Cat did the only thing she could think of, and hid. Cyril wouldn't be out long she was certain, and when he came to, he would be looking for her.

Don't think about it, she told herself. She couldn't afford to be sick right now, hidden among the large bushes that were lining the courtyard. Someone- anyone! could hear her if she started puking.

Tears tracked down her face, and she willed them away. She didn't have the time to cry, she needed to harden herself, think only of her friends and getting them all out of here in one piece.

Why did I even want to come here? she asked herself. Why couldn't I just have been happy to spend time with them at home?!

It was easy to blame everything on the Crows, or Hawke being Champion, or all the other complications that had been happening off and on, but realistically, she couldn't do that. Everyone had problems, but those that were happy found a way to be happy despite their problems, not by getting rid of them.

Hearing Cyril's angry voice asking if anyone had seen her, had Cat inching back deeper into the bushes, enough so that she found herself at the wall of the gardens. She looked up, and seeing that they weren't too tall to scale, she waited. Once the others moved away, she'd make her escape, and somehow find her crew.

"Hello, darling," she heard, freezing in place. Her head slowly moved to her right, her breath releasing in a rush as she saw the grinning face.

"What are you doing here, Leli?" she asked quietly. Hearing people moving quickly around the courtyard, both of them peeked through the bushes.

"Oh? I merely had to see what you were up to in here," Leliana continued. "I've never known you to be a master of intrigue after all, and I was simply dying of curiosity."

"I'm not a master of intrigue," Cat muttered.

"And then to see you with Tallis…" Leliana continued, even as she scanned the people before them. "Quickly… now!" she hissed, pulling Cat with her as she stood, and both of them rapidly scaled the wall. "Do you even know anything about her?" she continued, softly but no longer in whispers once they were on the other side.

"Are you seriously asking me that?" Cat answered dryly. "I know who she is, and why she is here."

"And yet you are helping her?" Leliana asked, her eyebrow up in surprise. "Ah… so your man does not know. Come on, this way," she said as she led Cat toward the cover of the trees.

Cat looked around, wondering where to go when her eyes caught sight of the ruins. "I don't know what everyone else is up to, but I had better go to those ruins. Everyone will end up there eventually."

"Very well," Leliana said, and they moved quickly into the trees before changing directions.

However, once they reached the cover, they each turned and embraced the other.

"It's so good to see you again, my friend," Leliana said gently. "It has been too long."

"I've really missed you," Cat replied, not wanting to let go.

"You look beautiful, as always," she said, pulling back to look at Cat. "Yet, much more sure of yourself."

"I've had good teachers," Cat replied with a smile. "Oh, Maker, it's been such an awful day, seeing you feels like maybe it'll turn around."

"But… is it not your name day?" Leliana protested. "Surely it can't be as bad as all that!" Cat didn't answer, but gave her a rueful look. "Ah… well then. Let's get up to these ruins before anyone sees us, no?" Cat nodded gratefully, and they took off, still talking quietly.

Cat explained without detail why Tallis had brought Hawke there, the purpose of the duke's meeting with the Tal Vashoth, and what the secrets he was selling actually were.

Leliana's face was grave as she took in this information. "We knew something was brewing, but had no idea what it would be," she explained to Cat. "You've heard I'm certain, of Divine Beatrix's death?" she asked.

"Yes," Cat nodded. "Have they selected a new Divine?" she asked.

"Not yet, though it seems likely it will be Mother Dorothea," Leliana said with a half smile. "Beatrix named her as her successor, and the group usually goes along with such pronouncements, even when they do not agree with them. There are some who are lobbying for support, to ensure that doesn't happen."

"I see," Cat said, noncommittally.

"I am certain you do, but I will not ask," Leliana said with a smirk. "In any case, we are trying to discover the empress' plans. There is much trouble building in Orlais, and we are trying to stop a civil war from happening."

"I don't know that you'll be successful there, Leli," Cat said sadly. "I honestly can't remember what happens, but something big happens in Halamshiral that sparks things."

"With the elves?" Leliana inquired. "They seem rather fond of the empress," she stated, looking confused. "She seems to care about them slightly, which is more than they get from anyone else."

"Like I said, I'm not certain. It's been almost five years since I heard the story after all, and I've been living through it, which makes it difficult to keep things straight, especially when it changes on me."

"Changes?" Leliana asked.

Cat explained quickly about the Crows that were trying to capture her, and Leliana looked concerned.

"That is very odd," she stated. "And now I know as to why I haven't heard from Zev in several months, but I suppose it is also good news."

"Good news?" Cat said skeptically.

"Well, if they had him, or killed him, they would not still be chasing you, no?" she asked with a wink.

"I suppose that is true…"

"It is strange that I found you alone however," she continued. "One would think your friends would not let you leave their sight when you have Crows after you."

