The Hanged Man was a mixed experience.

On the one hand it lay in Lowtown, stank of stale ale and vomit and sported some less than reputable customers. On the other there was a warm and welcoming atmosphere, it wasn't too dirty and it was known to be – despite it's location – one of the best inns in Kirkwall. The fact that the ale was supposed to be cheap but good, the beds warm and that the owner had no tolerance for fighting also helped make it a step up from its competitors.

"Ah, I love this place, have a permanent room even." Varric drew a deep breath, a smile on his face. "It has everything you want, if you know where to look."

"It's a hive of scum and villainy." Aveline snorted, frowning as the customers crowding around tables.

"Exactly." The dwarf replied, amused. "Just imagine all the possibilities."

Ignoring the way Aveline was now frowning at Varric, Garrett let his gaze sweep over the establishment. He'd been there a couple of times on business with the Footpads, and as such he didn't draw many glances despite leading such an odd group. Even the fact that they were armed and armoured went unnoticed; everyone in the Hanged Man was armed in some fashion after all, as such anyone breaking the owner's rule about violence could expect to face the customers enforcing the rule...they liked the place that much.

With that in mind, Garrett actually found a certain reassurance at the sight of so many armed men and women, ever since Athenril's little stunt with her injured people stumbling into Gamlen's house there were few places one could consider safe. Still, he wasn't there to appreciate the 'Hanged Man militia', as Carver had called them, and instead looked for a Rivaini woman that could fit Aveline's description. "So where is this Isabela? Can you see her?"

"Right where one would expect her." Aveline grunted, pointing at the rectangular counter over at the far left corner of the inn.

Garrett blinked as he found who she was pointing at.

The woman was sitting at the corner, facing the counter as she nursed a surprisingly clean half-empty glass of ale. Her dark leather boots were worn and reached up to mid-thigh, which did little to conceal the fact that she wasn't wearing any trousers. Instead she only wore a white tunic cut dangerously high up her thighs, revealing tantalizing dark Rivaini skin, it was also dangerously low at the front, making her exceedingly large breasts look as if they were ready to spill out of her tunic at any moment.

Her hair was long and swept back by a blue scarf, revealing a dizzying amount of golden and – in Garrett's opinion – gaudy jewellery that couldn't quite take your attention away from the pleasant-looking face and auburn eyes that even from a distance seemed to twinkle with exciting mischief.

Sighing, Aveline nudged his side with an elbow, making Garrett blink once more before he remembered himself and smacked the back of his hand into Carver's chest, making his brother close his mouth with an audible click even as he shot Garrett a glare.

Now pulled out of his staring at what quite frankly struck him as an invitation rather than clothing, Garrett shrugged; now that he got a second look at the woman he couldn't help but verbalize his first real thought of the sight. "A bit...much, isn't it?"

"I'd say little, and that would be me being nice." Aveline grumbled. "Now let's go talk to her before I change my mind."

Manoeuvring past the tables and patrons without causing a trouble with such a large group proved a bit problematic with the inn being so full, but soon enough Garrett and his group found themselves behind the Rivaini woman. "Excuse me? Are you Isabela?"

Turning around on her stool, the woman's arms moved up to rest on the counter along with her back as her right leg moved to cross over her left, making even Garrett struggle not to look at it. Smirking, the woman's eyes twinkled as her hungry gaze swept over Garrett, the slightly blushing Carver, and then the suddenly crimson-faced Bethany. "Well, aren't you a good looking lot?" Her gaze moved over to Varric, and a delicate eyebrow rose. "And a dwarf too? Can't say it would be my first time, but sounds like a fun combination to try again, I'm game."

Garrett scowled at her. I have a feeling I won't like you very much. "We're not here about...that."

Next to him, Bethany shuddered, voice a low mutter. "The mental image will give me scars for life..."

"Oh." Isabela's mouth formed a pout, though it didn't seem as if she meant it. "How dull, then what are you-" Her eyes finally registered Aveline as the guardswoman crossed her arms over her chest. Instantly the Rivaini's pout disappeared, being replaced by a sigh and a roll of her eyes. "Oh for...you again? I told you already. One, prostitution isn't illegal. Two, I have no control over what some prostitutes steal from distracted clients. Three, I don't conduct business with prostitutes." Again, her eyes twinkled. "Well...not business where I'm the one getting gold, anyway."

