da_champion | On the Road

On the Road - For Unshod

The Storm Coast wasn’t much different from Crestwood. It rained almost constantly but there was a distinct lack of undead and the air had the smell of the ocean instead of rotting lake. But the rain was near constant. Endless. Driving Hawke insane even though he had on an oil slick cloak that kept him dry. One last gift from Inquisitor Lavellan before he left to head north to Wiessupt.

It didn't help him climb slick rock any but he wasn't soaked to the bone. Maybe he should have left from the desert but going back to Skyhold before he left to say goodbye to Varric and a quick resupply was better. Except for this miserable, Maker-foresaken weather.

When he heard the sounds of a fight a distance away on the beach he debated getting involved. It would slow him down and he was making slow progress already... but... he could take his bad mood out on whoever was causing trouble. A good fight would warm him up. The Inquisition had a presence here but they couldn’t be everywhere. Hawke would be doing them a favor by chipping in. He’d also get to throw a fireball which might actually warm him up a little.

He did not expect to see a familiar face cutting through Tevinter slavers. Hawke didn't even know there were slavers on this coast. There was no mistaking the distinctive flash of markings and the buzz of lyrium in the air. He could almost taste it in the back of his throat.

“Fenris!” Hawke shouted in greeting as he came quickly stumbling down the side of a not so steep cliff.

He reached the beach and threw his hand out ice lancing from his fingertips through a slaver. He made a gurgling sound before he fell dead. Spinning his staff around Hawke walked right into the fight. He was never one of those mages that stayed at a distance. He could throw a fireball but also run a man through with the bladed end of the staff.

Not that Fenris needed much help. He was perfectly capable of slaughtering slavers without any help even outnumbered five to one. They made short work of the slavers who seemed to be waiting for a ship to take them back to Tevinter with some kidnapped Dalish elves. Hawke kept back while Fenris freed them from their cages and shackles.

“Good to see you’re keeping busy,” he drawled when Fenris approached him.

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It's a strange urge. The urge to keep Fenris there. Hawke chalks it up to lack of physical contact he's had since leaving Kirkwall. The warmth and weight is very reassuring, proof Hawke's not alone in this. But he's healed and while his mana is low he's not in danger of dying. There's no reason for it.

He lets Fenris go, his hand falling away.

"We should move before we rest tonight," he says as he lets go of the trance. "Get as far away as we can. If those Templars have others near by they'll come back for us. And worse, they'll know you're with me."

Meaning Fenris might find himself on wanted posters as well. Hawke's a little furious at himself for that. Fenris doesn't need that trouble. He's got enough from Tevinter as it is.

There's an ache at the feeling of Hawke's hand falling away from him. It should be a relief for the touch to end, for his sensitive marking to be free of foreign touch, but all he feels is an ache and fading warmth of where they had been touching.

With a nod, he gets up off Hawke. "We should make good enough pace, I can lead us once night falls, they will not be so lucky," it's unlikely they will have an elf to help guide them in the dark. "If we spend a few nights traveling, we should put some distance between us, then we can reassess if we wish to take a boat across the sea."

Quickly packing any evidence of them being here away, the blood would be there, but there wasn't much that could be done about that... well, Hawke was a mage...

"Can you scorch away your blood? They will be looking for evidence of us and may over look it." He wouldn't, but they will be wanting to catch Hawke's trail fast not efficiently, before the man vanishes on them again. So they won't likely stop to assess a new burn mark in a burnt out home.

"I have a better idea." Which Hawke does not tell Fenris because it involves drawing the knife from his belt and slicing his palm open. He walks in the opposite direction they plan on heading letting the blood drip from his fingers onto the ground. A good distance away he heals the wound and retraces his steps back.

"They'll follow the false trail for a while." He flexes his hand and grins. What's a little more blood to sacrifice? He's got plenty to spare, right? Hawke expects Fenris to be mad at him but he will take that anger. It's necessary to keep them free and Hawke would do much worse to make sure Fenris is never in chains again.

"Fire would be too obvious and leave a trail all it's own. There's not enough here for them to make a phylactery of. We're covered." Hawke again smiles, trying to reassure Fenris that all will be well.

Then they have nothing to do but start walking again.

