Apologies for the length of tie between updates. Final year in university is taking up most of my time unfortunately. Anyway here's the latest chapter. Hope you enjoy :)
"This is by far your dumbest idea yet, Isabela," Hawke complained, trying to keep up with the pirate while readjusting her clothes (was 'clothes' the right word?) She heard Isabela snigger ahead of her as she led them towards the Templar Ball, completely at ease with her latest get-up: a black leotard made of dragon hide showing generous amounts of cleavage and ass, tassels tied to her bare, muscled arms, suspenders holding up black, see-through tights, knee-height black shiny boots adorning her partially covered legs, and all with her hair pulled back into a high bun, flowing, dark brown ringlets falling onto her face and exposing that swarthy, perfectly-toned neck and shoulders.
"I, on the other hand, think it was rather genius," she replied smirking, turning back to see Hawke tugging at her blood-red corset and long dress tails (which in actual fact left little more to the imagination than Isabela's outfit). "Stop trying to cover up, Sweetness! It's a telltale sign that you're not a whore."
"I'm not!" Lana replied, scowling after her. Normally, she corrected in her head. The garments she was wearing were clearly a sin against The Maker. And my self-respect... Like the Templars care though. For all their scripture and spouting The Maker's word, all they care about is tits and ass just like the rest of us. She yanked up the front of her corset and tucked her dangling hair strands behind her ears.
The Rivaini tutted when she realised what she was doing and stopped, turning back to Hawke and began slapping her hands away from her clothes as they tried to ruin her creation.
"Just leave it be, Hawke, we're almost there," she scolded, pulling the top of the 'dress' down to where it was so as to show more of Lana's fantastic cleavage. Maker, I'm getting distracted now... Focus Isabela! She opened the front split in the long red dress tail which Lana had wrapped around her bare legs to hide them, and then began to readjust the corset-leotard at her crotch.
"Stop it! Just stop it!" Hawke snapped, beating her hands away as the pirate's fingers worked their way around her special region. "Andraste's Ass, I'm already naked enough, Bela. Leave something to the imagination, please!"
The pirate rolled her eyes, "Oh Hawke, you're barely giving away the goods at all. Who's going to want to sleep with you at the party if you look like a prude?"
Hawke glared at her. "Ughh... Maker, I hate you," she growled, shaking her head. Isabela only laughed.
"Well, it's a love/hate relationship, Sweetness. Just trust me on this. I know more about men than you do and they're not going to want to sleep with a whore who looks like she's dressed for a Chantry visit are they?... I also know more about whores than you do so just be a good girl and...well, be a bad girl."
Lana sighed as Isabela giggled to herself. Damn it, I hate it when she's right. "Fine, just...just try not to show me off entirely. I hate the thought of men touching me enough as it is without them eyeballing me as well."
"Look," Isabela began, as she fiddled with Lana's outfit, "Most men will be too afraid to even touch you at first. With an ass like yours and tits like mine chances are they'll be too intimidated to go anywhere near us once we're in there." She chuckled, standing up straight and beginning to fix Lana's hair back to the way it was.
"I hope so," Lana replied, still not looking convinced, "I'd feel much better if I had my daggers with me though."
"Why are you suddenly so self-conscious all of a sudden?" Isabela asked, her eyebrows narrowing. "I seem to remember the Lana Hawke at her mothers' dinner party all those years ago in that seductively alluring red dress which showed off her every curve and she didn't bloody give a damn who was watching. Maker's Breath Hawke every noble was drooling after you, men and women alike."
"And you weren't?" Lana teased, a smirk playing on the corner of her mouth. Isabela grinned up at her.
"Actually I was slowly undressing you in my mind," she joked, "Especially as I watched you dance around with that bloody idiot, what was his name? The one your dear mother wanted you to marry?"
"Emil," Hawke reminded her, snorting as her mind flashed back to the party in question. "He sweated like a pig that night every time I got too close to him. Poor bugger."
"I don't blame him but...Ugh, I wanted to hit him so hard," Isabela said angrily, remembering her jealousy as she watched them dancing from the balcony above. "I settled for just stealing you away instead." She winked at Hawke and smiled her favourite crooked smile then began curling the woman's bangs around her finger, making the ringlets sit better.
"And now you're throwing me back to the wolves," Lana moaned, that sick feeling returning in the pit of her stomach once more. Oh, why did I volunteer for this? Great plan, Lana, great plan. Flaunt yourself half-naked in a room full of sex-crazed Templars why don't you?
"Don't worry, Sweetness," Isabela reassured her, finishing with Lana's hair and caressing a hand down along her cheek gently. "There'll be a few women Templars there too...You never know, maybe one will want to explore the female form with you..."