"I'm not here on guard business." Aveline sighed, then shot a nod towards Garrett. "I'm with him."

"I have a hard time imagining you with anyone..." The Rivaini chuckled, then looked back to Garrett before the guardswoman could retort. "Anyway, who are you?"

"Garrett Hawke." Garrett replied, forcing himself to offer a hand. After all, politeness was free and could get you far, though he didn't relish getting friendly with a woman that was already rubbing him the wrong way.

Isabela's handshake was as brief as it was non-committal. "Hawke...that rings a bell...wait..." Isabela's eyebrows rose high as she turned her gaze to Aveline. "You're with him!" She grinned. "And here I thought you were one of those few incorruptible guardsmen...shows what I know, huh?"

Aveline visibly bristled, as did Garrett at the implicated dirtiness of his family name, but before either could reply, Varric stepped forth. "Actually, Hawke is no longer a Footpad, he's working with me now, Varric Tethras, at your service." The bow he offered was so immaculate that it would put a nobleman to shame, making Isabela smirk, as well as soothing some of Bethany's blushing as she grinned at the sight. "You see, we are planning a little picnic in the Deep Roads, but we happen to lack a way to get there...my brother is quite besides himself as you can understand, he's been up for days planning the whole thing. So as you can understand I – as a good brother – am trying to find someone who could help us with this little obstruction."

What? Garrett looked down at Varric, finding the strange, though admittedly not entirely incorrect, description of their problem somewhat confusing. What was the point of saying it like that? As if hearing him, the dwarf shot him a brief smirk.

Isabela laughed, shaking her head. "Ah well, why didn't you say so!" Still chuckling, she held Varric's gaze as she continued. "You want to see the Warden, and you know I know where he is..." She shot Garrett an amused glance. "Really, you should have just said so right from the start."

What? Garrett was pretty sure the two were making fun of him, or perhaps just sharing some strange joke, either way he wasn't really one who cared for such things. As such, he found his scowl deepen as he spoke. "I'm sure I should. Now, can you help us?"

"Of course I can, spoilsport." Isabela retorted, exchanging an amused glance with Varric. When she looked back to Garrett she got something clever in her eyes, something Garrett had seen far too many times in Athenril's, making him groan inwardly, despite having expected it. Here we go...should have known Varric would be right. "But he did a favour for me...and I'm not in the habit of repaying such help with endangering the helper...unless the ones asking me to do such a heinous thing are willing to offer an equally larger or larger favour in return, that is."

"How loyal of you." Aveline dryly commented, clearly disgusted with Isabela's blatant selfishness.

Garrett himself wasn't all too thrilled about it either, but he wasn't about to argue over Isabela's priorities when they were about to be of help to him. "I take it you have a favour of fitting size in mind?"

"Indeed I do, handsome one." Isabela's hands left the counter as she put them together, fingers drumming against one another as she smirked. "You see, I have a problem...well, not really a problem so much as it is a meeting at the docks tomorrow evening."

"I see..." Garrett replied, eyeing the woman warily, suddenly worried.

"Thing is, I don't trust this man I'm meeting. He's the worst kind, a murderer, slaver, kidnapper and smoker." How does that even compare to the other- "You'd love him Aveline, that is, to kick his face in."

The woman in question was scowling. "I could get some guards rounded up and have him arrested, if you have some proof, that is."

"I do, but that won't cut it." Isabela waved off the offer. "If you did he would soon be out, that is, if you could catch him. Besides, I don't need him temporarily distracted, I need him out of the picture."

Aveline and Garrett exchanged a look, the woman didn't look all that pleased, nor was Garrett, who turned back to Isabela with a frown. "We are not assassins."

"Well I'm not hiring assassins, I'm hiring bodyguards." Isabela corrected with a roll of her eyes, when Aveline and Garrett exchanged another look, she sighed. "Look, I don't know if it'll come down to violence, but if it does I'd like to have some backup, besides, with you there he'll be less happy to do what he usually does. No, what I want to do is to talk to him, convince him to lay off me, killing him works just as well, but if he'll willingly leave, so much the better."

