Hightown
The Chantry
The Chantry was mostly empty today save for a few Chantry Sisters and Mothers milling about taking confessions.
One particular Chantry Mother, recently promoted, knelt before the altar of Andraste and whispered the Chant of Light in zealous fever.
"Blessed are they who stand before
The corrupt and the wicked and do not falter.
Blessed are the peacekeepers, the champions of the just.
Blessed are the righteous, the lights in the shadow.
In their blood the Maker's will is written."
Three years those monsters have dwelt in our holy city. Three years time in which they have spread their 'Qun' their heresy. Three years where we have failed the Maker's Children. No longer, we must take a stand for we are the champions of the just the Chantry Mother thought.
May those who give their lives for our cause be blessed and be given entrance to the Maker's kingdom. May those poor souls in Lowtown be remembered for their sacrifice the Chantry Mother thought.
Somewhere in Lowtown
"We don't have anything else to go on" Garrett said walking quickly to keep pace with Aveline while Varric trailed behind them.
The three of them had just returned to Lowtown but they still didn't know enough. All they knew was that Javaris had been framed by some mad elf woman.
"That poison's loose in the city and we have to do something" Aveline said.
"It's not like the city guard and question the whole Alienage" Garrett said. "Yeah that wouldn't go so well with the elves living there" Varric said adding his input.
"I'm not planning on questing the whole Alienage but we need to find this elf" Aveline said.
Suddenly there was a loud commotion as a man ran through the crowds of people yelling "there's something in the air!"
Everyone turned to look at the crazed man as he gestured behind him into a nearby neighborhood calling "people are dying! We need to get out of here!"
Garrett, Aveline, and Varric rushed through the crowd of gathered townfolk wondering what was going on.
The three of them followed where the crazed man had been pointing and noticed something was going on as people gathered around a small neighborhood in Lowtown only to be pushed back by a ring of city guards.
Nearby city guards were bringing unconscious and sick people outside the neighborhood and telling them to stay put.
"Stand aside this city guard business!" Aveline called and almost instantly the crowd of townfolk parted in their wake. Reaching the ring of city guards keeping the townfolk away from the neighborhood Garrett saw a few them didn't look well.
Two city guards looked like they had just thrown up and another one was slumped against a wall vomiting violently. Another guardsmen had his helmet on and was shouting "stay back! Keep away we're doing everything we can!"
"Men report. What's going on?" Aveline said looking at the state of her men.
Just then another city guard appeared coming from inside the neighborhood carrying a Lowtown woman over his shoulder and coughing.
"It's the damned air! I think its poison… we need to get the people out" the city guard was saying just as he spotted Aveline.
The city guard gently propped up the Lowtown woman he'd rescued against the wall before turning to his guard captain.
"Maecon what's going on here" Aveline said as Garrett looked at Lowtown woman Maecon had rescued, she was breathing but unconscious.
"Guard Captain. There's… I. There were reports of some haze with the stench of rust and… throw up. There was a cloud then a lingering mist. Anyone inside went mad and the others started throwing up" Maecon said.
"We were only passing by on patrol like you ordered when it happened. There's still people trapped inside but we can't go in there for long, we tried" another city guard said speaking up and looking like he was going to vomit.
"You did good Maecon. We'll take it from here. Keep the families from rushing in and send for reinforcements. We need to get the people out" Aveline said.
"Yes ma'am. Donnic's still in there, I tried telling him to come back but he wouldn't listen" Maecon said.
"Donnic!" Aveline said eyes widening.
"We'll get him out too" Garrett said.
"Go and send for reinforcements" Aveline ordered and Maecon nodded rushing past the crowd and heading for the Barracks.
"You sure about this guys?" Varric asked not liking the smell that was coming from inside the Lowtown neighborhood.
"We have to try. Just cover your face as best you can" Garrett said as he and Aveline started forward the ring of city guards letting them pass.
Maker… Garrett thought as he and Aveline took in the sight of the neighborhood.
