Cat and Alistair watched Duran and Nathaniel race after Jerrik, as he ran off toward where they had left the shadowy form of his brother.
"Shall we?" Alistair asked, giving Cat a smile.
"Sure," she replied. "What was Duran saying before they took off?" she asked him as they began to walk.
"Basically to stay with you, and see if we can get into those chests on our way to that shadow door."
Cat gave him a surprised, yet pleased expression. She had forgotten the blue tinged door that they had been unable to open, but knowing Duran she shouldn't have been surprised that he remembered.
"He wants us to check that out?" she asked.
"Just see if we can get in," he replied easily. "And take a look inside. He'll meet up with us there once he gets Jerrik, and hopefully his brother." They turned a corner, and he gave her a questioning look. "So, you think you can get the chest open, or should we wait for the others?" he asked, teasing her.
"You are spending way too much time with rogues, Al," she answered, though she laughed. "They are rubbing off on you."
"That's hardly my fault," he responded as he looked around the hallway. "They're everywhere! I can't avoid them no matter what I try." He smiled at the chuckle she gave him. "Besides, what else should I do? Spend my time with the mages that for some reason are still scared of me, or Carver Hawke?" he griped.
Cat took her pack off, and moved up to the chest as she pulled her lockpicks out of a pouch on her belt. She looked back at him, eyebrows furrowed. "The mages are scared of you?" she asked. "Whatever for?"
"My templar abilities, I assume," he answered with a frown, as she knelt in front of the chest, and viewed the lock. "They aren't so bad, but I suppose old habits are hard to break."
"Hmm," she replied, as she began picking the lock, listening intently to the tumblers. She thought it curious that Alistair had stopped speaking as well, but with all the rogues he had been around over the years, he probably was used to them needing quiet to pick locks.
With a few more movements, the lock opened, and she stored her picks back where they belonged, before opening the chest.
"Strange," she said, looking in. "What do you think, Al?" she asked, even as he leaned to look over her shoulder.
"Must be important stuff," he replied and she handed him the few parchments that were covered with runic writing. "And that is shiny…" he continued. Removing the pages had uncovered several large gems.
"No kidding…" she said a little breathlessly. "I'm not one for rocks, but wow." Cat lifted up the ruby that was the size of her palm, as well as an emerald. "This will keep the wardens in food for awhile longer," she said with a smile and placed the two gems along with a a smaller diamond, malachite, opal, and a few pearls into her pack.
"Should we take them?" Alistair asked, concerned.
"We do have to get paid," Cat replied matter of factly. "And besides, we're going to seal this place away once we actually get out of here."
"Oh?" he said in response. "That information would have been nice at an earlier point," he said, giving her a look.
"Well, I didn't want to simply inform you of that," she said, hitting herself mentally for doing just that. "You should all form your own opinions."
The next look he gave her had her turning away. "Let's keep going," she said, starting off. "We still need to find that door."
"This way," Alistair said, smiling at his friend, knowing too well what she was thinking, and how she was going to keep trying to change the subject.
"So, you explained the mages, but why not spend time with Carver?" she asked. "I thought he was better than at first."
Two can play that game, Catarina… he thought with a chuckle. "Yes, better," he replied. "But still very young, and he feels like he has a lot to prove." Alistair continued to walk, giving a lengthy pause. "And he doesn't really like me."
"What?" Cat said, insulted on behalf of her friend. "He said that?" she turned and demanded furiously.
"Not in so many words," Alistair said with a smirk, pleased at her reaction, and knowing he would continue to enjoy her further reactions. "But he did say I was far too much like his brother."
Cat stopped, her mouth open to reply, but her words failed her. She closed her mouth, thinking quickly. Turning to continue walking she mumbled, "I see."
She turned back, aghast at Alistair's loud belly laugh. "Were you just messing with me?" she asked angrily, as he continued to laugh. "Al! It's not funny!" she complained when he didn't answer.
"I'll have to disagree on that," he managed to get out between chuckles, as he calmed down. "Your face… was so priceless…" he said haltingly between breaths.
"I hate you," she muttered, striding off.
