"Merrill? You okay?" Cat asked quietly.

The group kept walking, and though she knew there were a couple that could still hear what she was saying, she felt the need to ask. Merrill looked as if she were facing a pride demon, not about to see her clan again.

"Yes Cat," she replied. "I am fine."

"You don't sound fine," Fenris commented.

"I may be… a little nervous about seeing the keeper again," she answered timidly.

"Don't worry Merrill, you're safe with us," Hawke said with a grin.

"That's actually… kind of what I'm afraid of…" she mumbled.

Hawke gave a look of concern, but it was obvious that he hadn't heard her. Cat could tell that Merrill wasn't yet sold on the idea of her knowledge, yet she was concerned enough, that Cat thought she may be wondering if it all were possible.

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Cat said aloud. "After all, we're just here to find Zev."

"And thanks goodness for that," Isabela added. "Otherwise we'd end up having to stay the night."

"Not a fan of nature, are we Rivaini?" Varric teased.

"Oh yes, all the nature we've come across up here has been delightful," she retorted. "From the murderous spiders, angry demons, undead skeletons, and sneering elves… I've had all the nature I can stand."

"I'm sorry," Merrill replied. "They're good people, they are just… not showing it."

"It's not your fault Daisy, don't let her get you down," Varric consoled her. "They've been downright civil to us, and knowing Raven's charms, he's probably been welcomed like a long lost cousin."

"Or lover," Fenris groused.

Cat raised an eyebrow at his tone and gave him a questioning look that he pointedly ignored.

"How about a story to pass the time?" Varric suggested, and Hawke groaned.

"I'm still hearing about that last one you told," he said with a roll of his eyes. "The way you tell it, I fought against that high dragon single-handed, using magic to create a shield that simply bounced its fire breath back onto it, and it roasted itself to death."

"You have to admit, the people were impressed with your abilities," Varric replied with a smirk.

"You cut us all out of the story?" Merrill asked, surprised. "But I fought so hard!"

"Don't worry Daisy, I was simply protecting you from all those people. They would have wanted to ask you questions, maybe even followed you home…"

Merrill shivered in terror. "Oh, well in that case, never put me in a story Varric," she said definitively. "I don't need humans following me anywhere."

"What do you say Little Dove? How about you tell a story then?" Varric asked.

Cat thought for a moment, and asked. "A true one, or a made up one?"

"In Varric's mind, they are one and the same," Hawke said with a chuckle.

"Okay then," Cat smiled. "There was an emperor that was known throughout the land for his exquisite clothes. He cared nothing for his people, his soldiers, or his family, only for the newest fashions.

"He would search far and wide for new fashions, trying the most bold and the most daring. He was always one to start new trends, and because of his status, no one dared to speak up if they thought them ghastly."

"Sounds like someone in Orlais," Isabela commented with a laugh.

"Knowing this, a pair of rogues decided on a plan to help lighten the emperor's coffers, and presented themselves in the city, spreading the news of the fabrics that they could weave with such elaborate patterns and colors, that they would remain invisible to those that were unworthy of their title, or were extraordinarily simple of mind."

"That too could be anyone in Orlais," Anders added with a smirk, "or any noble really."

"After hearing of this, the emperor thought that the fabrics must be magical, and if he were to wear them, he would be able to tell immediately who in his realm were unworthy of their offices, and even the wise from the foolish!

"He sent for the pretend weavers immediately, and commissioned them to make his newest outfit. The rogues set up two looms, requesting all the most expensive and luxurious materials, the purest silks and golden threads, which they immediately piled into their bags. Throughout the day they could be seen hard at work on their looms, though no one could see what they were making."

"I see where this is going…" Varric chuckled.

"The emperor, not wanting to be caught in case he was unable to see the cloth, sent in his minister, knowing that he was a man of sense, and truly fit for his office- and ordered that he report on the fabric's progress.

"Of course, upon entering the room, and looking at the looms, the man worried about himself as he was unable to see even a single thread of the fabric.

