Hey guys, been meaning to upload this Chapter since Monday but I picked up Uncharted 3 and it consumed my life for a while
Hightown Market, Day
Bartand, the Dwarf leading the expedition to the Deep Roads, was not a pleasant man to be around, he was almost always cursing and make references to love making, sometimes both simultaneously. His new expedition had drawn a lot of people willing to risk the danger to make a profit, some others had also shown interest in setting up their own expeditions; but Bartand had connections to the Carta and soon those 'others' lost interest in their own expeditions.
But when Garrett and Bethany Hawke had found Bartand in the Hightown Marketplace, Bartand had had enough of people trying to get in on his expedition. He was telling anyone who tired to get a job, "I already got enough people on this job, even rented a girl from the Blooming Rose for my personal use, go away."
Sure enough, Bartand had pulled the same line on the Hawke siblings, but that had not driven them off, now they were following him through the Marketplace still trying to convince him. "NO! Andraste's tits human! You know how many humans wanna hire on to this expedition" Bartand was saying as Garrett and Bethany followed him, turning to give a quick look to her brother Bethany said.
"But your going into the Deep Roads, surely you'll need all the help you can get," Bartand scowled replying "No! Your too late, already done, this is the sort of venture that can set a man for life, I'm not gonna take any chances hiring random humans" as he turned to face them once again. Garrett quickly took the chance to talk again saying "my sister and I have fought and killed Darkspawn before, how many of your Sellswords and workers can say the same." Bartand just scowled again saying "Half of Kirkwall wants to be my best friend right now, let me guess... your looking for a quick way out of the slums right? You and every Ferelden stuck here, find another meal ticket."
Then turning before Bethany or Garrett could say anything else, Bartand left and went about his business. Leaving the crowded Marketplace and finding a bench to sit down Bethany turned towards her brother saying "what are we going to do, this expedition was our last chance and our savings won't last forever, odd jobs here and there can't sustain us forever."
"Hey, we made a name for ourselves this last year, we'll find something don't worry" Garrett said. Bethany looked worried then stood up and said "we have to, we need the coin or the status... anything we can hide behind, as long as we're just another pair of Ferelden refugees we're no one." Garrett, standing as well and waving for Bethany to walk with him replied "I don't like saying this, but... maybe Gamlen can help us, he's the reason we've been here for a year! But, he's lived here a lot longer than any of us, only he can help us here." Bethany nodded as she followed her brother saying "he got us into Kirkwall and I... we've been safe here so far, we might as well ask otherwise I don't know what we'll do." Putting his hand reassuringly on his sister's shoulder he lead both of them towards Lowtown saying "it'll work out, don't worry."
As the Hawke siblings made their way out of the Hightown Marketplace and turned, a young boy with a simple vest and undershirt with trousers bumped into Garrett then muttered a quick apology and moved on. That was weird... wait... damn itthought Garrett as he walked then put a hand on were he usually carried his money pouch. Feeling that his money pouch was gone Garrett quickly turned around and shouted "hey! Get back here," the boy was still walking but when he heard Garrett shout he broke into a run. Bethany followed her older brother as he chased the boy back into the Marketplace and around a corner as Garrett got almost nine ft behind the boy.
Garrett was still running after the boy, when suddenly an arrow hit the boy's shirt and pinned him to a wall. Garrett was stunned at the shot, then a strange Dwarf with brown hair and with no beard came walking to the pinned boy holding a unique crossbow.
Smirking, the strange Dwarf holstered his crossbow as he reached the pinned boy saying "you know I once knew a guy who could take all the coin out your pockets just by smiling at you." Holding out his hand the Dwarf waited as the pinned boy slowly handed him Garrett's pouch, holding the pouch in one hand he continued "but you, you don't have the style or skill to work Hightown, let alone the Merchant's Guild."
