~*Month 8 - August, The Swiftleaf Manor, Hightown*~

Once the secret Prince had excused himself, he first went to the area they used for bathing themselves. He trembled, his mind a mess; he nearly lost a life. Okhor warmed the water, dropping the medicinal plants jar for healing and fumbling with the sweet petals for fragrance. Cursing himself, he evened his breathing. He needed to make sure his guests need nothing in his absence. Once he saw to their needs, he hastily stepped from the manor, locking it.

~*Lowtown, The Hanged Man.*~

Okhor wandered; seemingly, he headed to the colorful section of the walled seaside city, the sudden decision to not sleep in the shop. He remained agitated by Bethany's earlier stabbing and by seeing the Tabris girl. His mother, having beaten Vaughan bloody, put a smile on his lips, though it was not enough. His thoughts of how if she had not run into him, her fate could have been worse; with Lineatus out helping find his own sister, Okhor will have to apologize somehow. Because Bethany was his responsibility, he felt guilty, but was relieved that she was safe again.

Stopping to see just where his feet took him, chuckled. A small group of people stumbled out of the well-known tavern giggling with mirth and sloppily saying their goodbyes to whomever listened.

Yet still, all was unaware of his plight. The music and cheers filtered out into the night. Tugging his cloak closer, Okhor walked in, and it was lively. The ovens burned brighter, cooking various foods, laughter, and drinks flowed in wooden tankards. Okhor excused himself, looking for an open spot.

"What can I get ya, hun?" The barmaid asked over the crowd, just as the young man came to stand at the bar.

Okhor smiled, with an equal tone. "A room for the night, and mead."

She nodded, gestured for him to follow, telling the Keep she needed a key for a guest; also placing the order, she then led him through the crowd to the second floor. Stuffing the key in the lock gave it a quick turn, then handing the key over smiled. "The linens are clean and the food is fresh; if you need anything else, just ask." She finished.

"My thanks, this is for you. For my stay and drink." Okhor handed over more than enough to the grateful young miss.

When the young woman left, Okhor stretched, removing his cloak. He sat with a heavy thump on the wooden chair that creaked under his weight. Briefly his look out of the window into the night sky when he raised his head, still hearing all the surrounding merriment, he felt awful. "If I had been a second later." He chastised himself. A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. He quickly crossed the floor, thinking it was the young maid with his drink, surprised it was not.

"Nothing escapes you." Okhor chuckled. Surprised to see Bertrand's brother.

"Why is a Lord, with a manor of his own, rooming in a place like this?" the dwarf asked.

"Guests in my home. I am being courteous as a gentleman."

Varric nodded. "Admirable. Would you care to join me for a drink?"

Pleased for the distraction smiled. "Certainly."

A few hours of drinks and welcomed chatter, on Okhor's part, found they laughed until tears streamed out of their eyes, holding their bellies, doubling over in pleasant discomfort. They had been telling stories of hilarious, improbable fiction with some fact. Details of the young women and men who flock his shop stall. And situations from his time on Norrath. The mood turned serious when Varric questioned what the Swiftleaf ladies had said once on their visit, the missing Hero of Ferelden .

Okhor snorted and told of his mother, and them having come to Thedas, of how his twin sister was indeed the missing 'Hero' , as she was just close enough yet she was still just out of reach from when they arrived.

Much Varric knew of the Hero defeating the Blight, as that story had once been rampant rumors. When talk of the Nobel Swiftleaf children arrived in the Free Marches, Varric always listens. He scratched his chin with a nod as the young Lord spoke.

"That is why we came. My sister and nothing more. But you, the expedition. Can you keep my sisters safe?" Okhor asked, seriously.

Varric nodded. "I will be right there at their side." Placing a hand over his heart with a nod. "Another question, if you will pardon my asking, wouldn't you do better to spend time at the Blooming Rose than here?"

With that, the Prince called it a night. "Another time, perhaps. I should get rest, I must return home before sunup. Please, visit my home, anytime, after tomorrow. Goodnight."

"And you. Goodnight." Varric said as the tall elf left his room. "Arrived to Thedas? Nah, that's just a rumor, right?" Varric pondered. He knew there was more to the Swiftleafs his curiosity would have to wait. They were too interesting to brush off… Varric could feel it.

The next morning, just as Okhor said, he was gone before the first light of day. Varric was sure he would meet with the Lord once again. For now, he needed to check on supplies that should have been delivered by now from Antiva.

~*Swiftleaf Manor, Hightown*~

Okhor came to the manor well before the two young women would be awake. Quickly, he made breakfast for his guests. The smell of the tender meat sizzled in the pan, oat porridge he warmed filled the home. Fresh juice and fruits sliced, warm bread and soft sweet butter.

Placing plates and glasses, utensils and pitchers full on the table, he grabbing a handful of sweet green grapes for himself. He nibbled his way to his room for a fresh change of clothes. Quietly, he crept up the stairs, careful to not disturb the sleeping ladies. A pause in the hall he heard the stirring, a tilt of his head, smirked, he hurried grabbing what he needed. Quicker still, he darted to the bathing area.

The smell of food roused Bethany and Naline. They tossed and turned before stretching out limbs with yawns from their restful sleep.

Soft groans greeted the trilling birds as the ladies cracked their eyes open to see the early morning sky.

"Good morning." Bethany mumbled, getting up from the bed. Her feet felt the lush floor cover in the beautiful room.

