Chapter 2: Oceanic Bonding
When I felt the ground again, it seemed my legs weren't even there and I collapsed, landing on my backside. The others had fallen as well. Flemeth didn't warn us about this!
"By the Maker, that was unpleasant," Aveline commented.
Garrett groaned. "I won't be able to release my bowels for a week."
I rolled my eyes, unfazed, but Bethany freaked out. "Garrett! We women do not need to hear that talk!"
I couldn't help it, I laughed.
"Well, sister," he glanced back in my direction, smirking, "she takes amusement to my pain. You should try to as well."
She sighed and shook her head as she stood. We all followed suit one right after the other. Our group overlooked a small port town, full of ships. People scattered everywhere, looking like scurrying ants from this distance.
"Oh, look. Flemeth was courteous enough to drop us off at Gwaren," Garrett noted.
"One of those ships should take us to Kirkwall," Leandra told us. "We should get going."
Garrett put a hand on her shoulder. "Yes. Let's go."
We followed him down a path, moving with a group of other refugees. I had so many questions and no answers. I had yet to fully understand the nature of the situation. Although, I figured I'd save my questions for the boat ride. We moved through crowds of people. Garrett held Bethany's hand, she held Leandra's, and Leandra held Aveline's. I couldn't catch up and found myself being separated from the group. I tried calling out for them, but the mass of voices consumed my miniscule voice in comparison.
Fear edged up my spine and I shoved past as many people as I could to find them, but face after face, all was unfamiliar. My instincts told me to escape this crowd and go off alone. I ignored them, instead just paying attention to my surroundings. When I made it out of the mass, I found myself on the edge of a plank going up onto a ship. I couldn't proceed without knowing where the others were.
I felt something on my butt that squeezed. I jumped away. "What the-!"
A man with a nose the shape of a bird's beak stared at me with a stupid smile. "Hey, there pretty girl. You wanna have a ride on my ship?"
"I want you to leave me alone," I growled.
"Oh, c'mon. Let's go have some fun," he purred rather pathetically. He reached for me again.
"Do not touch me!" I snapped.
He reached for me again, but, this time, another hand gripped his. The jerk looked into Garrett's eyes and jerked back. Garrett's grip was firm. He smirked and twisted the man's wrist. The man cried out.
"The lady said she didn't want you touching her, so I suggest you run along now," Garrett said threateningly.
"This isn't your business, boy! Let me go!" the man snarled.
Garrett shrugged and released the man's wrist as he jerked back. He cried out and fell into the water. Garrett laughed and so did I. He looked at me and raised a brow. "Now, why'd you run off?" he wondered.
I put my hands on my waist. "I didn't 'run off', I was split from you guys."
He nodded along with my words. "I think it's safe to say we were worried. And why not? You're the lost one we found, we feel responsible."
This time, I nodded along. "Well, I could've handled that guy on my own."
He took my hand and pulled me away from the ship to another one three docks down. "I doubt that. But, no matter, it's time to go," he said. The ship was crowded. After we walked on, the crew took the plank off and calls were being made to ready the vessel for sailing. We found his family and Aveline on the other side of the deck. The crew ushered a good amount of people below, leaving the rest-including us-on deck, out of the way. We set sail in a matter of minutes.
"There you are," Leandra said gently. "We thought you were gone."
"Sorry to say, I'm still a thorn in your side," I replied lightly.
She gave a small chuckle. "Hardly a thorn, my dear."
"Where'd you find her?" Bethany asked Garrett.
He shrugged. "Nowhere special. Just wandering around aimlessly."
"We need to stick together. Now is not the time to lose anyone else today," Aveline said solemnly.
The rest of our expressions fell into frowns. Whatever scrap of blissful forgetfulness we could grasp onto was gone, thanks to Aveline. Her words may have been true, but no more depressing words were needed. I separated from them to have some time to gather my thoughts. I leaned on the railing, looking out at sea. Feeling the waves push and pull at the vessel. It was comforting, really. The rocking sensation touched my mind in a place that was gone; a blank space I'd probably never close. Kirkwall would become my new home, my first home. I sighed at the thoughts.
