Chapter 16 – To catch a thief

"I'm going to ask Hawke for help," Isabela said one morning, a week later, as they were having a lunch consisting of a hard piece of stale bread and dried meat. They were sitting by the docks, looking at the sea, both of them wondering when they were going to be able to leave.

"Are you telling her everything?" Aisha looked at Isabela, curious to see how selfish her friend could actually be.

"Not yet," Isabela admitted, "want to come with me?"

…

Aisha stood by looking pained as Isabela and Aveline bickered. Their usual friendliness all chased away by the stressfulness of their respective situations. When Hawke came running through her front door, the young mage took a sigh of relief unsure what she should do if her friends actually engaged in combat.

"Are there any good seats left?" Hawke said in an attempt to lighten the mood. She was still not over her mother's death, but she had gotten better and most of the time she had her usual brave front up. Aveline didn't waste any time.

"Hawke," she said, abandoned Isabela and walked forward, "the arishok is sheltering two fugitives that have converted to the Qun. He must be convinced to release them. I need your help before this gets out of hand."

Aisha saw panic fleet across Isabela's face as the pirate darted forward.

"I'm going to die!" She exclaimed, "there. That got your attention. Real problem."

Hawke looked tired for a moment.

"I heard Arishok and die," she said, "what is this about?"

"Remember the relic," Isabela continued before Aveline had a chance to talk, "the one Castillion is going to kill me over? A man called Wall-eyed Sam has it. If you help me get it, Castillion won't kill me... please." Hawke looked surprised at Isabela's pleading tone and Aisha found herself worrying. If her brave and uncaring Isabela was worried, that meant that this was actually serious. But Aveline was not having it.

"I'm trying to keep the entire city from riveting against the Qunari," she said in a stern voice causing Isabela to look down in the floor.

"Well," she said, "maybe it is connected." The pirate threw a quick look at Aisha who gave her an encouraging smile.

"What?!" Aveline answered.

"I'm just saying, maybe it will help," Isabela tried, "it is important to someone, right?"

Aveline rolled her eyes.

"Now you start being responsible? Shit."

Hawke looked questioningly at Aisha and Aisha could only follow her heart. She motioned towards Isabela. She wasn't capable of doing anything that had a remote chance of hurting her pirate.

"The relic issue has to be resolved before we deal with the Qunari," Hawke said eventually.

"You trust her this much?" Aveline asked.

"Probably not," Isabela answered instead of Hawke, "I wouldn't."

Neither would I, Aisha thought in her head.

"Come on," Isabela said and headed towards the door, "the exchange is happening tonight in Low town."

…

As they were walking towards the meeting point, Aisha tugged at Isabela's arm.

"What is it?" Isabela asked her irritably.

"Tell her," Aisha whispered, "she is risking her life for you. You have to tell her."

Isabela rolled her eyes but couldn't ignore her conscience any longer.

"Hawke..." she called out, "there is something I have to tell you."

…

"All this could have been avoided!" Aveline and Hawke were furious but Isabela was unapologetic.

"Look," she said, "the book's right in this building and I am not letting it slip away again." It is the only thing that will get Castillion off my back. Please tell me you will give the relic to me."

To everyone's surprise including Aisha's, Hawke's reply was simple.

"It's yours. Your life depends on it."

"Really, I... wasn't expecting that," Isabela was grateful and felt a sting of bad conscience as she would have fought Hawke for it if necessary, "it's nice to have someone on my side for once."

They went into the building only to realise that they were too late, the man who was going to hand over the relic to Tevinter agents ran out as Qunari were attacking.

"He's getting away!" Isabela shouted and started running after him, Hawke helplessly staring after her. Aisha took one look at Hawke and then ran after her friend. When Aisha got out of the building, Isabela was just sinking her dagger into the man's chest, the relic safely under her arm.

"I got it, Aisha!" She yelled in triumph, "let's get out of here!"

"What about Hawke? The others?" Aisha had to ask.

"I'm leaving," Isabela said, "I need to get this back to Castillion. It's too bad that Hawke and the others got caught up in this, it's really unfortunate. But I'm leaving. Decide now if you're coming with me or not."

Aisha stared into Isabela's eyes and before she knew what was happening the pirate had grabbed her and pressed a hard kiss to her lips.

"Come with me."

There was no doubt as Aisha nodded. The riviani women stood up and started running.