Finally the Dwarf said "little advise, might find yourself a new line of work" then punched the boy, unpinning him from the wall and knocking him out. Pulling out the arrow from the wall and plucking off the piece of the boy's shirt from it, he placed the arrow in his pocket then turned and tossed Garrett's pouch back to him. Catching his pouch with his right hand Garrett studied the strange Dwarf causally walking towards him as if he saved people's money by pinning thieves to walls with his crossbow on a daily basis.
"How do you do, Varric Tethras at your service. I apologize for my brother Bartand, he wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit him square in the jaw" the Dwarf said to the Hawke siblings. "And you would?" Garrett replied studying Varric, he wore a brown coat with matching gloves, a red with gold lining undershirt, a dark pair of trousers, he had an earring on each ear and bronze necklace of sorts. "I would, what me dear brother doesn't seem to realize is that we need someone like you, he's too proud to admit it but we do, I however ammuch more practical" replied Varric smirking.
Crossing his arms as Bethany studied Varric, Garrett said "I take it your part of Bartand's expedition." "That's right, traveling down to the Deep Roads wouldn't normally be thing... but I can't just let the head of my family head there all alone. As you can imagine I have more than a passing interest in this expedition's success," Varric causally replied unperturbed by being studied by both Garrett and Bethany within three minutes.
Uncrossing his arms and assuming a more casually stance Garrett asked "what's makes you so certain we can help you, you know nothing or very little about us?" "Actually I know a bit more than you think, you've made quite a name for yourself this pass year; the Coterie's been squeezing out smugglers left and right, and the only real group to survive owes all to you and about two others. Especially what's happened lately, now that's what got attention, one of Athenril's best men leaving her service and doing relatively well once out... the name Hawkeis on many lips these days. I gotta say, not bad for a Ferelden practically fresh of the boat."
Doing relatively well once out... people don't see how bad it really is, only lasted this long because of savings and Tomwise's discounts thought Garrett as he considered Varric's words concerning him, then noticed something about those words. "What exactly have you heard about my sister, Bethany" Garrett asked, a mask of calm and causal on the outside but unnerved and worried on the inside. "Only a little, she's certainly welcome to come but I'll leave that business up to you" Varric replied shrugging at the question. Bethany, understanding her brother's concern, turned to brother saying "frankly I'd rather you take all the credit."
Varric smiled then did a humorous shake of the head saying "madam! Your secret is safe with me." Narrowing his eyes slightly, Garrett said "Seems like your going awfully far out of your way just hire another guard," Varric smirked slightly like that was what he wanted Garrett to ask the entire time. "We don't need another guard we have plenty of those, what we need is a partner, you see the truth is my brother Bartand's been practically tearing his beard out just trying to fund this expedition, he can't do it. But perhaps you can, invest in the expedition, fifty Sovereigns and he can't refuse you, not with me there to vouch for you." This is a man who's done a lot of business deals thought Garrett as he replied to Varric, "your brother doesn't really seem the kind to willing split profits, at least not fairly."
"My brother is many things, but he's not stupid, far better to share the profits than be trapped in the Deep Roads with a thousand Darkspawn between you and the exit, trust me, he'll come around" Varric replied smirking at Garrett's earlier response. "One thing still bothering me, why would stick your neck for a complete stranger" Garrett asked as he thought about the expedition. "Simply, I'd rather work with someone with your reputation than head into the Deep Roads unprepared and besides we'd be partners,I'm willing to put a little trust in if you are."
"It sounds good, really good, but if I had coin like that I wouldn't need a job like this" Garrett said as Bethany chuckled behind him understanding the irony of it. Varric, smirking again as though that was exactly what he wanted Garrett to say, answered almost immediately.
"You need to think big here, there's only a brief window after a Blight's end that the Deep Roads are relatively safe to travel." Looking at Bethany, Varric continued "the treasure you find down there could set you and your family up for life" he knowsthought Garrett frustrated. Bethany, getting the hint that Varric was pointing out, spoke before her brother could say anything, "it won't be easy, but it's a chance, I really think we have to take it, better to join this expedition than sit around and wait to be thrown in the Gallows."
