"Here Cat," Fenris said as he handed her a goblet half-full of wine.
"Oh, now we're having the good stuff?" she teased him, as she settled in a large chair in the main room of their house, and reached for the glass.
"Normally wouldn't and you know it, but you hardly had anything earlier," he said. "You're too worried about Zevran."
"Why?" Anders asked, even as he got comfortable in a chair, and accepted a glass from Fenris with a nod of gratitude. "He's one of the most capable people I've ever met."
"Yes, but he's not invincible," Cat argued, giving Fenris a smirk as he settled in his own chair with the rest of the bottle instead of a glass.
"He is undoubtedly keeping his distance in order to keep all of us safe, especially you," Fenris said, pointing at her with the bottle, and Cat couldn't find fault with his theory.
"So, Cat, what's this about?" Anders asked. "I've got… some things to take care of tonight."
"Well, I figured I'd better let you know what I spoke to Duran about," Cat said, smiling as the two of them both leaned forward, their interest peaked.
"I'm sure you could explain better, and I'll try not to give away warden secrets," she continued, seeing Anders' concerned look, and Fenris' eyes widen slightly. "Suffice it to say that Duran and his wardens dealt with a sentient darkspawn, back when Anders was with them," she explained to Fenris. "It was one of the original magisters that tried to find the Maker's seat, and was corrupted for it."
"Cat, don't be ridiculous, that's only Chantry rhetoric," Anders replied with a frown. She looked up at him, sympathetically, and he spluttered. "Are you saying it isn't?!" he asked.
"I'm saying that they were mages from ancient Tevinter, and something turned them into darkspawn," she answered. "And he wasn't the only one, nor the only one that the wardens have dealt with," she answered.
She turned back to Fenris to explain. "The problem with these original darkspawn, is that since they were the first to have the blight they also have some control over it," she continued. "And when struck down, some can simply moved their essence to another blighted creature, which makes them essentially immortal, especially when considering the wardens were the ones dealing with them."
Anders stood hastily. "Are you saying the Architect is still alive?!" he asked in horror.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know for sure," she answered. "But I would guess that it is likely."
"If this isn't about the Architect, what is it about?" Anders asked, sitting back down, but looking disturbed, taking a large gulp of his wine.
"Another of those sentient darkspawn," she replied. "The wardens that came across him long ago found that they couldn't kill him, so they put him in a prison out in the wastes, with all sorts of spells and traps to prevent escape, as well as spells to keep him asleep… using blood magic."
They looked concerned, but stayed quiet so she continued. "Since he seemed to control any tainted creature, they worried that he would be able to undo any spells created by a warden. And so every fifty years, they find an untainted mage, and force them to recast the blood magic spells, strengthening the wards on the prison."
"Unscrupulous, but it makes a strange sort of sense," Anders said, though she could see his distaste.
"Yes, by using blood magic, it makes the spells vulnerable only with the blood of the person casting them, so in order to undo them, anyone trying would have to find the original caster, or one of his descendants.
"About thirty years ago, the warden commander caught an apostate and forced him to perform the spells, though he refused at first. The commander threatened him using his lover who was pregnant with his first child."
She saw the two men look at each other, and then back to her.
"Someone is trying to free this sentient darkspawn?" Anders asked in trepidation.
"And is looking for that child to undo the spells?" Fenris asked.
"You two are quick," Cat said, taking a drink of wine. "That apostate was Malcolm Hawke."
There was a few beats of silence, before Anders spoke up. "You've got to be kidding me."
"I really wish I was."
"Hawke cannot catch a break," Anders continued, scrubbing his hand over his face.
"No, he can't. He's involved in everything that happens with Kirkwall, as well as many other things. And it continues for years."
"With Malcolm Hawke dead, these people need either Hawke or Carver's blood," Fenris said, and Cat nodded.
"The problem being that the darkspawn will not die even if Hawke kills it, especially because of the wardens' involvement. So I explained all this to Duran, and asked for his opinion as a warden commander. He wants to deal with it permanently, not just continue to find mages to perform the spells, and will come to help when the people eventually come after Carver or Hawke."
They were silent again, and she waited, wanting to hear their thoughts.
"I guess what I'm wondering," Anders started, looking uncertain. "Is why you still haven't told Hawke- about everything. He can handle the truth, and I think he should know about this."
That wasn't what she was expecting, being confronted with something that she was already struggling with, and it made her defensive.
"You think I haven't thought of that?" she asked with a frown. "You think I don't feel terrible hiding this from him?"
