Champion Marian Hawke,

As a courtesy for your past service, be aware that I have received complaints about your frequent companion, Guard-Captain Aveline. She is accused of coddling her men and weakening law enforcement in this crucial time. In the absence of a viscount, I am called to vacate her position and assume her authority, but I would rather not have that headache.

Please, speak with her about these claims. As Champion, your word can decide this matter, and save the career of a good woman.

-Knight-Captain Cullen

.~*~.

And that's how my day started Father, a friend of mine in trouble and another asking me to look into it. How I hate being put in the middle of these situations, but I understand why Cullen would bring this to my attention first before taking action. If he hadn't, he's well aware of what my reaction would have been.

I went to the barracks to advise Aveline what was happening and show her the letter. When I first arrived, there was already a templar in her office telling her that the guard were suffering without leadership. After he left, she told me that he wasn't the first templar to harass her about caving to the leadership of Meredith. Thankfully that was the opening I needed to show her Cullen's letter.

As I expected, she didn't take it well. To say that Aveline coddled her men was a direct insult to everything she had built over the years, and she was not going to take these rumors lying down. She asked that I be witness to just what those in her command deal with on a nightly basis. She had nothing to prove to me, and I told her as much, but she insisted we go to the docks at night to observe her husband Donnic's patrol. If she were coddling anyone, it would be him, and so I agreed.

When we arrived, we witnessed Donnic and a fellow guard under heavy attack by at least fifteen members of the Coterie. Varric and Sebastian immediately joined in the fight, as did Aveline. I stayed out of the way and offered healing when necessary, and with our assistance the battle was over quickly and efficiently. Donnic informed us that this was no worse than any other night; the Coterie and street gangs were always out in full force these days, and the guard was doing their best at keeping the streets safe. I had no reason to doubt him.

Having witnessed her men in action first hand, Aveline requested that we go to the Gallows immediately and speak with Cullen. Even though the hour was late and the Gallows were usually shut down at night, I agreed to make the attempt, only because I knew she'd stew in her anger all night if we didn't try. The night watch allowed us entrance, and Cullen met with us in the courtyard.

"Greetings Champion," Cullen greeted them warmly. "I hope my letter found you well. I see you're with the Captain. None too happy about the accusations against her, I'm sure. I was hoping you'd address them."

Aveline groaned behind Hawke. "You could say that," she commented through gritted teeth.

"I have," Hawke answered. "We've just come from two of her men being attacked by over a dozen Coterie. I hardly think that's evidence to support these claims against her, considering one of the men was her very own husband."

"As I suspected," Cullen said.

"Then why press this?" Aveline asked. "I've a templar in my office daily telling me to bow down to Meredith's rule, and now this?"

Cullen sighed. "Some feel that the solution to the current crisis of leadership is to consolidate authority. And as long as these complaints against you continue, baseless or not, they will serve as justification for eliminating the position of guard-captain and leaving the rule of the guard to Meredith. It would be the simplest fix, whether or not I agree."

"Clearly you don't agree, or you wouldn't have reached out to me," Hawke stated. "So tell me Cullen, who is behind these accusations?"

"I have no real answers for you," Cullen admitted. "Though I can tell you all of the complaints have come from Lowtown. Perhaps the guard who patrol that area have more information than I do. At least I hope so. I'd like to see this put to rest as much as you do."

"That would be Brennan's route," Aveline said. "We'll go have a word with her and look into this matter further. I will not rest until my name is clear, and I'll be damned if I'll have my guard answering to Meredith."

"I hope you get to the bottom of this," Cullen said sincerely. "For my part, I apologize for making assumptions on this incident."

"Oh, it's not done yet," Aveline insisted. "To Lowtown Hawke, I need to speak with Brennan."

"A word before you leave, Champion?" Cullen asked.

Hawke nodded. "Of course." She turned toward Aveline and the others. "Head to the boat, I'll be right there."

Sebastian eyed Cullen with an arched brow before leaving Hawke's side, Varric and Aveline following behind him. Hawke couldn't help but smile; seeing this jealous side of Sebastian was something to get used to, though she didn't mind. She faced Cullen when her companions were out of earshot. "What's on your mind?"

"I've heard rumors you recently destroyed a demon who possessed the Dalish Keeper," Cullen said. "Meredith is concerned since Sundermount is just outside Kirkwall. Do you believe the rest of the Dalish to be a danger to such possession?"

"No," Hawke told him. "What happened with Marethari was outside the norm for the clan. They are no danger to themselves nor Kirkwall."

"Glad to hear it," Cullen said. "Still, perhaps they will be less free with magic now."

Hawke frowned. "They are far less free with their magic than I, am I a threat to Kirkwall as well?"

"Of course not," Cullen said. "Though I will caution you, Meredith has taken on a lot of responsibility now that Kirkwall has no viscount. I fear the strain of her position, but I hope the Order can continue to count on your support. It may keep her off your back so to speak."

"I'm doing what I can, Cullen," Hawke said.

"I know you are," Cullen replied. "But I'm afraid my opinion means very little these days. Just… promise me you'll be careful."

"I will," she told him with a smile. "Please give Carver my love. I better go before Aveline throws your man overboard and goes back to Lowtown without me."

Cullen laughed. "Take care of yourself Hawke. May the Maker watch over you."

We found Brennan in Lowtown easy enough since Aveline had the patrol schedule memorized. Aveline was quick to start the interrogation, asking Brennan why she had to learn from a templar about the unrest within the city. Brennan hesitated at first, clearly nervous about telling Aveline something, but with a little prodding she finally informed us that Jeven, the former Captain whom Aveline replaced, was back in the city. When his attempts to turn the guard against her failed, he joined with the local militia and a few anti-Feraldan supporters for his smear campaign against Aveline. A rally was taking place in Darktown to gather more support, and so off we went to shut it down.

Getting there wasn't easy, however. A few thugs and militia attempted to block us from reaching Jeven along the way. Anders heard the commotion from his clinic and assisted us in clearing a path to the former Captain and his men. Once we arrived, a few that had gathered fled immediately; I suppose having the Champion and the Guard Captain show up was more than they had bargained for. Unfortunately our appearance didn't stop Jeven from speaking, as he continued on about how Kirkwall was falling under Fereldan influence, and they'd all be doomed it we weren't stopped.

Aveline stood up to him and his accusations, told the crowd of Jeven's past and the reason why he was removed from position. He blamed her for his downfall, instead of admitting his own mistakes, and then attacked us with the few supporters he had managed to gain. Sadly he didn't survive the fight to answer for his crimes, but those that remained dispersed quickly to avoid more bloodshed.

When we returned to the barracks, Aveline's guardsmen were waiting. They pledged their allegiance to Aveline as their Captain by bowing down to her, sword in hand, and I swear I may have seen tears of pride in her eyes. Donnic then joined us in Aveline's office, informing her that the guard were ready for her next order. She asked for confirmation that they'd accept an order from her, and he told her that they'd all follow her to the Void if necessary.

Meredith is a fool if she feels she can gain such loyalty from any of these men and women. But I think she knows this already, and I can't help but wonder if she was behind Jeven's return. If so, that means she's nervous and desperate. I fear Cullen may be right, and the strain of her position is weighing on her, causing her to use bad judgement. I hope she doesn't turn her attention toward me any time soon.