Varric no longer smirking but smiling said "we'll work together, before you know it we'll have all the capital you'll need, what do you say?" "What makes you think you can help me get the coin for this investment" Garrett replied wondering how they could possibly make fifty sovereigns when odd jobs had only barely sustained him and his family these last couple of weeks. "I know everyone in this city worth knowing, trust me when I say I can help you find the jobs you need for this" Varric said then pointed at his crossbow saying "and if not for that then there's always Bianca."
Bethany raised her eyebrow saying "you named your crossbow," to which Varric replied "and why not, she's a beauty, aren't you sweetheart," as he rubbed Bianca affectionately. That's a little strange thought Bethany as she asked "explain something to me, there might not even be anything down there but Darkspawn and old ruins, how can Bartand be sure to make a profit?" Varric did that smirk again, the one he did when Garrett asked certain questions, then replied "well Bartand and I are just grasping a strings, we're operating on some good information.
Some of the Thaigs in the Deep Roads are so old that even us Dwarfs have forgotten them, we just need to get down there, Bartand will lead the way from there, the rest of us are just there to deal with any problems along the way."
"Not to look down on this offer, but your asking us to take a lot of this on faith" Garrett asked Varric, this guy's smooth, not sure if that' good or bad for us yet Garrett thought as he spoke. Varric shrugged saying "your asking for a guarantee I can't honestly give you one," then lowering his voice so only Bethany and Garret could hear he continued "I know the Templars have been asking questions, especially since your former boss isn't helping with your family issue anymore. How bad would it really be to get out of the city for awhile. If this all works out you'll rich enough you can get in enough pockets that the order won't touch your family, you need the coin and I need your help; we need each other, I can't make it sound any better than that."
"Alright I see your point, you've got a deal Varric" Garrett said as he extended his hand, "prefect" replied the Dwarf as he took Garrett's hand and shook it. "Kirkwall's crawling with work, you set aside some coin from every job and you'll have the money in no time" Varric said letting go of Garrett's hand. "Let's say tomorrow we meet up at the Hanged Man at noon and see what we can find" Varric said walking off. Then continuing on their way to Gamlen's house in Lowtown the Hawke siblings wondered what lay in store of them in the near future.
Upon entering Gamlen's home and playing another game of chess to pass the time till Gamlen,Leandra, and Kane returned from one of the five banks of Kirkwall, Bethany thought the time was right. "Do you remember what Gamlen said about the estate" Bethany asked as she took her brother's Queen with her Knight and watch as her brother countered by moved his Bishop, putting her King in check.
As Bethany moved her King to safety Garrett replied "yes, he wouldn't tell mother who owns it know." "I found out who owns the estate" Bethany replied as Garrett moved his other Bishop, gotta be careful none of my pawns are protecting my King only my Queen protects him nowshe thought. Raising his eyebrow Garrett asked "and how did you learn that information."
Bethany looked a little ashamed saying "when Gamlen was drunk and still suffering from his hangover I took the advantage to annoying him to tell me the truth." Garrett frowned saying "that's wasn't how I would've done it but still... who owns it now," as he moved his Knight close to Bethany's king but not putting it in check.
Taking a quick breath Bethany answered "a slaver, Gamlen bet the estate on a game of dice when he lost almost all his money, he lost and the slaver got the deed then kicked him out. Now our ancestral home is now a base for slavers all of Thedas." "How could Gamlen let that happen!" Garrett said angered that Slavers were using his family's estate for their base.
"I think there's a reason Mother never talked about him much. Seriously though, those Slavers have no right to our family's things, we should brake in there, get the Will for Mother. I already talked to Mother about this, they probably guard the front entrance well." Bethany noticed that her brother didn't seem to like this plan so far but continued anyway.
"But Mother gave me her old key, she said it should unlock the cellar. Apparently the sewers run right beneath the house."
