I do not own anything Dragon Age. Rights belong to BioWare.

I did not remember getting ready for bed but awoke in my bed still dressed in the clothes I wore yesterday. As normal I woke before the dawn and I made my way down to the courtyard I had been training in. I didn't bother changing and was twisting my hair into its regular braid when I heard him.

Fenris was already out and about working through his own paces. I hung back to watch him a bit as he worked. I had never seen someone move with such a large blade so easily before. He looked more like he was dancing than practicing. As I watched I realized there was something odd about him that I couldn't put my finger on.

I must have got lucky in our spar yesterday. Or he was going easy on me. I have no idea how I won. I thought to myself as I watched him stab at the dummy he was working on. His movements were smooth as silk and rapid as running water. He swung high and lopped off the head of the doll before him before he spoke. "Yesterday was a nice way to start the day. Care to join me?" I smiled at him.

"After watching you a while I realize you must have been taking it easy on me during our spar yesterday." He cocked his head to the side as he considered how to answer. "Not necessarily. It had been a very long time since I fought just one person." He shrugged.

"You mean you routinely fight multiple opponents?" I asked mouth slightly hanging open in surprise. He nodded. "I train Denarius' guards all at once every day. Even in the Arena I never faced less than 10 at a time and they weren't always people." There was the smallest smile on his face as he spoke.

"That must have been a sight. I couldn't imagine people watching some of the battles I've had. I'm actually a little relieved that only a couple of people saw just how many times the dragon I killed knocked me on my ass before its demise." I laughed at the thought.

"I thought dragons were extinct." He replied. "Everyone does. I'll tell you the story as we start."

We spent the next few hours talking as we trained. He told me stories of his Arena matches and asked me to tell him about some of my adventures in Kirkwall. I was having a great morning.

"Well look at that." I heard from the sidelines. Zevran stood there, hands on his hips and a devil's smile on his face. "I've never heard you giggle like that before Hawke. It suits you." He winked at me. I stole a glance at Fenris who had yet again put his mask of indifference back on. It was like he turned into a different person.

"What do you need?" Fenris' voice was full of annoyance. "I came to collect you two for breakfast." Zevran crooned at him "Then I must whisk Hawke away from here to begin her preparations for this evening."

"What on earth requires me to go outside the manor to get ready?" I asked him as his smile widened. "Isabella made me promise not to say. She has a whole afternoon planned for you."

"I'm not going to like this am I?" he laughed. "Probably not." He offered me his elbow and escorted me into the house.

Breakfast went smoothly everyone but Fenris talking and laughing with each other. When the meal was done Isabella walked me up to my room teasing me about still being in yesterday's clothes. Fenris was a silent sentinel behind us. He stayed outside my door as I dressed and followed us to the coach in the stables.

Isabella tried to get him to stay insisting that she could protect me if necessary. They argued a few minutes before he exploded. A blue glow surrounded him as he grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the side of the coach.

"This argument is not worth the beating I will receive if I allow Hawke out of my sight." He roared. "I will accompany you both. End of story."

My heart sank as he spoke. "Unhand me!" Isabella screamed struggling for breath. As gently as I could I placed my hand on Fenris' arm. I saw equal measures of anger and fear in both of their eyes. "I understand. You will come with us. I will not be responsible for any harm that comes to you from Denarius. Let her go. Please."

The blue glow subsided as he looked at me. "Fenris please." I said again. Isabella was turning red from the strain of trying to breathe. If he didn't let her go soon, I was going to have to step in and the thought of a real fight with this man damn near broke my heart. When he complied, Isabella fell into a heap at his feet. He took a few steps back and began to climb into the driver's seat.

Isabella coughed a few times and took several deep breaths. "What in the Maker's name was that?" she croaked. I had been just as surprised as she was about the blue magic that radiated off Fenris like smoke when he snapped.

Seeing it that close made me realize what I couldn't quite identify this morning. I saw the blue glow then but my brain pushed it away thinking I must have still been half asleep. I helped Isabella into the coach and walked up to the front. Looking up at Fenris I asked him, "You have control of magic?" his expression was still full of anger. "These tattoos," he spit the word, "are made from pure lyrium. A painful gift from my master." I hung my head. "I'm sorry." I reached up and grabbed ahold of his leg. "Truly. I am sorry that he treats you the way he does. In the future, please voice your concerns and avoid that anger. I will not allow you to harm my friends again." The expression he gave me was filled with regret. "I will do better to keep my anger in check."

