Chapter 10 The Blood's the Proof
A/n The picture on the cover is mine. So no steal please? Now on with this trian of insanity and demented goodness!
Bethany skipped into the tavern behind Varric and Isabela. Fenris standing a short distance from Hawke in the main room. The large man seemed bored out of his mind as he downed the content of the bottle he was nursing. Bethany had hopped up to him and showed him a sheet of paper she had picked up from Hightown. Having went with Varric and Isabela to get something. Fenris and Hawke had stayed in Lowtown. Fenris had just walked to Lowtown. He didn't want to walk all the way back up there right then. He looked over to them from his place near the small fireplace. Hawke leaning heavily against the stone wall. He glanced down at the paper and seemed to growl. Clearly irrated by the paper being thrusted into his line of vision. Bethany's smile faded for a moment. Confused at first before saying, "Oh, right. Sorry, Brother. You don't like that. Well I found us another chance to make some money for the Expedition! See, Brother. I can help!" She said with a smile. It was like she was trying to gain his favor. Hawke stared down at her. "Depends on what it is about. And whether or not you can go." He droned slowly. Bethany nodded before talking again. "We need to find Ghyslain's wife." Hawke tsked as he got off the wall, putting the bottle away into some unseen pocket.
Isabela watching how Hawke's body moved with the action. Hawke wore a very strange type of armor. Dark plum in color. With a spiked chestplate on one side while the leather jerkin itself clinged tightly about his body. Her eyes traveled lower to where the red sash held fast to large tarnished black metal buckles attached to a raven feathered pauldron. The paulron covered the top of a waist cape. Long torn ebony fabric with splatters of blood adorning it. The man's pants were just like the jerkin. Tight fitted. Metal rods bent around the fabric like hip guards. The knee guards were smooth as it tied into tall knee high armored boots. Very plain in design. She couldn't help but wonder what the large man looked like. She smiled. Appearently Hawke was aware of her staring. "What do you want, Whore." He glared at her. She looked up and smirked. "Enjoying the view, Sweet thing." She said. Hawke growled. He muttered something she couldn't hear. Fenris cringed.
He turned from her and walked towards the tavern door. "Bethany. Lead. Elf. Dwarf. Follow." He commanded. Bethany nodded to her brother and hurried out the door being followed by Hawke. Varric glanced at Fenris and smiled before following suit. As did Fenris who kept a neutral face. Isabela pouted but then turned her attention to the bar. As she stepped up to it, the annoying poet walked up to her. She groaned.
Bethany lead the way just like her brother told her. She hummed to herself as she walked through the Lowtown Bazaare. Hawke following her as he eyed every man who casted a glance at his sister. He mentally dared any man to touch her. One had made a move to reach out to her but shrunk back when he saw Hawke bare his teeth. Fenris walked along beside Varric. Varric watched the cape around Hawke's waist trail behind the man. Varric then looked up to where Hawke's long hair was. 'Maker's breath. How can Hawke stand to have hair down to his waist? Has anyone ever grabbed him by the hair before? Heh. If he was skinny like Broody. He would look like a woman. Huh. Now there is an interesting thought. He would be scary looking woman.' The dwarf thought. Varric glanced at Fenris. Varric could easily tell that Fenris was on edge for some reason. Varric wondered what could be bothering the elf. Well. Other than Hawke's presence. Varric was even put off by the large human. Though Varric found out that Hawke was just the no-nonsense kind of person. Always direct, firm, and most of the time flat out hateful when having a normal conversation. If one considers him constantly growling while each word is laced with animosity as they drip with contemptment, normal. If one was to compare Hawke to Fenris. Fenris would seem much more friendly and approachable in comparision to Hawke. Who was more likely to bite someone's head off for just saying hello. At least Fenris didn't flat out ignore people. So Varric was more than concerned with how Fenris was feeling. Fenris remained quiet as in deep in thought. Varric couldn't even read the elf's facial expression due to it being so. Neutral. Weird. Normally Fenris is always scowling. Wonder what changed.
