To be honest, Cat hadn't thought that it would work. She had gone with Isabela a few times into the Blooming Rose, and while it was uncomfortable to be constantly offered a job there, she had met a lot of fun people.

She supposed it had to take a special kind of person to not only sell themselves, but to keep a sense of humor about it. Cat knew she could never do it, and she admired a few of those that she had met.

It had started when some of them would join Cat and Isabela at their table in the common room, enjoying a moment of peace and drink before being called back to work. She heard much more than she wanted to about some of the people in the room, but she had also heard complaints about certain aspects of the job, including the state of their rooms.

It hadn't taken long for Cat to pitch a job idea to Madam Lisene, though she hadn't had high hopes. But, Lisene cared a lot for the health and well being of her people, which had been a surprise, but had made sense later once she thought about it. Her people were her livelihood, and some had probably been with her for years.

So now, she was the unofficial caretaker, because she refused to be called a maid, but basically she came in and cleaned up after the party had died down. She had much higher standards then the previous people, and the employees had convinced Lisene to keep Cat after only two days into her trial period. After a week, Cat realized that this was a great job. Only a few hours a night, and she was paid better than most refugees were faring. Plus, Isabela was happier as she was no longer kicked out when she was waiting for Cat.

Isabela continued to pickpocket for her share of the expenses. She would often disappear during the day, but would inevitably show up to walk Cat either to or from work. Some nights she would stay in the Rose longer than Cat would.

Cat also got a taste of Isabela's flair for story telling. Each day someone would ask about her "noble husband who abandoned her" or her "family that was wiped out by the blight". Once she was startled by a proposition from an elf, saying he could help her forget her elven lover that had used her and left her stranded in Ferelden.

Trying to explain the truth had never worked, and Cat finally decided to just go with it. No one cared to know the true story anyhow, and it became easier to just ignore what others thought.

It was a stroke of genius one day when she denied the noble husband and told a worker named Idunna that she was abandoned and simply trying to make something of herself. After that, Idunna spent her free time helping Cat with learning everything she needed to know about society. What to address others, when to use serah or messere, what areas to avoid in order to dodge the coterie or templars. Idunna was a wealth of knowledge, and Cat was surprised but happy that they quickly became friends.

A few days after that, Cat had gone back to Anders' clinic and given him the money she had promised. He had gaped at her, not expecting her to return. He even tried to refuse the money, saying that he couldn't take stolen money.

"It's not stolen, I earned it," she told him, insulted. "I have a job, I don't need to steal."

"You have a job?" he asked, surprised yet again.

"Yes. I work at the Rose," she said, taking his hand, and placing the money in it. He was looking at her wide eyed, and it was a little unnerving.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"Why?" she asked. "It's a good place and the people are nice. It could be worse." She looked around and then focused back on him. "Oh, and I wanted to get something for a friend, something to help with, um… feeling clean, between customers, or something."

He looked at her, seeing the blooming blush on her cheeks. He felt sorrow at the thought of this innocent girl forced to sell herself at the Rose, but understood the lure of the money she would undoubtedly be making. She probably had people lining up to be with her.

"I'm sure I can get you something, but it will take an hour or so. Did you want to wait?"

"I have a bit more shopping to do, but I can come back in about an hour?"

"That's fine," he replied.

Cat headed back up to Lowtown. She wasn't sure why, but she always seemed to make Anders sad. Maybe it was just his situation? Perhaps he hadn't been eating? She gave it some thought and headed towards Lirene's store. Anders obviously didn't like her to bring money herself, and maybe he didn't like accepting charity. But, if she donated through Lirene, he wouldn't know where it came from, and might accept it.

Cat spent most of an hour with Lirene, first convincing her of her intentions, then ensuring they had an agreement. Lirene wasn't keen on being told where donations would go, but Cat bypassed that by promising to purchase the goods she needed at her store. In return, everything that she brought specifically for the clinic would make its way to Anders as his supplies.

She returned to the clinic to pick up her order, and pay the healer for his work. He handed her a crate full of bottles, with written instructions for their uses.