When I finally climbed into the carriage and we set off Isabella was rubbing her neck quietly. "I think I should apologize to him." She spoke. "I keep forgetting that slavery is a thing here and we are lucky enough to be housed in one of the few places that does not allow it. It never crossed my mind that Denarius may beat him for going against orders."

I used two fingers to lift her chin and look all around her throat. "I don't think you will bruise. I'm sorry he did that to you." She shook her head. "No, I was wrong. I shouldn't have put him in that position. I really do need to apologize to him."

"Varric told me weeks ago that Denarius is well known for how terrible he is with his slaves. I can only imagine what poor Fenris has suffered at his hands. He said the tattoos are lyrium and that he was forced into it. I wonder what that entailed. It seems rude to ask though so I haven't." I rubbed my palms together in my lap and stared at my feet.

"You know, after what you told me about your hair turning white, I can't help but think about what may have caused Fenris hair to be as white as yours is." She said voice small and thoughtful.

"When I very first saw him, my heart broke knowing he had experienced something as tragic and terrifying as what I experienced." I admitted. "I have never met anyone else affected in the same way." I took a deep breath as the rocking of the horse drawn vehicle started to calm my frayed nerves.

"What is so important that we have to go to town today anyway?" I asked her remembering I had no clue where we were going. "I found a spa that's like the one I used to have to go to every week when I was still married." Was the only reply I got.

After what felt like an eternity and one uncomfortable conversation with Fenris later and my entire body felt both soft and numb. Fernis rushed the room when I screamed my surprise of the wax treatment on my legs. I thought I would die of embarrassment until he calmed enough to go back out to the front of the building to wait. Isabella was still laughing at the whole situation on the way back to the manor.

"If I never do that again it will be too soon." I grumbled. "Like with anything else, first time is always the hardest. Tomorrow or the next day you will really enjoy how soft and smooth your skin is. It will make you feel sexy." She winked at me.

"I don't want to feel sexy." I shrugged.

"Oh, come off it Hawke." Frustration was seeping into her tone. "You're pushing 30 and still act like a teenager. There's nothing wrong with trying new things. You should try to make yourself feel as beautiful as you are. It's one hell of a confidence builder. Plus, once you're comfortable in your sexuality, your sensuality it will be that much easier to manipulate men like Denarius." I groaned.

"Think of it this way Hawke. You need to learn more about all of this because this man grew stiff under threat from you. Do you know anything about men like that?" I knew my face turned as red as a ripe tomato when the gravity of her statement hit me. She was right I was really out of my element when it came to this whole world. I had been sincere and trusting for far too long. I couldn't afford to risk my naivety becoming a liability in this endeavor.

When we returned to the manor, we had just enough time to begin getting ready.

FENRIS

This was the oddest afternoon I had had in a while. I couldn't get the thought of the blush on Hawke's cheeks when I responded to her scream of pain. I will never understand women calling pain beauty.

The sun was beginning to sink in the sky as I waited next to the carriage waiting to escort Hawke and her companions to Castellum Tenebris.

Dread was heavy in my belly at the thought of going back. Will Denarius be on his best behavior while trying to impress Hawke? Or will he think he will impress her exactly as he is? Disgust crawled down my spine at the thought.

I knew we would be leaving soon and had saddled my horse. Danarius had allowed me to keep the animal without a fight and I had become attached to her. I scratched her chin as I waited.

The blonde elf, her annoying friend and the Pavus boy had already come out side and climbed in. When she finally emerged, my breath caught in my throat. She was dressed in a creamy white. The top accentuated her chest without being cut too low. The sleeves were long and tight to the elbow before opening wide at the wrists like the moon flowers in the garden. The top tied off just below her breasts and a long flowing skirt rested low on her hips. She wore no shoes and her toenails were painted the same white as her dress. Her long hair was down and curled away from her face. The blue stone she usually wore around her throat was on a thin black ribbon tied around her neck. Her eyes were lined in black kohl and her lips were the softest pink. The look would have been simple on any one else but on her it was absolutely exquisite.

"She really is a unique beauty, isn't she?" The dwarf asked me. I hadn't seen him approach. I didn't answer. "Her soul is the most beautiful I've ever come across. She is the closest thing to an angel on earth there is."

"Is there a reason for this conversation?" I was starting to get annoyed. He looked up at me "I think the Maker threw you in with our lot for a reason. I also think you are not as loyal to Denarius as you would like us to think. I hope that we can count on you to help keep her safe as she navigates that snakes house."