"I doubt it," Hawke said, snorting. "I'm quite good with women though so maybe I could convince some of them."
Isabela laughed. She's cockier than me sometimes.
"Anyway," the pirate continued, "Men are like puppies, Hawke. Just tickle their stomachs and they roll over for you, powerless to resist."
"'Stomachs'?" Lana repeated sceptically, raising an eyebrow at her.
"Well, no...but you get the idea," Isabela said, laughing as she fluffed the frills on Hawke's outfit. Lana groaned, felling even sicker now.
"I'm...going to throw up," she said, nauseous. The pirate laughed even more at the look on her face.
"Just relax!" she said, curling her fingers under her chin and tilting her head up. "And remember, there's a tiny dagger tucked into your garter in case you get into trouble...Which let's face it, is very likely considering how irresistible you look and how much you like to attract trouble."
Hawke's senses were heightened then to the cool blade which rested against her thigh. At least that's something, she thought grateful for Leliana's little gift. I'll use that first, way before I go near any man's 'stomach'.
"Ready?" Isabela asked, staring into her eyes as though they held the answer. Hawke took a deep breath.
"Ready," she said dully, "Let's get this over with."
"Oh Hawke, don't be like that," Isabela said disappointed by her lack of enthusiasm. "It'll be fun, you'll see."
"I doubt that, Isabela."
The pirate smiled at her, "There is going to be wine, Hawke...and it's free so cheer up! I never get to court you, at least act like you're having fun please, for me."
Lana smiled despite herself. "Ok, fine!" she relented, "But let's head to the bar once we get in there...That's if we get in...Maker, I feel like such a slattern."
Isabela laughed loudly, "You look like one too. Just put your mask on and pretend you're someone else."
"I'll pretend I'm you, shall I?" Hawke replied. "And by the way this so does not count as you courting me. You still owe me a proper night out when this is all over." The pirate slapped her around the head lightly then handed her a red, sequenced, masquerade mask which covered the top half of her face. Isabela then put her black one on.
"Do you really think these will work?" Lana asked, still feeling uncomfortable but glad that her face was partly covered at least.
"Of course, all the whores will be wearing them at the party. Now stop bloody worrying, Hawke! Andraste's flaming tits you're acting like Aveline! I thought this would have been more fun."
She linked her arm around Lana's and the two of them began to cross the square (receiving appalled and condescending stares from the nobles as they went) and towards the massive Hightown Estate where the Templar Ball was being held.
"Ticket's, Serahs?" one of the Templar guards asked at the entrance.
Hawke's grip tightened on Isabela's arm. "We haven't got one!" she blurted out, forgetting herself. Isabela cursed inwardly. Maker's bloody balls, has she gone insane? She turned to Hawke and gave her a meaningful stare that said: Keep your mouth shut!
"I'm afraid this is a closed event...even to women as fine as yourselves." The Templar took in their outfits in one sweeping glance. "No one enters without a ticket and Madam Luisine has already sent over her finest from The Blooming Rose."
Isabela let out a seductive laugh and ran her fingers through her hair flirtatiously. She released Hawke's arm and moved in closer to the guard, sliding her hands up the front of his silver, Templar chest-plate and then around his neck, leaning in towards him.
"What my friend meant to say..." She whispered alluringly in his ear, "Is that we are...special guests. The decision to come was very last minute...and we would be extremely..." she let out a sigh as though thinking to herself, "grateful...to you and your friend here if you opened those doors and let us in to play."
A bead of sweat dripped down the young Templar's head as Isabela ran a finger along his lips and stared at hit with those enticing amber eyes.
"W-w-what's your name, M-miss?" he asked, his heart beating rapidly as he glanced down at Isabela's cleavage. There was unmistakable desire in his eyes. The pirate smiled and leaned in towards his ear once more.
"I'm the Queen of the Eastern Seas, Sweet Thing," she whispered softly, "And I know how to treat my subjects..."
The Templar's breath caught as his throat went dry. "And...and your friend?" he asked, staring at Lana over Isabela's shoulder who had momentarily frozen. Isabela giggled in his ear.
"Oh, she's something else," she breathed, "They call her The Ferelden Temptress of the Deep South...because once she gets going down there she's like a mabari hound that hasn't been fed in days."
The Templar heaved a breath, trying to control himself as Isabela's carefully chosen words had their desired effect. He swallowed hard, and looked over the pirate's shoulder again, silently questioning his companion on the other side of the door to the Estate. The other Templar turned to eye up Hawke with wide eyes then turned back to his friend and half-shrugged, half-nodded, clearly dumbstruck at the obvious beauty of the two women before him.
