Dearest Father,

If we weren't so desperate for coin, I doubt I would've ever accepted this job. At first when I read the poster seeking aid to find a missing person, I jumped at the chance. After meeting Ghyslain de Carrac however, my mind quickly changed. What a horrible man he is! His wife Ninette had gone missing, and his only real concern was that it was proven he had nothing to do with it. He didn't care where she was; called her a whore and claimed their marriage was failing for over a decade. I nearly walked away from him right then, after spitting in his disgusting face!

But there was a moment Father when his face softened and he appeared very sad. He says their marriage wasn't always in such shambles. They were in love once, Ninette even defied her parents to marry him. Sound familiar Father? I had to take it as a sign, you and Mother having such a similar start in your marriage. So I agreed to help him.

Ghyslain sent me to one of Ninette's lovers, an elf currently working in the Blooming Rose. Jethann was very forthcoming about his relationship with Ninette, and how unhappy she had been with Ghyslain. Jethann led us to a templar that was asking questions about Ninette as well. Oh Father, how do I keep getting wrapped up in things that involve the templars?

Carver wasn't very happy that we went to find Emeric in Darktown. He was downright angry when we found Emeric under attack and I was forced to use my magic to help defend him. The nice templar said nothing about it; I think he was just happy we showed up when we did. We learned that two more women had gone missing, one of them a mage, and that's why Emeric was looking into it. The missing mage had received white lilies from some unknown suitor; Ghyslain said Jethann had sent her the same flowers. We went back to ask Jethann but he denied ever sending Ninette gifts, only letters.

Emeric gave us a lead to a foundry in Lowtown; he said that's where the phylactery of the missing mage had led him to, but he wasn't able to find anything there. I didn't see the harm in checking it again; Emeric was a bit old, maybe he missed something?

Creepy side note Father: on the way to the foundry we ran into a man who started following us around asking if we had any "dwarf dust." Anders explained that he was probably a former templar going through lyrium withdrawal. I read a story about that once...it was called Lyrium Prison and it was about a woman who joined the templars after her mother was killed by mages. That story kept me from drinking lyrium potions for a month!

When we got to the foundry we saw someone, but he disappeared before we could get to him. We made it to where he was standing and found some bones and what appeared to be Ninette's wedding ring on a severed hand. I was so hopeful she had just run away with someone that made her happy. Now I have to tell Ghyslain that his wife will never return to him.

Sadly I don't think he'll care.

"Why do you insist on pushing your luck?" Carver asked as they got off the boat in the Gallows.

"Emeric will want to know what we found," Hawke stated. "There are still two other missing women Carver; it's important that we share all of the information we have with each other."

Carver sighed as he looked around at all of the recruits in the Gallows. "I still think you have a death wish sister. Especially because I know you're about to walk right up to Cullen..."

Hawke smiled at him as she did so, daring to walk up to Cullen this time in her robes. He smiled when he saw her; Varric thought it actually looked genuine. "Hawke, a pleasure to see you again," Cullen greeted her.

"You as well," Hawke replied.

"I'm glad you're here in fact; saved me the trouble of inquiring where I might find you." Hawke ignored Carvers groan behind her. "I have told the knight-commander of your service."

"Oh great, more attention," Carver whispered to Varric.

Cullen thankfully didn't hear him and continued speaking with Hawke. "She commends your quick thinking and has agreed to keep the lad Keran around for observation."

"I've heard so much about the knight-commander," Hawke informed him. "As you know most of it was scary stories from your recruits. Care to shed some light on what she's really like?"

"She is not an easy task master, but it is not an easy task. I would not have liked her when I was younger," he confessed. "I thought mages deserved a softer touch. But Meredith is never fooled by a sweet face...she always sees the demon behind it."

Hawke couldn't help but smile. "I wish I had known you when you were younger then," she boldly admitted.

"My opinions have changed for good reason," Cullen whispered softly. "I mentioned last time we met how I was in the circle tower in Ferelden when Uldred summoned his demons. I was held in a cage for...I can't even say. Weeks? Months? It was one unending nightmare." The sadness in his eyes shown through his templar bravado, and Hawke felt her heart ache for this man. "I watched what those mages did," he continued, "what they became. I would gladly give my life to avoid seeing that again."

"It must have been terrible for you," Hawke acknowledge. "I'm sorry." She gave him a moment to compose himself before continuing. "Yet you remained a templar...are you not concerned something similar may happen again?"

Cullen shrugged. "Every day new mages are born in Thedas. Every day, those born a dozen years ago come into their power. It's our duty to contain the threat as best as we can. Knowing what I know...seeing what I have seen...I feel gives me an advantage over the others. I still have a soft heart, but my memories remind me that no mage can be trusted."

"The templars do provide a necessary service," Hawke told him, a statement that surprised her companions behind her.

Cullen too was a bit shocked at what she had said. "A viewpoint I did not expect from..."

Hawke laughed. "Oh go on, you can say it. We all know what I am."

"Still, I'd rather not," Cullen replied. "Your support thus far in your assistance with Keran has given you some...leeway with the knight-commander. I'd rather not press your luck though."

"She doesn't see a problem doing so, why should you?" Carver mentioned.

Hawke shook her head. "You'll have to forgive my brother. He gets a bit nervous when I talk to templars."

"It is a bit risky," Cullen agreed. "Perhaps we should speak another time. I have a round of new recruits coming in that I must prepare for, and I'm sure you didn't come here to talk to me."

Hawke didn't know how to respond to his last statement, so she ignored it. "Actually I came here looking to speak with Emeric. Do you know where I might find him?"

Cullen nodded. "You'll find Emeric towards the stairs to the Hall. I must admit I am curious why you are seeking him out though."

"He asked me to look into something for him," Hawke informed Cullen. "Unfortunately I do not bring him pleasant news."

"Assisting another templar?" Cullen's eyes widened. "I'm not certain what to make of you Hawke."

She smiled brightly at the knight-captain, teasing him with a wink. "Good luck with your recruits Cullen. I do hope to see you again."