Fenris scowls at the way Hawke cuts his palm. It would have been better if Fenris has done it, he has more blood to give right now than Hawke does. "I should have been the one to bleed, you have barely any to spare or have you forgotten how you could barely stand but ten minutes ago," his disapproval is hot, his anger calm but there.

To make it seem more believable, he walks with Hawke, making sure to brush up against plants to make a trail that seems stumbling, but still careful. Like someone in pain trying to keep from being obvious. If they are going to give them a false trail, they may as well make it as realistic as possible.

"it is lucky that the earth is soaking what of it you have left, else they would try to make a phylactery regardless," he spits out the words but doesn't argue it further, instead following Hawke's lead and covering their tracks as they go. It would be slow moving at first, but it would make their actual trail harder to find initially.

Later he would find a stream and push for them to travel down and through it so as to disrupt their trail further.

They spent days traveling at night and hiding during the day. Hawke didn't want to say they'd escaped but the Templars did never seem to catch up. Either his false trail worked or the Templars went running back to their masters with their tails between their legs. Maybe they were never in danger of being caught at all.

But after those days... well, Hawke relaxed a little. He breathed a little easier. They went back to walking during the days. The boat plan was abandoned as there would be too many people and possibly too many guards.

They didn't come across anyone until they were deep in the Orlesian countryside.

"Hello there!" Hawke calls to the collection of arravels, waving brightly. He didn't want to startle the Dalish and get shot by an arrow again. Best to be upfront and noticeable. "Just passing through. Won't be a bother."

Though... "Unless you'd like to trade?" They could use some supplies.

Traveling at night hadn't been too much trouble for Fenris, though when they were in the darker parts of a forest where the moon and stars barely illuminated the ground, he would have to guide Hawke through the underbrush. Any pursuers they had are long left in the dust, long have fallen off their trail. It was good when Hawke relaxed a little and they started to travel during the day again, when they nixed the boat idea. An idea Fenris was against for a number of reasons, but most of all because that would bring them closer to his final destination.. something that for some reason rubbed him the wrong way these days.

He didn't want to be parted from Hawke and he was still sorting through this feeling, the way his eyes follow Hawke for more reasons than before...

"We could use supplies," Fenris says under is breath to Hawke, his eyes on the Dalish. They were low on medical supplies and were out of rations. Perhaps it would be smart to pick up potions to avoid a templar's smit situation again..

At first a most eyes were on Hawke, but as they draw closer, a few eyes find Fenris before whispers of the Blue Wraith starts to spread through the encampment. Quickly, a small crowd starts to gather, more and more eyes finding Fenris. Considering what he does for city elves and dalish alike when they are kidnapped by slavers, the name Blue Wraith has become well known..

He just hadn't known tale of him had spread here, but he fights against the urge to rub the back of his neck. The Dalish guards are quick to welcome them now, offering to trade and let them stay, welcoming them in a way not often offered to outsiders.

Hawke is grateful Fenris has a reputation among the elves because to them he's just some shemlen. Which is fair. Most people are just shemlen who treat the Dalish like intruders when the elves were here first. He lets Fenris take the lead for the most part.

The Keeper asks for medicine, if they have any to spare and Hawke cannot keep quiet. "I'm a mage, I know some healing," he offers with a sheepish smile.

The Keeper eyes him warily. "Escaped mages bring danger."

"Technically, I'm not escaped. I've never been in a Circle." That doesn't really get the response that Hawke hoped for to ease the tension. "Ah, but I can help heal as part of the trade for supplies? Or well, ask Fenris I'll do it for nothing just because it's the right thing to do."

It's a good skill to trade in but Hawke would hold healing hostage just to get what they need. He'll help either way but he doesn't want to insult the Keeper's pride.

There are eyes on him, but he mostly ignores them, resisting the urge to pull the cloak around him more. He wouldn't want to seem self conscious. Fenris should be used to eyes, he's had eyes on him in most of his living memory, be it because Danrarius wanted them on his little pet or because he was accompanying the Champion of Kirkwall, it was rare for him to not field stares, but now they were different.. They were of his own making.

Fenris watches The Keeper and Hawke speak before he nods. "He speaks true, we could use the supplies, but he will insist on helping for free if you allow him."

