Ch.8
I would like to thank dominicgrim for being my beta.
Marian found herself in the Gallows and thankfully not for processing magical talent. She had found some letters to a man called Tobrius. He was mage here and go-between for someone her father was writing to. Hopefully he was still alive. She had Fenris with her at least. He looked up when they reached the courtyard at the statues of slaves and Tevinter Magisters. "I've heard of the Circle outside Tevinter. I find it hard to believe, but in the end I see no oppression her, just prevention." Marian shrugged as if saying: I suppose your right.
Fenris gave her an odd look, as if he was expecting her to glare or storm off, "You agree with me?" Marian nodded. It was the best she could do since she didn't have an ink and quill on her. Carrying around ink was just asking for it to break inside her pack and ruin any haul thing she was carrying. "Whatever your opinion is it still wise for you to be here?" Marian gestured to all the mages in the courtyard, too many for the Templars to be able to sense her. For good measure she left her staff at home and only had her daggers. Fenris nodded followed her while she searched for this Tobrius fellow.
"Young Lady, come here," an old man called. She raised an eyebrow, but did as the old man asked. He looked her over, and settled on her face particularly. "I know you, you are a Hawke. You look just like Malcolm, except for your eyes. You have the mother's eyes. Don't look so surprised young one, I see not just the physical resemblance, but mere presence. Your father had that, but I have prattled on long enough. What is someone with your particular talents doing waking into the Lion's den?" Marian handed him the letters. He took them and she handed him a sip of paper. It said: I case you were wondering? My name is Marian Hawke. Tobruis smiled, and left to get the letters. Fenris looked at her and then to the Mage who left.
"What do you intend to do while we wait?" Marian looked around the courtyard and frowned. She found a shady spot and sat down. She patted the spot next to her, "I rather just stand," Fenris said as he leaned against the wall. Marian shrugged, and watched the Templars and mages mill about with their daily routine. They watched for about an hour before a scene was caused by a young woman with blond hair and green eyes. She walked up straight to the Knight-Captain was he walked into courtyard.
"Knight-Captain, please do you know where my brother is? I tried asking his friends, but they won't speak to me." She sounded frustrated and on the verge of tears.
The Knight-Captain, Cullen… if Marian remembered right, sighed, "Keran is very busy right now and cannot be interrupted while he is on duty. I am sorry, but you'll wait until he is off-duty." The woman almost broke down as she was turned away. Marian got up and walked to her. Something was off about the way the Knight-Captain spoke. It was a clear lie, perhaps Keran was dead or in prison. No, it seemed like there was more to this. She approached the woman as she walked toward the exit. She gently tapped the woman's shoulder. "Oh, hello, what do you need serrah?" the woman said with a sniffle. Marian pulled out her roll of paper slips and leafed through them and handed her a small slip.
How can I help?
"I… I… don't know, the templars won't say anything to me. Every time I try to ask about Keran, they turn me away. Maybe you can get them to talk. I don't have much, but I'll pay you what I can." Marian nodded and patted the woman gently and walked off to find the recruits. Fenris approached her.
"The old mage saw that you were taking to the girl. He asked that I give these to you. I assume that you are going to help her find her brother." Marian nodded and took the papers and folded them a put them in her bag. "You are a very strange mage to help find a Templar." Marian shrugged and gestured for him to follow and they were off to find the recruits.
…
Bethany was sitting at the table in Varric's suite when Garrett and Isabella walked in. They actually seemed pretty smug. The first thing she noticed was that hanging from Garrett's belt was a cutlass. It was light, made to be quick and easy to swing. Bethany raised an eyebrow. "Did you go and do a little swashbuckling brother?"
He tilted his head back and laughed, "A little. I think the sword suits me don't you think." Bethany had noticed how seemed to give Garrett a little more swagger when he walked with one hand one the pommel.
She shrugged, "Where were you too?" Isabela smirked.
"Wouldn't you like to know sweet thing. Perhaps we were in my room for a tumble." Bethany blushed fiercely.
"Oh… I didn't mean to imply… Oh, look there is Marian and Fenris." Bethany was grateful that the elf and her sister showed up when they did. Otherwise she would have to deal with Isabela and her lude comments.