The poison gas had formed a deep green mist that they could barely see through and all around were bodies of people some dead or dying and others coughing or else vomiting.
Covering his face Garrett called "make your way out! Head this way!"
"Follow our voices!" Varric shouted having rushed in after them covering his face as best he could.
"Donnic! Donnic where are you! You need to get outside!" Aveline was calling.
That elf Javaris was rambling about. She must have deployed the decoy not realizing what it was but why? Garrett thought as he led a few people through the mist and back outside.
"This way! Come on!" Varric was calling using his voice to steer the people who could still walk.
Aveline had grabbed two small children and carried them outside all the while calling out for Donnic.
This isn't enough… people are dying. We need to stop this at the source Garrett thought darkly as he coughed looking for people too weak to get themselves out.
"Captain!" a weak gravelly voice suddenly called out. "Donnic!" Aveline called out fighting back tears as the poison was starting to affect her eyes.
"I found the source! It's over here! I need help!" Donnic was calling from somewhere in the neighborhood and he didn't sound too good.
Donnic had been inside the longest and the poison was taking its toll.
"I'll get him" Garrett said pulling Aveline back by the shoulder as she made to run further in after him.
"No I can-" Aveline began.
"Stay with Varric. Help the people" Garrett said through watery eyes struggling to breathe.
Aveline looked at him with sad eyes and nodded reaching her head across to touch his before running to help pull more townfolk out.
"Donnic! Donnic I'm coming!" Garrett shouted following after the shouts of the city guard somewhere inside the neighborhood.
Garrett found Donnic behind a small house fiddling with a barrel of some kind and looking like he could barely stand. "Come on you need to leave" Garrett called grabbing him by the arm.
"No. I found the source I just need to close it" Donnic was saying trying to force the barrel closed and that's when Garrett realized the poison was gushing out of the barrel at an alarming rate.
"How?" Garrett asked quickly.
"There's a steel latch… I dropped it" Donnic said before falling back and vomiting.
Hang in there Donnic Garrett thought as felt around the floor barely able to see before finding what Donnic had dropped.
The steel latch.
Grabbing the latch and forcing it inside the barrel he forcefully began to turn and as he did so the poison began to die down. Before long the barrel had stopped emitting the poison and Garrett could breathe again.
Turning to check on Donnic, Garrett could see he was coughing but still awake.
"There's more. Four I think, so three more" Donnic said panting. He did not look good, his eyes were red, tears streaked his face, but he had stopped vomiting.
"Let me worry about them. Get outside you've been in here too long" Garrett said.
"No I swore an oath to protect the people in this city" Donnic said forcing himself up.
"You've done enough" Garrett said.
"Garrett you're not even a city guard" Donnic said.
"Well I'm… Hawke." Garrett said lamely as he grabbed Donnic by the arm and dragged him back to Aveline whom joined in and together they brought him outside.
"Stay here. That's an order" Aveline said forcing Donnic to sit down with the other townfolk they'd rescued.
"Yes ma'am" Donnic said grudgingly.
"Come on there's still three barrels we need to close" Garrett said going back in and finding Varric edged against a wall coughing.
"You alright?" Garrett asked placing a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Never better. Time to close the barrels" Varric said through watery eyes.
It took time and it wasn't easy but the three of them had managed to close the last three of the barrels fighting through the poison mist but it had taken its toll on them.
Garrett collapsed having managed the close the final barrel behind a merchant's cart, and Aveline reached over pulling him up.
"We did it" Aveline said helping Garrett to his feet before frowning as she asked him "you okay?"
"I'm fine just a little dizzy is all" Garrett said forcing a smile.
"No you're not. You shouldn't even be doing this you're not even a city guard" Aveline said frowning.
"I'm… Hawke" Garrett said with a shrug.
"Why are the reinforcements always late?" Varric asked panting from the exposure to the poison gas.
"They're on their way" Aveline said defensively.
