Chapter Text
Varric had driven himself to the point of exhaustion. These last few weeks had been spent not just trying to keep up with the usual work that came with keeping Kirkwall on its feet, but the added burden of all these recent abductions. There was never enough guards patrolling the streets come night, never enough protection when it was needed most. People had been getting snatched right from their own beds. Each day, someone new was missing without so much as a sound. It was like they were simply vanishing from thin air, people were scared and all his efforts to find out why and stop them seemed to be going nowhere. He didn't even know who they were fighting or what. Adding another fear and worry to his escalating mountain of them.
It couldn't have been long since he'd managed to drift off, but he woke up. Still in a more asleep than wake state he tried to roll over, only to find his limbs heavy and his body held still in place. Opening his tired eyes, they could faintly see the outline of a tall and dark silhouette hovering above his frame. That had shot a heavy dose of adrenaline in his veins, and whoever, whatever was holding him down in his own bed knew they had been caught. They grasped for his wrist, using their body weight to try an keep him pinned, but adrenaline was a hell of a drug, he shot almost straight up and managed to throw them off, they yelped with the sudden force and movement. He could see a flash of red as the intruder tried to make a break for his bedroom window, but with Bianca by the side of his bed he made short work of them. quickly firing the first shot into their calf, another yelp followed by a pained hiss and a heavy drop once again on the floor. He had already released a second shot into one of their shoulders when they tried to make a second break for it.
He was breathing heavy, able to hear his heart race in his ears. As his eyes finally adjusted to the dark, he could make out the features of his would-been attacker. They were tall, slender, dressed in a long red gown. Their hair was a pale blonde, and hid their face as they're head hung low.
" Andraste's Ass.." He muttered to himself, he kept Bianca in his arms. Aimed and already reloaded should a third shot be needed. " Care to explain why you thought going for the Viscount was a smart idea?" He asked, brows furrowed and trigger finger ready as his new hostage carefully raised their head. " You.. fucking shot me. You'll pay for that."
She was now looking up at him, a pair of angry green eyes met his hazel ones. If she expected fear from him, she would be disappointed. " I don't think so." He aimed his crossbow right at her temple as he called for the guards, it took them no time at all to storm into his chambers, weapons at the ready as others grabbed her from the floor and hoisted her up, earning a few swears from her as she snapped at them.
" Make sure her wounds are treated, and escort her to a cell. I might have questions for her in the morning." He ordered to his guards, earning nods and a unison of "Yes Viscount."
Seeing her get hauled away had been what kicked in his exhaustion, almost dropping Bianca as he sighed and took a seat back on his bed. Looking to where she had been before, and the blood that was now staining his carpet.
" Well...Shit."