"Cat! C'mon, don't be mad," he said, chasing after her, and pulling her to a stop. He wrapped his arms around her, even as she cursed him halfheartedly. "I wasn't lying, that's really what he said," Alistair told her with a smile. "I was just so happy to see you ready to fight for someone insulting me. I don't have so many friends, you know. It was really nice to see, that's all."
He loosened his hold, and looked down at her face. "Thank you, truly."
She softened a little before remembering his laughing, and she turned mutinous again. "Yeah, the laughing really conveyed your gratitude," she commented dryly.
"Well, I am your friend," he replied with a smile. "You're practically family! It's my job to tease you about your love life after all."
"What love life?" she asked miserably. "I'm fairly sure I've ruined that when I left."
"Pfft," he made an unbelieving noise at her. "I sincerely doubt that." His smile turned teasing again. "Though if true, you've got plenty of back ups with the wardens…" he said slyly, while his eyebrows wiggled up and down.
His face became serious, when she looked sad instead of embarrassed. "Hey, hey," he said, using his hands to pull her face up to look into his. "What's this?" he asked. "Is Nathaniel giving you a hard time?" he asked.
"No," she said shaking her head. "Though he won't just give up, he's not pushing me at all. It's not that, don't worry."
"Of course I'll worry," he said, giving her a small smile. "Will you tell me?" he asked.
She reached up, taking his hands from her face. "It's nothing, really. Little doubts that like to eat at me sometimes."
"About Hawke?" he asked, and she nodded.
"I'm learning to get rid of them, to not think them… but they are still there," she answered. "Come on, we'd better get going."
"Okay," he answered. "So tell me a story about being on Isabela's ship," he said, distracting her, happy to see her smile in response.
"Well, there was one point where Issy decided that the crew needed to be ranked, so she set up all these contests. Strength, speed, cooking ability, looks… she went all out."
"Sounds exactly as I remember her," Alistair said dryly, but smiling at her happiness.
"So, what are we doing out here?" Varric asked as the group made their way to the Bone Pit.
"Delivering these pick axes, for one," Sebastian said, the large pack on his back weighing him down.
"Obviously," Varric responded lightly. "But Hawke must have something else in mind, to bring all of us here, and it most definitely isn't just a simple delivery."
"Perhaps I simply miss having you all together," Hawke answered in jest. He looked from Varric, to Sebastian, to Aveline, Merrill, and finally to Anders. "Just how did I let you talk me into not giving you a pack?" Hawke asked the dwarf, the only one of them without a huge bundle of tools.
"Did I not get one?" Varric replied with a smirk. "Huh, I knew something was off."
"Don't think you're getting out of paying me, Varric," Aveline muttered, and Hawke looked again, seeing her load was in fact, larger than the rest. He glanced back at Varric with a dry look.
"Hey, you never said I had to carry it, just that it was my responsibility," Varric said by way of defense. "Paying Aveline to carry it seemed the best solution for everyone." Hawke shook his head, a smile on his face.
"So Hawke, how are things going in the city?" Sebastian asked. He had recently returned from a trip to Starkhaven, and this was the first he had had time to speak to Hawke.
"About the same, unfortunately," Hawke replied. "Tensions seemed to ebb for a little while, but then the templars discovered one of the tunnels used by the mage underground, and sealed it off. The Knight Commander gave harsh punishments to all the mages in retaliation."
Sebastian shook his head, though it was easy for him to believe. "I know that both sides cannot back down, but it seems this conflict will only escalate until one side is eradicated if this continues."
"Considering if the mages back down it means servitude, tranquility or death, there is hardly a choice!" Anders defended vehemently.
"I know we do not agree on that point Anders," Sebastian said calmly. "But it is hard to see any other solution. The templars are backed by the Chantry, and do the Maker's work. This is a fight that cannot be won by the mages," he continued. "I do not want to see the death of so many," he added.
"I can understand your point of view," Hawke said, cutting off Anders' furious reply. "Though you can surely understand why we may feel differently," he said, and Sebastian nodded.
"Being the Champion does have it's perks in that regard," Varric cut in. "At least the Knight Commander can't arrest you, or Blondie."
"That is in part because of the Chantry as well," Sebastian reminded them.
"As well as the people," Aveline added dryly.