"Well...I...Yeah, I suppose a few more guests as, um... lovely as yourselves..." he spluttered.
"I mean it would be rude to turn you down," the young Templar finished nervously as Isabela's warm breath tickled across his face. A cheeky grin appeared on the corner of her lips.
"It would," she agreed, running a seductive finger across his stubbled jaw line then backing away from him and turning back to Lana. "And I'm sure we'll thank you profusely when we've had our fill of the delights inside."
She leaned in and placed her lips over a stunned Lana's, kissing her tenderly for the Templar's benefit before taking her hand and leading her swiftly past the two guards, who had opened the door for them and stood with open mouths as their eyes were treated.
As soon as they were inside, the doors shut behind them. Bards could be heard playing songs from the giant ballroom through the massive double-doors in front of them. Hawke let out a deep sigh of relief. She readjusted her mask and brushed away a layer of sweat before covering her face with it again and re-finding her voice.
"That was incredible!" she said, turning to Isabela. The pirate raised her eye brows under the mask as she smiled smugly at her.
"You sound surprised," she said back.
"I'm not, I...Well I've just never really seen you in action before. It was impressive," Hawke replied, smirking. Isabela laughed.
"What are you talking about, never having seen me in action? I've flirted with you for years!" she said, chuckling.
"I know but not like that!" Lana said, gesturing back towards the guards. "You flirted differently with me...Those men were at your mercy. I don't remember acting that pathetic."
Isabela shrugged, "Maybe the difference was that I actually wanted you, and you were too good at playing hard to get. Plus men are easier to manipulate. They always have been. Unfortunately, those two are going to be very disappointed at the end of the night though."
"As long as I don't have to touch them I couldn't care less," Lana said, shivering slightly. Isabela laughed.
"Yes, you're probably the most under experienced whore ever to set foot in here," she teased looking up at the giant chandelier in the lavishly decorated hallway they were standing in. "Slept with only one man and kissed only one other...Saucy minx!"
Hawke rolled her eyes as the pirate giggled, "Yeah, well, let's hope it stays that way," she said grimly, "I'm not very good at this whole flirting thing mind, so chances are they might."
"What do you mean, you liar?" Isabela asked, confused, "You can so flirt. You're one of the most flirtatious people I know!"
"Yes, but not with men! It takes so much more out of me," Hawke replied, cringing, "And most of the time women just throw themselves at my feet so there's really no need for it then."
The pirate laughed. "Well lucky you! But you'd better shape up, Hawke. You almost ballsed things up back there before we even got started."
"I know," Hawke sang back, kicking herself as she remembering her mistake at the door, "I just wish Varric could have come along. He's so much better at this shit than I am."
"Yeah well, it would be harder for us to get in if we were with a male, Dwarven whore. They're not very popular among Templars you know."
Hawke sniggered. "Oh well, let's get to it," she said, taking the pirate's hand again. "I doubt Meredith's here yet but we should at least scope out the Estate and see what we're up against. Not to mention getting to know some people" she added reluctantly, "...Oh, and more to the point, you owe me a drink."
Isabela smiled to herself and shook her head with a sigh, allowing Hawke to take her by the hand and lead her into the Ballroom.
The elegantly decorated, stunningly beautiful ballroom was marred only by the numerous Templars in fine armor, scattered throughout, sipping on goblets of expensive wine and entertaining the nobles who had also been invited. The bards sat in the corner and played a waltz of some sort, with several dancers accompanying them on the huge dance floor.
"Maker's Breath, these Chantry types know how to party!" Isabela said, wide-eyed as her eyes soaked up the scene. Lana burst out laughing and turned to her. She gave her a weird look. "Did I just say that?"
"You did," Lana replied gleefully, "And I'm never going to let you forget it."
"Oh shut up!" Isabela sang back, pretending she didn't care. I can't believe I just complimented the Chantry on their partying abilities.
"Oh shit!" Lana hissed suddenly, jumping and turning her masked face away as a woman in a purple, poufy dress walked past them. She stared wide-eyed at Isabela.
"What is it?" the pirate asked, giving her a look. Hawke hesitated.
"Is she gone?" she asked lowly, her lips barely moving.
"Is who gone?" Isabela asked confused. Hawke cursed then glanced over her shoulder to see if the coast was clear.
"Well," she began lightly, turning back to Isabela, "You uh...remember the time I...Um...threw a woman out my window and made her climb down the side of my Estate buck-ass naked?"
Isabela's eyes widened under her mask and a huge grin appeared on her face.
"No...!" she said in disbelief, tittering a little and casting her eyes through the crowd to try and catch a glimpse of the infamous women. "She's here, isn't she?"
