Hey guys, second part of Night Terrors here.
Bit long again and I apologize, but it lays some groundwork.
Mid-day
Sundermount
"What do you mean you lost them?!" Fenris said nearly shouting.
"… Hawke. He and Feynriel are lost to me" Marethari said pale faced.
Isabela looked at Garrett and Anders, still asleep from the Dalish ritual, and patted Merrill on the shoulder as the Dalish elf fretted over them.
"What happened?" Merrill said turning to the Keeper.
Marethari frowned before she looked to her former Second saying "things were going well, Hawke and his ally had found Feynriel and were going to bring him back. But a Demon had sneaked passed them, invisibility as it were, and it stole Feynriel now that his guard was down."
"Feynriel is lost again" Merrill said horrified, a demon with his power would be terrifying she thought.
"Yes… along with Hawke. He grabbed onto to Feynriel as he was kidnapped, together they were pulled into the raw Fade until Hawke cut the demon's arm off." Marethari said.
"That's Hawke for you" Varric said trying to find hope in all this.
"You misunderstand, dwarf. Hawke cut the demon's arm off but he and Feynriel fell… fell through the raw Fade itself until Feynriel used his power… he moved them somewhere" Marethari said looking pale.
"Find them" Fenris said.
"… I can try. The Fade is vast and our ritual only opens us to one section of the Fade. We only found Feynriel the first time because he hadn't moved through the Fade, he had only shaped it unintentionally." Marethari said.
"Then you have no idea where they are in the Fade?" Merrill asked looking at the Keeper with wide eyes. Arianni looked up from her son and watched the Keeper.
Marethari looked at them with sad eyes saying "I will look for them."
Arianni was nearly in tears as she held her son's hand.
"Can't Hawke just let himself die in the Fade? Wouldn't he just come back like Merrill did?" Varric asked shifting uneasily.
"No. The Keeper's ritual is what brought us back. If Hawke dies in the Fade there is chance he will wake up again… or he could die, or he could lose his mind. It's rare for non-mages to enter the Fade and this is a special case" Merrill said speaking up.
"Kitten, is there anything you can do?" Isabela said turning to Merrill.
"Maybe I could enter the Fade again and-" Merrill began only to be interrupted by Marethari sharp voice.
"NO" the Keeper commanded looking up from her Dalish ritual.
"Uh, Keeper she can help?" Varric said confused.
Marethari shook her head saying "Merrill would have to search through the raw Fade and she has already been corrupted once. We cannot risk her becoming possessed, I will search for them."
Fenris looked at Merrill with cold eyes, remembering how she had killed him in the Fade.
Merrill seemed to shrink before his gaze but Isabela placed an arm over her as she comforted her.
"How long will this take?" Varric said. He didn't understand any of this business with the Fade and Magic, he was dwarf, but this didn't sound good.
"Hours… there is no guarantee" Marethari said truthfully.
Varric cursed and turned to the others saying "Hawke's mom and Aveline need to know."
"No" Isabela said suddenly. All eyes turned to her.
"We all know Hawke. He wouldn't want to worry them if he didn't have to. We wait and if... if he doesn't come out then we tell them. It's what he'd want" Isabela said oddly seriously.
"What about Anders?" Fenris said finally.
All eyes turned to the former Grey Warden whom lay asleep beside Garrett's sleeping form.
"He searches for Hawke" was all the Keeper said.
Well that's something at least. Come on Blondie, you've been saving our asses for years now. Rescue Hawke just one more time Varric thought.
"Find them" Isabela said gripping Anders's arm tightly.
Anders did not respond, but they could hope that he would find Hawke and Feynriel and bring them back.
Very far away from Kirkwall
Inn along the roads
"Are you sure you're alright, my dear?" Wynne asked frowning over her apprentice.
"I'm fine" Bethany said sounding tired.
"Agron tells me you didn't sleep very well" Wynne said.
"I'm fine" Bethany said again.
The two Circle Mages sat at a table having their morning tea. It was a morning ritual for Wynne and slowly Bethany had adopted it as well.
Wynne gave her a knowing look before saying "if you're sure."
"I'm sure, it was nothing" Bethany said.
Wynne nodded and got up from the table to check out from the Inn. Bethany watched her go and wondered if maybe she should tell Wynne what she was feeling.
"You aren't fooling her" a voice said behind her.
Bethany nearly spilled her tea, startled as she turned to see Agron standing behind her.
He had his red traveling cloak draped over himself again and he looked at her with those curiously grey eyes of his.
"What?" Bethany said slowly.
"Wynne isn't fooled. She knows something is bothering you" Agron said completely deadpan before he turned and headed for the exit.
"I'll be waiting outside when the two of you are ready" the elf said heading outside.
Bethany watched him go before finishing her tea and going to the postal service at the Inn. She paid the clerk a few bronze pieces and handed over a letter for her family, the clerk said it would take six days for the letter to reach Kirkwall.
Bethany nodded and returned to the table where she saw Wynne returned saying that she had checked them out of the Inn and that they could leave. Bethany helped Wynne pack their things, Agron traveled incredibly light and was always ready to leave it seems, and the two Circle mages headed outside.