"The rogues turned to him, asking what he thought of their work. 'Do you think this purple looks too bright?' one asked. 'Will the emperor like this gold inlay?' the other questioned.

They looked at him, and he looked again to the looms, seeing nothing there- because there was nothing of course- but thought that there was no way he would let it be known that he was either unfit or a simpleton.

"So he agreed that the fabric was wonderful, and asked them to explain their process, listening intently, so that he would be able to repeat their words to the emperor, which he did."

"Clever rogues," Hawke said with a smile. "Using the nobles' own egos against them."

Cat smiled back, and continued. "The rogues asked for more materials, which simply went into their packs, and continued to pretend to work. The emperor sent another man from his court to find out of the progress, and he returned much the same as the first, praising the work of the two weavers.

"In fact, the whole city was abuzz with the news of the magnificent cloth, and finally unable to wait any longer, the emperor came to see it for himself, bringing several men with him. The two pretenders continued to work feverishly, though they didn't actually weave a single thing.

"The emperor stared and stared, but try as he might, he was unable to see a thing. He wondered if he were merely a simple minded fool, or if he were unfit to be the emperor, but either thought was unacceptable to him. 'Oh, it's truly a marvel!' he exclaimed, praising the work that he could not see.

"All the men with him, strained to see something on the looms, and saw nothing, yet they too heaped praise on the supposed fabric. The rogues continued their work, rolling pretend cloth from the looms, cutting the air with their scissors, and sewing with empty needles, until they proclaimed that the emperor's new clothes were ready."

The group was all chuckling now, seeing where the story was going, but Cat continued on. "The emperor came forward, and the rogues had him undress before the mirror, as they brought forth his new suit. 'See how magnificent the fabrics are' they said, 'light as a feather, almost as if you had nothing on at all!'

"The courtiers oohed and gave commendations to the weaver's work, so much so that the emperor bestowed extra payment for a job well done. As he stood there, admiring himself in the mirror wearing his new clothes, his men heaped compliments on how dashing he appeared, no one wanting to be caught as simple minded.

"And so, as with all his new fashions, the emperor went out among his people to show off his new clothes. All the people did just as his men, shouting out their awe at the magnificence before them. The emperor paraded through the city, none the wiser, as the rogues made off with their bounty."

"Don't tell me no one ever figured it out," Hawke interrupted, a shocked look on his face.

"They did, actually. A young boy could be heard shouting to his father, why the emperor wasn't wearing any clothes," she replied. "And since he had no title, and was too young to be considered simple minded, they all knew that they had been deceived. The emperor was too proud to admit it, and continued on, the awe of his people turning to laughter and mocking his ears with every step."

They laughed, each then guessing if the story was real or not, until Cat confessed that it was made up.

"I think that is something that Zev and I could get away with," Isabela suggested, and they laughed again.

"If I hear about this happening in Orlais, Rivaini, I'll know exactly who the culprits are," Varric replied.

"Issy's going to try it on the next person she seduces," Cat said with a smirk. "Here sweet thing, I made this just for you," she continued in an impersonation of Isabela.

"Not a bad idea Kitty, though I think that was going to be Hawke's play."

Cat laughed, and seeing the smile on Hawke's face, laughed even harder.

"I'd take that as a no, Hawke," Anders said, giving his back a pat in consolation.

"That may seem like a good outfit, but actually Hawke prefers…" Cat said before she could think, cutting herself off abruptly before she finished the thought.

"Yeeessss?" Isabela and Varric asked together in glee.

"I don't think you want to start this," Hawke warned, looking flustered, and Cat covered her mouth with her hand and nodded.

"You're right, I don't," she answered.

"Now come on Kitty, we're all very interested in what Hawke prefers!" Isabela grinned.

"Not all of us," Aveline spoke up.

"So Varric," Hawke asked, changing the subject as he moved forward and away slightly from the group. "Where are we on that other matter?"

Varric gave a very loud sigh. "I'm trying Hawke, but I can't seem to find out what they wanted, or where they came from."

