Grand Cleric Elthina did not look much different from when Hawke had last seen her in the Chantry in Hightown.
An average-looking old woman, in a black and red robe, streaked with gold.
The look she gave Hawke though, was far, far different than the last time. Far more inquisitive, and questioning.
"I do believe congratulations are in order."
"Thank you."
"I recall your mother quite well… I recall the scandal too, back when she ran off with a Ferelden apostate. And yet… Without that choice, Kirkwall would have fallen to the Qun… Fate has a roundabout sense of humor it would seem."
Elthina sighed.
"But we're not here to discuss matters from before you were even born… We are here to discuss the future. Tell me Viscount… Do you know what happened to your predecessor that preceded Dumar?"
"He must have died at some point I guess… Well, either that, or he abdicated and left town."
The woman neither laughed nor smiled.
"He died, yes. He was killed by Meredith, after trying to kick the Templars out of Kirkwall."
"Ah… I'm guessing this is the part where you tell me not to pick a fight with them."
"Not quite… But there is some of that, yes… I have been told that you signed off on letting Kirkwall's Elves leave for New Arlathan."
"That's right."
The old woman studied Hawke's face, though what she was looking for Hawke couldn't say.
"It's been a number of years since the Sabrae Clan came to our lands to petition Dumar to let the Elves leave… Meredith greatly disapproved, and Dumar did not agree… But neither did he staunchly refuse… To do so would be to show offense to the Monarchs of Ferelden… And so he vassalated on the issue, refusing to give an answer one way or another."
"I'm well aware. One of my friends is a girl called Merill. She's from the Sabrae clan. I probably would have gone through with it anyway… But I admit that friendship is the reason I signed off on it immediately."
"You should thank her then. The choice to get this over with now was a good one."
The woman looked down.
"Meredith… Was an old friend of mine… I mourn her loss greatly… But I firmly disagreed with her stance on the Elven Question."
As she spoke, there was clear pain in her voice. So sharp it took Hawke aback.
She had kinda forgotten that as much as She and the mages of Kirkwall had hated her, a lot of people had liked Meredith.
Finally, Elthina looked up again, the sunlight from Hawke's window lighting her up like a torch.
"You need to get this done now before a new Knight Commander is appointed to Kirkwall. It might take a while. Or it might not."
"I'll admit… I did not think you would be a supporter of New Arlathan."
"I am not."
She said dryly.
"However, I am not fool enough to not understand that the world has changed. Every day, you hear of Elves doing everything, taking the greatest risks to flee the lands of their birth, to flee their Alienages, all to try and reach their new promised land… And every week, there is a new tale of Elves doing that, ending up as Tevinter slaves at the hands of their smugglers, being strung up along the road by lords and villagers, or small Alienages being set alight by the masses and local lords, that all fear the idea of this new state. That led by their Mage King it's going to become a new, terrible nation… A mixture between blood-sacrificing Tevinter and the Heathen Dales… It is absolute nonsense and fearmongering… But the corpses that fear produces are very real... Fear and hatred have taken root all over Thedas… That is not going to change, regardless of how much some want this new Elven country to just vanish. Elves will continue to flee the persecution that is only becoming worse and worse… and they will continue to do so, so long there is a place to flee. I would say it is far preferable to have it happen controlled, and safely. Better that, than those poor souls ending up in Tevinter."
"That's… Rather reasonable of you."
The woman smiled.
"You don't need to dance on eggshells on the topic Viscount… I know how most of the chantry feels on the matter… They see only the danger, rather the opportunity… The city Elves who flee are Andrastian. They will not abandon that faith, as they find a homeland of their own. In time, the myth of the Elves' ancient gods will fade… And the flame of Andraste will burn proudly in the Kingdom."
"Provided it survives. History could repeat itself."
"Indeed. I rather doubt it though. The Bracilian forest is… Not the Dales. It is not rich in resources, and it does not have good farmland. There is little non-religious incentive to try to conquer it, nor would doing so be easy, or even likely. Not to mention the Kingdom's alliance with Orzammar…"
"Orzammar? Not Ferelden?"
"No… Orzammar is the source of all Lyrium in the world. It is thus a far, far greater shield against any Exalted March than Ferelden could ever be. Unless something very drastic changes… There will not be an exalted march on the New Arlathan."
"That's… A good point actually."
"Yes. Regardless… The point stands. Get it done as quickly as you can."
