Chapter 9 Part 1
Party:Hawke, Carver, Bethany and Varric
"The human sacrifice has now been chosen?" The hooded figure questioned their maid as she broke the news.
"Yes. The girl is a child of two mages. And was apprenticed to a Person/Spirit corrupted mage. She is a virgin and has only recently become of age. Finally, she is of noble blood" The brown haired woman stated proudly, amused at the accomplishment, confidence rising at every fact that she could state.
"And who was it that had decided this was the girl that was to be sacrificed?" The hooded figure drummed their hands together, showing the tip of their silver ring on their right hand.
"One of the Hunters, your highness. However, I was the one to go and exam-" The woman begun to realise that she was a little ahead of herself, quickly trying to redeem herself, she was cut off.
"Who are you, though? Who are you to decide what is and is not acceptable? Am I not the one that has to make the final decision?"
"Yes, your High-"
"So why is that I am now being told that the sacrifice has been chosen? I have not decided that any such human has yet fit my needs" keeping calm, the hooded figure stated, keeping their composure under wraps quite cleanly.
"Your Highness… You have been so busy th-"
"I want you to leave this room. I want you to leave this room and knock again. We are going to have this conversation, again. But this time, you're going to approach it much better than you had previously"
The woman did just that. She walked out of the door and closed the door behind her. When this is over and done with… The woman thought to herself, trailing off and shaking off her despairs as she took a very deep breath. The woman turned around, clenched her hands in to a fist and…
Knock knock.
"Enter" the hooded figure called.
"Your highness, I have reason to believe that we have found a suitable candidate for the human sacrifice. When you are prepared, provisions will be made for you to visit said person, provided that you make the request in advance" The woman in the maids' outfit spoke through gritted teeth.
…
"Don't look at me" Carver glanced at Varric from the corner of his eye, feeling Varric looking at him whilst on their way back to the city.
"What's the problem, Little Hawke?" Varric asked, with his cool demeanour oozing as per usual.
"Don't call me… Just don't, alright? You're just looking for fodder for your stories"
"You think you're that interesting?" Varric's eyebrows rose as he looked at the male Hawke.
"I have enough trouble being overshadowed as it is. I don't need to be caught under an imaginary me, as well" Carver glanced at his eldest sister. Almost feeling a sense of fury as her figure met with his eyes.
"Don't you worry. I'm not in the business of lullabies or children's stories" Varric patted the young man's arm as he spoke. Knowing the comment slightly hit a nerve. "Let's go for a drink later. Today's been a long da-"
"Y-you guys… I think we have trouble" Merrill's sweet Dalish accent cut through the men's conversation.
A group of five hooded mercenaries walked towards the group, faces unable to be seen as their hoods obscured their faces.
"What do you want?" Hawke stepped forward, vigilantly ready to defend her family and friends.
"Let us take the girl. And we will leave peacefully" The first of the hooded mercenaries pulled out his duel knives, showing pure intention to kill.
"Ma'abelas. Me?" Merrill asked, rather confused.
"No. The other girl" The second mercenary stated.
Everyone turned to look at Bethany, everyone in the group giving her their own 'What on Earth did you do' look.
"No. You cannot have her" Hawke stood in front of her sister, arms out; blocking all forward advances.
"Listen. I suggest you move out of the way. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone here" The third Mercenary spoke, making his way in front of his own group of five. The soft voice sounded familiar to Carver, causing him to question his own judgment.
"Do I know you?" Carver asked. Hawke stood on Carver's foot, making it evident she was not amused by the question he just asked.
"We want no trouble" The Third Mercenary continued "If you send her peacefully, nobody will be harmed"
"Sister, just let me go" Bethany tapped Alice's arm whilst stepping forward to be apprehended. "I'll be fine" Bethany's eyes glowed red, embedded with the majestic powers she had bestowed to her at birth. Hawke smiled at her younger sister, knowing that she will be fine.
"Take her. But if you harm her, I will kill you" Hawke eased, everyone glaring at her with questionable eyes.
"WHAT? YOU'RE GOING TO JUST LET THEM TAKE YOUR SISTER?" Carver was furious and instantly started shouting at his big sister, Carver lifted his hand to strike Hawke.
"Carver, stop it" Bethany firmly said, whilst her arms were being wrapped in magic-blocking chains.
Carver flinched his hand away, realising who it was he was raising his hand to.
"Goodbye, I will see you soon" Bethany said. She then turned around and walked with the Mercenaries that apprehended her. Her face filled with darkness as she was taken away.
"Bethany…" Hawke whispered. She knew her little sister could hold her own, but breaking this to her mother was a completely different story. Their mother had a way of making the situation worse by planting ideas into her head.
Ma'Abelas = I'm sorry.