"Well…"

"I mean, obviously your man feels the need to settle this Qunari issue, but I would have thought he would place others with you in his place…" she looked at the uncomfortable expression on her friend's face and stopped walking.

"Cat…" she said sternly. "You have always been protective of others' secrets, so I understand that you didn't tell him about Tallis, but you did tell him about everything else, yes?" she asked.

Seeing Cat close her eyes, she grabbed her friend's shoulders, giving her a little shake. "You haven't told him anything? Anything?! Not even about yourself?"

Cat suddenly pushed back, "can you blame me?!" she said angrily.

Leliana looked at her friend, the memories shifting quickly through her mind. The nights Cat would cry herself to sleep, feeling helpless and alone. The numerous times when Zev had to comfort her after Sten had questioned her- then tried to kill her after she finally gave in and answered.

The demands of knowledge from Morrigan, and the consistent second guessing glances from the others when she would share. And finally, the time when Duran had asked her something, and she refused to tell him. Zev was the only one to even try to speak to her for several days after that, wondering if she was setting them up for something.

It was easy to remember the good times, but she supposed for Cat… it was hard to forget the bad times. And no- she couldn't blame her for not wanting that to happen again.

"No…" Leliana answered after a long moment of silence. "No, I suppose I cannot begrudge you that decision, even if I do not agree with it."

They traveled on in silence for some time, avoiding anything they might come across. Leliana led her around the base of the ruins, while keeping away from them, and they waited and watched the path that led in.

"Let me ask you something Cat," Leliana said quietly, out of the blue. Cat turned to look at her in question. "Is Hawke going to take care of this situation?" she asked.

Cat nodded. "As far as I know."

"Then we can simply watch? I would hate to be seen as part of it if I do not need to."

"That's fine with me," Cat replied. "Hawke will probably throw a fit if I showed up to help anyway."

"Really?" she asked, a small smile on her face. "Isn't that adorable."

"What?" Cat asked, crinkling her nose in a look of distaste. "No, it's infuriating."

"Oh… I don't know," the redhead replied. "A hardened warrior, the champion of the city- and known for his kind and generous nature… losing his composure because of the possibility that you might be harmed?" She giggled happily. "Oh, my friend, it is quite obvious."

"What is?" Cat growled. "That he cares? Yeah, he said as much."

"Cares?" Leliana giggled again. "No darling, cares is when he tries to get you to a healer so you don't bleed to death. Or telling someone to stay safe, even knowing they are headed into mortal danger."

She looked away from Cat, and back to the path. "This is more than cares. This my dear, is someone madly in love… and uncertain how to deal with it."

"Uh… I don't suppose an apology would help?" Tallis asked as she watched Hawke pace the cell.

He stopped and glared down at her. He moved over to the single cot and sat, still glaring at her. "What could you possibly say?" he asked sarcastically. "I'm sorry I used you to help the people that attacked your home? I'm sorry I got you captured and perhaps killed? That kind of apology?"

"Well, when you put it that way, it sounds terrible," she said, looking away.

"It IS terrible!" he shouted.

"Look, I am sorry! None of this turned out like I planned… obviously."

"What was your plan exactly?" Hawke asked, though his glare didn't lessen. He listened as she told him of the Ben-Hassrath, even though he didn't quite get it all, nor to be honest, did he want to.

He did understand why she was trying to stop her mentor, and he could understand how much it hurt her to do it. He took a few deep breaths and tried to remain calm. If he exploded now… how would she ever trust again? Someone had to break the cycle.

"I told you that I would help, and I will," he said calmly. "You can't expect me to be happy that you lied to me, but I understand why you did it."

"R- really?" she asked, flabbergasted. "I certainly didn't expect that." She looked around a moment and stood up. "Well then, no more waiting to get rescued." She moved over, fiddling with the gate and after a few moments, it opened.

"Why didn't you just do that in the first place?" he asked, exasperated.

She looked back at him, over her shoulder. "You said your friends were coming."

"Hawke!" they heard, and turned towards the sound, seeing Aveline, Anders and Varric running towards them.

"Yeah, I did," he replied softly, the feeling of seeing them doing more to calm him than any amount of deep breaths could do.

This is proving to be quite the adventure, Hawke thought to himself, as he and his four companions crashed to the ground, out of breath.

"Can anyone explain to me how a revenant was here? And in a small black vial?" he asked them.

"No clue," Tallis replied, as Anders healed the large gash in her leg.

"Sorry about that Hawke," Aveline spoke up. "I probably shouldn't have smashed the thing open."

"Tell me you at least got something out of it," Hawke responded.

"A note," she replied. "Some sort of verse-like drivel incantation on the front, but on the back…" she paused as she read it. "It doesn't make sense to me, but it says the grand game continues, and for she of the red." She looked at the ring again, with the Du Lac crest on it.

