"Issy!" Cat called.
She stopped short at the threshold to Varric's room in shock, the sight of Isabela was expected, but she had no idea that Hawke would be here as well. The moment over, she rushed over to her friend and hugged her around her neck.
"Hi Kitty," Isabela said with a big smile. "I've missed you too."
Cat flopped on the bench next to her, though she was facing the wrong direction, but it made it easy to look her in the eyes. "How are you?" she asked.
"Good," Isabela replied, before looking away. "Well, as good as can be expected for coming up empty, anyway."
"You didn't find anything?" Cat asked, as she turned her head to see where Isabela was looking. Seeing Hawke, had her smiling and thinking, Aww…they can't stop looking at each other!
"Nothing," Isabela confirmed.
"I'll start asking around then-" Cat began before Isabela interrupted.
"No!" Isabela grabbed her shoulder, and squeezed it. "No Kitty, we're going to wait a bit, let whoever has it think things have calmed down."
"Oh… okay. If you're sure…"
"I am. This is for the best."
"All right then."
"Hungry, Little Dove?" Varric asked her, as he opened the door again for Corff and Norah to bring several trays in filled with food.
"Sure Varric," Cat replied, as she stood up to turn and sit properly at the table.
"So Kitty, fill me in," Isabela said as she poured herself a drink. "It's been awhile since we've talked."
"Too long," Cat agreed. "Well, we helped Sebastian deal with the people responsible for killing his family."
"Really?" she asked. "What happened?"
Varric and Hawke seemed happy enough to let her be the one to tell the story, so she told what she could remember of the adventure, describing the details that would interest Isabela, and skimming over the others.
"Sebastian said the man was a prude, but I think you would have been impressed with his creativity," Cat said with a snicker. "I tried to do you proud and get everyone sharing their thoughts on the matter, but the guys wouldn't say anything."
"I'm not surprised," Isabela said with a laugh. "They are all pretty stuffy after all."
"Stuffy?" Varric asked with a look of mock offense. "More like I'm too much of a gentleman to kiss and tell."
"Ha!" Cat barked. "I'd believe that of Sebastian perhaps, but I know you too well my friend."
Hawke merely smiled and shook his head as they continued their friendly bickering.
"And what is Kitty leaving out?" Isabela asked him suddenly.
"Hey!" Cat complained.
"Not much," Hawke replied. "A couple of fights with demons. We've started working together as a group, practicing combinations of fighting styles to better counter any foe we meet."
"Smart," Isabela said, taking another drink. She looked over at Cat's full plate of food. "Eat up Kitty," she said with a smirk.
"Yes Mother," Cat said with a roll of her eyes. "I guess Varric can tell you about the other day then."
"My pleasure," Varric said with a nod, and Cat started eating as Varric told Isabela of their most recent travels out to the Bone Pit, their sojourn after Javaris, and finally the mess that was the poisonous gas cloud in Lowtown.
"This was all for the Qunari?" Isabela asked uncertainly.
"Not exactly," Hawke answered. "The Arishok said he was just letting us know, since I had some semblance of honor or something like that. But after we returned this morning to let him know the outcome, I no longer believe it."
"Wha naw?" Cat asked, her hand covering her mouth that was still full of food.
"Why not?" Hawke asked, and Cat nodded. "Well, we went and told him about the actual thief, and explained what she had said about getting help from some humans in the city. I had thought he would be concerned for his people, and the growing tension and hatred in the city, but he just shrugged it off."
"Typical," Isabela muttered.
"Then, he says something about the city trying to lay troubles at his feet, and Daisy speaks up," Varric added. He cleared his throat and spoke high to mimic Merrill, "but your feet didn't do anything… did they?"
Cat chuckled. "Typical Merrill…" she said.
"Then the Arishok starts listing all the problems with our city-" Hawke said.
"And Hawke just gives him and angry look and says, 'save the lecture' and turns away," Varric interrupted with a grin. "The Arishok did not like that…"
"He surely didn't," Hawke agreed with a smirk. "Basically yelled at me to stop and listen, asking how I can justify all the corruption around me… as if the whole city was somehow my responsibility because I have an ability to lead a crew that is strong?"
Cat could tell by the look on his face that Hawke thought the whole idea ludicrous, and smiled.
"And?" Isabela prodded.
"And I told him that this was a free city. People are free to live their lives as they choose." Hawke gave a sarcastic laugh. "He just looked at me, stunned, and said, 'you… like it?' Then tries to convert me."
"No, really?" Cat asked, and Isabela looked intrigued.
