs, "Last I remember it didn't take much to make you sing."
"Isabela! What happened?"Leliana exclaimed as the others laughed. The pirate was still being supported by Hawke. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Isabela sand back, irritated.
"Were you two in the choir together?" Merrill interrupted innocently. "I love singing."
They all turned to look at her.
"Oh Merrill!" Hawke groaned, palming her forehead, as the others laughed.
"Something like that, Kitten," Isabela said kindly, patting her arm.
"Is there anyone in Ferelden you haven't slept with, Rivaini?" Varric asked, as blunt as ever.
"Oh!" Merrill gasped, the realization having finally hit her. The three of them laughed again, as Merrill began to blush.
"Maybe...let's get back to the matter at hand," Leliana said, blushing a little herself. Her tone was harsher than usual. "The Divine sent me to investigate the possibility of a rebellion here in Kirkwall. I have some experience in unconventional situations."
"I'll bet!" Isabela teased, smirking at her. This time Hawke didn't laugh. Something about Leliana was off. She stared at her, trying to put her finger on it. She seemed...different somehow, even though they hand only met a few months ago back at Chateau Haine. Back then she had seemed well, but now? Hawke noticed, there were dark rings under her eyes and she didn't look at all like her normal charming self.
"Leliana...are you all right?" Lana asked, worriedly.
Sister Leliana turned away from her and began to pace.
"I am working for The Divine, in Orlais," she said, ignoring the question, "I have been for the last few years. Sister Nightingale was my cover. You lot weren't the only ones who had a mission that day at the Duke's party."
She turned back and gave Hawke a small, knowing smirk. Lana smiled back.
"How did you know?" she asked, impressed. Leliana shrugged.
"It's my job to know," she replied simply. "And I know you, Hawke. I know what you're like...Plus, Tallis and I have a history."
"So," Hawke continued, watching as she continued to pace, "These mages were meant to ambush you instead of us?"
Leliana nodded. "I had a feeling there was a leak somewhere, so I made myself purposefully late. I'm sorry for not warning you."
"It's ok," Lana replied.
"Speak for yourself," Isabela groaned, wincing. Hawke tightened her hold on her.
"I appreciate your help there," Hawke said gratefully, gesturing to the two mages in the doorway who had sought to ambush them as they talked after the battle.
"Of course," Leliana said. "I think they, like the others, mistook you for me, which means many Resolutionist groups must know I am in Kirkwall. It's not safe here any longer. The Divine has long suspected that Kirkwall's problems were being spared by an outside group. This attack proves she is right."
Hawke looked anxious. "Will The Divine send soldiers?"
"Divine Justinia takes the situation here very serious. She has sent me to warn Grand Cleric Elthina and persuade her to leave and take refuge in the Grand Cathedral in Orlais. The whole world is watching Kirkwall. If it falls to magic...none of us are safe." Leliana said grimly.
"But...what about the Circle?...About Bethany?" Hawke asked, her voice rising sharply.
"I'm sorry," Leliana said, stopping pacing and turning back to her. "I've used every means possible to keep her safe so far, Lana...But it may not be enough anymore. When I heard of the recent deaths in the Circle and the talk of informants I assumed Bethany was in the middle of it. I sent my most trusted friends among the Templars to protect her in secret, but I'm afraid that's the best I can do for now."
"Thank you for that," Lana said sincerely, "Really, thank you so much. I was so worried."
"Don't mention it," Leliana replied with a smile. "You both would have done the same for me...Have you...spoken to her since..."
Hawke's face fell. "No," she answered, feeling that mix of emotions once again when she thought of her sister. She was still angry with her, but she also feared for her life.
"I'm sorry," Leliana said sadly, "I can't help but feel as though this is partly my fault."
"Don't say that, Leliana!" Hawke replied, "No one blames you."
"Thank you," she said. "Anyway, you need to tell Grand Cleric Elthina to leave immediately. She will not be safe here if the Circle should fall like expected. Knight-Commander Meredith is out of control and with Templar authority at her disposal, however limited, she could prove to be more of a hindrance that a help."
"Got it," Hawke said, nodding.
"Well, I must go. Take care, Lana." She turned to walk away.
"Leliana wait!" Hawke called after her. She walked towards her, still holding Isabela.
"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked. Leliana was so cold. She hadn't even hugged her or anything. The woman's face fell and she dropped her gaze. Hawke reached out and touched her cheek, tucking her fingers under her chin she as she could look at her. She could see tears building in Leliana's blue eyes. "Leliana..." she whispered, shaking her head, "What has happened?"