"Fair enough..." Garrett warily replied, sensing something was going unsaid. "But why does he want to meet with you, and maybe even kill you?"

"Well that's not really part of the the deal, is it?" Isabela smirked at him, though then groaned at the unamused look on his face. "Fine. Look, this guy's named Hayder, who works for Castillion...who I happen to owe quite a lot of money. And yes, while that's not good of me I don't see why I'd have to die because of it, murder is a lot more serious than an unpaid debt, wouldn't you say, big girl?"

Aveline stiffened at the name, but didn't comment as she scowled at Isabela. "And I'm sure you were completely innocent in your dealings with this Castillion..."

"More so than you'd guess." Isabela replied with a tired chuckle, then shrugged. "But that's the past, not important. What is important that this Hayder is the only one of Castillion's men currently in Kirkwall, and I need him off my back until I can repay this debt, which is very difficult to do if I'm dead."

"So we guard your person tomorrow when you meet this Hayder and you'll tell us where the Warden is?" Garrett asked, the wariness not yet leaving him. The look he had caught in Isabela's eyes had been the same as Athenril's, the one telling him she had plans beyond those she told him...it made him uneasy. Yet we have no other leads left, looking elsewhere could take weeks...I hate not having options. Aveline and Bethany didn't look all that eager either while Varric's face was deliberately neutral, only Carver seemed somewhat taken by the idea, and that didn't exactly fill Garrett with confidence...

"Better, I'll take you to him." Isabela replied with a grin and offered her hand with an arched eyebrow that seemed to scream at Garrett that she was deceiving him, and that he could do nothing about it. "Deal?"

Yes, I definitely dislike you. Feeling like a fool, Garrett took the hand, finding her handshake surprisingly strong compared to the previous time. "Deal."

"Good, and don't worry..." Isabela turned on her stool, sweeping up her glass from the counter as her she chuckled. "...this'll be fun."

8

8

8

"Is it much further?"

Garrett felt nervous. The docks were a dangerous place, doubly so at night, and though he knew the streets well and was accompanied by capable people, he would not be so foolish as to consider himself safe. Aveline had, thankfully, insisted she come with him to escort Isabela to her, adding a strong sword arm to their group. He had also brought Maric along instead of letting the dog guard the house as usual, the fact that he had gotten away with it without mother suspecting anything was a testament to Bethany's skill at distracting Leandra. Why the woman thought her daughter needed to be held and caressed for half an hour just because she'd claimed to feel faint was beyond Garrett, but as long as it worked to his advantage, who was he to argue?

Guess she still thinks Bethany as a frail little flower... Garret shot her sister a glance, there was admittedly a softness to her, the impression that she was soft-spoken and gentle, a lady of virtue who somehow wasn't a noble, all of which she was. Yet she wore the leather armour Garrett had scrounged up, though too much of it was simply too soft and thin to be considered armour, as comfortably as her brothers wore their armour, and the staff she held was marked from where her hands had held onto it as they cast their destructive magics.

I wish you didn't have to use it, I wish the magic wasn't needed, that the armour isn't-

"Not far now." Isabela interrupted Garrett's thought, drawing his attention back to the woman at the front, not to mention making him frown at her.

Isabela didn't make sense. Clearly, if what she had said was true, she was the one who had the most to fear of the imminent meeting, yet she was the one of them not wearing any armour, instead strutting forward in her usual 'clothing' as if there was nothing to fear, not to mention the fact that she was unarmed.

The foolishness of it baffled Garrett.

As did his own foolishness of accompanying her into a street he was well aware for being a favourite spot for gangs to use as an ambush site, something Hayder had probably picked up on as well. Archers on the roofs maybe? We'd have to retreat and move to a corner, find cover and-

"Don't worry about it." Isabela spoke up, sounding as cheerful as if they were simply taking a stroll as she seemingly read his mind. "Hayder isn't one for ambushes, it's not his style, he's more of a...overwhelming force kind of person."

