The Dragon Age world, plot, and their characters aren't mine but belong to Bioware. I get no money for writing this sequel.
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-- The Free Marches - Nug Falls Anders: Listening for rumors was wearing. Listening and keeping silence were not that easy for me.
Before my year being kept in a closed cell, I'd get punished and lectured and it was over. Greagoir himself never seemed that upset at me, but that last time it was a strange and demanding Templar that found me in Gwaren. He'd angered enough Fereldan freeholders with his demands on our way back to the Circle Tower, that I'd smirked most of the way until he expressed his displeasure. On that journey, my only amusement then was eavesdropping on the man. Perhaps it was because it wasn't just my hide at risk now, I worried more. Or maybe that I'd become too used to being paranoid. Hawke was pretty good at teasing stories and rumors as she chatted about the things for sale and the other merchants. Her voice even sounded younger, much younger than when we met. One older baker even patted her on the head, though Hawke tensed a bit at that. A sweet roll followed, which she slipped to her mabari.
I wasn't quite reconciled to her being hunted too, being hunted and blamed in these stories when she had not destroyed the Chantry. That blood was
not on her hands, but no one seemed to believe that for all I tried to shield her.
Most of the time, I just couldn't stand too close as she collected rumors. I was beginning to think it was better if she and Merrill seemed more involved with each other to outsiders, or was I finding that idea too easy to distract myself with? Even partly lost in my thoughts, I still heard enough of how much we were hunted that I was surprised when Paws nosed my hand a few times.
“This doesn't mean I'm a dog person now...” I whispered as I petted him.
We slowly made our way closer to the docks, where the rumors should be freshest and where both sailors and townspeople were eager for news. Then I spotted something I hadn't seen out in the open for years, seeming like forever: a crate with furry bundles inside.
I hurried over, afraid it would be more dogs, but they were kittens, all about at weaning age. I counted five. A gray tabby noticed that I was bent over their box and tried to climb higher to see me better.
Feeling that I was smiling so hard my face hurt, I scooped it up and stood upright again. He, well I checked and it was a he, managed to roll over in my palms and look out from his new vantage point.
I felt an arm around me, and I looked up long enough to see that Hawke was smirking at me. Not thinking about it, I cupped the kitten against my belly, not just wanting but remembering.
Hawke murmured, “Why not? We already have Paws. And I can't say I've seen this many cats at once for years.”
In a warning tone, Merrill said from where she was kneeling by the crate, “You should be warned that travel home will not be safe.”
For a moment that reminded me of losing Ser Pounce years ago, but Aldera only shrugged a little when I looked at her and then put her head on my shoulder.
We couldn't speak privately here, but... Hawke continued to rub my back and smile.
Tracing the little darker stripes above his eyes with one finger, I couldn't help chuckling when I saw the mabari was on the other side of Hawke and calmly looking down at the other kittens still in the crate.
Suddenly, I saw why Dera'd been talking mabaris with Aveline. Paws had gray around his muzzle now. How long had I missed that? I wasn't sure how long mabaris lived compared to more stupid dogs, but Dera had to have noticed. I'd always grumbled at her about him, sadly jealous that he'd come to Kirkwall. Who then could she talk to about him? How long until she'd lose him like I had Ser Pounce-a-lot?
Not sure what to do with that realization, I stepped forward and asked the merchant, “How much?”
The price was perhaps a little steep, though I supposed the ships bought them. I paid it with barely a bit of haggling.
I followed Dera and Merrill along, happy to be cradling the kitten in my arm and my spear in the other. There weren't that many more merchants, and later when we passed where I'd found the kittens, there was only an empty crate left under the table.
Hawke nearly marched us towards a square and the inn there. We ordered ales from the bar before taking a table beside the sparking clean window. Then came bread and cheese and things we hadn't had for nearly a month. I offered bits of meat and watered milk to my kitten and watched as he tried to fill his belly.
Merrill and Hawke spoke about getting travel food as they ate, but when Dera asked the wench, she brought a woman in Chantry robes. I wanted to act, but made myself relax when they were only talking about food.
I was bitten by the hungry kitten when I didn't let go of some meat quickly enough. That distracted me for a moment longer while Hawke was spoke calmly with the woman. I'd shredded more meat and sucked on the bite.
A few coins and Hawke collected a bundle from the server before we left.
Outside, the square was still busy, and Hawke asked quietly, “Do you think he could stay in a basket or something? You need your hands free.”
That ambush had been instructional because I couldn't stand in one place now and still attack. I wasn't as sure the kitten would be able or willing to stay on my pack alone as Ser Pounce had. What bothered me was that I didn't know where I could strap the basket. So I asked, “Where?”
