I do not own anything Dragon Age. Rights belong to BioWare.
Days had passed since Varric's suggestion of visiting the Slave Market to attempt to dull myself to cruelty. I hated the idea but didn't have any others.
I laid in the sand panting from the exertion of my morning ritual. I did two extra hours to make up for the days I took it easy nursing the tired feeling of my hangover and my body was sore for it. I enjoyed the sensation.
"Grinning in the sand is not the way I expected you to spend your mornings cousin dear." Dorian kicked a little sand at me as he offered me a hand. "How do you spend your mornings? Bent over a desk like a scribe?" I asked him as he helped me to my feet.
"Please don't tell anyone. I can't afford people to know that I'm this good looking AND smart. I'll never get a moments peace." He smiled. "Besides there's only one acceptable way to get that hot and sweaty, and I'm told you don't indulge. Anything else is just work."
Andreste's tits he has been spending too much time with Isabella. What the hell am I supposed to reply to something like that?!
He burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that he had to steady himself with both hands on his staff. He wouldn't keep laughing if I kicked that stick out from under him. Do I feel like dodging fireballs while I'm this tired? No. besides it's not worth the lecture I'll get from Varric about it later.
I took a couple steps away before he realized it. "She was right making your face red is so satisfying." He explained as he hurried to follow. I laughed at that. "I take it you're here to summon me to Halward?" I asked. At the mention of his father Dorian immediately went from laughing to serious so quickly it was like he was a different person. "He has had me rather busy lately. Shame I missed that party of yours. Heard it was interesting." He had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. When I didn't rise to the bait, he cleared his throat and continued. "Of course, straight to business. Father and Solicitor Judith have both agreed on the first draft of the contract. I've been sent to collect you so you can go over it and meet Judith."
"Does it have to be this second?" I asked looking down myself. He snorted trying to stifle a laugh and reached into the breast pocket of his robes and pulled out a silk kerchief. Handing it to me he spoke, "Unfortunately, there isn't time. She is stopping by as a courtesy. She needs your approval before it is served to Denarius." He spun on his heel and walked away without even checking that I followed.
The journey felt longer than it was thanks to Dorian's silence. He completely ignored all of my attempts of small talk and every single question I asked. Since his back faced me the entire journey, I had no idea what expression he wore. I can't tell if he's missing with me or just lost in his own thoughts. I thought to myself when I finally gave up on talking.
When we finally reached Halward's office in the main house, Dorian knocked twice with the head of his staff, opened the door and ushered me inside. His hand on the small of my back pushed me forward roughly and the door closed sharply with a click. "What in the maker's name?" I grumbled to myself looking at the door.
"You will have to excuse the young master." A voice rung out. It was lovely and feminine. "He has never been able to stomach being in the same room as me since making his acquaintance." I turned back around and the loveliest woman approached. Her hair was as long as mine but colored a deep honey. Hazel eyes rested over a petite delicate nose and full red lips. She was short and voluptuous and she carried herself with the same confidence Isabella did as she approached with one hand out stretched.
I took it and shook it twice in greeting. "Solicitor Judith I presume?"
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. This close I could see the fine lines at the corners of her eyes and mouth. I hope I age this gracefully. I thought to myself as I plastered what I hoped was a sincere smile across my face. "You can call me Judy. Outside the Tribunal no one actually calls me Judith except for that stubborn boy." She used our connected hands to pull me towards Halward's desk.
"I have brought you a copy to go over before I take it over to Ezikel." She picked up a scroll and handed it to me. "That is the name of Denarius solicitor." Halward clarified as he gestured to one of the plush chairs facing his desk. I sunk onto it and unrolled the parchment.
"How long do I have to look this over?" I asked as I began to skim the document. "I'm sure I can spare a few hours." Her sing song voice replied. I barley caught her cheeky wink at Halward over the top of the scroll. He smiled at her.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was mid-day. "How long is a few hours? Each of my advisors will want to look at this as well." I began to re roll the paper before I set it on my lap.
"At least three. I have to return to my offices before 6pm in order to make it to Ezikel's office before he leaves for the day. I am almost certain he will reject this first draft. He does charge Denarius by the hour after all." She giggled.
"Was there anything else you needed from me until then?" I asked looking at Halward. He shook his head, eyes never leaving Judy's face. I could not escape the room fast enough.
"This is exactly what Daddy Pavus said was in the original negotiations Hawke. Every other week at home, his tutors, the business, the bank account, everything. It also has a clause that you do not have to return anything signed over to you before the nuptials, like Fenris or the business." Varric nodded each time he listed something. "The Merchant's Guild would love how beautifully this solicitor drafted this. I can't spot any loopholes or backhanded clauses that will bite you later. All properties, assets, businesses, slaves, etcetera belonging to Marian Hawke before marriage will remain hers and untouched by the other party." He read from the paper sounding impressed.
We had sat down to lunch as we discussed the contract. My stomach felt as if I swallowed a rock as I pushed my food around my plate. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Varric signal to one of the standing attendants. The attendant took the scroll out of his hand and leaned close to the dwarf as he directed him. With a nod of his head the servant left the room.
Varric clapped his hands together and rubbed his palms against each other. "Now that is concluded, what do you have planned for the rest of the day?" I shrugged. "You know me, I hate sitting still so this waiting game is driving me up the wall. I've been thinking about your suggestion of visiting the slave markets." I admitted setting down my fork and pushing my plate away.
My last sentence was uttered as Fenris walked into the room. Anger immediately darkened his face. "I didn't know you were in the market for another slave." He spat holding back none of his venom. I felt myself sink in my chair and my face color. "It's not like that." I told him.
"I'm sure you have a good reason then." He sneered sarcastically.
