Cat laid in bed, looking up at the ceiling. Her mind was telling her to stop being lazy and get up to help Delilah, but she continued to simply lay there, contemplating.

Besides, it's not laziness if there is a purpose, she thought to herself. She had made a new habit of using time in the mornings to think about her life- where she was, where she was going, what she should do. Sometimes she even let her mind conjure what would happen if she were to interfere drastically with things in Thedas… and not liking any of the consequences she came up with.

That morning she simply wondered once again what she was doing there. Nathaniel had used the fact that he had had one of the kill strikes on the harvester to get her to travel with him to Amaranthine to visit his sister. She had thought it would be a horrible idea, and only make him more bold in his attempt to court her, but a deal was a deal.

She had used the travel time to explain to him about her ex-husband, how they had started as friends, and she had grown to love him. And she explained plainly how long it had taken her to finally feel something for someone else, and that wasn't him.

He stubbornly held on to his desire to wait her out- after all, they wouldn't know if she would end up with Hawke, since Hawke wasn't trying to commit to her. And while she agreed that she didn't know how things with Hawke would end, she couldn't let Nathaniel simply be waiting in the wings for her. That was no life, especially one she would want for him.

Not wanting him to waste his time, she finally told him that she didn't feel that way about him. He merely smirked, and made some comment about how she would eventually admit that she did.

Cat rubbed her hand over her face, remembering as she lay there. No matter what she had done or said, he always had a smart reply. She had even thought of simply kissing him, as she had done with Fenris and Anders, just to prove that there was nothing there- but had decided against it.

After all, she thought, what if there was something? If Hawke wasn't a factor, I'd be sorely tempted… though my feelings for Nate remind me so much of my feelings for Steven that it is easy to see how I could come to love him if I let myself, though wouldn't that be more like what I felt for Steven, not Hawke?

And so she couldn't let herself. She gave herself a mental slap. No point in thinking about it, because Garrett Hawke WAS a factor- an incredibly huge one at that. After feeling the intensity between them, how could she settle- or let Nathaniel settle- for less than that?

Maybe Delilah could help me? Cat thought. Though the siblings were close, they haven't spent much time together, but as his sister she may have some thoughts as to how to get him to let go of his stubbornness?

With that thought, Cat nodded, and rose. She dressed quickly, deciding to play it by ear. Perhaps there would be a good time to speak to Delilah, and perhaps not. But maybe she could get the information she wanted without letting Delilah know the reason behind it. After all, Nathaniel was most likely stubborn even when they were younger.

Coming into the kitchen from her room, Cat used her fingers to brush through her hair, grateful that it was growing again. It was still very short, just below her chin, but it had already grown a bit since she had cut it, and it made her happy to feel.

"Cat!"

Cat turned to the sound, seeing Delilah come rushing in the back door. "What is it?" she asked, concerned.

"It's Nathaniel! He left!"

"What?" Cat asked, surprised. "Why? To where?"

"I tried to stop him," the brunette said as she panted slightly. "Please! You have to hurry and follow him!"

"I don't understand," Cat said, her hands coming up to help Delilah to a seat. Delilah countered by shoving Cat back toward the room where she was staying. "Quickly! Get dressed and packed, I'll explain while you do!"

Cat stood another moment, but decided that would be best. Obviously something was going on, and it wasn't good. She moved back into the room, and pulled out her armor, and began to don it.

"We were in the market, getting some goods," Delilah explained. "A dwarf came up and started speaking to Nathaniel, calling him Warden. It unnerved me, but Nathaniel just ushered me over to continue shopping. I went and got some fruit, listening as best as I could and then Nathaniel was explaining how he needed to go."

"Go?" Cat asked, and Delilah nodded.

"He asked me to watch over you, and explained that he wouldn't leave you unless he had to. I asked where he thought he was going so suddenly, and when we got here, he just grabbed his pack and strode back out the door! I didn't have time to grab you then, so I followed him. Cat! He's going to the Deep Roads! Apparently the dwarf's children went in search of the Champion of Kirkwall's famous treasure trove, and were lost!"

