"How can you keep standing up for her?" Anders asked.
"And who exactly it is that you are referring to?" Sebastian asked.
"That doddering old bitty of a grand cleric," Anders stated.
"How dare you," Sebastian said. "Elthina is everything a grand cleric should be. She is holy and wise, and looking out for the people of this city as best she can."
Anders shook his head. "No, she is spineless and hesitant. She is clay in Meredith's hands and will side with her even if she knows Meredith is wrong in her actions."
"In the face of danger, sometimes the bravest thing is to stand back and trust that the Maker will see justice done," Sebastian told him.
"It seems doing nothing sums up your religion," Anders stated. "And therefore Elthina is perfect in her position. But you're right, justice will be done, but not by the hands of the Maker."
"You've made no secret of your intent to lead the mages of Kirkwall into a rebellion," Sebastian said. "Is that the justice you are referring to? Or could it be Justice inside of you that you speak of?"
Anders laughed. "I have not been vocal publicly about my intentions, you've just been around when I talk to my friends."
"Those friends you speak of are of mutual acquaintance," Sebastian pointed out. "Many of which do not wish for you to get hurt. So as a courtesy and respect for them, I feel it is my duty to warn you: if you go forward with this revolt, the Chantry will bring its full might down upon you. They will not hesitate to kill you."
"Andraste was killed," Anders reminded him. "And she did not fail."
"You compare yourself to Andraste then?" Sebastian asked. "Foolish boy."
"I don't know about you Hawke," Varric interrupted, "but I've had about enough of this conversation."
Hawke agreed. "Can the two of you try to get along for the rest of the trip? We have a long way to go, and I'd hate for there to be bloodshed before we even arrive."
"Yes, we're done talking," Anders said, walking briskly away from the group.
Varric looked up at Hawke. "Want me to see if I can get him to be a little less broody?"
"I'd appreciate that Varric," Hawke said.
The dwarf caught up to the healer, and Hawke watched as Varric tried in vain to cheer him up. Hand gestures, boastful laughs, nothing seemed to be working. Hawke sighed, frustrated with the change in Anders' behavior. Inwardly she wondered if there was anything more they could do for him, but Sebastian interrupted her thoughts.
"Hawke, may I ask you something?"
"Of course," Hawke replied.
"Did Anders ever tell you what he wanted in the Chantry?" Sebastian asked. "I won't ask to you betray a confidence, but I find it odd that he of all people would visit a place he clearly despises."
She shook her head. "No, he never told me," she admitted. "But if it concerns you, know that you are not alone."
Dearest Father,
That was not the way I had hoped for the day to begin. After receiving a letter from Hubert and hearing about the lack of communication with the mine workers, I decided it best to bring Anders as a backup healer to check out the situation. Now that Sebastian and I have worked out our problems, I wanted to take him along as well. I had no idea the two would clash as they have, but I suppose I should've seen it coming.
They both eventually agreed to disagree and just not speak. I doubt anything would ever be resolved if they had. Varric reminded me that Anders may hold a grudge against Sebastian for our relationship, and the way he left me, but I think Sebastian still being a part of the Chantry also plays a large role in the tension between the two. I know Anders and I have been in a few arguments over religion, and Sebastian is a huge representation of the Chantry, so for them to be together is a recipe for disaster.
Once we arrived at the Bone Pit, all arguments were forgotten. The devastation we came upon was enough to quiet us all. When Hubert said that a cart with mangled bodies had left the Bone Pit, I had hoped he was exaggerating. But he wasn't; everything and everyone was lost. Flames engulfed the camp; there was nothing to be salvaged, and no one to be saved. Upon further investigation, we discovered the cause of the immense loss.
Some small part within me had hoped that the large high dragon we saw flying through the sky was Flemeth. At least if it were her, I could talk with her and find out why such needless death was necessary. But the dragon was just that, a beast capable of mass destruction, and I knew we had to destroy her before she could make her way to Kirkwall.
I hadn't planned on entering such a difficult battle; if I had, I would've brought Fenris or Aveline with me. Although it was a benefit to having the four of us be able to fight the dragon while she was in flight, we were overwhelmed when she landed. And it wasn't just her we faced, but her dragonlings as well. There were several close calls during the battle, and I do believe if it weren't for Anders, I would not be writing this to you now.
"If you are trying to prove to me I'd be lost without you, it's working," Sebastian said as he caressed her cheek, wiping the dragon's blood off her face.
Hawke gave him a sheepish grin. "I was doing no such thing," she told him. "But if it keeps causing this kind of reaction, I may have to almost die more often."
Sebastian's eyes narrowed as he brought his other arm around her waist. "You will do no such thing," he said before kissing her gently.
"I was kidding Sebastian," Hawke said when he pulled away from their embrace. "Thank you, though, for caring."
"I more than care for you Marian," Sebastian whispered.
A not-so-subtle cough interrupted the moment between them. "If you two lovebirds are finished, I'd like to get out of here," Varric stated. "That was the second time we almost lost a Hawke to a dragon in this place, I don't want to tempt fate by sticking around."
Sebastian looked at Varric curiously. "The second time?"
Hawke nodded. "When I first went into business with Hubert, there was a similar incident. The miners refused to work because of a nest of dragonlings they had uncovered. We cleared out the mine with little resistance, but when we came face to face with the mature dragon out on the ledge at the mine's exit, we faced a tough battle." She felt a chill run through her body as she spoke of that day. "Carver almost died."
"And you nearly died today," Sebastian said. "Why, after such a horrific event, would you continue to help Hubert in this?"
"I wasn't doing it to help him," Hawke told him. "Back when I first met Hubert, yes I was desperate for coin to fund the expedition, but originally I declined his offer in assisting with this place. It wasn't until I found out all of the workers were from Ferelden that I agreed to become his partner. I did it for them, not for him." She released a quiet sigh, and took one last look at the burning remains of the camp. "I suppose none of that matters now that they're all dead."
"It mattered to their families that you provided work for them," Sebastian said in an attempt to console her.
Hawke nodded. "I suppose you're right. We'll have to tell them what happened, and Hubert too."
"Perhaps the Chantry can assist those these men have left behind," Sebastian offered.
"That would be nice," Hawke said, accepting his offer. "And any additional funds you may need, let me know."
I do believe the years of experience have honed my skills a bit, and with both Anders and I there to bring healing to the group, we did far better than that first battle, even if I almost died. It was sweet of Sebastian to care as much as he did, and to offer assistance to the families of the workers.
When I arrived home, there were two letters waiting for me. One from Elsa, Meredith's assistance, which included payment for helping her track down the apostates. Guillame de Launcet also sent coin for saving Emille. The coin they sent I will bring to Sebastian in the morning so he can add it to the mine workers family fund we have created.
Hubert was more upset about his precious equipment being lost than the workers. I can't say that I'm surprised at his behavior, he's always been a bit of an ass. I agreed to take the mine off his hands permanently and end our partnership. Varric says the first thing I should do as its new owner is rename it the Pie Fields. Silly dwarf. I have half a mind to destroy it all permanently so no one else ever comes to harm there. Spiders, undead, dragons… that place is just a magnet for disaster, and now I truly believe Fenris was correct when he said it was cursed.
Which reminds me, I need to go check on Fenris tomorrow. I wonder if he's upset with me for assisting Anders in creating that Tevinter potion, because I haven't seen or heard from him since. He hasn't been to the Hanged Man either according to Varric, which worries me. I hope he's alright.