Hawke gave a cringing smile and nodded, looking as though her night couldn't get any worse. Oh crap! Isabela on the other hand looked as though she was fit to burst.
"She just passed us," Lana informed her, reluctantly, "She's bound to recognize me."
"How? You're wearing a mask, Hawke," the Rivaini reminded her. Lana let out a nervous laugh.
"I didn't say she would recognize me by my face."
Isabela covered her mouth as she tried unsuccessfully not to laugh at Lana's misfortune. "Well, your ass is very memorable," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. Hawke scowled at her and turned away.
"Oh shut up, Isabela...Balls, this really is going to be the worst night of my life isn't it?" she mumbled, before leading the way over to the fancy tables full of wine. Isabela slipped a comforting arm around her waist and they both chose a goblet of red wine from the set.
"Come on, Hawke, you're doing this for Bethany remember?" she said quietly, before taking a sip of her glass. "Just forget about being dressed like a whore, and about that damn woman, and think of the reason we're here."
"I know!" she said, frowning, "It's just...nothing's ever bloody easy is it? And Bethany probably won't even give a damn. After everything I done for her in the past and she still hated me, why should this be any different?"
"Bethany loves you," Isabela said gently, watching Hawke take a much-needed sip of her wine.
"Yeah, well, every time I think of her face it fills me with hatred," Lana said dully, "She's hurt me one too many times to be forgiven so easily."
"Hey," Isabela said, pulling her closer, "Let's not think about her now, and enjoy this little outing."
She felt Isabela's fingers caress her side and turned to her and smiled.
"Nothing ever fazes you does it?" she asked her. Isabela smiled back.
"Only you," she replied, gently, "I can deal with everything else the world throws at me."
Lana laughed and leaned in to kiss her. As soon as their lips met she felt the safest she had been since setting foot inside this Estate. She brought a hand to Isabela's face and ran her fingers along her cheek softly.
"Wow, ladies! I thought the entertainment wasn't supposed to start until later!"
The two of them broke apart and spotted a wide-eyed Templar standing behind them with a huge grin on his face. Hawke clenched her fist, ready to punch him, when she remembered that she was supposed to be a whore. That was meant to be for his benefit, she reminded herself. Isabela laughed beside her.
"Well, this is just a sneak preview," she replied, her eyes smouldering, making the Templar swallow hard as his mouth began to water. "What's your name, Sweetness?"
"Kellan, miss," he replied gawking at her, "How would you and your friend like to join a few of us at our table?"
Isabela turned to Hawke, grinning. "What do think, Miss Temptress? Shall we?"
Lana smiled cheekily, and looked over to the table full of Templars and their whores, "Why not, my Queen? They look like fun don't they?"
The pirate gave her a quick wink and turned back to the eager man before them.
"It's you're lucky day, Ser Knight," she said, holding out her hand. "The lady has spoken." The man took it in his and kissed it before, doing the same to Hawke's hand and led them both over to the rowdy table in the corner.
"Look what I've brought men!" he greeted his friends, "Two more lovely things coming to join the party."
There were wolf whistles and cheers from the Templar Recruits at the table. Suddenly one of the hairy, older Templars in half-uniform grabbed Hawke from behind and redirected her onto his lap as though to claim her.
"Take a seat, milady. I think you'll do me just fine," he growled loudly, chuckling in her ear. Hawke turned up her nose at the smell of his putrid breath.
"Actually," she said, angrily, grabbing his wrist and twisting it, reflexively getting to her feet turning it up behind his back, making him jump to his. She slammed his face down against the table then and leaned over him, her mouth hovering near his ear. "I don't think you can handle what I have to offer."
She released him roughly to stunned looks from the now silent table. Goblets of wine and plates of food had clattered to the floor in the commotion. There was a moment's pause, then- All of a sudden the nearby Templars started to cheer again and several insults and teasings were thrown across the table towards the Templar who had just been taught a lesson. Clearly they're a lot drunker than they should be, Hawke realised, having lost control momentarily.
"I guess this broad's not from The Blooming Rose is she?" Kellan yelled, barking in laughter and putting am arm around Hawke's neck. "Those girls normally just give it away."
"I've never seen her before," the whore to his right said with spite, eyeing Isabela and Hawke suspiciously now. "Where are you two from?"
"The Bone Pit," Isabela informed her, with a dangerous glare, "And I'm not talking about the one on Sundermount...So watch your tongue, Sweet Thing."
The woman looked ashamed and was taken aback. "Oh, I...I had no idea. Please accept my apologies, Serahs. You are always welcome here in Kirkwall. Madam Luisine speaks very highly of you."
