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

I will never go anywhere without my weapons again. I cursed to myself as most everyone around me panicked. I pulled the blade I had hidden on my thigh out from the folds of my skirt and tensed my body.

Fenris calmly walked out in front of me and Denarius as everyone else ran. Dorian, Halward, Zevran and Isabella rushed to my side.

I scanned the room and saw nothing. Great an unknown threat that I have to fight away with a tiny cheese knife. I can't believe I let Varric talk me into coming here unarmed.

Out of the darkness, through the broken windows walked 2 Quanari women. Their horns curved up and away from their face and they were dressed in red leathers that looked to be tied on with black cords. Their mouths were stitched shut with 4 grotesque black "x's".

Fenris began to illuminate with his blue smoky glow as he spoke. "Nuq Davang?"

They ignored him. "vlHengQo'". He spoke again.

"Fenris they are Saarabas they will not answer you unless their Arvaarad command that they can." I told him. He nodded. When I spoke to him both of the silent women turned to stare at me.

The one raised a single finger to point in my direction. Simultaneously the other exploded with rings of raw magic.

Fenris threw himself at the woman closest to him, his giant sword swinging down with such force it cleaved the floor. She barley escaped his attack leaping back unsteadily. Halward and Dorian fired off balls of fire and ice in their direction. I didn't see Isabella and Zevran as I looked around the room for something to fight with.

As I walked quickly away from the mages, I reached down and cut my skirt. I still wore pants underneath that covered my knees. I also trimmed the bell like sleeves of my shirt. Maker let her chase me and stay away from my friends. I prayed.

The woman who was not occupied with Fenris began to walk toward me. She was unhurried, her steps confident. She was making motions I didn't understand and I knew she was preparing another magical attack. I threw the little dagger at her. She didn't even flinch as it buried itself into her thigh.

Smart move Marian. Now you don't even have that little blade. I chastised myself as I brought my fists in front of me. I backed away slowly. I didn't want to take my eyes off the Saarabas woman.

"Hawke!" a voice screamed above me. something clattered to the ground next a few paces away from me. It had been Zevran's voice. A second later a small black ball crashed onto the woman's face turning into a huge ball of black smoke around her. Thank the Maker for that Antivan Crow. I was finally able to look at what he threw towards me. Two short swords lay there. I snatched them up feeling a little less naked.

I barley had enough time to throw myself out of the way as another blast of raw magic exploded from the Saarabas. The black smoke was starting to dissipate as she stepped forward toward me. I pushed myself up and charged toward her. Leaping into the air I spun myself and brought my dominate hand down slashing at her.

These Quinari mages aren't taught anything other than to obey. Her magic is untrained her body is untrained. As long as I do not get caught in her magic, I'll be okay. I told myself as I continued my assault.

There were no more offensive spells coming from Dorian or Halward. They probably think Fenris and I are too close to the targets. Hopefully they are helping with some offensive magic. I thought to myself as my blades caught fire. I couldn't feel any heat from them as a grin spread across my face.

Minutes passed as I attempted to get closer to her and she continued to blast me with magic. When I finally got a strike, slashing down on the arm of the silent woman she screamed. The sound coming through her sewed mouth was horrendous. Her eyes were dead.

She flung another explosion of magic in a circle outward that caught me in the middle and knocked me back a few feet. As I landed, I heard a volley of glass bottles break. Landing knocked the wind out of me and I struggled to get up. When I did, I scanned the room. My opponent was stuck in a circle of tar and it looked like a combustion grenade was tossed toward Fenris opponent.

My thoughts drifted to the magic Halward insisted on placing on my bare feet for a moment as I considered what to do. I hated taking lives but these women were conditioned to follow commands and would not stop unless they died, they were ordered or their orders were complete. A sigh tore through me just before I took a running leap onto the back of the woman stuck in tar. I couldn't let it touch me so I used her as a step knocking her face down into the puddle at her feet.

I brought my blade down in a wide arc severing her head from her shoulders. The spray of her blood splattered all over me. I jumped off her and made my way toward Fenris. The other quanari woman saw my approach and backed away. This one was sliced to ribbons and there was blood everywhere. It coated her and Fenris and their immediate area.

"You're toying with her like a cat who has cornered a mouse." I accused him. "End this and let's be done with it." I barley caught the smile that crossed his face as I turned away.

Another eventful evening. I heard his blade break through her spine as he severed her head from her shoulders. As the body thumped on the ground weariness washed through me. I made my way to the stage that Halward and Dorian still stood. Isabella and Zevran made their way towards us from behind the empty seats that once held the small orchestra.

Denarius was still no where to be seen as I sat down on one of the steps. My hands were still gripped onto the unfamiliar pommels of my borrowed weapons. The blood that was sprayed onto me was beginning to dry. I wiped as much from my face as I could with my cut down sleeves.

