"They're late." I grumble while cleaning a dirty mug.

"They'll show. Don't you worry." Isabela, former captain of the Siren's Call, says with a worry free tone that irked me. Hard to be a captain when she has no ship or crew at her command.

One faithful night, a terrible storm blew in. Rain was pouring hard and the only light source we had was the lighting erupting from the dark clouds. The sails weren't strong enough to withstand the weather and eventually the ship was torn apart piece by piece. As for the crew... we were the only survivors. We came to Kirkwall with practically nothing, I only say that because we got lucky that Isabela had some coin stashed in her boots and in her unmentionables.

Kirkwall is so much different than Anvita City. Anvita City is so lively, free to express yourself. Here... the city lacks culture and the citizens have no personality, very single minded. Can't do anything without someone judging someone, especially in the eye of the religious.

Of course, my opinion is base on what I've witness in High Town, the nicer and richer part of the city. The only time I'd ever visit that side of town is if I'm going to the red light district, covering a shift at the Blooming Rose as a bartender. Madam Lusine, the owner of the brothel, keeps offering me a position to be one of her sex workers.

"Someone with my beauty should be making someone's night, than making drinks." She quoted. I'm flattered, but I deny her each time. Only my skills are for sell, not my body.

And plus, I'd prefer to stay in Low Town at the Hanged Man, the tavern I currently work for.

It's no Blooming Rose, but the Hanged Man has its own set of interesting patrons. Varric Tethras for example, he's a dwarf who can weave adventurous tales with his voice. I can listen to him for hours. Also, the man is sweet on the waitresses. Nora tells me he tips pretty well.

And there are patrons like Lucky and his men, absolute scumbags of Thedas...

They're the people that we're waiting for.

"I rather they didn't." I snap when I grab another dirty mug and start cleaning it profusely. My frustration goes unnoticed.

Isabela raise an eyebrow. "You want them to or not? Which is it, sweetness?"

I'm conflicted with emotions, I can't think straight. "Yes and no."

"I've never seen you this worked up before. What's brother you?"

I stop cleaning the mug half way through and slowly cock my head toward her. Has she seriously forgotten? The confuse look on her face tell me so and I let out a frustrated groan.

"We have bigger problems to worry about," I don't yell, though I'm furious. It take all my self-control to hold back. I'm still on the clock. Shouting at patrons isn't exactly customer courtesy. "Like your duel with Hayder."

Now it's Isabela's turn to groan, "This again?"

"Yes, this again!" I slam the cup down. "I'm still angry at you for arranging the duel with him!"

She sighs. "You know how make-up sex works right? The point is so you won't be mad at me anymore."

Her jokes adds fuel to my fury. "Well, there are some fucking things hot sex can't fix. Isabela, what you did was stupid, and reckless, and... urgh!" I twist the rag in my hand, urge to rip it in half. Why, why did she go and do something like that?! Does she WANT to be found?

"What's done is done." Isabela shrugs, however she avoids any eyes contact with me. "Not point in dwelling on it."

She's not taking this seriously!

I throw my hands up in the air, so badly do I want to knock sense into this woman. "You really don't realize what you've done? Hayder could send word to Castillon, and then he'll knows that we're here too."

"If I win the duel, Hayder will be dead. No letter sent. Problem solved." She take a drink from her mug, in good humor she adds. "And they say violence doesn't solved anything."

It's as if talking to a child. She only sees the big picture and missing all the minor details. "He's just as sleazy as Castillon. You know Hayder won't play fair. It wouldn't pass me if he's planning to set an ambush."

"There's a good chance he will."

"Then why go through with it?!"

Isabela composes herself, she speak earnestly for the first time. "Sweetness, he's been asking about me all around Kirkwall. If he keeps squawking on and on like this, it might get reach the ears of those Qunari."

I intense up at the mention of them.

"And if that happens..."

She doesn't need to finish the her sentence. I already know what consequences will be. They'll come looking for her... for us. Castillon is miles and miles away. He's not an immediate threat, but the Qunari are. For a brief moment, I've forgotten they're living IN the city. I don't see them often, usually they keep to themselves.