"Oh there's no need for that," Isabela continued, taking a seat and helping herself to another glass of wine. Hawke had absolutely no idea what was going. Why is that whore suddenly looking at us with respect? We're all whores together are we not? ...And what in all of Thedas is The Bone Pit? Isabela directed Hawke to sit on her lap this time and rested her arm around her, feeling her shaking with anger still. "We're not here to play with the riff-raff anyway. What we want to know is when the officers will arrive."
"And why's that?" The hairy Templar growled at Hawke. Lana grinned.
"Because the Knight-Commander requested us personally," she said. "I guess she can take what we have to offer more than you can."
The entire table went silent again.
"What did you say?" Kellan asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked down at her. There were whispers breaking throughout the Recruits at the table, some looking worried, others looking intrigued.
-"The Knight-Commander sleeps with whores as well?"
-"...Female whores?"
-"But no one knows she's supposed to be here!"
-"And she ordered them from The Bone Pit? I heard that's expensive!"
-"I've never heard of the Commander sleeping with women before."
-"Well how else would they know she is coming? This meeting's top secret!"
The others seemed to consider this last comment for a moment as Hawke and Isabela waited with baited breath, their hearts beating rapidly in their chests. Isabela tightened her arm around Hawke, cursing her for the second time today. Maker's Balls, is she trying to get us killed? After a few seconds the hairy Templar got to his feet and to their complete and utter surprise, bowed low with courtesy.
"Please forgive my rudeness before. The Knight-Commander will be here shortly, Serahs. I had no idea you were taken. Shall I...inform her of your arrival when she gets here?"
Hawke glanced down at Isabela, who hesitated for a fraction of a second before regaining her bearings.
"Oh there's no need for that, Ser Knight," she said calmly, breathing freely again, "Meredith and I are old friends. She likes to be taken by surprise once in a while, if you know what I mean."
Laughter broke out around the table then and the situation was diffused at once. Lana sighed with relief, knowing she had been a little too direct with her statement. And by almost breaking that hairy bastard's arm...Though it did paid off. Sometimes it's just best to get straight to the point than beat around the bush.
"Well, gentlemen, thank you for your...hospitality. This Ferelden Temptress and I must go and get prepared," Isabela said, ushering Hawke to her feet and handing her a goblet of wine to stop her fists from clenching.
"The Knight-Commander won't know what she's in for," one of the other Templars yelled to more laughter from the rest (who were all looking rather jealous).
"Just don't come running if you hear her scream," Lana replied, smirking. The numerous cheers and whistles followed them across the hall as they made their way towards the staircase. The pirate waiting until they were out of earshot then laid into Lana.
"Well, that was lucky," she muttered, placing a hand on her lower back and leaning into her ear to prevent them from being overheard by the nearby nobles. "Maker's breath Hawke I thought you'd be better at this. What was all that?"
"Hey! We got our information right? Confirmation than Meredith's on her way," Lana answered in an angry whisper. "Sometimes doing this my way doesn't hurt either. We don't all have to sit on their laps and act the trollop."
"Ok, fine! Just bloody warn me next time!" Isabela hissed back as they began to ascend the red stairs to the balconies above. "You could have gotten us killed back there. He only bloody grabbed your ass, and you almost took his head off!"
"And that doesn't bother you in the slightest?" Hawke retorted, frowning at her. "Seeing people touch me like that? You know how I feel about men! I swear, sometimes you talk about me as though I'm not even yours."
They stopped at an empty section of the balcony, free of nosy nobles and Templars, and leaned over the stone rail, staring down into the crowd below. Isabela sighed as Lana finished the rest of her wine in one gulp and placed the goblet on the rail beside them.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked, not looking at Hawke. She could feel the women's arm brush up against hers as they stood side by side. What's she getting at? She thought to herself, feeling a little angry now. She could feel Hawke's judging eyes on her.
"It means that sometimes I wonder why you seem to enjoy watching other people feel me up in front of you."
"Hawke we're undercover!" Isabela said, turning back to her. "What did you want me to do, smash his face in like you did?"
"Would you have?" Lana asked sceptically, staring into her amber eyes.
Isabela frowned. Would I have? She asked herself. There was no doubt that she had gotten jealous about the brief kiss Hawke had shared with Leliana a few days back. But was that because I knew there was a potential for her to be stolen from me? Or because someone was taking advantage of what was rightfully mine? Any time she had been out with Hawke in public, admirers of the Champion of Kirkwall had flirted with her woman, made inappropriate comments, or even asked for her hand in marriage, and all the while the pirate had just laughed at her responses and their reactions, not realising that it actually bothered Lana that she didn't stand up for her.
"I didn't think you needed me to," she said, finally understanding what Hawke meant, "I know you can take care of yourself Hawke. You don't need me fighting your battles for you."
