"What is all this?" Sebastian asked as he entered Hawke's estate. Hawke was seated in front of the fireplace, parchments scattered around her.

"These are what I like to call my 'feel good' letters," Hawke explained. "When I'm feeling down, or have had a particularly bad week, rereading these helps me remember that some of the good I have done outweighs the bad."

Sebastian removed his bow and quiver, and then joined her on the floor. "May I?" he asked, picking up one of the letters.

Hawke nodded. "Sure, be my guest."

Messere Hawke,

In case you don't remember me, we met in the Gallows a few years ago. You saved my life. Twice, in fact. Once from Ser Alrik, and once from… someone else.

It's not the kindest thing to say, but nobody misses Alrik. Not even the other templars. I know it's hard to imagine, but they don't want to fight. They want things to be normal: no Harrowings, no Tranquil, and no one dying. But none of us are getting that wish now.

So many dark whispers in the Circle. Terrible days are coming for all of us. I pray the Maker keeps you safe.

Sincerely, Ella

"I remember her," Sebastian said after reading the letter. "She was the one Anders almost…"

"Justice," Hawke corrected him. "But yes, that was her. I look for her whenever we go to the Gallows, but with the mages being kept inside more and more, I doubt I'll be able to see her."

"A bit ominous at the end there," Sebastian remarked.

Hawke shrugged. "I suppose life in the Circle can make you that way. She's not the first to comment about the unrest in the Gallows, but I'm not sure if there's anything I can do about that except to keep doing what I've been doing."

"And who is this one from?" Sebastian asked as he retrieved another letter.

Hawke smiled. "You'll like that one. Go ahead and read it."

To the Champion of Kirkwall:

You've done so much for so many people, so you probably don't remember me. But you saved my life. I've spent three years thinking about what that awful Lord Harimann might have done to me; surely the Maker sent you to shine His light on that madhouse. When I left and walked into the sun, it was like waking from a nightmare. I don't know how we endured it. That place was a spider's web, and we were the flies.

I didn't know where to go at first, but I ended up seeking shelter at the Chantry in Starkhaven. I'm a Sister now, and I take my vows next month! They've given me a chance to pay back the good fortune you gave me, and they've even taught me to read and write. Me! The daughter of a washer-woman!

With eternal gratitude,

Sister Arielle

"We'll have to visit with her when we go to Starkhaven," Sebastian said. "It will be nice to witness something positive that has come from that awful business with the Harimanns."

"Maybe you could ask Elthina to write to her Chantry, find out when exactly she's taking her vows so we could be there?" Hawke asked. "I hear so much about Starkhaven, I think it's about time I get a look at the place you call home."

Sebastian smiled. "I'd like that."

He reached for another to read, and Hawke was too slow in retrieving it before he did. "You don't want to read that one," she said, still reaching out for it. "It's just ramblings from my cousin Charade."

"Ah yes, the Amell skilled with the bow," Sebastian said. "On the contrary, I'd love to see how she's doing."

Dear Marian,

I assume Gamlen's told you nothing about me. I ask about you every time I visit him, and all I get is "you've heard it all from the town criers." Dear old dad.

I hope this letter finds you well. I hear stories, but I can't tell what's true and what's exaggerated. Did you really fistfight the Qunari leader? Are you actually sleeping with the prince of Starkhaven? Did you slay a dragon in Darktown? It can't all be true!

It is exciting to hear the stories and say, "that's my cousin!" Write to me, and tell me how you've been. I want news! I'll trade you incriminating gossip about your favorite uncle.

Yours truly, Charade

Hawke couldn't ignore the embarrassed flush upon Sebastian's cheeks as he read the part about the two of them together. "A few other ones of note," she said, changing the subject. "Guillaume de Launcet for my help with Emile, Meredith after giving me the title of Champion. Foolish to save them all I suppose, but they are nice to read every so often."

"I see," he said, handing her the letter from Charade. "I've no doubt there are several that make for interesting reading."

Hawke shifted her legs that began to tingle from sitting so long on the floor. "None as bad as that one, I assure you. Do you feel like getting out of here for a while? It looks nice outside, and I think my legs could use a good walk."

"Of course," Sebastian said as he stood, and then offered a hand to help her. "Perhaps we'll find a dragon in Darktown to slay," he joked.

Hawke raised her brow. "Really? I'd rather make true other rumors in that letter before slaying a dragon," she said with a wink.

"I think you've had enough fist-fighting Qunari leaders for a lifetime," Sebastian said, ignoring her obvious reference with a sly smile. He pulled her in close and kissed her gently. "I would not wish to see these gentle hands bruised."

"As she said, it can't all be true," Hawke remarked as she led him to the front door.

Sebastian wrapped his arm around her waist. "Not yet, anyway," he replied before they exited the estate into the busy streets of Hightown.