The Keeper looks to Fenris, the hard look they were giving Hawke changing to something more thoughtful. "And you travel with him, Blue Wraith?"

"Yes, he is a dear friend and capable healer," he speaks firmly, before adding, "If needed, I will help with hunting during the time it takes for your clan to get tended to in trade for supplies and food for our journey ahead." He doesn't mind making his own help contingent on getting something back in trade.

"Wait."

The Keeper leaves them standing on the edges of the Dalish camp while he goes to talk with the other elves. Hawke watches them with mild interest.

"I think that went well," he says to Fenris with a little smirk. "I still have that legendary Hawke charm. And you're making quite a name for yourself, Blue Wraith."

If they had Varric they probably would've been welcomed into the camp right away. The dwarf could charm a miser out of their last copper. Maybe Merrill could've eased the way. Hawke's not sure what other clans think of her but this far out from Kirkwall they probably would've been friendly.

"I hope they at least let me do some healing. We can do our own hunting for supplies if we have to but they need help." And even after everything the Maker has thrown at him Hawke is determined to be helpful in the world. He can't find the energy or a reason to be cruel even with so much hurt.

Fenris rubs at the back of his neck in some embarrassment. Hd he thought his name would travel this far, he might have chosen to be the one to do the main approaching, but as it was it didn't seem to be going poorly at least.

"I did not know my name would travel so far.. I must have saved some from this clan in my travels," he wouldn't be surprised, he's saved a number of Dalish over the years, all while using the name Blue Wraith because he left Fenris back with his companions.

There were still eyes on them, though far enough from them that their conversation was relatively private. It wasn't like he would recognize any of the faces.

"Surely they will see that our help is needed, yours especially. I will barter my services for supplies, do not worry about such, focus on healing and helping those of the clan," he reassures the man, knowing that Hawke wouldn't fret over supplies anyway, they do well enough without.

"Helping a mage is always risky. I wouldn't blame them for turning me away but welcoming you." Hawke shrugs, watching the Dalish out of the corner of his eye. "Not sure even Merrill spreading word about me would help in most cases."

The consequences of the Chantry explosion are far reaching and seemingly endless. Hawke's never sure what he'll run into while on the run himself. He's only certain that everyone will blame the Champion first and Anders second. How could the Champion not know?

He sighs heavily and shakes those thoughts out of his head. They won't help right now.

"I trust you to handle it." He claps Fenris on the arm. "You're better with people these days. Dare I say, almost charming."

Hawke's teasing a little bit. Fenris doesn't bother with people skills all that much if ever. It's amusing to watch.

"If they do not welcome us both then we shall continue without as we have," he was firm in this. He knows helping a mage is risky, but he would not deal with the dalish while Hawke sits waiting on the outside like some plague victim. Not that he doesn't have his own reservations about mages, not that he doesn't understand theirs, but he would not be party to the discrimination of the one mage he trusted with his everything.

He sees the heavy sigh and can guess what is on the man's mind and it is discomforting. It sours his mood to even think of how Hawke has taken so much of the blame for Anders zealous actions.

"Yes, and I am the second coming of Andraste even," his sarcasm drips like venom, but there is a small curl to his lips, clearly finding the humor in what Hawke says as much as he pretends not to.

He knows he will make a fool of himself by trying to barter without Hawke's charm there to sooth things over and the man wants to watch the debacle.

There is a charm to Fenris' honesty. He does not suffer fools and that's always fun to watch. Hawke has really enjoyed traveling with him even though he still worries about the danger it puts Fenris is but he is glad not to be alone.

"Second coming? You've had a busy morning!" Hawke winks back.

Before he can make any more inappropriate jokes the Keeper returns. "We will take your healing and your help with hunting in exchange for supplies. You will get neither until we are satisfied with your help."

Hawke shrugs. "Fair enough."

They must be used to humans who twist deals and lie about their intentions. Hawke is familiar with those people too. He loved one.

"Point me to your injured and sick." He says with an easy smile.

Fenris rolls his eyes at that, he should have seen it coming (ha), but instead the man is ridiculous as always. Not that it was a bad thing, he rather liked Hawke the way he was. Even if he made terrible jokes at times.

Bless the Keeper for coming when they did, he wouldn't want to endure whatever else Hawke had up his sleeve, though he also doesn't mind it as much as he pretends to. Maybe he would have enjoyed it more than he admits.

