Author's Note: This chapter includes a scene with the Arishok that is not a quest requirement. The conversation can be triggered if you enter the compound after completing Offered and Lost.

As Sebastian approached the Hawke Estate, he grew concerned over the high pitched shrieking sound he heard coming from within. It wasn't Hawke's cry of distress, he'd know her melodic voice in any large crowd. But it was definitely feminine, and unfamiliar to him. Cautiously he knocked on the large wooden door, and the shrieks turned into whispers before the door slowly opened.

"Prince Vael," Orana acknowledged quietly. She did not open the door wide enough to welcome him, and blocked his view into the home with her small frame. "I'm, uh, afraid this isn't the best time for a visit."

Sebastian studied the elven servant girl, her nervousness clear in her expression. "Is everything alright Orana? Is Hawke in trouble?"

She shook her head. "No, no trouble, just bad timing. Come back later. Much, much later."

Hawke's voice called from behind her in the foyer. "Will you let him in Orana and stop making such a fuss?"

He was glad to hear Hawke was alright, and Orana apprehensively opened the door. Sebastian offered her a smile before squeezing into the little room she'd offer him to enter. He found Hawke sitting on the floor in the foyer, surrounded by a clutter of mess.

"Forgive me for not getting up to greet you," Hawke said as she looked up at Sebastian. "I'm afraid if I move, I'll misplace something and have to start all over again."

Another shriek came from Orana, before she ran quickly out of the foyer. "Is she going to be alright?" Sebastian asked as he leaned against the wall.

Hawke laughed. "I don't think she'll forgive me for a week. Apparently she just polished the floor, and I've gone and made a mess of things. Orana's wonderful, but her need for perfection and order can be a bit overwhelming at times."

"What is all this?" Sebastian asked, glancing at the semi-circle of items around Hawke.

"This," Hawke said, "is what Varric likes to refer to as my collection of crap. Odd things I've picked up over the year and saved for one reason or another. Varric was kind enough to bring me all of the missing item notes from the Guild and Chantry boards, so I'm just trying to figure out what goes where so I can return them."

Sebastian knelt before the assortment of objects. "These are some… interesting things, to say the least."

"One man's junk is another man's treasure, or something," Hawke recited. "Honestly I don't know why anyone would wish to have an old pair of pantaloons returned, or a petrified finger, but nevertheless, I have notes from their owners."

"I think the better question is why would you save it to begin with?" Sebastian asked. "I don't mean to question your taste in keepsakes Hawke, but one might question your sanity with this collection."

Hawke laughed. "It started off logically enough. When I first came to Kirkwall I did it because I needed the coin. The owners offer rewards, they must I suppose to encourage someone to lug a corpse to Lowtown."

"You certainly don't need the coin now," Sebastian stated.

"No, now I do it for charity," Hawke told him. "I'll take the reward money from all of this and give it to Lirene at her import shop in Lowtown. She accepts donations for the Ferelden refugees that have remained in Kirkwall since the Blight."

"There is so much about this city and its people that I still don't know," Sebastian admitted. "Perhaps I can convince the Grand Cleric to make a donation as well."

"I'm sure Lirene would appreciate it, as well as the refugees," Hawke told him. "You're welcome to come with me if you'd like, help me lug some of this stuff around Kirkwall? I can fill you in on some other unknowns you may not be aware of."

Sebastian stood and extended his hand to help Hawke to her feet. "I'd like that."

Dearest Father,

The day started off well, much to my surprise. I had anticipated on making my deliveries of random personal items on my own, which would've required several trips back home since I couldn't possibly have carried them all. But when Sebastian stopped by and offered to come along, that made things much simpler.

And the company was nice as well.

We took care of what I had for Hightown first so we'd have less to carry later. I thought it was funny that the petrified finger belonged to Sister Phylias. Her face turned a bright red when I presented it to her with Sebastian by my side, but she thanked me politely and offered the reward. I told her she could keep it and give it to the Chantry, as we had plenty more items to deliver that could benefit Lirene and the refugees. A quick stop in the market took care of two more items, and then we headed for Lowtown.

When he isn't travelling with us, Sebastian spends most of his time in the Chantry, and so there were many areas of Kirkwall he was not familiar with. He had been through them, sure, but wasn't familiar with the people. I brought him to Lirene's so he could meet her, and she explained to him what the reward money would be used for. He also met Faj and Gerralt, whom I had items to return to, and all the merchants, including Lady Elegant. Even though the woman had married a few years ago, that didn't stop the herbalist from fawning over Sebastian. I certainly can't blame her for that.

