Yes, I know this isn't Friday. Yes, I know I'm so nice to you. But I'll be on holiday for the next week, so this shall be my only chance to give you guys the good stuff. So enjoy.

Also, I had to tell everyone. I'm sorry. I love you all so much. You mean the world to me. But I now have a follower called "Got a jar of dirt". And I just love that.

MAS: Oh, I'm very mature and don't let no-one tell you different. They're all poopoo heads. I feel so honoured with you and your honeyed words. Yeah, don't jinx that shit or... I forget...

Ioialoha: Well, I would at least try :P

The Invisible Predator: Yeah, I am a weird one, everyone tells me so but I'm cool with it. And why would I hate a loyal fan? As for Carver being a Rogue... *cough*

Snowy: I'm glad you say it every time, I have an ego to maintain you know. Don't feel bad, that's how Sparrow gets most of the ladies. Pity. Have a crazy drug-fueled party. I mean, uh, nothing much... Just chilling.

MirandaBasilisk: I'm generous, you can still have a whole cookie. And I don't know if the others told you but those things are HUGE! Like, the size of an open hand. Why thank you

And thanks to everyone out there who's favourited and followed the past few weeks. It means a lot, and I'll try to craft a story that stands up to the appreciation I feel.

Also, throwing this out there, if any of you can draw could I get a PM. Looking for someone to draw a few covers for me in exchange for... more Cookies?

Anyway, story time.

Chapter 18: Shady Business

So I met the younger Hawkes. Bethany and Carver, fresh faced fifteen year olds. They look a lot different than they did. Or will do. Carvers hair's longer and shaggier, while Bethany's is shorter and more pixie like. Neither of them are carrying weapons. But now that it's been pointed out, I can see the resemblance to their elder selves. Carver has the same jaw, and fierce expression. Bethany has the rosy cheeks and the beginnings of her wise sage looks.

It's strange, I expected to see the twins eventually, but they just kind of jumped out at me. I wasn't really prepared for it.

It's been a few weeks since Duncan high tailed it for Denerim, and I've spent most of them in my room, only leaving every few hours to stretch my legs. Lothering doesn't really have much in the way of tourist attraction.

Apart from the mysterious Hawke exhibit I've yet to see. The only reasons I've even ventured out is to move around and see if I can find Hawke Hawke. The PC Hawke. What makes this even more difficult is I don't know if I'm looking for a boy or girl.

From my guesstimations, Hawke would be around my age, give or take a year or two. So the question I've had to ask myself was this: What the hell does someone my age even do?

I mean, I'm hardly a glittering example of the average late teenager. For one, I'm from another world/universe/dimension/realm of existence where all of this is just a popular game. Second, I'm not even in my twenties and I've already join an ancient order of knights dedicated to eradicating one of the greatest metaphors for evil. And third, I grew up on the internet. And I miss it hella much!

And finally, the last time I went out I visited the brothel (of which Lothering has none) and got attacked by an assassin so... My perception of the world may be a tad different that others. Just a smidgen.

But anyway I digress.

I'm talking to a stall keeper, trying to buy some apples I've had a craving for when a light is reflected into my eye. I turn to glare at the guy shining his watch in my face before I remember those don't exist. But what I do see makes my stomach lurch. I stop in my tracks and stare, squeezing my apple so tight my fingers dig in and the juices fall to the ground. But I pay no heed.

A few feet in front of me are a group of armoured men. Heavy, silver plate armour. I can see their sigil on their chest plates and must restrain a gasp. An upward pointing sword, with flames coming from either side.

Templars.

Now, that doesn't especially bother me, Templars couldn't really see me as a mage. I mean, I'm not carrying a conspicuous staff, I've never even been in a circle and I've displayed no magic talents while here. Also, I'm a Grey Warden so they shouldn't bother me even if I was frothing at the mouth and mind controlling the whole town.

But to my knowledge there is only one family of apostates in Lothering. People who I really don't need running into Templars.

Shit, my quest to find Hawke just went from a curious adventure to a desperate race.

This feels dodgy. Like really fucking dodgy.

But I've hardly got time for a well thought out plan.

No doubt Carver or Bethany saw the Templars, they were hardly blending in and the whole town was buzzing with the news. I saw the twins whispering furiously when I returned to the inn, though when they caught sight of me they stopped and didn't continue until I'd moved away out of earshot.

Bethany is at risk. She's a mage, and the Templars can practically smell an apostate. I can't let them take her, but at the same time I don't want to draw attention to myself. Yeah, the Templars may not be interested in me now, but it doesn't mean they won't be.

I stayed at the bar for the rest of the day, keeping an eye on Bethany. She looked worried, biting her nails and jumping at every sound. Whenever someone came in she'd look up in terror before seeing who it was. Strong kid, I probably would've bolted by now. Eventually though her shift ends. And that's where the dodgy part comes in.

I don't know where the Hawkes live. And with Templars in town it doesn't seem prudent to start asking. The Hawkes may panic and fly the coop. So, I'm following one home. Specifically, a fifteen year old girl.

Yeah, I know how it sounds. Hell, I'm cringing just thinking about it. But I'm keeping out of sight and darting around. Hopefully no-one finds out.

And when I get back, a few good slaps will suffice.

Bethany ducks down an alley and I rush to follow her. The roads are small, she could turn a corner and vanish before I find her.

But that doesn't happen.

I enter the darkened alley and feel arms grabbing me. I lash out instinctively and feel a length of rope circling my neck. Flashing back to my execution, I thrust my head backwards and feel my head land against something solid. I hear a grunt behind me.

I duck under the rope and pull on it, dragging my attacker forward over my shoulder and landing heavily on the ground. I move to stamp on their head but they back roll behind me and punch into my knee. It buckles and I grunt with pain, staggering to my knees. My attacker launches themselves at me with a growl and I respond with a quiet roar as I flip them onto their back. I prepare myself to smash their skull but they manage to get their legs under me, kicking me off.

I keep my balance and charge them as they jump to their feet, my fist ready to pummel them before they throw something at me. I try to smack it away but my hands break the casing of the bomb, which releases a noxious gas.

I fall to my knees, coughing and spluttering the poison. A normal man may already be dead, but the Taint gives you a resistance to this kinda shit. Lucky me, I think as tears begin to fall from my eyes. It's like a mace bomb! My attacker cocks their head and rushes forward to kick me in the face.

And in that last second, I see her face. Her pale skin, and short punky hair. Those lovely blue eyes. And the thing that really throws her out... A blood smear, across the bridge of her nose.

It's Hawke. THE Hawke. Fully playable and interactive Hawke.

Marian Hawke just kicked my ass in under a minute.

"Balls..." I say numbly. Then her boot connects with my chin. I see stars as I'm thrown upwards, and then nothing more.

I know, short. But there will be more when I return. Until then, have a good week guys!