Fenris gives a nod of acceptance for his part in this, not minding the conditions. He's not surprised by them either.

"And I to your hunters," may as well start on this now, there was no reason to waste time.

Pointed where he needs to go, he gives a nod to Hawke, handing him his satchel to keep here while he goes out to hunt. There was no reason to carry it with him right now when he had every intention of returning.

Hawke claps Fenris on the shoulder before he follows the Dalish that comes to collect him. He sheds his armor for healing, trying to put the Dalish and the sick at ease.

They have the common illnesses of living in the wilderness. One has a chest cough that is worrisome but his magic helps break up some of it. He cannot prescribe herbs and other follow up treatments besides the standard elf root and willow bark.

Luckily, their own healer has his own remedies. Hawke finds him an entertaining sort, if a bit serious. Very dower but he has a dry sense of humor that he enjoys. He is reminded of Fenris and hopes his friend comes back with good supplies.

He cannot help but look out towards the forest, scanning the horizon for him. He'll be fine. Fenris is skilled and capable but he's a bit... he's worried. They haven't been apart like this...

Hawke sighs and gets back to healing.

The hunting is simple enough, Fenris doesn't fell the simple beasts, but he does help with the bigger ones, like the bear they run into. It seems that Hawke will have some simple patching up to do, but for the moment he is gutting the beast to make transport of it back easier.

One of the hunters asks all about Fenris' travels, if he's really the Blue Wraith, if he really has saved all those people. It reminds him of the kind of people who used to fawn over Hawke and his adventures. The kind of people that spread the stories that Varric told while Hawke grinned and laughed at the new ridiculous thing the dwarf added.

He doesn't look towards the direction he knows Hawke to be in, but it would be a lie to say he doesn't.. worry in his own way. To leave him alone with people that barely trust him... where he could vanish on Fenris without a word.

It's a fear Fenris has, that Hawke will be done with him and leave. That's the plan afterall..No, Hawke will be there. The man would never leave him without a word.

Stopping at a creek to wash off some of the blood, they make their way back after some hours have passed and night is starting to fall.

When Fenris and the hunters return Hawke is on the edges of the camp. He's done all the healing he can and there's a bit of tired showing around his eyes. He's found a nice shady spot to sit for the time being.

"And behold the mighty hunter!" he calls to Fenris with an easy smile. "Maybe you've found a new calling."

All the hunters look unharmed which is good. They're a little bloody but nothing unexpected for hunters. Something settles in Hawke's chest seeing Fenris back. They'll have supplies tomorrow and will set off safely.

And yet, a nagging voice at the back of his mind wonders when they'll have to part ways. When he'll be alone again. Hawke... does not want to be alone again.

"Hardly," he says it with a small curl of his lips as he diverts from the hunters and returns to Hawke. He was mostly washed off, mostly unharmed as he comes to sit next to the enormous man.

Hawke made him feel small, but not in a bad way.. in a way that made him wonder what it would be like to be held in those arms-- but those thoughts were unwelcome. Hawke's heart belonged to someone that didn't deserve it and Fenris was trapped with feelings he wasn't sure how to express.. this time with Hawke has made alive the feelings he once buried.

It makes him dread when they will finally part. He doesn't want to part ways, but stay with the man, even if that means to give up the only thing he knows what to do with his life. Was he good enough to stay by Hawke's side? Or would be be abandoned once again?

"You look tired.. perhaps an early night before morning would be advisable," his hand itches to reach out and brush the hair from Hawk's eyes, it's getting a little long from their travels on the road. He keeps his hand still and to himself.

"Healing is pretty exhausting," he says with a little chuckle. "But they clan will do better now. They got caught in a cold rain and weren't able to dry off quickly after it. A few got a cough that is lingering."

The clan's healer had done what she could but there were so many sick and only so much elfroot to spare. "I tried to teach her a few tricks of spirit healing while I worked so we'll see if it helps."

He leans a little against Fenris with a sigh. "But an early night does sound like a nice idea."

Fenris feels his heart quicken a little at the way Hawke leans against him, reaching over now to brush the hair from the man's forehead since he started contact first. "I hope then that they will consider our contributions enough, especially considering you shared your skills with their healer."

