Love's Bane

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: I own nothing of Dragon Age or their characters or their stories. Bioware is to thank for bestowing us such amazing work. I only claim my own original character and any other made up character that I have created.

~Authors Note: Hello again everyone, I'm back to writing, so I hope you love this story. It's supposed to be very touchy…let me rephrase that. It's supposed to be very touching. Enjoy!

The world was always so mysterious. Everything about the world had something special about it that made everything so beautiful. This night, there were was not a single cloud that covered the star bright sky. The moon was illuminant in this abyss of darkness. If one were to walk in the moonlight, one could not describe the power and majesty it exuded. Under the moonlight was a child, curled up in the dark part of the forest road with its face buried in its knees.

The horizon held flickering lights and echoed conversations that the child could hear. It came closer and closer until a gasp ended the chatter.

"Child, are you alright?" The middle-aged woman asked.

The child's head slowly ascended, its wet face glittered in the light and its big blue eyes overflowed with tears. The middle-aged woman determined utter fear and confusion in the child's countenance. One of the templars that stood by the middle-aged woman that held the torch approached the child. He kneeled down and wrapped his free arm around the child.

"It is alright, child. We will take care of you…"

~13 years later~

Two tall, muscular Templars marched down the hall with a mage in their clutches.

"I didn't dabble in blood magic, I swear! I was trying to heal a wound!" The mage pleaded.

"That is a petty excuse." The Templar on the left said.

Resistance was pointless, especially with two templars holding his arms. He relaxed his muscles, "Has Meredith decided my fate?" The Mage inquired.

"The Knight Commander has already decided your fate. You are to be executed by It." The Templar on the right responded as he tugged the Mage in order to get him to catch up.

"WHAT!?" The Mage exclaimed with wide eyes, "No! Anything but It. That is a fate worse than Meredith's blade!"

The trashed his arms and kicked with all of his might. The Templars gripped tighter onto the Mage to hold him still until they reached an iron door. The Templar on the left used his free hand to retrieve a ring of keys on his sash. He took it off and fiddled with the silver keys until he sectioned off a plain key. He inserted the key In the key hole and pushed the door open. The Templars then pushed the mage inside of the room then immediately closed the door.

The Mage ran to the door as it closed. He pounded as hard as he could until he felt the bones in his hands bruise the inside of his skin. The Mage panicked, his heart ticked within his ears. He slowly rotated his body upon hearing metal across the cobbled floor, legs unable to keep still. The mage's eyes spotted dozens of chains that came from the top of the ceiling as well as the wall in front of him. The metal binds led to the middle of the room to a woman who was sitting on the floor, legs crossed over one another.

The dimmed lights made it difficult to see the figure clearly. His thoughts wandered to the rumors about It. Was it just a lie? The lights faded and the moonlight revealed itself through the small window high on the wall. Now, he was able to see this woman more clearly.

She wore straightjacket that strapped her arms to her back. Her legs were protected with metal plated boots that stretched all the way to her thighs and with a long red sash swept to the left. She didn't have a face, or at least one he could see. She wore a beastly helmet that concealed her entire head. The helmet was dark like the cold ashes from a campfire with a bright silver lining at the bottom of the helmet. The silver resembled a mouth, with sharp teeth perhaps? Formed into an evil grin. It wore a large collar around her neck that had two chains latched on, one in the front, and the back.

The woman tilted her head up like she was looking at the mage. What was she going to do, he thought to himself. Then the chains crashed onto the ground. The sound of metal pounded into the stone ground echoed in the Mage's ear. His feet back-pedaled to the door, his eyes on the woman as she clumsily stood on her feet.

She limped as she walked towards the mage.

"Maker's Breath! Get away from me!" He shouted as he found himself sliding against the walls as she neared him.

The woman started to glow an aura of black and red around her.

"What is this feeling!? It feels like you're a part of the Fade! What are you?" The Mage questioned as he felt beads of sweat trickle down his forehead. The woman's did not respond, her aura only grew stronger.

The next thing he knew, the ground was no longer his form of support, only the air was. He tried to struggle, even attempt to shoot a spirit lightning at her, but the bolt was absorbed into the tendrils of the darkness around her. He lungs began to compress, his stomach expand and his heart swelling. All he could do was scream at the top of his lungs as he felt his insides being crushed.

"Is he dead yet?" A tall blonde woman questioned as she approached the iron door with the two templars who stood on each side.

"I assume so by now yes." The Templar on the left said.

"Good, tighten her chains and clean the body."

"Yes, Knight Commander." Both Templars said to the woman.

I am not a beast...I am not a beast...I am not a beast...

Most days in Kirkwall, the weather is quite pleasant. The sun only gave enough warmth where you would not sweat under your armor. There were only enough clouds to make such beautiful shapes and the air and only made a slight cool breeze.

But not today, today it was hot. Everyone either sulked around the streets of Kirkwall or sat in the places with desired cool shade. The nobles broke out their fans for slight cool air against their moist faces. There was no cloud in the sky today, everyone wished there was. There was no cool breeze today, everyone wished ever so much that there was.

