Author Note

This story takes place between Mage Gothic - Book 1 and Mage Gothic - Book 2.

The wiki puts Hawke's defeat of Corypheus at 9:31 Dragon, but I decided to have it happen a year before the Qunari uprising in 9:33 so that it doesn't look as if Mage Gothic spent three years sitting around doing bugger all.

Mage Gothic - Legacy

9:41 Dragon

Skyhold

As I'd expected not long after I had returned from Crestwood, the Seeker came looking for me.

"Seeker" I said by way of greeting.

Once more I was standing on the walls while looking out at the breathtaking landscape, but I hadn't been so distracted by the view that I'd failed to hear her coming.

"Champion" she said "Is now a good time?".

I figured it was.

"Yes" I told her "Next I'll tell you about what happened when I met Corypheus".

I could see the eagerness in her eyes, and while I was not half the story teller Varric was, I knew that this tale would have her on the edge of her seat, or it would have if she had been sitting down.

"It was about two years after I got back from the Deep Roads," I told her "and a year before I became the Champion of Kirkwall. Bethany was in Circle and Carver had joined the Templars, and since neither mages or templars are allowed to own property or to amass riches I ended up the estate and all the coin".

Which wasn't much compensation for losing a wife

"Merril's tainted mirror ended up being stored behind a bricked up cupboard in the basement of my house, but she didn't go back to Dalish as that would have involved her admitting she was wrong, which her pride would never allow, so she focused on other way to help her fellow elves" I went on to say "Varric was kept busy writing his books and running his family's affairs as his brother ended up in jail for trying to kill most of his business partners. Fenris waited for his former master to show up, which was pointless as the guy never did. Isabela left Kirkwall a few times in order to to look for the relic, but she always failed and ended up coming back to the Hanged Man. Aveline turned the guard into a true force for justice. Anders helped mages runaway while still healing people in his clinic. And I spent my time learning everything I could about magic while acting like a rogue who had struck in rich, which wasn't much of act really".

I paused for a moment before carrying on.

"Then one day a group of thugs attacked me" I said "Not exactly an odd thing to happen in Kirkwall, but it led to me killing Corypheus, or so I had thought".

(Line Break)

9:33 Dragon

Hawke Estate

"I'm fine" I assured Leandra Hawke as she fussed over me "Fenris heard the fight and rushed int to save me, and Aveline has a few of her best guards watching this place".

Her concern while unwarranted was understandable. I had just been attacked after visiting Fenris at his home, I was attempting to teach the elf some maths now that he could read and write, and this involved many lessons, so I often visiting the elf's home.

However while his house was a matter of meters away from mine I'd not been able to make the trip unmolested. A few crooks had jumped me, but they hadn't tried to kill me or even just rob me. If anything they'd been careful not to hurt me too much, but they had wanted to take me somewhere and that was rather worrying.

I had no idea why those men had wanted to abduct me and since Fenris, who'd overheard the struggle, had killed them I now couldn't ask the crooks. Not that I blamed the elf for slaying the men as they may have been slavers. The Tevinters paid a lot for mages, and they had spies who may have identified me as magic user.

Still it was unlike the slaver gangs to target people who lived in Hightown, they tended to go after those who didn't friends and family, and taking a noble was risky as the other nobles didn't take kindly to anything put one of their own at risk, at least not unless it was arranged by another noble as part of a feud. But none of the rich and important families in this city had a big enough problem with me to justify something so drastic, or if they did they weren't stupid enough to let me find out.

"Anders didn't leave without taking that basket with him, did he?" Leandra asked as she inspected the small bruise that had formed on my forehead "that poor boy doesn't eat enough as it is".

Ever since Bethany had been dragged off to the Circle, mere moments after we'd finished getting married, and Carver had joined the Templars in an effort to protect his sister. Leandra had diverted some of her mothering energies to my friends. Which was a good thing all around as aside from Varric and Aveline, they all needed someone looking out for them.

"Well, he might have" I replied "but only because he devoured the contents before he left".

Not many people knew much about the Grey Wardens, but one of the things that was common knowledge about them was that Wardens consumed a lot of food. I figured that resisting the taint took a lot out of person, and that was why they needed to eat so much. Plus Anders did a lot of magical healing, and that to burn through some major calories.

"I'll have to send him another basket" Leandra went on to say "Maybe I'll go see the neighbours again see if I can get them to donate some more old clothes for those poor people down in Darktown".

At this point I decided to distract her before she started organising another fundraiser. I had enough parties to deal with as things were, there was even one tonight.