"I'm sure that you do, knowing who you are," Anders replied. "But I have to wonder what's stopping you."
She paused, stamping down her temper, and trying to truly help them see what an agonizing decision it was.
"How mad was Hawke when he found out about what Issy and I were keeping from him?" she asked, and both men remembered when they discovered the letter from Isabela. How she was leaving, and that she had always known what the relic was.
"He destroyed a building…" Fenris muttered. "Like it was nothing, and it did nothing to calm him."
Cat stopped, gaping at him, unaware that that had happened. It was even worse than I imagined…
"How upset will he be to find that all of his struggles could have been avoided?" she asked, standing up to pace around the room. "To know that I could have warned him about his brother getting the blight sickness? Just how grateful do you imagine he would be to hear that?!"
They were quiet, as she obviously had been thinking about this for awhile.
"Not to mention how he wouldn't trust me after that… always wondering what I wasn't telling him. I know both of you think that all the time- don't try to tell me you don't."
"Cat-" Anders started, but she continued on without hearing him.
"Added to that, where would he be if I HAD stepped in?!" she asked desperately. "Would he even be Champion? Would he have had to fight the Arishok? And if not, he would still be the same man, trying to help everyone! Meredith would have gotten to him by now without his title to protect him. So he'd be tranquil? Or in the Gallows? Or on the run?"
Her voice cracked on that last one, and she crumpled back down into her seat, taking a few deep breaths.
"How exactly do I explain that? That I chose to let him suffer? Even knowing that he needed to be the Champion, even knowing that Carver is happier where he is, just how glad will he be to hear me say it?"
"But if you love him…" Anders said, though, he was feeling awful for even bringing the subject up. He could see that she was suffering because of the same thoughts herself.
"He won't stay here forever," she said softly. "Soon, he will be forced to leave, in order to keep the Divine from marching on the city. And he won't take me with him."
Both of them wanted to argue with her on that point, but she looked up at them, the misery on her face keeping them quiet. "He's said enough for me to know that. I just want to have all the time I can with him… is that so bad?" She pleaded with them, wishing they could somehow agree with her decision so that she could feel slightly better about it, even knowing that they wouldn't.
They didn't have an answer, and didn't have time to think of one, as the front door opened, and Hawke walked through the foyer and into the room.
"Hey," he called. He walked up to Cat, picking her up, just enjoying the feel of her. She clung tightly to him, and he looked over her, glaring down at the other two. "What happened?" he demanded.
"Uh…" Anders' mouth hung open, but Fenris was quick to reply.
"She's worried about Zevran," he replied quietly, quickly explaining what the elf had done earlier.
"I see," Hawke replied, sitting in the chair he had plucked Cat from, still holding her. His hand rubbed her back and he whispered comforting words to her. "I'm certain he's fine," he continued as he felt her snuggle into him, though her grip relaxed. "If you'd like, we can go looking for him if he isn't back in the morning."
Cat gave a sigh, just enjoying the feel and smell of him surrounding her. It never failed to comfort her. "That sounds good," she murmured.
Anders cleared his throat, and stood, and Hawke looked over to him in question. "If you have time, I could use someone to deliver my tonics to the Rose," he asked. "I have a mission tonight, and was going to try to get there before hand, but I'm already running later than I'd like."
"No problem," Hawke replied with a smile. "That the crate I almost tripped over in the foyer?"
"That's the one," Anders answered, returning Hawke's smile. "I appreciate it. I can get the new order when I return."
"I don't see why I can't take the order as well," Hawke replied. His features fell as he looked at his friend. "You'll be cautious won't you?" he asked in concern, and Anders nodded. "I mean it," Hawke continued. "They're really pushing to catch you all."
"I'll be very careful," Anders answered. "I have too much to do to get caught." He gave Hawke a grin, and a nod to him and Fenris. He walked over, giving Cat's hair a tousle. "Take care Cat, and don't worry. Everything will be all right."
"Thanks Anders," she replied, looking up to give him a smile. "I don't know how successful a prison break out of the Gallows would be, so watch yourself."
"It means everything just to know that you'd try," he replied with a smirk. "But I would never make you go there." He waved as he walked away, and was soon out of the house.
Cat gave a yawn, the wine at home much more potent than that at the Hanged Man, and Hawke merely gathered her up. "Time for bed, I think," he murmured, and she gave him a smile.
"It's just the wine, I'm still awake," she answered him, even as he moved towards the stairs.
"You okay Fenris?" she asked, looking back towards him.
