Ahhh...this is the life.

The glass of cold mead in her right hand, though also resting on a small table, was still fairly full, meaning she wouldn't have to get up and get it refilled for quite some time. The pipe in her left hand was still smoking, its tickling scent filling her nostrils. She wasn't much of a smoker, but some moments just asked for it. As for the warm sensation in her belly...well she could hardly blame Jethann for getting too excited with her. Sure, having to drink that awful tea – just to be sure of no complications – later was annoying, but the price had been well worth it, both in coin and the tea due to their spectacular finish. Maybe he should have paid me...? Isabela smirked at the thought.

She was sitting just outside the Blooming Rose. With winter in full swing, the place was packed, yet most nobles and prostitutes – this was no Lowtown brothel after all – shied away from the outdoors when it was winter, giving Isabela some nice peace and quiet to sit in and enjoy the afterglow of her latest purchase. Expensive, but worth it, that elf is one agile man... Sighing with pleasure, Isabela eyed the rain drizzling down just past the tiled roof jutting out from the Blooming Rose. She knew it was icy cold...but she was a pirate, not some fragile lady, and who cared whether it rained when you had a roof over your head? Can't believe I'm alone out on this terrace, just because it rains...no real men in the Rose today...unless you count Jethann...nah, I wouldn't. The thought almost made Isabela miss Garrett, almost.

Miss his money and jobs though...bloody hell, has it been a half a month already? He better make sure Merrill comes back unscathed...oh and Fenris, would be an awful shame to lose that hunk. No, focus Isabela, you're bleeding money here...balls, I've gotten too reliant on that guy supplying me with work... Isabela shrugged, annoyed with herself for worrying, it was a trait more suiting the bore Garrett than a bad-ass like herself. Eh, something will turn up, if not, I'll just sleep under a bridge for a while, wouldn't be the first time.

Leaning further back in her chair, aware that she was on the verge of tipping over backwards, Isabela grunted to herself as she brought the pipe to her lips and took a puff, the bitter taste nicely complementing the sweetness of her mead. Perfect. Yet despite the contentment of her body, Isabela found her brows furrowing. Maybe I should focus more on finding the tome...though then I might not get a paying job, which is no good. Though if I don't find at least a lead on the tome... Isabela shuddered at the thought of Castillon's vengeance. He never tortured his victims, never announced his desire to see one dead...you just knew...and then the wait for the blow to come became the torture.

So...a small job first, then back to hunting the tome. Isabela decided, then she took another swig out of her glass, groaning at the wonderful taste as the warm feeling in her stomach turned into a wonderful little tingle spreading out across her skin. Tomorrow...

"Out drinking as usual, I see?"

Blinking, Isabela looked up at the familiar voice, and then nearly groaned aloud as she saw Aveline tower over her. The woman's hands were resting on her hips, like a mother scolding her child, though the impression was somewhat ruined by the armour covering all but her head. Her green eyes were sharp and full of displeasure and...something more, Isabela couldn't quite place it...impatience? As for her hair...Isabela found her grin returning.

"Well good morning to you too! Is that a new hairstyle? What do Fereldians call it...wet dog?" Aveline's brows furrowed, but she said nothing, not even moving to touch the auburn hair plastered to her head by the winter rain. "And are those new dents in your armour? Some new...fashion statement?"

"It's called 'marks from doing your job'." Aveline touched a deep gouge in her breastplate with a snort. "Which you would know if you'd ever had one."

"Oh, good one!" Isabela chuckled, she'd actually found a perverse pleasure in sparing with Aveline and her stoicism. The woman was as unyielding in conversation as she was with her shield, and her reactions to just about anything just as dependable. No wonder Garrett likes her, she's about as passionate as he is. "Though I have mine too, or can't you see my tan? I'm actually less dark than this, you know." She gestured at her chest with a smirk. "You should join me once I get a ship, put some colour on those freckled cheeks of yours."

"Once you get a ship?" Aveline glanced at her, then the Blooming Rose, followed by the glass in her hand and the pipe in the other, arching an eyebrow, her voice neutral. "So in twenty years or so?"

The barb struck a bit too hard, making Isabela's smirk turn into a sigh and a roll of her eyes. "What do you want, oh woman of mighty chin?"

Aveline's frown deepened at the insult, her hand nearly moving up to touch her jaw before she thought better of it. Ah, a weak spot, good to know if you think to step over the mark again... "I'm looking for Carver, he's not at home and his mother worries for him." Of course she does. Isabela groaned, it was bad enough they'd left the prideful boy at home like he was but a child, but to keep such a person on a tight leash as well was not the way to go...she knew that better than most. This'll end in tears in the end, I wager, not everyone submits to the control of others...not when it's demanded, at least. "He's supposed to be working to keep his family afloat but I've heard he went this way..." The woman inclined her head towards the door to the Blooming Rose before shaking it in annoyance. "...you can't get more foolish."