We made a brief stop into the Hanged Man to see Waxler, who was overjoyed that I had found his favorite hat. Isabela and Varric were kind enough to nod and smile from their corner table without approaching us. It might have been the stern Keep Away look I had given them, since I was enjoying spending the day with Sebastian alone. Remind me to thank them later.

Perhaps taking Sebastian to Darktown wasn't the brightest idea, his shiny white armor catching everyone's attention. But I was more than surprised when he and the Whiskey Master began comparing drinks across Thedas! Sometimes I forget Sebastian wasn't always as pure and good as he is now, that there is a past he regrets, but is a part of him nonetheless. We were going to visit Anders, but the line outside the clinic told us he was quite busy, so we decided against it.

I showed Sebastian the location of the secret entrance into the Estate near the clinic, and immediately his expression grew to one of concern. He insisted I allow him to set traps in the basement, even after I told him that we had locked and barred the door quite heavily from inside. I dare say he was being a bit overprotective, but I didn't mind, I thought it was sweet of him to care so much and told him so.

Sebastian was more than familiar with everyone in the Gallows, so that was a quick stop for us. Carver wasn't around for me to talk to, and even Cullen couldn't be found anywhere. Now that I write about it, I can't recall seeing any of the usual faces in the area. Not that I minded, since most of the regulars know I'm a mage. When I returned the gems I found to Azure, I asked him why the place was so deserted. He told me that Meredith was working the Templars harder than usual, and that the mages time outdoors had been restricted without the excess supervision. It was an odd, eerie feeling to be there, so we left as quickly as possible.

I had something for the ship spotter, and I wanted to inform Sketchy that we had taken care of the multiple groups of assassins that were after him, so we went to the docks next. I wish now that we hadn't, because I was not prepared for the confrontation that took place.

Hawke walked with her head down, staring at her feet as they approached the stairway out of the docks. She did her best to keep herself out of view from the Qunari that stood guard at the compound, but she could feel his eyes on her regardless of her efforts.

Sebastian noticed the change in her demeanor. "Hawke?"

His saying her name only confirmed to the Qunari guard that it was her, and he left his post to block their path into Lowtown. "The Arishok wishes to speak with you, human."

"So close," Hawke muttered low enough for only Sebastian to hear. "I had hoped to avoid this."

"Do you expect trouble?" Sebastian asked. "Shall I get some of the others?"

"I have a feeling the Arishok waits for no one," Hawke pointed out, as the guard stood on the stairs leading to the Qunari compound, waiting for them to follow. "This is not going to end well, I just know it."

Sebastian placed his hand on the small of her back as she walked up the steps. "I am right beside you Hawke," he said.

But she was still uneasy. Every time they had been forced to have dealings with the Arishok, it ended with another threat to Kirkwall. Hawke began to wonder if the Arishok was aware of what she had done, encouraging Varnell to slit the throats of those kidnapped Qunari delegates. A panic gripped hold of her heart, and her legs nearly gave out. She took several deep breaths as they walked across the courtyard of the compound, and put on her best card playing face of confidence. He wouldn't attack her outright in front of Sebastian, would he?

She had never wished for Fenris to be by her side more than at that very moment.

"So human," the Arishok began as they stood in front of his throne. "My delegate was taken from the Viscount's doorstep, and yet he still claims control of this city. I thought it impossible, but I respect him even less." His stare became more intense. "How do you explain the condition of their bodies?"

Hawke swallowed hard, wondering if the Arishok could hear the loud thumping of her heart within her chest, but she composed herself long enough to answer. "A fanatic used them to insight others of his kind," she told him honestly. To lie now would be foolish, as she suspected he would see right through that, but she saw nothing wrong with omitting her part in what had happened.

"Used them, yes," the Arishok acknowledged. "But for them to be burned nearly beyond recognition, this suggests there is more to the story."

Hawke shifted uncomfortably, but again, remained as honest as possible without revealing the entire truth. "I believe that may have been done to lessen the blow, so you would not see how much torment the fanatic placed upon them."

"I suspected as much," he stated. "It is useful to know how far you and your viscount will go to appease me, human. How much I am feared." The Arishok stood, making himself appear even more intimidating than usual. "I am pleased, but not by you. Leave."

Hawke did not need to be told twice, as she immediately turned to exit the compound, Sebastian following close behind. As the gate slammed shut behind them, and they turned the corner toward the stairs to Lowtown, Hawke took a moment to calm herself. It was only with great effort that she did not lose the contents of her stomach in front of Sebastian.