"Is he going to be alright?" Isabela asked while she found a wall where it was cool so she could rub her back against it.

"I can't really be the judge of that." Varric said as their attention went to Hawke, the one who they spoke about.

Hawke looked like a Fereldan more than a Free Marcher. But he wasn't from the Free Marches, he was from Fereldan. He came to Kirkwall to save his remaining family. He had earth brown hair that slicked back. His eyes were the color of a deep golden sunflower, a unique feature of his. Hawke's face had strong features; his jaw was thin with a slightly pointed chin. His cheeks were slightly thin but not too thin and his nose was long but slightly arched but complimented his face. Hawke was a very strong leader; anyone would follow him to the Void if he asked for it. But his three companions who were in Hightown with him, watched him with a raised eyebrow.

Hawke sat in front of his mabari, Shepard, as he mimicked the dog's tongue panting. His companions were more confused than ever.

"I think the heat is getting to him." Bethany said as she walked over to Hawke.

"Brother?" She said as she poked Hawke's cheek.

Hawke responded to Bethany by turning to her with his tongue still out.

"Brother, remember why we came here." She giggled.

His reeled his tongue back into his mouth, "Oh sorry." Hawke apologized.

Hawke stood up while he stretched and straightened his posture. He dug into his pouch and pulled out a neatly folded letter. He gently unfolded it and read it over again:

Dear Serah Hawke,

I have heard much about you from Athenril and I am impressed of your skills. I shall need your assistance in research of mine. I shall pay you quite handsomely. Please meet me in Hightown outside of the Viscount's keep. I shall be in the shade, of course.

Sincerely,

Mentis

Hawke looked up from the letter and around the courtyard of the Viscount's Keep. He narrowed his eyes a bit to see better until he spotted a man who was leaning against the wall in the shade. He had jet black hair that was slightly in his face but not a lot. He wore a black tunic which was easy to spot. Hawke folded the letter back up and placed it in his pouch. He then walked over to the shady man.

"You must be Mentis." Hawke said cheerfully as they approached the man.

Mentis gave a curt smile as he lifted himself off the wall and looked over to Hawke.

"Yes, and you must be Hawke. You must have received my letter then." Mentis said with a slight bow to Hawke and his companions.

"No, I used my mental powers to figure out that you needed my help." Hawke said a little sarcastically.

Mentis's smile faded and raised an eyebrow. He didn't seem to get Hawke's sarcasm. He shook his head and continued, "I request your assistance. I need you to gather some ingredients for me."

Hawke nodded lightly,understanding the task, but it was hard to concentrate what with all the heat. But he usually had to risk his life for these jobs people give him. So he might as well put his life on the line for these ingredients.

"Here is the list." Mentis said about to hand the list to Hawke.

"We shall gather your ingredients even if it risks my life!" Hawke bellowed proudly but had a hint of insanity in his voice.

Mentis paused and raised his brow. He seemed taken aback by Hawke with an expression of unadulterated disgust. He turned to Bethany, "I'm going to give the list to you." Mentis stated as he handed Bethany the list.

"You can find most of the ingredients in the Wounded Coast but the last one you need to find is in Sundermount. I'll be at my shack in Lowtown once you gathered all the ingredients."

"Let us be off then!" Hawke shouted as he dashed out of the courtyard, leaving his vexed companions behind.

~Many Hours later~

Hawke struggled as his two-handed sword held back the strong bear's powerful claws. He managed to push the bear off and charged at it, knocking it down on its back.

"Maris! We have the last ingredient we can go now!" Bethany yelled as she held the bag full of the strange ingredients.

Hawke didn't listen, he continued fighting the bear. Bethany shook her head and looked into the bag and made a mental check of what they had. The ingredients were indeed strange. First they had to get some elfroots and deathroots. Then they had to gather bones from a cave in the Wounded Coast. Then here they had to get a type of flower that grows once every year on Sundermount. Bethany closed the bag and looked back over to Maris who was still fighting that bear.

"How did he even get into a fight with a bear?" Isabela asked fixing her bandana on her head.

"I don't know. He just yelled, 'That bear stole my cat!' It was funny at first but…" Varric responded with a chuckle, "Who am I kidding? It's still funny."

Before the bear could drop its arms on Hawke, Bethany shot a frost spell at the furry creature. The spell froze the bear in a standing position with its great paws rose in the air. Bethany grabbed an awestruck Hawke by the arm and began to drag him away from the bear.

"No! I have a score to settle with that bear!"

~Back at Kirkwall~

The heat retreated to a place that was safer as evening took its place, bring a chill to cast off the heat. Hawke was back to his normal self. He felt better once dusk had fallen. Everyone was relieved to have him functioning once again.

Hawke approached the small shack hidden in an alleyway. He knocked his armored fist on the door. It slowly opened as Hawke ceased his knocking. Mentis stood in front of the doorway with his hand still on the door handle.

Bethany handed Hawke the bag of the ingredients and He passed them to Mentis, "We found your ingredients and I did have to risk my life to get them." Hawke said as Mentis took the bag.

