I do not own rights to Dragon Age, its lore or its characters. All belongs to BioWare. I am just a fan.

Ps: I know that in the game Leandra died before Hawke became Champion but I've already changed the timeline once removing Fenris from it so why not a second time? Also, I received a message reminding me that if Bethany made it to Kirkwall, Carver died in Lothering. I made a reference to Isabella having met Carver so I guess I changed that too. For the story's sake, Carver was one of the fresh, new recruits that Captain Jevin sacrificed to his greed before Aveline busted him.

Sources cited below

Isabella and Dorian had gone up to the main house after our disagreement leaving Zevran and I as close to alone as we could get. Varric had gone to stay at the Dark Lady until we received the counter contract.

"You had her so worked up she couldn't make whole sentences." Zevran gossiped to me. I was helping him pack his clothes into one of the small cases he used for travel. "I can't believe you reminded her she actually cares about me." he teased as he threw a shirt at me.

"I can't believe that you are leaving. I got used to you being around." I told him as I continued to fold clothes. "I shouldn't be gone long. Contract isn't for taking a life, it's for saving one." He shrugged. "Don't miss me too much." He was grinning. "Actually do. I like the thought of being on your mind while I'm not around."

"I'm sure Bella will miss you more than I will." I retorted.

"She will miss my pouty lips, rugged good looks and godlike stamina." He waved a hand in the air. I could not help the laugh that came up as I watched him puff out his chest. "You are so full of yourself." I light heartedly scolded as I threw one of his shirts at him.

"My dear when I notice people turn their whole body to watch me walk by, I am convinced everything I think about myself is correct." He laughed. "On a serious note, if I am not back before your first week in that place, will you be, okay? I know you will take Fenris with you but, …" his voice trailed off and the worry in his gaze as he met my eyes was palpable.

"Your worry for me is heartwarming Zevran. I have decided to be as anti-social as possible. If I stay in my quarters as much as I can maybe I'll be left alone." I shrugged. "I will worry more about it when I am actually there. No point of getting worked up over something I don't know anything about."

He was nodding in agreement as he tied close his rucksack. "I will try to be back as swiftly as possible. I promised Isabella I would see this through and I intend to. I just didn't think my coin purse would get so light so quickly." He laughed again and flung himself down on his bed.

"If money is the reason you're going you know I would gladly give you whatever amount you need." I offered as he shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer but, whenever possible I prefer to earn my own coin. Besides, an old friend sent me word of this contract. It would be rude to decline it." He stifled a yawn. "Now, unless you would like to show me physically just how much my absence will affect you. I'd like to get some sleep."

I laughed at him again and took the hint. "Sweet dreams Zevran. I hope to see you again soon." I whispered as I closed the door behind me.

The first twinkles of twilight had begun to shimmer in the sky as I found myself once again sitting next to the fountain full of those beautiful calico fish. I had dismissed Sues and the rest of the house staff early shortly after Zevran went to sleep. She graciously made sure there was food prepared for Fenris and I before the house went silent.

The orange torchlight behind me perfectly illuminated the book I was reading. Varric was not aware that I had found a copy of The Dasher's Men and I couldn't wait to tell him how wonderful I found it. Several times I wondered if this story was about the struggles he and Bartrand had faced before I met them. I was so engrossed in the story that I didn't hear the footsteps that approached me.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Fenris deep voice startled me out of the novel and I jumped. His chuckle at my shock made my stomach flip but I couldn't help my grin as I greeted him.

"Fenris, did you have a good afternoon? Find anything interesting in the city?" I asked as I marked my page and set the book down. He set something wrapped in a white cloth next to the chair he claimed for himself.

I didn't give him a moment to answer before I said "Make yourself comfortable. I will be right back." I stood and hurried into the kitchen where I knew our supper was waiting for us. Cook had left a fragrant roast with root vegetables over a low flame. I found a serving tray and spooned out two decent sized bowlfuls. I also found some bread, butter, napkins and cutlery.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I brought the food out. I set the tray on the table between us. I picked up his bowl and handed it to him. Then I poured us each a cup of the water I already had outside.