Nodding Garrett thought about it then said "okay we'll do it tonight," "great" Bethany replied as she went back to making a move. The moment Bethany finished her move, Garrett moved his Rook saying "that's Checkmate," sure enough Bethany's King was cornered with her Queen on the wrong side of her king, and with Garrett's last Knight and two Bishops stopping her king from escaping her brother's Rook.
Sighing Bethany stood up saying "you always win, play Tomwise or Worthy again, I'm tired of losing" then left to rest for the events to come. "But Tomwise and Worthy already said they wouldn't play me anymore," Garrett said confused at no one wanting to play him Chess anymore. It's just Chess thought Garrett as his sister ignored his comment and went to her room.
Darktown, night
Garrett stood with Bethany in a lower level of Darktown just outside the underground passage into the Amell estate cellar. "No going back from here" Garrett said as he and his sister studied the door "we need to do this, for Mother, for ourselves" Bethany said as Garrett nodded. Together they entered and Garrett quietly unsheathed his weapons as Bethany got her Staff ready just in case.
Walking forward and turning to a staircase they saw their first Slaver. The Slaver shouted "hey!' then charged forward with a Battleax, Bethany used Winter's Grasp and slowed the Slaver down. Covered with Ice and struggling to move, the Slaver dropped his weapon as Garrett rushed and cut his throat with a slash from his Longsword. Falling to the ground the Slaver's skin made a soft sound of Ice cracking. "Good one" Garrett said to his sister as they climbed the stairs, only to hear some more Slavers moving towards them from upstairs.
The noise we made thought Garrett as he readied himself, "aren't we gonna go up" Bethany asked as he stood his ground midway though the stairs. "Close combat leaves a certain nonlethal and silent spell very usefully" Garrett replied as Bethany nodded with understanding and moved right behind her brother's Shield. Suddenly three Slavers with various weapons started running down the stairs to Garrett and Bethany.
Extending her Staff over her brother's head Bethany used a quick Mind Blast on the charging trio. All three Slavers were stunned from the invisible force that hit them and leaving strange fuzziness in their heads. Garrett rushed up the stairs, slashing the first Slaver's throat with his Longsword, then slamming his Shield into the second Slaver's face knocking him out. Moving to the third Slaver as the man regained enough sense to stab at Garrett with his knife only to be blocked by Garrett's Shield then stabbed in the heart by Garrett's Longsword.
As he pulled his Longsword free from the third Slaver and signaled for Bethany to cover the upstairs as he went to finish off the second Slaver knocked out. Finishing off the second Slaver and moving up to rejoin Bethany upstairs. The upstairs was clear, guess those three Slavers were the only Guards down herethought Garrett as he noticed a table where the three Slavers had been drinking before hearing the noise from downstairs. Looking around in the storerooms while Bethany scouted the hallway leading to the entrance to the Amell vault; Garrett noticed something.
That's something Bethany would like, she looks similar to Mother when she was younger, wow thought Garrett as he picked up the painting and stored it in his carrying pouch hooked on his belt. Moving to regroup with Bethany again, Garrett took the lead and together they walked through the hallway into former Amell Wine storage.
As they began to move through it, Garrett heard footsteps and saw a Slaver wearing Tevinter robes carrying a staff followed by two other Slavers walking down the steps from the Vault. "So your the ones making all the noise, killing my workers I see" the Slaver with the Tevinter robes said eying Garrett's bloodstained Longsword. The Slaver with the Tevinter robes stopped midway towards the center and continued speaking with his guards behind him. "Did that Bastard Gamlen put you up to this? I knew I should slip his throat after kicking up out of this house."
Then the Slaver with Tevinter robes grabbed his staff stepped back with his guards then waved the staff. A clicking sound went off and Garrett knew Slaver Mage activated a trap near them. Green vapor steamed up from the floor, burning up Garrett's eyes, Nostrils, and Throat as he looked, the Slaver Mage started to cast a spell as one of his guards, an Archer, drew his bow and nocked an arrow.