He nodded to Hawke, "Excellent…Now I need you to do one more thing for me." Mentis claimed as he placed the bag on the wooden table beside the door.

"I want you to speak with Grand Cleric Elthina. She will seem distressed and you will offer her your assistance. Don't ask me what she will be distressed about, she will tell you. Once you have done what she wants you to do, I want you to bring the thing she was protecting back to me. Then I shall pay you."

"How do you know she will be distressed?" Hawke questioned as he tried to peek into Mentis's dark shack.

Mentis blocked the doorway"I have friends on the inside." He responded.

"Why can't you do this yourself then?"

"Because I am not fit for her assistance, I am not specialized in combat."

Hawke sighed while he massaged the back of his neck. This was a task better suited when he was fully rested. He nodded, "Very well, but this better be the last thing you want me to do. I'm kind of tired of putting my life on the line."

"I assure you, this will be the last thing I need of you." Mentis said then closing the door.

~The Following Morning~

Hawke leaned against the wall outside of the chantry. He flipped a copper coin in the air and as it fell, he would catch it effortlessly in his deft hands. He waited for the companions he had contacted to come. He was beginning to grow impatient for their arrival and went to the coin to sate his boredom as he waited.

"Hawke."

Hawke caught the copper as it landed straight in the palm of his gauntlet. His golden eyes then shifted over to the rogue dwarf.

"Varric, you came!" Hawke greeted with glee.

"Why wouldn't I come!? Adventure always follows you Hawke, and we need the money for the expedition."

"Where's Isabela and Anders!?"

"Rivani isn't going to make it. Terrible hangover."

"Aw…I wish I could see her in a hangover."

"It's not pretty…" Varric muttered under his breath, "Well anyways, Blondie is on his way and Fenris decided to come as well."

Varric joined by the warrior's side against the wall,"Oh well." Hawke said with a shrug as he begun to flip the copper again.

"Why do we have to be here?" Anders questioned with a frown as he approached them.

"Anders, I know none of you aren't doing anything. Sometimes you need to get out and feel the sun while you kill a bandit!" Hawke said happily.

A small smile formed as he pointed to the sky, "Uhh…not to break you mood Hawke, but it's very cloudy."

Hawke caught his copper and leaned over to see the dark gray cloudy sky. His smile then turned to a frown and decided to voice his distress,"What!? When did it get like this!? When I left the slums this morning it was sunny. Sunny! Awww…"

"Personally, I like this sort of weather." Fenris said as he approached the three.

"Well of course you would like it Fenris, it suits who you are." Hawke commented with a dreary sigh as he pocketed the copper.

Hawke pushed himself off the wall, "Well anyways…let's go talk to the Grand Cleric."

The four walked together into the Chantry. The sisters seemed busy with praying or the arrangement of the candles by the statues. On the platform, there was a woman with dark gray hair speaking with a Templar. If Hawke was right, the woman was Grand Cleric Elthina and she didn't look happy. Just like Mentis had explained.

The Templar bowed to the Grand Cleric and turned away from her. Hawke gave his group a mischievous grin before he stepped up the stairs to the Grand Cleric. Once Hawke reached up the platform, he approached the Grand Cleric who appeared to be lost in thought.

"Excuse me, your grace?" Hawke said as he bowed to the Grand cleric.

"What? Oh, yes. What is it my child?" The grand cleric said as she turned to look at Hawke.

"I didn't see anything on the Chantry board. Does that mean I cannot do any justice for poor souls?"

Elthina studied Hawke for a moment then at the three that stood behind him. She thought to herself, could she trust these blades for hire?

"There is nothing on the Chantry board, but you can help me with something. Assuming that, you will accept it." She offered

Hawke knew there was something wrong. Especially in the manner she asked for his assistance, she failed to explain what she needed help with Maybe it was because she knew that it was dangerous, dangerous enough for them not to accept it when she needed the help. Hawke was able to figure it out in his head, but had also kept in mind that he needed to get the last thing from Elthina for Mentis.

"I accept your grace. What is it that you need my companions and I to do? Hunt Bandits, leash Templars or crush rocks for you?"

"I need you to accompany me to the Circle of Magi in the Gallows. There's been a problem."

"What's happened?" Anders asked curiously.

"There have been recent sighting of spirits and demons wondering and attacking the mages. They have assumed someone has resulted to blood magic, and they won't stop until they find the blood mage." She said with worry in her eyes.

"Why don't you let the Templars handle it? They seem to always get the job done fast and peacefully." Hawke said sarcastically.

"I…I have a friend who I have not seen in years. I worry for her, and I do not want to see her executed. I do not know how she's been since I last saw her, but I hope she has not suffered much." The Grand Cleric said while looking at the ground somberly.

"If she's a mage in the Circle, I highly doubt she was coddled." Anders mumbled to Hawke.

"Then how do we come into the picture?" Hawke asked while rubbing the back of his head curiously.

"You would assist me by taking me to the Circle and guarding me just in case the blood mage attacks me."

"Very well, your grace. We shall take you there!" Hawke said as he held the Grand Cleric's arm and dragged her out of the Chantry like he was escorting her to a ball.