"I didn't know if you've had any lunch but Sues and Cook were nice enough to make sure there was something hot for you when you returned. I hope you don't mind that I waited for you. I've always hated eating alone." I knew I was rambling and silenced myself by taking my first bite.

Silence stretched as I chewed. I could feel his gaze on me. The intensity of his piercing green eyes pressed against me sent a shiver down my spine and my arms covered in goose flesh. Once I swallowed my bite, I looked over at him.

His expression was pure bewilderment. He hadn't moved a muscle. "Is it too hot?" I asked at a loss for anything else to say. I took another bite chewing slowly and staring back at him.

"Why would you serve me a meal?" His question took a minute to sink in.

"Like I said, I hate eating alone and if I was serving myself, it only made sense to serve both of us. If you're not hungry just set it back on the tray I'll take it in once I'm done." I continued eating.

"You are a very odd woman Hawke." He paused for a while as he stirred the contents of his bowl. "Thank you."

He took a bite and his eyes widened. "It's really good, isn't it?" I giggled. He nodded as he began to ravenously consume the stew. We ate in silence for a while as I considered what to say.

We ate the rest of our meal in silence finishing around the same time. I scooped up the empty bowls and returned to the kitchen. I ran a sink full of hot water to clean our dishes. I was lost in my own head while I went through the motions of washing. Before I knew it a tattooed hand was taking the rinsed dishes from me and rubbing them dry with a towel.

He didn't say anything but I could tell he wanted to. "Let me guess never seen nobility wash dishes?" I teased with a laugh. He shook his head as he chuckled, "Never."

"I haven't always been a noble you know. I am blessed that the people here take such good care of me, the least I can do is clean up after myself." I smiled. "I want to apologize for this morning. I can understand why you would be upset hearing that I plan to go to the slave market when I've basically promised you your freedom. But after all the things you told me goes on in that house…. I don't know if I can ignore my instincts and let those kinds of atrocities just happen. I am hoping that I can desensitize myself to them a little to play my role." I had finished our few dishes and began cleaning out the sink when he put his hand on my shoulder.

"Your logic is solid. I shouldn't have been so quick to anger." He paused for a minute. "I need to know what I've found myself in though. I understand how it must be hard to trust a stranger but if you meant what you said, that I have a choice, I need more information." All of the words tumbled out of him in a rush and his body tensed like he expected to be struck for saying what was on his mind.

I let out a sigh. "You're right. I shouldn't expect your help without telling you what you're helping me with. What do you want to know?"

FENRIS

Once again, I had been surprised by the humility Hawke was capable of. Mere minutes after finishing up in the kitchen I was back outside. I pulled our two chairs closer to each other leaving the table within reach. I had a mental flash back to waking on one with Hawke in my arms. The thought was not unpleasant.

I began to shrug off the armor I wore. The late evening breeze felt good against the sweat moistened tunic and breeches I wore under it. Sitting back I stretched my legs out crossing my ancles, one of my arms hooked behind my head as I looked up at the sky. Stars were just starting to twinkle in the dark above me. Ever since the rooftop conversation with Hawke and Varric, I made it a habit to look up at the night sky at least once each night.

"I love sitting out under the stars. It makes me feel closer to my sister." Her voice broke out over my thoughts. When I turned my head to look at her, breath was stolen from my body. She had dressed down for the evening. The cream-colored night shirt she wore had no sleeves leaving the whole of her arms to her shoulders bare. A matching set of baggy trousers swished around her calves. Her hair was loose and tumbled to her waist in loose curls. The bounce of her unbound breasts and sway of her hips could not be hidden by the folds of cloth she wore. My mouth went dry as I felt a blush creep across my cheeks.

"The sister we spoke about on the roof?" was all I could think to say. She nodded a sad longing look on her face as she took her spot on the chair next to me. "I'm sorry you can't remember your family. That has to be as frustrating. I have nothing but memories and questions." She sighed.