"It's fine," Hawke replied with a nod. "I honestly didn't expect much to come of it."

"No, but it bothers me," Varric said.

"Is this something I should know about?" Cat asked, having heard the cryptic conversation from walking behind them. "Because I'm coming up blank."

"It's nothing," Hawke replied quickly. "Some men we were looking into."

"Maybe I can help," Cat began.

"No!" Hawke replied harshly, then took a breath and started again more calmly. "No, that's all right. I don't think we'll be seeing them again in any case."

"All right…" Cat replied, her brow furrowed in thought. She didn't like being kept in the dark, but didn't push it. She knew it was bad, but it made her feel better about not telling Hawke everything, since she now knew he had secrets from her as well.

"Do you think Zev is actually just hiding out with the dalish?" Hawke asked Cat with a smirk, slowing down a bit so the others caught up.

"I doubt it," Isabela answered for her, giving Cat a look that said she wouldn't forget the previous conversation, she was just allowing it to be postponed. "Zev really isn't one to hide for long."

"Agreed," Cat added. "More likely he's setting a plan in motion in order to trap the men, since he took off alone. He's good, but even he won't face ten or twelve men by himself. He'll want to cull that number down a bit."

"He's not alone though," Hawke said, his brow furrowed. "Why not just have us all face them together?"

Cat didn't think her feelings for Hawke could continue to grow, yet whenever he said things like this as fact, it made her heart burn. Especially because of how jealous he could be of Zev. "He won't think of himself as part of us," Cat said, a little sad at the thought. "He wants to spend time with me, yes, but I think a part of him wants to repay you for taking care of me when he couldn't."

"He said something about paying a debt to me, but I thought that was just part of his ruse from before," Hawke murmured as he thought it over.

"Zev isn't one to make oaths, so when he swore to protect Kitty, he took it very seriously," Isabela said. "He had a difficult time letting her go with me, but felt it was the only way. He didn't want to take her to fight the archdemon."

"He talked to you about that?" Cat asked, surprised.

"He agonized over that decision," Isabela replied. "And I could tell he felt a little like he was failing you by sending you away."

"What, like he failed to protect her?" Fenris asked. "How does that make sense?"

"I didn't say it made sense," Isabela smirked at him.

"If that's how he felt, he really would feel that he owed all of you," Cat said, "not just Hawke. I've told him of a lot of the jobs we've taken, and he knows that you've all saved me on multiple occasions." Her eyebrow rose as a thought hit her. "I wonder if that's why Duran asked me to come visit? As a way to help Zev keep an eye on me?"

"I am sure Duran would have asked you anyway," Anders disagreed. "He is your friend, isn't he?"

"Yeah, you're right," Cat answered with a nod.

"So you think Zevran led the men off, in an attempt to deal with them without our help?" Sebastian asked. "So as not to incur more debt?"

Thinking it not implausible, Cat shrugged. "I'm not certain, honestly," she answered. "He really did prefer to work alone, but I thought after all the time spent with Duran and his crew, he would have changed that view."

"Like all of us have?" Fenris asked with a smirk.

"Something like that," Cat smiled.

"Well, no use speculating now," Hawke said. "We'll just find him and deal with these men. Whether he likes it or not."

He gave Cat a smile, and she returned it.

"Greetings Champion," a woman named Variel said as Hawke walked into the camp. "That is what they call you in your city, is it not?"

"It is, though I prefer names to titles," Hawke answered graciously. "Just Hawke will do," he added.

Variel nodded. "What can we help you with?" she asked.

"I was told that there was a murderer hiding among the dalish," he said. "Though I doubt the claim, I thought I would still search the man out."

"He is not among us," she replied, her expression guarded. "He is in a cave nearby, and said that men would come after him, though to be honest, I thought they would be a different group."

Variel turned her head, taking in the large group of people, and eclectic as they were, they didn't seem the men that Zevran had warned her of.

"They are," Hawke replied. "They tried to hire us to do their dirty work, but Zevran is a friend. We came to join him."