"How comforting." Varric dryly commented, taking the words right out of Garrett's mouth even as the human and dwarf exchanged a worried look. During their preparations Varric had voiced a certain worry about the plan; he had basically agreed with Garrett that while the deal seemed dangerous, they had precious little choice...neither had particularly liked the whole thing.

"I think he'll find that some of us also are more than a match in that department." Carver growled. Despite Garrett's attempts to calm him, or perhaps in defiance of them, Carver was looking forward to the meeting, openly hoping for it to come to blows. Perhaps Garrett shouldn't be surprised, during all their time with the Footpads there had thankfully been very little need to draw their blades in anything more than for intimidation. So Carver, who's strength lay in combat, had therefore never gotten a chance to shine, a need of his that both his siblings were painfully aware of.

"At least in terms of the first part." Bethany snickered, making the muscles around Garrett's lips twitch even as Varric chuckled. "Oh brother, don't pout...I'm sure they'll find you very scary, but remember, we're not here to fight."

"Exactly." Isabela chimed in, though the cheerful note held a dark undertone Garrett didn't like, in fact, he found his worry increasing with every step. I'm the one with the plan usually, not her, and her plan doesn't strike me as safe, she's too casual about the risks...Maker, maybe it's better if we turn around and-

"Ah, and there he is." Dammit. Looking back up, Garrett found Isabela come to a stop in the middle of the street, hands on her hips and resting her weight on her left leg as she observed the shadows ahead. The many, moving, shadows. "Hayder? Come into the light you dull sod, you were never one for appearing mysterious."

Sod? Garrett arched an eyebrow, those were not exactly diplomatic words, words one should use if one wanted to get out of a fight...

"Isabela, you showed up, how surprisingly brave of you." The voice was gruff, and fitted quite well with the man stepping into the moonlight. His face sported a weak chin and receding brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, making it look as if someone had grabbed a hold of the top and bottom of his face and stretched it backwards, making his cheeks fatter than one would think of a man with his athletic build. Dressed in thick leather with metal studs the man gave of a violent vibe, as if the way he fingered the sword and dagger in his belts wasn't enough of a hint of his mindset. "And you brought friends, how cute, always one to have others clean up your messes, are you?"

Garrett only listened with half an ear as he stayed a few steps behind Isabela, analysing the situation with a sinking heart.

Indeed there didn't seem to be any ambush, the low buildings on either side had the doors barred and shutters closed, nor did he catch any sight of movement on the roofs above. Though that was good news, the bad news lay straight ahead of them. Hayder was not alone, and as Garrett watched, more people stepped into the light. Humans, men and women, all armoured in worn leather armour reinforced with either metal studs or rings, some even sporting pieces of chainmail in vital spots. Several sported scars, but all looked experienced, their weapons mostly consisted of two-handed axes, greatswords and a mixture of maces and hatchets. They were clearly mercenaries, ready to fight and die for coin, and Garrett worried these ones were eager to do the former without fearing the later.

Mostly he was worried about the fact that there were twenty-two of them.

With Hayder that makes them outnumber us more than three to one...that is, if you count Isabela, I doubt nothing but her attitude will do much good in a fight though. We do have flexibility on our side though, Varric gives us range, as does Bethany, bet they won't expect her magic either, which will be an equalizer...no, I don't like this, our best hope is to look too dangerous to attack and get this resolved quietly.

"Sort of like you did before." The man continued, apparently venting, judging by the bitter tone. "Do you have any idea how long I chased those slaves for? I didn't even catch half of them. Hayder should have killed you right there, but then again, he does have a soft spot for you."

Wait...slaves? Garrett turned his attention to the conversation, confused. He found Isabela glowering at the man. "They are people, Hayder!" She made a sharp gesture, though her voice carried a hint of melancholy. "No one should be forced to live at the whims of another..." Garrett couldn't help but look over at Aveline, who looked as puzzled as him as she glanced back. I didn't picture Isabela as one helping another... "Even I have standards." Ah...fair enough. "Besides, it's not a soft spot he has for me..." And we're back to the sex-jokes, delightful...

