-1Carver

It felt like years had passed since Carver had last set foot on solid ground. It was a welcome change. As he walked onto the docks he felt thankful. Weeks of running, of doubt, and of fear were coming to an end. Though this being Kirkwall, it felt like that was just going to be replaced by more fear and hiding. Just of Templars rather than Darkspawn.

"Kirkwall, lovely." He sighed. Bethany appeared at his side, followed by Aveline and his mother. It was just them now. He had to wonder if things would be different if Garrett was here. His brother was the one always in charge, easily taking up the role their father had left. Leader of the siblings, mage tutor to Bethany, and the backbone of the family. In addition to being a complete ass who couldn't keep his mouth shut for the life of him.

It felt strange being here with Bethany without him. Carver had lived his entire life in his elder brother's shadow. Garrett was 'blessed' brother, with a natural affinity for his gift with magic. Bethany admired him for that. It always left Carver feeling left out, the only one in the family, aside from Mother, who couldn't cast a spell. If that wasn't bad enough, he was constantly making jokes and easily made friends. It seemed like Carver would always be in his brother's shadow.

Yet now he wasn't. It somehow felt wrong, like he hadn't earned it. Or that something was missing that you never bothered to notice when it was there, but can feel more keenly than anything else in it's absence. Garrett had died in the Blight, saving their mother from the soulless Darkspawn. Carver would have nightmares about that day for a long time.

"They're not letting anyone into the city.", said Aveline. She had lost someone in the Blight as well, her husband Wesley. He was a Templar, but didn't seem as interested in capturing his brother and sister. He died right after Garrett had. Carver had tried to help, suggesting that he end Wesley's suffering himself. Aveline had put herself between them, saying that she would do it herself. For some reason he felt that his brother would have made it easier for the woman. He wasn't his brother though, and didn't have his way with words.

His mother sounded shocked, "What? That can't be!" Carver was tempted to remind her that half of Ferelden had to be in the Free Marches now. Of course they wouldn't be able to get in, that would just be too easy. Aveline pointed at the crowd ahead of them, "It's true. Look at them all." There was a whole bloody lot of them, Carver had to acknowledge that.

"They're Fereldens, just like us. Fleeing the Blight.", Bethany pointed out. This time Carver was about to speak his mind, but Aveline spoke first. "And they would throw us all back to the wolves. Unbelievable." He had to snort a laugh at that. "It's completely believable. But we're not going back, I'm tired of running."

He went into the crowd, pushing and shoving his way to the front. With his brother gone, it was his job now to look after his mother and sister. He ended up almost walking into a guardsman. Carver already wanted to hit him. He just had one of those faces. Bethany was right behind him though, and did most of the talking. The guard proved Carver right in one regard at least. He did have a good smack coming to him.

It was Knight-Commander Meredith's orders that most of the refugees be kept out. It figured. Not only did they have to run to the nearest city with the most Templars, but the only one with guards answering to the bloody Knight-Commander. The luck of the Hawkes at it's finest.

Bethany

Kirkwall wasn't the friendliest city, that was probably Bethany's first observation. The people so far had been rude, and as they walked into the courtyard, she had to notice what they called The Gallows. Statues of slaves kneeling before the whips of giant Tevinter magisters greeted them, along with rows of slave statues that appeared to be sobbing into their hands.

"Cheery place.", Carver quipped. She had to agree. It was one of the few things he had said since they arrived. She knew what must have been troubling him, but now wasn't the time to drag it out of him. With Brother dead, no doubt Carver would decide that that left him as the leader and protector of the family. They were twins though, and it wasn't going to be all on her brother's shoulders. He would just assume it would be, naturally.

"I can't believe Mother grew up in a place like this. I can't imagine anyone living here.", she said to her twin. As they approached who she assumed was the guard in charge here, they overheard the complaints of more refugees ahead of them. Only these were armed. Bethany could already tell this was going to end badly.

As they came up beside the group of refugees, the guard just finished telling them that the city was full. It sounded like it was something he had been tired of repeating. Carver spoke up, "It certainly looks full. Where are all the people I wonder?" Leave it to her twin to start things off badly. She tried her best to smile apologetically, but it was hard through the tiredness and frustration. "Ser, one of the guards at the docks said that you were letting people in if they have business in the city."

For the next few minutes, more of the same happened. The other refugees agreed loudly to be let in, the guard denied them. Of course he would want a bribe from people that had just escaped the Blight with barely their lives. "Listen, our uncle is Gamlen Amell. If you find him, he can get us in.", Carver growled. Bethany quickly followed that up with, "He's a nobleman here in the city. Our family has an estate."

The guard just raised an eyebrow at that. "A nobleman? The Gamlen I know is a weasel, and just as poor as one." He thought about it for a moment and shrugged. "If he comes back, I'll bring you to him." Just as soon as he said that, the armed refugees started clamoring and complaining that they were receiving unfair treatment. They pulled out their weapons and charged the guard, dragging Bethany and the others into the fray.