"Well, we can make inquiries once we get back, or you can simply keep the ring and forget about it. Your choice," Hawke said, and she gave him a grateful look and a nod.

"This duke has the oddest collection of things," Varric finally spoke up. "Look at what we've already collected. Recipes, poetry, feathers, pieces of an amulet, and garbage written by a hack," he punctuated the last bit by holding up the manuscript he had found. It was entitled, Hard in Hightown 2: Even Harder.

"Oh, I don't know Varric… who knows, it might be good," Hawke drawled, trying to keep a straight face.

"Why do you wound me like that, Hawke?" Varric replied. "It's an affront to all my senses, and as soon as I find the last section of pages, I'm going to put an exploding bolt into the whole thing."

"Well, we'd better keep going then," Hawke retorted, as he stood up. "I still want to hear what happened with the others, but we keep getting interrupted."

"That's what happens when people are hunting you," Anders offered, as he stood up.

Tallis led the group over to another cell where there was a large crack in the wall. It was barely large enough to get through, and as Hawke, as the last, squeezed his way in, the wall around him crumbled.

"Well, we're not getting back that way, so hopefully this was the right way to go," he said jokingly, though his eyes looked gravely at Tallis.

"It is," she replied, leading them forward.

It may have been the correct path, but that didn't make it easy. They ran into groups of ghasts, the duke's men that were chasing them, and even that chasind bodyguard of his. By the time they had found the way out, Hawke was exhausted.

"Sit down Hawke," Anders told him before he could move on. "You need to replenish your mana, or you'll be no good to anyone."

"No, we need to keep moving," Tallis countered. "This is the way out, and who knows if the duke and Salit are already meeting?"

"It won't do us any good to get there and not be able to fight," Aveline said, though she didn't sit. "Besides, we're following Hawke, not you."

"Aveline," Hawke said, somewhat surprised. "I know Tallis lied to us, but we're not holding that against her. We can't expect everyone to trust us immediately."

"It's not just that…" Aveline muttered, turning away.

"So, everyone else is meeting us?" Hawke asked, wondering what was going on with her.

"Yeah, at the ruins," Varric replied, even as he rubbed his hand over his face. "Daisy and Choir boy are getting our things. We figured we wouldn't exactly be welcomed back into the Keep after this."

"Smart," Hawke replied, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Broody and Rivaini should also join us with Little Dove," he continued quickly.

There was silence for a few moments, and then Hawke opened his eyes, and looked at Varric in question. "Should?" he asked shrewdly.

Anders and Varric looked at each other, and Hawke sat up straighter. "What aren't you telling me?" he demanded.

"Calm down Hawke," Anders said, his hand out. He crouched down to get on Hawke's level, and kept his voice calm. "When Isabela and I were looking around, we came across a group that were trying to get into the Keep."

Hawke took the information in, but Anders could tell he hadn't put it together yet. "Isabela was certain that they were Crows."

At that, Hawke moved quickly - in order to rise, and Anders put his hand on his shoulder to keep him down. "After getting the key from that Cyril," Anders spat, making Hawke's eyes narrow, "Cat wanted to be alone- in the courtyard. We split up, and Fenris and Isabela are bringing Cat. You know she is safe with them."

The look on Hawke's face had Anders concerned, but he was uncertain what exactly he was dealing with.

Hawke's voice came out- quiet and deadly. "What happened with Cyril?" he asked.

"What?" Anders answered.

"You seemed very upset about that part Anders…" Hawke continued. "What happened?"

Varric chose that moment to step in, though he asked himself what the hell he was doing. "We don't know Hawke, Fenris only said that Cat was very upset."

Hawke glared over at Tallis again, seeing her looking away. "Let's get moving," he said. "I need to find them."

Tallis looked back and nodded, also determined. "This way."

Cat and Leliana froze as they watched a group of men and elves practically appear out of the shadows. They glanced at each other, but stayed silent as the group separated and moved into the cover around the ruins.

"This is bad," Cat whispered.

"Those are definitely assassins," Leliana replied. "And we have no idea if there are more."

They could see the foliage move slightly as the Crows made their way up towards the ruins.

After a few moments, they breathed a sigh of relief at not being discovered, but it was short lived.

"This has been going on for so long, I can't keep living like this," Cat mumbled. "Not to mention the toll it is taking on the others…"

Leliana was silent, but looked to Cat in concern, reaching out and laying her hand on her shoulder.

A sound of movement through the leaves had them both readying weapons, just as Isabela and Fenris joined them.

Cat blinked a few times in surprise, before leaning forward to embrace each of them. "We thought you were-"

"We know," Isabela interrupted quietly. "They are looking for you." She glanced at Leliana before looking back at Cat. "Did you not think how we would worry when we couldn't find you in the courtyard?"