Looking at me out of the corners of her eyes, Dera suggested, “Strapped up on Paws' shoulders.”
But... but...
Dera added quickly, “Paws can take him away from combat. He'll be safer, at least until he's older and we can figure out something else.”
I sighed, there were more of us when Ser Pounce-a-lot was with me, all Wardens who could watch my back. Sometimes, I didn't get injured, as Oghren and Justice watched out for me more than others, and Hawke couldn't quite make up for that alone. But Maker, she tried. Moving him away from grenades and magic was a rational idea, but I wasn't sure...
But then, Paws would be safer too and I wondered if Dera even realized that. I sighed and agreed.
We went back and found a merchant with a lidded basket that would work and there was enough room for him to move around in the towels. The mabari looked at me as if he was betrayed.
Now that we had everything we needed if we had to run, Hawke led us towards the dock to find the harbor master. That didn't go well as he was suspicious of two strangers who had not arrived by ship. I realized he was the town's leader when guards arrived to his office to glare at us.
Back and forth Hawke spoke to him, and he finally shared the names of the ships in port. Merrill seemed to be the focus of his ire and he refused to even count her. The only good thing was that Hawke managed to avoid a shakedown for permissions.
Still she managed to hide her anger as we approached the ships. Seven ships were in port, all but one lacked the flag of a country. Officially they were all fishing vessels, but they didn't have the right equipment, I saw far more weapons on the ships than nets. This was a pirate port, even more so than the last.
I didn't trust them as we were worth far more as prisoners than passengers, so it took no effort to look grim while Hawke visited each vessel to speak with an officer. We omitted the one flying a Tevinter flag; only partly as there were guards preventing our approach. It didn't make much difference as they weren't popular; a few guards of the harbormaster watched.
The two that were fishing vessels didn't want passengers, not even reacting to Hawke's hinting. Three more were going towards Kirkwall or directly to Orlais. The last, that usually sailed out to Ferelden, was in for major repairs. They had taken another ship and sank it only days ago, so this officer was celebrating by swimming in a vat of ale by his rank odor.
We moved away from the docks shortly before sunset, and I suggested, “We might pay the fishing ones?”
“No,” Hawke said warily. “They don't stay bought. None of them were smugglers as they didn't respond to any cues; they really didn't want passengers. I'd guess pirates are more active in the chaos. We need to move on, as we don't want them to see we're desperate...”
With that, we started to make our way out of Nug Falls, hopefully without attracting attention.
Not blessed with luck today, a drunken voice called from in front of a tavern, “You're that bitch Champion, aren't you? The one that destroyed Kirkwall and the Grand Cleric?”
Merrill grabbed my arm discreetly as I tried to stay calm. Drunks had an endless supply of stupid.
“Oh, really?” Hawke drawled. “Too bad I couldn't use that mistake to get some ales from an idiot like you. I wish I had armor like that.”
“That Champion consorted with elves too, and had a sword just like that one on your back on that statue,” he insisted.
Damn, the sword on the statue was a shorter one like Aveline used, so Dera had switched to a longer one and packed her shield away.
“Consorted? Knife-ears are convenient, and don't tell me you think otherwise. I don't pay this one, only when necessary in the so-called free ports,” Hawke said lifting Merrill's face with a jerk, her leer dark enough to make my stomach turn over.
Merrill stayed quiet, and Justice rumbled.
“But if you think I won't put you down because I don't have a bounty with your name on it...” Hawke started before smoothly pulling out the great sword and taking a stance different than Fenris' was, but still looking relaxed. The blade was long enough that it was close to the fool.
She couldn't fight with it, but she was smooth, the leather grips dirty, and the blade appeared worn.
I could hear mutters of 'get the bitch' from several directions and a bet placed. I gripped my spear, and considered how I'd use that if I had to.
The warrior to your left, came unexpectedly from Justice.
Surprised, I looked closer and saw she was focused on Hawke while smacking her lips. She was ignoring me, which gave me a very good place under her arm to stick the spear. I gripped my spear.
Leaning closer, Dera warned the belligerent fool, “I might not be able to fight one of those horn-heads like that bitch did, but you won't live long enough to care.”
Finally sobering enough to see his danger, he froze.
“I wonder how much you'd bring in Minrathous,” Hawke gloated, leaning a little closer to draw a trickle of blood. “Though quieter might sell better. Should I haul you to the
Emerald Wind and ask the first officer?”
A snicker from those gathered to watch came only after he pissed his pants and started to cry drunkenly.