"Of course," Sebastian conceded. "The Knight Commander would have a riot on her hands if she tried to arrest Hawke."
"And that's fair?" Anders exploded. "Mages all over work tirelessly to improve the city just as Hawke, but because they are not him, they are made tranquil, or killed!"
"Life isn't fair," Sebastian said, though he agreed, to an extent. "I wish there were another solution, but many have been trying for years to find one."
"I agree," Hawke said loudly, causing the others to look at him. "In that there needs to be another solution. The way things are, it is only a matter of time before something drastic happens. But I can't say that anyone submitting at this point will make a difference. There truly is no easy answer here. It will probably get worse before it gets better."
"Something drastic…" Anders murmured.
"Plenty of the guard feel the same," Aveline said. "Some have taken sides, but most are trying to stay neutral, because they can feel for those on both sides. In fact, I've heard that there are even templars that feel the same, though obviously no one would come forward and say so to Meredith."
"Sounds the same as the rumors I've been hearing," Varric said. "Though I didn't put much stock in them."
"There are such things as good templars," Hawke said, smiling as he heard Anders snort. "The problem is that they are few and far between, or they are taught otherwise. It is not easy to see the bad side of your own people," he added. "Whether they be mages or templars. There are those that give cause for the fear that is running rampant through our city."
"Too right," Aveline added.
"Uh, Hawke?" Merrill asked, and he turned to her with a smile.
"Yes?" he asked.
"Has anyone heard from Isabela and Fenris? Or Cat? I miss them."
Hawke looked down to Varric, signaling that he answer her question. "Sorry Daisy. Like I said before, we're sure that the Little Dove is with her warden friends, since the Hero of Ferelden replied to our letter a few months back. But nothing, not even rumors about Broody and Rivaini."
"Oh, okay. Thanks Varric," she replied.
"Here we are," Hawke said as the group walked into the Bone Pit.
"This place always makes me think that my life isn't so bad…" Anders said softly, as they followed Hawke into the camp.
"What… what happened here?" Hawke asked in shock, and the others stopped as they looked around.
"Uh…" Varric made a noise, seeing the bodies all around. Some were gored, some were in pieces, and yet there weren't nearly enough to account for all the workers that should have been there.
All around the camp, were fires. It looked to Hawke as though bandits had hacked the people and set fire to everything, though it seemed such a waste.
"This doesn't look like bandits, " Aveline said as she threw down her burden and moved over to the charred remains of the camp. "What sort of bandits would burn the supplies instead of taking them?"
"Revenge?" Varric asked, as he too went for a closer look. "Just to get back at Hawke or the other owner?" he asked.
"There was that Carta fellow that was stealing from us awhile back, but we killed him," Hawke said. "Maybe one of his people?"
"This doesn't seem like people at all," Merrill spoke up as she examined some of the dead. "More like being ripped apart by animals. See here?" she asked Hawke, who came over to peer where she was pointing, and seeing large slashes across a man's body.
"An animal made that?" he asked. "Those would be ginormous claws." He put his hand up, looking between it and the slashes. "What kind of animal has claws like broadswords?" he asked.
Before anyone could answer, a loud roar was heard throughout the area, and the group all looked to each other.
Hawke wasn't sure if he said it or just thought it, but it was audible anyway since several spoke at once.
"Dragon…"
"Brogan, this is Cat, and this is Alistair. They are with me," Duran said as he introduced them to Jerrik's brother, who was now as solid as they were.
"I'm glad to see you back to normal," Alistair said with a smile.
"More likely you are now as I was," Brogan replied without a hint of teasing.
"Right…"Alistair replied, looking distressed at Cat, who shook her head slightly, and he sighed in relief.
"Did you find anything?" Duran asked.
"Some more writings," Cat said, "and a few treasures," she added, handing a bag filled with gems to Jerrik. "We kept the coin, though it was considerably less, as payment. I think you will get much more out of these than we could in any case."
He opened the bag, seeing the gems of varying sizes, including the large fist sized ones that Cat had first found. He looked at her in surprise.
"You can look in my bag if you don't believe me," she added, not sure how to interpret his look.
"There is no need," Jerrik replied. "I… admit, I am not used to dealing with humans that deal fairly with me."