Leaning back against the man, he can't help but want to soak in the warmth of him, to feel his weight and bulk against him. Hawke was an incredible person. More than just in looks and skills, but in who he was at his heart. Sure, he wasn't the sharpest, but he was capable and compassionate and knew best how the world worked outside of books.

That's what matters, not what one learns from a books but one's life experiences. And Hawke had more than his share.

"We will be able to rest well tonight before morning comes and sees us traveling once more."

"Mmm." Hawke hums as he leans a little bit more. "They've said we can camp outside their camp. They trust us but not that much. Still don't blame them. See any good places around here?"

He lifts his head and looks around a bit for perhaps a nice corpse of trees or a little out cropping of rocks to protect them from the chilly nights. The farther they get the colder the temperatures have become. The Anderfels are going to be cold.

"They'll at least share some of the hunt and we'll eat well tonight." Hawke has lost some weight since Kirkwall. He's not eating rich foods and drinking piss ale every night. But he's still rather bulky and solid.

"And we'll see how much of their rations they share in the morning." He grunts and then finally hauls himself to his feet. He offers Fenris a hand. "Come on, let's set up camp."

Fenris takes the man's hand and hauls himself up. He was a bit more tired than usual from helping with the hunt, it was more strenuous than he's done in a while.

"They must protect themselves, there is only so much they can offer, hopefully the rations will be worth the effort," they both traded services, even if Hawke didn't want to consider his services something for trade, it still was and likely would still be seen as such. The man had a big heart to help.

But soon they are walking towards an outcropping of rocks nearby, something that will suit well enough for a camp while still staying close enough to the Dalish. They couldn't rely on them for protection but they were going to share the hunt.

"We might have to risk going into town for warmer clothes the deeper into winter we get," As much as Fenris didn't want to admit it.

"I've heard rumors of trouble in the Dales again. Orlesians up to something." Hawke rolls his eyes. There was a lot to learn during his time with the Inquisition but he had mostly spent it catching up with Varrick and avoiding the one Seeker and Cullen as much as possible. He did not need that inquisition.

Hawke spreads out their bedrolls while Fenris sets up a little firepit for them. He lights the fire with a bit of magic until it catches and turns to true flames. It's good enough for the night and in sight of the Dalish if there's trouble.

"Mm, probably. I've heard it gets quite cold up in the Anderfels." Hawke watches the Dalish from their camp, the clan and families all together. He feels a pang of longing for the good days in Kirkwall.

He looks away towards Fenris. The thought of being alone... haunts him. He does not want to be without his companion... but he has to be. "We can ask the Dalish where the nearest town is when we leave. Hopefully, it's a small detour. I can hide my face enough to pass as any other bloke, especially if I take the armor off."

"Shocking," the sarcasm is dripping. Trouble in the Dales? Trouble with the Orlesians? Surprises never cease.

Fenris watches the magic catch with a plain expression, not minding the method, it was good. It would keep them warm this cold night. "As have I, the nights are already colder than my cloak is good for, if I keep my hood up and face covered I will looks like nothing more than a companion to you. I think if we make quick work of an errand in town we shouldn't draw much attention."

Besides, people were bundling up more now, it wouldn't draw eyes too much, if he masks the bottom of his face it should be fine.

Though he hesitates, not yet unrolling his bedroll. Next to Hawke would be best for warmth but he doesn't know how welcome that would be. He wouldn't mind it, but Hawke might. Afterall, his heart belonged to someone that didn't deserve it. Never had deserved it. Maybe he was thinking too into this because he realized the feelings he's long suppressed were resurfacing.

"It's been that cold for you?" Hawke is surprised for a second. Then he remembers that Fenris' body has not been altered by years and years of fire magic. Hawke runs hot thanks to its influence over his body. He hasn't noticed the cold too often.

"You should've said something sooner, sleep closer to me," he offers gesturing towards his laid out bedroll. "I am always warm and we can share cloaks."

He thinks nothing of the offer, not really. Fenris is a dear friend and he doesn't want him cold. He needs the warmth. Hawke can provide it. It is as simple as that.

"We'll get more blankets in town as well. Perhaps a heavier pack so we can carry it all." He will make a list of the supplies they need before they reach town.

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