To track a legend...

"Well then, lets see what I can do to make you forget about that." said Varric as Kat leaned into him. He nibbled lightly on ear. "It is getting late, how about we do one last thing before we call it a night." teased Varric.

---

Kat had gotten up and pulled the knives out of the tree. He took his knife back from her and waited for her to sit down. "Why would a low ranking noble give up his knighthood to work on a farm." said Varric, it personally made no sense to him. To be a knight you needed to be some form of noble. Why give all of that up. No to mention could he even do that? Wouldn't it huge taboo. He just sighed. "Stereotypes are there for a reason. If there wasn't some sliver of truth to it, it wouldn't be a stereotype. Beside have you been in town recently. I surprised you haven't been forced into some arrange marriage." Although he did let out a smile when she mentioned the first ambush, because he was part of the first ambush. "Whoever this first ambush was it wasn't us. I was told it was a knew target."

At Varric’s words Katrina’s eyebrows shot up, also his ear nibbling was rather distracting from the question. So she poked him in the forehead “One thing? Just one? Ok then.”

She kissed Varric on the forehead before escaping his grasp and grabbing an extra blanket off the top of the dresser and snuggling back down on the bed.

“There was your one thing, Night.” Then instantly she was asleep, curled up on her side with her head on a pillow and quilt tucked in around the edges. Nice thing about being a sword, sleeping almost instantly. Katrina and Varric had that conversation a few times before and Katrina had turned him down every time, she was very old fashioned that way. Often joking that, if he truly wanted her that badly, he would have to marry her first.
**
Katrina chewed her lip, “He got hurt, his shoulder… Arrow. As for the first ambush, they went after my mom. I was there. They killed her but I killed them. Now, I’m their new target. But an old foe.”

Her hair had formed a wall between them again and she walked to the other side of the fire before sitting down, getting as far away from Varric as she possibly good. Katrina had not even responded to the arranged marriage jab. Maybe because… well… her betrothed was currently at war like the rest of all the noble men. Considering Katrina didn’t even like him, she didn’t even discuss him. Looking into the embers of the fire, she watched as they pulsed red like a live heart.

Varric just sat there. The look on his face was priceless. "I honestly don't know what I expected..." murmured Varric to himself. He stood up and grabbed an extra blanket, lying down on the second bed. He could try to sleep in the same bed as her but it would probably end up bad for him. "I mean come on, we are engaged now, you think she would be nice or maybe just stopped caring, heck can she ever get pregnant anymore!" Varric lied down in his bed and slowly drifted off to sleep, he would probably end up bugging her about it in the morning.

---

"That makes more sense." said Varric. Also explains why he was sent along with the other this time. They were suppose to kill, just capture. But he guessed they wanted revenge and needed someone who could fight along with the group so they could capture her. Varric let out a yawn. "Well you can take first watch, I am going to sleep, don't forget to eat something." said Varric, finding a comfortable spot to sleep in before drifting off.

When Katrina woke, she rolled out of bed and vanished into the bathroom. Running a brush through her long white hair, twisting it into the knot and pinning it into place before exiting the bathroom again and going to the balcony attached to their room.  Outside Katrina stretched, allowing her muscles to unwind but her body temperature dropped dramatically and her few breaths of air rose into the sky as fog. Upon sliding through several mixed martial arts movements she entered back into the room and ran her icy hands underneath hot water, attempting to raise her body temperature.

**

She watched Varric curl up on the ground with narrowed eyes, not sure what to think of this thief this… ruffian. Then the night dragged on, leaving Katrina, alone, in the dark. Before Varric awoke the next morning, Katrina stood up and walked into the forest. Returning an hour later to him, building up the fire again, and gutting the rabbit she had caught without batting an eye.  Finally after the fire had burned down to the hot coals she began to roast the rabbit.