"Don't you have to get ready, Mother?" I asked.

Since I'd married Bethany before she'd been dragged off to the Gallows that made Leandra my mother too, and even thought I'd not seen Beth since the wedding I was still married to her as for reasons of her own the Grand Cleric had not granted me an annulment, I could only get one from her as she had performed the marriage. Divorce wasn't an option either as the Chantry had outlawed it.

"We're still going?" she asked.

Hiding in the house was an option, but not a good one as if someone after me then staying in one place all the time would just make it easier for them to find me. Also I doubted that anyone would try to grab me at a party since it would be too public.

"Of course" I replied.

That cheered her up.

"Then yes, I have quite a bit to do" she told me as she left my room and headed towards her own "I haven't even decided what dress I am going to wear".

She always did love a good party, and it was the way perfect to get her mind off of things.

"Serah?" voice said.

I looked up to see Bodhan in the doorway.

"You have a visitor," the dwarf told me "One of your friends".

I'd be totally lost without Bodhan, the guy really knew his business. He handled the house, making sure that bills were paid, chores were done, and since the Hawke estate was more than a house there were lands to manage as well. Bodhan had many ways to make things simple for me, he kept an eye on the accounts and made sure no one ripped me off. He also made sure the larder stayed full, and that the gardener came when he was needed.

"I'll be right down" I replied.

Once I was presentable I headed out of my room and I found Fenris standing by the fireplace while scratching my dog behind the ears.

The war hound had been delivered to me by a man who I suspected was a mage and a Dalish woman. They'd told the dog's name, which was Oggy, and then they'd gone on to inform me that the mutt had wanted to come here. They'd offered no further explanations, and had then simply left.

If that wasn't odd enough, the name 'Oggy' was the name of a dog my family had kept when I was younger.

"Aveline is on the edge of tearing apart Hightown as part of her investigation" he told me. "I admit I am worried for safety".

Given that I was a mage it was mildly surprising to hear him say that.

"You have enemies" the elf then said.

I was not as concerned as perhaps I should have been.

"That's not exactly news" I pointed out "I'm rich and powerful, this tends promote envy".

Fenris gave me a look that was somehow even more broody and serious than his normal expression.

"You give more money to the poor than they do, and hire people based on their skills, rather than on their race and social position. This makes the other nobles look bad" Fenris said "There have been many discussions between disgruntled nobles. I hear them sometimes when their windows are left open and the night is otherwise quiet. However I don't think any of them would actually try to kill you, although they wouldn't shed any tears if someone were to end your life".

He was mostly right. Not all of the nobles disliked me, they might say that behind closed doors, but a few of the snobs around here at least saw me as someone to be polite to. One man had even tried to introduce me to his niece, with the intent of this leading to marriage. Sadly for that family I was already married. I wasn't exactly a faithful husband, having slept with Isabela a number of times, and Bethany knew that judging by her letters, but I couldn't commit to anything long term with any woman.

"I'd rather they didn't attack this house" Fenris was now saying "After everything you went through you deserve a safe haven".

He was referring to the time I'd nearly died in the Deep Roads, and also the time my wife had been dragged off mere moments after we'd gotten married.

Fenris didn't like mages, and while he did support the idea of the Circles, he didn't think Bethany really belonged there, and since the Templars hadn't come for Merril I knew that he hadn't had anything to do with what happened. If he had the Templars would have dragged Daisy away not Beth as she wasn't a blood mage.

"Gothic"" I heard Leandra call out "You need to get ready for the party. Please dress nicely".

The neighbours might not like me very much, but Leandra was an Amell so she got invited to the best parties and it would have been rude not to invite me as well. Disliking me in private was one thing, but being rude to me openly was against social protocol.

"You were just attacked and you're going to a party?" Fenris asked.

He was concerned, not overly so as he wasn't given to outbursts of feelings, not unless slavers were about.

"I promised Mother" I told him.

Fenris, who had no understanding of the power that mothers had over even their adopted children, was not happy about what I had just said.

"The person who ordered the attack could be there" he pointed out.

Having me killed a party or kidnapped, would be rude so I doubted anything would happen.

"I promised Mother" I repeated "and besides I don't think the attack was meant to kill me or even hurt me. Someone either wants me somewhere else, or they might be trying to scare me into moving".

Until now I'd not considered that the attack could be a way of scaring out of Hightown, but it could be the motivation.

"Then I must attend as well" Fenris stated "As your bodyguard. I will change and return soon".

