The mood in Kirkwall was one of jubilation for the most part.
Their beloved Champion had been elected Viscount, Meredith, the Crazy Templar leader had been assassinated, and the Qunari were finally gone.
As such, the mood of the city as a whole was higher than it had been in decades.
Not all were happy though. Kirkwall's underworld had a decidedly less cheery outlook on the prospect of Hawke taking the throne. Both because the woman's infamous ability to turn her enemies in corpses by the hundreds, but also because she had time and again proven herself extremely hard to assassinate, as the Carta and Coterie had learned first hand.
Her donning the Viscount's crown, thus did not exactly fill any of them with glee.
And there was also the Elves of the City's Alienage.
Clan Sabrae had come years ago, less than a year after the blight, to try to convince the Viscount to allow the Elves of the city to leave Kirkwall in mass for New Arlathan.
That had not gone anywhere, but given the fact that one of Hawke's closest friends was a member of clan Sabrae, most understood immediately that things were about to change.
Wheter you regarded the coming mass emigration as a blessing, an unwelcome forced mass emigration, or something in between, large depended on the individual.
And of course, in the highest levels of power in the city, Hawke's rise was met with their own varied responses. Some knew her only by her performance in the Viscount's Keep, where she had saved them all as they saw it. Others knew her personally, or was more than familiar with her rather contrasting personally and capacity for killing anything she set her eyes on.
Wheter you regarded that as a good thing, or something be worried about also depended on the individual.
One in particular, who was anything but happy with the development was one Guard Captain Aveline.
I
Aveline groaned as she massaged the ridge of her brow.
"What, you don't like Brigandine?"
The flippant tone in Hawke's voice was far, far more annoyed than the pages on her table.
Each showcased a different kind of design, but all of them were marked by Kirkwall's coat of arms… Only in new colors.
"It's not the armor type that's the problem, Hawke… It's the prospect of having to refit every single one of my guards."
"Oh, it's not just about that… I also want to quadruple the size of the city guard."
This admission did surprise her.
Hawke did look like a proper Viscount. Aveline would give her that.
Fine silk, a cloak of white with the symbol of Kirkwall in blood red on it, and a nice crown topping her pretty face.
The way she sat on Aveline's desk, turned around sideways to look at her with her usual, carefree grin betrayed the royal image however.
Hawke was still the same Hawke. The same woman she had been when they had been part of Ferelden's military together.
"Quadruple the guard? May I ask why?"
Hawke shrugged.
"Oh, I don't know… Could be the fact that even with your better training and rooting out corruption, the Guard hasn't been able to control the streets at night, and I want that to change. Could be because we currently have no standing army at the moment, and I want to strengthen the one military institution I do have now, in case Meredith's successor is as crazy as she was… Or maybe I just wanna make life harder for you by giving you more work."
Aveline glared at her.
"That's the spirit! I was worried this was gonna be awkward from now on, with me being your boss and all."
"Ughhh… Well, at least it's practical armor."
"I know. Honestly, I wanted real plate armor… But it's simply too costly if I want to use silverite for it."
"Silverite!? Why? Steel is far, far cheaper."
Hawke nodded.
"I know… But the fact is Ferelden recently innovated on the whole Brigandine Silverite stuff. And I have no intention to be left behind in that Arms race. See the problem with Silverite is that it's stupidly hard, and light… it holds an edge like nobody's business… But the moment it takes real damage?"
"It crumbles, yes I know. Any real damage creates a weak spot in the metal that spreads from it, and simply cannot be fixed. If you want to fix it, you need to melt it down and reforge it completely. Well… Unless it's enchanted right anyway."
"Right! But that would be even more expensive. In any case, Silverite plate armor? Stupidly expensive to make, and you can't upkeep it… Which is why the Brigandine innovation Ferelden is doing is so crucial! Brigandine is cheap enough as it is, and the big beauty of it is that if it's damaged, you can you can just replace the metal plates underneath the outer layer with a new one."
Aveline nodded, feeling very surprised.
"Huh… That makes way more sense than I thought your reasoning would."
"We'll still use regular silverite for stuff like helmets and things… But the main coat will be Brigandine all the way… Emblazoned with my glorious new coat of arms."
"Coat of arms? 1. This is not the Amell Crest. 2. It's not the colors of the Amell crest, and 3. It's literally just the colors of Kirkwall with the black replaced by white."
"Well, I didn't say it was the Amell Coat of Arms! It's the coat of Arms of the Hawke Dynasty… Or at least the main branch. Carver might use the old Amell one if he wants to. I doubt he wants to use my new design."
"It's still just a recolor of Kirkwall's symbol."