"It's better to get it over with and meet him face to face. I don't like it anymore than you do, but we don't have much options of who we can ask for help."

"Yes we do." I argue. "I told you before. There's a guy Varric knows-"

"Queenie, the less people that know, the better..." Isabela reach over the counter to grab my hands. Gently wipes back and forth with her callous thumb, a tender gesture I desperately crave for comfort. Something to smooth out all my worries, tell me everything will turn out okay. "For the both of us." She adds in, barely a whisper.

I squeeze her hands. "If this doesn't work out then I'm-" I zip my lips immediately as a group of men approach the bar, Isabela's hired help. Lucky strolls in, cocking with confidence. Usually, I find confidence a turn-on. But on him, it almost makes me want to gag.

I quickly slip my hands away from her warm touch and casually step away, pretending that she's no more than a stranger to me. I don't want Lucky or any of his men to get any ideas about using me as leverage to get to Isabela. There's also the fact I can't fend for myself. That pisses me off more than being used as bait.

I stay close by to listen in on their conversation.

Lucky claims to have contacts in both low and dark town, as well as the docks. That is what caught the pirate queen's attention in the first place. She hasn't set foot in Kirkwall's peer since she arrived, especially since the Qunari's compound is located there. I can understand her hesitation of wandering around the docks with their presence there. Those tall horn bearing people are the reason why we were ship wrecked. However, I can't resent them for what they've done...

"You owe us, Isabela."

I snap out of my reminiscing thoughts and side glance at the commotion. Shit, I missed everything!

Lucky stands out from the rest of his men with light color hair and pale skin. He leans on the counter, and closes the gap between him and Isabela. The mercenary is practically breathing down her neck, but Isabela shows no sign of discomfort.

She doesn't give him acknowledge him. Whatever information he just told her, the pirate isn't please with it.

"Well, Lucky, I'll you what..." Isabela pours herself a shot out of the whiskey bottle I'd given her earlier. "Since the information you gave me was worth nothing" -She chugs it down- "That's what I'll pay you."

Lucky grabs hold of Isabela's wrist and snarls. "Me and my boys will get our money's worth, bitch."

Isabela rolls her eyes, and slowly she turns her head to look at him. She leans into him. This act of seduction has him hypnotize, the man is practically ogling her with his perverted eyes. "Oh, you poor sweet thing." Almost pity sounding.

With Lucky's guard down, Isabela twist her wrist to get out of his grip and swiftly pull him towards the counter. I hear a loud thunk as she bash his head against the hard surface. I flinch at the sound.

A fight breaks out the moment Lucky collapses to the floor. Panic rises when one of the mercenaries grabs Isabela from behind, binding her arms together. She is lifted from the ground.

"Isabela!" I gasp.

I grab the closest empty mug to me and throw it at the mercenary's backside. It disorientates him for a second, but that's all the time Isabela needs. She headbutts his noise, hard. He loses his grip to carter his bleeding nose. The third mercenary takes a bottle of wine from a nearby and smash it against the table. Liquid and broken glass spill on the floor. The man use it other broken half in his hand to attack her. The pirate is quick to dodge his assault and the mercenary ends up cutting his comrade's face. The wounded man covered his face and screamed.

Isabela throws punches mercenary number three. One, two, and then kicks him in the groin. She finishes him off with slamming her elbow in his face. He stumbles and falls to his knees.

Lucky recovers. I watch as he lifts himself using the support of the counter. He growls and grabs his sword plastered on his back. There is no need for me to warn Isabela as before he can attack, she has dagger at his neck. Lucky freezes, with the sword high above his head.

"Tell me, Lucky," The pirate jabs the dragger closer to his neck. "Is this worth dying for?" She forces him to walk backward. Fear makes his pupil grow the size of dinner plates. A small whimper escapes between his lips. He makes a bolt towards the tavern's door, with the other mercenaries not far behind him. Isabela chuckles. "I didn't think so."

Once the excitement is over, the people turn their heads and back to their tables, minding their own business and chatter echos off the walls again.

Isabela resume her position at the bar. Her arms lending against the counter as she enjoys her alcohol. I meet with her stare and she winks flirtatiously, and her smirk radiates from her victory. Damn that fucking woman, I don't know rather to slap her or kiss her.

