Dearest Father,

Varric told me to check out the Chanters Board for work, and when we got there a man in white armor was pointing a bow at the Grand Cleric! Maker I thought I was going to witness a brutal murder! But the expert marksman missed her by an inch, securing a post on the board. Who wouldn't want to go see what all the fuss was about?

After my heart stopped racing and the Grand Cleric returned to the Chantry, I found out why the man was so upset. It seems he is no ordinary man, but a Prince! His entire family was murdered by some group called the Flint Company, and he was offering a reward for their deaths. Normally I try to steer clear of family disputes and revenge, but the wording of his letter seemed desperate. "Down to the youngest babe in arms." Who would harm an innocent baby just for their lineage?

Sebastian Vael. What a powerful name Father, don't you think? I went into the Chantry to find him, maybe get some more information about where to look for these Flint fellows, but he wasn't there. I did get to speak to Elthina, the Grand Cleric, about him. She says he was a brother to the Chantry, affirmed nearly a decade ago, but with the death of his family he's decided to deny his vows.

I don't know if I agree with Elthina on some of the things she said. She claims it is a sin for this Sebastian to seek revenge on his family's murderers and go after his title in Starkhaven. How is that a sin? To me it sounds like whoever is trying to take over Starkhaven are evil monsters and this man is doing the right thing by trying to correct that. As the surviving heir to the throne, is that not his responsibility now?

But she disagrees, only seeing the murder part of this whole thing. I guess I understand that, but it would take a strong man to allow these murderers their lives wouldn't it? Surely the Maker understands?

Varric used some of his connections (don't ask me who, I never asked and I don't want to know!) to find out where these Flint fellows would be. Once we knew where, I took Varric, Carver, and Anders out to find them. It initially seemed harder than it really was. Took no less than a day to remove these predators from Kirkwall and the surrounding area.

I returned to the Chantry to inform Sebastian that his family had been avenged. Father, is it a sin to get so lost in a mans eyes in the home of the Maker? They were as blue as a clear sky and full of such turmoil and sadness; my heart broke inside at the inability to take his pain away. I hope this small deed brought him some closure at least. We were only able to speak for a few minutes before he dashed off to the Viscount to ask for aid for Starkhaven.

I do hope our paths cross again.

"Hawke, can we talk for a moment?" Anders asked when they reached his clinic after seeing Sebastian in the Chantry.

"Of course Anders," she said, glancing at Varric and Carver to give them a moment alone. Carver huffed and stormed out of the clinic, and Varric shook his head as he followed. Hawke sat down on one of the crates. "What's on your mind?"

Anders picked up another crate and placed it in front of her, sitting to face her. "I'm afraid I got a bit weighty the last time we talked. I wanted to apologize."

Hawke smiled at him earnestly. "There's no need to apologize Anders. I'm glad you felt you could open up to me. It seems this thing with Justice takes a toll on you."

"I thought I was doing the right thing," Anders admitted to her. "Justice was inhabiting a corpse that was deteriorating rapidly. I don't know if he would've died, or simply returned to the Fade, but I felt I needed to help him. He is...was...a friend."

Hawke saw the sadness in his eyes. "My father used to say that we can't always predict the outcome of our actions; we can only make them with a true heart."

Anders smiled at her response. "Your father must have been an amazing man to have raised such a kind, beautiful mage such as yourself." He noticed Hawke look away, face flushed, and immediately regretted his words to her. "I'm sorry," he said to her quietly. "I shouldn't presume. It's just...we've hardly met, and I feel like I know you." He swallowed hard, the awkward tension in the room rising. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Hawke wasn't sure how to respond. "To be honest Anders, it's a little unexpected. I mean you're right, we've just met each other. But I admit it is nice to have another mage to talk to, maybe confide in."

Anders stood and walked away from her. "I must warn you Hawke, I am not a safe man to get involved with. Any relationship with me, even one so small as a friendship, and I may hurt you."

Hawke stood as well, moving closer to Anders as he kept his back towards her. "Why would you hurt me Anders? I don't understand."

He turned to look at her, the sadness returning to his eyes. "You saw what I did in the Chantry, what I am capable of. That's who I am now." He moved away from her again and sat down, seemingly lost in thought as he spoke. "A year ago, maybe we could've had something. But I'm not that man anymore. With Justice...I've changed, and not for the better."

"Anders..." Hawke tried.

"I'll break your heart," he said in a whisper while staring at the floor. "And that might kill me as surely as the templars."

Hawke didn't know what to say. A dozen responses nearly left her lips, until she decided it was best to leave him alone for now. "I will see you tomorrow," she said to him as she walked out of the clinic, quietly closing the door behind him where he remained in that same contemplative position.

Hawke leaned against the door and sighed. "He's sweet on you ya know," Varric said as she exited.

She turned to look at him. "He doesn't even know me Varric," she said, confused about what had just happened. "Isn't it a bit odd to worry about hurting someone before even a solid friendship has been forged?"

Varric laughed. "Maybe you haven't looked in a mirror lately Hawke. You're beautiful, smart, witty, and a mage. I don't think he needs to know much more than that. I'd be sweet on you too, if you were a dwarf."

"Oh Varric," she pouted, pulling away from the door and moving towards her brother. "Why did you have to break my heart like that?"