Varric woke up slowly. He opened his eyes slightly. He spotted Kat out side stretching. He smiled a bit before closing his eyes again and waiting for her to enter the room again. Once Kat reentered the room and began to run water over her hands Varric slipped quitely out of bed, pulling his extra blanket with him. Turning himself and the blanket invisible he tiptoed behind Kat. He threw his arms and the blanket around her, turning visible and resting his head on her shoulder, which was actually really cold.

"You know you would think 2000 plus years and become engaged would change someone's mind a bit. I feel rejected over here." Whispered Varric into Kat's ear before pecking her on the cheek. "By the way, you are freezing."

---

Varric woke to smell off cooking meat. More particularly rabbit. "You know, you take the first shift mean I sleep for a few hours then you wake me up and you sleep."

“That’s because my core is metal, so I can’t regulate my body temperature. As for two thousand year… do you remember how stubborn I am in certain matters?” Katrina teased, lifting and twisting her hand so she could run her fingers over his cheek.  Slowly her body temperature was climbing back up the longer Varric held her. She reached over and turned off the water faucet.

**

Katrina looked over at Varric; his hair was slightly sticking up in the back but that was expected since he had slept on the floor.

“You looked comfortable.” Katrina lied, going back to tending the rabbit. To be honest she had difficulty sleeping due to trauma but that was none of this guy’s business

"Well I can take care of that for you but I was already shot down once so not even going to try, but I guess something like this can work." said Varric, pulling the blanket over both their heads. "But why are you still on about it. I mean seriously, can you even get pregnant anymore. Although that's a funny though, a pregnant sword. So whatca want to do today? I was thinking about scoping out a new place to start our business. An antique shop correct? I mean how far away could America be? Or do you want to head to a priest and that part over with. Yeah I know I don't like churches but you were pretty religious at one point... well your family was."

---

"You have a sense of humor, cute." said Varric. He got up and sat down close to the fire. He pulled out a small leather sack. He reached in and pulled out some dried up herbs and crumbled them in his hand before sprinkling over the rabbit. "One thing I learned about living most of my life alone, how to find natural growing herbs. That and how to steal and to pick locks and pocket." said Varric lightheartedly. "Hey are you ok, I honestly would be surprised if you are, you just went through a lot."

Katrina arched an eyebrow at him, looking faintly amused. “Are you that desperate to have me on my back and to have your way with me?” A strand of white hair fell into her face. “An antique shop would be fun. America is across the ocean and it costs a lot of money to move there. So if we start here and work our way over I think that would be a good plan. As for seeing a priest, I think we should wait. You only just got out of a box.”

As for pregnancy, she had no idea to be honest.

Several shops were in the local town available for purchase for a small amount of money. If they were to do well, their shop would have to attract tourists to make a good and proper profit. It was a quiet little town that Katrina happened to like, the people were kind and the food was good. After breakfast she told him a little about the local town before ordering a drink. Sure, it wasn’t solid food but she wasn’t quite sure.

**

She stiffened at being called cute once more, glaring at him for a few moments before returning to what she had been doing. Varric was going to get punched in the face at the rate he was going at. However at his display of limited knowledge she nodded faintly, Katrina was not the best at pick pocketing but she was getting better.

“It’s none of your concern how I feel. I don’t know you and you don’t know me. As for what happened last night, I have faced worse.”

Then she clamped her jaw shut and wrapped the rabbit with green leaves and covered it with coals, letting Varric decide whatever he wanted to.

"Like you said, I just got out of the box. You get lonely in there." said Varric. "And are you serious? There are places on the other side of the Ocean? The world isn't flat with all the water on the ocean just falling off? Go figure..." Varric paused a bit to let that fact sink into head. But after a few sseconds he snapped back to the world. "I don't see why not, although we could just stay hidden aboard the ship to America if there is one. But if want a good cover we have to do some of it legally, or have very good contacts and unless you have some mine died out 2000 years ago."