I stood there as he left and wondered when the that broody elf and I had become friends. I knew he didn't dislike me, despite the fact that I was mage, and that he was grateful for the lessons, but now it was like my well-being actually mattered to him. That was way more scary than facing the darkspawn.

"At least I don't have to do that anymore" I muttered before heading to my room.

(Line Break)

The Keep

"Well, seems we made a 'proper' entrance," Leandra said once everyone had stopped staring at us "I think bringing your elf friend caused quiet the stir".

Now I was regretting not bringing Merril as my date, that would have caused a few ladies to faint I was sure. Alas Merril was off somewhere, doing something that involved restoring her people's history. Daisy had become far mature and capable ever since Bethany had been dragged off. But also more distant. I tried to get involved in her work, however the blood mage was resisting this.

Sometimes I wondered if she had developed a crush on me back when we'd first met and that those feeling had grown. This wouldn't be a good thing for Merril as her people didn't much like it when others of their kind hooked up with a human. She was already mistrusted by the other Dalish, and I figured that she didn't want to make it worse.

"I would've preferred to not have been noticed at all" I replied.

Beside me Fenris grunted something that made me think that he also wished our arrival hadn't been noted by so many people. But it could have been worse if the broody elf hadn't gone to the trouble to polish the armour that he'd brought with some of his share of the treasure we'd brought back from the Deep Roads. Had he been human, he might have passed for a knight.

"Just be glad you don't have to wear a mask, darling" my adoptive mother said "and at least I let you come here with a weapon".

I was grateful for the two knives I had hidden on my person. However I didn't say anything on that subject as Leandra only knew about one of the blades.

"Mother why don't you go greet your friends" I suggested "Fenris and I will just hang around near the buffet".

This seemed to be barely acceptable.

"Oh, I suppose" she said "But please do introduce yourself to a few people. I don't want everyone thinking my son-in-law is a brute".

I might give that impression as I'd bulked up over the last couple of years. A good diet and training with Fenris, which was his way of repaying me for the language and maths lessons, had given me muscles and more confidence as I was sure of being able to defend myself without having to resort to magic.

"You fit in more than you might think" Fenris commented after a moment "Your mother is proud, even if she doesn't come out and say it".

Well maybe he did know something of mothers after all, if only from observations.

"I wish I'd worn armour" I replied.

That was when Isabela came from across the other side of the room and it took me a few moments to realise who she was, as she didn't look herself. Her hands were grasping the heavy crimson satin brocade of her gown. Her hair was done in curls piled high on her head. The skirt of her dress was split to the waistband in the front, which was to allow a contrasting underskirt to show, and to allow for more freedom of movement I was sure. What was sure to have everyone's attention, either due to attraction or envy, was her impressive breasts, they looked even larger than ever, and they seemed ready to escape from her dress at at a moment's notice.

"Well?" she asked before turning on the spot "Do I know how to disguise myself or what?".

I nodded, as words escaped me right now.

"Isabela told me she'd try to get into the party so she could help watch over you" Fenris explained to me before turning to face the pirate "I had imagined you would sneak in".

Isabela laughed a little before saying anything.

"And I didn't think he'd bring you as his date" she said to Fenris "Isn't he a bit hairy for your taste?".

The broody elf didn't reply as he was too busy scanning the room. I mimicked the action and found that the De Launcet family had invited the creme da la creme of Kirkwall.

According to rumour the Knight-Commander had sent back a terse response declining her invitation to this gathering, and had sent Knight-Captain Cullen in her place. I imagined that the nobles were happy about this as Cullen was far more pleasant company than Meredith.

I could see the the Templar from here. He wore armour that was far more ornate and shiny that he normally wore, and while he carried a weapon I got the sense that he wouldn't normally carry such a blade. He looked ready for a parade.

Also I saw the Comte and Comtesse de Launcet, who I knew had a twenty or so year old son living in the Circle, they also had a twelve year old daughter. I didn't tend to judge people on looks, and she was too young to seen as woman, but I knew that before long she'd be a beauty and that men would duel each other for her hand in marriage.

Since I was an apostate and a smuggler who had made I felt really out of place here, amoung people like them

Then the chamber grew quiet when Grand Cleric Elthina was announced. She walked in and I saw that she being escorted by Prince Sebastian, and they were followed in by two Revered Mothers.

"Oh he's not to bad looking" Isabela commented as she fanned herself with something gaudy looking fan just like the noble ladies did "Who is he?".

While I'd never been introduced to the man I had seen him a couple of times, and he'd created an impression.

"That's Brother Sebastian Vael, of the Starkhaven Vaels" I told her "The Prince of Starkhaven".

