And so it began. The Chantry blew up, making the clash unavoidable. Sebastian left, every fiber of his being screaming for revenge on Hawke for sparing Anders's life in the wake of the cataclysm that took Grand Cleric Elthina's life. Varric, Merrill, Aveline, even Fenris joined them in their fight for the mages' freedom.
After the battle was over, Hawke allowed herself a brief respite and, drawing her daggers, she looked at them with something that closely resembled reverence, even love. "Perhaps I should rename you." she thought. One pierced First Enchanter Orsino's heart, when his despair and lack of faith in his allies' resolve pushed him into using blood magic and turned him into an abomination worse than anything she saw before. "Bound." Hawke shook her head. "For there is no freedom to be found outside of yourself, if you can't find the freedom within." The other one slashed through Knight-Commander Meredith's throat, when her insanity, brought on by the sword she had forged from the lyrium idol, took over her. "Blind." she decided. "For thinking you can control that which you cannot understand is to be trully blind."
"That was one hell of a fight, Hawke!" said Varric, with a tired smile, as they were heading towards the Docks district.
"Thank you, my friends. Now the mages, at least the ones who were still alive, are free and most flew the city. As a courtesy, I suggest you all do the same." she said, a blank expression on her face.
"What the…?" Varric gasped at the sight of the Qunari dreadnaughts.
"Kadan!" Hawke screamed and ran towards him. The Arishok grabbed her waist and lifted her up to kiss her.
"Hawke and the Arishok are together? How cute!" swooned Merrill.
"I should've known!" Fenris frowned.
"This might be our last chance to flee, people!" proposed Varric.
"I agree." nodded Anders.
"Kadan, I need you to board one of the ships. I'll leave a couple of guards." he said, his eyes scouring the now deserted compound that was given to the Qunari by the (very late) Viscount.
"It will be done." she smiled, burrying her face in the flesh of his chest.
"I've missed you!" the Arishok said, smelling her hair. "And I'm starting to get aroused. The men need me with a clear head."
"Then maybe we should get that out of your system…" she smirked, rubbing herself against him.
"Aaahh, you know I'll never be able to get you out of my system!" he said, deepening his kiss.
She slipped her hand in between the two of them to untie his pants and let him loose. He grabbed a fistful of her hair as her kisses descended slowly on his chest. As she took him in her mouth, he closed his eyes, threw his head back and hissed loudly.
"Am I the only one who sees this as a metaphor for what's about to happen to Kirkwall?" Varric whispered to the other ones in the hideout.
"Couldn've have said it better myself." Anders whispered, holding back a chuckle.
"Who the fuck had the great idea of hiding in their compound until shit settles down?" frowned Fenris.
"Shut up, you guys." said Merrill, her face all blushing.
The Arishok took a hold of her shoulders, lifted her up and pinned her against a wall. In a few swift moves, he removed all her armor, while frantically kissing, licking and bitting her skin. Suddenly, he took her in his arms and put her down on the first step, throwing her legs on his shoulders and pulling her hips towards his face.
"Oh!" gasped Merrill. "Do people actually do that?"
"Shut up, Daisy! You're ruining the show." grunted Varric.
As she came, a loud gasp escaping her mouth, he entered her, his hand reaching for the back of her neck, to pull her in for a kiss.
"He's good." admitted Fenris.
The Arishok let her back down easily, his claws gently scratching the skin on one of her breasts, the other hand tracing its way down her belly and stopping between her legs. As his pace increased, Hawke sinked her fingernails in his back and bit his arm. He growled and yanked her head to the side, sharp teeth digging into the base of her neck. Hawke moaned loudly, her body shivering and arching again. He violently slammed his hips against hers a few more times and came with a growl that echoed off the walls of the compound.
"Now that's a dominant male!" Varric said, in awe.
"Go, Kadan! I don't want you in danger anymore. You did more than your duty already." he smiled and kissed her softly.