I climbed atop my horse. "She has shown me a grace and compassion no one else has ever shown me. I am indebted to her for viewing me as a man and not a slave. I will do my best to keep her safe."

We went over our story as many times as we could on the journey. Zevran was going to keep his mantle as my serving man and Isabella was playing the role of possible fiancé to Dorian. I'm glad she was pretty enough that the age gap between the two of them wasn't so obvious. I guess it shouldn't matter since Denarius has at least 20 years on me. He's older than Mother and Father. My skin crawled at the thought. Thank the Maker this is all pretend.

I wasn't wearing my father's blades and I felt so exposed. The sheathe on my right thigh hiding a small straight blade did very little to make me feel safe. The magic that protected my bare feet squeezed against my skin as I adjusted my position. My rear was starting to feel numb after the miles.

"Are we close yet?" I asked Dorian. He opened the window and pointed to the massive structure we approached. This building was easily three times the size of the Palvus main house. "Welcome to Castellum Tenebris Hawke." Dorian replied.

I sat with my hands folded in my lap taking deep breaths to calm my nerves as Dorian and Isabella climbed out of the stage coach. Zevran waited a few moments and followed them. He was waiting just outside the door and offered me his hand to help me down the steps.

My heart was hammering in my chest so hard I was afraid Zevran could hear it as he escorted me inside.

The mansion was immaculate, dripping in luxury that would rival palaces. We were not the first guests there. Luckily the party wasn't going to be as grand as my societal introduction and I already recognized some faces in the crowd.

"Dorain Pavus and companion." The announcer introduced as they entered the room. Fenris was nowhere to be seen. He must be reporting to Denarius. I thought as I stepped forward. "Marian Hawke." Zeveran was not introduced. The room got quiet as my name was announced. Most everyone there turned to look at me and I felt so exposed. Luckily my body remembered the game I was there to play and strode forward spine straight and shoulders back.

My appearance must have impressed because a buzz spread around the room. Once I was far enough in the room, I was swarmed by some of the people I had spent some time with after the masquerade. I had seen plays with some and toured museums with others. Most everyone complimented my outfit. I put on my fake smile and went along with the conversation. Yes, I remembered our outing to the museum. Of course I was enjoying living in Minrathous. I was absolutely surprised at Magister Denarius invitation tonight.

After the first hour I excused myself out to the garden. Zevran was on my heels as he had been all along. When we were alone, I asked him "Do you think he's waiting for me to seek him out? Some kind of power play?" he nodded and made a show of brushing his fingers through my hair like he was trying to help me freshen up.

I wanted a better look at the gardens before we went back inside. The sun was just beginning to set and the fragrance of flowers on the air was exquisite. I aimlessly started wondering around looking at all the trees and flowers. It was very beautiful out here. "I've never seen such a beautiful garden." I mused aloud. "They are lovely my lady." Zevran agreed.

I wondered around looking for the most prominent fragrance on the wind. It had to be a flower. It smelled divine. It wasn't roses or honey suckle. I must have looked crazy walking around sniffing the air. "Zevran, do you recognize the flowers on the air?" I asked him. I looked back at him over my shoulder. He looked half amused half bewildered.

"No, My Lady."

He is laying on the slave thing nice and thick tonight. I laughed to myself as I continued my search. I hope what I'm looking for is a flower and not something else. I was determined to find it. Whatever it was smelled bewitching. I rounded a corner that led close to one of the walls of the building and found two rows of tall bushes that had flowers that looked like clouds all over them. There were several colors ranging from the palest white to a deep purple. I found them!

Excitement filled me as I approached them. The glorious sent was so strong here between them. I reached up to pull a branch down to inhale deep of its perfume. "This Zevran. Whatever this is its amazing!" I couldn't keep the excitement out of my voice as I looked at the plant. I immediately decided I liked the white flowers best and debated if it would be rude to pluck some of the bunches of tiny 5 petal flowers off the bush.

"I see you found the Lilacs." A deep amused voice rang out behind me. I recognized Fenris voice immediately as I turned to look at him. "They smell amazing and the flowers themselves are beautiful. What did you say they were called?"

"Lilacs." He stepped closer and took a look around at the various bushes. "Miss Hawke, I have been instructed to escort you to your place at the dining table. The meal will be served shortly." He opened his mouth so say something else and closed it with a shake of his head. "Follow me."

In the end I decided not to take a piece of the bush and followed Fenris back through the gardens to the great hall.