Isabela then changed the subject.

"So sweet boy are you ever going to invite Merril up into your fancy house?" the pirate wondered "You know she adores you".

Even though Merril had grown some what distant from me over the last two years. I knew that she did think highly of me. I'd aided her many times, and helped many elves without any benefit to myself. Plus I think she had developed a thing for men with beards since she often commented on them, and I had grown quite a nice one.

"You both care for people even more than you let on" Isabela was now saying "You're a good match. You don't mind that she's an elf and she doesn't mind that you need time to yourself to brood".

I scoffed

"Hey now, I do not brood" I replied "That's Fenris's job"

The elf grunted in agreement.

"You do brood" Isabela insisted "I bet you and Fenris spend hours at his place comparing your brooding faces".

I didn't tell people why I went to Fenris's place so often as the elf didn't want people knowing that he hadn't been able to read.

"The Viscount is trying to get everyone's attention" my bodyguard for the evening then said.

While this wasn't his party it was being held at the Keep, as this place had a ballroom large enough for such gatherings. So it was only expected for him to make some of speech.

"May I present the Circle of Magi?" the Viscount announced "They have volunteered to give us a dazzling show tonight".

I doubted the 'volunteered' part, but like everyone else I still walked outside in order to check out the light show.

"Magic as entertainment" Fenris grumbled

The mages began casting spells, timed perfectly to create interesting effects. It was a lot like a fireworks display back home only not as loud.

"Do they do anything like this in Tevinter?" I asked softly.

I couldn't decide if I was happy about the whole thing or not. While I like the idea of mages putting their gifts to a use that people could enjoy rather than fear, it felt like they were just treating my fellow mages as caged animals who had been trained to provide entertainment.

"Of a sort" he replied.

If half of what I'd heard about Tevinter was true I wouldn't be too surprised to hear that they had human sacrifices as these sort of events.

"We can go back inside if this bothers you" I offered.

Before he could reply, Isabela nudged me and spoke.

"That's Bethany, isn't it?" she whispered.

When I looked I saw that it was indeed her.

"What's she doing here?" I wondered.

I'd not seen her in two years as I wasn't allowed to visit her at the Gallows. The Templars didn't allow married couples they had separated to ever see each other.

"Well, she's one of the most talented mages in the Circle," Mother answered when she joined us "She was asked to perform here tonight by the First Enchanter".

At once I knew that Leandra had known Bethany would be here and that she hadn't told me on purpose. Perhaps she had feared I'd refused to attended if I'd known she'd be here, either that or she was worried I'd try to run off with her daughter. Given the Knight-Commander's treatment of mages if Beth did run away she might be killed if caught so it wasn't worth the risk.

When the magical fireworks show ended there was a sudden rush of peopl going up to the mages and congratulating them. I took this chance to head back inside.

"Serah, Amell" someone said.

I didn't even turn around to look at the person who had spoken before replying.

"Hawke," I corrected "I'm Gothic Hawke".

The Hawke family were the successors of the Amell family, and as there was official title to go with the lands the family owned I had no proper title as such I was just Gothic Hawke, wealthy land owner and former adventurer.

"Are you not feeling well, Serah Hawke?" a young lady asked

Fenris seemed to materialise between myself and the noble girl who had just been trying to start a conversation, or so it seemed until I realised that an agent could be any gender, she could be Bard here to kill me, or to a spy intending to led me off to whoever it was who wanted me.

"Please excuse my son's bodyguard" Leandra said, expertly defusing the tense moment "My boy was recently attacked, it has put us all a little on edge".

Fenris was edgy that was for sure, and the young lady started to babble something in what they'd call French back in my world. I understood a little, but most of it escaped my understanding due how fast it was spoken.

Mother replied, using more words I didn't understand and this somehow led to us leaving. Isabela took my arm and glared at the young women as we headed for the exit.

"Why do I get the sense that I was just saved from some kind of danger?" I asked once we were outside.

A reply soon came.

"Because you were sweet boy" Isabela told me "That harmless looking girl was going to seduce you".

Given that the young lady had been wearing a mask, and that her dress had covered so much, I wondered how she would have gotten my attention. Then I decided that I was better off not knowing.

"Why would she bother?" I wondered "I'm married, and even if I wasn't I'm not a proper noble".

I soon got an answer.

"They might think the Grand Cleric would annul your marriage to Bethany rather than have a child raised outside of wedlock" Mother told me "There are few families in Kirkwall who are rich in history but not much else, and you are wealthy. If you were to get the daughter or younger sister of an important noble pregnant, they could demand you do the honourable thing. Then they would have access to your wealth".