Hawke sighed, "That's not the point, Bela," she said sadly, turning back to the balcony ledge and staring back down into the party below. "I've always taken care of everyone my whole life, taken care of myself because no one else did...I guess I just thought I finally had someone to look out for me when I found you."
A lump formed in the pirate's throat. I guess she's right...But can I help it if I find it amusing when she breaks the hearts of her stalkers, or breaks the arm of an adventurous admirer who tries to cop a feel?
"I...You're right," Isabela said, regretfully, "I just thought it was funny...That's all."
"Well, sometimes it is," Hawke admitted, smiling slightly as she remembered a man serenading her on the street a few days ago as she and Isabela walked hand in hand through Lowtown after getting drunk at The Hanged Man together. That was actually quite pleasant. "But most of the time I just wish you would stop them from grabbing me instead of standing there laughing at me as I beat them off with a stick."
Isabela chuckled a little and grabbed her face, placing a swift kiss on her.
"I'm sorry," she said, staring into her chocolate-brown eyes through the slits in her mask. "You're right. From now on no one touches you...without my permission."
Hawke groaned at the cheeky grin the pirate was giving her. "I guess I'll have to take what I can get," she said.
"I'll make it up to you," Isabela said, winking at her, "But for now let's take a walk through this Estate and see what kind of things we can steal-I mean do."
"No, you mean steal," Hawke said, chuckling at the guilty look on the Rivaini's face. "Come on then," she took her arm, "Meredith will be here soon and we wouldn't want to miss the chance to hear what she has to say."
"Holy Maker! What is this room for?" Hawke blurted loudly, her mouth falling open.
They had been walking around the Estate for several minutes, searching boring offices for documents and interrupting numerous whores plying their trades in the bedrooms. Now, however they seemed to have stepped into a prison cell of some sort. It's oddly out of place though...and with a few extra 'features' , Hawke thought, momentarily stunned.
Suddenly Isabela gasped.
"It's a sex dungeon!" she exclaimed with delight, her eyes lighting up.
"No it isn't," Lana replied with a chuckle, giving her a weird look.
"Like you would know," the pirate teased, "I've seen more than my fair share of these places. You on the other hand have barely had sex outside of a four-poster bed."
"What!?" Hawke asked, offended, "Uh, hello! Windmill! Lothering! Chantry Sister! Ring any bells?"
"Oh please!" Isabela said, waving her hand dismissively, "That's nothing compared to what I've got up to. Compared to me you're still pretty much a virgin."
Lana rolled her eyes and turned away, beginning to explore the room. Dare I ask what she's got up to in a place like this? Where Isabela was concerned there was definitely a need to know basis. She heard the pirate shriek in delight and turned around to see what she was up to then. Her jaw dropped.
"What in Andraste's holy knickers is that!?" she asked, her voice going a little high-pitched.
Isabela was standing proudly with an artefact shaped like the male reproductive organ strapped to her legs and protruding erectly where it should have been on a man. She laughed at the look on Lana's face.
"This," she began, "Is how you're going to realise the benefits of sex with a man."
Hawke held up her hands and shook her head. "Get that thing away from me, Isabela!" she said, laughing sacredly as Isabela approached her. "I mean it!"
Suddenly the pirate lunged and tried to catch her. Hawke dodged under her arms, hearing the pirate laugh behind her as she ran from her.
"You can't hide, Sweetness!" she teased, eyeing her hungrily with a huge smile on her face. "This is going to happen and you know it!"
Hawke laughed her head off as Isabela began chasing her around the makeshift dungeon. She pushed over ornaments to break her pursuer and swung the metal chains hanging from the roof in front of her face, both of them giggling like little girls, forgetting momentarily why they were there. If the Big Girl could see us now she would be scolding us for being so immature at such a dangerous time, Isabela thought gleefully. Anything that was set to piss off Aveline meant she definitely wanted to do it even more.
"Oh come on, Hawke," she said, glancing down at the sexual artefact between her legs again. "Don't knock it until you've tried it."
Hawke chuckled and lashed out at her from the corner of the room with a kinky whip she had lifted from a nearby counter.
"You come near me with that again and I'll have you whipped, Isabela," she said, laughing as they both tried to catch their breaths.
"Promises, promises!" Isabela replied, still laughing.
As the pirate looked down to examine her new 'addition' Lana saw her chance for escape and dropped her whip, running towards the door giggling nervously. Isabela was too quick for her however. She looked up just on time and chased after Hawke. As the woman made to open the door the pirate grabbed her arm and placed it in one of the metal chains hanging over head, locking it shut around her wrist.