"I...nothing, it's-" Her eyes darted back and forth, desperately avoiding Hawke's
"Leliana..."
Sister Leliana stared back at her then. A tear streamed down her face.
"She's gone, Lana..."
Hawke's mouth fell open. She felt Isabela stiffen up beside her. She can't be gone.
"You mean...?"
Leliana nodded, more tears leaking out and running down her cheek. "She's...dead...The taint couldn't spare her any longer..."
"When...?" Hawke asked, exasperated. The Hero of Ferelden is dead?
"Last week," Leliana cried. "I received a letter from King Alistair..."
"Oh, Lel I'm so sorry!" Lana said, going to put her arms around her. Suddenly she realised she could only move one. Isabela had tightened her grip on her other on. As Leliana sobbed on her shoulder, Hawke looked down at Isabela, seeing the undeniable jealously in her eyes.
"Hawke..."
Glaring down at her, Hawke pulled her arm free and wrapped it around Leliana, who had all but broken down. Isabela's jaw tightened as she watched Lana run her hand through Leliana's red hair, listening to her soothe her.
"Shhh, it's alright," she whispered in her ear.
The pirate felt a white-hot fury bubble inside her, even more so than the burns on her arm and ribcage. Her rational mind knew that neither woman had meant anything by a simple hug, that it was more consoling than sexual, but at the same time she couldn't get the image of the two of them sleeping together out of her mind and that same jealousy from back in Chateau Haine ate her up inside.
After a few minutes Leliana steadied herself.
"I'm sorry," she said, pulling away. "It's just...I haven't spoken about her to anyone since I found out. There's been so much going on that I just buried it."
"It's fine," Lana said, rubbing her arm. "Look, come and have a drink with us tonight in The Hanged Man."
Leliana shook her head. "I can't," she said sadly, "I have to get back...and I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Come on!" Hawke pressed, tracing a fresh tear with her finger and scooping it up Leliana's cheek. "Just one drink...For me?"
After a few seconds Leliana smiled as best she could. "I suppose I could have one before I leave for Orlais."
"Great!" Varric said happily, "The more the merrier!"
"Yeah...Great," Isabela said, doing a really bad job of hiding her feelings. "I'll just stay here and burn then."
Hawke laughed and turned back to her, rolling her eyes.
"As if," she said, kissing her on the cheek. "Who would I do whiskey shots with then?"
Isabela chuckled despite herself. Hawke and Leliana put an arm each around her and began helping her out the door first and leading the way out through the barracks and into the secret passageway, back into Hightown.
Later at The Hanged Man the five of them sat around their usual table playing a game of poker. They had already finished three rounds of whiskey and were on their fourth. They took a detour to Anders' clinic beforehand where he healed Isabela's burns in an instant. When he asked about the Agent of The Divine's fate, Lana lied and said she was dead, causing her to receive questioning stares from Leliana. As long as he doesn't verify my story then Leliana should be safe.
A plume of smoke filled the air, floating from Varric's pipe, causing vision in The Hanged Man to blur. The dwarf played his hand.
"Gotcha!" he shouted, to collective groans from around the table. As he reached in to scoop up his winnings, Leliana placed a hand on his arm.
"Not so fast, Varric," she said smirking. She flipped over her hidden card to show her hand as the winner. Merrill cheered and began to clap.
"Argh!" Varric exclaimed, "Well played, Sister. Those damn Bard skills come in handy I'll bet."
"In more ways than one," Isabela joked, winking at Leliana and knocking back her whiskey.
Leliana chuckled and took her winnings as Varric looked on.
"By the way, Varric," Hawke began, as she filled up her mug, "I've heard... stories of a personal nature being spread around town about me."
The dwarf shrugged. "I'm not spreading any tales about you and the Rivaini. Although she asks me every other week to start some."
The others laughed.
"It would make a great new serial. Much better than that guard one you've been writing," Isabela said, chuckling.
"I don't get it then," Hawke continued, "If it's not you then who is it?"
Varric smirked. "Why don't you try asking your grease-ball of an uncle?"
Gamlen!" Hawke spat, irritated. "That slime ball!"
"Yes, now that you mention it," Isabela said, turning to Hawke. "Would you tell your uncle to leave me alone? He's often... inappropriate."
"You find something inappropriate?" Hawke teased, grinning at her.
"Extremely so!" the pirate exclaimed, "It's... rather repulsive, actually. Please talk to him, Sweetness."