Hearing that did not make me happy.

"Bunch of jackals" I said with a growl.

If it was like this now then becoming the Champion of Kirkwall, assuming I ever got that far, would make me an even more tempting target. That worried me.

(Line Break)

Hawke Estate

When a Templar in full armour came marching into my study I almost threw a fireball at the guy, lucky for him I recognised his face before I attacked.

I was a little on edge lately as a gang of thugs had broken into my home. Normally I wouldn't have done something that foolish.

"Carver what are you doing here?" I asked.

His presence here wasn't that unexpected as unlike Mages the Templars were allowed to have contact with their families, but they were suppose to keep some distance between themselves and their loved ones so that nothing got in their way of their unswervingly loyal to the Order. As such Carver didn't just pop round to visit, and he never did so while wearing his armour.

"You haven't heard" he said.

Since I was surprised to see him that much must have been clear.

"Bethany's been taken" he told me.

I didn't react to this news because I didn't know how to. I hadn't spoken to her in nearly two years, so my feelings for her had faded.

"Well I didn't do it" I said "Was it a break out. Maybe Anders...".

I was stopped at this point.

"No she was abducted" Carver explained "she was coming back from the Chantry this morning with some of the younger mages. Bethany's good with the children and trusted by the Order so there wasn't much of a guard. I wasn't there. The Knight-Captain told me that it looked as if she didn't want to go with the Dwarves who took her. He's charged me with returning her to the Circle safe and sound".

That didn't explain why he was here.

"You could have just told me this in a letter" I said "You should be out there getting her back, not barging in and making me think the Templars were coming after me".

Given that I was an apostate I had valid reasons to fear having members of the Order in my home.

"I need you're help getting her back" Carver was now saying "Aren't you worried about her?".

Not that much as it turned out, and he picked up on that.

"She's your wife!" Carver yelled.

I frowned at the warrior.

"She stopped being my wife when your Templar buddies dragged her off to the Gallows" I said "I'll help you because I owe this family that much and more, but I won't do the Templars work for them".

Carver grunted and then nodded.

"I'll be back as soon as I have her phylactery" the warrior told me "You should gather the others, we're going to need their help".

I'd do that, and while I was out I'd stop by the stores. We'd need supplies for this latest adventure, and I'd wanted to visit the Black Emporium ever since I'd been sent an invitation. Now seemed like a good time to visit.

(Line Break)

The Black Emporium

"Well, this is creepy," muttered Varric.

Isabela, Varric, Anders and I cautiously entered the establishment known as The Black Emporium. Looking around I saw various wares that were clustered haphazardly about the place. Some of things were familiar, such as crates and chests, stands of armour and weapons, while others items were more out of place. There was misshapen and oddly luminescent mirrir, a twisted cabinet that somehow had not fallen apart. Oddest of all was statue of Andraste, she was naked, and for some reason she had penis.

But what really stood out was the thing in the centre of this strange store. Sitting on a chair was a grotesque thing made up of mummified flesh and tangled limbs. Everyone saw it, but everyone acted as if they didn't. In fact aside from myself the group took efforts to look at anything but the displayed corpse.

"Is that a golem?" I heard Anders ask "I haven't see one of those since I was in..."

Before he could finish a voice filled the air.

"That golem's name... is Thaddeus Gigantus Crumbum the Third. He's my… favourite".

"Did I say creepy?" Varric amended "I meant underpants wetting scary".

I really hoped he hadn't we himself.

"Where is the voice coming from?" asked Isabela.

From all around us by the sounds of things.

"Welcome… to the Black… Emporium. I am the great… and magnificent Xenon… the Antiquarian".

By the sounds of things this Xenon was just another mage with delusions of grandeur.

"It's so rare... to have company...Well, living company, at any rate".

I rolled my eyes at theatrics.

"Is there any way I can get out of here quickly without making myself look bad?" Varric wondered.

Before replying I pondered the question.

"Nope" I said after a moment, "I don't think there is"

Out of the corner of my I saw that Isabela had moved over to the statue of Andraste.

"If I'd know about this side of the Maker's Bride I would have visited the Chantry more often" she said.

For understandable reasons I avoided the place.

"Isabela!" I then yelled.

I really didn't like what she was currently doing to the statue.

"What?" exclaimed the pirate defensively, "I was only..".

"Do not fondle Andraste!"

I then turned my head to see Anders, who was trying to get a boy to talk to him. The lad seemed like a zombie so I could see why the Grey Warden was no concerned.