"I've never really thought about it. Hard to miss what you don't know about." I shrugged.

I cleared my throat trying to find my voice again. "I had an interesting journey home." I began. She didn't say anything politely waiting for me to continue.

"Before I get into that, I might as well give you what I was sent into town to fetch." I sat up swinging my legs over the side of the chair and pulling the cloth covered case into my lap.

"Who sent you to pick something up for me?" she asked as she sat up.

"Varric." I answered as I handed her the box.

She thanked me quietly and began to unwrap the cloth. I watched quietly as she did. Her eyes widened when she saw the carving of the woman on the lid. Tears moistened the corners of the blue depths as her fingers reverently traced around it. "I miss you." She whispered as she touched the face of the carving.

"Who?" I asked gently. She took a deep breath in and held it, calming herself momentarily before she answered. "My father. I'm not able to wield his staff but I adopted this symbol as the Hawke Crest." Her voice was still just above a whisper.

"Your father was a mage?" I couldn't keep the incredulous tone from my voice. She looked at me. With a nod she said "As was my sister." Shock spread through my body at the revelation.

It was quickly replaced by anger. "Do you know how dangerous that is? To live with rogue mages? Any mage can fall prey to temptation. Here it's the norm. Their lust for power is a curse that they inflict on others." Fury shook my shoulders as I spoke.

Anger hardened her voice as she responded, "You never met my father or sister. Father was wise and kind. Bethany was sweet. The kind of sweet that would melt your bad days away. Tevinter is backwards in the way of the rest of the world. Not every mage covets power and prestige. Most of them just want to live an ordinary life. To love their family, have a place in their community." She got quiet again.

"I understand why you have contempt for mages. The mages of this country are despicable for the most part. But in Ferelden and the Free Marches most are just everyday people given a bad hand. As soon as anyone shows any inclination of magic they are ripped away from their families to the Circle. It does not matter if they are high born or low born. They cease to exist and are taken to start their studies. They are never allowed contact with their family after they are taken. After years they are subjected to a test called the Harrowing." She paused and looked back down at the carving.

"Father described it to me as being forced into the Fade to face demonic temptation. This is supervised by Templars.

Those who do not give in are then indentured to whoever can afford the services of a mage. Slaves to the Circle. Those who do are immediately killed. The circle takes a blood sample known as a Phylactery that is used to find any mage that attempts to run away. This was how my father lived until he attended a banquet held to honor the Grand Duchess Florianne. There he met my mother, Leandra Amell. They described it as love at first sight and spent months meeting in secret."

Her voice cracked and I could hear the sadness in it as tears spilled over her cheeks. All the anger I had been feeling melted away. I wanted to comfort her in some way but I did not know how so I just sat quietly allowing her to continue in her own time.

"Fenris, in a show of faith, I am going to tell you, my story. From my birth, to escaping the Fifth Blight, becoming Champion of Kirkwall and finally coming here." She took another deep, steadying inhale and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Maybe it will help you understand the person I am. I do not know any other way to show you that I trust you." She paused again and opened the case. A smile crept across her face.

She looked back to me. "Varric always knows what will cheer me up. Thank you for bringing these to me."

"You're welcome." Was my only reply. I was not going to pressure her into speaking even though curiosity had its claws in me.

She settled herself leaning back in the chair and looking up. "Mother and Father were eventually caught by my grandfather. Mother was pregnant and he was furious. She had been promised to another. After they both passed, I discovered that Grandfather had confined Mother to the estate and sent people after Father. While in hiding he met Warden- Commander Larius. This Grey Warden promised if Father completed a task for him, he would ensure that Father would be reunited with Mother and they would have safe passage out of Kirkwall. Again, I didn't find out any of this until long after both of my parents had passed away and sometimes, I am glad of that. Other's I am so angry it makes my stomach hurt." She cleared her throat, pausing her story and looked me directly in the eye.