Varric and Kat then headed down for breakfast, they pair was relatively quite. Varric just spent most of his time stuffing his face. But after they where done where head back to the room Kat mentioned a small town to start their operation. "Hmm... sounds good, and it will give up reasons to go in between there and America when we go there, but we would need someone trust worthy to keep track of that one when we are gone, same when we move to America. But it would make sense to take up contracts there before we move to that country. But with that being said, I saw we go to this town and find a place. But serious, what would your parents think? moving in with a man you aren't even married to?" The last part was just him teasing, but Varric was anxious to get the operation started.

---

Varric noticed Kat stiffen up when being called cute. Which within itself was cute.

"Kat has anyone told you how cute you are when you act like a cold heartless statue? Maybe you should open your eyes a bit, the only reason we don't know each other is because you aren't trying, unlike me. For all you know I could teach you things you would never know otherwise." With that Varric turned invisible. He got up soundlessly and snuck up behind Kat. He poked her on one shoulder, and then another before returning to where he was sitting.

"I was part of the cult longer enough to be given a gift. And it has served me well. I got it through trust, which I have since broke. Like I mentioned before. If we both get caught we are both dead. But catching me isn't an easy task."

Katrina arched an eyebrow before chuckling and pulling out of Varric’s grip and out from under the blanket. “A lot has changed, Varric.” She stated before grabbing a change of clothes and walking into the bathroom to change, locking the door behind her.

During breakfast she listened to him talk out loud, giving her input here and laughing at Varric a little.

“Yes I do have a few contacts still,” Katrina mused, playing with her spoon while her drink sat in front of her. “Not all of them have died Varric; at least most are still in the family business. Since when did I care what my parents thought? It’s necessary for your survival, I would be okay. Were as you would get lost and wind up in prison in less than twenty four hours.”

After breakfast, Katrina and Varric drove down to the shops available for purchase. One had a nice back room while the other had a cellar.

“Well, what do you think?” She asked as they exited the second shop. Both had living quarters above like the old fashioned shops way back when.
**
“Don’t touch me,” She hissed, stepping back a few paces. “Don’t you dare address me as such.”

Katrina was furious with his non-caring attitude. Between him and Arthur, she wasn’t sure who she disliked more. “I am going home, you can stay here.”

And with that she was gone, until they ran into each other again. But that was another story entirely.

Kat had showed him two houses. Both where similar where the store was in front then the house was on, only difference was one had a cellar and the other had this area called a sun room which was warm and open.

"I like the one with the sun room if that's what it was called." said Varric. "A cellar would be nice but with you I think a warm room would be nice. We can curl up and you can continue to reject my every advance." He was still a bit sour but he did understand that Kat had mortals she stuck to and wouldn't move for anyone, not even him.

---

Well Kat was a sour person. She had stormed off, but hey more rabbit for him. Heck he didn't have a chance to say anything. Varric simply shrugged and waited for the rabbit to cook before eating it and going on with his day. Considering that he was back surviving on his own he probably should get a head start. His mind then traveled to the castle. He had broken in there before it wasn't hard. And he could probably grab something worth while from it. So off to the castle he went.

As usually getting inside was a breeze. Varric stalked the halls invisibly, looking for something eye catching to sell to one of his contacts. He was peaking into one of the rooms when he spotted something. It wasn't something he cold sell but it was still eye catching. Kat and the King where in the same room and it sounded like they where arguing. He listened in for a bit. Before pushing the door open. If he didn't decide to become visible he would of freaked the hell out of the pair more then he just did.

"Well, well, well, looky what I found here. I originally came here to steal some goodies so I can skip town but it looks like I found something so much more entertaining."

Katrina rolled her eyes, “Varric, enough, drop it already.”

As long as he didn’t try to smother her senses Katrina should be alright when it came to Varric’s romantic attempts. She did however agree with the sun room, heat did feel good. The purchase was done quickly, exhausting most of Katrina’s savings.  However, she did seem pleased with the little shop as she ran her hands over the wood counters.

