Varric continued, as his story wasn't quite yet done, "She did well, working on several merchant vessels by the time she was seventeen. It was her birthday when things changed forever. They were attacked by pirates! The brigands chased them for three days and two nights, before they closed enough to take down their sails."
The sea seemed to stretch in Varric's eyes as he talked. The calm waters as two ships fought for life and death, "Her ship lowered its colors and surrendered. The crew was lined up as the pirate captain walked up and down the line, inspecting each and every one of the men. The only merchant to meet his eyes was our nobleman's daughter. She held his gaze, without fear and with pride. The pirates sailed away, leaving the merchant ship to burn. Our hero sailed away with them, the only member of that crew to live. Within a year she would shed her male identity and start a mutiny to take the ship!"
He set down his drink, "I'm afraid if you want any more of her adventures, you'll have to pick up the books about her, but they can get pretty raunchy in places. She's popular with the ladies. "