Cat looked away. "I'm sorry, I didn't. I only thought of staying away from Cyril."

"Are you going to tell us what happened?" Fenris finally spoke. Cat shook her head, and his eyes narrowed.

"Perhaps we can discuss what to do about the assassins," Leliana suggested.

Fenris looked at her, gauging, and then spoke. "We kill them," he said, as if it were a small matter.

"It sounds as if that is what continues to happen, yet more still come, do they not?" Leliana replied.

"It's not like we have a lot of options Leli," Cat replied, and the other two looked at the redhead in a new light.

"True, but if they do not know where to look?" she replied. "That would solve things in Kirkwall at least."

"What are you suggesting?" Isabela demanded. "That Kitty just run away? Disappear?"

Leliana nodded, looking sadly at Cat when she gasped. "I think it is the only way, and it won't be forever. I can take you somewhere safe and you can write…perhaps…" she looked back out towards the ruins, "but until the threat is removed you won't be safe here."

"I can take care of my-" she started.

"How many times Cat?" Fenris asked suddenly, interrupting her.

"What?"

"How many times have you almost been captured?" he asked.

She pouted, but she knew better than to answer.

"What will happen to Zev if you were?" Leliana asked in a quiet voice. "He would come to save you, no matter the cost."

"He's not the only one," Isabela added softly. She looked away before looking at Cat resolutely. "I think she's right."

"You do?" Cat asked, surprised.

"Yeah. You should go, and you shouldn't tell us where." Isabela looked up to Leliana. "You can be the go between? Let us know how she is so we don't worry?"

"Of course," Leliana replied.

"Then we can let you know once it is over." She looked over at Cat, who was looking very upset. "Hey, it's only temporary, Kitty," she said.

"I'm getting sent away again," Cat said, dejected. "To keep me safe."

"Hey," Isabela said, giving her a shake. "Remember what came out of it last time? You never would have met me, or gone to Kirkwall at all. I hope you don't regret that."

"No, of course not."

"Alright then. You want this to be over, don't you?"

"Yes."

"Good, then stop pouting, and strip."

"What?"

Isabela smirked, glad that the frown was gone. "We're going to switch clothes Kitty. By the time those fools realize I'm not you, you'll be long gone."

Cat looked around at a few of her closest friends. They aren't sending me away… she realized. They're shielding me. And I'd do the exact same for them.

"All right," she answered, moving to unhook her cloak. "But if I'm going in disguise, we'd better make it count." She turned to Fenris. "How sharp is your sword?"

Hawke looked left, the exit to the cave was right there, and it was nice to see the sunshine again. He glanced back to the right, where Tallis stood, the other fork going up slightly.

"So… you could go. But there are other options," Tallis said, walking forward.

"Such as?" Hawke asked. He couldn't help his voice coming out snidely, though he only tried a little to stop it.

"You have been so reasonable since we were captured… and I'm hoping that hasn't changed. What Salit is planning to do will hurt so many innocents. Not only my people, but yours as well. Ihave to stop him, but I know now that I can't do it alone." Tallis looked up, wanting to be as honest as she could right now. She knew it would mean everything.

"Explain it to me," Hawke said. "What is so terrible about Salit's plan?"

"I… can't. Not entirely." She turned away, the conflict between needing his support and her training straining at her. "And yes, I know… that's a hard sell." She turned back, looking him in the eye. "I'm not here on some directive from the Qun."

"So this isn't some political scheme?" Varric asked pointedly.

Tallis shook her head. "I wish it were. What Salit plans to hand over to Orlais will hurt not just the Qunari, but anyone living on Qunari lands, of any race. I came here…." she gave a large sigh, and a shrug, looking at them plaintively. "I have to try."

"It just seems that if this is as big as you say, there would be many more Qunari sent to take care of this," Varric said, confused. "We saw hundreds of Qunari, just because of a missing book."

Tallis turned to look at him, amused. "That was a little different," she said. "That tome was more than a book, it had a soul." She thought for a moment and continued. "Think of it like Bianca… but with pages."

"He does make a point though," Aveline spoke up.

"The Ben-Hassrath deemed that they need not intervene on this. I couldn't agree."

"You say that like it has happened before," Hawke said.

Tallis sighed again. "It's not easy, being an elf in the Qun. You aren't born to it, like they are. Sometimes, I've struggled to find that peace, that purpose. I know it's there… I just keep falling short- trusting the wrong people."

"So my options are?" he asked.

"Follow, or don't. It's really that simple."

Hawke looked at his companions, before looking back to Tallis. "I'm a man of my word, so I'll go along. But just so you know, finding the rest of my crew comes first."

She nodded curtly, and turned to lead them out.