"When you love someone, you will do anything to make sure they are safe. I know this. I have placed my life on the line protecting my family. But for the love of the Maker I can't understand why my father chose to comply with the Blood Magic the Grey Warden's required of him. "My magic will serve that which is best in me, not what is worst." He used to say. Over and over I heard him say that as he trained Bethany to control herself and yet he still performed that filthy Blood Magic. Was it only the one time? Did he continue to practice every now and then when times were hard? Blood Magic taints everything it touches." She spit the last few words with a venom I did not think she was capable of.

She sat up, brought up her knees to her chest and hugged her legs. Resting her chin on her knees she continued "I detest everything about Blood Magic and learning this about my father went against everything I thought I knew about the man." She sighed and closed her eyes, voice quieting. "After he fulfilled his part of the bargain the Warden- Commander kept his word and reunited Mother and Father, told my grandfather to stuff it and put them on a ship to Ferelden. I was born a handful of months later."

She looked so betrayed as she spoke. I wondered what it was like to go through so many emotions so quickly. She had been elated, nostalgic, horrified, and disgusted all within the last few minutes. I was still speechless. I couldn't empathize with her because I had no memory of anything before the excruciating pain I awoke in after Denarius branded me in lyrium. I surely didn't love anything or anyone within the life I was living.

She told me about Lothering and the blight. She answered all my questions about the Witch, the journey to Kirkwall, exploring the Deep Roads and the Quanari occupation.

"The Arishok told you that if you defeated him the Quanari would leave? Just like that?" I asked her raising my brow in skepticism. "They did. Once the Arishok took his last breath they picked up the book and every single one of them walked away without saying a word. They went down to the harbor and sailed away." She responded.

"I was stopped on the way back here today with a message for you from the Quanari." I admitted to her. She shot to her feet in surprise. "What do you mean stopped? Were you attacked?" the concern in her eyes was touching.

"On the contrary they were pleasant. They simply told me to tell you: We may be gone when you look away but you are still seen. What do you think that means?" I asked. She brought a finger to her chin and rubbed back and forth. "I don't know. The Arishok promised me that our battle was the end of it. Maybe someone is wanting revenge on his behalf? I've been wracking my brain since the surprise attack at Denarius' place."

She paced back and forth a few times before throwing her hands up in exasperation. "It's not important. It is not why I am here. If I have to deal with it while I'm in Tevinter, so be it, but until then it does not matter." She walked to the table and filled our glasses. After taking a long drink she sat back down leaning forward and staring me down.

"Now the reason I am here. Here are your answers." The intensity of her gaze made me squirm so I mirrored her in my chair. It brought our faces close enough that I could smell the soft perfume of the soap she used in her hair. "Fenris, let me ask you a question first." she started. "If someone beat a dog until the dog went mad, then set it loose and that animal killed someone, who is responsible?" Anger made her eyes shine.

"The one who drove the animal mad of course." I responded. A wicked grin crossed her lips. "Exactly. I've already put down the dog now I've come for the one responsible for its madness."

She sounded downright blood thirsty. It sent a shiver down my spine. "During my scramble to fund our Deep Roads expedition, I met a man named Ghyslain de Carrac. He was searching for his wife. He was a sniveling pathetic excuse of a man. More worried about proving he had nothing to do with her disappearance than her wellbeing." She made an odd clicking noise in her mouth as she scowled her disgust at the memory of the man.

"Further investigation led me to a Templar named Emeric. He was looking into Ninette, the wife's, and a few other women's disappearance. He told me that the missing women all received a bouquet of white lilies shortly before their disappearance. After looking into all the other clues he gave me, the most I ever found of Ninette or any of the other women was Ninette's signet ring, and a severed hand in a bag of trophies."

She sighed. "A year later Mother started talking about a new suitor. She teased me relentlessly that I had no romantic prospects while at her age she was still able to woo a man." She chuckled. The laugh sounded forced and hollow. "I wish I could go back and ask more questions. I was glad she was trying to find a little happiness after losing her husband then most of her children. She deserved some joy after all that pain." Her voice broke and I saw the tears gather in her eyes.