"Probably not in actuality," Hawke relented. "But he surely tried to get me to understand how much better everything would be if everyone was as certain of their role, and their purpose as those under the Qun."
"I didn't think they cared about convincing anyone," Isabela said with disdain. "Normally they just brainwash their enemies, don't they?"
"I wouldn't know," Hawke replied. "This is my first dealings with them, and I must say, they confuse the hell out of me."
"I only know what I've heard," Isabela stated. "and rumors can hardly be trusted."
"So then what happened?" Cat asked, wanting to get back to the story. "You told him, no thanks?"
"Pretty much," Hawke said with another smirk. "He wondered aloud if the weaker people would feel the same, but then said it wasn't his purpose to convert."
"So why bring it up?" Cat asked.
"Like I said… confusing," Hawke replied.
"Then, Hawke asked what his purpose was, and told the Arishok it was taking too long, whatever it was," Varric said.
"You didn't…" Cat said with wide eyes.
"Again, not in those words, exactly…" Hawke said with a narrowed look at Varric. "Must you embellish?"
"I'm just making the story more exciting," Varric replied.
"It was exciting enough," Hawke muttered. "That didn't go over well, and after a lot of yelling about being robbed, and having to recover their property being their true purpose, he told us that they are not going anywhere until they reclaim whatever it is that they lost."
"And then… told us we should be grateful he hasn't decided to do more than that," Varric added. "Then, kicked us out."
Hawke raised an eyebrow as Cat and Isabela looked at each other. He hadn't forgotten his need to learn their silent language, and mentally moved it higher in priority on his personal list.
"Definitely glad I didn't go," Cat finally said, putting more bread in her mouth.
"Agreed," Isabela said. "If they are this volatile, I'd prefer Kitty not be involved with them at all." Cat rolled her eyes at Isabela, but didn't disagree. "Well, since I'm back, I suppose you can count on my help in your next venture," Isabela said to Hawke. "those not involving Qunari, that is."
"You're welcome along," Hawke said with a smile. "I've missed your stealthing abilities."
"I'm sure," she purred, and Cat smiled, making an eye roll to Varric.
"What's the plan for tomorrow?" Cat asked.
"Sundermount," Varric said with a smirk, and Cat shrugged. "though I doubt it will be as exciting as last time."
"Don't say that Varric," Cat teased. "You'll hurt Issy's feelings. She always thinks things are more exciting when she's involved."
"Too right," Isabela added with a smirk.
"I cannot thank you enough for coming," Arianni said to Hawke as she led the way to Keeper Marethari.
"It is no trouble," Hawke replied courteously. "How is Feynriel faring?"
Arianni face dropped, looking as if she would cry. "I am afraid, I do not know how to explain it. His dreams have been troublesome for some time, and was the reason we sought help in the first place. But now… it is even worse."
"Worse?" Hawke asked.
"The Keeper assures me it is not so, yet I feel the demons have taken him."
"Why would you think that?" Anders asked.
Arianni didn't turn as they arrived at a large tent. "We cannot waken him," she said softly as she opened the tent flap, and gestured them inside.
Hawke walked in, noticing the sparse furnishings. Though the space was large there was only a single cot, with Feynriel laying on it. Marethari sat nearby, appearing as if meditating or something similar. She opened her eyes and stood as the group entered the tent.
"Andaran Atishan Hawke," she said.
"Hello Marethari," Hawke replied. "Arianni tells me Feynriel will not wake?" he asked, getting right to the point.
"I am afraid I have not been able to help him as I was wanting to," she replied. "His powers are very rare, and have not been seen in ages."
"Oh?" Hawke asked, looking over at the sleeping boy again.
"He is what we call a Somniari, or a dreamer."
Fenris tensed as he heard this, and Anders gave a low whistle. "What?" Hawke asked turning back. "What does that mean?"
"I've only ever heard about it," Anders replied. "Where most are unaware of being in the fade when dreaming, and mages, though aware, can only somewhat influence the specific piece of the fade they are in… a dreamer has the ability to enter the fade as he chooses, shaping controlling and shaping it around him. If he is powerful enough, he could change others' dreams, or even kill them through their dreams while they sleep, rendering them tranquil."
"I have heard as much," Marethari said sadly. "I have no ability with such powers, and have been unable to help Feynriel in controlling them. With such a power, when in the fade it attracts all demons that are wanting to control him." She looked back at Hawke. "Luckily, most dreamers are frail of mind, and do not survive possession. A Dreamer-Abomination would be nigh unstoppable."