Gotta raise my shield thought Garrett as he started to raise his shield but in his heart he knew he couldn't do it in time. He saw the Archer pulling the arrow back ready to shoot Garrett in the Neck as the arrow ignited with fire, the Slaver Mage had cast Flaming Weapons. Suddenly a green Fist made of Stone came rushing toward the Archer, hitting him directly in the chest, causing him to fly back and drop his arrow.
Bethany! Thought Garrett as he turned, almost falling from the vapor, to his sister behind him. Bethany had her staff out as well with a glowing light blue field surrounding her, Arcane Shield! it's absorbing most of the Vapor thought Garrett as he saw her. Then Bethany turned to her brother quickly then raised her stuff causing a green light to appear from it, instantly Garrett could see clearly again and could breath again, Healthought Garrett. Knowing it wouldn't last long Garrett rushed over to Slavers side of the Wine room where the green vapor wasn't, he attacked the second guard with a Battleax now on fire with the Slaver Mage's magic.
The Slaver Mage, whom had been stunned at the sight of Bethany being Mage as well, now went back into action as Bethany ran out of the Green Vapor. The Archer got back up and threw a dagger at Bethany, but it just bounced off her Arcane Shield. Bethany responded to the Archer by unleashing Spirit Bolt at him, striking him in the chest, forcing him down once again. Stunned for the time being Bethany used Winter's Grasp on him, finishing him; taking a quick moment to check on the Slaver Mage and her brother Garrett.
Garrett was able to stand his ground against the Slaver Mage and the Slaver with the Battleax, but not much else, Garrett was keep his distance from the flaming Battleax and from the Slaver Mage's magic. Using his Shield to block an downward slash from the flaming Battleax and moving so as to not allow the Slaver Mage a free shot.
Bethany saw what was happening thinking need to even the playing field thought Bethany, shouting "here!" to her brother as she raised her Staff casting Elemental Weapons. Bethany's Staff glowed, channeling it's base elemental power to her brother's Longsword and Shield, enchanting them with Ice Magic.
Hearing his sister's shout Garrett quickly noticed the Ice Magic surrounding his Longsword and Shield, smiling Garrett stopped defending and attacked. The Slaver slashed his Flaming Battleax only to blocked by Garrett's Longsword, the air sizzled around them as Flame Magic collided with Ice Magic.
Bethany made the mistake of watching her brother a couple of moments too long, the Slaver Mage, gone unnoticed by either of the Hawke Siblings, shot a hurried Fireball at Bethany. Luckily Bethany's Arcane Shield protected her, the spell absorbed most of the attack, mainly the fire, but the force of it still pushed Bethany three feet causing her to fall as the Arcane Shield fizzled out of existence.
Angry at the Slaver Mage for hitting Bethany, Garrett almost left the Slaver with the Battleax to fight the Mage, only to be stopped as the flaming Battleax barely missed his face by an inch. Slamming his Shield on the side of the Flaming Battleax almost causing the Slaver to drop it as the air sizzled again, taking the opportunity, Garrett stabbed the Slaver in the stomach with his Longsword. Then pulling his Longsword free as the Slaver dropped the Battleax because of it's weight he slashed the the Slaver across the chest, the Slavers body fell to the floor with icy wound covering him.
As Garrett had been finishing that Slaver, Bethany had been barely surviving using what was left of her Mana to block the Slaver Mage's spells. Garrett rushed the Slaver Mage, causing him to aim a spell at Garrett, sending a quick shot of Flame Magic at Garrett. Blocking the shot with his Shield enchanted with Ice Magic causing another sizzle in the air Garrett didn't stop moving forward.
Then within reach of Slaver Mage he slashed his Longsword before the Slaver Mage could cast another spell. Stepping back the Slaver Mage watched in horror as his Staff was cut in half by the slash from Garrett's Longsword. Then slashing his Longsword in the opposite way of the first, Garrett cut the Slaver Mage's throat open. The Slaver Mage fall down on the first steps to the Amell Vault, dead, still clutching his broken Staff.