This had… Not been how she'd assumed this conversation would go. Frankly, she had assumed this would go the way Bran liked to do things. Boring and simple.
"Now then… With that out of the way… I was led to believe that you wished to… Change Kirkwall's statues."
Ah, finally. Back in her element.
"Indeed! I Have always wondered why Kirkwall has so many Tevinter statues across the city. I have no idea why any follower of Andraste would wish to keep those monstrosities around. Or all those rusty spike fences and rails! What's the point of those?"
"It is meant as a warning… A reminder of what Andraste freed us from, and what we must fight… But I do agree with the sentiment. What do you intend to do with them? I must warn you if you intend to melt them down for coin, don't bother. Despite their appearances, they are made of brass."
"Oh don't worry about that. I have plenty of coin… Both from my own adventures and journeys, as well as Dumar's old fortune."
This actually made the Grand Cleric smile.
"Yes… Another ironic turn. Greed and ambition, supposedly the worst of sins, might be what changes this city for the better…"
"I certainly hope so. It would really tick me off if everything I'm Planning to do gets reversed in the end. Anyway… So you don't mind me getting rid of those hideous Tevinter statues?"
"No. I'm Assuming you're planning on replacing them though?"
"I am! Not sure of what though… They can't all be replaced with Andraste and myself… Any suggestions?"
It had been one of her usual jests, but Ethina responded like it was a serious question.
"Try local heroes. My flock loves those. Especially our Grand Tourney winners. Oh, right… I must warn you, that while I might not have any issues with it, I would advice NOT to try the same with the Gallows… Or the Twins. They are Templar property."
"I'll keep that in mind."
I
The hanged man was its usual mess. A true dive in every sense of the word.
Its inhabitants, both regulars, occasional, newcomers, and one-time offs tended to be a very sketchy lot.
"So Daisy, how does it feel to finally finish your job?"
The fact that some of those regulars were now personal friends of the Viscount, did not change that.
"Oh, just amazing! Though it's sad I'm not going with them…"
Right… the blood magic and all. Hawke might not mind… But this Elven King was a different story.
"I'm sorry… Maybe Hawke can pull some strings though? Get you a pardon maybe?"
Merill smiled but shook her head.
"That's… Very nice of you Varric… But I knew what I was getting into when I started fixing the mirror like I did… I'll survive. I have Hawke after all. And you too. It's not that bad."
He could tell that despite her words, Daisy wasn't exactly as happy about the prospect as she tried to be. She did seem happy that the talks of letting the elves leave for new Arlathan had finally yielded results.
"So, how's the mood in the Alienage? People dancing in the streets for joy?"
"Some are… But it's a lot more varied than I thought it would be… Some are actually angry they have to leave Kirkwall for the new Elven homeland… Can you believe that? Do you think it's because Hawke won't be there?"
"Somehow I doubt that, Daisy."
It probably had something to do with being uprooted from their home, to join a community of Elves they had never met, to serve a king they had never seen, and live in a cursed forest.
Amongst Kirkwall's 12 000 elves, there were bound to be some who were apprehensive about it, even if it did mean they no longer had to live in an Alienage with all of what that entailed.
"So most people aren't happy about it?"
"Oh no, a lot are. Many are really looking forward to leaving. They want to get away from the poisonous gas attacks, the Humans, the serial killers, and the blood mages... Oh right…"
She had seemingly only realised the implication of that last one when she said it out loud.
"Varric… Have you ever been to the Bracilian forest?"
"Can't say I have. Before I met Hawke, I had barely ever left the city. I'm a… City Dwarf at heart.
"Oh, that's sooo sad… But anyway, I still remember the forest… I've never been to the place the capital is built at though… It's around this ancient ruin the King discovered when he was still fighting the blight with the Hero of Ferelden. It used to be infested with Werewolves I hear."
"Yeah, that sounds about right for the Fereldens' cursed forest."
"I know! They call them dog lords, but they're not dog-like… Like the Qunari aren't much Ox-like either… But anyway, the capital palace is this ancient temple that goes deep, deep underground… And that's where the King discovered an ancient black orb, with the spirit of an ancient mage warrior inside of it… And through it, he learned the arts of the Arcane Warrior, the old Elvhen mages who mixed plate armor, Magic, and sword. All our Mages are taught like that now… Not me though… My clan volunteered to go north to Kirkwall before I could learn it. Now the mission is nearly over… And yet I never will."
