Jacob exhaled deeply with relief at the reprieve and followed Hawke out of the door, honestly surprised that Hawke would go out on a limb for him and defend someone she barely knew from a friend. Falling in after Varric and just in front of the first of the other guardsman. Remaining tactfully silent until they were out of earshot of the Captain, he managed to compose his thoughts further as they exited the keep, the humidity of the Kirkwall air hitting them as they did so. He had come to love this city, despite his circumstances, loving the hustle and bustle, the seething under-currant between the Circle and the Templars, the Hanged Man tavern, all catered to his taste. It would be a shame to leave, because someday he must, he mused, if he were to ever follow his dreams.<br/><br/>He pondered Hawke's words from previously. Tal Vashoth on the coast? he had heard reports of them before, but on the few patrols he had made recently he had yet to see one. Smiling once more, Jacob looked skywards, revelling in the fresh air. He realized he owed Hawke an apology, not to mention a thank you for what she had done for him with Aveline, but pondered whether any attempt to do so would be met with anger on her part. Turning his gaze towards Hawke's back, he swallowed the lump in his throat nervously, deciding that he needed to try regardless, and spoke,<br/><br/>"Hawke...I'm uh, sorry for the outburst earlier and for putting you into a bad position with your friend. It's just, that I- you- she- they- well... never mind. Anyway...these Tal Vashoth, do you have any idea why they seem to be in such high numbers on the Coast, or what they want?" he enquired, once again probing for information to sate his thirst. One of the many reasons he disliked the guards was that everything was on a need to know basis and the Guard Captain had a habit of feeling nothing at all was need to know, not to mention the habit of constantly meddling in every patrol, wanting involvement in every decision, not trusting her subordinates to do anything on their own.<br/><br/>Hearing a hearty chuckle, he looked down to see the Dwarf looking over his shoulder at him as they walked through the streets of High Town, his eyes creased with the amusement he obviously felt at Jacob's blundering, "You know kid, Hawke doesn't bite...well, not much anyway, and never without a better reason than you've given her so far. Relax a little, enjoy the patrol and when we're done, we'll all go down to the Hanged Man and have a drink or three...on you of course."<br/><br/>Jacob nodded and chuckled, wiping his brow, before replying with solemn honesty, "I could be penniless and jobless by the end of the night, Varric. Everything rides on this for me, so its hard to relax right now. Hopefully I'll have a reason to celebrate and I can buy you those drinks at the end of it."<br/><br/>Varric fell into silence at that, sparing him one final subdued nod before turning his eyes to the front. They were approaching the steps to Lowtown, and beyond that the City Gates leading out towards the Wounded Coast.