"We need get these people to a Healer" Garrett said looking at the few unconscious people lying around. The three of them had focused on stopping the further spread of the poison knowing the people stood a better chance of surviving that way.
"Guys we have company and it's not friendly!" Varric called pulling his crossbow out as suddenly an armored elf and five armed thugs entered the neighborhood going down a flight of stairs.
"Come quietly the city guard needs to question you lot!" Aveline called unsheathing her Longsword and shield.
"Sir Hawke the People's Champion! Ha what a joke! You're just like all the other Nobles! You're a much better target than those poor people" the armored elf said.
It's her. The woman Javaris was talking about Garrett realized.
"You tried to steal the gaatlok. Why?" Garrett called.
"The Qunari try to convert my people! My siblings forget their culture then go to the Qun for purpose. We're losing them twice!" the armored elf said with crazed eyes.
"So I get help from your people. Take the Qunari thunder and make accidents, make them hated! But this… was all wrong." The armored Elf said pacing back and forth.
She's not… the most stable person Garrett thought seeing the deranged look on the woman's face.
"Uh which of my people helped you?" Garrett asked sharing a look with Varric whom only shrugged saying "no idea."
"It can still work! They're hidden in your city. They'll enrage the faithful, and make sure the Qunari are blamed. But me? Ha I'm finished. Just need a few more bodies. A few more!" the armored elf said darkly.
Here we go again Garrett thought as the armored elf and her thugs descended upon them weapons raised.
Varric fired a bolt and it tore the air striking one of the thugs through the eye and killing him instantly.
However the elf and her four other thugs made it down to where they were and Varric was forced back while Garrett and Aveline charged forward.
Garrett bashed his shield into a charging thug while slashing outward with his Longsword keeping two thugs at bay.
Aveline met the elf and another of her thugs head-on using her shield and Longsword going on the defensive.
Varric took the time to aim and fired another bolt straight into the heart of one of the thugs Garrett was fighting. The thug groaned as the bolt pierced through his armor going through his heart and the man fell to the floor dead freeing up Garrett to go on the offensive.
Parrying a stab with his Longsword Garrett sidestepped and slammed his shield into the thug he was fighting forcing the man back.
Before the man could raise his Longsword, Garrett rushed in stabbing the man through his chest before pulling his blade free.
"Thanks Varric!" Garrett called now free to help Aveline.
One of the thugs fighting Aveline alongside the crazed elf stepped back from the fray unsheathing an ax and throwing it Varric's way. Only for Varric to shoot a bolt, striking the ax back before it reached him.
Take cover Varric Garrett thought slamming his shield into the thug who'd attacked Varric.
The thug stumbled back and Garrett slashed him across the chest leaving a deep gash across his chest before moving on.
Aveline was holding her own going up against two opponents, one of them a deranged elf wielding a Greatsword and wearing heavy armor.
Garrett rushed to Aveline's aid slamming his shield into a thug's back and forcing him forward where a bolt fired by Varric found his throat.
Aveline, now free to go on the offensive, rushed using her shield to force the elf back before slashing with her Longsword.
The deranged elven woman dodged Aveline's slash before returning with one of her own.
Aveline raised her shield being forced back by the weight of the blow, the Greatsword scraping against Aveline's shield.
Varric fired a bolt only managing to strike the elf's chest but the crazed woman's armor protected her only taking a dent.
Garrett charged forcing her back with his shield as Aveline joined him and together made their stand against her Greatsword.
Can't get a shot Varric thought as Garrett and Aveline fought with the deranged elf who was slashing back forth with her Greatsword keeping them at bay.
Garrett blocked one of her heavy swings with his shield and pushed forward forcing her back and keeping the Greatsword against his shield as Aveline flanked her.
Aveline slammed the hilt of her Longsword into the elf's face and she stumbled back dropping her Greatsword as Varric aimed at her head having a clear shot.
"You're under arrested for attempting to poison the citizens of Lowtown!" Aveline shouted Longsword raised.