She nodded and started to pick the pieces of her armor off the ground.
"Oh, my!" gasped Merrill, as the Arishok turned and she finally saw him in all his glory.
"Damn! If I'd be a woman, I'd make a deal with a demon for that shit!" chuckled Varric.
"I'm going to join my men." the warlord said, lacing his pants.
"Be careful!" Hawke pleaded.
"Panahedan, Kadan!" he kissed her once more and left.
"Hawke! Pssst! Hawke!" whispered Varric, coming out of the hiding place.
"What are you guys doing here?" Hawke said, startled. "Did you see… all that?" she blushed, horrified.
"Oh, yeah!" laughed Anders.
"You should really take this opportunity to leave. You won't be able to get away for much longer!" she frowned.
"Take care of yourself, Hawke!" Merrill hugged her.
"Thank you, Hawke. For everything." smiled Anders.
"Thank you for a great story, Hawke!" Varric shed a tear.
"A dirty one?" she laughed, her eyes full of tears.
"No. A really epic one. A story of battles, and valor, and passion. Your story, Hawke."
"Oh, Varric! You're making me cry!" she hugged him tight.
"I think I'm going to tag along, Hawke!" said Fenris. "This whole "free mages" thing is starting to creep me out, I'm afraid!" he laughed.
"What can I say? Welcome, viddathari!" Hawke grabbed his shoulders.
"Hawke, one more thing… you know, for the story… what did he call you?" asked Varric.
"Kadan. It litterally means "where the heart lies" said Hawke, her eyes lighting up with pride and happiness.
By nightfall, the Qunari had taken over Kirkwall and the city fell quiet, apart for the occasional scream and the constant crackle of the few buildings that were still burning.
"Shanedan, Besrathari. The Arishok sent for you. Meet him at the Viscount's Keep." announced the Karasten.
"Meraavas." she said and rushed out of her cabin, got off the ship and disappeared into the night.
"Years ago, I promised you we will return. And this time around there's nothing and no one who can save you from the Qun. You will learn order. You will learn discipline. You will have a purpose!" the Arishok barked at the nobles dragged in the throne room by force.
"The Champion!" a woman shrilled.
"She will be our saviour!" a young man screamed.
Hawke looked the proud kossith in the eyes as she walked towards him. "She is my one weakness." he thought, watching the sway of her hips. "And my greatest strenght." he looked into her loving eyes. She walked up the few steps and joined him.
"Your saviour?" he smirked, grabbing her waist and kissing her. She is MY female!" he growled. "Her womb, full with the fruit of our union." he continued, gently stroking Hawke's abdomen. "All your miserable lives and the entirety of this pathetic city are not worth a hair on her head. You WILL submit to the Qun!" he yelled, his eyes wild and angry.
A small human hand covered his lips. A pair of gentle, pleading eyes, asked for his own submission. A deep growl started in his chest and stopped just as fast, defeated by her warmth. His wild, restless, unforgiving nature - tied down by loving arms. "Anything she would ask of me, I would do. In spite of myself. In spite of the Qun itself." he thought.
"Speak, Kadan." he retreated quietly.
"People of Kirkwall, cease your struggle! You fight a needless fight, within yourselves and with each other, for things you have no control over. You struggle because you have not learned how to give and how to receive, how to rely one one another, how to help and how to come to another's rescue. The Coterie, the countless mercenary bands, all the people living in squaler… Haven't you thrown enough of your children to the wolves? It is time you start treating each other like brothers, each one of you important and all equal. The Qun will not have no idle hands, no slaughter, no greed, no hunger, no corruption."
Hawke took the Arishok's hand and they walked out of the throne room. Some bowed their heads in acceptance. Some hanged theirs in despair. All will submit or die, in the end.
"We're filthy!" Hawke laughed.
"I'll bathe you, Kadan." he smiled, wiping a couple of dried blood drops off her cheek.