I almost wanted to as well, though I had to bite my cheek. Justice was beyond rumbling but getting angry. I don't know if I could convince him she was lying when I was so uneasy. The fool scrambled away safely enough. Hawke turned in a circle looking for further challengers, but no one met her eyes and she sheathed her blade. Once more of them scattered, I put an arm around Merrill, hoping they'd play along.
Hawke didn't react, her eyes were coldly glinting as she watched the crowd. After a few more minutes she must have decided the risk was over, and she led us out of the town. We found a trade road that had regular use and headed west towards Cumberland.
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Hawke: My arms were sore by the time that fool surrendered. I wished Carver had seen that I finally managed to swing one of those things like he had with such ease. I dared not rub my arms as soon as the confrontation was over, no matter that my arm muscles were screaming at me.
The idiot didn't even remember that it wasn't that long a blade on the statue and used with one hand. I dared not use daggers if I could help it on our travels, Sebastian knew better.
So I gritted my teeth as we left Nug Falls, only partly because my arms ached. Cumberland was bigger, but I was sure there would be Templars there if there were mages. As part of Nevarra, that city was between the Free Marches and edge of Orlais; Orlais and Nevarra were often fighting. I could hope mages could be more free outside Orlais, but Cumberland was too close for that to be tolerated. I had to get Anders through this area quickly.
We moved along the road only a couple of miles, and saw fortified farmsteads well off the road a few times. Merrill had taken us through a dense woods off the road before claiming she had something she had to do for a while. We'd raise the tent, even if the ache in my arms was getting worse as we traveled despite my rubbing. My stomach was too, but I was getting used to that.
“Dera...” Anders said with some worry. He came over and touched my arm before casting a healing spell with a glare at me. When done, he sighed and added, “I could have healed that a mile back. Are you m... Tell me if you're in pain.”
I didn't quite meet his eyes, and muttered, “I was thinking about what we might find in Cumberland.”
Paws nosed Anders with a whuff, and he knelt to free his kitten immediately, glaring at me for a second more. Paws, free of the basket, rolled on the longer grass here, trying to rub where the basket had been.
Bending over, I scratched where the basket and strapping had been, and Paws was pleased.
After a moment, Anders squatted down beside me, with the kitten balanced on his shoulder. “Dera, I... talk to me. You're changing, in ways I don't like.”
I had to laugh bitterly at that. “Welcome to my world. But if it's really needed, isn't that enough? That we're free to make a difference for the mages?”
His dead silence said my barb hit home, but I didn't like this either. I remembered what I said and thought while I was trying to intimidate that boil on an inflamed ass without serious bloodshed. My stomach twisted and I lurched away to vomit the little bit that was still in my stomach.
Cool hands braced my forehead, and soon it was only dry heaves that finally settled as he murmured soothing noises to me. Only breathing through the acid taste I waited to see if I was done, before I sighed.
Anders handed me one of his rags and then his canteen for me to rinse, before pulling me back and down to sit on the ground with him.
“I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I just don't want to have to kill idiots or innocents,” I admitted, chewing a dried leaf he gave me. “But I hate the things I've said. And scared by things I'm willing to do.”
“I'm terrified that you're losing your innocence, Vengeance is tarnishing you too,” Anders said in a stressed voice, holding me tight.
Biting my lip, I nodded. “I can't see anything else right now. We will always be hunted, and if we slaughter our way out of minor problems, armies will find us.”
My hackles rose when Anders held me painfully tight and he glowed enough to read by.
They proclaimed, “
Let them try! Let their Maker decide their destiny, then they will harm no more mages! No, you should not have the burden of our decisions. Please, don't lose yourself.”
The light had faded as he spoke, and by the time he finished, I peeked and saw his eyes were now normal with the little light reflections of the fading sunset.
Giving him a hug, I told him, “I guess I'll need to find some feathers for myself, or maybe borrow Merrill's string.” He was tense again, so I ran fingers through his hair, catching on the beads with the tiny clacks when they hit each other.
Claws hit my hand, trying to hit his beads and I jerked back, restraining a smack at the cat.
Anders winced and healed me, saying, “I'm
sorry, Hawke. This will pass once he gets used to you.”
All I could think for a moment was that Paws hadn't made me bleed when he was this young.
We lit a campfire and set up the tent, both a distance away from my mess. A small piece of cured meat and other goodies we'd bought and we had a feast ready before Merrill came back, looking serene. I didn't eat much, worried a little about my stomach.
After dinner, Merrill wondered, “Have you chosen a name for your furry friend? Or will you let him choose his own name from his explorations?”