He patted her on the back… Or as much as he could through her armor anyway.
"I'm sorry Daisy."
"Thank you..."
They sat in silence for a while… Or rather the background noise of the Hanged Man being its usual, loud and boisterous self.
Besides them, Fenris was lying over the counter, snoring loudly.
He had been drinking himself into oblivion the last few days, over the same topic he and Merill had been discussing.
Unlike her, he had taken the news that Kirkwall's elves would be joining a state ruled by a mage, with utter disdain.
He'd get over it eventually.
"What about you Varric? Hawke's says you've been reading a lot up about Orzammar lately…"
"Well… It's not quite the same. I have no interest in moving there… It's a good story though… Not to mention I noticed there's a point on the Deep Roads maps I recognize… From our expedition."
This perked her right up, though not quite with either fear or excitement. More of a mixture of worry and surprise.
"Do you think they'll find the old Thaig? The one with the red Idol in it?"
"Nah… Not to mention we scoured that clean, remember? No, I'm much more interested in the fact that if Orzammar's Armies keep pushing North, their control over the deep roads is soon going to reach the point where they'll have direct access to the path leading to the Entrance at Sundermount."
"Oh! That's good isn't it?"
"Sure is. Lots of trade to be made if we can ship directly to Orzammar… Provided that's where they push next. There's… A lot of other directions they can go."
"You should arrange something with Hakwe, Varric! I'm sure the Viscount of Kirkwall could influence that."
"Way ahead of you Daisy… But we'll see how it goes."
I
Of Hawke's personal circle, it was anything but unusual to find her friends hanging out together.
There were unusual pairings though, who almost never interacted except when together with Hawke herself.
Of those, the only more unusual pairing than the one currently waiting together for her at her own estate was Fenris and Anders, who got along about as well as a Ferelden and Orlesian.
Isabella was doing the usual when she was bored, waiting for Hawke to come. Lean up against the railing, walk about, inspect her own nails, and the decorum of Hawke's rather nice house.
Meanwhile, Sebastian was simply sitting in a chair leaning back, a glass of water in his hand from which he occasionally took a sip.
Finally, having had enough of waiting, Isabella took the word.
"How much longer do you think we'll have to wait?"
"Oh, an hour or two more mayhaps."
"Ugh… What's taking her so long?"
"Duties of state I imagine. She'll have a lot less free time going forward."
"Ugh..."
"What did you want to talk to Hawke if I may ask?"
"Her hiring me on as a privateer."
The way she spoke it, made it rather obvious she had massive reservations about it.
"Why does it bother you so?"
"I just… I just don't like binding myself to something. Or people for that matter."
He smiled.
"That ship set sail when you came back with the book I'm afraid."
"More the fool I."
"It was brave, coming back to face the Qunari."
"It was idiotic. They would have killed me. If it hadn't been for Hawke anyway…"
"And you returned anyway. You couldn't face the thought of so many innocents dying for something you could prevent."
"Tell that to the Viscount."
Sebastian understood her, far more than the buccaneer probably understood.
"It's frightening, isn't it? To realize you have the potential to be a better person?"
"I didn't do it to be some hero, I did for Hawke…"
That was probably true… But it wasn't the whole truth, he could tell.
"Even if you only did it for a friend, that is a good start. It's not nothing Isabella. And Hawke has rewarded you with a ship has she not?"
"Yeah… One of the old Viscount's old War Galleys… It's not the kind I'd prefer, but it's a good ship. And more than enough coin to hire on a crew."
"If you truly don't wish to swear yourself into Hawke's service, all you need to do is go down to the docks and hire on a crew, set sail, and never return. You could easily become a regular pirate again with what Hawke has given you."
She glared at him.
"If I did that, I'd be stabbing Hawke in the back."
"And you're not prepared to do it, yes? It's scary… Realizing you have loyalties to someone else… Someone you trust, and admire. That you can't pretend to be alone in the world anymore."
He could tell he had hit the nail head-on with the expression she got from that comment.
She didn't reply though, instead leaving the room behind, and walking out to the entrance room.
He did not hear the sound of her opening the door, so she hadn't left though. She still needed to talk to Hawke, just as he did.
He was pretty sure she would accept Hawke's letter though, and become a privateer in the Narrow Sea.
She had made her real choice back in the throne room. Whatever doubts she might have now, were just embers that would give way before the storm that was Hawke.