Chapter Text
PROLOGUE
Many have told the tale of the Champion of Kirkwall. Ballads are sung from Orlais to Rivain in honor of the Ferelden refugee who changed the face of Thedas.
In some tales Mari Hawke is portrayed as a ruthless rogue, who conquered the city in a lust for power. In others she is known as a victim of circumstance, thrust into her role as Champion by events beyond her control.
The truth is neither of those things. The real story begins and ends with Hawke's true heart. It is the tale of how a lone woman stood against loss, betrayal and corruption, and did not waver.
Also well known is Mari Hawke's escape from the blight in Ferelden, the loss of her brother Carver to a mighty ogre, and her year in servitude to the mercenary band, the Red Iron. Though she did not know it, many eyes were upon her even then. Perhaps if you'd known her, you would understand. Simply being in her presence could change your heart and your mind; such was her influence on all who came in contact with her.
I think it's time I introduced myself. Varric Tethras, at your service. Businessman, storyteller and proud owner of Bianca. I first met the Champion - by design, I assure you – because I needed help with a little problem. From everything I'd seen and heard about her, she was exactly who I needed.
With my wit and my charm, I convinced Hawke and her apostate sister, Bethany, to buy into my brother Bartrand's Deep Roads Expedition. It probably didn't hurt my case that she was desperate at that point, living as she was in her Uncle Gamlen's hovel in Lowtown, with her mother and Bethany. More than anything she wanted to protect her sister from the watchful eyes of the Templars, and I had just the means to help her.
Bethany, who came to be known as Sunshine, was a softhearted, beautiful young woman, and I doubt that two sisters have ever been closer. She was also a talented mage, well trained by her father, despite her apostate status - and there was not one bit of harm in her. If you didn't immediately love Bethany Hawke, I'd have to say there was something seriously wrong with your soul.
One by one, Hawke gathered to her an odd assortment of companions.
Anders was an apostate, and a former Grey Warden, running a clinic in Darktown to aid the poor and downtrodden. He had maps of the Deep Roads that we sorely needed, you see, but he also had a little problem of his own. That problem was a spirit named Justice, and in many ways it was Hawke's association with Anders, the possessed mage, that defined the shape of this story. But that part is for much later.
Isabela was a former raider and pirate, stranded in Kirkwall by a storm that destroyed her ship, or so she said. The truth was much more insidious, but that part of the story will also have to wait. For now you only need know that Rivaini loved sex and coin, in that order. Few could understand the unlikely friendship that developed between Isabela and Hawke. It probably didn't hurt that Rivaini was skilled with her blades, and a master of stealth – the only two things they had in common.
Merrill, otherwise known in some circles as Daisy, and in others as a blood mage, left her Dalish clan to live in Kirkwall's alienage. The reason she left had something to do with some crazy elven mirror, which you'll find out about if you keep reading. Merrill was a sweet thing, but dangerous. I think Hawke kept her around mostly to protect the unwary citizens of Kirkwall, at first. Yet Daisy had a way about her that crept under your skin and demanded you be fond of her. At least that was true for me, and for Hawke as well, I think.
Perhaps I should have mentioned Aveline first, as she escaped Ferelden with Hawke, but lost her Templar husband to the taint along the way. Aveline quickly rose to her own niche of power in Kirkwall as Captain of the City Guard. Of all of us, I think she was the most loyal to Hawke, in her way. She was no-nonsense, and quite often a pain in the ass. I do know, however, that there were many times that Aveline's connections in the city were of great help to Hawke's cause – whatever that cause was at the time.
I have yet to mention the most important of Hawke's companions. That would be Fenris. He was a runaway slave being hunted by his former master - a powerful Tevinter Magister. The first time we ever saw him he stuck his fist into the chest of a slaver and crushed his heart. How, you ask? Fenris was covered in lyrium tattoos, which apparently were quite painful, but also provided him with some very unique talents. His skill with a broadsword was also unmatched in the city, and our Hawke was attracted to him from the very first time they met. What happened between them is the real heart of this story.
Suffice it to say we made it to the Deep Roads. Hawke chose to bring Anders and Fenris along with us, and it was basically a disaster. My brother, out of greed and madness, locked us away in an ancient thaig, abandoning us to certain death. Or so he thought. He didn't understand just who Hawke was, and that she was capable of accomplishing miracles. We eventually escaped, and also eventually became very rich. Sadly, however, Hawke returned to find Bethany being taken to the Gallows by the Templars. In all the years I've known Hawke, I think that may have been the lowest I've ever seen her, losing her sister to the Circle that way.
That's where this story begins – just after we'd returned from the Deep Roads, with our Hawke a little bit drunk, and very unhappy with her current living situation in Lowtown. Hehe.
Just you wait and see - it's a tale unlike any other.