Anders smiled, almost for the first time that evening and said while petting the tiny head, “I hope Ser Pounce is still using his name, so I want a new one. What do you think of 'Ser Mew Cattinay' for a name?”
The kitten mewed and Anders' smile widened.
“He seems so dignified when he looked down at me from his Anders-throne earlier,” Merrill smiled as she brought a string out to dangle for the kitten. “How large will he grow? I cannot be sure.”
Anders then looked at me for comment, but I only could smile and contribute, “Don't look at me, I like it. Remember, I only came up with the oh-so-clever name Big Paws.”
Chuckling, he shook his head and admitted with a snarky grin, “I'd hope I could do better than that even if I was very, very drunk, my dear.” Still in a good mood, he ended up playing with the kitten until he settled for the night.
When he did, I took a deep breath and finally forced myself to go over to where Merrill was repairing some of her armor and said, “Merrill? I want to apologize for the shitty things I've said about and to you in those last towns.”
“Are you very sure you do not believe them, Hawke? My people have a long memory of Marches and the cruelties and bindings placed on our brethren in those tiny traps in the cities to keep them small and weak,” she said sternly.
“Maker, no. Your people, city or Dalish, keep getting screwed, only slightly less than the mages. At least some of you are Dalish and freer.” I bit my lip and told her, “I will lie through my teeth as much as it takes, if that means I don't have to kill foolish people, and keep others safe, as many as I can manage.”
She patted my arm and smiled, saying, “I have known that for years, lethallan. You have already done such many times. Only those who have been willingly blind will have missed that, that shows their own foolishness. How could I not realize that, so late after what you claimed to my kin when Marethari was taken by the Dread Wolf?”
I had to rub my earring at hearing that, and say, “Oh. I just didn't want you to think I meant it.”
“We Dalish understand being hidden and protective colors and hues. Making shem soil themselves is counted a great win in story competitions,” Merrill said with a slightly nasty smile.
My next breath was somehow deeper, and I hugged her before moving into the tent to sleep.
The next few days travel were quiet once we descended through a gap in the ridge between Nevarra and the Planasene forest. Soon we started seeing other travelers going both directions, especially once the road joined up with the ruins of the Imperial highway. Then we had to speed up or slow down to avoid travel with others.
Once the Imperial highway turned north, the signposts said the road to Cumberland was the less finished road staying along the coast. The maps I had learned once weren't that detailed for scale, but more and more farms and even villages appeared more closely together as we went west. We didn't tarry, despite the few inns tempting me with the idea of beds and fluffy pillows. We just weren't boring enough in this farmland to not attract attention, as there seemed to be few mercenaries or elves that we'd seen.
I almost laughed when one village elder tried to hire just Anders and I to guard him from unnamed forces. A bit longer and I realized he was afraid of mages, blood mages, and the Kirkwall maleficar, not in that order. Anders jerked the tiniest bit and was blinking a lot, while trying to not laugh.
It would be easy money, and we
could keep him safe from blood mages and maleficar, not that I thought he
that much to be worried about. If I thought we could safely settle this close to Orlais, I might have been tempted.
As I pretended to consider the offer, Anders looked a little worried. Merrill kept her face down so her smile was hidden from the taller humans. But I turned him down using my 'servant' as the reason.
A few more days of travel, and we could see the city and harbor of Cumberland when we crested a hill. There were a few taller buildings or towers that I would have liked to explore, but we had other business and needed to pass through without notice.
Cumberland's city wall was still a distance away, but something like a village had formed outside the gate. Probably taxes, gate tolls, and snuggling made it popular. There were two inns, one with a splitting signboard with someone in colorful motley in a bed. Inside, there was a dirt and straw floor with no beds or rooms, only pallets in the common. I knew sleeping in a public area would give others too much time to identify us.
The other inn had a carved book and goblet full of wine outside, prompting a quick joke about trying to drink it, but inside were tiny rooms and necessary privacy. Anders made a face when I ordered one room, but a single elf was a target for slavers. Merrill ordered her own room anyway while petting Paws. I supposed we could have our own room for one night...
After the luxury of a hot meal, to my dismay our room only had a straw mat instead of a mattress or straw tick.
When the door was shut, a couple cold spells prevented small friends. I set snares and fixed the door, while thinking again about how my life had changed. If I had kept track correctly, six weeks had passed since we left Kirkwall. Would that now be my only way of measuring time?
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A/N: Thanks to my beta readers who have been kind enough to read this and point out stupid flubs. Any typos that remain are not intentional... Reviews or a PM to let me know what you think would be very appreciated.
