CHAPTER 2 - MEETINGS

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Hawke stood at the entrance of the Hanged-Man and hesitated a moment, unsure if was a good idea. She had however, already caught the sight of Isabela, a figure difficult to ignore. The woman was as tall as herself, skin tanned by the sun, an aura that oozed sensuality, exquisitely ambiguous yet tenderly mocking. Her presence alone could stir feelings of desire and fear, her languid look, just a cover to things she secretly observed. And at that point, Isabela also had noticed Hawke. She lifted her amber coppery eyes, waving to Corff serve another drink. Receiving the mug, she hastily gulped the liquid, slamming it back at the balcony, careless about the person standing now next to her.

"How have you been?" Hawke asked, cautious.

"You don't have to check up on me..." Isabela coldly answered, without looking, merely gesturing the bartender for another dose. "I'm fine!" Leave me alone.

Trying another method. "Why you keep coming in here? You're better than this." Hawke insisted, defensively.

"I'm comfortable here, alright!?" She spat, "Remember what you said after the mess with the Qunari?"

Hawke approached, leaning a bit against the balcony. No, I don't remember but, "I'm proud of you for doing the right thing..."

Isabela snorted. "Oh, it might have been the right thing, but also the dumbest. The relic was mine, mine! I should have kept running...never look back." She finished in a quiet voice, regarding her empty mug.

"Isabela...I wouldn't have saved Kirkwall if wasn't for your help." Hawke whispered, the texture to it velvety soft, her expression tender and compassionate, which only made her more upset. Why she's good to me?

"Bullshit" She rushed, "You alone could have stormed the Keep and slaughtered all those Qunari if you had to." She paused, her piercing eyes pained. "You and that Aveline. I mean, look at her… She's a woman-shaped battering ram!" she continued, "Fact is, you and I have nothing in common anymore! You're a Champion, and I'm just a lying, thieving snake." She stated bitterly.

Hawke regarded her with surprise, was she the cause of Isabela's anger, her actions bothered her? You and that Aveline...I should have kept running... You and I have nothing in common anymore! She mentally considered Isabela's words. She hates Aveline and she didn't seem happy to see her either. She doesn't care anymore. Hawke's heartbeat raised a notch, her expression falling.

Uncertain, she decided to invest some words to at least salvage their friendship, trying to glean perhaps more feelings. "Whatever you think you are, or did...you're still my friend..." Aren't you? Hawke prodded gently, forcing composure into her voice. Not even her disarming smile would help now. The pirate however, remained resolute about her decision. Continuing, "It must have been hard giving up the relic and I appreciate what you did. You have a heart of gold in you, Isabela. Whatever happens you have my support." She added, and there was nothing more to say. The pirate clearly had explained Hawke's wasn't any longer the love interest.

Uncertain if was irritation or a tinge of guilt on her heart, Isabela offered, "Perhaps it's time to stop hiding, and I do miss the trouble we used to get into," looking off into the distance. "Tell you what, I'll be here if you need me." She said waving and leaving the tavern. That's it, enough talk.

Hawke turned back, this time leaning heavily into the balcony. "Maker." she whispered, bringing three fingers to rub her temple while collecting herself.

"What's going to be?" Came asking Corff, cleaning up a mug.

"Nothing thank you, another time perhaps." She excused herself and with a long sigh made her way out of the Tavern.

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Outside, Hawke walked slowly to Merrill's home, disappointed. Stopping briefly, she looked up to the sky, feeling the wind of the approaching storm. Maybe the rain would calm her spirit. But then something called her attention, a tall man in rich tunic, caring a bizarre shaped dragon-claw staff, followed by few others heading to an alley. This is odd. Quickly, she began to follow, watching as they progressed down to a passage, and a private dock.

Though her instincts screamed to reach the Alienage and call Merrill, she could lose the trail. Heading further, she carefully opened the door of the dock house. They were not far ahead, she could hear their voices at the level bellow. What are they up to? Walking over, her back to the wall, she slowly approached to give a closer look. Nearing the corner however, a floor trap was activated, sending two sharp spears on her direction, her shoulder centimeters away from having it bitten off by its blade.

"Someone's over there! Get her!"

Great! Seeing them unsheathe their weapons, Hawke also draw her sword, but not quick enough. A thug she had not seen, hit her across the head, and unconscious she collapsed in the floor. The warrior's body was quickly dragged ramp down to the mage who stared at her unmindfully. "Seems Kirkwall has a weakness for private business, perhaps I shall make of this one an example…" He pointed his staff when the smuggler's captain interrupted.

"Wait! I know her, is tha' Champion." He said worried. "If someone knows she's here we are dead! We need to get rid of her before someone comes looking fo'!"

"Why is this woman so special?"

"She fought the Qunari! She's like ay symbol, people follow her," he looked at the body lying motionless on the ground. "This is not good...the Knight-Commander will kills us if she knows! I'm a smuggler not ay assassin."