Outside the Inn, Agron greeted them with a nod.
Together the three of them departed heading for the open road.
Agron never seemed to care what their destination was among their travels so it ended up being Bethany, as always, whom asked Wynne "where they were headed to now"
"Markham, I have business at the Circle there" Wynne answered.
"More business with the Circles" Bethany muttered. Bethany didn't fully understand it and Wynne didn't seem to trust her enough to explain yet but they had been visiting the Circles of Magi in the Free Marches. Apparently Wynne had been given something to do by the Divine Justinia V herself.
Agron said nothing but nodded and continued on walking with them. He kept his own pace but never passed either of them up or let himself fall behind.
"So now then, why are you having trouble sleeping?" Wynne asked glancing back at her apprentice.
Bethany thought about it said "I don't know why but I have a bad feeling." She knew that didn't make much sense and that it was a terrible answer to give but Wynne only nodded.
Through their travels Wynne had become something of a motherly figure to Bethany as well as her guide through her journey to becoming a Spirit Medium. She could be a strict teacher at times but she was always kind and rarely pushed Bethany, preferring to let her do things at her own pace.
Bethany didn't answer the lingering question for some time, later she finally answered Wynne's unasked question.
"… it's about my brother. I'm worried for him… but I don't know why" Bethany said at last not meet her mentor's eyes.
"He's your brother. And from what you've told me of him, it's only natural that the two of you would have such a strong bond. Did you write to him?" Wynne asked.
Bethany nodded saying "I sent another letter from the Inn."
As Bethany was traveling with Wynne she could not write as much as she liked but whenever they stopped somewhere with a postal service she would send letters to Kirkwall. Depending where they had been sent from it could sometimes take up to weeks for them to reach her family but Bethany wrote anyway.
Sadly this meant that her family could rarely write back to her unless she and Wynne were staying somewhere for an extended period of time.
"What is it you feel exactly?" Wynne asked.
Bethany mulled it over before saying "I feel like… like it has something to do with my powers."
Wynne stopped in her tracks and Agron stopped to look at the two of them.
"Bethany, have you used your powers?" Wynne said suddenly looking directly at her apprentice.
"No, I haven't entered the Fade or peered in. My father taught me to block it out and to sleep without dreams" Bethany said.
"But?" Wynne asked looking at her apprentice with understanding kind eyes that worried for her safety.
"But I had a feeling. Like something was calling for me, like my brother was in trouble" Bethany said at last.
She knew Wynne meant well and only wanted to help her with her power to enter the Fade without Lyrium or Blood Magic, but at times Wynne would push her to consider those powers and just how they worked, Bethany did not always enjoy this.
"I see." Wynne said at last.
"I'll make you some tea when we make camp tonight. It usually helps me sleep." Wynne said patting her apprentice on the shoulder affectionately.
Bethany smiled at that but saw the way Agron was looking at the two of them.
He looked right through them and saw something that made his eyes narrow for a split second. If Bethany had blinked she would have missed it.
Comprehension dawned on Bethany she turned her gaze from Agron to Wynne whom had already began to turn around.
"You think a demon tried to enter my mind" Bethany said slowly.
Wynne glanced at Agron before turning back to Bethany and saying "I think it may be a possibility."
"But I can close my mind off. My father spent years training me… you're the one who showed how to open my mind again" Bethany said slowly.
"And it may be that my teachings that have caused this. Bethany, your powers are unusual even for a mage, your friend Tobrius knew this, that's why he suggested that I take you with me. So I could train you. But for something to call to you from the Fade as you believe… that can be dangerous for any mage let alone one with your powers" Wynne said.
"You think a demon saw into my mind… trying to use my brother to manipulate me" Bethany said frowning.
Wynne walked over to her apprentice and placed a hand on her shoulder saying "I don't know Bethany. It is possible or it could be nothing."
"We will look into once we have reached Markham I promise." Wynne said understandingly.
But what if what I'm feeling is real? What if my brother really is in trouble? Bethany thought unable to shake the feeling of dread.
"Okay" Bethany said nodding firmly.
Wynne looked at her oddly but turned around as they began walking down the road again.
Listen to Wynne. Wait until we reach Markham… it's only a few days Bethany thought fighting the inner turmoil between her logic and her emotions.
The Fade
"Come on Feynriel" Garrett said in a low voice.
He was carrying the elven youth Feynriel, having slung him over his shoulders, as he trekked through the Fade. This strange floating island with twists and turns that made no sense.
Garrett didn't know what to do or where to go so he wandered looking for some kind of shelter for the two of them.
But would shelter be effective here? Marethari said the Fade was a place of illusion… this places isn't for non-Mages Garrett thought.
Garrett wasn't even sure how much time had passed since he and Feynriel had been separated from Andres/Justice. He knew it must have been some time but he found it harder and harder to keep a sense of time here and that scared him.
"Feynriel" Garrett muttered.
"Leave him" a voice hissed.
Garrett unsheathed his longsword and turned seeing a lesser form of demon standing before him.
"Stay away" Garrett said struggling with Feynriel's weight as he raised his longsword in front of him.
