"Well now, isn't that a sight," Aveline commented at the two men walking down the stairs.
Hawke followed the Guard-Captain's gaze and felt her heart skip a beat. Varric was easy to spot in the distance, Bianca always gave him away, but the man beside him was causing her brief panic. Seeing Sebastian walking toward her, Hawke briefly imagined him taking her into his arms and kissing her, leaving all arguments aside. It would be enough to forgive him for anything, but the fantasy was short-lived when he delivered his cold, short greeting. "Aveline, Hawke," Sebastian nodded to both women.
Alright then, all business it is, Hawke thought to herself. "Hello Sebastian, thank you for coming."
"Is no one else going to comment on the fact that you're standing in front of a giant statue of, well, you?" Varric asked the two women leaning against the giant chiseled rock.
Hawke groaned. "I hate this thing," she whispered, staring up at her gift from Meredith. "And to have it here of all places, where every newcomer can see it and know my face. I wonder if someone is trying to make assassination attempts easier by making sure everyone knows what I look like."
"We won't let that happen Hawke," Varric assured her. "Not without a substantial cut in the profits at least."
Hawke laughed. "Thanks Varric, I feel much better now. Are we ready to do this?"
"Walk into the lion's den?" Varric said. "I was born ready."
"Just make sure Bianca's ready as well," Hawke told him. "I doubt Meredith would try anything, but it can't hurt to be cautious."
Dearest Father,
For whatever reason, it seems the Knight-Commander believes she can count on me to rid the city of escaped mages from the Circle. I don't know if it's because of my actions in the past, or Carver's influence within the Templars, but it was a little disconcerting. Is it too much to hope she's forgotten I'm a mage and sees me now as only someone who can help her with the troubles within the city? Somehow I doubt that, but I can hope, right?
She told me about three mages that had escaped the Gallows with the assistance of some of her Templars. It surprised me that she'd admit that to me, and I don't entirely know what her motive would've been for revealing that particular fact. Either way, what concerned her most about the three that had escaped was the rumors that they had all turned to blood magic after leaving the circle.
I agreed to look into it for her, if only to remain on her good side and make certain that innocent mages weren't being accused of something they weren't doing. After a few leads from her assistant Elsa, a tranquil mage I was directed to perhaps as a warning of what could happen to me if I don't complete this task, we began our search in the Alienage for an elf named Huon. His wife Nyssa informed us that he'd be returning later that night, so while we waited, we went to speak to the de Launcet's, parents of Emile who had also escaped.
Turns out he wasn't home either, but we were directed to the Hanged Man where they had heard Emile was spending his coin on the drink. The poor boy thought that spreading a rumor he was a blood mage would make him seem a little less weak than he appeared, and had hoped it would draw the attention of the ladies. I can only suspect he was going for the rebel suave guy, but it really didn't work for him. He begged us to allow him one night of freedom, as he had just paid for the services of one of the local ladies. I couldn't say no to him. Who was I to deny this man one night of freedom when I have had it for so long? He gave me his word that he'd turn himself in as soon as he was finished, but I paid Nora a little extra to make certain that he did so.
The third mage we were tasked to find was Evelina. I already knew where she was, as I had given her coin once to help her out with some orphans she had escaped the Blight with. I wasn't sure why Meredith had waited so long to pursue her, but I found out quickly enough when those boys informed me she had a major change in her behavior. Sure enough, when we found her below Darktown in the sewers, it was clear she had turned to blood magic. We had no choice but to kill her. Unfortunately the children were there to witness her as an abomination, and I did my best to remind them of the loving, caring woman she used to be.
It also ended badly for Huon, and I feel terrible that I was not able to save his wife. I had promised Nyssa that no harm would come to her, but the battle with Evelina delayed our return to the Alienage. When we arrived, we were too late; he had already killed her. During the commotion, Merrill had come out of her home to assist, and I filled her in on what had happened. I suppose it's too much to hope that the more she sees the damage blood magic can cause, the less she'll use it. Varric felt I was a bit too harsh with her, but Sebastian seemed to approve of my brief lecture. Aveline, for once, remained silent.
We returned to the Gallows, and Meredith confirmed that Emille had indeed turned himself in. She asked me if I believed he was a danger, and I told her exactly what had happened. She seemed to accept my word that he was no blood mage, but added that she would keep a close eye on him just in case.
I'm hopeful that my assistance in this matter will buy me a little more time, which I suspect may be coming to an end. After a brief chat with Cullen and a few of the other Templars in the courtyard of the Gallows, it sounds like Meredith is really cracking down on the mages, and sometimes it's all too easy to forget that I am one of them. I was hoping to see Carver and get his take on the situation, but he was nowhere to be seen. I suspect Meredith made sure of that when she knew I would be coming to see her. Maybe I'll write a letter to him, and see if Cullen would be willing to get it to him. Risky, but it may be necessary to try and stay one step ahead of her.
Overall it was a very difficult day Father, but it's what happened after that has me still smiling as I write this. And I owe it all to Varric.
"Hawke, you may have made a few more enemies today," Varric said as they arrived at the docks. "I don't think it was a coincidence those blood mages showing up when we left the de Launcet estate."