"Interesting. Then she might be just the bait I need to attract Meredith." The Mage explained untouched by the panic in the captain's voice. "The Commander seeks glory, and I believe she will try to save this Champion, in order to convince the citizens that she should be Kirkwall's new hero. Two for the price of one." He smiled to the man. "Change of plans, secure the cargo, and take her to the ship, tie her up and make sure she won't escape. We're leaving, now!"

"Ol'right..." The captain nodded, "I just hope you can fight tha' Templars when they find you." He muttered away to help move the warrior, while others carried a wooden chest.

"When my army, which is not of flesh, cross the veil no Templar will stop me from destroying the Chantry!" He proclaimed, marching inside the ship's deck.

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Few meters from there, Isabela walked the gangplank of the Starflyer, rubbing her eyes, her body demanding sleep. Gazing briefly at the endless horizon she considered leaving again, the same thoughts of when she felt edgy dwelling with emotions. Trying to clear her thoughts, Isabela shook her head, heading to her cabin.

Laying on bed, eyes closed, she let the gently waves of the sea help her drift in a semiconscious state. Even then her mind continued connected to someone else. Flashes of sad eyes that dawned recognition of a broken bond, of abandoned friends. "...still my friend,...you have a heart of gold in you...Whatever happens you have my support", Hawke words echoed in her mind, and Isabela opened her eyes. Why was I so hard on her?

She knew why, she had encountered someone who was her match, her other half, and yet insisted in pretending nothing had changed. A lump formed in her throat, tears of recognition burned in the back of her eyes. She had to stop that torture. She needed Hawke, her mind knew it, her heart felt it, no more excuses. Oh by Andraste! What the bloody flirtations did, now I'm in love! This is it, no more running. Tomorrow I'll talk to her, fix this mess. Finally her body relaxed, and she was able to sleep.

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Early, in the dark cloudy morning, Isabela was awakened by the strong wind blowing against the window. Dressing quickly, she hurried upstairs, racing through the main streets, one hand shielding her eyes from the dust. Minutes later, she reached Hightown State. Bad morning, good cause. Her excitement grew when she stormed inside Hawke's mansion, as soon as Bodhan opened the door.

"Hi there, need talk to Hawke, she's upstairs?" She asked not waiting for the answer, already climbing the stairway.

Serrah!" The dwarf ran after her "...she's not home! She did not return since last sunset!"

Isabela instantly froze, turning. Hawke slept elsewhere? "Is Hawke courting someone?"

He shrugged, "I believe not. Even when she had invitations, she always came back. Do you think something happened? Not long ago the Guard-Captain was asking for her." He said alarmed.

Isabela's eyes narrowed, mind racing in thought. That can't be good. "Tell you what, I'll look for her, in the meantime," she hurried back to the exit "...talk to Varric, at the Hanged-Man. Tell him what happened, and do tell him, Isabela will do something stupid alone. He knows what it means."

"Would you like to take the dog?" He pointed to the mabari hoping it could help somehow.

"I don't want to risk her puppy, besides I'm sure someone saw her somewhere..." She lied, trying to sound unconcerned, "Later Bo and don't forget about Varric." She said leaving the manor as fast as she came in. If you had talked to her last night that wouldn't have happened! She hurryingly resumed her way, thinking maybe Merrill could know something, after all the elf also had a crush for Hawke. Maybe she could have...Hawke and her could have... Oh no! Don't even think Isabela!

Almost reaching the Alienage, a glimpse of a fabric made her stop in her tracks. The red scarf with golden embroidery was definitely Hawke's. "You! Where did you get that?" She pointed to a man, who didn't seem scared by the pirate's approach. "I found'ey around."

Isabela raised an eyebrow, "How about, you tell me what I want to hear, and I pay good coin for you to buy more garments to match that scarf, ey?"

The man considered. "O'right, I found'ey at the second privay dock, down the alley."

"Did you see a woman there, warrior, tall-" she tried to explain but the man shook his head.

"Only Tantervale men, and ey mage, the'ol left yesterday to ah... ey passage." He finished getting the promised coin, and biting it with his yellowed teeth. Isabela moved way thoughtful, Yesterday? The situation brought more concern. Tantervale smugglers were not the wisest, and if the mage was with them the result could be tricky.

Arriving at the docks, she searched the surroundings, sneaking inside one described by the man. No sign of cargo or fight, but spears stuck in the wall and pieces of rope. Shit. Isabela's felt her entire body unnaturally cold, a shiver running down her spine. It was time to put the Starflyer in action.

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Hours later, Isabela sighted another ship close to the shore, swirling with the reaming wind. Getting the scope she searched for occupants, but nothing, all quiet. Leaving her ship anchored safely at opposite side, she used a rowboat to edge forward and reach the sand.

Once she was in the main road, she was rewarded with a fresh trail of footsteps. Now running, she remembered the conversation with Bodhan earlier. Though aware she had no right to ask if Hawke had formed deeper relationships in her absence, the idea was as troubling as the dark storm clouds above her. Gladly her thoughts were interrupted when she found the cave entrance. She draw her daggers, entering with determination, her resolve announced by rips of lightening. "Time to go hunt."

Continues...