“How are you coping?” She asked quietly, folding up the contract and putting it into the folder. Ironically they were sitting in the sun room and Katrina was stretched out like a cat, soaking up the heat.

**

Katrina jumped at Varric waltzed in as Arthur shoved her slightly behind him. The dress she was in differed greatly from the travel dress she had worn earlier. This one was dark blue with silver thread, fashionably styled so the sleeves would expose the shoulders and collar bone. A thin chain with a heavy sapphire glittered there, resting comfortably on her skin. Her hair was drawn up to expose her neck and it glittered with pins.

“Who are you?” Arthur demanded, drawing his sword while several other knights got ready to intervene if necessary.

“He is just leaving, aren’t you Varric?” Katrina told him, dark eyes narrowed.  

“You know him?”

“This is Varric; he saved me on the way down here, when I was on the way to break off the engagement.”

This caused the king to explode again in anger.

“If I marry someone, I don’t want them cheating on me! To the demons if you owe my mother a favor!”

It was well known that Arthur had a thing with another noble woman. Katrina kept her voice curiously calm before showing herself out of the room before sighing and leaning her head against the stone wall and continuing on her way down the hall.

“Is there something you want to say?” Katrina asked, glancing sideways at Varric. “Because now would be a good time to say it.”
People bowed awkwardly as Katrina passed and she ignored them, obviously still peeved by the argument she had just had with the king.

After Kat signed some paper work it was done, they owned this little shop/house. At least for the house portion it came with furniture. Mainly because Varric had none and he wasn't sure Kat did. After the contract was signed the pair retired to the sun room. Where Kat, almost being cat-like laid in a patch of sun. She asked how he was coping. A smile appeared on his face. "Fine I guess, just a lot has happened recently." said Varric sitting on one of the chairs. "Hey question. After you died did you ever return home? Part of me wonders what they thought happen."

---

As soon as he opened his mouth he became surrounded by hostiles. Figured as much. Although Varric's dusty, dirt covered frame was a great contrast to that of everyone else, who seemed clean and bright.

"Please you couldn't catch me if you tried. By the way you need to ramp up security on the east end, I didn't even have to try to get in." said Varric, totally blowing off the king and his apparent anger issues. Strangely enough Kat sounded calm. She left the room and Varric followed her, plucking a small golden necklace from a table near the door before following after her.

"Not really, running into you was a complete accident." said Varric examining the necklace he grabbed. "So you are engaged huh? Congrats I guess. You don't looked to particularly trilled with your future husband. Hold on a second..." said Varric. He stopped at the door and tried to open it, it was locked. He peaked through the keyhole to check to see if anyone was in it. Since she saw something he pulled out a lock pick and in a few seconds the door was open. He popped in and out, storing his loot in his pockets before catching up with Kat. "I took you for the more of something who rather do my kinda of work rather then chill with this stuck up crowd."

Katrina stiffened, and she rolled over to look properly at Varric, this topic again. She sighed and sat up, might as well tell him what happened. “No, I wasn’t able to. Not for a long time anyway. They held be prisoner for about a hundred years. I lost my family, anyone I every cared about, and you. Needless to say the moment I escaped I killed them all. You could say that was the moment I started to change.”

Katrina went on telling her story, eyes fixed on the wall so she couldn’t see Varric’s face as she wove the tail, filling in all blank details and questions that he might have.

**

Listening to Varric’s observations Katrina snorted, “I’m trying to break it off with him. I don’t want to marry him in the first place, despite the fact he and mother knew each other! He is pompus, arrogant, and a fool!”

She fumed this while Varric picked the lock on the doors, “It’s not like I made the choice to deal with them. I’d much rather be hanging out with my dogs and goats. Much nicer company than men.” Katrina whisked through on the way down to her rooms to pack officially. “Keep your fingers to yourself,” She warned before leaving him alone in her main room and vanishing into a side room to change clothing. Returning in a pair of leggings, riding boots, and tunic as well as a leather bag over her shoulder, she was impeded by a maid who was frantically begging her to stay.