"I agree," Aveline said. "You should be more careful Hawke. It's not just the blood mages that concern me, but the Templar's who assisted in their escape. You've been walking a fine line between the two, but you may have ruffled some feathers on both sides."
Hawke sighed. "Tell me something I don't know. But what are you two suggesting I do, lock myself in my room?"
"Not at all," Varric told her. "I'd just feel better if I knew you weren't wandering the streets alone. I need to speak with Aveline about some merchant guild problems, perhaps Sebastian could escort you home? I'm sure you two have some catching up to do anyway."
"Subtle Varric," Aveline muttered.
Sebastian nodded, missing the dwarf's remark. "Of course. That is, if it's alright with Hawke."
"It's fine," Hawke told him, her nerves revealing themselves in the higher pitched tone. She turned to say goodbye to Varric and Aveline, but he was quickly escorting the Guard-Captain away, leaving her alone with Sebastian.
"Shall we?" Sebastian asked, gesturing with an extended hand for them to begin their walk to Hightown.
Hawke nodded and fell into step with him as they walked. After several moments of awkward silence, they both began to speak at the same time.
"Sebastian," Hawke said.
"Hawke," Sebastian said. The two laughed at their synchronized timing, and then Sebastian continued. "Lady's first. What's on your mind Hawke?"
She cleared her throat. "I think I owe you an apology," she started.
"Whatever for?" he asked.
"Our argument the other day," she continued. "You had made a comment after we met with Leliana about the mages of Kirkwall being out of control, and how they would ruin this city. Obviously given my particular gift at birth, I was quite offended by the remark. But after what's happened today, and all that I have been witness to over the years, I don't think you were entirely wrong to say such a thing."
"Hawke, surely you know when I said that I was not including you," Sebastian told her as they walked up the stairs from the docks to Lowtown. "You have done nothing but good for Kirkwall, but it is the mages as a whole that will cause the Exalted March if the situation is not kept under control. I hate to say it, but even Anders has me a bit concerned as of late."
She had to agree with him on that, and she nodded. "You're not the only one worried about him," Hawke admitted. "But seeing Huon tonight, and how he had no hesitation in killing his wife… it startled me. To be that desperate for your freedom, or power, that agreeing to work with a demon sounds like an acceptable option."
"To be fair Hawke, it's not only mages that have that weakness," Sebastian said. "Lady Harimann fell prey to a demon, and that Templar Wilmod you told me about, just to name a few. Even Ser Cullen found it difficult to resist his torment in Ferelden. It is the strength within those that resist that force the demons to find a weaker mind. And whether Anders admits it or not, no possession is a good one when you are no longer completely in control of your actions."
"But what is the solution?" Hawke asked. "We lock up mages to prevent them turning, but they do anyway. And we can't lock up all who aren't mages in fear of possession, so what do we do?"
"You do what you have been doing," Sebastian told her. "Help those that are incapable of helping themselves, and pray that no more innocents are lost to those foul creatures."
They remained silent as they walked through Lowtown and ascended the stairs to Hightown. It wasn't until they reached the door to Hawke's estate that she remembered Sebastian had wanted to talk about something as well. "I'm afraid we never got around to what it was you were going to say," she told him as she stopped in front of the estate. "Do you want to come in and talk about it?"
Sebastian hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, and the two of them walked inside.
I had no idea what troubles Sebastian faced when he returned to Starkhaven. I had always imagined that he could just walk through the city, announce he was taking over, and everyone would accept it. How far from the truth that is.
He apologized for leaving so abruptly after the battle with the Arishok. He had received word a few days prior from an old friend within the city that the Antivan Crows were hired to kill his cousin Goran who currently rules Starkhaven. He feared telling anyone about it would risk his cousin's life, so he remained in Kirkwall long enough to make sure I was alright before he departed. He didn't feel comfortable enough telling any of my companions why he was leaving, for fear he'd lose the element of surprise with his return.
With the help of Goran's current staff and several old contacts, Sebastian remained hidden within the city until the Crows made their move. Sebastian was also able to discover who had orchestrated the attempt on Goran's life. It took some time, but Goran remains the ruler of Starkhaven, and the threat no longer exists. He didn't offer any details as to who was involved or what he had to do, and I didn't push him. It was enough that we were talking again.
Upon returning to Kirkwall, apparently Elthina laid on a pretty heavy guilt trip over his departure, his forgotten vows, and his indecisiveness. While trying to find the words to tell Elthina he had decided to leave the Chantry, he was praying to the Maker to give him a clear sign as to what he should do. And that's when Elthina told us about her fears of an Exalted March. With her life now in jeopardy, Sebastian has decided to remain with the Chantry to watch over her.
I asked him what this meant for us, if there even was a hope of us anymore. He assured me that there was, that even though he is remaining with the Chantry right now, there will be a time when he must return to Starkhaven. He will continue to try and convince Elthina to go to Orlais as Leliana asked, and if she agrees, then he will return to Starkhaven. He will also use this time to reach out to surrounding cities and see what kind of support he can gain if he were to take rule from Goran.
And as we said our goodbyes, I received that kiss I had been hoping for. Our second kiss was so much more powerful than the first Father. Instead of a kiss that had desperation, fear, and goodbyes behind it, this one was full of hope, love, and the promise of a future together.