CH 5: Trust

"Get up Rem!!"
"Rem, now. Get up, we have stuff to get done since you wasted our money on that elf." Carver called out as he pull Rem's blankets off. Shivering Rem turned over to see Carver furiously peering down at her. "So, now this is my fault?" she questioned as she sat up. "Well, you went and bought him all that furniture…" Carver started. "To replace the furniture you and Anders destroyed. What would you have me do? Let him sleep on the floor?" She stated with the sounds of irritation clear in her tone. "I don't want to hear it. And unless you have found some jobs for us to do, get out." She added.

"I did find some jobs, lets get everyone together and get started. I'm going to go get Anders. You get Sebastian and Fenris. We'll meet at the Hanged Man to discuss" He said as he was leaving the room.  As soon as he was gone, Rem pushed the door to so that she could change and get ready for the day. Maker I hate it here, Rem thought as she felt unease, turning her head to the door. "Hmph" she scowled when she saw nothing there. After putting on her armor and equipping her swords she was off to go collect Fenris.

The door to Fenris' estate began to open as she was about to knock. Unfortunately Rem wasn't paying attention, instead her eyes were focused on a couple of birds playing in a nearby puddle. Reality sunk in as the door she was knocking on was much softer than she expected it to be, she was horrified when she turned to see she was knocking on Fenris' shoulder. She gasped as she recoiled her hand running her hand through her shiny blonde locks as she laughed. Feeling the heat rising to her face she throught, 'way to go Rem… you definitely don't look like an idiot now.' Interrupting her thoughts, "Yes Hawke?" Fenris questioned. "You on your way somewhere? I was just coming to see you!" Rem said with a smile… "I guess that was obvious wasn't it? … What a start to the day?"

"I was just going out for a walk. Is there something you wanted?" He answered, ignoring her rambling. "Yeah, I suppose Carver has found some jobs for us. He wants to get everyone together to discuss it. Maybe I'll split us up into two groups or so if they don't sound too difficult." Rem went on, "I thought I would come to find you and the Chantry Boy." "Alright, then lets go."

As they were entering the Chantry, "So, how did you rest last night?" Rem asked curiously with a sideways smile. She frowned when "fine" was the only response she received from him. Her thoughts were cut off when Fenris shouted to Sebastian to head to the Hanged Man.

Finally when everyone arrived Carver described the jobs that he found. Recovering an escaped prisoner, locating a missing woman and rescuing the Viscount's son.. What a day this will be.. But rescuing the Viscount's son should cover the expenses needed for the Deep Road expedition easily. "Alright, then let us split up into teams. We'll be able to get more done this way. Isabella, Carver and Merril You're in charge of looking for the missing woman. Fenris, Sebastian and Anders you have the escaped prisoner. And you two are so very fortunate to be stuck with me to go after the Viscount's son. Everyone be safe and do what you need to." Rem just added, "We'll meet back here when you're done." When Carver spoke up, "Why am I stuck looking into a missing woman when you go off searching for the Viscount's son?" he complained. "I thought that would give you a challenge. It's much more difficult to find someone when you don't know where they are unlike the Viscount's son. You cry about following in my shadow, so I tried to put you in a position to that would allow you to grow from-" she was saying when Carver slammed down his mug on the table. Pinching the bridge of he nose, "Then what? What do you see this as Carver? I thought both of these were important jobs and I was trusting that you would be able to handle it for me." She stated. "Fine." Was all he said as he grabbed Isabella's arm dragging her out of the Hanged Man with Merril following after them.

"Now that is settled, are you guys fine with your group or would you prefer to trade Sebastian for Aveline?" Rem offered. "It would make things easier to have another blade against whatever beasts are keeping the guard away from the prisoner." Anders stated without thinking. "Alright, you heard him. Sebastian you're mine" She announced with a wink. "Be careful you guys, I don't know the situation with the prisoner but I'm sure you'll do what is best." Rem called as she headed towards the door, "Come on you two we have a nice walk ahead of us. Well, we can all walk together I guess since we're headed the same way" she realized as she was heading to the door. It was nice to walk in their ragtag group. Everyone had someone that they could talk to. Varric was joking with Blondie, Aveline and Sebastian were talking about morals and ethics. Leaving her and Fenris to their own devices.

