Snippet #1581793

Hawke listened intently as the woman poured her situation into the conversation, a real problem that obviously couldn't be handled on her own, he was almost moved by her story, feeling the repressed hero within him stir at her plea. He had reached a crossroads at this point, this wasn't the sort of thing he could stick his neck out for, and not to mention that Michaline had risked her life and his by seeking him out, but at the same time, if it was that easy for a random traveler to locate him, then maybe this wasn't the best place to hide, and the two young girls were mages, who would have to grow and live the life of the apostate, a hardship that few would ever understand.

"Your situation is unfortunate indeed, your sisters will have to learn to master their magic before they have any chance of doing harm to themselves, and after, they will be branded Apostate, a title that holds fear and hatred from the less understanding, especially now, few places will be safe for them, and even fewer people would be welcoming. This is a life I know all to well, and one that you couldn't possibly comprehend, to be persecuted as a maleficar, no matter how much good is done, it is never enough... not in the eyes of the ignorant."

Apostate, a sensitive topic for the grizzled mage, had it been anything else, he probably never would have considered the task in the first place, or just killed the girl and forgot the whole thing ever happened. Helping the young mages had to be done, and would be done by him, but he could not risk traveling all the way back to the Freemarches to retrieve the girls, people were already aware of his presence in Denerim, a trip to Starkhaven would certainly bring an army down on him.

"I can help, but know that I cannot, for my own safety, make the long trip to the Freemarches, as there are many, many, people out there who wish to see me hang. If it is possible for you to bring your sisters to me then I can teach them of magic and survival, otherwise there is little I can do, you must understand that I have massive problems of my own as of late, and this is the best offer I can make for you at this point."

The grim mage waited in the alley for her reply, the ideal situation would be possibly taking the girls under his wing until they were old enough to stand on their own, two children would hardly slow him down anyway, but if she couldn't get them to Denerim without him, then he would have to put it out of his mind.