Imprints in Stone [AU]

[GamesMaster]

"Which stationary shop?" asks Ari, urgently.

[Tethras Clan]

Merrill leans back a little, the... intensity of the stares both girls are giving her just a touch intimidating. "Umm, I'm... not sure? It didn't have a name or sign other than 'stationary and scribing.' Oh. And a list of the languages they do, like seven of them?" Merrill frowns. "I... Oh! I could take us back, I know how to get there from the fountain!"

[Bethany]

"Merri, do you mean- is it the one next to the used book stall run by that old merikos oread with one eye?" Beth asks slowly. Merrill nods eagerly.

[GamesMaster]

"Was it across from a roasted nut shop?" asks Ari. At Merrill's nod, she groans. "Yeah. That's it. They do forgeries. Did he have anything weird going in? Letters or?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Forger rees? Wouldn't it be dangerous to forge anything next to all the paper and ribbons and stuff?"

[Bethany]

"Forgeries, Merri. It means... illegal copies. Mostly paperwork, documents, artwork... letters," Bethany explains gently. "Merri, did Anders say anything about what the letter was about? What else did you talk about that morning?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Umm. Well, he was talking to Justice a lot- his spirit companion," the shaman explains to Ari. "Something about... having made a mistake and needing to fix it or something? I wasn't really paying attention... Umm, he mentioned that it was for Huntinghawk's secret. Or rather, that they would read it because she's kinda dead. Ummm. He lost one of his suppliers, so he had me pass a letter to dad, asking for an introduction letter to some new ones because he couldn't afford to wait to reach out himself."

[GamesMaster]

Ari stares at Merrill in horror. "....Did... did Varric... reply? Just before the trip to the stationary shop?"

[Tethras Clan]

"Yes? He sent back a list of vendors that might be able to sell him what he needs and included a letter of intro... duct... Bethany, what's wrong?" the elf pleads, sounding distressed at how Beth has started to silently cry.

[Bethany]

"Ari, do you... do you..." Beth takes a deep breath. "We should go visit that forger and... ask some questions."

[GamesMaster]

Ari shakes her head, claws sliding out. "No. We know what happened: Anders set up your dad. Let's confront him with that and make him look you in the eye and tell you he betrayed you." 

[Tethras Clan]

"What?" Merrill asks in a tiny voice. "Anders... what do you mean? Anders is our friend. Our teacher..."

[GamesMaster]

"Anders made a fake letter from Varric that makes it look like he killed Huntinghawk," snarls Ari. She raises both her paws, crossing her arms to ring her face in claws -- a gesture that looks totally natural for all Beth's never seen it before. "We'll take him down, make him pay."

[Bethany]

"His... Cause," Beth whispers in an empty voice. "Seizing the means of production, taking the power and resources from the selfish capitalist overlords... like dad. Anders... Anders used you, used us, to... kill a Light and frame our dad."

"I'm going to kill him."

[Tethras Clan]

"K-k-kill? But h-he's our f-f-fr-friend," Merrill stammers, tears pouring down her face. When Bethany glares at her, the poor elf whimpers and curls into a ball to rock. The hate and angry in the stare isn't directed at her, but Merrill doesn't realize that, can't realize that, due to her abuse as a child- and as a scar of the fight she had with Bethany not that long again. Forgiveness is a powerful thing but it doesn't wash away all consequences. 

The next fifteen minutes are spent reassuring Merrill that no-one blames her, that Beth in particular doesn't blame her. That she's still their friend and that Anders... that Anders probably liked her once, but that his cause has become an obsession and he's sick. Of course, having used that tactic to make Merrill feel better about having been used, at having misjudged so badly, they're faced with the uncomfortable result- if that's true, if Anders is just mind-touched and not evil... then can they just kill him?  He had been their friend, their teacher, for almost a year now in Beth's case. Maybe... maybe they should at least confront him first, ask him, demand from him an explanation for his actions.

That somewhat annoying realization had, the trio take a few minutes to hash out a new plan, one with less crossbow bolts from the shadows and more talking. Afterwards, they slip out of the safehouse and head for the clinic.