Ghost Story

[GamesMaster]

"Bad enough. We got the proof we needed, anyway. The justicar's sure to see that."

[Varric]

"Wait, what does that--" Varric squints a little, then remarks, "just occurred to me that you haven't actually told me what the charges are."

[GamesMaster]

"Aggravated assault with an enchanted weapon, and practicing magic."

[Varric]

"i can see why the first is up for debate but it's not illegal to practice magic," Varric counters. "Might need a license, sure, and some types of magic are prohibited in certain areas, but it's not illegal as a whole."

[GamesMaster]

"It is in Golden Shores. We haven't issued a license in a century. No license, no magic."

[Varric]

"I have a Nyrian license, which covers the city, the lands and all of its protectorates. And I know Golden Shores has petitioned to withdraw, but hasn't happened yet." And it won't, not for a century or more, given the amount of back taxes and levies it owes. He spreads his hands. "I filed as such with the mayor's office. Warned him about my house too."

[GamesMaster]

"We'll see. Are you paying the bail or not?"

[Varric]

"Sure," Varric says with a sigh. Hundred fucking gold (bail enough for a murder or rape) is bullshit  (should pay in coppers) but whatever. "I'll want a receipt."

[GamesMaster]

"I'll get you one."

[Marian Hawke]

When Varric lets himself into his home, he finds Emma quickly -- she's sitting in the kitchen, staring at a knife on the table. She looks up when he enters, silent, though relief shines clear enough in her eyes. 

[Varric]

Varric very deliberately sweeps his gaze over the room, twice, before looking back at her. He doesn't speak, doesn't make any noise at all. After a moment, he dips his eyes to the knife, then back to her face.

[Marian Hawke]

Emma lowers her gaze to the knife, then picks it up, moving to put it back in the drawer. It's his good chef's knife -- not much of a weapon, but something, at least. "Hi," she whispers. 

[Varric]

"Knife?" he asks finally.

[Marian Hawke]

"I didn't know you were coming back," she says quietly. "And there were men outside. I needed some way to defend myself or... or make sure they didn't take me. One way or the other."

[Varric]

Better than I feared, if only a little. "Where's your bow?" he asks tiredly.