Hayder was equally unamused. "And how do you repay him for his mercy? By messing up, again." He crossed his arms over his chest. "So he sends me to this Maker-forsaken pit-hole of a city to clean up your mess, again. And now we stand here...and you have yet to meet your payment, and I don't have to remind you what Castillion wants me to do if you can't pay this time..."

"You could try, you wouldn't survive." Isabela scoffed, making Hayder's eyes flash in anger even as Garrett felt panic fill his heart. Is this how you try to resolve things peacefully! "But come now, you know Castillion won't be happy if he doesn't get what he wants, and it wasn't my fault the ship sunk. But I know the relic's here, and when I find it, you will have it. Simple, isn't it?"

"You know that's not good enough." Hayder growled, his hands moving back to his weapons, making everyone on the street tense. "You were to deliver the relic today, no excuses. Yet here you stand, no relic and all excuses." He narrowed his eyes. "That tells me that you're either trying to get a hold of it to sell it to someone else, or that you're too incompetent to get the job done. Either way, Castillion doesn't care, you don't have the relic on you, you die."

"Wait." Garrett had to speak up, his fear of the imminent clash forcing him to step up next to Isabela. Carefully gauging the distance to Hayder and his men he ignored Isabela's annoyed glare and instead focused on Hayder's frowning face. "Surely, if it's the relic you seek..." She never said anything about a relic, wonder what it is? "...then killing my employer, the one who's on its trail, would be counter-intuitive. While your Castillion might be pleased about her death, he won't be pleased about having lost the relic. If you don't trust Isabela, then surely you should team up with her, keeping an eye on her to make sure she finds the relic and gives it to you in exchange for her life."

"Him? Following me around everywhere I go?" Isabela muttered at Garrett with a glare, clearly angry, surprising him. Surely it's better than death? Or risking a battle here?

"And why would I trust her not to shove a dagger between my ribs?" Hayder retorted, he didn't let go of his weapons, but nor was he attacking.

"Ohhh...sounds like fun!" Isabela grinned at Hayder, making Garrett glare at her in turn. Are you trying to get into a fight!

"Because..." Garrett emphasised the word, trying to draw Hayder's attention away from Isabela's foolishness by holding the man's gaze. "...you'll have your fine mercenaries here at hand, she won't dare hurt you, nor betray you. You'll both have a good trade, and you'll return to Castillion with the relic, making you the hero."

The corner of Hayder's lips lifted at that, he clearly liked that idea. Isabela was less humoured though. "And what would keep him from killing me when the deal is done?"

"Of the two of us, I'm the one who's never gone back on my word, so I'm the one we're going to trust here, girl."Hayder snarled, yet the anger was lacking in it, he was thinking about the deal, and Garrett was struggling not to breathe a sigh of relief.

"Then it's a deal?" Garrett queried, pushing the issue. "You get the relic and Isabela gets to-"

"Boooring..." Isabela interrupted his words with a yawn as she stretched, hand reaching back into her hair...and pulling forth a small dagger. Huh? What is she-

A moment later the woman lunged and released the dagger...and Hayder screamed out in as much pain as surprise as he stumbled back into his mercenaries, clutching at his cheek. "You treacherous bitch!"

"Wait-"

Garrett's desperate attempt to calm things had no chance against Hayder's enraged shout. "Get them!"

Chaos ensued.

Maric was first into the melee, the hound springing from his seated position into a full charge with the speed only a Mabari was capable of. Slamming into a mercenary before the man could even draw the blade on his back, the dog knocked the man onto his back, pinning his weapon against the ground even as Maric silenced the burgeoning scream by ripping the man's throat out with his powerful jaws.

Surprisingly, Isabela was not far behind, two long and thin daggers practically flying out of their hiding place in her boots and into her hands. Rushing forth, she leapt over the Mabari, her left foot connecting solidly with the gut of another mercenary, doubling him over...before she slammed both daggers into his back as she landed, sending him to the ground with a dull thump.

To the far right the mercenaries were rushing forth in force, only for a fireball to strike the foremost square in the face. The ensuing explosion sent pieces of her and the man behind her flying, but also made the three behind them stumble backwards, the shock clear in their eyes.