"Hawke- I wanted to thank you. I realize that I was not very appreciative of what you did for me." He finally spoke, as he stole a sideways glace at Rem who had turned and smiled at him. "I hope it's comfortable, I thought the furniture suited you when I saw it. Varric did a fine job in finding a nice set for you… but I picked out the bedding" she said with a laugh. "Awe, time to go our separate ways has come at last. Be safe Fenris" She said with a soft smile as she turned to head towards the Wounded Coast with Varric and Sebastian in tow.

"You know Anders, you left Hawke as the only blade to fight off the Tal-Vashoth or all the mercenaries." Aveline announced as they strode down their path. "Wh-what? I thought Carver was going-" Anders stuttered out. "No, Carver is with Isabella and Merril. Weren't you paying attention at all?" Aveline questioned. "Do you think we should go after her? That's reckless to let her go fight the qunari alone like that!" Anders replied. "No, she accepted her company knowing what she was to face. Hawke is no fool, she will be fine, now lets hurry up and get this done." Fenris added in ending the conversation as they approached the guard who was in charge of obtaining the prisoner.

******Meanwhile on the Wounded Coast******

The could see what appeared to be the Viscount's son on his knees in front of a women. "I take it that's him" Rem announced, "in the mood to steal a bounty?" she jested. "Hawke, believe me when I say I have the highest faith in you, but are you sure it was wise to give up Aveline?" Sebastian questioned. "A little late for doubt ourselves now isn't it?" Varric stated. "It just seems foolish to have one warrior and two bows for this." Sebastian continued. "That's why we have to fight smart. You two hang back here. I'll go have a nice chat." She said as she was getting up, "Oh and do try not to shoot me with your pointy things, they tend to hurt." She said with a wink.

Running over to the two, Rem heard them arguing about the qunari. Oh, this is going to turn out quite lovely she thought sarcastically as she stopped next to Seamus. "The Winters have this bounty girl, and you honestly think you could have accomplished this by yourself?" the woman questioned as she laughed. With a smirk, "You doubt that I could?" Rem replied. The woman's response was cut off by Seamus when he announced that if he had to return to Kirkwall he would rather see that Rem received the reward. With a nod, Rem turned to the woman "Well, you heard him. I'd leave if I were you." Rem threatened the woman. The only reply Rem got was the woman pulling out her blade, "Pity" Rem mused as she flung her dagger into the woman's throat, causing blood to spew from the woman's throat and mouth as she gasped for air.

Immediately the fight broke out. Hawke pushed Seamus to the wall as arrows began to fall from the sky. "Stay here okay? Everything will be fine" Rem said with a reassuring smile. Turning to cut down an approaching soldier. The fight persisted for longer than Rem would have liked, but that was to be expected with her being the only force in her group. Eventually there was no one left to kill and Rem called out to Sebastian and Varric to come out. Turning her attention to Seamus, "You okay?" she asked. "Yes, I'm fine" he said with a frown, "but she said she was calling her people back. It sounded like there would be a lot of them."

Shifting her weight with her hand on her hip, "Well lets get ready for the next wave. We'll take care of them and then head back to Kirkwall. Varric take Seamus and stash yourself somewhere out of the way. Sebastian you too." Rem started when Sebastian perked up, "Ummm Hawke I know this isn't the best of times to say this but I'm out of arrows." "Oh, well that's fun. Well, pick up a sword to protect yourself and try not to attract too much attention." She said with a smile.