"So he went after them?" Cat asked, hurriedly throwing her clothes in her pack.

"Yes! With no food, no water! What was he thinking?!"

"Probably that he had no time to waste, and neither do I," Cat shot back, throwing the pack on her back, and sheathing her daggers. "I'll take whatever you have readily available, but I'm going to have to hurry to catch him."

Delilah nodded, and ran for the kitchen, grabbing anything that she could easily and putting them in a sack. She barely had it ready as Cat came through heading for the door.

"Which way?" Cat asked, as Delilah shoved the bag at her.

"I'll show you," Delilah said, grabbing her arm and leading her out. "This way."

The women moved at a quick pace, hardly speaking, until just outside of town. "That over there," Delilah pointed. "That large door is a cavern and it leads to the Deep Roads. There are a few guards, but you should be able to get them to let you pass, when you tell them you are with Nathaniel. From what he has said there are not many that use it, so you should be able to find him."

"Thank you," Cat said, turning back to her. "For letting me into your home as well as helping me follow him."

"Please, help him come back. He sees a problem, and he stubbornly thinks only he knows what must be done. He wouldn't want to put anyone in danger, even if it would help keep him safe."

"I was just thinking this morning that maybe you might have answers on how to counteract his stubbornness," Cat said, even as she took off her pack and quickly added the sack of food, then putting it back on.

"There isn't really a counteraction," Delilah said with a worried smile. "But eventually he either comes to his senses, or someone else points out the mistake."

"I see," Cat replied. She started toward the large door she could see in the distance, and after a moment, turned around. "This will beyond even the two of us," she said vaguely. "If you can have the wardens send others, it will help."

Having said her piece, she continued on, not waiting for a reply.

Convincing the guards at the door was easier than she thought, but they were really tasked with keeping anyone from coming out, not so much with keeping people from going in. And she was dressed in warden gear, so they probably assumed she was one.

The lack of light in the tunnel was something she should have thought of, but there were a few torches lit at the entrance, and asking Duran for forgiveness, and a mental note to let him know so he could replace them- she took the torches one by one snuffing out the fire on all but one. Carrying the others with her, since she had no idea how long she would be in the tunnel, and she didn't want to find herself without light, she started off with the lit torch in her hand.

At first it was simple, the tunnel didn't have any forks, it was just a large hallway. There were several rooms at the beginning, but she didn't bother to check them. Nathaniel would come here to stop at a room.

She dug back to her training with him during hunts, looking for his tracks in the dust and dirt on the ground. She wanted to familiarize herself with them so that when she came to a fork she would know which tracks to follow.

She moved at a fast pace, getting her lecture ready. He was definitely going to hear how she felt about his latest decision.

Delilah couldn't say that she was happy to be riding toward the Warden's Keep, but it had been so long since she was able to ride a horse, and she could easily admit to missing it, especially riding so fast.

The wind whipped at her hair and her face, but she just urged the mare on faster. She wasn't sure why, but she had a horrible feeling ever since Cat had said she and Nathaniel would need help.

Delilah was determined to get them that help.

It had been easy to see that her brother cared for the other woman, but she also noted that Cat didn't have the same feel about her, though she could tell that Cat did care. And when Delilah had tried to get some information out of her brother the night before, he was surprisingly tight lipped. It gave her the feeling that his stubbornness was at play again.

Once when he was younger, and he had been training, he had sworn that he would not only master the sword, but be better than their father. He worked and worked and worked, and though the archery and dagger work came more naturally and easily, he refused them for the sword because he had sworn to do so, his stubborn nature not letting him change his mind.

This situation reminded her of it, because while he was determined to court his beautiful companion, she could practically see that his heart wasn't all the way in it. More, like he had decided it before, and was now hanging on out of sheer stubbornness.

Delilah smiled, knowing what that was like, and also knowing how easily her own perspective had changed once she met Albert. She thanked the Maker daily that she was able to look past her own stubborn nature in that regard, and wondered how and when her older brother would learn the same lesson.

It had been four days.

Four days.