Garrett, cursing loudly, forced himself to move, to exploit the opening. Damn! Charging over the scorched ground, Garrett met the first to recover from the shock with his shield, knocking the still winded woman onto her back even as he ran onwards. Rivaini! The next two swung at him with their great axes, but the closest man never finished, the weapon falling out of his hands as Garrett decisively buried his sword into his gut while blocking the other man's axe with his shield, the impact jarring his shoulder. Idiot!

The mercenary jumped back before Garrett's freed sword could hit him, his return swing a horizontal one that struck Garrett's shield with frightening force, tearing the top part of the metal bindings to it off in a shower of splinters as the tree beneath shattered.

The man hadn't expected that though, and the release of resistance sent him stumbling forward. With a growl Garrett smashed his damaged shield into the man's face, shattering it completely as well as the face of the man as he was knocked onto his knees. Brown eyes stared up at Garrett from under rivulets of dark blood...and then widened as his sword entered the man's ribcage...and got stuck there.

Grunting, sudden fear gripping him, Garrett placed a foot against the kneeling corpse and pushed as he pulled at the blade, freeing it in a shower of blood as he stumbled backwards while Varric's warning reached him. "Behind you!"

Turning with the stumble he found the woman he had knocked over on her feet and charging at him. Her greatsword was swinging down at him as he desperately raised his own sword to parry, knowing it would never be strong enough to deflect the blow unless he got his other hand up to grip the blade, which he would never manage.

But then the woman cried out in agony and fell forward, a crossbow bolt sticking out of her back. Garrett got a brief glimpse of Varric grinning at his shot as he reloaded the mechanical weapon...and then the worlds spun as the dead woman's blow connected with Garrett's shoulder. Fortunately it first struck the pauldron, reducing the force of the blow, but then it bounced inwards, striking the merely clothed area between the breastplate and the pauldron.

Pain!

Garrett heard someone scream, but wasn't sure if it was him, as he tumbled into the dust. His hand clutched hard at his sword as with blinking eyes he rolled onto one knee and tried to look around himself while asserting the damage. It burnt...but he could move the arm. Shallow...Maker, this armour is good for being quiet, but it's not for a battlefield!

At the far end of the skirmish, he could spot Aveline fighting, the woman holding two mercenaries off with her swift shield as a third lay in the dust by her feet. Even as he watched, Maric charged forth with a howl, making the two mercenaries flinch in surprise. It was all the opening their opponents needed, Aveline's sword thrust into the neck of one mercenary, Maric's claws raked the others guts open.

Next to Isabela, Carver was leaping forth with a cry, his greatsword coming down on the large axe his chosen foe was wielding...only to split it in two, along with much of the woman's face. Another mercenary cried out in rage at that, two swords raised high as he charged at Garrett's brother...who with a snarl spun his sword high, cleaving the man's arms off at the elbows and then, still swinging, ending the man's cry of agony by sending his head tumbling over the street.

Isabela herself was doing surprisingly well, though Garrett wasn't sure he cared at the moment. Surrounded by Hayder and two other men wielding hatches and swords as she did with her daggers, she was dodging and weaving past their thrusts and slashes, her own daggers over and over parrying blows from the strangest of angles as she almost seemed to dance with her foes, sometimes even atop the two foes she had already felled.

"A little help here!" Looking over at Varric, Garrett felt panic well up within him as he saw the dwarf and Bethany stand together, eyes wide at the sight of the large group of mercenaries rushing at them, clearly not wanting to be hit with another fireball as they surged towards Bethany. Wide-eyed, she didn't call out like Varric, instead her staff shot forth, sending a stream of white into the face of the foremost man, making him clutch at his now frozen throat and tumble into the dust.

Before she could move to cast another spell however, the next two launched themselves at her...only to tumble back as Varric somehow managed to launch two bolts from Bianca in quick succession. Yet another two took their place though, and they were fast.

Varric growled a curse as he ducked low and raised his crossbow, the steel bow parrying the downward swing of his foe with a ringing clang. Bethany on the other hand managed to knock the sword thrust at her face aside with her staff and shot her hand forth to cast something into the face of her opponent...only to cry out as his other hand slashed a dagger along her forearm.

