Dak went to see how Merrill was settling in, and she practically ran to greet him.

"I didn't think you'd come!" she said frantically as she began looking around the small house. "I'll find something relatively clean for you to sit on." She led him to a chair. "Can I get you something to eat or drink? I have… water."

Dak looked at her, amused. "I came here to see you, Merrill. You don't have to fuss over me."

Merrill smiled as she sat down. "You're so kind. My first guest, and I'm already a terrible host." She fidgeted. "I wanted to thank you for bringing me here, but I'm making a mess of it."

Dak smiled. "I'm sure I could think of a better way for you to thank me."

"And I'm sure that I'm acting like a fool." She shifted nervously. "I haven't exactly had many friends. Not even among my own clan. This is… tricky."

"What made you unpopular with the Freefolk?"

"Being First to the Keeper, I was always… a bit secluded. I studied magic and history while the others were learning the Vir Tanadhal." She sighed. "My closest friends were Ragnar and Tamlen; we used to have so much fun together, but then…"She shook her head. "It's good that I left. I'd have made a terrible Keeper. I was never that good with people."

"It won't take long before you're the most popular girl in the alienage."

"Mythal, I hope not. I'd manage to say something stupid in front of everyone and embarrass myself." Her smile was tentative. "Thank you for coming to visit me, Dak. It… means a lot to me."

Leyla wandered over to the Chantry's board to see if any jobs could help them get the coin they needed. However, she noticed a man in white armour with a bow strapped to his back pinning a request to the board.

Then the grand cleric appeared, glaring at him. "Sebastian! Stop this madness!" she said forcibly. "The Chantry cannot condone revenge, Sebastian."

"It is my right, my duty, to show these assassins there is nowhere in the Free Marches to hide!" Sebastian spat.

He then walked off in a rage.

"This is murder," said the grand cleric, removing the request from the Chantry's board. Sebastian then fired an arrow, pinning it back to the board.

"No. What happened to my family was murder," he said and walked right past Leyla.

She then approached Leylawith an apologetic look. "I'm sorry you had to witness that disgraceful scene by the Chantry's Board. I am Elthina, grand cleric of Huttsgalor. Sebastian's normally a good lad, but he's had a terrible shock."

"He said someone murdered his family?"

Elthina nodded. "Sebastian is the youngest son of the ruling family of Starkhaven. They were overthrown recently, violently." She sighed. Sebastian is the only surviving member."

"He's royalty?" said Leyla shocked.

Elthina nodded, but she looked deeply troubled. "Prince Sebastian Vael… if he succeeds in his pledge to take back his lands." She then shook his head at him. "He made a vow to the Maker to put worldly concerns behind him. It is a sin to forswear himself for a mere title."

"I think his family deserves to be avenged," said Leyla.

"Sebastian would spend his coin to buy mere men's lives, the same as those who attacked his family. No matter how justified he feels, that is murder. And when he returns, I will tell him so again."

Once Elthina was gone, Leyla wandered over to the Chantry's Board and looked at the request leave man had pinned on it. It was a request to kill several mercenaries up in the mountains. It looked simple enough, and there was good money involved, so she took it.

Leyla then gathered Dak, Varric and Anders and began making their way up the mountain, searching for the mercenaries.

"You're saying that the Chantry brother put this notice on the board?" said Anders surprised. "I don't think the Chantry would condone murder."

"Actually, Grand Cleric was very much against this," said Leyla. "Besides, I get the impression that he hasn't been affirmed just yet."

"I imagine after this, he won't be," said Dak. "Not that I blame the guy. I mean, I would want revenge on the guys who killed my family, too."

"Which begs the question, who hired these mercenaries to do something as raising as killing the Royal family of Starkhaven," said Varric.

"Is it strange or sad that this job is possibly the most normal one we've done in weeks?" Dak asked.

No one commented.

They managed to locate the mercenaries, who were called Flint Company. Then they returned to Sebastian, who was busy praying in the Chantry.

He only stopped when he heard them approach and turned to face them.

"Your family can rest now. Their killers are gone," said Leyla.

Sebastian looked at him in surprise. "Excuse me, who are—?" Realisation then hit him. "My post on the Chanters' Board? Did Her Grace let that stay? I thought for sure no one even read… But you say you've killed them?" He then gave them a grateful look. "You have my eternal gratitude, serah! It is comforting to think my parents might now rest easily in their graves."