"No fair!" Hawke complained, realising she was trapped. Isabela spun her around roughly and their faces were just inches apart then.
"Gotcha," she teased, out of breath after their antics. Hawke's heart was pumping as Isabela pressed herself up against her. She could feel the sexual artefact attached to the pirate brush up against her centre.
"You know you're going to pay for this," Hawke whispered dangerously, knowing that she was now at Isabela's mercy. The pirate chuckled.
"Actually, I'm counting on it," she breathed, smirking as she leaned in to kiss her deeply. As soon as their lips met, both women became lost in each other. We shouldn't be doing this here, a voice in Lana's head reminded her. This is insane even for me! As much as she wanted to though, she just couldn't resist. The pirate's hands ran along her thighs and up over her hips driving her insane.
Suddenly her mask was ripped off in one quick motion and she then did the same to Isabela's, throwing it to the floor without looking. The pirate's lips tasted like honey, full and demanding, taking what they wanted from their prisoner. Hawke grabbed the chain of her metal cuff in her hands as the feeling of Isabela's effect on her became too intense. She moaned seductively and tore her lips away from the Rivaini's, throwing her head back as the pirate began kissing along her collar bone.
"Uh...am I...interrupting?"
Isabela and Hawke jumped at the sudden voice and the pirate looked over Hawke's shoulder towards the doorway. There was a different young Templar standing completely dumbstruck at the scene he had just walked in on.
"Shit!" Hawke cursed, trying to yank up her corset with her free arm. She glanced down at the masks on the floor, now complete out of reach. Glad her face was turned away from the door she hoped that Isabela's slightly incognito appearance might not attract attention as much as hers would. Just as the thought entered her mind, the Templar spoke again.
"Don't I know you from somewhere?" he asked the pirate, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. He took a few steps inside the room. It was clear that this man was not just simply a recruit.
"I can't imagine where, Sweetness," Isabela replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "Not unless you've spent any time in The Bone Pit."
The Templar considered her momentarily. "I have as a matter of fact," he answered finally, "Many times I have checked out it's splendours...and you, my dear, are not one of them...So who are you?"
Isabela swallowed hard, her hands on Lana's waist becoming slightly clammy.
"I'm the Queen of the Eastern Seas," she answered, "I'm new to the Pit."
The Templar pursed his lips, staring at her, "I doubt it," he finally answered. "I know your face...And I also know you are not who you say you are."
With nothing else to come to her rescue, Isabela began to laugh uncaringly.
"So what are you going to do about it?"She asked, smirking at him. Hawke could feel the pirate's hand inconspicuously slide down the outside of her left thigh.
"I think I'll kill you, just to be sure," the Templar replied coldly, "Meredith's already started giving the meeting and we can't have any...interruptions."
Hawke's blood ran cold. So Meredith's already here. As quick as light, the man went for his sword and held it above his head, ready to take Isabela's life. Seeing her opening, the pirate grabbed the tiny dagger from Hawke's garter and dug it into his unprotected neck as hard as she could. The Templar's sword clattered to the floor and blood overflowed his mouth. He fell to his knees in shock, his hands coming up to the tiny blade protruding from his neck. Isabela unstrapped the sexual toy from her legs and smack him across the head with it. He collapsed onto his side, momentarily stunned. The wound in his neck didn't seem to be as serious as first believed though. The man's eyes found Hawke's face then.
"The...Champion!" he yelled angrily, "I knew it!" He withdrew another blade from his waist and, clambering back to his feet, went to charge them both. Hawke pushed Isabela to the side roughly and swung herself to the side, causing sparks to fly as the man's blade connected with the chain she was bound to. To her dismay it didn't shatter. Shit! That's one tough son of a bitch! she thought horrified. Still trapped she swung on the chain and brought her foot up to the man's face before he could regain his balance, kicking him hard in the nose and hearing a sickening crunch as it broke. The Templar fell flat on his back, groaning in pain.
Isabela flung herself across the floor and picked up the man's discarded sword. Before he could block she brought the sharp point down, piercing the weak spot of his armor and snapping the blade in two as it sliced right through him and connected with the stone floor below him. After a few splutters of blood, the Templar finally breathed his last and his face went blank.
Isabela exhaled with relief and dropped the splintered sword to the ground then stared up at Hawke, whose expression mirrored hers.
"That was bloody close!" Lana breathed, shaking from the encounter, "Quick, let me out of this chain so we can get to this meeting!"
The pirate got to her feet and began to tug at the metal cuff around Hawke's wrist.
"Balls!" she cursed, "It's not budging, Hawke. It needs a bloody key!"
"Damn it!" Hawke exclaimed, "Check to see if he has one."