More foolish than to enjoy yourself? Wow, you are a bore. "Come now, the boy's bored, he wants a challenge, something to occupy him...you can't expect him to take that butcher's job I heard he was offered...it's not who he is." Isabela knew it was pointless to argue, but she did so anyway, feeling a little bad for Carver. Can't be easy, never being allowed to make mistakes, to be free, when that's all you crave. Isabela took another swig out of her glass, not liking have to think of such things when she was supposed to be relaxing.

"It would have been an income." Aveline grunted back, then shrugged. "It doesn't matter, I have a job for him...if I can find him."

"A job?" Isabela looked up with a smile. "A good job? A paying job? A violent one?"

Groaning, Aveline rolled her eyes. "Yes, you can come, and get paid for it too. The Maker must have a queer sense of humour when he made you so skilled, yet so frustrating...now I know what Garrett feels like." Isabela grinned at that. No, no you really don't. "But on one condition, you help me find Carver first."

"That's all? Sure!" Isabela grinned, then brought her glass up and raised it to her mouth, letting the liquid run down her throat.

Before her, Aveline shifted in annoyance, waiting.

Then, with a sigh of pleasure, Isabela put down the empty glass on the table and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand while tapping out her pipe against the arm of her chair. "I didn't see him back there, but the place is fairly packed...and so was I when I was getting out." Aveline rolled her eyes. "Though I wager we can find him, a boy with as little money as him...he can only go to one place in the Rose..." With that, Isabela kicked up, making her balance shift and her chair to fall backwards. She rolled with the impact though, deftly coming up on her feet while tossing the pipe into the empty glass on the table...though given her recent string of drinks she found her footing only barely. Before her, Aveline crossed her arms, not impressed even as Isabela grinned at her. "If you'd follow me, I'll find him for you."

Aveline shook her head in reply. "Maker, I regret this already.."

8

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8

I hate this.

Sitting at the bar in the Blooming Rose, Carver was nursing the last sip of the cheapest ale he could buy, well aware that he'd get thrown out if he stopped being a 'paying customer'. One of the bouncers, a Qunari of all things...was already eyeing him with those eerie eyes his kind had.

Carver wasn't sure why he'd gone to the Blooming Rose of all places, everything in it was far too expensive for his kind. Yet after Gamlen had dragged him there once for a 'pint and some advice over being the younger brother' – much of which had been a depressing story of being stuck in the shadows – Carver just couldn't find enjoyment in the sleazy establishments in Lowtown, being in one of them after seeing the Blooming Rose felt like an insult, like he wasn't good enough.

Carver hated that feeling.

So he'd gone to the Blooming Rose – what else was he supposed to do with his time? – and bought what he could afford, trying to blend in among the nobles strutting like peacocks around prostitutes that ranged from ethereal beauties to the girl next door kind of woman. He'd even seen a couple of female dwarves in the brothel.

Carver had actually come to know quite a few of the employees at the Blooming Rose over the month. They thought him cute and liked his stories of his adventures and of Ferelden in general since few of them had never even left Kirkwall. To be honest, Carver had tried to use this friendliness as a bridge to use his charm on them...hoping to perhaps get what he couldn't afford for free...but they had only laughed at him every time he'd tried and poked fun at him. It was clear by now that Kirkwallers were far harder to charm than Ferelden peasant girls, especially the beauties in the Blooming Rose.

Of course, he then had to feel bad not only over his charm being useless in Kirkwall, but also feel guilty over his attempt as his thoughts drifted to Merrill. Which was silly! She had no claim to him! In fact she recently seemed to have avoided him until the expedition had left! Yet still he felt bad over having tried to charm other women...it was a frustrating circle of failure and guilt that left a bad taste in Carver's mouth.

Of course, he wanted to distract himself from such irritations with work, that's why Garrett had left him behind, wasn't it? To take care of Leandra and Gamlen like he was their bloody nurse...the fact that Gamlen had done the same to his and Leandra's parents and then had his life ruined didn't pass Carver by...and keeping them fed and clothed? And he had tried to get jobs, he really had...but mercenary work was hard when most of the group was gone. The jobs out there for hiring one mercenary were few and far between.

Plus – and this really made his anger rise – far too many potential clients had expressed disappointment in finding out they were hiring him and not his brother – some even going so far as to ask if he was as capable...and Carver, far more hot-headed than his brother, could admittedly have handled those a questions better...