Four days, and not a single sighting of Nathaniel. Cat couldn't help but worry that she was going the wrong way, and several times she backtracked, even knowing that he would get even further ahead of her, but she had to reassure herself that she was actually following him and not wandering the Deep Roads aimlessly.

Her worry would switch often enough with her anger to keep her going. She couldn't imagine what he had been thinking, and if there was something he knew that had been discussed with Duran that had him running off to save these dwarves, then why hadn't she been told?!

To simply leave her in Amaranthine, especially when she was supposed to still be protected by the wardens… it wasn't like Nathaniel at all.

Perhaps he was bored? He must be used to the action, and with me there, there was hardly any… she thought, before shaking her head. We had just gotten back from Amgarrak! So unless he's an adrenaline junkie, there is a reason that I simply don't know.

It didn't help to realize that, as it had her mind churning with options as to what had given Nathaniel such a scare that he had left immediately.

A stray thought entered her head, and she shook it off, but it nagged at her. Perhaps he left so quickly to avoid having me go with him? Because I most certainly would have insisted on it…

Shaking her head, she looked back down at the tracks she was following. There was no mistake, they were his. Not only was he not trying to disguise them, but they were the only fresh tracks. All others were from months, if not years prior, and were hardly discernible.

If she remembered correctly, the primeval thaig was at least a week below the surface, but again, that was from Kirkwall. It had to be longer than that from Amaranthine. Nathaniel had a great lead on her, but she'd catch up eventually.

Picking herself up from her sleeping spot, she placed the clothes she had used as a pillow back in her bag, and set off again. It was difficult to sleep more than a few hours at a time down here, and she hoped that Nathaniel didn't have the same issue. It would help her catch him more quickly.

Delilah pushed her hair away from her face, and looked over at Albert. He gave her an encouraging smile, and took her hand.

"Come on my sweet, we'll get some information once we disembark."

She nodded, unable to completely get rid of her worried expression. When she had gone home from the Warden's Keep over ten days ago, her husband Albert had listened as she explained what had happened with their house guests.

He had been concerned as well when she told him that Cat had said they were heading into a situation where they needed help, and grew even more troubled as his wife started crying when she told him of the warden's dismissal of her worries for her brother's safety.

They had told her plainly, that he was one of the best, and knew what he was doing. Not only that, but their Keep had been infiltrated by members of the Carta, looking for Maker only knew. Albert was simply glad that Delilah hadn't been in the middle of all of that.

However, loving his wife as he did, and knowing what having her brother nearby did for her, he offered to take her along on his next business trip, which coincidentally happened to be heading to the Free Marches. They would be leaving the next day, and the first stop was Kirkwall.

Looking out now at the city, he recalled why he usually stayed on the ship until they came to the next port of call. He just didn't like the feel of the docks, and it was probably because of the history of slavers there. But he led his wife off the ship anyway.

"I think the first stop should be either the Viscount's office, or the Chantry," he said to her as they walked away from the ship. "We don't have long, so they will be the easiest way to find out about the Champion."

"Then we should split up," Delilah said resolutely. "I'll go to the Chantry, see what I can find. You can meet me there in the courtyard. That way you won't have to worry about my safety."

Albert smiled at her lovingly. "You know me too well," he said, moving over to get directions from one of the locals. The ship's captain was giving them time, mostly due to the money Albert gave for the sailors to have some shore leave, but he knew they could decide to shove off at any time, so they had to make haste.

Delilah was aggravated, that was the pure and simple truth. The initiates were playing with her, she could tell. They seemed only interested in why she was looking for the Champion, not actually helping her find him.

She finally stomped away, and back out into the courtyard. She turned in a slow circle taking in the high walls, and the large statues. This city is so different from Amaranthine, she thought. It almost reminds me of Denerim, if the statues were gone I guess.

Delilah moved away from the coming and going of the crowd, waiting for Albert to return. She sincerely hoped that he had better luck. She tried to not simply put her face in her hands and cry out her frustration.

"Drop it Anders, I'm tired of hearing it."