"You alright?" Bethany's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I shrugged. "I guess. I just don't understand any of this."
She touched my shoulder. "I don't think anyone can tell you how to understand something so rare."
I sighed.
"I apologize; I am probably not helping, am I?"
"It's probably better to have someone there, though, rather than be completely alone," I said.
"Yeah, that's true." She paused to look at the water with me. "I'm Bethany, by the way."
I smiled at her, unsure of what to do next. "Erm…"
"That's right. You can't remember your name, can you?"
I shook my head. "I'm empty."
"I doubt that part. I've seen empty and…you are far from empty."
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
She shifted uncomfortably. "We need to come up with a name for you," she said trying to change the subject.
"Well, I-."
She took off back to her family, leaving me alone. I wondered what made her too edgy to answer my question. I took a deep breath and let it leave my mind. I felt another presence behind me when I just got comfortable a few moments later.
"Hey," came Garrett's deep voice.
I faced him, surprised. "Garrett," I said.
He laughed once. "That's a first."
"What?"
"Usually it's only my family that calls me Garrett. Everyone else calls me Hawke," he explained.
"I gather that's your last name," I stated.
He nodded. "Yep. But, you can call me whatever you like." He winked.
I grinned, amused. "Garrett, then," I confirmed. "I thought it would be Bethany to come back."
"Well, we came up with a name and I decided to take it upon myself to give it to you."
"What would that be?" I wondered.
"Grace." He smiled.
"Grace," I repeated. I liked it so I smiled back. "Yeah, it's good."
"I thought so too," he agreed.
"What would it matter though anyway?" I wondered. "We are probably going to split up when we get to Kirkwall."
Garrett frowned thoughtfully, leaning against the railing. "Oh? And, here I thought you'd be a 'thorn in our side'."
"Well…" I glanced away. "I didn't think-."
"That's what I thought," he said proudly. "You are going to be safe with us, Grace."
I smiled at my new name, suddenly feeling like I belonged. "You want me around?"
"I wouldn't mind it." He smirked with a wink.
I tried to hide my flush. "Thank you," I whispered.
I thought he heard me, but said nothing to confirm it. He grabbed my hand and I noticed the warmth it exerted. "Let's go meet the family, Grace." Together we headed back. They were all sitting down, talking about those who didn't make it: Carver and Wesley.
"I don't know what I'm going to do without Wesley here anymore," Aveline admitted. She folded her hands and dropped her head.
"We can't keep dwelling on this, Aveline," Bethany said.
"She's right," Leandra agreed.
"Hawke family and Aveline," Garrett began, "meet Grace. Grace, my family and Aveline."
I waved awkwardly.
Leandra smiled. "You like your name then?"
I nodded.
"You don't have any memories?" Aveline wondered, looking up.
"Not one."
"That's upsetting." She bowed her head again, going back to her sadness.
"You are staying with us then?" Bethany wondered, standing up. She had a look that was like a small child.
I felt Garrett squeeze my hand, as if I'd tell her no. "If you're willing to have someone like me around for a while," I replied.
She took my other hand. "That's great! I've always wondered what it would be like to have a sister."
I was taken aback by her words. They touched me. I had nothing and this family gave me a new life. I felt so grateful. I'd owe them my life for this. Something inside of my chest warmed and I felt a small smile creep up my face. I was startled by the abrupt coolness of the wind on my hand when Garrett released it to put his arm over my shoulder.
I looked up into his confident, glowing eyes. "Don't worry, Grace. I'll help you learn everything basic, we all will. I'll even go the whole way!" he boasted. "I'll give you homework and lectures-the school special."
I chuckled. "I don't think that's necessary."
He bent his head down to my level-a full head down-and smirked. "Perhaps private tutoring is necessary."
"Garrett," Bethany sighed, annoyed. "Have you no shame?"
He smiled at his sister. "None whatsoever!"