There was a stampede of footsteps as Aveline's reinforcements finally arrived and eleven city guards flooded into the neighborhood led by Maecon. "About time" Garrett and Varric said simultaneously.
"Guard Captain!" Maecon called seeing his commander and Garrett cornering the mad elven woman who'd released the poison.
"Men take this woman into custody. She's endangered everyone's lives with this poison" Aveline called.
"… Aveline" Garrett called as the elven woman smiled coldly at them and stepped back pulling a dagger from her belt.
"Stop!" Aveline called as the mad elf brought the dagger to her own throat.
"The Qunari are a slight to the Maker's children! My people are losing themselves twice! May they avenge me!" the mad elf shouted before she slit her own throat.
Varric lowered his crossbow mouth open and silent. Garrett frowned looking at the mad elf fall to the floor dead.
"Damn it!" Aveline cursed signaling for her men to move the body.
"At least we saved as many citizens as we could" Maecon said somberly.
"I need to get back to the barracks. The Viscount needs to know and we need to get a handle on this before people start to panic" Aveline said.
"I'll go with you" Garrett said making to following Aveline but she stopped him saying "no. The Arishok needs to be told and right now I don't think I could stand the sight of him."
"I… alright" Garrett said slowly.
Aveline nodded and left leaving her city guards to clean up what was left and attend to the survivors.
Varric went to Garrett's side patting his friend on the back saying "don't worry Hawke. This has been a particular bad day for her."
"Yeah I can tell" Garrett said thankful for Varric always being there for him.
Giving Varric a quick goodbye Garrett left the Lowtown neighborhood and took in the sight outside. The city guard was keeping people from re-entering until they removed the barrels and the people that had been rescued from the poison were gone along with Donnic.
Brought to the Healers no doubt but there would be casualties.
Why did this happen? Garrett thought walking past the crowd of onlookers and heading for the Qunari compound.
The Docks
Walking through the docks alone was nothing new to Garrett. He'd spent a lot of time here when he was a smuggler during his first year in Kirkwall but now there seemed to be a tension in there air.
The dockers and other merchants seemed to be eying the Qunari compound and the two horned beings whom stood guard at the entrance.
No doubt news had arrived about the incident in Lowtown and though they didn't know the whole story, people knew the Qunari were involved.
"You, Hawke. You may enter" a Qunari guard said breaking Garrett's train of thought and stepping aside for him.
Don't they ever blink? Garrett thought walking past the Qunari guards and once again entering the compound where the Arishok awaited.
Just as before there was silence as Garrett made his way to stand before the Arishok and his throne, countless eyes upon him.
"You return." The Arishok said ominously. The massive horned being that was the Arishok sat atop his throne arms crossed and looking stern and uncompromising.
Garrett met the Arishok's eyes not backing down as he spoke saying "You were wrong about the thief."
The Arishok tilted his head curiously.
"It wasn't Javaris it was some elven woman. She was deranged and framed Javaris to look like he stole it" Garrett said.
"Your Viscount will blame us then? He will say we were careless with our trap, that this is our fault?" the Arishok said coldly.
Garrett nodded.
"Even without the saar-qamek there would still have been death" the Arishok scoffed.
Before Garrett could reply the Arishok got to his feet continuing "this elf was determined to lay blame at our feet."
But she had help… Garrett thought.
"Selfishness, want, denial… how do you allow this to continue?" the Arishok said gesturing at the city in disgust.
"I understand you don't like Kirkwall but why don't you just leave?" Garrett asked trying to be diplomatic.
"Since we arrived I have seen nothing but greed and weakness. Dwarves, humans, elves just… festering. There is no Order. There is no Purpose. You are one of the few I have met with any ability. You, Garrett Hawke, who defeated the criminal organization known as the Coterie, and yet from what I hear this too was random, an act of selfishness." The Arishok said.
How does he know about my sister? Garrett thought his eyes widening.
"Do not bring that up" Garrett said coldly.