Dak frowned. "Why didn't your family's enemies hunt you down, as well?"

"That's why I took the offensive. Thanks to you, those Flint Company assassins are no longer a danger. I'm the last of my line. Unless I survive, my family will have no justice."

"Who sent these mercenaries?" Leyla asked.

Sebastian crossed his arms and pondered. "My family has ruled Starkhaven for six generations. We have enemies, but none who would identify themselves openly. A distant cousin of mine is claiming rulership now, but he is… a bit simple. He can be no more than a pawn in this plot."

"Surely you have a guess as to who was behind it?"

Sebastian shook his head. "My parents were always… prudent… in how they handle our nobles. They did not allow rivalries or resentments to flourish. The attack must have come from outside. Huttsgalor is our largest trading partner." He then gestured with his hands. "I came back here to find supporters for my claim and perhaps a clue to who is behind this foul deed."

Leyla nodded. "I hope their deaths bring you peace."

"Thank you. More than I like to say, I truly did not expect anyone but me to take up this cause." He then handed Leyla a pouch of coins. "Consider this an advance. When I secure my lands again, you will be paid royally."

Dak suggested that they go for a little wander in the mountains, which they did, with Varric, Fenris, and Merrill tagging along. However, their gentle stroll was interrupted by yells, and when they went to investigate, they found a dwarf and his men attacked by giant spiders.

They immediately jumped to his rescue, but even after they slew the spiders, the dwarf was still quivering in fright.

"The danger is passed," said Dak. "Are you all right?"

"No thanks to this lot," said the dwarf, gesturing to his men. "Can't get a decent blade at a bargain anymore." He then looked at them curiously. "You lot, though, you're what a man needs—a skilled enthusiast."

"Your mess just picked us up on the way by," Leyla pointed out.

"Still better than what I had," the dwarf shrugged. "Look, the name's Javaris Tintop. I need someone to help pacify the Qunari."

"Why do I get the feeling he's not talking about singing a lullaby?" Varric muttered.

"Those horn-heads in Huttsgalor have a powder. That explodes. And it's just dust, not lyrium, no demons. Anyone can use it."

Varric rolled his eyes. "I often look at every second idiot and think 'he needs more power.'"

Dak knew little about the Qunari; he had only seen one, and that one had been locked in a cell. However, he knew enough to know that they didn't really trade with outsiders.

"I doubt they were eager to sell," he said.

Javaris nodded grumpily. "That Arishok said I wasn't worthy, that only their outcasts, the Tal-Vashoth, are that mercenary. I said, 'Great, I'll talk to them.'" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Didn't go over well. But, it made me think—maybe he'll bargain if I get rid of something that bothers him more than, well, me."

Dak nodded in understanding. "The Tal-Vashoth."

Javaris nodded. "The Tal-Vashoth. Are you up for some paid hunting?"

Dak pondered for a moment. "I suppose there could be a reward for these Tal-Vashoth."

"As long as you do it, I'm happy. Now, best I could figure, they're up the Wounded Coast, a whole camp. Take their heads off and meet me at the compound in Huttsgalor. Get this right, and we'll be richly rewarded. Richly!"

"What have we gotten ourselves into this time?" Leyla asked.

"I find it hard to believe that the Arishok would give up the recipe for their explosive powder," said Fenris.

"Maybe, but getting rid of the Tal-Vashoth would make the roads safer," Dak pointed out.

"He has a point," said Merrill. "Even my people have heard just how vicious the Qunari outsiders are."

With that agreed, they began to track down the Tal-Vashoth, but on the way, they saw several Freefolk elves threatening to kill a man. The man had once been a werewolf that terrorised the Freefolk elves until the King of Midgard managed to get him. It took a lot of convincing, that they were able to persuade her not to kill the poor man.

When they made their way towards the Tal-Vashoth camp, they were stopped by another Tal-Vashoth, who, unlike his brethren, did not fancy himself a bandit and was decent enough to warn travellers about the Tal-Vashoth.

It took some convincing, but seeing their capability, he allowed them to pass and take down the Tal-Vashoth once and for all.

They soon returned to Huttsgalor and made their way to the Qunari compound, which was basically a disused dock.

"So what are Qunari doing here?" Merrill asked.

"From what I've heard, they were shipwrecked here after a terrible storm just a few months after the Blight," said Varric. "The Viscount gave them this compound until a ship arrives to pick them up."