With Naline softly humming her mornings.

Bet looked about the room in amazement once again. "It seems Lord Okhor has been up early. Those wonderful smells… do you smell that?" Bethany said as her stomach growled as it woke up to the delightful scents.

Naline nodded, fixing the plush blankets neat once more, the smells that wafted urged her own hunger.

The footfalls he heard turned. "Good morning Ladies. Come before it gets cold." Okhor greeted them as they came down.

"Good morning."

"Mor.. ning." Naline quietly added.

"You, I must return home." Okhor smiled. "And you, I have something for you, if you will allow?" His eyebrows rose in question.

Naline looked at Bethany, and Okhor, then pointed to herself. Seeing the tall man nod with a smile, she tentatively nodded in return.

~*Lowtown, Gamlen Amell's Home*~

The three left the manor heading to Lowtown, to return Bethany safeguarded, and Okhor to apologize.

"Naline, I ask you to wait here a moment. We shall be along shortly." Seeing her nod, the pair headed inside.

Bethany entered first with Okhor ducking the entryway, before bumping his head. "Mother, are you here?" Called Bethany excitedly.

Coming to greet her daughter, she had worked herself into a tizzy, sending Gamlen out to find her. Leandra could do nothing but fret, with pace and wringing of her hands as she waited for any news. To suddenly hear the very girl call for her rushed from their joint room.

"Here, dear. Where were you… Oh! My Lord, wh-what brings… you? Bethany?" The matriarch curtsies, confused about seeing the Lord in this part of town, let alone her brother's dirt floor home.

The tall elf looked around and frowned. How small this home was, by his count, too small from Okhor's perspective. Hearing his title bowed his head politely. "I am afraid I held your daughter night last."

Leandra's eyebrows drew together looking at her daughter and Okhor.

"Oh, no. No, no…" A sheepish grin at the assumption the Hawke's mother let play on her face. "My Lady, I assure you, I slept at the Hanged Man. I wish to say Bethany had surprised me last night. Her seeking help to retrieve something of importance." He nudged Bethany forward as she presented the Will of the Amell family.

Looking down at the paper in her hands. Seeing the crumpled, bloodstained will. "Oh? My dear girl. You've recovered it, how?"

Bet grinned. "I will spare details. I cannot thank Okhor enough for his help."

"Was not all my doing. Madam Hawke, if you please, come stay at my home until your sons and my sisters have returned."

"I could never…" Leandra started.

Okhor took her hand, pressing his forehead to her knuckles. "I insist." His blue aqua eyes shifting as he imploringly gazed at the elder.

With the invitation extended, Okhor came down the small flight. "Sorry to have kept you. Shall we go?"

Naline nodded.

"Are you feeling some better?"

Naline hummed in response. The potion she drank helped the pain lessen in her throat.

"Very well. If you have nothing else to attend, would you assist me with deliveries today? Please? I am out of two workers presently."

Naline looked up at the tall man; not normally is she out during the day, much less walking alongside a man. As she trusted the sex little. She found herself grateful to be hunting the slavers that night. Unsure of how this man, his very mother, took revenge for her.

"Please pardon my assumption. Is there a home you are staying so I may return you?" Okhor asked as they made their way to the market square.

"N-no." Naline quietly admitted. She had practically lived on the streets, running errands for the smuggler Athenril for her coin.

"Then… would you allow me to employ you, unless you have previous engagements elsewhere..."

With a shake of her and nothing else to occupy her time, they opened the shop for delivery day.

~*Hightown Market*~

Busying themselves, Okhor gave Naline a list of people, most of whom she would need not speak to, and sent her off as soon as they arrived. He took to finishing minor tasks that even then drew a small crowd.

With a bright smile, Okhor greeted his admirers. "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you all have slept well?"

The afternoon was not busy, nor slow, allowing Okhor to breathe without being on display. The crowd broke for the afternoon and an unexpected, yet familiar, chime sounded.

"Brother, are you busy?" An excited Ruroni chimed the young sibling.

Seconds from striking the anvil, Okhor dropped the heavy hammer that clatter on the stone floor. "No!" He reached down, picking up the tool. "Sister, you gave me a fright! Is anything amiss?"

"There isn't. I have been trying to reach mother, Lili even, have you heard word?"

Stuffing the metal back into the glowing hot forge, he placed the hammer down. "No, do you need me?"

"Nothing of the sort, baby brother." Ruroni laughed.

"Then… forget who I am speaking. Listen, sister, there was an incident with Bethany last night. She is well. Please say nothing to Lineatus. I'll explain everything myself."

"And you want me… Me, to not tell them?" A pause, "You are jesting, surely."

He heard Ruroni laugh aloud . "Roary please."

"I won't, but we have a surprise for you when we return."

Okhor pondered his sister's cryptic message. "What surprise would she have for me? Unless…" With a snort he wondered aloud. Noticing Naline as she walked up. "Have you finished already?" Seeing her nod, he wiped his hands on his pants, reaching under the table handing her a purse. "Thank you. You have helped a great deal."

Naline took the leather purse, feeling the weight of it, looked at the man with a frown. Okhor shook his head.

"It is a thank you… for today and last night." Okhor nodded. "I also expect you to visit this evening as well. Do you remember the way?"

A gentle, tentative nod Naline remembers.

"Good, find something nice to wear and we shall see you later." Okhor said, waving her off.