"This is much more than I asked for, did I pay enough?" she asked him.

"Oh yes, this is more than enough. Most of these tonics use simple ingredients," he replied. "Please, just promise me you'll be careful."

Cat looked at the box and nodded. "I'll be sure to read the instructions carefully."

"That's not exactly what I -"

Anders was interrupted as a couple came bursting in, the man carrying a young child that looked unconscious. Anders was in healer mode, and Cat was forgotten, so she slipped out the door without another word.

Later that night, as she was changing bed linens, Idunna walked into the room, bathed and ready for sleep. Cat pointed out the crate of tonics, and Idunna gleefully browsed through them, before standing behind Cat and giving her a hug.

"Thank you so much! I hope you don't mind if I share them, everyone will want some!"

"Not at all, the healer said the ingredients were fairly simple, so we can always order more," Cat replied. "just let me know when we are running low."

Isabela sauntered into the Rose, her thoughts dismal. This chase was turning up nothing! There isn't one clue as to who took the relic, and those Qunari aren't leaving either.

She had hired a few local men that claimed they could find anything, but so far there was nothing to find. It was aggravating, and she was about fed up. She walked over to the bar, and was told that Cat was almost done.

She smirked to herself, everyone here knew that she was looking out for Cat. She hoped that that wouldn't come back to bite her.

"Hey Issy," Cat said as she walked up behind her. "missed you earlier."

"Sorry Kitty, business."

"Right."

Isabela winced, though Cat had been nothing but trusting, she still felt guilty that she hadn't shared what was happening.

"Shall we go, or are you staying?" Cat asked.

"Not this time, let's go."

The two women walked out of the Rose together, not worried at all of the hour. Most were in bed, and the sun was getting ready to rise.

"Can you believe about the Chantry?" Cat said, and Isabela sent her a questioning glance. "Did you not hear?" she asked.

"No," was the reply. "But you know how I don't care a fig about the chantry."

"No, no" Cat laughed. "Apparently there was a fight in the chantry last night."

"Oh really? Sister so-and-so borrowed robes without permission? Was there slapping?"

Cat laughed loudly, before placing her hand over her mouth to stay quiet. "No silly, an actual fight, though I would go to the chantry if there were slapping fights." They grinned at each other.

"So what happened?"

"Well, there was some sort of ruckus, but not much is known. Everyone is saying it was mages, as this morning there was a mage and several templars found dead."

"Hmm, definitely sounds like mages," Isabela shook her head as they rounded a turn that took them from Hightown into Lowtown. "The templars are sure to crack down on the mages again."

"Yeah, Idunna was really worried." Cat lowered her voice. "She has friends that are apostates." No matter the hour, ears were everywhere.

"Well, good thing we don't have any mages for friends," Isabela spoke up. She gave Cat a wink, and they chuckled together.

Cat headed back to Lirene's shop. Isabela hated coming in here, as it reminded her of how bad life could get, so they agreed to meet up later for a late lunch. Cat had smirked and said, "That's Issy speak for drinking," to which Isabela replied, "Of course it is!".

" 'ello Miss Katrina!"

Cat turned to Ellen, a young girl that was helping buy food for her family by keeping Lirene's shop clean.

"Hello Ellen, and didn't I tell you to call me Cat?" she said with a smile.

"Mama told me I shouldn't," was the reply.

"Well, you tell your mama that I absolutely insist!" Cat said with a pat on the girls arm. She couldn't hear her name wrong anymore, anyway.

Cat walked over to Lirene, handing a pouch of coins to the shop keep, and hearing about the last delivery of supplies to the clinic.

"He is really curious about these supplies, but more grateful really. He said to tell those that donate about how many people he is able to help. I didn't tell him that all the donations are from one person."

"Thank you Lirene. He seems to accept if it is donations, but not when I just try to give him money," she said with a smile. "I really appreciate you being a go between."

"I enjoy it," she replied. "I'm able to send people to him without worry now, though there have been some lately that don't seem to need a healer. I worry about the templars finding him."

Cat thought back to the news of dead templars in the chantry. She knew it meant that Anders had met Hawke, but didn't realize that meant Lirene had met them as well. And… she was curious.