"And what's wrong with that? I like the Kirkwall coat of arms. A much better symbol for the Viscounty than old Dumar's coat symbol. Then again… Maybe I should use a recolored Mabari coat of Arms instead? Remind everyone that I am a Dog Lord after all!"
"Very funny…"
She looked down over the armor designs. Seriously this time.
"We'll go with… This one."
"Oh, not the one with the old Avaar helmet? Well, that's fine too."
Avenline was pretty sure Hawke had put it amongst them just to get a rise out of her. If so, she would not give her the satisfaction.
"One more thing Hawke… Silverite armor is all well and good… But Silverite is not cheap material. Even as Brigandine it will be very expensive to outfit hundreds of men with this."
"I agree! Lucky me then, that I happen to have kept a record of all the various places our little band has found Silverite deposits over the years. The one up on Sundermount in particular is vast."
"You… You kept track of all of those? As we trekked through caves, and wilderness and Darktown all these years?"
"I kept track of the Orichalcum, Lyrium, and Glitterdust deposits too, but I don't think those will be as directly useful at the moment. Well not unless it becomes the style for Tevinter ladies to cover their faces again with sparkly, poisonous, flammable makeup, but short of that, I think getting investors for my new Silverite mines is the safer bet don"t you agree?"
The flippant tone did not make Aveline miss the implication that Hawke had, during hundreds of trips through the most filthy corners of Darktown, the most inhospitable parts of Kirkwall's wilderness, or the most bandit-ridden parts of the Broken coast, always had taken the time to mark down every spot she might one day might want to come back too.
Yes, that was Hawke. The woman was a jokester at heart, always ready with a flippant comment, and throwing seriousness to the wind… And then she would remind her that she was also extremely competent.
It was quite the contrast.
"Do you have any investors in mind?"
"Oh, some here, some there… Kirkwall isn't exactly lacking for people willing to invest in business ventures. Heck, I even have one of those already in the Bone Pit."
"So you do."
Hawke grinned and finally got her ass off the table, seemingly ready to end the conversation, which Aveline was in her own way happy for.
She was going to have a mountain of work, both papers, planning and physical, to actually make Hawke's plans for guard expansion to 1 800 guards into reality.
"Oh, and by the way Aveline… Do you want me to set you up with a title? I could make you an Arlessa, or Bann if you'd like."
"That would be a Baroness and Marquise Hawke. We aren't in Ferelden… But I'll have to decline."
She had NO interest in getting herself involved in feudal politics.
"Really? Aww… What's the point of being royalty, if I can't give favors to my friends?"
"That road lies nepotism, Hawke."
"You think so do you, Aveline? In that case, you should see what title I'm planning for Carver."
"Is that so? Well, I-Wait… You're not planning to give a title to Isabella are you?"
"Not at all… I gave her a letter instead. I don't think she'd want to rule a bit of land."
"A letter?"
She was utterly confused.
"Yeah. A letter of marque and reprisal, against brigands and other pirates in the Waking Sea. Oh and a ship too."
Aveline opened her mouth to groan, then stopped.
"Huh… That's… Actually not a bad idea."
"Really? No complaints? I thought you'd have some scathing words on the matter.
"No, I do not. Send a pirate to kill pirates. That's much better than her continuing this… Whatever you'd call these years she's been stranded here."
"Enjoying Kirkwall's hospitality?"
"Yes, I suspect she's enjoyed herself quite a bit on the hospitality of Kirkwall's men. Better she enjoys herself on other pirates instead."
"Glad you approve… As for your own titles… I won't force you, but the chance to become nobility will remain so long as I'm Viscount Aveline. I take care of my friends."
She gave her a grin and a wave and left.
I
"So, you're onboard investing into the Silverite mine after all?"
"I am Your Highness."
Lady Flora Harimann had seen better days… But then again, she was a lot easier to take seriously when she wasn't ranting to an ale tank, oblivious about what was going on around her.
The pretty robe did help too.
"Good. I'm Glad I'm Actually friends with at least one investor. 50/50 profits. Half to me to spend on soldiers, the business of state, and all that, and half to you to… Do what you want."
She looked a bit nervous.
"I'm… Still committed to aiding Prince Sebastian regaining his throne in Starkhaven your Highness."
"Good… But do please tell me about what you plan regarding it. I have my own plans too… And it would be better if whatever troops you can muster marches with my army when the time comes."
Relief washed over the woman's face.
"So you are planning on helping him as well on the matter?"
"Of course! Sebastian is one of my closest… Well, he is a personal friend at least. And I take care of my friends Lady Harimann. Preferably with coins or knives. Or both, I'm not picky."
