38

The elven messenger boy walked into the tavern, looking as frightened as a mouse. He approached Isabela tentatively and handed over a rolled up parchment. She eyed the paper cylinder suspiciously, but took it, and opened it.

Isabela,

I have news regarding my promise.
Please, come and meet me at my house this afternoon.
Travel in the daylight.

Hawke

"How did you know I was the one you were supposed to deliver it to?" she asked after reading it.

His eyes were downcast, and he blushed furiously. "She said that… uh… you would be the pretty girl sitting at the bar, with the enormous…" He drifted off mid-sentence, and his eyes fixed squarely on her breasts.

Isabela laughed. She was happy to hear that Hawke still described her so fondly. "Thank you" she said dismissively, and the elf ran out of the tavern.

It had been over a month since her interrupted assassination attempt. The Crows would have placed the bounty on her head by now. At least she had common sense on her side. The last place they would look for her was Kirkwall. Who would be stupid enough to stay in their last known whereabouts?

She downed the rest of her drink, folded the parchment and put it in her pocket, then headed for Hightown.

"Good afternoon, Isabela. It puts me so at ease to see that despite my various security upgrades, someone is still able to make such light work of my locks. An assassin, no less" Hawke said, turning around at her writing desk.

Isabela laughed. "Don't be afraid, sweet thing, I guarantee you nobody else could pick that lock."

Hawke pursed her lips. "Please don't call me that."

She stood up and handed Isabela a small stack of papers. They were shipping manifests, and Isabela really couldn't be bothered reading them.

"Just cut to the chase, Hawke. Why am I here? What are these?" She handed the papers back.

Hawke leaned against her desk, putting her hands behind her to brace herself, her breasts sitting up in her dress in a most distracting way. "If my information is correct, and it's always correct, a ship belonging to Castillion docked in Kirkwall Harbour three days ago. Castillion has gone into hiding somewhere in the city, but one of his lieutenants, Velasco, is searching for you."

Isabela remembered him well. A violent, sexist pig, who'd always had an open dislike for her. "Ah, Velasco. Still as thick as two posts, I see. I'm hardly difficult to find."

Hawke smiled, and continued. "They've probably been after you since you handed the tome over to the Qunari. I suppose your… lifestyle… inhibited them getting a fix on your location. Your ties to the Crows would've helped scare them off, too. Oh, there's an 80 sovereign bounty on your head, by the way…"

Despite the unsettling news that her life was now officially at risk from two different sources, Isabela was impressed that she had commanded such a big price. "Well what's the plan? You're the one that got me into this mess."

Hawke snorted. "I'm the reason that half of Thedas wants you dead? No, you managed that all on your own, my dear. But don't worry, I have a plan."

"Which is?"

"I have sent word to Castillion. I have told him that I will deliver you to Velasco, as long as he agrees to my reward."

"I fail to see how letting Castillion kill me is a plan that you think I'd agree to."

Hawke rolled her eyes. "That is not my plan. What I propose is this; I deliver you to Velasco under the guise of getting my reward. I follow you to the drop off point, and when Castillion comes to collect you, we can confront him head on."

"That's your plan? Hand me over to a killer, and just hope that he doesn't spot the great Champion of Kirkwall over his shoulder? I'm all for bold plans, Hawke, but this one seems suicidal."

Hawke continued on patiently. "I won't tail you directly, I'll get you to leave me a trail, so that I can remain undetected as I follow you."

"What kind of trail?"

Hawke reached into her desk drawer, and pulled out a small parcel. She unwrapped it and pulled out a necklace. It was unlike anything Isabela had ever seen, made up of large, luminous gold gems.

"A necklace…?" Isabela asked, looking at the jewellery in confusion.

Hawke took an end in each hand, and pulled hard. The chain snapped, and the gems spilled into her palm. "Use these. They stand out in the sunlight, and they're full of magic, so I'll be able to sense them, even if I can't see them."

"Oh Hawke, you ruined your pretty necklace!" Isabela said mournfully.

Hawke laughed. "It's not mine. I bought it for you, actually, many years ago, so it's fitting that you should use it now."

"This was… for me?" Isabela asked, looking down at the gorgeous gems glittering in Hawke's hands.

Hawke nodded. "I saw it one day, and I thought it would match your eyes. The beads are enchanted with a protection spell, to silence the worrier in me. I was going to give it to you for your 29th name-day but I… decided against it. I don't know why I've kept it all these years. Silly, really. But, it will serve a purpose now."

The pirate swallowed hard to clear the lump in her throat. She would have liked this gift. She had forgotten how romantic Hawke was, until Isabela had taught her not to be.

"Well, hand them over…" she said, gesturing to the gems. Hawke did so, and Isabela slipped them down her cleavage.

"I think it would be best if you stayed here. We'll go to the Blooming Rose to meet Velasco tomorrow, but I can better protect you here tonight, in case they smarten up and find your terrible hiding place at the tavern."

Isabela felt a flutter in her chest. "You want me to… stay the night?"

Hawke nodded. "Orana has already made up the guest bedroom. It's been a few years since I've experienced one of the mattresses at the tavern, but I'm sure you'll find the spare bed more comfortable."

"Thank you, Hawke…" Isabela said quietly.