"Very well. I cannot fathom how a mire like this can be justified. You say we should leave, but how can you bear to stay in this… chaos?" the Arishok asked.
"I arrived in Kirkwall a refugee the same as you and your people did. I made a home here and built a life for myself" Garrett answered.
"Yet you suffer for it" the Arishok countered. "It's a chance to make a real difference" Garrett answered back somewhat defensive.
"Ah so this is why they call you the People's Champion. It matters not" the Arishok said stepping forward and gesturing at the Qunari stationed as his bodyguards.
"Karasten are soldiers. The Qun made it so. They can never vary from that assigned path, never be other than what they are meant to be. But, they are free to choose within that role. To accept and succeed, or deny and die. Glory is clear and defined" the Arishok said as all around the compound the Qunari nodded.
"Could you and this entire city not benefit from that certainty? How else will you know when you have made a real difference?" the Arishok asked expecting an answer.
That doesn't make sense Garrett thought frowning.
"He's free to choose to obey? That isn't contradictory to you?" Garrett asked.
Clearly that was not what the Arishok had been expecting.
"He chooses to be. As do we all, long before any of your meaningless freedoms are presented" the Arishok rationalized before continuing "your kind may force our role to change if the Qun demands it."
Taking a deep breath Garrett said "before the elven woman died she said that your people were converting her kind to the Qun. That the elves were losing their culture by claiming yours?"
"We accept those who submit to the Qun. The weak seek the strong. It matters not, we are not equipped to indoctrinate. I am here to satisfy a demand you cannot understand" the Arishok said.
"It's been three years. If you asked for help I'm sure the city would give it to you" Garrett said shaking his head confused.
"It will take as long as needed. No ship is coming! There is no rescue from duty to the Qun! We are stuck here!" the Arishok said not yelling but raising his voice in frustration.
This was the controlled anger of a commander. A man ready to charge into battle restraining himself for the sake of his men.
"I don't understand. That's not what you told the Viscount?" Garrett said.
"Ba! The Viscount? Let the old man rot! He can do nothing to tame his city. Filth stole from us. Not now, not the saar-qamek, but years ago. An act of greed has bound me here. We are denied our home until I recover what was lost under my command!" the Arishok said pacing back and forth.
"That is why this elf and her shadows are unimportant! That is why I do not walk away from this pustule of a city! Fixing your mess is not the demand of the Qun! And you should all be grateful!" the Arishok yelled slamming a fist into a wall.
Boom the concrete of the wall broke apart leaving a hole from where the Arishok had punched it.
Breathing heavily the Arishok lowered his head and whatever anger he had held seemed to die down as he once again took his seat atop his throne.
He's… so angry Garrett thought eyes still wide.
"Thank you, Hawke, for your service. Now be gone." The Arishok said coldly.
Garrett stared at the Arishok not sure what to make of the leader of the Qunari in Kirkwall before turning around and leaving without so much as a backward glance.
Later
The Hawke estate
Garrett Hawke entered his family estate and took in the sight of his ancestral home as he always did when he entered. Even now a little over two years since he reclaimed it he still was taken aback that this was his home.
Not that hut they'd had share with Gamlen anymore.
"You're back. Is everything okay? I heard news that something happened in Lowtown" Leandra said emerging from the kitchen with worried eyes.
"I'm fine mother. It's been a long day" Garrett said unsheathing his Longsword and shield just as Bodahn Feddic and his adopted son emerged from the spare room that the two dwarves shared.
"Master Hawke is alright. See Ms. Hawke nothing to worry about like I said" Bodahn said taking Garrett's Longsword and shield for him and moving to put them up.
"Thanks Bodahn" Garrett called.
Bodahn and his son had arrived sometime after Garrett's expedition into the Deep Roads and after Garrett had defeated the Coterie. They'd been looking for a work as it appeared Bartrand Tethras had betrayed him as well taking all the treasure for himself.