"That is… Good to hear. Should I expect any news on the matter soon then?"
"No. It will take a while to recruit a standing army for Kirkwall, much less equip it, and then train it."
"I see… Well, I shall keep that in mind. On a personal note your Highness… Is your brother… Available?"
Ah, the world of marriages and politics interwoven together.
Her mother had once been part of this world… And she supposed so was she now… Mother would be proud of her… Surely she would have been.
"I would like to say yes… But no, I don't think so. My brother has his eyes set on someone you see… He just lacks the guts to actually man up and take her to the mountaintop for a lovely day out."
"Ah… Very well, then-" "And before you ask, no, I am not available either. I already have my eyes set on a man."
"Truly?"
"Oh yes… He's quite the catch… Rich, handsome, and of good, noble breeding, and stature… If a bit below me."
"Unless your highness means to marry outside the country, there are none of those around here I'm afraid… Unless you're talking of Sebastian."
"I'm not. Trust me. But you'll find out who it is in time."
After Lady Herimann left, Seneschal Bran Cavin, coughed nervously.
He had been strangely accepting of her ever since the election. Honestly, she was surprised. She had fully expected him to bitterly resent her, but so far, he did not.
He was, however, exasperated by her usual nonsense. Which she enjoyed immensely. It wasn't any fun unless people actually reacted to her.
"Viscount… This… Man, you intend to court… You've spoken of him several times so far in meetings… I think I know who it is… But…"
"Then keep it to yourself then Bran. That's an order."
She had no interest in this getting spoiled for her. It had been a long, long time since she had tried her hand at a serious relationship. She wanted to do it right… Not to mention if he learned about it, it wouldn't be nearly as fun.
"Very well… In that case… We have one more meeting regarding investors in the new mines… Then we move on to the meeting with the Dwarves you requested, followed by the meeting with Grand Cleric Elthina. She wishes to discuss the coronation and other things of religious matters."
"In other words, Templar stuff."
"That… As well I'm sure. And finally, I have arranged the transfer from the gallows you've requested."
"Great! I haven't seen Bethany in ages now."
"The… Acting Lord Commander has suggested better, more skilled, and experienced alternatives."
"I don't care what the "Acting Lord Commander" wants on the matter, Bran. Bethany is my choice, as is my right by chantry law."
"Shall I write that in the reply to him then?"
"No, you can tell him that he should focus on trying to figure out who murdered old Meredith, instead of bothering me."
"I'm certain that will go over well, no doubt."
"And when I care, I'll let you know.
The door to her new office opened, as the final lord of the day made his appearance.
"Magistrate Vanard."
Bran announced.
Hawke gave him a smile, which the magistrate did not return.
"Your Highness. I thank you for the offer of this deal."
"Glad to hear it."
She moved over her map over Kirkwall's territories so it was between them.
"The spot is at the end of the wounded coast, in caves some Tal-vashoth used to hang out in before I slaughtered them all."
"I see you're as capable as ever… Though your display in the throne room made that obvious enough."
She frowned at that comment.
"Have we… met before?"
"Yes. You once… Brought back an escaped fugitive for me."
It took a moment before she recalled what the Void he was talking about.
"Oh, right you're that… Guy, whose son was insane, and killing… Well… Anyway, that shouldn't be a problem anymore regardless. There won't be any Elves left in the city in a few months."
This comment finally brought some real emotion to the Magister's face.
"Truly? No Elves? Why? Do not tell me you plan to purge the Alienage? That would seem rather out of character for you."
"It is. No, I intend to ship them to Ferelden, so they can immigrate to New Arlathan."
"Ah, yes… That does seem far, far in character for you, all things considered… What do you intend to do with the Alienage then? Rip it down and start anew?"
"Yes, pretty much. I'm Actually going to remake all of Lowtown… The stench is hideous you know… But It's a progress work, not something you do all at once. I'll start with the Alienage, and work my way from there."
"I see… Well, I shall leave that to you… We have a mine to discuss."
"Right. So it's here on the map… No roads there though, nor safe harborage, so on top of actually making the mine, we'll have to make a road from the city and deal with bandits and all that so the spoils of the earth can be shipped back to Kirkwall. I'll handle most of it, I just need you to invest coin for the mine and the construction of this road, and I'll take care of the rest."
"And we share the cut?"
"Half to both."
"Very well… You were asking for 40 sovereigns yes?"
"Indeed."
"I'm in then. I assume you have a contract drawn up?"
"Sure."
And just like that, with a bit of handwriting, it was done.
On the plus side, the first step of her plans was coming together.
On the other hand, the magister was also a sharp reminder to her that Kirkwall's nobility was anything but a nice bunch of people.