Going back to his sister and helping her get up, Garrett asked "Bethany are you okay" concerned. "I'm fine, just tired from using so much Magic" Bethany replied looking a bit haggard as she stood on her own. "Yeah, never had to fight another Mage before, always knew having Magic on our side made a world of difference but never thought I'd be on the other side of it" Garrett replied. "Looks like that Green Vapor ran out" Bethany said looking behind them, then noticed she never dispelled Elemental Weapons, Bethany waved her hand in an upward motion.
The Ice Magic enchanting Garrett's Longsword and Shield faded away into nothing, "thanks for everything Bethany" Garrett said grinning as he remembered all Bethany had done to keep the fight balanced. Protecting herself from the Vapor, healing him so he could escape the Vapor and given him enchanted weapons to match the Slavers.
Allowing Bethany to take a short rest, Garrett cleaned his Longsword, Bethany's not really used to fighting people and using her Magic this much, she's handled it very well considering. Maybe I should find a way to give her a break from all this thought Garrett as he finished cleaning his Longsword and studied Bethany resting. "Alright, let's look in the Vault" said Bethany after her two minute rest, together Garrett and Bethany Hawke walked up the stairs and opened the Vault with their Mother's old key. Stepping inside the Amell Vault, the first thing Garrett noticed was how little the Vault held.
It was obvious that the Vault can, and indeed had held much more, but now the Slavers and Gamlen had stripped must of the Amell Vault's treasures and sold them. Bethany noticing the same thing frowned looking around the room, "so little left" she said as her brother put his hand on her shoulder saying "come one, let's find the will. After searching through a couple of cabinets and two chest they finally found the the Will in a chest in the left corner of the Vault. Picking up the will and unfolding it, the Hawke Siblings read the Will together, and both grew annoyed at Gamlen's lies.
Then noticing something else in the chest Garrett looked at the other contents. Inside was a lot of Coin, crouching down to count the money, Garrett noticed Bethany still holding the Will, staring at him with a confused look on her face. "There's twenty one Sovereign in here" Garrett said as Bethany continued staring at him. "Is it right to just take that money" Bethany asked, thinking for a small moment Garrett replied "this is money taken from Slavery, the Slaves are all gone. If the Slaves were still here I'd free them and give them this coin." Garrett said clearly angry at the thought of Slavery. Garrett continued with a hint of anger "the Slavers here stripped our family Vault and used our family estate as a base for the work." "I think we have the right to use this to help our Family" Garrett finished, putting the coin in the carrying pouch and standing up.
Bethany though for a moment then agreed with her brother, "wait what about the dead Slavers" Bethany asked taking a look back into the Wine room outside the Vault. "Their Slavers" Garrett said coldly, then continuing "the Free Marches are at peace with the Tevinter Imperium, Slavery is legal there but everyone hates that it exist there. The City Guard won't mind some dead Slavers, even in Kirkwall" Garrett finished as he walked forward saying "ready to go?"
"Yeah, let's go" Bethany said, then together they stepped out of the Vault, ignored the entrance to the rest of the estate and began the walk back into Darktown.
Lowtown, later that night
Just outside the entrance to Gamlen's home
Garrett pulled out the key to Gamlen's house and open the front door "it's really lately, we should bring this up in the morning, for now let's just go to bed" Garrett said as Bethany nodded. Entering Gamlen's house and locking the front door, Bethany and Garrett went to their respective bed, Bethany's being the room she shared with their mother. Garrett's being the space in the living room where Garrett had a pillow and blanket on the floor, once they were settled in they slept.
Mourning
After getting up and taking a bath, like always the first to do so, and eating breakfast while the rest of the Hawke/Amell family started to join Garrett at the breakfast table. Bethany sat to the far right of him, Leandra sat straight in front of him and Gamlen sat to the left of Leandra, Kane was sitting next to Garrett's chair as he feed Kane left overs. Garrett was waiting for everyone to finish their breakfast til tell them about the Will.