"Don't manhandle the… urchin. He's not… for sale"

I started to have a proper looked around. There was a worktable here, cluttered with items I recognised, such as a mortar and pestle, a small porcelain crucible, various bunches of dried herbs and flowers, as well as less wholesome looking ingredients floating in thick glass jars. I knew the recipes for many potions, having been taught by Anders, but there was always more to learn. Perhaps one day I'd come back here and examine any recipes the dead guy had here more detail.

Quickly I moved onto the books and found one on shape shifting, which I decided to buy. Then I looked around and realised how uncomfortable everyone was.

"Everyone take a quick look around" I said "we need the best weapons and armour we can get".

No one was happy about this, but they saw the sense in my words and started to look at some of the items on display.

(Line Break)

The Vimmark Wasteland

Carver, Varric, Isabela, Anders, Merril and I looked at the desolate land before us, and none of us were encouraged by what we saw.

"We're seriously going out there?" Anders asked as we looked out at the Vimmark Wasteland.

This was where both Bethany's phylactery and Varric's information had led us. The dwarves who had taken Beth, and were behind the attempt to grab me, and the breaking at my home were here.

"Doesn't look all that dwarven" Isabela commented "You sure this is the right place?".

Phylacteries were accurate, they had to be or the Templars would have a lot of trouble tracking down runaway mages.

"They're Carta dwarves" Varric answered "Criminals and smugglers, they tend to hide out in places other people don't want to go".

This was something I knew from experience, thanks my own career as a smuggler. Not that I had ever hid out in a place as bleak as this.

"They're not usually stupid, though" Varric went on to say "Can't be, not if they want to get ahead in their line of work . So, I don't know why they'd attack Goth and grab a Mage right out from the noses's of the Templars".

I couldn't figure it out it either. I remembered none of this happening in the game, and it really didn't make sense for the Carta to grab a mage. They'd even done it in board daylight, and had battled of few templars in order to get their hands on Bethany.

"According to all my contacts, they shouldn't be here. Andraste's tits, there shouldn't even be a here!" Varric said as he tugged on his earring "This is all a giant blind spot on the maps".

Which I didn't like as it meant we were going on without enough information.

"Does this really matter?" Carver asked softly "They have Bethany".

That was enough to get everyone moving, and before long we found something that made me feel concerned: the sight of shattered caravans. As we approached, the smell of rot and stale smoke wafted over us. This had happened a while back, but not long ago.

"All dead" I heard Anders say as we looked through the wreckage "and by the looks of things they didn't go down without a fight. I can't sense any darkspawn. I don't think they were behind this".

While the Blight had been over for a while now, the 'spawn were always a menace, they were known for coming to the surface it small numbers to raid.

"These caravans were are part of merchants' guild" Varric informed us "The Carta knows better than to go after them. This is… really strange".

I would have gone with gruesome or horrible.

"Don't look now, but I think we've found one of them," Isabela said

A single dwarf was walking towards us, and there were no others in sight.

"You!" the dwarf called out "You've come!"

We all looked at each other and wondered which one of us the guy was going on about.

"Everyone!" the dwarf boomed. "It's the child of Malcolm Hawke!"

Indeed Carver was a child of Malcolm Hawke, I was only a Hawke in name, but if they knew that and it was his kids they wanted, then it made no sense that the dwarfs had hired people to come after me.

"He has come to us!" the dwarf yelled.

I had no idea who he was talking to now. There were no more of his kind out here.

"What does my father have anything to do with this?" Carver demanded to know.

He soon got an answer.

"Blood for blood, that's what we were told!" the dwarf yelled "You've come to us! That's the only thing that matters!".

That answer didn't help much.

"We must have the blood! You don't understand!" the mad dwarf was now saying "And now we will take it! Corypheus shall be free!".

Anders then nudged me and gestured for me to look around. By the looks of things there more dwarves heading our way.

"Why can't we hunt down normal criminals like we used to?" I complained as I reached for my sword "The kind that don't worship demons or something."

We were surrounded, but we weren't the ones in danger because the dwarves wanted to take us alive. They had no lethal weapons and nothing ranged. So we attacked them with spells and bolts from Varric's crossbow.

The ones who dodged were quickly brought down by Carver and Fenris scything through them like they had done to others so many times before. When seeing my brother-in-law fight it became clear why the Templars had allowed him to join their Order despite his sister having been an apostate for so long. In fact he had surpassed Fenris if I was any judge, not that I'd ever tell either of them that.

