They were to set out for the Hinterlands in order to find Mother Giselle and find out what was going on in Redcliffe. They spent the day packing and gathering provisions and they were to leave in the morning.
Hudson strapped on his leathers, furs, strapping his sword into its bindings before slinging the harness over his shoulder. He looked up and saw Sano down the way gathering supplies in her pack when he heard a chuckle down below.
"I see a certain someone touched by the breach has caught your eye," Varric spoke, "It would make a great story."
Hudson chuckled himself, "Your tales of the Champion find themselves within my clan's wall's Master Tethras. Tell me, did Hawke really find herself in love with the Starkhaven Prince? Sounds a tad farfetched even by your standards."
"Trust me I couldn't make that shit up if I tried. Choir-boy became a lot less stuffy once Hawke got her hands on him, quite literally," He laughed, shaking his head. "Too much happened, however. Both of them parted, but on good terms." There was silence between them until Hudson felt his narrowed eyes upon him. "You're clever; I underestimate you Avvar warriors."
"I do not know what you imply, Master Tethras." He grinned.
"We'll have to get you in on a hand of Wicked Grace, I have to see this."
He continued to converse with the dwarf, finding him amiable company as their party gathered to head to Redcliffe. If they saw to no trouble it should only be a week's journey at most. He had traversed it such in shorter time by himself, but it was absent company. Absent company that had stolen his gaze and he couldn't help the soft smile on his lips.
"Um, s-ser Whitewind?" He looked down to a poor elf who was practically trembling in her boots.
"Yes, milady?" He said politely, she had no reason to fear him and he tried to be as soft as he could being an Avvar warrior.
"Lady Montilyet would like to have a word with you before your journey to the Hinterlands."
"Ah, I see. Thank you," He nodded his head and told Varric he'd be back in a few and traveled inside the chantry and to the dank back office Josephine had commandeered for her duties.
He rapped on the door lightly and when a polite 'come in' sounded he stepped inside. "You hailed for me, Lady Montilyet."
"Yes, ah Hudson, I am afraid I am not well versed in Avvar customs and I do not know what moniker to bestow upon you."
"None needed, Hudson suits me just fine."
"Well, Leliana has done some checking into your background," The corner of his lips twitched upwards, "I see you already knew that."
"I'm not surprised if she is to be your spymaster. Especially since she traveled with the Hero of Ferelden as well."
"Yes, she's discovered you're also a Grey Warden. It would be of much benefit to us if you could procure certain treaties—"
"With all due respect, milady, I have not had contact with the Grey Wardens in over ten years. I'd appreciate to keep it as such and to keep matters discreet."
"You've had no contact at all?"
"As far as they know I died with the rest of them at Ostagar. I wasn't exactly that important. The last Warden to know I was alive was Riordan and he met his end in Denerim."
"Ah, I see. You are on bad terms with them?"
He shook his head, "Not at all," He said solemnly, "Wardens keep to themselves outside the blight and refuse to get involved in matters such as this. I'd rather help when needed and when I'm able. My place is best suited here, and if you didn't mind, I would give my clan updates on what is going on with this breach situation. I'm sure they're not pleased to see the sky torn open."
"I believe that is a reasonable request. Would there be any chance of them helping our cause?"
He shrugged, "I highly doubt it but I can breach the subject with the Thane. They might be willing to part with some materials if pressed, but any further than that they don't want to get involved in any political matters that involve Ferelden and Orlais."
"Well, then, I see no harm in keeping them updated should they keep our intentions to themselves."
"They'll not be a bother, I assure you."
"Okay, well I believe that will end our dealings and I shall not hold up your caravan any longer."
He nodded to her and was about to leave when he stopped at the door. "Could we keep my being a Grey Warden secret? I'd rather keep that matter private, especially with Sano."
"Of course, I shall inform Leliana to be discreet."
"Much appreciation, milady."
A caravan of soldiers had already left to begin scouting out the Hinterlands before they arrived. Their group consisted of Cassandra, Varric, Solas, Sano of course and himself, and he found Cassandra's scrutinizing gaze upon him as they led the group. He had wanted to sidle up to Sano to converse with her a little more, but the warrior woman had questions of her own for him.