Garrett looked Marian, "Where were you all day."
Fenris answered for Marian, "We went to the Gallows to track down a lead of sorts."
Garrett's eyes widened, "You went to the Gallows?" Bethany's own reaction bordered on shock and little awe at her sister's recklessness. Marian waved her hand and jerked her thumb toward Fenris as if saying: Don't worry, I wasn't alone. She showed Garrett the papers she received. Garrett read through them until he reached the last one. "That is interesting. You plan to show these to our little brother. Speaking of which, where did he wonder off to?"
Varric who had been sitting at the head of his table the entire time spoke up, "Junior is in Hightown, I am sure you can guess where?"
Bethany frowned, the way her brother was acting more and more brash worried her. Garrett sighed and Marian mirrored her frown. They were all getting tired of Carver's attitude and habits. They hadn't the time to fully address the issue while trying to put enough coin together for the expedition.
"We'll have to talk to him when he comes home. Perhaps those letters you found will help improve his mood."
"How does what Marian found affect Carver?" she asked. All she got from her elder brother was a smile.
"I guess you'll just to wait and see," Bethany scowled and looked at her sister who shrugged. Marian pulled out a slip of paper and handed to Garrett. "Missing Templars… eh, I suppose if the coin is good we'll look into it." Marian nodded in confirmation, "Alright then, we will head out to the campsite in the morning after I'll show Carver what you found." Marian gave an amused snort, Good luck.
Fenris who had been holding the cards Varric had just dealed, called out, "Are we actually going to play or we going to discuss your brother all night?"
Varric looked around, "I don't know about you, but talking about your brother is making me think about my brother. So if we get started, that would be great. What do you say Isabela?"
"Hmmm, sorry Varric I wasn't paying attention." Isabela said as she picked up her cards.
"What were you thinking about?" Bethany asked.
"Well, I was staring at your elder brother and sister, and was thinking about what it would be like to be sandwiched betwe…"
Bethany covered her ears, "La, La, La, I am not listening. Let just get the game going shall we." Isabela gave Bethany a playful smile and picked up her cards.
…
Carver managed to stumble his way to Lowtown without incident, and fell into his bunk. Garrett decided to wake him up early. Carver grumbled and wearily got out of bed. After a few minutes Carver got his greatsword and began to polish the rust spots that had accumulated where the oil dried off. Garrett came back in the room and sat down in the chair across from him and waited for him to finish. Carver sheathed the massive blade and leaned against the wall. "Marian found something that might interest you yesterday." Garrett handed him the papers. Carver snatched them and began going through the papers. Just mage stuff he thought until he saw who father was writing to. Ser Marevar Carver. "Carver," he said involuntarily.
Garrett let out a small chuckle, "Yep, he allowed Father to escape with mother, to have a life of his own beyond the walls of the Gallows."
"Have we met a Templar that isn't a total prick?" Carver watched his brother chuckle.
"Well…" he said.
Carver shook his head, "So Father saw worth in a swordsman?"
"Apparently, but he also saw the Templar's function as a necessary one as well. There are mages who abuse their power and harm others." Garrett sighed, "We were planning on having a big intervention on your recent behavior. I convinced our sisters to let me talk to you alone instead. You weren't the only one who didn't understand why father had to spend so much time with Marian and Bethy. I think is it why I got in so much trouble. I wanted his attention as much as you. We both spent our lives protecting the three of them, but there were times when I felt bitter like you." Carver was a little surprised, Garrett never seemed to be angry about magic and how it stole their lives. "It wasn't until went into Father's study one day. I saw a book on demons and procession. I read it and began to understand a little why Father had train Marian and Bethany so much. I know you've been told this a bunch of times, but they have to be on guard their entire lives. Father admitted to me once that he wished he had more time to be with you and me, but he needed to be able to know if something happened to him that Marian and Bethany had the knowledge they needed not to fall to the Chantry or the Fade. He also hoped that you and I would support them best we could, but also hoped that we could make our own way one day." Garrett got up and left the room leaving Carver to his thoughts.
His brother's admission confused him. He still felt overshadowed, but he thought that perhaps magic isn't entirely to blame. He got up and strapped on his greatsword and walked out the door.