Everyone stood behind a chair at the table waiting for the host to come down. Fenris showed me to the seat of honor at the right side of the host's chair. Halward, Dorian and Isabella occupied the three chairs to my right and across from me stood a woman with straight black hair, blue eyes and a sharp chin. She stared at me with a hatred I couldn't understand. I don't think I had ever met her before so I decided to ignore her. Turning my head I warmly greeted my "uncle".

"Glad to see you were able to make it after all Uncle Halward." I smiled at him. He clapped a warm hand onto my shoulder. "You look lovely this evening Marian."

Before I could thank him, the announcer began to speak. "Our gracious host for the evening Magister Denarius."

Someone down the table began to politely clap their hands and after a few seconds everyone followed suit. I felt ridiculous clapping like a lackwit as I waited for the man to actually approach the table. When he finally did, he wore a long flowing robe of crushed red velvet embroidered with gold threads. He had that same golden staff clicking to the side of him like a walking stick. His greying hair was neatly combed and he overall looked well put together.

When we made eye contact, I could see the brazen lust in his eyes as he looked me up and down. When he got close enough, he reached out and grabbed my hand pulling it up to his lips. The faintest kiss brushed my knuckles as his voice rumbled. "I am so glad you could make it this evening Marian." I lifted one foot under myself and slightly bent the opposite knee in a curtsy. "I am honored to have been invited Magister."

Behind him Fenris pulled out his chair and once Denarius sat the rest of the guests sat as well. Fenris stood just behind and to the left of his master gripping the mage's staff and looking forward. He could have been a statue. Zevran played a similar role but he stood behind me to the right. There were others standing behind their masters & mistresses down the table.

Halward spoke up thanking Denarius for the invitation and began a light conversation with him as dinner was served. The table was slowly filled with meats, cheeses, soups, fruits, vegetables and anything else one could think of. A line of elves stood in a row just past the table holding pitchers. I need to be careful with the wine. I don't drink it often and cannot afford a cloudy mind tonight.

Quiet conversations buzzed all around the table and Halward continued to monopolize Denarius attention. Zevran must have read my mind because he silently came forward and filled my glass out of a small pitcher that didn't look like the ones held on standby. "I requested cool water for you, my lady. I will have it just here if you require more." He mumbled before taking a step back.

"Are Master Denarius wine selections not good enough for you?" a loud nasally voice across from me demanded. I took a sip of my glass before looking up at the hostile woman across from me.

"I didn't realize my dining habits were under the scrutiny of someone I've never met. My name is Marian Hawke. You may call me Miss Hawke." I gave her my best condescending smile.

Her eyes narrowed. "You still didn't answer my question." I blinked once in surprise. "I didn't realize I was required to answer your questions. Who are you to think you have the right to question me in the first place?"

"Hadriana behave." Denarius interrupted. "You are getting very close to insulting my guest of honor." Her pinched cheeks reddened. He turned to me. "Please ignore her. She takes any perceived slight to me personally."

I turned to look directly at him and asked "Do you think my choice not to indulge as a slight surah?" He laughed. It was surprisingly warm. "Of course not."

I reached out a hand to grasp his for a brief moment. "Good. I only mean to keep my focus sharp. I am not much of a drinker and didn't want to embarrass myself with my low alcohol tolerance." I turned back to Hadriana. "Tell me, what is your relationship to the Magister that makes you take his honor so seriously? You look far too old to be his daughter."

Denarius chuckled again as the ugly woman turned a deeper shade of red. "I am his apprentice!" she huffed straightening her back in pride.

"Oh dear. It seems like I lifted you above your station thinking you were some relation to him. Since you're nothing more than his pupil I will remind you, I may not be a mage but, I am a master of my own craft. I am also nobility in my own right. Remember your place and do not question your betters. Ever. Do you understand?" I lifted my glass again and took a long sip as Denarius roared in his laughter. From the corner of my eye Halward looked at me with such pride I momentarily felt like his long-lost niece.

When I set my glass back down, I smiled at the sputtering woman. The fury she looked at me with earlier was back in force but she said nothing. She simply bowed her head and muttered a polite "Forgive me My Lady. Excuse me Master I have lost my appetite and will retire."

I clicked my tongue. "There you go again presuming to tell My Lord what you are going to do. Ask his permission to leave as is required of you." Her face darkened in embarrassment. She bowed her head further "Of course. Master, may I retire for the evening?"