Leandra had been the one to offer them employment and she enjoyed their company so Garrett had agreed.
"I still wish you'd be careful. Garrett you're not a city guard, it's not your duty to save the city" Leandra said embracing her son.
"You're not the first person to tell me that today" Garrett laughed.
"Ouch!" Garrett called as his mother reached a hand up and pinched his cheek saying "it's not a joke dear."
"Okay, okay" Garrett said nodding as his mother let go of his check saying "now then, I think I shall get started on dinner."
"Thanks mom" Garrett said rubbing his check as he noticed his faithful Mabari Kane sitting near the fireplace wagging his tail.
"Hello boy. Long day for you too eh?" Garrett said rubbing Kane's ears and smiling. Kane looked at him with those intelligent hazel eyes of his and barked.
Garrett laughed saying "such a good boy. Always protecting mother for me."
Knock knock knock
Garrett turned hearing someone knock on the front door.
"I'll get it!" Garrett called as he walked over and opened the door, finding Aveline waiting outside. Only she wasn't wearing her Guard Captain armor anymore she'd change into her street clothes, a simple shirt and a pair of trousers.
"Garrett hi. Just stopped by to say sorry about earlier I shouldn't have brushed you off like that… that's not right. You're my… you know" Aveline stammered.
She was never good at these sort of things.
"Boyfriend" Garrett said stepping outside to join her.
"Honestly it's okay Aveline. It was a bad day with everything in Lowtown, I understand" Garrett said softly with a warm smile.
"Tell me about it. The Viscount's facing so many complaints and the Nobles are scared. The Barracks has been hectic" Aveline said dryly.
"So tell me. What happened with the Arishok?" Aveline asked suddenly.
"Hmm I think he's been holding in a lot of anger for a long time. I think whatever mask he puts up for his men is starting to crack. He told me that there is no ship coming for the Qunari, that they're stuck here because of something that was stolen from them" Garrett said somberly.
"What? That's not what he's been telling us for the last three years" Aveline said gaping.
"I know. The Qunari haven't been entirely truthful with us but whatever his reasons the Arishok has mostly kept his men in check. However fragile it may be, there is peace between the Qunari and Kirkwall" Garrett said.
"There's so much we don't understand. There's someone else at work here Garrett, I can feel it. That mad elven woman said she had help from our people but who?" Aveline said thinking aloud.
"Why hello there Aveline" Leandra said suddenly peering out from the front door and startling her son and the Captain of the Guard.
Both Garrett and Aveline jumped back completely surprised.
"How have you been Ms. Hawke? Thank you for asking Aveline I'm doing well, thank you. Sure you may barrow my son for a moment outside and yes, you don't even have to tell me why" Leandra said talking softly but putting Aveline on the spot nonetheless.
"Mother" Garrett said rubbing the back of his neck a little embarrassed.
"Yes Aveline you may even stay for dinner. I'll be waiting inside" Leandra said before Aveline could even reply and going back inside.
"… She doesn't take no for answer does she?" Aveline said her hand still raised from when she had tried to interrupt.
"No she doesn't" Garrett chuckled.
"Look I don't have to stay for dinner. There's work that needs to be done and I can always come back another day" Aveline started only for Garrett to interrupt.
"Come on Aveline, stay for dinner. We haven't had a date in weeks" Garrett said secretly grateful at his mother's intervention.
Aveline looked at him hesitantly and Garrett spoke up saying "forget about work even if for a night."
Leaning in and kissing his girlfriend, Garrett continued "remember years ago when you told me I needed to stop working so much and enjoy life. Well now the things are flipped."
"I hate it when you listen to me" Aveline said playfully.
"No you don't" Garrett said smirking.
"You're right, I don't. Fine I can stay for a few hours and I am hungry" Aveline said taking her boyfriend's arm and following him inside his home.
Wells that's the first two chapters of my new story.
It was orginally only one chapter but it would have been too long so I split it into two. Hope the pacing was alright.
Thanks for Reading and please Review