After everyone finished eating and Gamlen and Leandra were about to leave, Garrett causally called "Gamlen, Mother wait we need talk."
Stopping Leandra and Gamlen stood and waited, "Bethany" Garrett called. Bethany stood up next to her brother pulling her carrying pouch out and grabbing the Will. "We found the Will Gamlen" Garrett said coldly, Gamlen eyes went wide and he opened his mouth, couldn't think of anything to say and closed it again. Bethany stepped towards her Mother saying with relief "he forgave you Mother! Grandfather left you everything, here read it." Leandra took the Will as Gamlen said "er, ah I should... maybe..." but Leandra cut off as she started to read the Will.
"To my daughter Leandra, and all children born of her... the estate in Hightown and all associated revenues..." stopping at the point Leandra looked at her brother Gamlen confused. "We have a home here Mother, a real home in Kirkwall" Garrett said relived, Leandra looked down then smiled saying "they forgave me... Father forgave me, but... Gamlen how could you?" Gamlen now getting angry replied "your the one who ran away, Leandra. What happened to 'Love is so much more important than money...?'." "It is" said Leandra as Gamlen quickly responded "need I remind you, you didn't even go the funeral," Leandra scowled saying "we've been of over this before, the twins had just been born."
Gamlen resentfully said "It always comes back to that, we all have our burdens, mine was looking after a life you so happily abandoned. How long was I suppose to wait?" Maker! He makes a valid pointthought Garrett grudgingly as he asked his Mother "I hate to say it but... if it wasn't for the Blight, would we have ever come back here?" "I always thought I would, but I suppose you three are Ferelden to your toes..." Leandra replied thoughtfully. Gamlen, genuinely looking sorry said "look Sister, I'm sorry I shouldn't have done it, but I did; there's nothing I can do to get it back."
Leandra looked Gamlen straight in the eyes saying "I don't expect that Gamlen. It's enough to know our Parents did die angry. I'll petition the Viscount for rights to reclaim the estate, Maker willing , you'll have 'your house' back within weeks."
Gamlen scoffed replying "you don't have the coin or status to even get an audience with Viscount Dumar, you've got to be someone in this city to live that house again." Leandra smiled saying "then I have some work ahead of me, I better get started," as she turned and went to her room to write the petition. Gamlen nodded in the negative, then gave Garrett a annoyed look and walked out of of the house for whatever reasons he had, leaving Garrett and his sister alone in the breakfast room. "I still can't believe Gamlen stole Mother's entire inheritance! I mean, I can believe that's the worst part .I would never turn against you like Gamlen did to Mother." Bethany said stepping forward to her older brother.
"Bethany your a better person than Gamlen" Garrett said reassuringly, continuing "and besides the only way you'd turn on me is if I did something incredibility stupid. Like if I ever tried to dance, can you imagine the horror" Garrett finished with a humorous shudder. Bethany laughed at the mental image of her older brother trying to dance causing Garrett to playfully say "well you don't have agree so much."
Once Bethany stopped laughing she said "but seriously, hopefully, we'll be out of here soon. You know when we went to look for that Will I thought we were doing it for Mother, for what she lost. I didn't realize how much it would mean to me. To know I had Grandparents who didn't hate me." "They might have been alright all right with our Ferelden thing, but just imagine if they'd known you were an apostate..." Garrett replied joking, causing Bethany to cross her arms with an annoyed look on her face. "Your such a wretch sometimes, you know that," Bethany said finally, "yup that's me the best wretch of brother in Thedas. But seriously I do wish they could lived long enough to see us come back here" Garrett replied smiling.
"I was just hoping it would be different here, in Kirkwall, we're not running away again, we're coming home" Bethany said after a chuckle from her brother's jest. Being serious this time Garrett asked "are you unhappy here?" "I just wish I could do more for Mother, Carver's.. death, it's killing her slowly everyday; but maybe if we can reclaim what was lost, it will help, I'd do anything to us back a normal life" Bethany replied thoughtfully. "What do you think Carver would have thought of all this" asked Garrett remembered his younger brother, that damn Ogre Alpha thought Garrett as he asked.