The four of them entered Hightown. Bethany looked at the paper then looked around Hightown. She walked past Wordy, who waved. Hawke ignored the dwarf completely. Wordy shrugged as he knew that was just how the human was. Bethany made her way up some stairs while being followed by the three men. When they were on the upper level she spied Ghyslain complaining to two guards. She turned to her brother and pointed at the noble. Hawke followed to the person she was pointing at. He could barely tell what the man looked like from this distance. His face was a blur. Though he could see the gaudy outfit the noble was wearing and scowled. Great. Another noble who wore bright flashy clothing that resembled vomit. He walked his way over to the man and two guards. The guards leaving shaking their heads. Ghyslain threw his hands in the air. "Why are we still paying those sluggards?!" He shouted to no one. "Pay me instead." Hawke said scaring the man. Ghyslain turned around and stared at Hawke. "You? You would find Ninette?" He asked as hope entered his voice.
After conversing with Ghyslain de Carrac for a few minutes. During the conversation, Hawke exspressed his deep disapproval of marriage. Ghyslain had sighed and said it was never always like that. His marriage used to be a joy. He then told Hawke that some whore elf at the Blooming Rose was involved with Ninette. He started to get mad and huffed as he turned around complaining his head was hurting. Hawke turned and left the man. Hawke really didn't like the man. Mainly because he was far less concerned with his wife's disappearance than he had originally let on. Hawke respected women too much to dismiss their presence that easily. Unless they were like Isabela. Though he still respected her because she was willing to be herself. Which took guts. Hawke paused in the Market. He let off a growl as he realized he was starting to get attached to the damn whore. Bethany walked up to him and tugged at his cape. He turned to her. "You said earlier you didn't like marriage." She said. Hawke groaned as he started walking again. "What of it?" He said.
"Mother wants grandchildren though." Bethany said giving him a knowing smile. Hawke frowned.
"That would your job. Bethany."
"I can't though! You scare off every guy I like!" She pouted as she blushed.
"Because they just want sex. Not you."
"How do you know they don't want to be with me? You don't give them a chance!"
"It's in my job description."
"Yes. Scary overprotective older brother. That also leaves the grandchildren job up to you as well." She giggled as Hawke rolled his shoulders.
"If I have kids. They all gonna be bastard spawned." Bethany laughed at her brother then. Varric and Fenris were a bit confused by this display of family humor. Even then, Varric couldn't help but laugh. Strange as it was. It was still humor. Leaving Fenris to contemptlate the whole ordeal.
The group avoided the Merchant's Guild upon Varric's request. He didn't want to deal with his brother. They soon arrived at the Red Latern District where the Blooming Rose was located. Hawke stopped and inspected a banner. "I can see why they call it the Blooming Rose..." He turned from the banner and entered the Rose. Hawke had a bit of difficulty remembering the whore's name. Bethany was all to glad to remind him. "Whatever. He is still a whore." Hawke said stepping into the main area of the Rose. Bethany blushed as she looked around at the workers who were scantly clad. The workers turned to Hawke and stared at him. Their gaze all fell to where Hawke's jerkin covered the front of his pants. Hawke was slightly irked and proud at the same time. He shrugged off the glances and walked further in. "Interesting place..." He slowly said. He stopped as he could smell something very faint. It was familiar. Even over the heavily perfumed building. "Seriously Uncle." He said quiet loudly towards the bar. Bethany looked over to see Uncle Gamlen sputter his drink. Bethany then felt some of the workers staring at her. She absentmindedly pressed herself into her brother's long hair. Completely forgetting about her uncle. "I-i am just here for the drinks!" Gamlen said looking over to his nephew. "Right. And I am here to question a whore." Hawke said honestly. But it still sounded like sarcasm. All the workers had shuddered at his voice. Quickly wondering which one of them he was going to question.