"But it's more entertaining if I don't."
"Hawke!"
"You have pretty eyes."
Isabela groaned. "Oh, you're impossible!"
Hawke laughed and leaned in, planting a kiss on her lips. "Of course I'll talk to him," she said, running her hand through Isabela's hair. They two of them smiled, gazing into each other's eyes alluringly.
"I take it you two have made up then?" Leliana observed from across the table.
"Yep!" Isabela said happily, as Hawke straightened up again. "I finally realised what an idiot I was before."
"About damn time too!" Varric added, chuckling. Merrill giggled as Isabela reached out to hit him.
"I always knew you liked each other," the elf said, grinning, "Hawke used to stare at you Isabela when you weren't looking."
"Really?" Isabela said, turning to give Hawke a cheeky grin and nudging her chin affectionately.
"Merrill!" Lana exclaimed a little embarrassed.
"Did I say something wrong again?" the little elf asked, frowning. The others chuckled.
"Not at all, Daisy," Varric said kindly, patting her hand on the table, "Hawke's just a little embarrassed that she got caught, that's all."
"I'm not embarrassed!" Lana exclaimed, looking appalled.
"Well, your cheeks are burning," Leliana said, caressing Lana's face with her hand. Isabela's smile dropped slightly as the others continued to laugh. Balls, why can't I stop feeling jealous? For the Maker's sake, she only touched her cheek. I've touched her in better places than that...But so has Leliana. The pirate sighed and slammed her mug back onto the table a little too forcefully. Varric raised an eyebrow at her.
"I'm going to get another drink," she said suddenly, getting to her feet.
"I'll join you," Varric said at once, eyeing her curiously.
As they left, Merrill lay her head down on the table as the room began to spin. Hawke turned to Leliana and smiled at her.
"So, how are you feeling?" she asked. Sister Leliana's face became lined with grief again.
"I'm not sure," she replied sadly. "I miss her so much, Lana...It just hurts to think I'm never going to see her again...And I wasn't even there at the end..."
Fresh tears ran down her face and she jumped up.
"Sorry, excuse me..."
"Leliana!" Hawke called as she watched her run to the upstairs water closet. Hawke got to her feet and followed after her. She raced up the stairs and turned right, walking down the smaller corridor on the other side of the bedrooms and knocking on the door.
"Leliana! Open up, please!"
She could hear the woman sniff on the other side of the door.
"I'll be ok, Lana...Just please, leave me alone..."
"I'm not going away until you open the door," Hawke said. She heard Leliana sigh. There was the sound of a lock on the other side and the door opened. Lana sighed and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Come here," she said caringly, holding out her arms. Leliana sank into her embrace and tried to keep her composure. Hawke kissed the top of her head.
"Ssshh," she soothed, "I've got you."
"...I wish I had you too," Leliana whispered in a shaky voice. Lana pulled back slightly and stared into her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Where's Hawke?" Isabela asked as she sat down beside Merrill.
"Oh she's upstairs with Sister Leliana," Merrill said, "She ran to the water closet when Hawke mentioned the Hero of Ferelden...It's so sad that she's dead isn't it?."
"What?" Isabela asked, getting to her feet. "I need to find Hawke."
"Be careful, Rivaini!" Varric warned her, having spoken to her at the bar and knowing what she was thinking. "Don't do something stupid."
"I'm not," the pirate replied, "I'm just going to see where she is, that's all."
The Rivaini knocked back her whiskey and walked over to the stairs. Calm down, Isabela...It's not what you think. Leliana's not like that...But I know she really likes Hawke...Well, what's not to like?...But I love Hawke. What if she decides she wants to be with Leliana instead of me?...Hawke wouldn't do that...As the pirate reached the top of the stairs her thoughts were interrupted by two familiar voices. She peaked around the corner and could see Hawke standing with Leliana, who was crying in to her shoulder...
"Ssshh," she soothed, "I've got you."
"...I wish I had you too," Leliana whispered. Lana pulled back slightly and stared into her eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Leliana stared back. "Isabela's a lucky woman," she said, sadly, "I wish I had of realised all those years ago what I could have had with you in Lothering."
Lana smiled at her. "We did alright," she joked. They both chuckled, remembering the nights they had spent together.
"I know," Leliana agreed, "I met the Hero of Ferelden soon after and fell in love...but I never stopped thinking about you, Lana."