"Are you hurt?" Dorian asked as he made his way to me. I shook my head. "I think I've had my fill of this party." was all I could say. I couldn't let the pommels go so they remained clutched in my fists as I sat on the step staring off into space.

I was barely aware of Halward searching the bodies and Fenris stepping outside to search for any one else that might be lurking out there. Their Arvaarad won't be out there. They don't care if these mages die. If anything, they will be upset that they didn't succeed. We will probably never know what their orders were.

Denarius reappeared when Fenris came back to report that the gardens were empty. Halward was furious. "Ran away with your tail between your legs while rogue Quanari attacked your intended?" his tone was accusatory as he confronted the other man. Denarius just casually shrugged his shoulders and overall ignored him. He made his way over to me and sat next to me.

"You fought admirably." He complimented me. "And you didn't fight at all. Aren't you supposed to be a powerful mage? You're holding a Magister position after all." A displeased rumble came up from his chest but he didn't say anything.

I was finally able to let go of the swords in my fists as I tossed them at his feet. "Thank you for letting me borrow these." I spat annoyance very clear in my tone. "What was it you were saying before the interruption?" I needed him to clarify. Was he really gifting me Fenris? And what was with that creepy book?

"You still accept my proposition?" his surprise changed the pitch of his tone slightly. "I am not happy that my new fiancé is a coward but we still have a year to get to know each other. Maybe I will find some redeeming qualities." I flippantly replied.

I saw him grinning from the corner of my eye. He quickly stood and rushed to find the book I had dropped when the glass broke. When he found it, he brought it back to me and dropped it into my hands. He beckoned Fenris to approach.

"From this moment forth you now belong to Marian Hawke, little wolf. Obey and protect her as you have done so for me these many years." He commanded.

I looked up at Fenris who had the oddest look on his face. I couldn't tell if he was relieved or annoyed.

The journey home was abuzz with Dorian, Zevran and Isabella's chatter. Fenris was riding his horse outside the carriage and I was still too weary to talk. The dried blood all over me had begun to smell and it was making my stomach turn.

"Oh, I've got a few things I'd make him do if he were mine." Isabella teased. Zevran made a comment about wanting to watch and Dorian laughed harder than I had ever heard him laugh. Usually, their comments would make me feel shy and embarrassed but I felt numb.

"How much longer until I can take a bath?" I asked aloud, voice barley above a whisper.

"So, you didn't forget how to speak." Dorian teased me with a light push against my arm.

Isabella wrapped one arm over my shoulders and pulled me to her. "Hawke hates taking lives. She usually gets quiet like this for a few hours after a fight. She will be fine tomorrow. She still owes me a dance." She giggled.

"I can't miss that." Zevran's accent purred as he winked at us.

I hadn't realized that the gentle movement of the carriage had lulled me to sleep until I felt myself being picked up. "Are we back to the guest house already?" I asked as I slowly opened my eyes. I was in Fenris arms as he pulled me from the carriage. I let him walk a few paces before I was awake enough to stand on my own.

"Where did everyone else go?" I asked looking around. "I think they have all retired." Was his simple reply. "They must have been too preoccupied to wake me." I signed annoyance seeping into me. He just stared at me. "You're more than welcome to have the same room you last occupied."

This was awkward and I didn't know what to say. "We will speak tomorrow. Thank you for standing with me during that attack." He remained silent staring at me. "Good night Fenris."

When I made it to my room, I immediately undressed throwing the bloody rags by the door to be disposed of in the morning. I ran into the bathroom and started running hot bath water. All my thoughts were about the Quanari. The Arishok assured me that if he was defeated no one would hold it against me. They all left without a word when he died. Took their precious book with them. Why are they so hostile toward me now?

It wasn't until my thoughts got away from me that I realized just how little I knew about the Quanari. What if there are Quanari leaders that out rank the Arishok?! The thought never occurred to me before. I scrubbed my hair and scalp and silently reprimanded myself. Of course, there has to be higher ranking members of their society, fool. You traveled here from the Free Marches and don't run the place. It was silly of me to think that the Arishok's word went further than the Quanari that were in Kirkwall with him.

When I finally felt clean enough, I stood from the tub. Wrapped in a towel I watched the pink water go down the drain. Maker or whoever the Quanari pray to please watch over those two women. They deserved so much better from this world than they received from it.

I dressed in fresh night clothes and brushed my hair. Out of nowhere a thought hit me. Fenris had left with me with out bringing anything with him! Ashamed at my poor hospitality I ran to my wardrobe and flung the doors open. I pulled everything I had in there out and flung it behind me as I searched for something that might fit him. Once I found something that might work, I practically flew out my door and the few feet down the hall to the room I told Fenris he could have.

I knocked on the door. Nothing. I heard no movement from the other side. I raised my hand again preparing to knock a second time. Stop it you twit its is late and he might already be asleep. Instead of knocking I rubbed my face in exasperation. Turning on my heel I began to walk away when the door creaked open ever so slightly.