"A few more years later, my friend Aveline, who was Guard Captain came to me and asked that I speak with Ser Emeric. He had been raising hell with the guard to look into more disappearances. Aveline had used everything at her disposal to investigate but had found nothing. She couldn't keep using resources looking into something that seemed to be a dead end.

I did what I always do and helped my friend. I spoke with Emeric. He wanted me to look into a Gascard DuPuis. When I broke into DuPuis' house in the dead of night and made his acquaintance, he swore that he was also looking for the murderer because his sister was one of the women that had been missing. If he hadn't been locked in a bedroom with a screaming woman who was desperate to get away from him, I might have believed him. He sputtered some nonsense about taking a sample of her blood to track her when the killer abducted her. I think I wore more of him home than I left on the carpet in that house by the time I was finished slicing through him and all the damn demons he summoned trying to escape." She had a grim smile on her face. There was a dark pride seeping from her.

I never thought this woman, who seems so sweet, had a dark streak like that in her. I thought to myself as a shiver crept down my spine. Who would have thought she isn't as innocent as she seems. The thought thrilled me.

"A few days later, I went to report my findings to Emeric only to find him gone. I also discovered that I was supposed to meet him in another discreet part of the city. Imagine my surprise. I did not make it in time to save Emeric." She paused and looked down at her hands. "He was a good man. He didn't deserve to die alone being ripped apart by shades. I do not remember much of that battle other than standing over Emeric's corpse while wave after wave of them came at us. Varric, Isabella, Aveline and I barley triumphed. Templar reinforcements were comically late, arriving as we collapsed bloody, and exhausted. It took weeks and several trips to Ander's clinic for each of us to heal."

"Anders is the mage who destroyed the Chantry correct? The one you sentenced to rebuild?" I asked. She nodded with a gentle sigh. "It's because of Anders I do not carry scars from that night. He is quite the healer." She slouched forward, resting her elbows on her knees and wringing her hands together.

She began to bounce her heel on the ground all of a sudden nervous. "The next part of this story I have never recounted aloud. It's one of the reasons I can not sleep at night. I've always suffered nightmares but this made them much more common place."

"I have heard you talking in your sleep before." I admitted. "Thank the Maker all you heard was talking. Usually I wake up screaming." She replied with a sad smile.

Silence stretched for a few minutes as her eyes glazed over. Her mind had taken her to a far away place. "If you do not want to continue, I will understand." I reassured her. In a bold move I reached out and grasped one of her hands. The contact broke the odd spell that came over her and she looked down at our hands.

The slightest smile raised a corner of her mouth when she looked up at me. Pure determination shone in her eyes. "No. I will continue. I promised you I would give you answers. Just know that this is one of the deepest emotional wounds I carry." She lifted her second hand to rest atop mine. She squeezed the back of my hand once and let me go.

"Shortly after I was completely healed from the battle for Emeric's body, I came home from an evening of cards at the Hanged Man to find my uncle Gamlen screaming at my friend Bodhan's son, Sandal.

For a second it was comical. Sandal joyfully yelling "ENCHANTMENT! And Gamlen yelling back "NO LEANDRA" but I couldn't let him keep yelling at Sandal like that. The boy obviously didn't understand and Bodhan looked like he was about to spit nails.

My uncle was distraught. I had never seen him so worked up before. When he finally calmed down enough to explain himself, he told me that my mother had never showed up for their weekly dinner. He had come to the house to see if she was there and asked me vehemently to tell him if she was there sick. Bodhan interrupted claiming that she had been gone most of the day. He hadn't seen her since after breakfast when he had put a newly arrived bouquet of lilies in a vase for her. When he pointed them out my heart almost stopped. They were bone white."

"No." the word was out of my mouth before I realized it. Tears then began to stream out of her eyes as she continued as if she hadn't heard me.

"A panic I had never felt before seized me. I had to stay calm. I didn't want to worry Gamlen further so I suggested he look around town. Maybe she had taken a different way to his house. She was known for getting side tracked and stopping to chat with all of her favorite vendors.