"So I just need to enter the fade and find him?" Hawke asked. "Sounds easy enough."
"The great elves of the Dales were experts in the somniari arts, and with this ritual could send a number of people into the fade, even those without magic. I've recreated it as best as I can, and we will use Arianni here as a focus for Feynriel to return through the veil."
She looked around, for a moment, speaking to everyone. "Excuse us please, I must speak with Hawke alone."
Cat followed the others outside of the tent, hearing Merrill say something about hoping to see the ritual first hand. Anders grabbed her arm, and pulled her away, with Fenris following and blocking them from the others.
"Cat, what can you tell us?" Anders whispered.
Cat glanced around, noting that they didn't have anyone around them, and she leaned forward. "She's asking Hawke to kill him if he gets possessed. It will make him tranquil, but it's better than the alternative," she whispered back.
"I worry about going into the fade," Anders said. "I don't know what will happen, and I've been avoiding it since I merged with Justice."
Cat gave him an understanding smile. "Basically, you'll switch places. Justice will be in control and speaking, and you'll be the passenger just along for the ride."
Anders' face screwed up in a wince, at the thought. "Does Hawke need me to go?" he asked her.
Cat shook her head as she glanced up and around again. "Pretty much everyone that does go is tempted by a demon, and every one gives in to it, except Sebastian, though I am certain he doesn't want to go. Issy won't care, one way or the other, but Aveline will suffer for it, so she shouldn't go either."
"And me?" Fenris asked.
"If Merrill goes, it will target her, not you. But if not, you will be its target," she answered. "Hawke will understand, and forgive. But there is a moment when those that give in fight against Hawke."
"And if neither Merrill or I go?" he asked.
"Um… Varric I think."
"And what about you?" Anders asked Cat. She gave him a shrug in reply, but before she could say anything, Marethari and Hawke stepped out of the tent.
"I believe with the power of the ritual, I can send three or four of you into the fade after Feynriel." Marethari said to Hawke. "Choose carefully, as all will face temptation."
Issy smirked as she glanced over at Hawke. "I never give in to temptation," she said loudly.
"Opinions?" Hawke asked.
"Demons have a hierarchy in the fade as well," Anders said thoughtfully. "The more powerful will have scared off others, so we will face powerful demons there."
"The Keeper said his mind is frail, so the demon will need to convince him to offer himself," Merrill added. "If trying to force possession, his mind will break, and it will kill him."
Marethari smiled at Merrill in pride. "Indeed. The same is also true for you, Hawke. You will need to help him decide to reject their offers. If you simply point it all out, his mind will not be able to handle it."
"Better and better," Hawke muttered.
"I will go... but Anders should not," Fenris said, and everyone looked to him in surprise. "He has a spirit inside of him, and who knows how it will react inside the fade."
Hawke looked thoughtful, and then glanced at Anders who nodded. "Very well," he replied. "Anyone else that should not go?"
"I do not belong in a world of dreams," Sebastian stated. "I will remain here."
Hawke nodded again.
"I think you should have a well rounded team," Anders said. "If Fenris is your warrior, you should also take a rouge, just in case."
"Good idea," Hawke replied. Looking at Varric, who looked less than thrilled at the idea, he turned to Isabela. "Guess you're in Isabela," he said.
"Of course," she said, sauntering over to Fenris. "You need your best after all. Wonder what he dreams about?" she asked him, and Fenris merely shook his head.
"Maybe one more?" Cat asked, thinking that Hawke would be alone if he only took those two, and that could be a recipe for disaster.
"If you wanted to come, you should have just volunteered," Hawke smirked at her.
"Oh! No, I didn't mean me," she replied quickly.
"This should be fun!" Isabela said as she grabbed Cat's arm. "Like old times, eh Kitty?"
"Uh…" Cat had no words as Isabela pulled her forward toward the tent. Fenris gave her a concerned look, but she just shrugged at him. If I give in to a demon, I'll just wake back up here, right? she thought.
"Very well, we will start the ritual. Arianni, I need you in the tent to help Feynriel focus. Everyone else, please relax and let my people know if you need anything." Marethari nodded to those that were staying outside of the tent, as they lowered themselves to the ground, and prepared to wait. Then she followed Hawke and his three companions into the tent.
"If you will all lie down here," she said. "Hawke, next to Feynriel please, and so on." She nodded as they got into place. "Now, close your eyes. When you no longer hear my voice, open your eyes, and you will find yourselves in the fade. You should be nearby Feynriel, and can help him."