Denarius laughed a few moments more before he answered. "Remove yourself. You've embarrassed the both of us enough this evening and hope you have learned your lesson. I will not be so nice if it were to happen again."

I giggled as she scurried away. I raised my glass again and nodded at Denarius. "I apologize to my gracious host if I crossed a line." He waved a hand dismissably.

"Never mind her. She had it coming. Do you like sweetbreads? This dish is one of my favorites." He scooped something from a dish in front of him and plopped it onto my plate. "I've never heard that phrase but have never been afraid to try new foods." I took a bite. Whatever it was did not disappoint. Soft and creamy it had a light buttery flavor with a hint of roasted garlic.

"This is wonderful. Thank you." He looked pleased and watched closely as I finished the portion he gave me.

"Your gardens are lovely." I complimented him. "I'd love to meet your gardener and hear about the various plants I toured earlier. I was especially captivated by a flower Fenris told me was called Lilac."

The meal its self was rather enjoyable. Everything I sampled was absolutely divine and Denarius was surprisingly witty. If I hadn't already known what kind of man he was I would have been charmed by him.

Once the dinner had concluded everyone was ushered outside to the gardens to relax a while as the next phase of the evening was being set up. According to our hosts itinerary next would be dancing and the evening would conclude after a thorough round of storytelling. Everyone there wanted to hear about my victory over the Arishok.

Of course, public speaking would be part of this night. I complained to myself as I sought out my friends. I've told this story a million times so what if it's for a crowd this time. As Zevran and I approached Halward, Dorian and Isabella I caught the tail end of the conversation.

"I can't believe he actually served her like that. Does she even know what it was he gave her?" Dorian sounded a bit disgusted. "It won't matter to her she enjoyed it and would probably again. I don't think she really understood him serving her like that." Isabella replied. "I bet during the dance he whisks Halward away to begin negotiations."

They hadn't noticed my approach yet so I stopped and motioned for Zevran to get closer. "What are they talking about?" I asked keeping my voice low.

"Sweetbreads are offal. Half of people think they are trash and the other half consider them delicacies. As for the other thing. Him serving them to you was a subtle claim on you. Usually someone of his position would only serve their partner or spouse. Just a tiny power play on his part."

"And here in my naivety I thought he was just being pleasant. Was there anything else I might have not known the meaning behind?"

"No ma'am. In fact, you dealt with the apprentice superbly. She's threatened by his interest in you. You played the perfect mix of the grace and pomp that is required in your status. Well done." He sounded so proud.

"Would you like to go around gossip mongering?" I asked him as he smiled. "You know me so well mistress." He bowed his head. I waved a hand dismissively and left him to his own entertainment. It was then the others noticed me. Isabella waved me over. She hugged me. "I take it Zevran told you everything you need to know?" she asked. I nodded.

"What are we expecting next?" I asked looking around. Halward and Dorian waived their hands muttering something I couldn't quite catch under their breath. "Just a quick muffling spell. We made sure that anyone trying to eavesdrop wont quite understand what they are hearing." Dorian explained. I really need to work on how expressive my face is. I silently scolded myself.

"I have received a summons for a private conversation with Denarius at the beginning of the dancing. Dorian and I will go up to talk with him. Isabella will stay with you." Halward told me pulling a white card from his breast pocket.

"With his brazen act at dinner we are confident that he will ask about an engagement." Dorian placed a hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure that you want to go through with this?"

"Do you have a better idea to get access to this house to find what we need for the Archon?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest. "Besides you told me that we can drag the engagement for at least a year due to … um." I got quiet as Isabella snickered.

Halward cleared his throat. "Speaking of that," he started. "Dorian informed me that you have never…" he cleared his throat again cheeks darkening in embarrassment. "I need to hear it from you."

I turned my gaze to Isabella who was now staring at her shoes. Good. Let her feel a little guilty. Looks like I have to tell them without actually telling them. I took a deep breath and sighed.

"Can I really speak freely?" I asked nervously looking around me at the strangers that surrounded us. Halward took a step toward me and nodded his head. He had a great amount of confidence in his spell. I trusted him. "I have technically had sex one time over a decade ago. It was not consensual." Tears threatened to spill as my mind thought of the pain of that monster having its way with me. Halward's shoulders sagged and Dorian's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You poor thing." Halward mumbled as he scooped me up in a hug. "No one deserves that."

He held me for a moment as I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. Before he could say anything, else bells started to ring. Music began to drift out from the ballroom.