"Ah," Variel said, her expression clearing of doubt, and a smile blooming. "In that case, I will show you."

She turned, gesturing for them to follow, and they stepped after her.

Cat looked around the camp, noting that there were a few speculative looks, and more than a few glares at them. She noted Marethari standing near the fire speaking to another elf, and she made a mental note to speak to the keeper about Merrill and the demon before she left.

Variel walked them over to the entrance of a cave, stopping at the entrance. "I will warn you, he's spoken of traps and such, warning us not to come after him. Good luck finding him."

"Thank you," Hawke replied, turning to look behind him. He stayed quiet for a moment, as Variel walked away, then spoke to his crew. "Be careful where you're striking, we don't want to hit Zev."

"I wouldn't worry about that," Cat replied. "He'll be watching, and will likely come out to meet us, once he sees it's us."

"All right," Hawke conceded. "But still be careful, we don't know what kind of traps he's laid out."

Hawke turned, stepping forward to lead the group into the cave.

"This is part of the hunting grounds," Merrill said clearly so that all could hear her. "There are fierce beasts that live here."

"Good to know, Daisy," Varric replied. "Though as long as there isn't dragons we'll be fine."

"Way to jinx it Varric," Cat said drolly.

"I'm not worried about dragons," Merrill said. "I'm more concerned about varterrals."

"That huge thing with all the legs and burning saliva?" Fenris asked. "We killed it long ago, remember?"

"And you think that was the only one in existence?" she asked him incredulously.

"Well no, but… it seems improbable that there would be another one…"

She gave him a look, and replied. "With that one gone, it is likely another came to take its territory. More than likely."

"Great," Varric said, feeling that it was anything but.

"We'll deal with whatever comes," Hawke said, continuing forward.

"Um… Cat?"

Cat turned to Sebastian, wondering what had him sounding so apprehensive. "Yes?" she asked.

"I just thought you should know…" he replied, looking up from the ground where he studied the tracks. "Looks like spiders."

Cat looked pained, but nodded. "Okay," she said, letting out a large breath, and pulling her largest daggers out of their sheaths from her back, and brandishing them in front of her. A few of the others followed her lead, pulling their own weapons out.

"Let's keep moving," Hawke said, and led them further in.

Giant spiders there were, but the crew were more than capable. Cat actually smiled, seeing more than one friend moving in front of her to take on the spiders before she had to. They continued through the cave for about an hour before they finally came to a large cavern, and Hawke's steps became more cautious.

"What is it?" Cat asked, looking around.

"I'm not sure," he replied, his own eyes moving back and forth, unable to see what was giving him a bad feeling. He moved slowly, eyes tracking the room.

Once the group reached the mid point, Hawke began to relax slightly, not seeing anything, though he couldn't get rid of the feeling of being watched. He glanced behind himself, seeing the others all facing outward, looking for the threat. And he noticed Cat squinting at something up above them.

He turned his face up, looking at the dark ceiling, wondering what she was finding so fascinating, only to have a drop of water fall directly on his face. He gave a look of disgust, and reached up to wipe it off.

He gave a grunt as his face started burning, moving quickly to remove it with the back of his hand. "What the-" he muttered, knowing that wasn't water that had gotten him.

"It's up there…" Cat whispered to herself, Merrill and Fenris turning to her and following her gaze up. The others followed after them, just as a low snarl sounded above them.

"Get back!" Hawke shouted, grabbing Cat's arm and moving forward. "Scatter!"

Just in time, they each moved in different directions as the large creature jumped down from the ceiling, landing where the group had just been standing. They picked themselves up, some from leaping away, others the impact causing them to lose their footing.

"What is it?!" Cat asked, seeing some sort of spider-like creature, with huge legs, small body and two small arms that reminded her of a t-rex.

"Varterral!" Merrill shouted back from across the room.

"Surround it!" Hawke called, casting a gravitic spell to slow it down.