Delilah looked up at the voice. Why those words specifically should capture her attention, she wasn't sure, but the name was familiar- Nathaniel's stories from previous visits would always involve one of three people. The warden commander, Alistair, or Anders.

And though she had never met any of them, the stories made her feel like she knew them, and her brother a little better. She looked around, trying to match the voice she had heard with the people walking around her.

"Don't act like you feel differently," another man spoke, and Delilah followed the voice to a pair of men that looked like opposites of each other, heading out from the Chantry towards the markets.

"Sebastian may have opposing views, but he is still our friend," the darker man said, and though he smiled, Delilah could hear the undercurrent of annoyance in his tone.

"For now," the blond man replied. "But what happens when one of us is taken? Will he be willing to help? Or will he simply say that we deserved it?"

She couldn't say why exactly, but Delilah started walking after them.

"I guess we'll have to wait to cross that bridge until we come to it," the darker man retorted.

"Ugh, Hawke!" The blonde rolled his eyes. "One of these second chances you insist on giving will wind up with your death, I am certain."

"As long as we understand each other," the brunette smirked at his friend. He stopped suddenly, and turned around, finding Delilah behind them. "Something I can help you with?" he asked, though his tone made it seem a little threatening.

"Please Serah," Delilah said as she stepped closer, keeping her voice down. "Are you truly Master Hawke? The Champion?" she asked.

"Some say that," he replied, not easing his stance. "And you are?" he asked.

"Delilah Howe," she replied, trying to keep the tears in her eyes from falling. "Thank the Maker I've found you," she practically whispered, her hands clutched in front of herself, as if in prayer.

"Howe?" The blonde asked.

"Yes," she replied, looking up at them, resolute. "You may know my brother, Nathaniel."

Now Hawke's stance eased, and he looked around. He gave a small nod with his head gesturing the other two over to the wall.

"I thought Nathaniel said that you lived in Amaranthine?" the blond asked her. "Oh… apologies. My name is Anders."

"I have heard of you Serah," Delilah replied with a smile.

"Well put me in a dress and call me a templar," he said, grinning. "Though you heard nothing good, I'm certain," Anders murmured. "What brings you to Kirkwall?" he asked.

"It's my brother," she said. "He and a friend were visiting, when a dwarf came up to him, and explained about how his sons had followed your expedition, and were lost. He needed help to bring them back."

"Ugh, how did they even hear about where it was?" Hawke mumbled. "And what did he do?" he asked her.

Delilah turned to the man that was the city's champion, and she felt she understood why. He was not just disregarding her… he was listening. And the kindness on his face was not something she dealt with very often, except from her husband. It broke through her guard very easily.

"I'm not worried about Nathaniel," Anders commented. "He's crawled out of worse places alive. Though I wonder if he ever found a sense of humor."

Delilah frowned at him, turning back to speak to Hawke.

"From what he had said previously, the wardens knew about your route, but hadn't yet explored it. They were still deciding what to do. When he showed up again, I assumed that that's what he was doing, but he merely wanted a visit," she explained.

"After speaking to the dwarf however, he left immediately, even asking me to care for his companion. I went home to inform his companion hoping that they would travel together at least. Nathaniel didn't stop to pack food or water, and I was very worried. But then when Cat said-"

"Wait, what?" Anders and Hawke said at once.

"What?" Delilah asked stepping back.

"Cat was his companion?" Anders asked, reaching for Delilah. "You're sure?"

"Yes… do you know her as well?" she asked shakily. They had startled her, and she was still a little unnerved. "She took provisions and followed after him, but said to me that they wouldn't be able to handle it all alone."

She stopped, seeing that Anders looked like he was going to be sick, where Hawke looked like he was contemplating the information she was giving.

"I went straight for the wardens at the Keep, but they ignored me, and my worries," she continued. "I traveled here with my husband to beg you for help!" she said, her voice getting louder in her desperation. "It's been over ten days, and I'm afraid that they are in trouble, and can't return."

She turned to Hawke, knowing that he was the one in charge. "Please Master Hawke! Won't you help them?"

Hawke didn't answer, not right away. He glanced between her and Anders, and then looked up at the sky.