The second wave kept Rem quite busy as she tried to keep the mercenaries out of their small cove. Darn rogues and their bows she was thinking when an arrow grazed her thigh. She was about to scold Varric for shooting her when she saw an archer climbing up the rocks behind Varric and Seamus, who were unfortunately too interested on what was coming in front of them to notice the archer. Swiftly Rem slit the throat of the woman who had most recently charged her, then turned flinging her dagger through the air lodging it into the throat of the archer who was about to grab Varric from behind. The blood spraying onto Varric from behind caught his attention as he watched the man collapse at his side. Pulling out Hawke's dagger, Varric shouted a quick thanks as he went back to fight until he noticed that he was out of bolts. "HAWKE!! Bad news, you're on your own. I'm out of bolts." Varric yelled. Sebastian ran over to the pair designating himself as the last line of defense for them.

It seemed like eternity, but within the next couple of minutes the battle was over. Rem shouted from where she stood at the alcove's opening, "Hurry up and take anything of worth, we could use the extra coin. But I don't have the strength to hold off another wave by myself." She announced as she was bending and collecting the coin from the warrior in front of her. As she was making her way through the dead bodies she saw a blade that interested her. It was a magnificent blade, it made her almost wish that she could wield a blade so big, but Carver would have liked it she thought. Ugh, why must these things be so heavy she wondered as she balanced the blade on her shoulder.

As Varric, Sebastian and Seamus caught up Rem apologized, "I'm sorry Seamus. That everything has turned out this way. It usually goes a little smoother" she said as she glanced at Sebastian and Varric. "But I think it's best to walk through the night back to Kirkwall."

"The Wounded Coast never seemed so far away before." Rem stated as she swopped the enormous blade from one shoulder to the other. The sun was just starting to set when they arrived outside the Viscount's Keep. "You two can go if you want, I'm sure you're tired. I'll come to the Hanged Man when I'm done here. Hopefully everyone else is back by now as well." Rem said as she escorted Seamus into the Keep. Sebastian and Varric hurried off to the Hanged Man in the meantime to see if their friends had returned yet.

******At The Hanged Man******

"VARRIC!" Isabella cried out as she walked away from yet another poor soul trying to get her attentions. "Ugh, you look like you've been rung out my handsome dwarf, and you too Choir boy" she added.  From the corner, "Where's Hawke?" Anders called when he noticed that she had not followed Varric and Sebastian through the door. "Ah, she's dropping off the Viscount's boy. She said she'd meet us here when she was done. I'm sure she'll just stop by to hear the results from our quests then be on her way." Varric said realizing he had let on too much when Anders started to raise his eyebrow. Turning Varric ordered an ale for Sebastian and himself.

"Who's game for some Diamondback?" Varric asked in attempt to move the topic along. Soon Varric, Isabella, Sebastian and Anders were all entranced in the game. Talking, laughing and winding down as time passed by. After a while, Fenris stood up to leave when Varric asked him what his hurry was. "She's had plenty of time to deliver the boy and be here, she's taking too long." He stated, making them all realize how long it had been.

"Hey guys!" Rem's voice came from under a hooded cloak causing all her companions to jump to their feet. "Lets make this quick I'm tired." She said as she took Carver's mug of ale to take a swig. But he pulled the mug from her hands. Frowning, "Well, did you find anything out?" Rem asked purposefully looking to Isabella for an answer. "Well, in short after talking to a templar Emeric, we found Ninette's hand… A shame she wasn't still attached to it." Tossing a coin pouch to Hawke, "We made 4 sovereigns with it though. Easy money." She laughed.

"Good!" she said with a smile. "Now, what happened with the escaped prisoner?" She asked. "Turned out he was the Magistrate's son. In short, we lost out on getting any coin because of that your mangy  elf" Anders spit out in a disgusted tone. Rubbing her temples as the inevitable fighting broke out. "Enough!" Rem demanded as she pounded her fist on the table. "Is that all?" Rem commanded. After a small pause, "Fortunately, by returning Seamus safely we made enough coin for the Deep Roads. We'll leave in 2 days, so I'm asking now for volunteers. I will not force anyone's hand in this." Carver volunteered, unacknowledged. After a moment of hesitation Anders spoke up, "Having a healer along would be useful. I dread going down there but I will help you Hawke." He said with a irritation riddled in his voice. "Fine, with that settled. I'm going home. I'm exhausted." Rem said turning away from her companions raising her hand as she walked to the door.