"Well, I'm happy to be the first," she answered, giving him a smile, and getting a small one in return.
"We need to leave, as quickly as we can!" Brogan said suddenly. "Though we will never escape alive!"
Jerrik looked to his brother in concern. "We need to stop whatever it was that killed everyone, brother. We owe them that much."
"Then we will also die," Brogan said dully.
"Way to think positively," Cat mumbled.
"He's traumatized," Nathaniel said quietly. "I'm sure he watched everyone he came here with get ripped apart," he said as he pointed to the slashes on her armor.
Cat gave a nod, but didn't speak again, seeing Duran finally looking up from the papers she had given him.
"This is an explanation, though it isn't good," he said, gaining everyone's attention. "There was a dwarf that started this, though his name is not on here. He and a mage from Tevinter came here to try to make golems, experimenting on those that would not be missed."
"The castless?" Jerrik asked, understanding what he meant, but hoping he was wrong.
"Indeed," Duran replied with a nod. "It says that they experimented in flesh instead of stone, as was the mage's ability. They made huge golem bodies of flesh from many dwarves, and then bound a fade spirit to it."
"An abomination…" Alistair said in quiet horror.
"Yes."
"But…" Cat started, thinking back.
"What is it?" Duran asked.
"That thing that slashed at me," she said, running her hand over her breastplate. "It was not a huge golem. In fact it was smaller than you are."
The dwarves glanced at each other, then to the third as he began to wail and thrash, calling out names of those that he had been travelling with.
"Brogan?" Jerrik asked, trying to calm him.
"What's the plan Commander?" Nathaniel asked Duran.
"Looks like we go hunting," he replied, looking concerned at the flailing dwarf. "We cannot allow this thing to continue to kill, or worse if it were to get free. Now I understand the magic sealing this place."
"We may not be able to leave unless we do kill it," Alistair added.
"We'd better stick together then," Cat said. "It will be one tough fight." She looked over in concern at the dwarf that had succeeded in calming his brother by talking of revenge. "Jerrik found a control rod… maybe the fight will be easier if we can find a golem to help us."
"They are pretty helpful in a fight," Alistair replied. "At least Shale was. I'm not sure about one that only responds to a control rod."
"I'm more worried about you being the only warrior, taking the brunt of the damage, and us not having a healer," she responded.
"Brogan is also a warrior," Jerrik spoke up, having heard her last comment. "As well as Danica," he said, speaking of his bronto.
"I'd feel just as bad if either of them were hurt," she replied, and he gave her a smirk.
"Then we'll have to make sure and give them plenty of cover," he said as he stood, pulling his brother up as well. "We'll take that thing down, if it is the last we do. Our house would expect no less."
"Then we'd better get started," Duran said with a grin. "Let's go hunting."
Hawke was uncertain, but he tried not to show it. He was sure that they were facing a fully grown dragon, at the least, with only one warrior, two rogues, and three mages. He prayed desperately to the Maker that that was all they had to deal with.
He couldn't in good conscience leave, even to bring more fighters, though he didn't have any of his own. It would take time to hire, or convince others to come, and by then more could be dead.
If he sent even one of his people back for help, they would find themselves at a severe disadvantage. They others didn't really understand, but he had discovered since meeting Cat that he needed to listen to the niggling bad feeling that would come over him from time to time.
This was one of those times.
He couldn't explain it, but he felt that if any of them left now, something worse would happen. So, he made the impossible decision, and they were looking for the dragon that had made that roar.
He led his crew through the area, finding nothing, before spotting an opened path into the lower area of the mine that had been blocked in the past by a landslide of rocks. Years ago they had fought a drake in that area with only a few people. Perhaps this will be similar… he thought. I can only hope.
He strode forward, hoping that his false confidence would give courage to the others. Without warning, he heard the sound of wings, and the group turned, seeing a dragon bearing down and flying over them to land beyond.
"A HIGH DRAGON!"
Hawke heard the various cursing around him, even as his mind spiraled. It was even worse than he feared, and the thought of the high dragon attacking Kirkwall had him steeling himself.
"Everyone!" he called, and they went quiet at his shout. "If we do not take care of this monster, it will attack our city!"