"I'll to repay you for having my back." She bites her full lips, a seducing tactic she knows I can't resist. "Come and see me after your shift." Slowly leans back from the bar and walks away. She has a sway in her hips going up the stairs. I'm not the only one who notices as every parton looks as she walks pass by. At the top of the stairs, she throw a one more lasting look in my direction. One that says "don't keep me waiting." Isabela turns around the corner and disappears, in the direction of our shared room we're renting at the Hanged Man.

Her teasing lets my imagination on the loose. I can fell a heat at the base of my cheeks and the back of my neck...as well as between my legs. My knees weaken thinking of her kisses... her touch. She did this on purpose no doubt, damn her!

Chucking down water helps cool me down.

She's not off the hook with her arranged duel... even if she did just win her bar fight against Lucky. It was three against one, and she managed to come on top. Hayder will definitely have more men accompanying him. She won't be able to handle them all on her own. Isabela needs someone watching her back-

In the corner of the room is Varric and standing next to him is a tall and handsome man with dark hair and a grizzly beard. However, what strikes me is the red gushing scar across his nose. That must be the guy Varric mention to me before, the one who helps people out. His name escapes me, but I remember the man doesn't necessarily ask for money exchange for his services. Varric and his tall friend are carrying a conversation, mostly like about the fight they witnessed. They glances linger in the bar section where Isabel was sitting. The dwarf chuckles at whatever the man has said.

Varric's friend is definitely someone who can carry himself... and me. Those nice and firm arm muscles and those large hands... oh, he can pick up with ease if he wanted to and pin me to a wall-

"Queenie, get these drinks out!" Shouts the impatient bartender.

I grumble. "Calm your griffin feathered wings, I'm going."

A smirk grows across my face as the comments makes him spills some of ale he was pouring, and then sends me a glare. "I regret telling you about Speed Griffin." He grabs a rag and cleans up the mess. "Just get 'em out."

I get the wooden serving plate and place each of them on top. I make my rounds and I see Varric's friend leaving the establishment with one other person. He's tall like him and with the same the dark hair color. Well, that's a shame he's going...

My eyes travel to his backside and then downward. He has mighty fine looking ass.

Someone clearing their throat catches my attention, and it's just the man I'm looking for. Varric is short and stocky, as expected for a dwarf, but he has no beard. He barely has a stubble, and I thought it was odd. Isn't it dwarven custom to have facial hair? He has no trouble growing it out, his unbuttoned red tunic puts his well-groomed chest hair on full display. His strawberry blonde hair is long enough to be tied back, and I note he has a few gold earring pieces. On his back is a uniquely designed crossbow, I hardly see him without it.

In Varric's rugged voice, he says. "Can't help but notice your staring."

"Can you blame me, Varric?" I smile as I hand him my last mug of ale. "Your friend is quite handsome."

"I'll take your word for it." He chuckles and places a few copper pieces in my hands.

I immediately it give it back to him. My action makes one of his eyebrow arch to his hairline. "I rather be paid in another way."

"Is that so?" Varric tucks the coin back in his pocket.

"Information." My smile grows.

"Ah." With a simple hand motion, Varric urges me to follow him to his table. It's tucked away in the croner of the tavern near the stairs. It's far from the crowd, but still able to see the entire layout. I'm starting to see see why Varric like it so much. "Only because I like you, Queenie. Now, what might I help with?"

I know for a fact, Isabela won't like what I'm about to do. Which is to say, it's a fair trade. She acted on something I didn't like, and I'm about to do the same. They say misery loves company. However, this is for her own good.

"Varric, about your handsome friend..."

Author's Note:

Oops, my fingers slipped. This is what happens when you day dream at work. This one shot has turn into a mini series. It won't be too long, just something to exercise my creative writing.

Those who are reading One Flip in Ferelden, I know it's been a while, and I'm sorry. I'm having trouble getting it out of my head. I also been distraction with a writing few other fic... one of them being other Modern Girl in Thedas that takes place during the Inquisition. Damn it, I'm in too deep.