"Yes, Seeker?" He finally asked, letting out a sigh but smiled all the same. He was used to others not trusting him, mostly because of him being an Avvar and their little to no understanding of the clans.
"Why are you aiding us, Hudson?"
He chuckled, "You say my name as if you think it's not."
"I don't trust you, yes that is true, but I find it hard to believe that a member of a clan that keep to themselves wants to help."
"Why? Because you've not seen it so? How much time have you spent in the Frostbacks, Seeker?"
"Well…" She fumbled for words and he smirked.
"You've come across many Avvar in your travels?"
"No, but—"
"Then it's not that the Avvar don't help it's just that you've never come across us." She let out a disgusted grunt and he chuckled, "You wouldn't be entirely wrong in assuming that our clans are mostly reclusive. Mine at least is, I can't speak for the others. But they are also quite a bit nosy and want to know what's going on. It does help that my heart leads me to wander, and so my clan saw an opportunity arise out of circumstances and took advantage of my leave. I like to help those I can when they're in need."
"Really, Seeker, is it so hard to believe the guy just wants to help with this shit?" Varric interjected, "I mean we really need all the help we can get, are you really going to turn him away because he's an Avvar?"
She sighed, "No, it's just… I'm finding it hard to believe that people actually want to help. It's a daunting task."
"Daunting indeed, Cassandra, yet many would feel obligated to save those that they hold dear." Solas said, and he found the whole group involved in their conversation.
"I appreciate the help." Sano said, and he smiled down at her. She grabbed his arm and the others kept walking as they stopped. "Thank you, Hudson."
"For what?"
"You were the only one who thought I was innocent from the start." She nodded to him and she caught up with the group leaving him to take up the rear while Cassandra led from the front. He began to listen to the chatter of the group, mostly Varric asking questions. He could see Sano was apprehensive of answering anything personal.
He wondered what her story was considering she was very guarded. She must've had it rough being not only Qunari but also a mage. Though she didn't consider herself Qunari, but adopted the old name for the race the Qunari may have come from. She'd said she was also part human. It must've been an interesting story of her mother and father meeting.
Varric began to talk about Kirkwall and the various relief efforts attempted in the city. Which inevitably led to Cassandra questioning how true his story was and asking about where Hawke was. He chuckled to himself; this seemed to be a sore subject between the two as Varric tried to evade Hawke's whereabouts. Considering how close he seemed to be to Hawke he could only assume Varric was protecting his friend.
He had actually read his Tales of the Champion and he couldn't believe the events that actually unfolded in Kirkwall. He'd gone so far as to inquire to Cullen about it, and aside from some overly glorified details it was all true. If so, he truly felt sorry for that woman, and could see why Varric feigned innocence.
He felt a pang as he thought about what this all meant for Sano. Would she be another Hawke, or Hero of Ferelden? Tragedy had befallen both those women. Sure the Hero of Ferelden seemed like a happy tale that ended well; she was betrothed to her fellow Grey Warden companion and made to be Queen to his King, but only the Grey Wardens knew the truth about what it meant to be one.
He was saddened at the thought. The two of them would have to go through watching the other go mad with the Calling, or worse, venture to the forsaken underbellies of the Deep Roads. He shuddered at the thought, but he couldn't deny the soft song singing in the back of his mind. It was quiet right now, but every once in a while it spoke to him.
It had been odd though, not at all what he thought it'd be. He almost thought he heard someone beckoning him somewhere, but he ignored it with all the strength he could muster. He didn't want to even acknowledge his time was beginning to come to an end. Especially when he wanted the hunter green gaze upon him.
Night had begun to fall upon them and they'd decided to make camp. They'd made it a good distance from Haven, having gotten to a descent section of the mountains. They'd traversed into the woods in order to find a clearing not close to the road. They wanted to avoid anyone who might get any bright ideas of attacking them.