As soon as she was out the door Anders got up and hurried after her. "Hmmm, wonder what that is all about?" Varric mused. "Well, I think I'm going to take her lead. Our trip was a little more exciting that we wanted. I'm headed to bed, come back tomorrow and I'll tell you all how Hawke single handedly defeated a crew of mercenaries." Varric said as he headed back to his room. At that, Fenris got up to head to his estate when Isabella spoke up, "You sure you want to go all the way back to your mansion Broody? I have a room right here you know." She suggested. Scowling, Fenris turned away from here walking out the door. Won't she ever leave me alone, he thought as he overheard some commotion in a nearby alley.

Listening in Fenris heard a thud as Anders shoved Rem into the wall, "But Hawke, he out right killed the man! He was sick, and was no threat to us and still he crushed his heart. Now, you don't even question his actions?! He murdered him! How long until he turns on us Hawke?" Anders argued. Fenris clenched his fists as he heard the damnable abomination talking about him,  but for some reason he hesitated to join into the fray. He wanted to hear her reasoning for this. He too found it odd that she would not question his actions. Maybe she just didn't want to make a scene in front of the group or maybe she didn't care how ruthless he was. Taking her hood down and reaching out grabbing the mage's robes pulling him inches from her face revealing all the blood that covered her face and arms. "I am sure Fenris had his reasons for his actions. I trust that he did what was right. I trust him. And if you cannot trust my decisions, and how I choose to deal with these situations, then it's best you leave now. I will not endanger those around me. There is no room for hesitation, I cannot have someone in my group who doesn't trust my actions." Rem shouted angrily shoving him away from her. Grabbing her wrist Anders tried to continue his argument. "Anders this conversation is over! Think it over and decide if you can trust yourself enough to trust anyone else. If I am not to trust him, how can I trust you? By all definitions I shouldn't." She looked him square in the eyes, to see the anger building that she could feel as his hand tightened around her wrist.

Immediately the mood changed as Anders found the edge of a large blade resting against his neck. "I suggest you let her go now abomination." Fenris threatened. Anders looked over to Fenris with his eyes screaming of hate, throwing Rems hand down he turned and stormed off towards his clinic. Rem leaned back against the wall, tilting her head back looking to the moon with a sigh. "Are you okay?" Fenris asked after the moonlight illuminated Rem's blood covered face. "Oh, all this it's not mine." She said. "Come on, I'll walk you home" he offered moving aside for Rem to walk beside him. "Hawke, why didn't you question my actions in the tavern?" he couldn't help but ask. She smiled, "I figure you had your reasons. I just thought I'd ask you later on. I trusted that it was the best course of action. I cannot ask you to trust in me if I am not willing to put my trust in you Fenris." Rem stated as she began to walk towards Gamlen's hovel. "Fenris…"

"Hawke?" he said turning his head to her. "I'm thinking of leaving Carver behind from the expedition… There is really no point in both of us going… I know he'll be upset…" she paused, "I just don't know. He's always upset about following in my footsteps. Taking him with me isn't helping him any. I can't force him to find his own way." She said looking down. "I never wanted any of this. I've just tried to take care of everyone… but well you can see how that has turned out." She admitted turning her face away in shame as she ran a hand through her hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to burden you." She said as they approached Gamlen's house. Unconsciously taking Rem's hand, "I'll go with you Hawke. Leave him home." Fenris announced without hesitation. "Wait until it is time to leave to tell him. And explain that he needs to find a way out of your shadow sometime. That you're just helping him do it." He stated as he looked into her gentle sapphire eyes. "Thank you Fenris" she said squeezing his gauntleted hand. "Rest up, it'll be a long trip. I'll be here if you need me for anything Fenris." She offered with a smile matching the gentleness of her eyes. "Thank you" she whispered next to his ear as she hugged him briefly in attempt to prevent an awkwardness that could develop from her overwhelming relief.