"Our friends, our family, our home!" he continued, as he stared at the beast, who seemed to be staring back at them. "All are in danger, and we are the only thing that stands between them!"
"We're with you Hawke!" Aveline called, her sword and shield at the ready.
"What should we do?" Anders asked, his staff out.
"Aveline, stay steady, we have mostly ranged fighters, so you are on the defensive," he began to outline his plan. "I want you to move around between the five of us, when you can. The rest of you, save something big for when Aveline is coming to you. The dragon will most likely target you after a big attack, and she'll be there to help keep you safe."
They nodded at him, seeing the picture he was making. "I can hope it's only the dragon, but we all know our luck isn't that good." He smirked at them as they nodded and smiled at that. "Keep an eye out behind the person nearest you and give warnings if you see anything else coming. If so, one takes care of the new arrivals, while the other continues to attack the dragon."
His gaze went back to the dragon, which looked like it was getting agitated. "This will be a long fight, so don't let yourselves run out of mana or stamina," he warned. "Anyone have potions?" he asked, surprised when all of them nodded.
"Well, seems after this, I need to get my act together," he muttered to himself.
"Here we go then," he said more clearly. "We can do this, just don't take any big risks unless you're clear to do so. Keep light on your feet, to stay away from anything the dragon may spit at us."
Glancing around at the nods around him, he gave them a smile. "We're the best crew in Kirkwall," he added. "If anyone can do this, we can."
With that said, he led the charge.
"Ancestors…" Jerrik gaped, as the skittering creature jumped onto what had looked like a large rock… until it turned around to face them.
"Abomination…" Alistair said under his breath, his sword and shield out in front of him as he moved in front of his friends.
Nathaniel moved back and to the side, giving himself a clear shot, immediately shooting an arrow into the head of the creature.
"It's like that thing is now controlling that huge body," Duran said in disgusted awe.
"Commander!" Alistair shouted, moving in to block a swipe the monster made at Duran. Duran shook himself as he moved away, notching a bolt into his crossbow.
"Al! You okay?" Cat called, moving around to see him, as he stood again.
"Fine!" he called, even as he waded in toward the thing. "And how are you?" he teased.
"Andraste's eardrum, Alistair, focus!" she shouted back, exasperated.
"How about a wager?" Alistair called, even as he thrust forward with his sword, and dodged the counterattack.
"What?!" she yelled, as she dodged the swipe from the large claws of the skittering creature that sat atop the body. She was having a hard time getting close enough with that thing's long reach, and every swipe with her daggers on the rest of the body didn't even make it pause, as if it couldn't feel it.
"Anything you want, if you get the kill!" he called out, forcing her to turn, back up and stare at him.
"Are you serious?!" she demanded. "We're trying to kill this thing, not grant your wishes!" she yelled at him, and he laughed.
"Come on, you can't deny that you want to see your friends again," he yelled.
"Or that shadow armor of mine?" Nathaniel added as he continued to shoot at the thing.
"A trip anywhere you want?" Duran called out. "Or a new crossbow?"
"WHAT IS THIS!?" Cat yelled, trying to focus on what she was doing.
"Does that mean you're in?" Alistair shouted back with a laugh.
Cat scooted back, looking to where Jerrik, Danica, and Brogan were fighting with all their might. Even the wardens looked as if they were using everything they had, but she knew they weren't since they were having this conversation. She looked for the downside, but decided to just take it. They wouldn't let anything too terrible happen.
"Fine! I'm in!" she yelled, moving up to the harvester, jumping off its leg to gain height and stabbing her dagger into it's head.
It screamed, and the scuttling creature swiped out, barely missing her with its talon-like claws. It jumped away from the huge body, skimming over the floor attacking and running in turn around each of them.
"Nice one!" Nathaniel called out, even as he aimed and shot the thing several times as it ran. Its screams hurt her ears, but she stayed focused, pulling out another dagger to replace what she had lost.
The little beast finally made its way back to its larger body, since it was unable to do damage in its smaller form. Cat ran for it, determined to put another dagger in it.
"Danica! Give me a boost!" she called, happy the bronto did just that, bending her head down, and swinging up as Cat landed there, flinging her in the air. Cat grabbed onto the harvester, blocking the claw that moved to her, and stabbing it several times before she fell off.