"I never stopped thinking about you either," Lana replied, brushing a lock of her red hair from the woman's face. Suddenly the two of them drew closer. Leliana placed a hand on Lana's cheek. Just like in Chateau Haine, before either of them could stop themselves, their lips touched.
Isabela's jaw dropped. I knew it! Just as she was about to jump out and berate them both, something she hadn't anticipated happened. Hawke pulled back almost at once.
"Shit!" she exclaimed, letting Leliana go and backing away, "Maker's Breath! I can't!"
Isabela watched from the shadows, surprised.
"I'm sorry," Leliana said, feeling ashamed of herself. "It was just reflex."
"Look, Lel," Lana said, staring into her eyes regretfully, "I really like you...I always have and I doubt that will ever go away but...I love Isabela! I love her so much! Whatever I thought I felt for you once long ago, it's nothing compared to this."
Isabela's heart fluttered. She smiled to herself, her initial anger at their momentary kiss having worn off. She really does love me, the pirate thought to herself, lying her head back against the wall with relief and listening to Leliana's continued apologies. All this time there was always some part of her that doubted Hawke's love, that she just flung the word about without meaning it. That was part of the reason she was reluctant to come clear about her own love for so long. But Hawke was always telling the truth. She loved me for years! Sighing with relief, the pirate stalked back down the stairs, feeling a little ashamed of herself and of her jealousy. She should have trusted Hawke more than that. And in a way she couldn't really blame Leliana either. They would always be more than friends, that was just something she had to deal with. They were both just caught up in the moment, and Leliana had just lost the love of her life. Isabela felt for the women. She never wanted to know how it would feel to lose Hawke.
"Well?" Varric asked, as the Rivaini sat back down at the table.
"They're fine," Isabela said, smiling at him. "Well, Hawke is...I think it'll be a while before Leliana is again though."
A few minutes later, Hawke and Leliana rejoined the group. As soon as she sat down, Lana leaned in and kissed Isabela deeply. She didn't know that Isabela knew it was an apology. The pirate kissed her back, feeling more in love with her in that moment than ever. Is it weird that I love her more after I witnessed our love being tested like that? I mean Leliana is incredibly sexy. But for Hawke to give up something that sure and show me that much loyalty...The pirate wondered if she would be able to do the same in a similar situation. She liked to think so.
Suddenly a voice nearby interrupted them.
"Sister Nightingale?"
Lana and Isabela broke apart and turned to Leliana. There was a man standing beside her, holding out a piece of parchment.
"Thank you," Leliana replied, taking it from him as though this was a normal occurrence for her. The man bowed and walked away. As she unfolded it and read, her eyes widened.
"What is it?" Hawke asked, curious.
"There's a Templar Ball in three days right here in Kirkwall!"
Hawke frowned in confusion. "And that's interesting because...?"
"It's a cover," Leliana informed them in a hushed tone. "The Knight-Commander is going to be there with every major Templar in the city in attendance. She's giving them orders in secret."
"To do what?" Lana asked, dreading the answer.
"We don't know yet," Leliana said, shaking her head. "All we know is that it was something to do with the Circle." She groaned. "We believe they may be planning liquidation. If only we could get people on the inside, spies maybe, to find out what's going on...But we have no more agents to spare."
Bethany's face burned in Hawke's mind then. "Send me in," she said. The others looked at her surprised. Isabela's hand tightened around her arm.
"What?" Leliana exclaimed, "It's too dangerous. I can't-"
"You need to find out with Meredith's orders will be right?" Leliana nodded. "Well I need to protect my sister," Hawke continued. "It seems our goals are intertwined, Leliana."
"But Hawke," Leliana began, "I can't ask that of you."
"She volunteered, Sister Nightingale," Isabela interjected, smirking at her, "And count me in as well."
"Isabela..." Leliana looked at them both worriedly, knowing how reckless they could be. She didn't want to put any more of her friends in danger, especially having just lost the most important person in the world to her.
"One problem though," Varric said, eyeing them both," Half of Kirkwall knows Hawke's face, and the other half know parts of Isabela that no one ever should-" They all laughed- "so how do you expect to get in there unnoticed and manage to get close enough to the Templars or the Knight-Commander without being killed?"
"That's a good point," Merrill said, "You're famous, Hawke...and the Templar's hate you."
"Thank you, Merrill," Lana joked, pretending to be offended, "Though you both make good points. How will we get in?"
She turned to Isabela. A huge grin spread over the pirate's face then.
"Oh we'll get in, don't worry about that, Sweetness. Just leave it to me."