We all laughed, even me. I knew he was just flirting, but I found it amusing and I liked it. I was going to enjoy staying with the Hawkes. Bethany would act as my new sister, Leandra would act as my new mother, and Garrett…well, I didn't know yet. At least I didn't have to start off alone.
Eventually, everyone, except me, went down below as the sun set. I stayed up to watch the ocean switch from a light blue hue to a deeper, more royal shade. The activity on the surface decreased overall, but, underneath was a different story. I'd see some large fish jump out of the water, escaping a larger one, just for the beast to capture it between the razor sharp teeth.
"You and your curiosity."
I didn't face the speaker. I could guess who it was. That voice was so recognizable. "I can't help it," I replied.
Sure enough, it was Garrett. He came to stand next to me. "The night has taken us, perhaps you should get some rest. You've had a long day like the rest of us. It would be wise."
I shook my head. "I'm not tired." I pointed out to one of the predators of the ocean. "What's that?"
He squinted, and then grinned. "That's a Great Shark. They are the kings of the seas as long as a Serpent isn't nearby."
"A Serpent."
"Yeah. They are the aquatic cousins to dragons."
"Like Flemeth."
He laughed. "Like Flemeth says. I don't believe it for one second. Aveline said she was a Witch of the Wilds. She even called herself an Apostate like Bethany."
"I don't understand any of that. What's an Apostate?"
He sighed. "Let's save those extensive questions for when we get settled, agreed?"
I pouted and took a deep breath. "Fine." I thought about the many fights that they fought to get us here and one thing popped out. "How can Bethany shoot fireballs out of her hands?"
"She's a mage, one born with the ability to manipulate Lyrium," he said. "Now, Lyrium is a natural mineral found all around Thedas to give a mage her power. With that Lyrium, she can create fire or ice, even illusions if she learned how."
"Incredible," I whispered. "Can you," I gestured with my hands, "shoot fireballs?"
"I'm no mage. Bethany's the only one now. My father, Malcolm Hawke, was a mage. Mother says that magic was already in our blood, and she ended up marrying into even more. Me and Carver never showed any proficiency, so we didn't have to worry about it. But, I can feel something inside." He frowned as he thought about it.
"Garrett?" I said.
He waved it off. "It's nothing. But, I stick with large swords."
"I can see that." I stared at the piece of steel on his back. "So, how long until Kirkwall?"
"I'm not sure." He scratched his head. "I've never left Ferelden. You know, too much excitement there."
"Mmm." I gave a chuckle. "You said your father was a mage. He's no longer alive?"
"No," he said, "He's alive. He just wanted to stay and play with the Darkspawn." He looked at me with great sarcasm to mirror his tone.
"Oh." I stumbled over my thoughts. "Sorry, stupid question."
He smirked, amused. "It's fine. You just walked yourself into that."
"What was he like?" I asked.
"You could never get a straight answer out of the man. Everything was a joke. People say I take after him."
I laughed. "So he was a sarcastic, narcissistic flirt?"
He laughed this time. "Harsh."
"No, just honest."
"People say I'm charming." He stood up straight and proud.
"Oh, I can see it," I said sarcastically.
"What can I say? It's a blessing." He shrugged.
I rolled my eyes, laughing some more. "And these are the times we need to escape that so-called-charm."
He grinned. "Bask in it while you can, sweetheart. I've got other tasks to tend to." He laughed once. "But, don't fret; I'll be here every Tuesday."
Glancing away, I grinned.
"We have to go down below," he said with sudden seriousness.
I gave him a quizzical look. "Why?"
He gestured to the horizon behind me. Black clouds blanketed the sky, making the already dim stars disappear completely. "A storm is coming," he said. Garrett took my hand and dragged me across the deck to the stairs. We went down and swerved past other Fereldens and over them to get to the others. He told them what was coming and we huddled together, bracing ourselves for the storm.
Author's Note:
Well, that was fun. Grace gets to be the new addition. We'll see how she fits as the story goes on, won't we? Chapter three will go up eventually. When? I have absolutely no idea. I hope you guys like this. Please R&R, always love your thoughts, especially if you like this. Until next time…