Bodhan and Sandal helped me shrug into my leathers before I rushed back to the Hanged Man. Everyone was still sitting where I left them and I explained why I was so panicked. Aveline and her husband Donnic left immediately to rouse the guard into a search. Isabella, Varric, Anders and I searched around Lowtown until it began to get dark.

We stumbled on Gamlen questioning a smart mouthed kid who claimed to have seen her. The boy was enjoying making the older man squirm but a handful of silver greased the wheels enough that he told us he had seen my mother helping a bleeding man that had approached her.

The blood left a trail directly to the foundry I discovered Ninette de Carrac's signet ring. It led us to a hidden trap door I missed the first time I searched the place." Her voice had shifted. She was still crying but her voice held that same cold fury I had heard when she threatened Denarius. My heart was pounding in suspense but I was frozen in place. I kept my silence and waited for her to continue.

"There was more to explore. The deeper we searched the grimmer the search became. I eventually stumbled across a locket on the ground. It was one I recognized, having been a gift from my father to my mother after the birth of the twins. It had pictures of all three of us inside. She wore it every day.

Further in we cleared a makeshift bedroom of abominations, shades and undead we found a shrine to a woman that looked eerily like my mother. There were letters scattered about that painted a picture I couldn't really grasp.

After what felt like an eternity, we four came to a room occupied with an older man in mages robes. A woman sat in a chair faced away from us. The man was not surprised to see me. He taunted me, telling me she told him she knew I would come for her. In my panic and anger I demanded that he return her to me. I promised that I would allow him to walk away. I would have done anything to get her back.

When he started spewing his insanity it felt like a dream. He claimed he had done the impossible and touched the face of the Maker. The only thing he said that made sense was informing me that the strongest force in the universe was love. Then he began explaining how he pieced her together from his memory.

My body felt numb. My brain refused to believe this was happening. I kept thinking I would wake up any moment. He was so proud. His voice rang triumphant. The last piece he needed was her beautiful face. As he spoke the seated woman rose and turned to us. My mothers head was grotesquely sewn onto other body parts with large crude stitches. The body wore a dirty wedding dress. He had taken multiple women cut them into pieces, stitched them back together to bring his wife back from the dead!"

Her voice broke, cracking. She covered her face with both hands and sobbed. My heart broke seeing her breakdown. I don't know what came over me but I rose, took the few steps to her chair and sat next to her. I couldn't just sit there watching her cry. I had never witnessed such raw emotion. Before I knew it, I brought the arm closest to her over her shoulders and pulled her closer to me. Her words shook me to the core, filling me with disgust. Necromancy! The foulest form of Blood Magic! She has witnessed it first-hand, and lived to tell the tale. Maker, what do I say to her? What does this have to do with Denarius?

I was lost in my thoughts and didn't notice her lay her head on my chest or pull her arm across my middle returning my hug. Usually I shied away from contact with others. It was different with this woman. I didn't mind feeling her close to me and I couldn't understand why.

She cried for a few more minutes before she pushed herself up from my chest and wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lose it like that. I didn't think it would be so hard to tell this story." she whispered. "You don't need to apologize to me." I reassured her bringing my hands together in my lap.

"I didn't think that I would lose my composure that badly." She admitted standing to fetch her glass. "I don't blame you. It sounds horrific." I said as gently as I could.

"I still see it in my dreams. The sallow dead skin held together by tiny black stitches. The way her body lurched and shuffled around. I can smell the sour stink of death." She paused again and took several deep breaths composing herself.

"At the time, I didn't have an opportunity to let everything really sink in before we were swarmed with demons. There were so many of them of all shapes. Desire, abominations, shades, undead, they rose out of the ground everywhere. It felt like we battled for hours. At some point my faithful Mabari, Festus, arrived to aid us in the fight. He really turned the tables for us sinking his teeth deep into the mages thigh and shaking him like a ragdoll.

