Lost in Kirkwall
Chapter one
Jenna's eyes fluttered open as she sat up quickly in bed, coughing. The image of her sinking boat and the sea water swallowing her up were fresh in her mind. When her vision cleared she noticed two very important facts. One was that she was in a strange bed, and two being that she was naked. She let out a squeak as she pulled the blanket around her slender form.
"And so she awakens, It's not often I find such a lovely creature in my bed."
Startled, she looked up to see two men watching her intently. One was tall, muscular with dark hair and blue eyes. A scar ran across the bridge of his nose. The other was short, stocky with golden colored eyes shining with amusement, and a lot of chest hair. His smile was a bit disarming as he gave her a half bow.
"Varric Tethras at your service and this fine fellow is Hawke."
"Jenna" She murmured softly.
"Well Milady, would you mind telling us what you're doing in Varrics bed? And why in Andrastes name you're soaking wet?"
Brow raised in curiosity, Hawke folded his arms across his chest with a smirk as he awaited her answer. Lara had the feeling that beneath that warm smile and calm demeanor, this Hawke was a dangerous man.
"My boat was caught in a storm, it was strange. The sky turned green right before the lightning hit, I fell overboard into the water. I honestly thought I was going to drown. How I got here I have no idea."
She scratched the back of her head looking between the two men; the clothing they wore was nothing like she had ever seen outside a video game or something.
"If you don't mind my asking, where exactly am I? I have a feeling I'm not in Kansas anymore."
The two men looked at her oddly and she felt her face turning red. It was Hawke who spoke first.
"This is Kirkwall, in the Free Marches. I have no idea where this Kansas place is."
Varric grinned broadly.
"I'm sensing a story here."
Jenna blushed, the name sounded familiar to her.
"Kirkwall…That's not on earth is it?"
"Earth? Where in Thedas is that?"
Well that answered that question. This seemed all too familiar to her, like a memory on the edge of her mind that she couldn't quite touch.
"I don't think I'm from this world actually."
She admitted softly. Varrics golden eyes shone with excitement.
"Sounds like the beginning of a great adventure story."
Hawke and Jenna both turned to the look at the dwarf, eyebrows raised.
"What?" He asked innocently.
Hawke shook his head turning back to Jenna; she had her legs pulled up to her chest, a frightened look in her eyes. His heart went out to her, and he felt a sudden protective instinct well up inside of him, a thing he usually reserved for his family. It was strange that he would feel so concerned, so protective over a complete stranger. Even stranger was that fact that he trusted her, believed her.
"Well Milady, I'm guessing you will need a place to stay."
Before she could answer he took her hands in his.
"Then it's settled, you will stay with my family."
He didn't give her a chance to respond, Varric chuckled.
"Gamlin's gonna love that."
"After what he pulled, he doesn't have a choice"
Hawke reminded the dwarf.
Varric as it turned out was right; Gamlin was none too happy about their new houseguest. Hawke's mother Leandra however welcomed her with a kind smile and open arms. Bethany smiled taking her hands and squeezing them in a sisterly manner.
"I've always wanted a sister, but I got stuck with two brothers"
She looked down; a sad look taking over her features as she remembered Carver, Her heart still ached with missing her twin. Jenna looked over to Hawk, wondering if she had done something to upset Bethany. Hawk shook his head as though reading her thoughts.
"Our other brother Carver was Bethany's twin; He was killed while we were on our way here to the Free Marches."
"Oh, I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
Bethany looked up, smiling once more.
"No, it's alright, anyway, it will be great to have another girl around, and another mage to boot."
Hawke's eyes widened as he looked at Jenna.
"Wait, what now?"
"What me? A mage? No no no, I don't know a thing about magic. Where I'm from, Magic doesn't even exist. "
Bethany however was quite adamant about the fact that Jenna was a mage. She took her hand and held it palm up.
"I can prove it, Close your eyes and imagine a little ball of energy. Focus on it, make it real. "
Jenna could see the determination in Bethany's eyes so she did as she was asked; she closed her eyes and got a picture in her mind of a little ball of energy. She tried to concentrate when she felt a little spark deep down inside of her. She tried to reach for it, and noticed that as she did her hand became warm. Jenna opened her eyes to see that indeed there was a bright white ball in her palm. Surprised and a little freaked out she jumped, dropping it in the process. The small mass of energy dissipated as soon as it hit the floor, leaving a large scorch mark in its wake. Gamlin practically growled at this.
"Great, another mage, and she can't even control her powers…Just don't destroy the place alright?"
Bethany stuck her tongue out at Gamlin before turning back to Jenna.
"Don't worry about it, I can teach you how to use and control your powers, and how to avoid the templar's."
Jenna looked from Bethany to Hawke and back again, a look of confusion in her bright blue eyes.
"What's a Templar? Are they dangerous?"
Hawke put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"It seems we have more to teach you than I thought."
Jenna let out a deep tired sigh.
"Well, since I have no idea how I got here or how to get home, I guess I have plenty of time."