Cat listened as Marethari gave her final instructions, wondering what she was going to do when her friends turned to fight against them. Let's be real here, she thought. Most likely, it will be when I turn to fight against them…
Hearing Hawke's voice instead of Marethari's, Cat's eyes flew open. She could have sworn she was still lying down, but as she glanced around the hall, she felt as if she was simultaneously sleeping and awake, and it was very disconcerting. Like a really vivid dream, and she smirked as she pinched her own arm. Ow! Guess I am awake… sort of. So weird!
She looked around to see the others having the same reaction, and hearing Hawke say, "Let's go."
She followed them toward a door, looking back for the floating book, and finding it flitting around. She turned around, and reached after it, giving chase as it stayed out of her reach. She didn't notice until she ran into Fenris that he had turned back to see what she was doing, and had caught the book without a problem, and handed it to her with a smirk.
"Not fair," she told him with a smile. "Your arms are longer than mine."
"Oh yes?" he asked. "It had nothing to do with being faster than a floating book?"
"Not at all," she grinned, as she looked down at the book. She looked up as she felt the others approach, giving Hawke a small smile. "Sorry, I saw a floating book," she said by way of an explanation.
"So you decided to catch it?" he asked with a smirk.
"Well yeah, who wouldn't?" she asked in reply, with a grin, and held out the book for him.
He smiled back as he took it, and Cat had to remind herself not to blush. We've been through all of that, remember? she told herself.
"Whoa," Hawke said, and Cat reached out to steady him, as he looked a little wobbly.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yeah… I just opened it, and felt strange."
"Strange how?" she asked, as Fenris took the book from him and he and Isabela looked through it.
"Like… like a thousand thoughts all coming to me at once."
"Hmm… that is strange."
"I do not feel that," Fenris said, as he continued to leaf through the book.
"Well, all I did was open it," Hawke said as he grabbed the book back. He randomly opened to another page, but looked disappointed. "Nothing happened."
"Whatever it was, it seemed it only happened once," Isabela commented. "Should we continue?"
"Yeah," Hawke replied. "Let's go."
Cat shot glances at Hawke as they walked, wondering what it was that had happened. In the game, there were small puzzles that gained Hawke attribute points, making him stronger or learning a new spell. But here? Cat was flummoxed, wondering if completing the barrel puzzled would give the same result.
As they approached the room with the first barrel puzzle, Cat decided to try.
Hawke looked in the room, and left the door wide. "Huh, just some random barrels. That's strange to have them here in a dream, isn't it?"
She glanced in the room, then said, "Perhaps Feynriel likes puzzles."
The other three looked back at her in confusion. "Why would you say that?" Hawke asked.
She pointed back at the room. "The barrels were set up in a puzzle. You try to move all the smaller barrels to the top and the large to the bottom in fifteen moves or less."
"So, it's some kind of game?" Isabela said, looking dubious. "Feynriel didn't seem the type…"
"Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try," Cat said. "Perhaps it will give us more insight into Feynriel's character?"
Hawke seemed doubtful, but he turned back anyway, not wanting to let something simple hinder him from helping the lad. "So I just switch the top and bottom barrels?" he asked as he walked over to them.
"One barrel at a time, and you can only move it one space, not through other barrels." Cat explained as she walked over. "See this empty space on the end? That's the only place you can move something to."
"Oh, I get it." Hawke stood for a long moment looking over the puzzle in front of him. "Okay, got it." He started moving barrels one by one, and Cat counted his moves aloud.
"and Fourteen." Cat finished as Hawke moved his last barrel into place. "You win."
Hawke turned to face her, and she watched, fascinated, as his eyes blinked rapidly. It seemed like it was uncontrolable, and she wondered what was happening.
"Hawke?" she asked. She repeated her same question from earlier, "you okay?"
Hawke swayed slightly as his eyelids stopped their movement. "What was that?" he asked.
"How do you feel?" she questioned, as Fenris and Isabela walked over.
"What is going on here?" Isabela asked, looking around.
"Hawke won… and got… a reward?" Cat said. "I think?"
"Got something anyway," Hawke mumbled. He stood upright, and looked around at them. "I think… it's hard to describe, but I feel like my mana reserves just increased."
"What?" Fenris asked.
"I know…" Hawke replied with a smirk. "I'm having a hard time believing it myself."
"Well, maybe we should look around some more," Isabela said, as she started out of the room. The others followed behind her, hearing her call out from the hallway. "Found some more barrels!"