The varterral shook off the magic, seemingly unaffected, though Cat could see it's movements were slightly slower. "It looks like it's resistant to spells!" she shouted to her friends. She moved forward to slash at its legs, but Hawke caught her arm, just as a leg pushed back, missing her by inches.

"Thanks!" she breathed out, looking for a better way to get closer.

"Stay back!" Hawke yelled, even as he put himself in front of her.

"Not a chance!" she shouted back, moving out to her right.

"My Dove!"

She was stopped again, as Zevran appeared from behind her, holding her back. She turned to glare at him, and he gave her a steady look. "Watch me first!" he yelled over the noise of battle, and sped forward in a zig zag pattern towards the creature's leg, giving it a slash, then moving towards another.

She watched, fascinated as he moved in a circle around the creature. It kicked out at him, only to have him already at the next leg giving it a slash or stab with his daggers, and on the move again.

She smiled, steeling herself, and moved in to copy his movements.

"Cat…" Hawke trailed off, watching as she went forward. His heart clutched in worry, but he didn't have time to block her this time. He pulled all the mana he could into a barrier, sending it around her, then, hating that he knew he couldn't keep his eyes on her, he turned back to attack the varterral again.

Seeing the blur of movement, the warriors pulled back slightly, as the rogues made a circle around the varterral, and moved back after to take advantage of the creature's distraction. Aveline waded in, blocking upwards with her shield, Varric and Sebastian seeing the opening she created and sending bolts and arrows into the creature's body.

Merrill called forth vines, holding down one of its legs, as Fenris leaped into the air, bringing his great sword down in a weighted blow, severing the leg completely, as the varterral screamed in pain.

Isabela danced in front of its gaze, creating a distraction and keeping its attention so the others could continue their assault. Noting that Zevran and Cat were clear, she moved into stealth to deal several large slices, to bleed the creature out and weaken it.

Cat looked back to Hawke, seeing that she was covered in a barrier, and made to smile at him. He wasn't watching her however, having moved to Anders to join their power in an attempt to freeze the saliva the varterral spit at the crew, keeping it from damaging their people.

She smiled, though to herself. She wondered if Hawke even knew how much it meant to her that he was not only letting her fight, but was not even tracking her movements. Perhaps he meant it when he told her he would do better about being overprotective.

She turned back to the varterral, just as it lashed out, kicking desperately, and catching both Isabela and Zevran at once, sending them flying back. She could tell it was now fighting for its life, and its attacks were even more brutal, as it connected with several of the group.

They moved in again to surround it, and Hawke sent another fireball at it. The varterral jumped up, scuttling across the ceiling, and the group scrambled back so as not to be scorched from the fireball.

They all looked up, searching for the beast in the darkness above them, hearing its movements, and realizing where it was heading too late.

"HAWKE!" several of them screamed, and Hawke pushed Anders away just as the varterral landed atop of him, knocking him over. It used one of its limbs to hold Hawke down, and snarled in his face.

Cat could only think how the creature sounded like it was a spitting cat, and her eyes widened in horror, as she realized it was going to expel its acid-like spittle at Hawke.

"No!" she screeched as she moved toward them. The beast let loose, covering Hawke in its secretion, then turning to meet the new threat, still holding Hawke down.

Cat ran straight for it, not hearing the others shrieking her name, only seeing the pain in Hawke's face as he flailed around. Knowing she had once chance, and needed to finish the beast off, Cat ran forward, brandishing her weapons.

It roared at her, ready to stab at her with its claws, but Cat wasn't one to fight head on. She was taught by assassins and raiders after all. At the last moment, she slid- just as she had learned long ago when playing softball, and a personal favorite move when sparring against bigger foes. She slid in the dirt and rocks, ignoring her own pain, and avoiding the claws of the creature's small arms.

Before she completely stopped, she tucked her body into a roll over her shoulder, and came up with her daggers- plunging them upwards into the small underbelly of the beast, twisting as she did so. She released her hold, leaving the large blades in the creature.

Not paying attention to what the varterral was doing, she moved to Hawke. Pulling out a cloth she now habitually carried in order to clean off her face after battle, she knelt beside him, even as he tried to push her away.