"He would've hated this place, all the sneering Nobles, bet you he'd have gotten arrested the first day here, and he would have wanted in on that Deep Roads Expedition. Anything to make a name for himself, he always wanted to be someone" Bethany said smiling. Then adding sadly "sometimes I still can't believe he's really gone, I wake up sometimes thinking he'll played a prank on me, like gluing my hair to something or that he'll be sitting at the table with us." "I miss him too Bethany, annoying little brat that he could be, I stilled loved him" Garrett said causing Bethany to laugh at the 'annoying little brat' part.
"Can you imagine if we all grew up here being Nobility?" Garrett asked changing the subject. "Had Grandparents who who bought me Orlesian silk dresses and gave you the family broad sword. Father was a good... no, great man but Mother gave up so much for him, of course if Mother hadn't done what she did... the Templars would've taken me and probably Father too. If I'd been born here, you all just been names the Circle kept in my file." Bethany said.
Bethany thought for a moment, then sadly said "my Magic changed your life, Carver's, everyone's. All because of what I am, I know how much you all sacrificed to protect me, how we were always moving because the Templars were coming. Sometimes I wonder if it would been so bad to be with my own kind, to serve the Chantry like Andraste demands of Mages." "Don't ever think that, your my sister I'd never let the Templars keep you caged in that place, hardly being able to see the outside world and forced to do Magical labor. Kirkwall isn't our home just yet, but it will be I promise" Garrett said putting his hands on Bethany's shoulders reassuringly. "I hope so Brother, I'm so very tired of running." Bethany replied as she hugged her older brother.
Then whispering in her ear Garrett said "thought if I had a choice I'd prefer to have the mansion I really don't wanna call anywhere Gamlen is 'home' he snores like a demon from the fade come with a vengeance." Giggling and ending their hug Bethany said "has he moved that bowl of porridge since we've been here? It's been a year." "Last night I think it saw it... move" Garrett replied with a straight face but his eyes and voice were the pure picture of joking, somehow that just made more funny to Bethany
. After taking a moment to enjoy their little joke Bethany said "anyway we'd better better get going, we said we'd meet Varric at the Hanged Man to see what jobs we could find at noon." "Yeah" replied Garrett as he started to gather his things as Bethany did the same, "wait Bethany I have something for you" Garrett said when they had gathered there things and were going to set out.
"What is it" Bethany asked a little curious as to what her brother had. Pulling something out of his carrying pouch Garrett handed it to Bethany saying "it's a picture of Mother, she looks like you." Bethany grabbed it saying "where did you get that, was it at the estate, let me see. Is it... I think it's Mother's betrothal portrait, from when she was suppose to marry the Comte. Look! You can see the ring." "It would have been awkward to take it with her, besides Comte could never compete with Father" Garrett said smiling. Bethany nodded saying "I know she loved Father. I guess... I just wonder if she'd have been happier if she hadn't brought more Magic into the family. I know that made it hard for Mother. It's nice to have a reminder of a time when she still knew how to smile.
Hold on, let me put this up in my room before we go." After putting the portrait up Bethany rejoined her brother as Garrett whistled for Kane to come with them. Together Garrett, Bethany, and Kane left Gamlen's house and headed towards the Hanged Man, now let's see what trouble we and Varric can find thought Garrett as they walked through Lowtown.
I know in-game the Slaver Mage wasn't that tough and the Green Vapor didn't really do any damage, I thought it better this way, seriously in-game only your companions are dangerous Mages and only when YOU'RE controlling them, all the other Mages in-game seem weak, even most of the Boss Fights
Also Poison Gas should be fast acting and slow a person down, a person shouldn't be able to fight perfectly normal through it
But I digress
Anyway thanks for reading and please review
what you'll think on my take on Varric?