Once everything was slain, Mother was all that was left. Anders tried every bit of healing magic he had left but it was to no avail. The mage's magic was the only thing keeping her alive. I held her in my arms as she died." She brought her arms forward and looked at them like she could still feel the weight of her mother in them. I fought the urge to hold her close again as I waited.

"Absolutely heartbreaking. My condolences Hawke but, what does this all have to do with Denarius?" I kept my voice low and steady not wanting to offend her.

She nodded to herself and sat back down across from me. "I reported everything to Aveline and claimed everything from the scene once the guard was done with their investigation. The templars were furious but Aveline assured them that the knowledge of the mages dark magic died with him.

Kirkwall had a large elaborate funeral for all of the victims. People could breathe easier now that the Kirkwall Killer had been dealt with. The Champion however, went into hiding. For months I allowed my sorrow overwhelm me. I didn't grieve my brother, sister or father as deeply as I grieved Mother.

I was a mess, didn't sleep, barley ate. My personal hygiene was horrendous. All I could bring myself to do was read through the mages journals. I studied them like a woman possessed. During this time I destroyed anything he had written about the necromancy he was researching. These journals spanned decades. They must have contained his whole life's story. His name was Quintin. No last name was mentioned."

Shock spread through me at the name. "Quentin from Starkhaven?!" I almost shouted at her in my surprise. She froze, then slowly she turned her head to look at me. "I assume you met him?" was all she said.

Denarius bade me answer the knock on the door. It was the dead of night. All the other slaves of the house were long in bed. I swung the door open to a wraith-like figure standing in the rain, cowl of his robes hiding his face. I led this wraith to the room just aft the main door that Denarius waited for his guest. Unease ate at my belly. This was more covert than most of Denarius' clandestine meetings.

Knowing better than to say anything, I simply took my place behind the master's chair. Denarius laughter rung out before he spoke. "By the Maker Quintin, you really have a flair for the dramatic. What brings you here in the middle of the night?"

The memory was an old one. It hadn't been long after I received the lyrium brandings. The lyrium counter acted my natural healing processes and took close to a full year to completely heal. During that time Quintin was monitoring the healing. I nodded, shame washing over me. "He monitored the healing of these despicable burns at Denarius bequest." I told her.

She reached over and grabbed my hand bringing it closer to herself. With a finger she traced the lyrium on the back of my hand. Normally, I would have snatched my hand away but I was captivated with how gentle her touch was. "Do they cause you pain?" she asked when she let me go. "Occasionally." I admitted.

"Quintin's journals did mention a year in Tevinter where he monitored the recovery of a special interest case for Denarius. It was how their sick friendship began. I am so sorry." She bit her lip suddenly looking worried. "Denarius funded and inspired Quintin's necromancy. "He's responsible for setting that metaphorical mad dog loose in Kirkwall. And I am here to make him pay for it in blood."

Those words were music to my ears but, before I could say anything she continued. "There was a bit of a twist when I got here though. Originally the plan was to case the house for a few months, sneak in in the dead of night and kill him in his bed. Having spared with you a few times I am glad the plan changed. I honestly don't know how well we would have managed against your skill." I blushed under her praise.

"I am with house Pavus because Halward's wife was Quintin's first victim. He is also out for revenge. There is a saving grace though. The Archon has reason to believe that Denarius has committed treason and is working with Quinari. If I can uncover proof of this then the Archon will sanction me calling Denarius to duel."

Shock flashed through me and I couldn't hide it. "That surprises you? Damn." Her shoulders slumped. "I spent most of the last 10 years at Denarius side and I still don't know all of what he plots." I told her. She laughed "Well that makes me feel a little better." The smile she flashed me had me smiling back.

She clapped her hands together. "So Fenris. Are you willing me to help me infiltrate Denarius house under the guise of his fiancé to uncover his possible treason with the goal of killing him?" her voice was back to its normal sweet girlish tone and it was so at contrast with her request I couldn't help but laugh again.

"I think I could live with that."

https/dragonage./wiki/Varric_Tethras#:~:text=Varric

https/dragonage./wiki/Malcolm_Hawke

https/dragonage./wiki/Quentin