Cat followed Fenris and Hawke into the next room, looking at the four red barrels lined up with the regular ones. "Strange…" she murmured.
"Should someone else try this one?" Hawke asked.
"We are not mages," Fenris answered.
"True, but…" Hawke paused. "Okay, I guess I'll go again." He walked forward to look at the barrels. "Cat?" he asked. "You know what the point of this one is?"
"Uh, stacking the red barrels in the center?" she replied.
"Are you just guessing?" he asked with a frown.
"Sort of?" she replied again, and he looked back at her crossly.
"Fine, we'll try that then." He took a few minutes again to stare at the puzzle then began moving the barrels. Upon completion, he called out, "Whoa!" and fell over.
"Hawke!?" the three of them cried, moving over to help him.
As they sat him up, he grinned, and they were all taken aback.
"You okay?" Cat asked yet again.
"Never better," Hawke replied as he moved to stand. "I think I just figured out that healing spell."
"What?" Fenris asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, it's strange, but I was thinking that I'd prefer to know more spells instead of having a bigger mana pool. And it just came to me, in a flash. I know what I've been doing wrong."
"Well, how about you wait on trying until you're back with Anders, just in case…" Isabela said, giving Cat and Fenris a look that said she thought Hawke had gone crazy.
"Yeah, we should find Feynriel," Cat agreed.
"Okay!" Hawke grinned, and started down the hallway to a final door. Cat could see the baffled looks on her friends' faces, before she smiled and followed after him.
"Oops…" Hawke said snarkily to the demon. "That's my bad. You see, I was trying to help, honest."
"Oh? Then you won't mind if I help your pets find another path as well…" the demon said as it floated over to Cat and Isabela. "You think your pirate queen would stay with you? If she had a ship and crew waiting?"
"Why?" Isabela smirked at it. "You happen to have any extra laying around?"
"Indeed," the demon purred. "A two mast brigantine, and a hundred eager lads," she offered. "I've named it, the Siren's Call two."
"It has a nice ring," Isabela offered, though Cat could tell she was entranced with the idea.
"It's all yours my pet. All I want in return is help in a fight."
"I do like fights," Isabela said, and the demon turned her to face the others of her group.
"Just the two of us, against the three of them… and the ship is yours."
"Issy…" Cat said half warning, half pleading. Isabela glanced over, and something crossed her expression.
"I won't fight that one," she said to the demon.
"Very well, just the other two then," it replied, tilting it's head as it peered at Cat.
"Wow, I've never had anyone talk out their plan of stabbing me in the back right in front of me before," Hawke said sarcastically to Isabela. "Should I just turn around so you don't have to strain yourself?"
"You are just the sweetest," Isabela said with a smirk, as she pulled her daggers out. "You know me well enough to know what's best for me comes first."
"No!" Cat yelled as Isabela threw a smoke bomb at her own feet, disappearing into stealth. She glanced around, trying to spot her, and found the desire demon approaching her.
"She desires your safety as much as you desire hers," the demon said with a smile. "But yours is broader is it not? Wanting the safety of the others as well."
"So?" Cat spat back. "That only happens when you're gone." She reached back, pulling out her own daggers, and pointing them at the demon.
"I am more powerful than the others you have encountered," it said. "I can actually give you what you desire." It circled around her, and she followed without letting her daggers fall. "Your life? Your home? This can all be a dream…"
"Don't listen to it!" Fenris yelled out. "Fight it!"
"Your mother and father… they miss you," it cooed at her. "They have never given up hope of seeing you again."
"They are not all…" it said softly, and Cat felt her arms getting heavy, and her eyes filling.
Hawke looked back, seeing Cat's arms lower slowly. "You got this?" he asked Fenris who nodded, as Isabela charged at him.
His tattoos flared, and he reached out and grabbed her throat, even as her daggers pierced his arms. He gave a hard twist with his wrist, feeling her neck snap, and then his hand was suddenly empty, as if she had not been there in the first place. He winced as he pulled the dagger from his arm, watching as it turned to smoke where he dropped it.
Hawke went for the demon, almost flinging lightning in his haste, but quickly pulling back before he did something that would hurt Cat. He moved his staff and called his mana to form stone, waiting until the demon moved into the perfect spot to send a large stonefist directly at it.
"Your husband," the demon said, and Hawke's eyes widened in shock, as he saw Cat's face crumble. "He misses you so… and continues to look for you. I can take you there, you can see how he has changed, how he realized how much he needs you."