No!

A roar...and Garrett launched himself forward, dimly aware that Carver had echoed his cry and was doing the same.

Reaching out, Garrett caught hold of the black hair of a woman trying to circle around Varric and his opponent. Pulling hard, he made her tumble back...and straight into his blade, drawing a loud gasp from her even as he wrenched his blade free.

The man fighting Varric turned his head at the sound...and then gasped himself as Varric took the opportunity to slam the knife attached to the bottom of Bianca into his crotch, dropping him onto his knees...at which point the dwarf with an angry grunt pressed Bianca against the man's mouth and pulled the trigger.

Carver was even worse. Roaring, Carver's swing opened the back of the man who by now had knocked Bethany onto her back and was raising his blade for the finish. Crying out, the man fell to his knees...and Carver raised his sword high before screaming as he brought it down upon his foe's shoulder, splitting the man in two all the way down to his hips.

Staring at his sister to ensure she was okay Garrett felt nothing but panic at the blood covering her shocked-looking face...even as his mind told him the blood came from the now exceedingly dead mercenary. He couldn't help himself though, kneeling down by her right side as Carver did the same to her left, both gripping onto her to ensure she was okay with their free hand even as the three siblings raised their weapons as one, ready to fight whatever came next, to protect one another.

Nothing came though.

To his left he could see Aveline grimace as she looked at her left leg, the armour there buckled inwards and blood seeping from a slight crack. Maric was with him, the hound licking a wound across his right front paw with surprising calm.

Next to him, Varric seemed unharmed, though he was glaring at a few drops of blood on his coat, as if it had somehow personally offended him.

Looking over at Isabela, Garret found all but Hayder now on the ground, the street littered with bodies and covered with dark blood. So much death...Maker, we have to get out of here before the guards dare brave the darkness of the docks to investigate!

Hayder himself was about to join them, the man standing on his toes, eyes wide, staring at nothing as Isabela pressed up close to him, holding him up by the daggers stuck between his ribs, lips against his ear, coyly smirking as she spoke. "Was that a soft enough spot, hmmm?"

Hayder's reply was a weak gasp.

"Didn't think so." Isabela pulled back, the daggers leaving Hayder's slumping body with a crimson flourish. "Idiot."

"Idiot!" Garrett echoed, sudden anger making him forget about his throbbing shoulder as he flew to his feet, glaring at Isabela. "Who's the idiot! You went out of your way to get us into this fight! Are you mad!"

"Now he's out of the picture." Isabela shrugged, apparently pleased.

Growling, Garrett moved closer. "You planned this all along! You didn't want him to leave you for a time! You wanted him dead!"

"Nooo." Isabela sighed. "I wanted him to leave so I could do my work, when he wouldn't do that he had to die." The sigh turned into a glare, her eyes flashing dangerously at him. "And who told you you could negotiate? No one barters away my freedom!"

"Freedom! You hypocrite! How about other peoples lives!" Garrett snarled, the image of Bethany's pained face at the cut along her arm still freshly embedded on his retinas. "You hired bodyguards, you claimed you wanted a peaceful end! Yet you threw us into this, as Hayder said, to solve your problem! You didn't even try to compromise! You wanted all of it your way!" He felt himself fuming. "How could you take such a stupid risk!"

"Risks is what it's all about...makes life exciting, doesn't it?" Isabela replied, grinning at him.

Garrett stiffened, hands closing into fists, ready to pound that grin into a bloody pulp, to have her join the rest of the corpses. Then a low growl escaped him as he forced his head to turn, to look at his injured sister, at his brother struggling to apologise as he helped clean the worst of the gore off...and the white-hot anger struggled with the knowledge of why they had come, what he was trying to do for the two...

Another growl, full of rage, and Garrett turned back to Isabela and pointed an accusing finger at her with his working arm as the other began to throb as the adrenaline left him. "You will show us this Warden, now."

"Well shouldn't we first clean up and-"

"Now!"

8

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8

Thanks to Abydos Jackson for slugging through this one.