"Anyone else feel like something is wrong here" Anders said.

Crazy people weren't that strange around here. I'd encountered more than my fair share while living in Kirkwall.

"Well, yeah" Isabela replied "Crazy dwarves just attacked us. That's wrong".

Varric had a different view.

"The Carta doesn't normally act like this" he stated "They're businessmen".

Another person then spoke.

"Anyone ever heard of Corypheus?" Merril asked "I think the name sounds evil".

Fenris, who had been cleaning his blade, spoke up.

"It sounds faintly Tevinter" he said "But I've never heard that word spoken".

Most likely he was one of those blood magic using Magisters I figured. He wanted the Hawkes for some mad reason and the only way to make him stop would be to kill him.

(Line Break)

Vimmark Mountains.

After making our way through some lovely traps and more people trying to capture us, we eventually made our way into what appeared to be a base of operations for the Carta. Which was by the looks of things a series of old mines that been expanded in order to provide room for smuggled goods and to house members of the Carta.

"Did anyone else hear that?" Anders asked

I hadn't, and judging by the looks on their faces no one else in the group had either.

"I'm sensing something" he went on say "But I don't know what it is, and I can hear music".

We all gave Anders very worried looks.

"Well, what do we have here?" I then heard Varric say.

I leaned over his shoulder to study the note. Which wasn't hard to do since he was short.

'Carver Hawke is with the Templars in Kirkwall we will need to find a way to draw out of the of the city' I read aloud. 'Bethany Hawke is in the Gallows, we must find a way to bring her here. Gothic Hawke lives in Hightown, he should be easy to take, and can be used to lure the children of Malcolm Hawke to us'

Well that explained my part in this. They'd hoped to use me to lure Carver and perhaps Bethany out here.

'Kill whoever gets in your way, but do it quietly, and make sure the two Hawks remain unharmed. The Great One demands this of you, and will reward you richly for your service' I then read

"How is this connected to my Father?" Carver wondered.

I had no answers for him.

"Carta is all about gold, not blood," Varric said with a sigh. "This is aggravating."

Then the dwarf pulled out another piece of paper from the pile he'd found, and read it out.

'Like many of you, I was once a thieving wretch. I was a servant to coin and my base desires. Then I heard his call. Corypheus opened my eyes, just as he has opened yours, and he showed me what was true. What is the Carta when compared to him? Nothing but dust and ashes. Only he is eternal We are his hands and eyes on the surface. We are the ones he honoured with his trust, to dig him from his prison. When he returns, we will be rewarded. Praise him! Praise him' Varric read out.

"Call?" Anders whispered "Was there a message spread or…?"

He trailed off and said nothing more.

"That was a speech" I mused.

Varric nodded in agreement.

"Reads like a Chantry sermon" the dwarf muttered.

Having never attended one I wouldn't know.

"I found what seems to be a journal" Isabela informed us before handing it over to me "Maybe it will explain what in the Fade is going around here".

Slowly I flipped through some pages until I found a recent entry, then I read it out.

'The Wardens did not guard the key with care. It was left in a repository, with objects of little worth. Trinkets. Dusty trophies. There wasn't even a guard posted. Fools. If only they knew what they had, and lost'. 'However, it will not wake at my touch. It sleeps and the power remains within. The Great One says it requires Malcolm Hawke's blood to awaken it. Only then can its powers set him free. So, I will find the heir to the blood and the Great One will reward me'

"Keys and blood?" Carver whispered "What did my Father get mixed up in?"

He wasn't the only one to speak.

"Are we just ignoring the fact that whatever is going on is mixed up with the Wardens?" Anders asked

The rest of us weren't Wardens, so we had no idea what their part in this was.

"Let's just look around some more" I said.

Surprisingly, the place was remarkably empty for a crime group's hideout, which meant there wasn't much to loot. It wasn't until we went further down beneath the ground that we even found another living person. He was dwarf with knives sheathed on his back, and he didn't look well.

"The Hawke's blood!" he declared "The Master will rise! He will be free!".

I was starting to wonder if this Corypheus guy was just a powerful blood mage or perhaps something else. I was pondered this because from what I knew of blood magic it shouldn't be possible for one mage to twist so many minds.

"Gerav?" Varric said while slowly approaching the dwarf "Gerav, is that you?".

I was a little surprised at first to find out that my friend knew a Carta dwarf, but after thinking about I figured that really I shouldn't have been. It wasn't as everything he'd done with us was legal.

"V-Varric?" the other dwarf stammered "N-no one said you'd be part of this. We were just going after the Hawkes".