"Ow!" she called as she landed painfully on her backside. "That'll bruise," she moaned.
She looked up at hearing a yell, seeing Alistair going in for the kill, his sword stabbing straight into the creature's face, even as an arrow and a bolt appeared on either side of his sword, one in each eye of the thing.
The Harvester screamed, convulsing as it fell from the large flesh body, landing near Cat, so she moved away from it. After a moment it was still, though she stabbed a few extra times- just to be sure.
She looked back up, seeing the three wardens looking at her with identical smirks.
All three of them spoke at once, all variations of how their attack had felled it, and Cat smiled as she sat there, listening to each of them argue their case.
She turned to the brothers, making sure they were each okay, and saw that they were hugging each other, which made her heart swell.
She stood, and made her way to Danica the bronto, giving her a once over, and asking if she was okay. The trumpeting sound she heard in reply she took as a yes.
Noting that the others were now either sitting or leaning on something, she sat back down- carefully, as her tail bone felt bruised- taking the rest while she could. She looked around and smiled, glad that she was among friends, and fighters.
Hawke didn't dare try to move. He could feel his burnt skin, the way it tightened on his bones, the way it felt open and vulnerable. He simply lay there, waiting for Anders to have enough energy to heal him.
Anders had learned from Hawke long ago to treat the worst injuries first, and while he continued to balk against the order, especially when it put Fenris before Cat or Hawke, he understood Hawke's motivations at least.
Hawke opened his eyes, as Anders finally came to him.
"That was a stupid move," Anders said, giving him the look he reserved just for when his friends were reckless.
"But it worked," Hawke replied, trying to smirk, but not really succeeding, as he grimaced against the pain.
"This time," Anders muttered. "Next time you try it, the dragon won't try breathe fire on you, but will swat you off with its tail."
"Ssh! Don't give the other dragons ideas!" Hawke teased, even as he groaned.
"Just stay quiet until I finish," Anders grumbled, trying to hide his smile at Hawke's words.
"How can I?" Hawke asked, already feeling better as his skin became supple again. He frowned at the slight discoloration along his bicep, but shrugged it off. It had been the worst of the injury after all. I guess I'm lucky I still have skin, he thought.
"How can you what?" Merrill asked, from where she lay resting nearby. Hawke sat up slowly, ignoring Anders complaining, and looked around. Aveline had looked the worst off, but now she merely looked like she was taking a nap in the sun, if he didn't count the bandages. And, they were all nearby.
"How can I stay quiet?" he answered Merrill. "We took down a high dragon! Us!" He looked around at them again. "We are amazing!"
"We were almost dragon food," Aveline said dryly.
"Almost doesn't count Aveline, since we're still alive!" Hawke replied happily. "And just imagine how Varric will embellish this!"
"In his story, we'll have taken down two!" Merrill squealed, getting into his excitement.
"Or it will have just been Hawke, all alone against the mighty beast," Anders said, trying to keep his smile at bay.
"I think it would be more exciting if we battled several mature dragons, and at the end of our energy when the high dragon shows up," Sebastian said, getting into the spirit of things.
"Amateurs," Varric said with a sigh. "Don't start thinking of taking my place, all right?" he said, glaring around at them all.
Anders finished with Hawke, collapsing on the ground next to him.
"We get to rest now, right Hawke?" he asked, even as he closed his eyes.
"Yeah," Hawke answered. "You've all earned it, and more besides." He smiled as he looked around at each of them, as they all sighed, relaxing on the ground. "Just think, how much money you'll have earned once we sell the dragon hide."
"Not to mention the notoriety," Varric added. "The city will sure be grateful."
"Make sure you mention there were mages involved, when you retell this," Anders replied to him.
"And the guard," Aveline added.
"Hmm… maybe the guard captain and Hawke come upon some rebel mages, and they realize they have to fight together to stay alive?" Varric said, giving Anders a teasing grin, when he sat up in righteous anger.
"Just kidding Blondie. Relax."
"This one may be exciting enough as it was," Hawke said, as he too laid back down. "The greatest team in Kirkwall, keeping our city safe, even when we're missing a few people. We still get the job done."