He motioned for one of the workers to come to him. She did. She looked up at him and shuffled. "Where's Jethann." He commanded. She pointed up to the second floor. Hawke turned from her and went up stairs. Having to practically carry his sister who clung to his backside. Varric mused at Bethany's behavior. Fenris felt somewhat similar to how Bethany felt with so many strangers gawking at him. Hawke entered the room to find a blue eyed male elf with dirty blonde hair. Blue eyes nearly purple. A very odd eye color for an elf. Hawke inquired about Ninette. Further investigation proved useless. Getting Hawke to growl dangerously. "Waste. Of. My. Time." His bared his teeth with a snarl. Jethann twitched nervously. "Well. You aren't the only person asking. A templar named Emeric asked about her too. He wouldn't sleep with me either..." He said sullenly. Hawke quieted down. Thus learning that Emeric is somewhere in Darktown.
With the information gotten. Hawke walked out of the Rose with the others. It only took them an hour or so to reach Darktown. Bethany now trying to mimic her brother's every move. The group soon found where Emeric was. One problem. He wasn't alone.
Emeric breathed heavily as he was struck across the face with a clubbed weapon. He crawled backwards a bit. A huge battle axe was swung over his head at his assailant. Cutting the man in half. Emeric turned slightly to see a massive warrior cloaked in a dark purple tunic. Emeric watched as this man walked past him. Behind the man was a young girl, a dwarf, and a strange looking elf. All of them weilding weapons. The girl was a mage. He would simply ignore that considering she was currently saving his life.
Hawke walked towards the other thugs. Bethany and Varric attacking them from afar. While Hawke and Fenris fought up close. Slashing through them with force. Fenris dodged easliy back and forth avoiding each attack. He was rather aware of how Hawke defended himself. Seeing the larger man in his range of vision. Hawke held his axe with his right hand only. Swinging it like it was weightless. While he defended himself by blocking using his left arm. Hawke was more focus on his frontal assault. He barely registered one of the thugs jump him from behind. The thug slammed her dagger into the side of Hawke's neck before pushing herself off him. Ripping the wound larger. Hawke staggered a bit as he swung around and grabbed the woman. Fenris downed his enemy before turning his attention fully to Hawke. His eyes widened as he saw Hawke. Fenris saw the fatal wound on Hawke's neck. Fenris made a move to aid him. But stopped as he saw what happened next.
Hawke's mouth opened wide, his teeth glinting in the low light as he jerked the woman towards him. His head descending upon the woman's shoulder. Biting through the fabric. Blood erupting from the bite as she screamed. Hawke ripped his head away from the woman taking a good amount of flesh with his teeth. He swallowed and opened his mouth. The blood from the woman swirled and flew into his mouth. He was draining her life. His wound slowly closed and soon appeared on the woman's neck. She struggled but soon grew weak as her body began to shut down. All the wounds on Hawke's body closed. Minor and major wounds began to litter the woman's body till no more blood flew from her bite wound. She slumped in Hawke's hand and he dropped her. Licking the blood from his mouth as he swung around and decapitated his previous assailant.
Fenris was the only one to witness it. He turned to see if the others did but they had their backs turned. They never saw what happened. The realization that Hawke really was a reaver. He shuddered as a cold sense of dread filled him. This ability Hawke had seemed to amplify his dangerous appearance. Having seen the ability first hand. He now understood why many would be afraid of such warriors. Hawke finished off the last thug and grinned. Then Hawke's hand seemed to drift down towards the blood that was splattered across his waist. Running his guantleted finger tips through it. Before dropping his hand lower. Right beneath his tunic. Fenris flushed slightly as he noticed what Hawke was doing. Was the man rearranging his... The flush deepened as his face started to show red. Fenris turned swiftly on his heel and walked away towards the others. Keeping his head bent firmly towards the ground. He was sure that he was not suppose to have seen that. Though Fenris was partically curious as to how big the other man was. The forefront of the purple tunic-like jerkin was made to drape infront of the man's inner thighs. Maybe for good reasons too. Fenris shook his head as he felt Hawke walk up beside him.
Hawke pasted up the elf and focused on the templar. Ignoring his own 'growing' issue. He let off a low growl as he reached down and hauled the templar to his feet. "Thank you for that sir." Emeric said. Hawke really didn't care to know about some mage or other as he pressured the elder templar to just spit out what he was trying to say. The templar didn't seem upset with Hawke's direct rudeness. He quickly explained about a foundry and handed some papers to Hawke. Hawke growled. Wonderful. More fucking written words. Varric made a very poor joke at that moment and nearly got bitch slapped by Hawke. They soon left as did the templar and head for the foundry in Lowtown.