She grabbed her water skin, pulling the stopper out with her teeth and spitting it away. She dumped the contents over the cloth, not caring where the excess landed, and quickly put it to his face.

Taking care, she wiped it from his forehead down, folding the fabric as needed to use a clean portion until she was able to get the mucus off his face. He had stopped yelling, and he was panting. She knew he was still in pain, as he was practically bathed in the stuff, but he took deep, steadying breaths.

Before she noticed, she was surrounded by the others, all of them pulling out their own water skins in order to help. She felt a hand on her arm and she turned to see Isabela looking her over in concern.

"I'm fine," she said quietly, and Isabela gave her a nod, and turned to give Hawke the same treatment.

"Thank you," he mumbled, still panting. The others backed up giving Anders room to heal Hawke as needed. "It felt like it was eating away at my skin," he told his friend.

"It didn't," Anders said, even as his hands glowed blue. "Very painful, but it's didn't create any wounds."

"That's good," Hawke said, his relief at whatever Anders was doing palpable to the rest of them. "I'd hate for Cat to leave me because I wasn't as handsome anymore."

"Very funny," she replied from his other side, still gripping his hand. "I'd say you're fine, since you still have your questionable sense of humor."

He opened his eyes now, and lifted an eyebrow at her. "Well, if you don't want me for my money, or my title, what else could it be, but my stunning good looks?" he asked with a smirk.

Her own eyebrow raised at that and she patted his hand with her other one and let him go. "Your dog," she replied in deadpan, then stood up, and turned to go find her daggers while the others started snickering.

"Hey!"

She found Zevran in front of her, holding out her daggers's hilts for her to take, and she took them, even as she gave him a look.

"I am sorry my dove," he replied, knowing what she was asking. "I should have known you would have come."

"You should have known we would all come," Hawke interrupted. "Even if you aren't part of the crew, you're Cat's, so you're part of us."

Zevran gave an odd look, looking confused, and Cat gave him a smile. "He means you're family, and we take care of each others' family."

"Ah," Zevran answered, understanding a little, though he still was slightly uncomfortable still with people that easily welcomed him into their lives. "How did you know where to look for me?" he asked.

"Easily," Isabela answered with a smirk. "Just follow the scent of Antivan leather."

Zevran laughed heartily. "Isabela, you are most definitely my favorite pirate wench," he replied. "But really, I am curious."

"Hawke and I met a man named Nuncio in Hightown," Fenris replied as he sat. Everyone else took their cue from him, and the fact that Hawke was still sitting as well, enjoying the respite from their fighting.

"I see," Zevran replied, his gaze darkening. "Let me guess, he needed help to capture a dangerous criminal, yes?"

"You don't think we actually believed it, did you Zev?" Cat asked.

"No, but it grates on my nerves that he makes up stories to get others to try to do his job for him," Zevran replied. "He will not face me directly, and has in fact sent many men after me, while never coming himself."

"Well, I wonder how we can convince him to come this time?" Isabela smirked.

"This is my fight," Zevran began, and was stopped by several grunts, snorts, and other comments negating his words.

"Sorry friend," Hawke spoke up. "Seems we're all of a mind about this. Besides, I can't let a man get away with trying to trick me. Think of the chaos that would cause if it were to get out!"

Zevran could appreciate Hawke's words, after all, he would do the same if their situations were reversed. He gave a nod as he conceded the point, but felt he should at least warn them. "He will not be alone, and likely has many more men than he even showed you."

"Yes, we've dealt with Crow tactics a few times now," Varric spoke up. Cat looked over at him in concern, since he had been so quiet, but it seemed he was simply writing some notes.

"The question is," Cat spoke up, "did they follow us and know we're friends? Or are they simply waiting to ambush us on the way back?"

"It could be either way," Zevran answered. "Though since Nuncio asked the Champion for help, they obviously don't know our history. However, I feel it would be foolish to simply spring their trap without a few hidden players, no?"