"I'm… uncertain. It will be up to my crew."

"Please…" she asked. "He's my brother."

Hawke looked at the woman in sympathy, even when her husband suddenly joined them, and took Delilah Howe away to catch their boat, he continued to think of the sorrow on her face and her words.

He knew what it was like to worry and fear for a brother in the wardens. And that more than anything had him moving.

"Anders, looks like we'd better gather everyone at the Hanged Man. We'll meet in Varric's room." Anders looked at him hopefully, but he tried not to think about that. "I'll get Sebastian and Aveline, you gather the other two."

Anders nodded and left, walking quickly. Hawke looked after him a moment, before gazing up at the Chantry, and heading back in.

"Maker's breath," he muttered. "Now what do I do?"

"The Little Dove? Truly?"

"Why would she follow him down there?" Aveline asked, scrunching her nose in disgust.

"That's the question I have as well," Hawke replied. "But I suppose we won't know until we ask her."

"So we prepare for another trip to the thaig?" Varric asked.

"Yes!" Anders exclaimed, as he hit his fist on the table. "We need to leave as soon as possible!"

"That's what we are here to decide," Hawke replied, ignoring the disappointed look Anders was giving him. "It is sure to be dangerous, and we have fewer fighters than before."

"But it's Cat," Merrill spoke up. "She would go to rescue any of us."

"I'm going," Anders said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Even if I have to go alone."

Hawke looked over at him, and then back to the group. "I asked you all here, because I am going to go back to the Deep Roads," he said calmly. "I won't make anyone go, because we all know what that place is like, and knowing what happened to Carver could very well happen to any one of us."

"Thanks for the warning Hawke," Aveline interrupted. "But all you needed to say was that you need us to come."

"That's just it Aveline," he said with a gentle smile. "I can't do that. All I can say, is that I am going, and if anyone wants to come along, be ready to go in an hour."

Hawke stood up then, noting the pleased expressions on the others' faces. "We don't have much time, and we'll need to move quickly. I'll be at the gate of the city in one hour. If you are coming, I'll see you there. If not, that's totally fine, and I'll see you when I get back."

Hawke stepped out of the room, wanting to give them as much time as he could to come to a decision. He meant what he had said, but he truly hoped that they would all come with him.

Isabela did a quick shimmy, making sure her girls were on display in the way that would be most appealing. She couldn't say that she was upset at being the distraction yet again, but it would be nice to sometimes be the one to take the bad guys by surprise.

But, for as handsome as her companions were, they simply couldn't do the job. Fenris, while extremely attractive, usually had other men on guard within moments. And Zev was recognizable, and seemed to be feeding off Fenris' vibe the last little while. He was still flirtatious as possible, but when it came time to fighting, he was downright vicious.

She knew it was partly because of what they were fighting against, and partly because he equated the entire business to keeping Cat safe. She could tell that in some way, while he didn't feel he had failed her, he hadn't quite succeeded either.

He asked for details, and while she may have glossed over some of it all, Fenris told him straight out about the danger she had been in, and not just because of the Crows.

Not only that, but Zev had been in a pisser of a mood ever since they had left Kirkwall. He didn't have to admit it, she knew he was jealous that he wasn't her everything anymore, even though he would deny that that was what he wanted.

Wrapped around her finger indeed, she thought, and Kitty didn't even know it.

It made Isabela a little nostalgic, remembering how she too had been amused and then infatuated with the girl that seemed so different than any other she had met. Of course, all three of them knew why now, though she was the only one that knew that. The two handsome elves were determined to keep their secrets, not knowing that they actually shared them.

Giving a shrug, she moved her daggers out of their sheaths, and into her bodice, hiding them from view, and making it look like she was unarmed. She moved forward, giving herself a slight limp, and holding onto one arm, as if in pain. She smirked to herself, though not letting it show on her features as she neared the camp. These men had no idea what was coming for them, she thought happily. Literally. She looked behind her shoulder, giving her companions a grin, then turning back with a pained expression.

"Help! I need help, please!" she called, making her voice sound higher and out of breath. "They're after me! Help!"