The walk to Lowtown was silent as no one spoke the entire way there. Once they got to the foundry they walked in. Then shit went down.
(Halfway through the fight.)
Running away seemed like a great idea right now. Varric shuddered as he hid himself behind a pillar on the second floor in the Dark Foundry. Abominations, shades, and a fucking desire demon were creating chaos on the first floor. Bethany stuck to her giant of a brother like he was some sort of life line. In a sense he essentially was to her. She fell back from an abomination to drop to the ground before her brother. In turn he swung his battle axe. Cutting the abomintation in half. Fenris was trying to keep Varric from being overwhelmed. The dwarf took a hard crippling shot from one abomination. Most of the creatures seemed to be drawn to Hawke. After the man let out a loud horrific yell that seemed to shake the foundry's very foundation. He smiled wickedly as he spun sweeping his huge axe through multiple shades. They all dropped and seem to fade to dust. The abominations that were felled erupted into flames. Leaving very few left. The desire demon was sitting back and watching the battle. She was thrilled to bits by the display as her brethren were destroyed. She watched Hawke with lust before walking over to him. Bethany at this point managed to make her way up to the second floor to where Varric was. Fenris was panting as he sliced through some the last few shades on the upper level. He glanced at Hawke who turned to the desire demon.
Hawke turned and stared at the demoness as she approached. He quirked a smile as he watched her hips sway with each step. Such a beautiful thing. He always marveled at such creatures like her. He was always drawn to demons. And he was no mage, yet they still called out to him. She returned the smile as she raised her hand letting loose a blast of her fade magic. The blast hit Hawke full force but he didn't appear to be phased as he began to stalk towards her. Hawke shrugged off most of the pain as he grinned wider before he rushed at the demoness. She jumped back to avoid him. Yet Hawke swung his axe and effectively used it to trip her. Falling onto her back she let loose another blast of fade magic. Hawke did the same thing ducking his head to the side away from his good eye. Bringing up his armored shoulder to deflect the attack. Magical attacks hardly affected him. He swung his axe down into the ground right beside her before he reached down and grabbed her by the throat. The demon paniced and clawed at him. Hawke just laughed as he picked her up off the ground and into the air.
The others finished dispatching the last shades and abominations and ran down to where Hawke was. Fenris growled at what he saw. Why was Hawke toying with the demon like that for? He should kill the blighted creature and be done with it! Varric was confused as to what was going on. Though his mind started up with a bunch of stories of what could possibly happen next. Judging by the look in Hawke's eye. Varric would say demon sex would probably be on the top of the list. Now there was an interesting story. Now replace Hawke with a templar and you would have a racy blasphemous novel. The Chantry would surely set fire to the book if it existed. Varric shook his head trying to remember what exactly they were doing. He made a mental note to write down the idea once this was over. Bethany frowned before she spoke up. "Don't play with her, Brother!" She fussed. He laughed. "But I want to keep her. All we need is a magic ward to trap her in." He said. "I don't think the templars will let you have a pet demon, Hawke..." Varric said readying Bianca. Fenris's markings started to light up as he growled. "You've got to be kidding." He hissed. Hawke rolled his eye before looking at the demon. She still struggled against him. "Let me go!" She shouted. Hawke tightened his grip causing her to take a sharp breath. He continued to tighten it as he crushed her windpipe. She struggled more still, she soon became light headed. Hawke released his vice grip upon her throat and she went limp. Not entirely dead though just unconscious. He set her on the ground and waited. The moment she started to come to he held his axe high in the air. She opened her eyes and let out a scream as the axe came down. Chopping her head and chest straight down the middle of her. Blood spraying and gushing all over the ground. The others cringed at the display. Even more so as the slick sucking sound emanated from the axe blade being removed. Hawke casted a glance at them. Silently asking the question. 'The fuck is wrong with you lot?'