He was looking at her in concern, and her smile fell. "Yes, though I've got a few things on my mind, so I'll be up for a bit."
"Don't stay up all night," Hawke replied with a chuckle. "You get a little cranky without sleep."
"Hmph," Fenris gave a grunt, but couldn't help but smile slightly. He couldn't help his concern. Yes, Cat was the sister of his heart, but if he would ever call another a brother, that man would be Hawke. He was no longer concerned if they would separate… now it seemed to only be a matter of when.
He heard Hawke mumble something, and Cat give a giggle, and he decided abruptly that he needed a walk. He gave them a moment, knowing that Cat would worry about him if she knew he was leaving. Once they were behind the closed door of her room, he stood, gathering his weapon from beside his chair, and heading quietly out of the door.
He spent much of the time wandering, though if he were willing to be honest with himself, he knew where he was heading. He planned to simply walk by, but seeing the light in the window had him coming closer. He paused, wondering for the umpteenth time if this was a good idea, and finally knocked softly on the door.
He was ready to turn away when the door opened.
"Fenris?" Nyssa asked, surprised, yet pleased to see him. "I'm not quite that fast with the mending," she teased him.
"Uh, that wasn't… I mean, no, I wasn't…" he stammered, and she smiled, enjoying his flustering.
"Would you like to come in?" she asked. He looked torn, but when he finally looked at her again, and her cheeks flushed he simply nodded.
"I would… yes."
He thought to simply let her know what was happening with Zevran, so that she didn't worry when he didn't come to her that night, but he found himself keeping silent about the other elf.
He realized as he followed her over to the small kitchen, where her only chairs were, that he felt much the same way as he did when at home with Cat. Soothed, yet he couldn't say that he was at ease, exactly.
"How are your friends?" she asked him, and he focused on her, seeing her blush again, wondering if he was making her uncomfortable.
"Fine, for the most part," he replied, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly as he saw her start to make tea, a habit for her whenever he stopped by.
"Cat is all right?" she asked, concerned, turning away before her entire face went red. She had a hard time acting normal when he gazed at her like that. Like he was immersed in her, and nothing else could tear his attention away. She had to keep her hands busy, or she worried about what she'd want to do with them.
"Fine," he replied. "Hawke is with her."
"Ah," she answered with a slow smile. "It's nice to see them so happy."
"We have been glad to see you so happy as well," he replied.
She turned, scrutinizing him, though his expression was blank. She placed a cup in front of him, with the tea leaves at the bottom, and poured the hot water over them. She felt that she didn't owe him an explanation, yet wanted to give one anyway.
"It's not the same," she replied. "Zevran has been a great comfort, but I have few illusions of it being more than that."
He looked up with a frown, unsure of how to respond to that. "You have been through much lately," he said vaguely.
"Yes, though that isn't all about Huon. I hadn't seen him in years, and we would have had to get to know each other again. I guess I just really wanted to be looked at as a woman again, instead of just a seamstress."
He looked up, surprised. "You've never been just a seamstress," he said, frowning down at his cup. He looked up in surprise again as her hand covered his, and he pulled away, though forced himself to do so gently.
She looked disappointed. "Thank you for saying that," she said, forcing a smile on her face.
He wrenched back emotionally, feeling like he was being pulled towards her somehow, and he didn't like the feeling of not being in control of himself.
"I simply wanted to let you know that Zevran may not come to you tonight," he said, looking away. "He's pursuing some men that were following us earlier today."
"You need not worry about me," she said, pulling back as well as she felt the distance. "I do not expect him- then it is a surprise when he arrives. But I thank you all the same for thinking of me."
Fenris frowned, feeling the sudden coolness of distance, learning well from his time with Cat as to what it meant.
"I didn't mean to upset you."
She looked up, seeing his confusion and concern, and she sighed. Deciding that she'd need to spell it out, she raised her cup for a soothing drink. "I'm not upset," she replied. "I had long ago thought that I was to be alone the rest of my life. That changed when Cat came into our shop, and I met her friends."
She put her cup down and looked straight at him. "I thought that you knew how I was feeling Fenris, and I understand that you didn't feel the same. So when Zev came, it was like I finally felt like I was desirable, something that I had let go of long ago. I'm sorry if that upsets you, but I don't regret it."
He looked confused. "How you were feeling?" he asked, and his eyes went wide as he understood. He leaned back, looking slightly panicked, and Nyssa raised an eyebrow. That was a reaction that she hadn't been expecting.
"Well, yes, but I understand that you don't want more than friendship," she said cautiously, not wanting to spook him.
