Author's Note: I'm not sure to what kind of place I go mentally when I write this, but... I'm sure it is a STRANGE place.


They don't let people in. Bugger that. Of course my family has to state the obvious again. The possibility of me being a foundling becomes more likely by the minute. I watch Bethany, Mother and Aveline arguing over where to go and what to do, and I resist the sudden desire to slit the guard's throat who refuses to let us in. I pull my daggers from my back, when he decides that we might at least talk to his superior, Captain Ewald. Smart lad.

The Gallows is the most ugly thing I've ever seen. Filthy and smelly and... eww. And the people in here reek, too. Disgusting. At least they don't talk much, wouldn't want their breath bothering my nose, too. One gal looks nice, though. I'd definitely take her to my... ship, I guess. I don't even have a bed at the moment.

When I try to leave through the front gate, there's guards who want to keep me back. Needless to say, with Aveline nagging and complaining and my sister refusing to cast spells, I'm on my own for now. No chance in hell I'm gonna kill five guards who are heavily armored. Stupid Kirkwall. I hate it already.

We encounter a woman arguing with a merchant, seems she's on the losing side. I stand in the back, chuckling. Aveline and Bethany glare at me, frowning. Obviously they don't get the joke. I've never met an honest merchant in as long as I can remember. Why be surprised that he cheats his customers? He should get a reward for doing it nicely, the woman's still alive, isn't she? I leave him to his business, walking around the carts and boxes he's got piled up. In the back, I open one of them when he isn't looking. Pff. Heavy armor. Might fit Aveline, though.
"I'm not going to wear stolen goods, don't even ask!" Fine then, suit yourself, Templar broad.

I find the Gallows rather boring. I can't steal from people -not that they have much-, I can't fight the guards, since I'll be all alone, and looting isn't as much fun as I figured it would be. Why steal something if no one wants to wear it? My frustration grows, and I start playing with my daggers, while talking to the annoyingly smart-ish Captain Ewald. I need a fight. Or a roll in the hay. Or both. Both, yes, that would be preferable.

* * * * * * *

Haha, the stupid deserters actually dare to attack us. We make short work of them, and Bethany actually manages to cast a spell or two. She must have a death-wish. She knows there's mage hunters everywhere! Oh well, I at least enjoy myself while jumping from one opponent to the next, lunging at them with all my weight, pummeling them to the ground. Nothing makes you feel more alive.

The flaming bastard of a Captain still won't let us in, even though we've jsut saved his lazy ass. He wasn't much help in this fight, and I'm sure it would be too easy to send him flying down the stairs, but the girls send me that look again, and I'm not too eager to send their wrath my way. So I shut up and let him go. He'll be back, he says. With Gamlen. Sure he will, when the Void starts sending inhabitants back. Blasted bastard.

* * * * * * *

Of course we wait for naught. The Captain doesn't come back, and we are so bored we actually start playing strip poker. Aveline's no good at it, which gives me all the more pleasure.
"Stop looking so smug."
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this! What pleasure do you get from looking at your sister?!" Oh, I get pleasure alright. But not the kind I have in mind. Maybe it's time to let the girls off the hook. Aveline in her underwear makes me slightly uncomfortable. But only because mother is around and stares at at unbelievingly.

When Gamlen's not back after two days, I decide that strip poked isn't enough, and I go to check out the redhaired girl I saw when we arrived. Maybe she'd like some company. I'm in luck. The girl's an easy one. Promise to get her into town, promise her love and devotion, and she's all yours. And I didn't even have to pay. Ha. I never pay.

After all of two hours of almost busting our heads in her small cart, I go back to mother and the others, smiling widely. Of course, Aveline notices the difference in my strut and glares at me so. Flaming swords, she best keep her mouth shut in front of mother!
"It was a nice visit, I take it?"
"Wonderful. We picked flowers, painted the walls, and afterwards she asked me to move in with her."
"What are you two talking about? Who painted walls?"
"No one, Bethany. I'm just being silly."
"As usual."
"I..." Sisters. Sometimes you want to hit them. Or take them. Or both.

TO BE CONTINUED.