The four soon checked the foundry and found a sack of bones. Bethany gagged as she desprately tried not to throw up. Hawke picked up a severed hand and snorted finding humor in a sick joke that popped into his head. He pulled the ring off and looked at it. There was something written in it. He growled at the words before pocketing the ring and walking towards the exit of the foundry with the sack of bones in hand.
Back in Hightown a short time later.
Hawke walked up Ghyslain and handed him the ring. Hawke was tempted to tell him what befell his wife. So tempted that he almost said it. But thanks to Bethany speaking up before him. Hawke didn't get to see the stuffy noble shit his pants. Kill joy. Hawke thought.
They soon left and headed to the Gallows. Fenris was a bit concerned about Bethany. He had never been to the Gallows before. And it put him into uneasement. He stared up at the slave statues. Varric had stayed in Lowtown. Not wanting to be on a boat. Leaving Fenris with the Hawke siblings. Fenris swallowed slowly as he let out a shuddered breath. Clearly disturbed by this circle tower. He spoke up.
Hawke groaned as he heard the elf started talking to him. Hawke had a sudden thought that maybe he should of pushed the bastard elf off the boat. Hawke growled as he silenced the elf with an all telling glare to 'Shut the fuck up'. Fenris went quiet. For about a minute before he started up again. Clearly upset at not being able to speak his mind. Hawke inwardly smirked at the elf's persistance. 'The Bastard Elf has some temerity to him. I give will give him that.' Hawke thought to himself as he 'allowed' Fenris to express himself. After listening to the elf rant for what seemed like ten minutes straight of the tyranny of magic or something. Hawke said very little during the rant. Hawke really didn't give two shits nor a flying fuck on the matter. 'Still coming off as a Bastard, Elf. No matter what kind of shit ya say.' Hawke thought to himself before telling Fenris to shut his mouth.
Fenris glowered at Hawke for a moment before sighing. At least the man listened to his rant. Hawke's sister pouted at him before laughing at what he said. Fenris took note that Hawke hardly said anything on the matter of magic. He didn't really care for it either. Hawke did however took up for his sister but condemed all other mages to the Void. Fenris took that as a tiny victory non the less. Making him feel more at ease.
Hawke walked up to Emeric and said the first thing that popped into his twisted little head. "Recognize your mage?" He chuckled lowly and Bethany swatted at him. "Brother! You're horrible!" She huffed. Fenris was not sure to find humor or discomfort in Hawke's joke. He merely remained quiet. Emeric stated the obvious saying they were bones. He gave thanks before walking off. Leaving Hawke to wander finally without anything to do. Which soon pissed him off...
On the boat back to the docks Hawke harrassed and made it a point to mentally disturb the other passengers. Who all clammered on the far side of the boat away from the large man. Clearly disgusted and disturbed by his words. Hawke smirked with pride as he sat down. Fenris stood further away shaking his head. Bethany went to appologize to everyone on board.
"Why do you do that Hawke?" Fenris asked the larger male. Hawke casted a glance towards the elf.
"My day is not complete till I have terrified a complete and utter stranger." Hawke stated before yawning.
He seemed much more relaxed. His mood had been positive? After he litterally drained the life out of that thug from Darktown. It was like Hawke was happy. It had put him in a better mood. Fenris found it. Odd. Though it soon ended when he heard Hawke let off a hiss as he clutched his head. Hawke went silent for a long moment before he released his breath. Hawke then reached and pulled out the bottle he was drinking from earlier this morning. Taking a drink of it and let out a pleased groan. Though his happiness was shot lived as the boat arrived at the docks.
Hawke took more of the bottle's contents before putting a cork in it. He really wanted to keep that blood high going. Sadly there was no thug to drink from. Such a pity. He was really enjoying the feeling. At least his hunger was sated for the day. He wouldn't really need to feed on the life of another until a few days. In truth he wondered what he did during his high. Well. Besides tormenting people and demons that is. He remembered that elf was ranting about mages or other. Hawke stared at the bottle he held. The stuff wasn't that good when it wasn't fresh. At least he would not have to worry about assaulting an innocent bystander. Now all he had to do was go home after he ditches the elf somewhere in the Hanged Man.