"Fenris?" I asked. I couldn't see any thing past the barely open door. "I brought you some clothes that might fit you. I'm sorry I only now thought of it. I was selfishly preoccupied with getting the blood off me. Some time tomorrow we can head to the city to get you a few outfit changes. Whatever you like. I know a great seamstress." I was rambling and I knew it.

The door opened more and Fenris stepped into the light. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and a second he was using to catch the water dripping from his hair. My mind went blank at the sight; I almost didn't catch his polite thank you as he held a hand out. I handed him the clothes and turned on my heel. I couldn't speak knowing I'd probably say something stupid.

FENRIS

I stared in the direction she marched away. Then I looked down at the clothes in my hand. I had washed my clothes in the bath tub before I washed myself as was habit.

I am going to have a lot to learn about being in this household. Did she really say that tomorrow she would provide me more than one set of clothes? I had just received the clothes I arrived in the other day from Denarius and wasn't due another set until those were little more than rags. I had taught myself how to wash and sew what little I did have to make it last longer.

I wonder how many more of my habits would be considered odd here. It may not be real freedom but it was already far better than what I am accustomed to. The briefest chuckle escaped my lips when a voice spoke to me from the darkness.

"If you are some kind of spy for Denarius or you harm her in any way, I'll kill you while you sleep."

I scanned the area but saw nothing but shadows. I recognized the Antivan's voice though. "You will have to try harder than that to scare me." I retorted.

"That was not a threat, just a warning."

I laughed at him as I closed the door.

Yet again I did not wake for my usual before dawn ritual. I dressed and headed downstairs where I heard happy chatter from the dining room.

"Look who is finally awake!" Isabella's chipper sing song voice greeted me. Zevran and Varric joined her. Dorian and Halward were no where to be found.

"Just us?" I asked as I sat and began to help myself. "Daddy and baby Pavus wanted to get a head start on the contract. They went to see their solicitor. He's going to write up a summary of what they agreed on and formally send it to Denarius. They will go back and forth a while. Once they both agree to the complete document a copy will be sent to you. You can then add your personal demands and then the back and for the process will become a triangle." Varric sounded amused.

"Should I hire a solicitor of my own?" I asked him. He nodded. "It couldn't hurt. The process will take weeks."

I took a few bites of my breakfast as Zevran and Isabella mumbled to each other. I couldn't help but feel that my presence killed their merriment. It made me a little sad.

"What should I do about Fenris? Dorian prepared me for jewels or property. I was completely blindsided by this development. I don't want to be a slave owner." A flash of anger made me stab a bite of ham a little harder than I intended and I winced at the sound of the metal scraping against the porcelain.

Zevran straightened a bit. "First, we need to know if he is a planted spy. Trust me there are hundreds of ways that messages can be sent in secret."

"I don't think he is." Bella chimed in. "He looked genuinely shocked when Denarius started his inventory of the man. Just before the glass exploded."

"Leave it to you to be paying attention to the second most handsome man in the room." Zevran teased her. "You just admitted you think he's handsome too." She snorted her laughter after sticking her tongue out at him.

Varric wiped his mouth before he asked me, "They mentioned a book too. What is it?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "It has his name on the cover and spine. I haven't yet opened it but I think it's Denarius record of Fenris." Varric nodded half lost in his own thoughts. "Makes since. Slave owners usually keep meticulous records of their slaves in case they need to be traded or sold."

The thought made me feel sick and I set my utensils down. "Where is he? Has he eaten yet this morning?" "He's been outside since before dawn. Reminds me a lot of that annoying habit of yours." Varric grumbled.

"I am taking him into the city for a while today. He didn't bring anything with him but what he was wearing. It will give me the chance to talk to him a bit and feel the situation out. I know we weren't really expecting this development but if we can trust him…." I got quiet half way through my sentence.

"Who knows what he may know about Denarius that we can use. I'm just worried that the amount of abuse he's suffered at that sadist's hands."

The whole table got quiet. The only person that could know what Fenris had lived through was Zevran. He had told me horror stories about what it was like to live as a slave. Some had become so accustomed to the abuse that they would die before step out of line or against their master. It wasn't too different than the Saarebas. I needed to find out just how loyal Fenris was to Denarius before I made any more plans.

I stood ready to begin the day. "No plans for the evening?" I asked looking at each of them in turn. They all shook their heads. "I think we need a little party of our own tonight. No scheming, no drama just us laughter, food and music."

"Don't forget the wine or the dancing." Isabella winked at me.

I could not find a good website for Dragon Age's Quinlat so I figured that Klingon was a good substitution. I used for this and translations are below.

Nuq Davang? - What are you doing here?

Ji'lQchoHbe'- I will not ask a second time.