"It… it isn't…" he stammered, and where she normally would have smiled at flustering him, she looked concerned at the miserable expression he wore.
He placed the cup down, and stood, moving over to the door. He stopped at the threshold, though he didn't turn back. "It's not a matter of want," he said quietly. "That is something I am incapable of giving." Opening the door, he went through it, closing it softly behind him.
Nyssa sat where she was, looking at the door, and putting her elbow on the table, and her chin in her hand. She wasn't quite sure what to make of that conversation, it had only succeeding in confusing her.
Anders came back to himself as he hid, the sensation of knowing what had happened, yet not being the one in control of his own body still took some getting used to, and he really didn't want to, so he pushed it away.
He was panting, yet he had to be silent, worried that the templars were still pursuing him. He looked up, angry tears of frustration pooling in his eyes. He hit his head on the wall behind himself gently several times, wishing he could scream out his frustrations.
They knew we were coming! Someone must have betrayed us! he thought in despair. Though he had no idea how the templars could have known. The underground had moved on impulse, and now the majority of them were either dead or being led back to the Gallows.
He was certain that Justice was the only reason that he and a few others had escaped, and if the looks the other survivors had given him were any indication, his secret was known by many of the mages now. It was only a matter of time before the templars were convinced he was some kind of abomination that needed to be put down.
Are you thinking that you're not? his mind said sarcastically. How many templars did you kill without a thought? Isn't that what abominations do?
He shook his head, not wanting to think about it now. Why should he care anyway? He had never cared when templars were killed before. Though you weren't the one slaughtering them then, were you? he thought.
He wanted to get home, though he knew he wouldn't stay there. He had to warn Adrius, and both of them needed to get out, and fast. He had no idea how much time he had.
What he really wanted was to get to Hawke. Hawke would know what to do, right? Hawke always knew what to do.
Anders grit his teeth, trying not to see the images of his fellow mages dying, or being hit with the templars' smites, but his mind kept conjuring them.
Not now… he told himself. You can torment yourself once you're free, and Adrius is safely away. Then you can dwell on the mistakes of tonight.
Taking a couple of steeling breaths, Anders wiped his face, and listening for pursuers, took off towards his clinic.
Cat cleaned up the kitchen, wondering what was going on with Fenris. He was even more sullen than normal, yet he was unwilling to talk about it, even to her and Hawke. True, he wasn't the type to confide everything, but she knew that he was still fragile- emotionally. Even if he didn't like to think so.
Determining to corner him later, she let go of her concern for him, and her weighty thoughts turned again to Hawke, as it did whenever she found herself alone.
A thudding on the front door pulled her out of her head, and she moved into the other room to answer it. Pulling out a blade that she hid behind her, just in case, she opened the door and peered out. And her jaw dropped.
"C- Cullen?" she asked, unbelieving.
"Hello Cat," he replied as he skittishly looked around.
"What are you-" she started, only to have him push through the door.
"No time," he said in a rush, closing the door behind him. She had backed up in surprise, and he saw the dagger in her hand. He nodded to her. "I'm glad that you are taking precautions," he said, listening at the door just in case.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"Whatever do you mean?" he asked with a sarcastic chuckle, which had her goggling at him.
"You're joking, right?" she asked, looking at him pointedly. "You show up at my door in… normal clothes instead of armor, and bull your way inside, and you think that's nothing?"
He sighed, rubbing a gloved hand over his face. "Of course I was joking," he said gesturing to have her walk ahead of him further into the house. "And I'm wearing these, normal clothes in an attempt to disguise where I was going. I told the Knight Commander that I needed to purchase a birthday present for my sister."
"Did you get one?" Cat asked, the smile blooming on her face.
"Of course not, I came directly here," he said, baffled.
"If you don't come back with one, she'll be suspicious…" Cat warned. "If she didn't already have you followed.
"If she did, then I'll simply tell her I needed a woman's opinion."
Cat nodded, it was a good plan. "I think I have a few things that could work as a present," she said. "That way your sister will actually hear from you."
Cullen flushed. "I wasn't going to really send something…" he murmured.
"Yes I know, but you should," she replied with a grin. "Now, what's the real reason you came?" she asked. "What's happened?"
"Where's the Champion?" he asked, looking around.
"He and Fenris went looking for Zevran," she answered. "He took off yesterday, and we're worried that he may be in over his head."
"The assassin?" Cullen asked, and she nodded. "He seems the sort to be able to handle anything that comes at him, even from the shadows," he said, but nodded. "In that case, he may not have heard either."