Solas had retired to his tent already, volunteering for the last watch for the wee morning hour. Varric and Hudson convinced Cassandra that they'd take the first watch and Sano seemed to want to stay up with them as well. She excused herself to go grab some water from the stream and Varric had a mischievous grin plastered onto his face.
"So, Giant, how about we crack open some of this fine Orlesian ale I swindled from Haven?"
Hudson chuckled and nodded, "I think I'll partake in some of that, my friend."
He pulled out the container and took a swig handing it off to Hudson who drank some as well. He coughed as did Varric and he began to laugh. "Fermented that one long enough, have you?"
"Yeah, pretty good right?"
"Are you two drinking?" They turned around to see Cassandra poking her head out her tent.
"Would you like to join us, Seeker?" Varric pressed and she let out a grunt.
"Absolutely not, how do you expect to stand watch when you're getting drunk off that shit?"
"Shit?!" Varric put a hand to his heart as if he'd just been mortally wounded, "this here is some fine… Something. But it's some highbrow shit, Seeker."
"Ugh," She closed the flap to her tent and they could hear faint grumbling before they both chuckled.
"I think she fancies you." Hudson said, which caused the dwarf to nearly spit out the next mouthful he took.
"Now that is actually crazier than that hole in the damned sky." Hudson took another drink when Sano ventured back with a few canteens filled with water. "Sano, care to join us for some drinks? We've got plenty of time to kill." Varric asked offering up the container to her.
"Oh, really?" He could see her weighing the options and he'd hoped she'd join them, if not to drink then for some added company. She sat down next to him and he gave her a goofy smile as he handed her the jug from Varric. She sniffed the bottle and then took a sip, coughing a little before she began to hand it back to him.
"Oh, no, no!" Varric pushed the jug back into her hands. "Not until you take a proper drink."
She smiled softly and shrugged, "Well, fine then," she took a swig, swallowing the liquid and holding back the next cough. "It's not… Bad?" Hudson let out a loud laugh then felt her hand over his mouth, hushing him. "The others are sleeping!" She quietly laughed, and Varric was trying to hold back his own laughter.
"I guess we do need to make sure the Seeker gets some shuteye. Maybe she'll be less cranky in the morning."
"I heard that," came the warrior's reply and the three of them laughed saying their apologies before quieting down again.
They spent the next few hours drinking conversing and Varric had finally retired to his own tent, leaving him alone with Sano for the time being. It wouldn't be much longer till Cassandra woke to take her shift.
"Sano, tell me, if you'd like, what were you doing at the conclave."
There was a faraway look in her eyes, a glassiness that began to shine upon them. "I've been with the Valo-kas mercenary group for quite some time. I was in a bad way about the world some time ago and they happened upon me. A group of Tal-Vashoth actually thought I would fit in with them, and for a while they weren't wrong. They became family. We were hired to look after a group of merchants and so I went with Red and Axe. One thing led to another, I still can't quite grasp the exact events."
"I'm sorry about your brothers."
"They weren't my brothers." Came her soft reply.
"They may as well have been."
"I suppose so." He watched her fingers wringing together, a nervous tick perhaps and he settled his large hand over top of hers, curling his fingers around hers.
"It's okay to grieve their loss. You don't have to hide it." His heart fluttered when she gave him that sweet, soft smile.
"Thank you, Hudson… I really appreciate that."
Rustling behind them caused her to pull her hand from his and they turned to see Cassandra getting out of her tent. She let out a yawn and Hudson handed her a canteen which she thanked him for and momentarily went out to the woods before coming back.
"Get some rest." She said to them, and they nodded.
Hudson stood, helping Sano to her feet. She seemed to be surprised at the way he offered his help and he felt saddened at the thought that even such small kindnesses were not afforded to her. "Good night, Sano," He nodded to her as she went into her tent as she thanked him once again.
He'd have to settle his heart before falling asleep. He was stricken by her, and it only made his heart ache. He didn't know what she thought of him, but he felt sick at the thought of revealing that he was a Grey Warden to her. It didn't matter at the moment. He'd have to simply find the right time to share his secrets.