"Well, I hope that they arrive soon," said Fenris. "The Antaam are not known for their patience."

"What's most curious is that the Arishok is with them," said Dak. "I mean, he is the military leader, isn't he?"

"And I'm guessing he hasn't told anyone why he was on the ship?" Leyla assumed.

"Surprisingly, they're extremely tightlipped, but I'm betting they came it was some sort of purpose," said Varric.

Dak looked at the Qunari; they looked exactly like one back at Loathering, but the main difference was that they had horns. Additionally, they had very little armour, were completely barechested, and had ropes wrapped around their bodies.

"I heard that they wrap those ropes around them to restrain the beast inside," said Leyla.

"Well, let's just get our coin get out of here quickly," said Dak.

Javaris was already there trying to make good on the deal but judging by how the Qunari looked, it was not going well.

Javaris was relieved to see them. "Ah, my right and left hands arrive! Summon your Arishok—the bargain is done!" The Qunari walked off, and Javaris looked at them. "About time you showed. I've been here for hours."

As he arrived, Dak looked at the Arishok, who was certainly the biggest and most muscular out of all the Qunari here. His face bore no expression, and it was clear that he was battle-hardened. He sat down at his throne and narrowed his eyes at them as if they were infestations.

Then, surprisingly, Fenris stepped forwards. "Arishokost. Marass shokra. Anaan esaam Qun," he said.

The Arishok looked surprised. "The Qun from an elf? The madness of this… place."

Leyla leading closer to Fenris. "Friend of yours?"

"Friend of no one," Fenris replied.

Javaris shook his head. "Yes, well, that said, I am here to report that your hated Tal-Vashoth were felled one and all. Right?" He glanced at them before turning his gaze back to the Arishok. "Yes, they were. So, I'm ready to open negotiations. For the explosive powder. As we agreed."

"No," he said, plain and simple.

Dak looked at the others; they all had the same expression, knowing they had stepped into another big mess.

Javaris clearly was not going to take no for an answer as he looked at them frustratingly. "He's not getting it. Make your chatty elf say something."

Dak sighed and glanced at Fenris. "Any insight that would help?"

Fenris shrugged. "Qunari do not abandon a debt. I humbly request clarification from the Arishok."

The Arishok looked at him. "I have a growing lack of disgust for you. The dwarf imagined the deal for the gaatlok. He invented a task to prove his worth when he has none."

Fenris bowed his head. "Then we have wrongly inserted ourselves in your affairs. Would you have us kill this dwarf?"

"Wait." Javaris turned towards them. "What now?"

The Arishok simply waved dismissively. "If you faced Tal-Vashoth, he is not worth of dying to you. As he was not worthy of dying to them. But you…" The Arishok gestured at them. "You keep good company." Dak got the impression they had made quite a bit of an impression on the Arishok. "Let him live. And leave."

"He had big plans for your recipe. I was supposed to get a piece of that," said Dak, to at least get a little bit of coin out for their troubles.

The Arishok glared at Javaris. "Dwarf, did your imaginary bargain make promises on my behalf?"

"I… expected your wisdom to be more profitable."

The Arishok shifted, and the Qunari around him suddenly began to make it very clear they were both large and armed. "Then you will pay on my behalf."

Javaris threw up his hands. "Sod it all, take your coin. Take whatever. Horn-head oxmen and mongrel dog lords. Suck your own powder and blow your head off. Sod it."

The Arishok looked towards them and spoke again. "You will leave as well. There's no more coin for you here."

Both Dak and Leyla gave a respectable bow and then departed.

"Well, I could have gone much worse," said Varric.

"Certainly seem to say you've made an impression on the Arishok," Fenris nodded.

Dak looked back at the compound. "I get the feeling dealings with the Qunari are not yet over."

Leyla nodded. "Yeah, let's just we don't start a war."

"So, the Champion did make deals with the Qunari," said Cassandra.

"Yes, but not to spread heresy as I'm sure you originally believed," said Varric.

"That still remains to be seen, dwarf. I also find his connection to the Prince of Starkhaven to be intriguing as well."

"Surely you have questions, Sebastian, as well?" Varric assumed.

"We've pressured everyone that has a connection to the Champions, but you are right there from the beginning and at the end. If we wish to end this chaos, I need to know everything that transpired from beginning to end."

"Then let's continue," Varric smiled.