"Heard what?" she asked, leading him to the kitchen, and pushing his shoulder to get him to sit. She pulled out the remains from their breakfast, as well as some drinks, and put them in front of him, then sat across from him. "Tell me," she said, focusing on him.
He reached up, rubbing at the back of his neck, as he wondered how to tell her. Straight out, he decided.
"There was a raid on the Gallows last night," he said, looking at her suddenly grave. "Many mages died, and many more apostates were captured."
Cat gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "What…" She desperately wanted to ask about Anders, but worried about asking about him if he hadn't been one of the ones captured or killed. "Uh, what happened?" she asked.
"From what we could tell, it was the group responsible for all the escapes," he said. "They discovered a way into the Gallows through the tunnels leading to the Undercity."
"How did you find them?" she asked.
"After the last time, Meredith posted guard rotations in the tunnels," he replied. "They were able to raise the alarm." He looked at her, seeming to be conflicted in what he was saying.
"Look Cat," he said, looking straight at her. "I don't know what your connection to this group is, nor the Champion's. But I needed to tell you, that you need to cut ties now. The mage underground is in pieces. Those that aren't dead are already being made tranquil, and anything they know will soon be known by the Knight Commander."
He looked sorrowful now, as he warned her. "You have time to run before she comes for you."
Now she understood, Cullen thought that she was a part of the mage underground, and was risking himself in order to get her away before Meredith came to arrest her.
She smiled tightly, and put her hand on his arm. "Cullen, I have absolutely no reason to run," she said, and his hands went into fists. "Not because of whatever you're thinking," she said, and he looked at her in confusion. "I'm not a part of the mage underground, Cullen."
He stared at her for a moment, then closed his eyes with a sigh of relief. "Thank the Maker," he breathed. He put his hands to his face, scrubbing them over his brow. "I've never been so relieved." He looked back to her in question. "And the Champion?"
"He may have listened to them, but he didn't join them," she said. "Any who says otherwise would have a hard time proving it." She thought quickly, and decided she had to ask. "What makes you think that I was?" she asked. "Do I know someone that was a part of it?"
"Not specifically," he said, and breathed a sigh of relief. "But I suppose I assumed so after Adrius escaped," he said sheepishly. "I am sorry that I doubted you."
"No apologies needed," she answered. "I know that it is difficult to believe, but I really am not taking sides. There are changes needed, but I think it is the viewpoints that need to change, one side over the other."
"The more I see, the more I feel that may be impossible," he replied, giving her a small smile. "Though I will continue to hope that it could happen."
They both turned, hearing the door open, and Cullen tensed in his seat. Cat heard Hawke call her name, and she called out, "in here! I had a friend show up to visit."
Hawke and Fenris walked into the kitchen, and Hawke stopped short at seeing a strange man sitting at the table. Fenris crashed into him from behind, and gave Hawke a push forward.
"Cat, who is this?" Hawke asked as he moved to her, seeing her smirk at him. He looked across at the man, and did a double take. "Knight Captain?" he said in shock. "But… you look almost… normal. Did you finally tire of the templars?" he asked with a grin.
Cullen gave him a dry look. "I am normal," he replied. "And no, but it's not like I wear the armor all the time."
"Could have fooled me," Hawke muttered to Fenris. "And here I thought that Meredith would never let you too far away from her clutches," he said to Cullen.
"You can hardly blame her for disliking you," Cullen retorted. "It's as if you've become less of a friend to the templars since your assent to Champion."
"From what I hear, everyone thinks the Knight Commander has gone crazy," Hawke replied. "And you're still supporting her?"
"The people ask to much of her," Cullen answered, though without any heat. "She needs a spine of iron to survive her position. I have seen madness before, in the Ferelden circle. I saw Uldred's eyes when there was nothing human left in them."
Cullen gave a shudder, but he looked back up to Hawke. "The Knight Commander… she isn't there yet. But I do not have to ask where the rumors come from."
He saw the sad smile that Cat was giving him, even as she reached up to cover the hand that Hawke placed on her shoulder.
"I told myself," Cullen continued. "That after Ferelden, I would never again question the purpose of the order. But it grows harder each day to tell whether I am serving the templars, or simply the Knight Commander. It may be… that they are no longer one and the same."
"Cullen," Cat said softly, and he looked up to her sympathetic face. "Just follow what you know to be right," she said. "You can do that, can't you?"
"Yes," he replied taking a deep breath. "That I can do."