"If you asked her instead of being a royal ass, she might surprise you." Varric butted in with a laugh trying to lighten the situation. My friend jumping to my defense brought back the steel back to my spine. I felt silly shrinking under the broody elf's scrutiny and shot to my feet, angry.
"Even though I owe you no explanations, I will enlighten you. After everything you told me that you suffered in that place, I know that I will not be able to do this with my soft heart!" I slammed my fist on the table then pointed at him. "I understand that you have been thrust into a situation that you really do not comprehend but I'll have you know that I am not the person that will stand idly by and witness cruelty such as you described. I have to turn myself into that person while inside those walls and the very thought kills me a little inside. So, in order to force myself to act against my very nature I will visit the auction block for as long as it takes me to numb myself to the atrocities that I will find there. Judge me all you want. It means nothing." My body was shaking with the rage I was feeling. And I stormed out of the room.
FENRIS
The dwarf chuckled. "That went about as well as expected. You really jumped into a steaming pile of bronto shit with that one."
I didn't know what to say. The more I thought about her words the more they made sense. "That is one way to put it." I agreed with him as I sat at the table. "I should go talk to her. I let my temper get the better of that situation and I should apologize."
He nodded. "You absolutely should. But not right now. I haven't seen her that angry in a while. Not since Anders."
"What is an Anders?" I asked as I served myself a plate of the meal that was still on the table.
V: "The mage that blew up the Chantry in Kirkwall. When Hawke found out that he used her sweet trusting nature to aid him in that atrocity she beat him bloody before she turned him over to the Templars. They were so impressed with the beating that they allowed her to act as Viscount for a time until the Divine could appoint another."
"She told me that she let him live but he has to serve the city the rest of his natural life." I said around bites. He nodded. "She also said that she made him tranquil without loosing his emotions. What does that mean?"
He took a deep breath like he wanted to steady his nerves before answering. "We have this friend Bodhan whose son can make rune stones. Doesn't say a lot that boy but after he heard Hawke lament her problem, he made her one. Once she placed it in his hand, it cut Anders off of the Fade. But he was still himself."
He shrugged. "No one knows how it worked but it did. The wailing that man did once it sunk in that he could no longer channel magic was somewhat satisfying after he did what he did. Without a connection to the fade, he couldn't even feel Justice anymore."
Confusion swam across my mind. "Justice?"
"Ander's body housed a spirit of Justice that fed on his anger of the transgressions that were being done to the mages of the Circle. It exacerbated his hate and pushed him along the path he took." His voice got quiet as he spoke and he looked down at the table in front of him. I felt my lip curl in disgust as I uttered "Abomination."
He nodded again and waved a hand in the air. "Enough about that. Back to Hawke being angry at you. I told you once that woman is the closest thing to an angel on Earth I've ever met and I mean that. In the decade I've known her I can honestly say she is the most selfless person I've ever met. I have watched her risk life and limb to help the people she loves as often as she's risked the same for total strangers. Loss and sorrow follow her like love sick teenagers and yet she still greets every day with a smile even when she's dying inside. Our purpose in this city is the only time she has ever asked my help with something on her behalf and she felt guilty for asking!" The stout man's eyes glistened with barley unshed tears as he continued.
"She wants to trust you but in the same hand she is terrified risking it when you may be indoctrinated by Denarius. Me, Rivani and the Crow all feel in our gut that you can be trusted but as the leader of our little group you need to convince her. I wish I could tell you about what is going on but it's not my place. I will give you a word of advice: Hawke hates being put on the spot so maybe you should just ask her what's going on or how you can help." He stood up and pulled out paper and pen from his breast pocket. He scratched something on the paper, folded it in half and flicked it across the table at me like he was dealing cards.
"Take that to Vigo Hughes at Colorful Hughes in the city. It will help you get back in Hawke's good graces." He instructed me as he tucked away his pen. Without another word he turned and walked away.
No doubt he will be going to check on his friend. I will saddle my horse and go to market immediately. Varric no doubt wants me out of the house for a while. My thoughts raced as I finished my meal. Once done I carefully picked up the scrap of paper and walked outside toward the stables.
Along the way I stared at the paper in my hands. The words eluded me but were written neatly.
The stables were warm and smelled of fresh hay. The ritual of saddling my house was calming as I got her ready to depart.
"Going somewhere?" a bright feminine voice spoke from the shadows in the stall next to me. It was Hawke's friend Isabella. Annoyance immediately rose inside me. For the love of the Maker, I could not understand what Hawke saw in this woman.
"I said something insensitive and upset Hawke. Varric is sending me on an errand to separate us until tempers cool down." I replied with a shrug. She laughed. "Don't worry your silly little head. Hawke will forgive you. She enjoys your company too much not to."
She sounded so certain. "How do you know that?" I asked. I refused to turn and look at her but felt her walk into the stall behind me.
"Because she forgave me when I gave her every reason not to." It was the first time I heard her speak without the normal flippant tone in her voice. The change made me look at over my shoulder at her.
"I stole, then lost, a religious text from the Quanari. In response they occupied Kirkwall for years while they searched for it. Once I found it, I tricked Hawke into helping me reclaim it. Once it was in my hands I ran. I had every intention of disappearing with it but…." Her voice drifted off as she stared down at her shoes.
"Marian makes you want to be better. No one had ever believed in me the way she did and in the end, I returned the relic to her so she could give it to the Arishok. I didn't give a damn about the Quanari or their decimation of Kirkwall. I just couldn't bare thinking that I hurt the one person who wanted nothing from me but my company. She is the most honest, loyal, wonderful person I know. She is the only person I've ever considered family." Emotion started seeping into her voice and she cleared her throat. She abruptly turned on a heel whispered an apology as she scurried away.
Once Anne was saddled I got quick directions to Colorful Hughes and took off at a gallop alone with my thoughts