The Amell Legacy: Transgressions

[Helene Dakesh]

"Yes," says Helene slowly.

[Marian Hawke]

"That's priceless."

[Helene Dakesh]

"Agreed," says Helene. "But this one was not only given the lifetime to spend, but also, given purpose and meaning."

[Marian Hawke]

"So he threatened to kill you unless you swore allegiance?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"No. This one would have passed on through this one's own means."

[Marian Hawke]

"Ah. Well that's a very different matter. I suppose you expect me to swear service to Varric for eternity, then?"

[Varric]

"...as a note, Lord Emperor is a pretty neat title. Just putting that out there," Varric puts in cheerfully.

[Helene Dakesh]

"What? Why?"

[Marian Hawke]

"He saved my life, didn't he?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"Once," says Helene, understanding. "He saved you once. I was saved fully. The reasons for contemplating what I was contemplating were stripped away, and I was given a reason to live for. That is a treasure beyond measure -- something that cannot be overpaid for."

[Varric]

"Nothing has a price save what the parties involved agree upon," the businessman says firmly. "If Alydra thinks you overpaid, then you either haggle or accept it. But you can't consider the matter closed. And given what you're saying about senior Seekers pressing you to... make friends, pick up a hobby or take a vacation, I would wage They're making it clear where They stand on the necessity of haggling."

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one feels this one has underpaid. This one has only your assertion that this one overpaid, but assuming that it is true in Alydra's eyes, that indicates that the price was set correctly: it was no more than I was willing to pay and no less than Alydra desired to accept."

[Varric]

"Is there as reason why you keep calling Alydra inept, foolish or a liar?"

[Helene Dakesh]

"What?"

[Varric]

"You're saying They're wrong. Wrong in a major way, for almost a century. They're a god. I think They know the value of a life better than any mortal. So why do you refuse to accept Their judgement and continue to treat Them as if They were Sirena?"