Still, it's not my fault. I helped Garrett build up his reputation. I was essential to his success at points...and now people refuse to hire me because I'm not him!? It's not fair... He knew what Garrett would have done in such a situation. Started from scratch and built up his own reputation by doing well in lots of small-jobs until he'd earned some recognition...but the very thought of doing that all over again made him grit his teeth in frustration. I shouldn't have to start all over! This is so...he should have brought me, dammit, they need me...Gamlen and Leandra could take care of themselves, dammit. I mean bringing Bethany but not me...sure, I know she can handle herself, but still...it's insulting...I'm just as capable, plus I've always been there to guard her, not having me there is...unnatural.

Of course, knowing Garrett, they'd come back safe and sound...carrying with them so much wealth they could buy Kirkwall twice over...and all would be due to Garrett...

The bitterness stuck to Carver's throat like a collar, wanting to choke him.

I should be there too.

A hand landed on his shoulder.

I swear, if it's that bouncer... Carver's hand closed into a fist as he turned his head, ready to clock whoever was interrupting his thoughts. He blinked in surprise at seeing Aveline and Isabela though, his hand immediately unclenching. "You...?" Not knowing what else to say, caught off guard and feeling a little embarrassed of where he'd been caught...Carver just stared at the two.

Isabela had a healthy glow to her, looking flushed and cheerful, like a kitten happy with its latest meal.

Aveline looked more like a half-drowned tom-cat, making Carver once more wonder what Garrett saw in her. I suppose they have the same scowl...

The similarity was easy to draw as he looked at Aveline, finding her forehead creasing. "Carver, what are you doing?"

"Drinking?" He suggested, holding up his near empty mug for her to see as he frowned back, annoyed. Another one who wants to baby me... "That's not against the law now, is it, guardswoman?"

"No, but it's pointless and wasteful." Was the reply, the redhead shaking her head at him in disapproval. Sorry, Aveline, too used to that from a guy with a far more withering gaze...

Isabela snorted. "I disagree with you there, Aveline." She shot Carver a wink, making him smile back.

"Of course you do." Aveline grunted, not taking her eyes off Carver. "Now, again, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be finding work?"

Carver growled in anger at that, all too bitter already to take a lecture from Aveline of all people. "I have, or don't you remember getting my application to the guard rejected? Thanks again for that, by the way." He turned back to his drink, vainly hoping against hope that that would finish the conversation.

Behind him, Aveline sighed. "I've already apologised for that, but come now, we both know that while you're skilled in combat you're not disciplined enough to be a guard...most of the time it's paperwork and dreary patrols, you know."

Carver bunched his shoulders up high in irritation, refusing to listen to the old argument. Sure, keep pointing out my flaws, everyone seems eager to do so nowadays anyway...

"Anyway, just because you're not a guard doesn't mean I don't have use for you."

Ah, the pity work, how nice... Carver gave voice to a non-committal grunt.

"Hey! I know you have little in terms of work and I'm offering...!" Aveline growled, sounding offended.

A tsk from Isabela, and Carver found another hand on his shoulder, this one less demanding, softer...Isabela's voice was softer too, soft and full of mischief. "Come on, Carver, it'll be fun! Not every day you get to reveal a corrupt Guard captain, after all..."

Carver blinked, then smiled, the idea was enticing. "Oh, something the great Aveline doesn't trust the other Guards to help her with? She needs help from lowly mercenaries like us...?" He turned, smirking at Aveline...and found Isabela doing the same. Yes, this might be fun, actually...and paid job is paid job...might make mother stop moaning at me.

"More or less, yes." Aveline stoically replied with a shrug. "I only dared ask one other guard for assistance, he's a good man..." For a moment, Aveline seemed to drift off with a little smile on her lips – making Carver and Isabela both exchange a glance, the later with a coy smirk – before she with a shrug focused back on the present. "...but only one. With him on the inside and us working on the outside though, I think we can crack this relatively quickly..."

Isabela and Carver both looked at her expectantly.

And Aveline sighed, shoulders slumping. "...and you'll get paid handsomely for such a feat, of course, the guard pay their mercinaries well."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Carver grunted and rose to his feet, stretching his back with a groan. "I'll get my gear, then we'll go wherever you wish." Then, he paused, a thought just occurring to him. "Err...could you not mention to mother where you found me...?"

Isabela chuckled at that, but Aveline just rolled her eyes as she turned and started to walk away. "Who do you think pointed me in the right direction...?"

Carver stared at her back in horror. Oh hell...

8

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8

Thanks to Abydos Jackson, for her trust.