"What do you mean?" Cat asked, trying to seem nonchalant.

"A few days ago, a group that looked like fighters came in looking for him," Lirene said in a low voice. "They were quite insistent in finding him."

"And?" Cat asked.

"And… I told them. They promised they didn't want to hurt him. I guess I just assumed that they had a friend that was wounded. I hope I didn't cause him trouble."

"I'm sure you didn't Lirene." Cat said soothingly. "He's strong, and can take of himself, he's a Grey Warden after all.

"He told you too?" Lirene looked shockingly at Cat.

"Well, sort of. I kind of overheard it…" Cat had to admit, she was getting better at lying, as Lirene nodded. "I'd better head out. Thanks again Lirene, I'll see you next week?" She stayed long enough to see her nod, then quickly headed out of the store.

Cat headed towards the market stalls. She knew she wouldn't get food once she met up with Isabela, and decided to buy something before meeting her. She headed for her favorite stall, full of pastries.

Cat chose a couple of meat pies, which were pretty much like chicken pot pies back home. On impulse she added a couple of scones, which made her smile like a kid at Christmas. She didn't usually let herself indulge, as she was determined to get out of the hovel they were living in.

Cat walked out of the marketplace and towards the stairs. She looked up and saw a group of people heading towards her, though they were talking among themselves. Cat's eyes widened as she recognized them, and as she climbed the stairs, she made her way to the side to be further away.

There was Aveline, a tall red head in a guard's uniform. Varric, the dwarf with no beard, and they were not kidding about chest hair, she could see it from here. Two men that had to be Carver and… Hawke. Cat wondered what his first name was, even as she took in the handle behind his back.

It could be for a sword, she knew, but the man wasn't wearing armor. A few pieces here and there to protect vital organs, sure, but nowhere near what Aveline was wearing. He also looked a lot like Carver, but with a squarer jaw, and what looked like a beard growing in. Plenty of stubble, and she had to admit, it was appealing on him.

She continued walking, avoiding looking at them again, making her way up to meet with Isabela. Since she didn't look, she didn't notice the speculative looks that she received in return. Appreciative looks from the the two men, and a curious look from a dwarf.

"Martin asked me to meet him, and I have some business there later, so we'll just drink there."

"The Hanged Man? Isabela are you sure? I've heard it's a dive."

"I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds like my kind of place. Let's go."

Cat wanted to continue to protest, though she knew it would only make Isabela want to go more. So she simply grumbled as she followed her friend.

"Don't be salty, Cat," Isabela laughed. Ever since hearing it from Cat, it had become her favorite play on words. Well, after any innuendo ever, anyway.

Cat didn't answer, as she was staring at Isabela. She came to a stop and continued to stare, making Isabela eye her oddly. There was something off.

"What's wrong?" Cat asked.

"What? Nothing."

"Issy… what's wrong?"

Isabela heaved a sigh, and walked over to a crate to sit. "Can't ever get past you, can I?"

"I should hope you wouldn't want to."

Isabela sighed again, squashing the guilty feeling that was springing up. "When we split up earlier, I ran into an old acquaintance. An enforcer for Castillon named Hayder."

Cat reached out and grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"Castillon wants the relic, and I… I don't have it. I went ahead and set up a duel with Hayder for tonight, but… I don't think he'll honor it. More than likely, he'll have several people with him, and I'll be killed, or worse."

"So, what's the plan?" Isabela looked up at Cat and saw she was serious.

"I'll never understand why you stay by me."

"And I'll never understand why you took me on your ship. Guess we're even."

"I thought perhaps you could have your crossbow with you, and help keep them honest."

Cat thought it was a sound plan, but if there were more than a few, it could be problematic. "I'd be happy to, though we may want to think of enlisting more help. We don't know how many we're up against, so, better safe than sorry."

"In most cases, I'd think sorry was more fun, but not this time. You're probably right." Isabela stood. "We'll keep a look out, but I don't want to take along just anyone." She pulled on Cat's hand and got her standing. "Come on, I really need a drink now."