"You have a plan?" Hawke asked with a grin. "I'm all ears."

"Poor stupid Nuncio," Zevran mocked. "The Crows do like that saying, but I am living proof that it's a lie." He turned to Hawke with a smirk. "Why they insist that they can kill people like you and the Commander, I will never know."

"It's a burden I deal with on a daily basis, let me tell you," Hawke replied drolly.

"You are nothing but a traitor, and a coward, Zevran!" Nuncio spat as he glared angrily at the elf. "You'll die here!"

Zevran looked unimpressed, as he spun his upper body and flung a dagger behind him. A few of their crew made a face, seeing the dagger protruding from the eye of a man that had tried to sneak up behind him. The man made it a few more steps before falling at Zevran's feet.

"Yes, well, let's see how that works out for you," Zevran replied in dark pleasure, as he ran towards Nuncio.

Fenris gave a battle cry, and rushed forward as well, as Aveline turned to cover the back of the group. Isabela and Cat ran out to each side, and the rest of the group stayed where they were as they used their ranged attacks on the men that appeared to fight. It said something about their cohesiveness, as the Crows were killed before the mages were even running low on mana.

"Ah! Killing my former brothers in arms is so oddly satisfying!" Zevran smiled, his face covered in blood spatter.

"What did you do, Zev, slit his throat?" Cat asked with disgust. "You have blood all over you."

"You are so right!" Hawke crowed. "That was so therapeutic! I can literally feel my stress just disappearing."

Cat shook her head, just happy that the two of them were bonding, she supposed.

"I'd offer you something to wipe your face, but it has varterral spit all over it," she said with a smirk.

"You need a mirror my dove," Zevran replied with a grin. "I am not the only one covered in gore, though the stuff on your face doesn't look like blood."

She looked at him in question, then turned to give Isabela the same look. "Issy? That true?" she asked.

"Fraid so Kitty," she answered. "I think it's from those last stabs to the varterral."

"And no one could say anything until now?!" Cat asked the group, exasperated.

"Well, we saw you had used your cloth," Anders spoke up, trying to keep the smile from his face. "And I for one didn't want you getting that all over my robes."

The others made noises of agreement, until Cat just shook her head. "Fine, I suppose I deserve that," she muttered.

"But just look Little Dove, now you fit in with the rest of us!" Varric pointed out, and Cat looked around to see everyone was at least slightly splattered with some sort of gore, whether from the spiders, the varterral, or the Crows.

"You know, you're right!" she said happily, and she walked over to Anders. "Are you up to telling us what happened last night for you?" she asked. "I know what Cullen told me, but I'm sure that's not the whole story."

"Yeah, I can do that," he answered morosely.

"And you should think of coming to stay with us, both of you," she continued. "Who knows how much longer you'll be safe there."

The look of shock and gratitude he gave her, had her heart melting.

"I… Thank you, Cat. So much. It means the world to know that I'm not alone… after what happened yesterday. I honestly thought you all might want nothing to do with me."

"You're our friend Anders," Hawke added with a frown for him, moving over to them. "I was going to offer a place at my house as well."

"Honestly, I don't want to leave Adrius, and he doesn't want to leave Darktown, for fear of discovery. But it is a huge load off my mind, to know that we have somewhere to go if the worst happens." Cat agreed, she could practically see the burden lift from his shoulders.

"Come on then, let's get back to the city," Cat said, putting her arm in his. "You can at least come over for dinner," she said firmly, giving no room for an argument. "Everyone is invited for dinner!" she said loudly, so they could all hear her.

Anders just nodded, so overwhelmed, and Cat bit her lip as she studied him. She looked over as Zevran came to her other side, whispering that he had spoken to the keeper, and needed to tell her of it. She shared a look with him that had her thinking she had better share more with him and Fenris if she was going to recruit them to help her change the ending to Anders' personal quest. And it seemed like she needed to do it soon.

She looked back to her mage friend, studying the dark circles under his eyes, and the deep grooves of worry etched in the lines on his face. Yes, she thought. Very soon.