Hawke shook himself out of his stupor as Cat fell to her knees and sobbed. He shot his stone fist, taking the demon away from Cat, and followed through with attack after attack until the demon was no more.
Turning back, panting from the exertion, he saw Cat was hugging Fenris tightly, as he rubbed circles on her back. He waited, until Cat was calm before he spoke.
"We should move on," he said softly.
"Cat, I want you to wait here," Fenris said quietly.
"But-"
"I don't want you to be near another demon right now," he interrupted her. "I don't want you to see me give in to such weakness, and I most assuredly do not want to have to fight you. Please."
Cat glanced up at his face, then over at Hawke, who was waiting at the door. She stepped back with a nod. "I'll be out here," she said gesturing to the hallway they had entered.
Fenris nodded, and strode over to where Hawke waited. "Good idea," Hawke told him quietly. "I was worried as well."
Fenris acknowledged him, wishing he could apologize in advance for what would happen, wishing that he could be stronger… but he just gestured to the door. "Shall we?"
Cat waited for what seemed like an eternity, until she heard the footsteps in the hall. She threw open the door in front of her, and saw Hawke alone, looking so forlorn that she wanted to just wrap him up in a hug.
"I'm sorry…" she said as he neared her.
"It's not your fault," he replied. "I hope… they are not tranquil. They aren't mages, so they should be all right… I think."
"I think you're right about that," she answered. "Do you want to take a break before we go see Feynriel?"
"Yes, but I don't want to be here any longer than I must," he said. "Let's go."
They walked out into the main hall, and saw Feynriel looking around in confusion.
"Feynriel?" Cat asked, and he turned to them.
"Is it really you?" he asked. "If so, then it is the second time I owe you my life, both of you." He looked around, a look of awe on his face. "The fade… seems different now. I can see the seams, where the dreams of others are stitched together."
"If you do not master your powers, demons will continue to hunt you," Hawke stated bluntly. "The Keeper has said that she cannot give you what you need here."
"Then there is only one option left," Feynriel said. "There must be someone in Tevinter that can help me."
"Be careful of who you trust there," Cat warned. "There are many that would use you even as the demons wanted to."
Feynriel's face fell. "I… I don't know what else to do."
"I think you were right," Cat replied. "You can find help there, just do not trust too easily." She paused wondering quickly if she was making some sort of horrendous mistake. "Uh, I don't know many magisters, but…"
He looked up, hopeful. "But?"
"I know of a family by the name of Pavus. They are good people, and do not practice blood magic. I have only heard of them though, so I cannot give you a letter of introduction or anything."
"It is more than I had a moment ago," Feynriel replied looking more confidant. "Thank you my friends." He turned and with a wave of his hand, the fade swirled in front of them, and he stepped through.
"You're just one surprise after another," Hawke said, and Cat glanced over at him. He was still watching where Feynriel had left.
"Oh?" she asked. "I thought you were used to me bursting into tears in front of desire demons by this point."
The corner of his lip rose, but he just shook his head. "It's nothing to be upset about," he told her. "They pluck things from our minds and hearts and display them before us, as if they were possible." He turned now to look at her, but she had begun to look at the ground. "Many do not see it for what it is, let alone fight against it." He snorted. "Just look at Isabela."
Cat glanced up now, worried. "Please don't be mad at her," she said. "I know she can be impetuous, but she wouldn't truly betray you."
"What did she think that was, a dream?" Hawke asked sarcastically. He took in her worried expression, and smiled. "I'm not mad. She's been up front all along, and I've known that once she gets a ship, she'll be gone." He paused. "And so will you."
"Uh…" Cat wasn't sure what to say. She didn't ever think about what would happen in the future, but she was fairly certain she wouldn't be sailing off with Isabela… unless she was going to meet up with Duran… Ugh, this is why I don't want to think about it!
She didn't get a chance to say anything, as she watched Hawke fade in front of her, and she opened her eyes to see Fenris and Isabela sitting beside her prone form.
"You're back!" Isabela cried out. "It's about time!"
"Your friends awoke here some time ago," Marethari said with a smile. "As did Feynriel. He told us of his plans, and I must agree." She gave Hawke and Cat a nod in respect. "You accomplished a miracle with him. Ma Serannas!"
Hawke took a deep breath, and stood. "Our pleasure," he replied, and turning, left the tent. Fenris and Isabela both looked at Cat, who shrugged.
"Probably just wants some fresh air," she suggested. "Actually… that sounds kind of wonderful right now." She squeezed her friends' hands as they helped her stand, and escorted her out of the tent.