The dwarf in our group was not a happy bunny right now.

"What in the name of the Ancestors, the Stone, and Andraste's tits is going on here?" Varric demanded to know.

A question we all had on our minds I didn't doubt.

"The Master.. must be set free…" Gerav managed to say.

There was something really wrong with this dwarf, he seemed sick.

"Really, Gerav?" Varric replied "I thought better of you than this. I mean having the occasional competitor gutted for fun and profit is one thing, but this is insanity".

That I agreed with.

"We drink the darkspawn blood. He calls us!" the dwarf cried "The only way to hear the music".

Varric was becoming even more unhappy, and who could blame him given that this Gerav had been drinking darkspawn blood. He had turned himself into a kind of ghoul.

"There's no gold in hallucinations!" the dwarf in my group said.

Varric then took a few deep breathes and turned to face the rest of us.

"This is Gerav" he told us "He's a greedy, bastard son of a nug from the Carta".

Varric then turned to his fellow dwarf.

"The big guy in the Templar armour is Carver Hawke, the one whose blood you want to drink, or bath in or something ridiculous like that" Varric said.

Hearing that seemed to put some fire into the eyes of the carta dwarf

"The Master is calling!" Gerav declared "He needs the blood!"

Again Varric tried to reach the dwarf he had know, but that person was long gone now.

"I've still got her, you know? Bianca. All modified just like we worked out together" my friend said "Never misfired a day in her life, not since you figured out the problem. You don't want her to see her papa like this, do you?"

Not for the first time I found Varric's feelings towards his crossbow to be a little creepy.

"The blood" Gerav said as he reached out for Carver.

Before any of us could do anything. Varric had loosed a single bolt straight into the guy's chest.

"The poor stupid bastard" Varric cursed "I used to do business with the Carta, back in the day. Gerav was a nutcase then, too, but… well, in a good way. We worked together to make a repeating crossbow. Bianca's the only one that worked. I can't…"

His voice cracked as he looked away from the corpse.

"I can't believe he ended up like this" the dwarf was finally able to say.

The rest of us walked away to give him space, and do discuss what we thought was going on here.

"So, this Corypheus is some sort of darkspawn" Anders murmured softly "But that doesn't quite make sense. The 'music' is normally associated with Arch-demons, and there is no Tevinter god known as Corypheus".

Now I felt a little scared.

"What if Coryphenus is an old name for one of the Tevinter gods" I wondered "Or what if he was a Tevinter god that people forgot about because not many people ever worshipped it".

Anders went pale.

"If there is an Arch-demon around here and it wakes up that will cause another Blight" my fellow mage said "We can't let that happen, and if the Arch-demon is awake then I have to kill it now before the Blight can start. You can help, but I have to land the killing blow".

I understood why he would have to do it, but no one else did, and by now he had everyone's attention, so Anders went on to explain.

"Shouldn't we fetch some Wardens?" Merril asked one the Grey Warden had explained what he could about the Blight "and maybe an army or two".

If only we could.

"There's no time" I said "We have to stop whatever it is these dwarves are up to. If the Arch-demon is still sleeping then we can call for some Wardens, but if its awake then we have to stop it now or the whole world will be in danger".

Carver spoke next.

"What would an Arch-demon need my blood for?" he wondered.

That was a good question.

(Line Break)

"I swore to Corypheus I'd bring him Malcolm Hawke's blood" a dwarf said when we entered a large room "One way or the other".

Carver stepped forward.

"My father is dead" the Templar stated.

That didn't seem to matter to the Carta thugs all around us.

"But his blood lives in you" the dwarf said "And what Corypheus wants, he gets".

When the fight started I threw a fireball and I fought the urge to groan when the dwarf I'd fired at just shrugged it off. Dwarven resistance to magic was a pain sometimes

When the dwarf I'd just tried to burn came at me I dodged his swing of an axe, then I used my sword to block the next blow. With my free hand I called forth lightning to my hands, discharged the magic at very close range. This time not even dwarven resistance to magic protected the crook.

Once this battle was over we looked around, there was some looting of bodies and looking about in nearby rooms.

"SISTER!" I heard Carver yell.

We all ran into a side room and once in there I saw Bethany. She was waking up, no doubt due to Carver's shouting, as she stood I noticed a staff in her hands. It was very odd looking, and my magical sense was telling me that the staff was very powerful.

"Carver, Gothic" she said in surprise.

He brother moved to give her a hug, but I stayed back.

"Hello, dear" I said when she turned to face me "Its been a while".