"I will warn you, Champion, to watch yourself. Meredith is intent on finding a reason to arrest you. Do not give her one."
"Thank you Knight Captain," Hawke replied, giving him a nod.
"I must go," Cullen said, standing up.
"Wait, I'll get you that present," Cat replied, hurrying away and up the stairs. The men went into the main room, the three of them seeming more comfortable in silence then trying to talk.
Cat returned shortly, a fancy bauble imprinted with the sigil of Kirkwall that she had purchased on a whim one day in order to give some needed coin to the merchant. She had a collection of such things, but wasn't too attached that she couldn't part with it.
Cullen looked it over, and gave a chuckle. "I'm sure she'll find no use for this," he told Cat.
"Frivolous things needn't have a use," she replied with a grin. "You can tell her that your friend picked it out if you want."
"Be sure that I will, otherwise she'll want to know how I came to choose it," he said with a smirk. "Of course, if I say a friend chose it, she'll insist on knowing all about said friend."
"I like writing letters," Cat replied. "You can always tell her to just write to me directly."
"You may regret those words," Cullen replied. "Farewell."
He gave a nod to the two men, and headed out the door.
"So what was that about?" Hawke asked. He looked down at Cat, seeing her expression grave.
"He thought there was a chance that I was a part of the mage underground," Cat replied. "He was warning me to run while I had the chance, because the underground has been wiped out."
"Calm down Little Dove," Varric said for the tenth time.
"I just don't understand why I couldn't go!" Cat snarled, pacing the room in agitation.
"Because-" Varric started.
"I know!" Cat interrupted him. "But that doesn't mean I agree with it!"
"No one said you had to," Varric answered, looking up at her from his seat, even as she gave him a nasty look. "Just sit down, write a letter or something," he suggested.
"Yeah, right," she muttered. As if that was the answer to her restlessness.
She continued to pace the room, even as the rest of the crew began to show, and Varric explained the situation to each of them, and they began to think of ways to hide Anders and Adrius in the city.
By the time that Hawke returned with Anders, Cat was ready to tear her hair out. Seeing them enter the room, had her flying at them, gripping Anders tightly.
"I was so worried!" she mumbled into his shoulder.
"I'm sorry for causing you to worry," he replied softly. "I was a little uncertain of if I was being followed or not, and I didn't want to make you come to the Gallows after me."
"Yeah, I guess that was a good plan," she said with a laugh.
"Hawke said that the Knight Captain came to warn you?" he asked.
"Yes, and he told me that I didn't know anyone that they captured, but I was still worried. Cullen may put my safety above his own, but that doesn't mean Meredith wouldn't manipulate him to use me."
"In this case, it seems he was correct," Hawke said loudly enough for everyone gathered to hear. "We saw no sign of templars anywhere near the clinic, nor as we walked here."
"Adrius?" Cat asked.
"Decided to stay at the clinic. We had a few sick people there, and he didn't want to abandon them," Anders answered, and Cat nodded.
"So what's the deal?" Isabela asked.
Hawke had them sit, and explained about the fall of the mage underground. Merrill and Anders were obviously the most upset, but it seemed that Varric and Isabela weren't thrilled with the news either.
"It's a wonder that there will be any mages left at this rate," Cat muttered. "Soon there will just be templars and tranquil."
"That's not all," Fenris spoke up, and they looked to him.
"We think we know where Zev is," Hawke said with a smile.
"You do?" Cat asked, relieved.
"Yes, when we delivered the tonics to the Rose earlier, we were stopped by some men from Antiva."
"Men from Antiva?" Isabela asked incredulously. "You realize that if they were looking for Zev, they were undoubtedly Crows."
"Obviously," Hawke replied dryly.
"Well, at least you know then."
"The man said his name was Nuncio… uh, well, I didn't remember the rest, but it was long and sounded foolish. Anyway, Nuncio gave us a story about this wicked murderer who killed his sister and how he's been following him all over the world trying to stop his evil deeds. Then he told us he was hiding among the dalish, so they couldn't get to him. But since WE had connections there…"
"So they want us to do all the work huh?" Isabela asked with a smirk.
"So it would seem," Fenris replied sullenly.
"Aww, did Hawke not let you kill someone that you wanted to Fenris?" Isabela teased. "You're brooding more than usual."
Fenris gave her a glare, but stayed silent.
"So," Cat said, gaining attention. "We're going out to the dalish to get Zev?" she asked.
"Yes," Hawke replied. "But you need to change into your armor. Most likely we'll end up fighting Crows again."