She wanted to sigh wearily at the fake she was right, but didn't have a chance. Carver and Aveline leapt into battle ahead of her, taking some of the pressure off of the guardsman. Bethany took a few steps back and focused her power into her arm, and from there into her staff. It grew red hot and with an effort of will coalesced into a ball, which she then sent spiraling from the staff.

Somehow Carver had grown a sense about magic gathering from growing up surrounded by mages. He ducked his head as the blast went over him into the man in front of him. The fire exploded outwards, sending flame onto the other men attacking the guardsman and Aveline.

The shock of the heat and flames gave the others their opening, and the rest of the refugees fell beneath their swords. Everyone was covered in blood, with the exception of Mother and herself. Suddenly Bethany felt grateful for being a mage. It seemed much less sticky. "Unbelievable.", the guardsman said. He seemed to be half-stunned and half-impressed. She wasn't sure which would be worse. Carver was giving her a look that was saying all sorts of things about using magic out in the open like that.

The guardsman was grateful though, and didn't speak a word about her magic. He apologized for not being able to do much for them, but vowed to bring Gamlen to them. It was better than nothing. She felt a bit of happiness that they seemed to be getting somewhere, at the very least. Bethany still had to wonder how everything would turn out. Things would be difficult without Garrett. He always seemed to have had a plan.

Carver

The Gallows was intimidating at first, but after three days it was just dull. How long would it take their uncle to pull himself out of whatever whorehouse he no doubt had buried himself in? At least that's what Carver had assumed was taking so long. The only thing to watch now as he leaned against the foundation of a statue was Aveline pacing back and forth. They had served in the same unit at Ostagar, but they didn't talk. The pacing made Carver notice that she had nice legs though.

"It's been three days, this waiting has to end.", she eventually said. Mother was wringing her hands, a habit she seemed to have picked up since they left Lothering. "I'm sure it won't be much longer. Gamlen must still be looking for us!" He shook his head at that. Surely he was still looking for them, because they were so very well hidden. On top of the gate of the Gallows.

Bethany pushed herself to her feet beside him. "And if he's not?", Aveline asked to Leandra. Bethany took a few steps forward and shielded her eyes from the sun. "There's someone coming! It looks like Gamlen, I think." Carver moved beside his sister and watched the scruffy man walk up to them. He certainly didn't seem like a noble. So that would mean that there was something to what the guardsman had said about their uncle being poor. Fantastic.

Gamlen and Leandra exchanged greetings and went back and forth. Carver didn't pay a great deal of attention for a few moments. He came back into the conversation to hear the bad news: Gamlen was broke. The luck of the Hawkes continued. His uncle went on to inform them that he had found some people who could help. That is if they weren't "too delicate about the company they keep", as he put it.

Carver spoke up; "Great. What do you mean by that, Gamlen?" Their scruffy uncle explained that some of his contacts were offering to pay their way into the city. Carver could only guess at what kind of 'contacts' their broke uncle Gamlen may have. He went on to give them the catch; "The catch is the twins will have to work off the debt. For a year."

Garrett always said that the Maker had a sense of humor. If He did, Carver never understood the joke. He just felt like the butt of one.

Bethany

Aveline Vallen and the Hawke Twins, professional smugglers for hire. Or mercenaries. Either one, they hadn't decided yet. Neither sounded like a very appealing title to have for a year. Aveline was kind enough to go with them into whatever they had to do. She wasn't about to let others take on debt on her behave. Bethany decided, not for the first time, that she liked Aveline. She was almost like a big sister. An actually Big sister at that. Which was nice.

Normally she would have left the decision making up to Garrett, who would then decide on a course of action. Carver would argue about it out of pure contrariness, Garrett would make a joke at their brother's expense, and the plan would go ahead. Now the decision making would have to be left up to her and Carver both.

"Meeran seems an honest sort, and he isn't interested in announcing to every Templar that he's harboring apostates.", Carver said. He had been favoring the Red Iron mercenary group. Of course he would, being a soldier and all. Aveline seemed to be more comfortable with the idea also, but that wasn't saying much. She felt much like Bethany did about the two options.

"Athenril won't let anyone touch us either, Carver.", Bethany replied. "I'd rather work for a smuggler than going around murdering people for coin. Gamlen said she doesn't work with slavers. I'd rather work with her. We're less likely to run afoul of any Templars, or friends of Templars."

Carver shook his head at her. For a brother born only second before her, he seemed to get the idea that he was the more responsible one. Funny, he never showed it outside of talking to her like that sometimes. "Both are going to get our hands dirty, Bethany. If you want to work for Athenril, that's fine with me."

Bethany smiled. She was honestly expecting more of a fight from her brother on this. It was nice for things to go more smoothly than she was prepared for. She doubted it would be like that much here in Kirkwall. She turned and walked off with Carver and Aveline following close behind. Carver quipped in one last thing before they got in earshot of the smuggler however, "At least she's easier on the eyes than Meeran."