“You’ll be fine.”

“Men’s clothes?” The maid squeaked in horror, her eyes taking in the fact Katrina’s legs were exposed as well as most of her curves.

“Yes, men’s clothes. I intend to go home with my horse, thank you very much.” She sighed, pulling her hair out of the shirt.

Kat began to fill Varric in on the whole story. Varric left his throat tightened as he heard the rest of the tale. Part of him wished that he was in the past that the cult was still around so he could end them, painfully. He did notice Kat avoiding his gaze and staring blankly at the wall. Was it still painful for her? It had been over 2,000 years. He got up and sat next to Kat. His hand hovered over her head, unsure if he should try and comfort her or not. But in the end, he simply just stroked her hair. He couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened to Kat. He should of never gotten her mixed up with him. He should of just disappeared and leave a trail saying he was dead. Maybe then the cult would of just left her alone, getting the message she wasn't to be messed with. But it was in the past, right now all they had was each other and whatever Kat had left. Heck even his own clothes with the exception of his original garbs belonged to Kat.

"You know we should probably get some inventory, and meet our neighbors. Not socializing might just kick us in the rear. I learned that the hard way then I first starting stealing, I had a front, not as major as this store but still. It came crashing down because I didn't socialize with people and they got suspicious." said Varric trying to take the conversation away from something that was making Kat uncomfortable.

---

"You didn't have to tell me that, I have been stealing from him for years, even though this is my first time actually talking to him. Beside I thought he had it for the Gwen lady, I've seen her around here a few times." said Varric, popping in an out of another room, this time with an angry yell and articles of clothes thrown at him, but hey, he spotted something in the room he liked. Eventually they arrived at Kat's room and he followed her in.

"I take offense to that, I am so much better then a pig." said Varric. He observed the room, wondering how much of the stuff here was actually hers. Regardless he didn't touch anything. He turned around out of respect for Kat but couldn't help but whistle when he turned around.

"Can this catch on? This looks a lot better then big fluffy dresses." said Varric. He followed Kat out of the room and unsurprisingly enough Arthur and some knight where outside the room. He finally must of gotten over someone just flat out ignoring him. Arthur began to talk, something about how this was an outrage. It was mostly directed at Kat so he zoned out, but it didn't take a genius to figure out where this was going. Wordless he held his hand out to Kat. She knew what he could do. As soon as she took it, if she took it they would just walk unseen out of the castle. The king then began to go on about him and his crimes and fun stuff. He didn't feel like being thrown in a dungeon so If Kat didn't take his hand he would just leave by himself.

Katrina mumbled something incoherent as Varric’s fingers wove through her long white hair and she shifted so her head was in his lap, eyes lazily closed as she relaxed under his hands.

“Tomorrow, way too comfortable right here…” But she sighed, agreeing with him and forcing herself into a sitting position, her knees touching Varric’s leg. “As for stock, we should have enough by the end of the week. Just give me a few days to track them down. Not too hard, I’ve done this before. In about a month I will call my old contacts but before long…”

The heat was making her sleepy but Katrina could not let herself fall asleep, so she stood and stretched. Succeeding on waking herself up a little bit, Katrina stood, wanting to explore a little bit. She had purchased the furniture with the place but it was ugly as… well…. You get the idea. Katrina would get rid of it and have to buy new furniture or she would vomit… Could she vomit? Katrina had no idea.
**

“Just keep your eyes from popping out of your head and tongue in your mouth okay?” Katrina stated flatly as she attempted to make a joke. Then Arthur showed up again and began chewing her out for disloyalty to the crown and yada yada, ought to haul her to a preist right now, yada yada, kill your friend for treason if you don’t comply, yada yada. That seemed to have caught Varric’s attention
Suddenly, Katrina downright lost her temper and her fist collided with the king’s nose, blood gushing everywhere. Then she grabbed Varric’s hand and they vanished from view, “the stables,” she whispered into his ear and with that they were off.