Isabela bent down and began to scour the dead Templars' body. After several seconds it was clear she would wind up empty handed. In a last ditch attempt she picked up the shattered remains of the sword on the ground and began to attack the chain with heavy swings.
"Ah, shit!" Stop! It's not working!" Hawke exclaimed as she was showered with more sparks. The pirate looked at her helplessly. "Get out of here," Hawke said, staring at her desperately, "Get to the meeting. We have to find out what's going on!"
"Hawke this is my fa-"
"I don't care whose fault this is!" she said, "We'll laugh about this later, just go! Don't forget your mask!"
"But what about you?" the pirate asked, reluctant to leave her like this so vulnerable.
"I'll be fine, don't worry," Hawke reassured her, knowing her words were full of empty promises. If someone finds me like this with a dead Templar at my feet then I'm as good as dead. Isabela picked up Hawke's mask and placed it gently over her face to hide her identity if anyone should find her.
"I love you, Hawke. Don't go dying on me," she said, giving her a quick kiss before putting her own mask on.
"I love you too. Now go! Get out of here before more come looking!" she ordered. The pirate gave her one last look.
"I'll try to find a key when I'm gone," she promised, "Just hang tight...no pun intended."
Hawke laughed a little at her impromptu joke and nodded. Isabela nodded back and then ran out of the room, leaving Lana dangling helplessly, one arm still chained to the ceiling.
The Rivaini rushed through the party as quick as she could. Where would this damn meeting be? she asked herself, trying to shake the guilt for leaving Hawke like that. She'll be fine...She's Hawke, she's got to be. Suddenly she remembered the giant room littered with chairs they had passed earlier when they were exploring the Estate together. Neither woman had thought anything of it at the time but now that Isabela recalled its layout, it was as good a place as any for a meeting.
She took off at a brisk walk, passing numerous nobles and whores before breaking into a sprint when she reached a deserted corridor which led to the room in question. Maker, I hope I'm not wrong. Suddenly the door to the room opened and the Templars began to pour out. Isabela jumped behind a stone column and hid between it and the wall in a little inlet. She pressed her back against it and peeked around the corner, hearing them get closer.
As the Templars passed in groups she heard them talking animatedly about what orders Meredith had given them. Shit! I must have missed the meeting! The pirate cursed under her breath and tried to make out anything from the men and women rambling on.
"...Can't believe what the Knight-Commander is planning..."
"...gone mad she has, I'm telling you..."
"...That Champion of Kirkwall is a pain, but this...?"
"...It's too much..."
Isabela's heart stopped. The plans involve Hawke? She didn't know why this surprised her. Hawke had been a thorn in Meredith's side from the very beginning, not to mention openly against how much authority she had over the Circle of Magi. And the worst thing was that Hawke was the only one capable of standing up to her. No one else would have the balls.
As the last of the Templars trickled down the corridor a harsh, familiar voice echoed in the halls. Isabela knew that voice. The Knight-Commander herself! Peeking out from her hiding place she saw a flash of a red hood pass her, accompanied by two others. Cullen!...And who's that other handsome fellow?
"...telling you Ser Thrask, this isn't the way to go about this!" Cullen was arguing. They seemed to have stopped just a few paces away from where Isabela was hidden.
"And I'm telling you, Knight-Captain!" Ser Thrask hissed, "The Champion will be valuable to have on our side."
"And which side is that?" Cullen countered angrily, "We both know your loyalties have wavered over the years. You even befriend the mages!"
"And you don't?" Thrask spat, "I have seen the way you look at the girl. That is the only reason why you are against this plan! You desire her is all!"
"Enough!" Meredith interrupted harshly, "It has been decided! We will go ahead as planned."
Knight-Captain Cullen sighed in defeat. "As you wish, Commander, how would you have me do it?"
"I don't care!" Meredith growled. "Trick her, captured her, seduce her if you like...Just bring me Bethany Hawke!"
The rest of their words were drowned out. Isabela sank down the wall as the three Templars walked away, feeling her stomach knot. Oh bugger! Bethany! She thought helplessly. What are they going to do with her? The pirate covered her open mouth with her hand and stared numbly at the stone wall facing her. She closed her eyes, shaking her head as she heard the Templars footsteps die away in the distance, and desperately wished there was some way to get to Bethany Hawke before them. Because whatever they wanted her for, it surely couldn't be good, and Lana was going to run to her rescue once more, even if it meant giving her own life to protect her.
"That's if she's not already dead," the pirate whispered to herself then, her eyes flinging open as she realised she had no time to lose, remembering the precarious position Hawke was stuck in. She sprung to her feet at once and checked the coast was clear before running back towards the dungeon, hoping she wasn't already too late.