The demon smiled at him.
"You do not have the gift. You are nearly blind here. He is unique, I can smell something in him. How I hunger for what he has" the lesser demon said staring at Feynriel.
"Stay away" Garrett parroted.
"Give him to me and I will send you back to your world" the lessor demon said.
Garrett paused at that, this place terrified him. But then he got over himself remembering that he could never trade Feynriel over like that.
Beside Anders had once told him that demons could never be trusted, that never held up their end of a deal.
After a tense moment of silence the lesser demon charged for him.
Garrett knelt letting Feynriel slump to the floor before he charged and span mid run channeling the Templars' famed power his longsword held out. He beheaded the lesser demon and it crumpled into dust before his eyes.
Okay, I got lucky. If it was one of the bigger ones I don't think I could win on my own Garrett thought as he quickly ran back to Feynriel.
He was panting when he reached Feynriel. Using the Templar powers that he had learned from Xenon's tome drained him. It was tiring him out and he knew eventually the powers would stop working if he kept pushing them like this.
"Come on Feynriel. I need you… I can't keep this up forever" Garrett said picking up the unconscious elf and slinging him over his shoulders again.
Garrett looked around and not having any idea where he was going began to head west, or what he thought was west in the Fade.
Very far from Kirkwall
Along the roads
The three of them traveled through the roads on Wynne's business.
As they traveled Bethany Hawke was unusually quiet and Wynne did in fact notice.
Wynne glanced back at her apprentice but said nothing.
"Agron" Wynne called suddenly.
The living legend turned to look at his old friend.
Wynne gestured at Bethany and Agron scoffed but nodded. They knew each other well enough to communicate without speaking.
"Bethany" Wynne called glancing back at her apprentice. Bethany ignored her mentor in a rare case of incredible rudeness that her mother would have pinched her for.
"Bethany" Wynne called again and again but still Bethany ignored her mentor too absorbed in her own thoughts.
"Hey kid" Agron called sternly.
That got her attention and Bethany looked up at Agron and glared saying "stop calling me that."
"Then stop acting like one" Agron said sternly.
"You are not a nice person" Bethany said not for the first time since she'd met him.
"I'm not good with people, deal with it" Agron said coldly.
"Come now Agron, you aren't as bad with people as you claim. You read people remarkably well, you just don't interact with people very well" Wynne said as if she was a dotting grandmother.
Agron looked at Wynne with bemused eyes and nodded.
"Bethany you've ignored me three times now" Wynne said softly. The elder mage only smiled slightly as her apprentice blushed in embarrassment.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you need something?" Bethany said.
"You sure you're alright. You've been very quiet lately" Wynne asked.
"I'm fine, just tired I guessed" Bethany said suddenly.
"Very well, let's set up camp in the woods nearby" Wynne said looking to the wilds off to the side of the road.
I didn't mean to… maybe I can use this Bethany thought about to protest but stopping and instead nodded saying "thank you."
...
They set up camp and had started a camp fire going.
Wynne sat by the fire staying warm as she had another book open and read silently.
Agron had walked to the edge of camp before sitting down by himself to look at the stars visible in the night sky. For whatever reason he always did that. The living legend may have traveled with Wynne and Bethany but he spent much of his time alone.
Bethany only sat by the fire warming her hands. She couldn't shake the feeling that had been bothering her all day. That her brother was in trouble and that it had something to do with the Fade.
She had been mulling it over for some time and had finally decided on what to do.
"I'm gonna use the bathroom" Bethany said suddenly as she rose to her feet and headed deeper into the wilds.
"Be careful out there" was all Wynne said not looking up from her book.
Walking a good distance away into the wilds Bethany sat against a tree trunk and took a deep breath.
She didn't have her staff, that would have been too suspicious. But that was okay, Wynne had taught her that she didn't need her staff.
Bethany closed her eyes and began to focus.
Don't enter the Fade, not fully. Just a quick look. Peer into the Fade… find whatever it is that is calling me Bethany thought as she got ready.
Bethany opened her mind and began to drift off into the Fade. Using her unique ability to enter the Fade without Blood Magic or Lyrium.
Now where- Bethany thought before suddenly being snapped back into reality as something smacked into her forehead.
"Ouch!" Bethany groaned opening her eyes and rubbing her head.
Agron knelt before her, stern and cold, the faded scar on his face making him appear more menacing as his cold eyes peered into hers.
"What do you think you're doing?" Agron asked his grey eyes appearing to shine.
The living legend had sneaked up on Bethany and tapped her on the forehead stopping her from peering into the Fade.
Bethany glared.
"You followed me. I was going to bathroom" Bethany said scowling.
"Kid, has anyone ever told you that you're a terrible liar?" Agron said unblinkingly.
"You seriously think Wynne was fooled? Normally I wouldn't care enough to intervene but Wynne has been a good friend to me, and she asked me to keep an eye on you." Agron said.
When did Wynne tell him that? I don't remember them speaking about me Bethany thought offhandedly.
"Kind of like how she knew what you were planning" Agron continued.
Then the elf raised his hand and tapped her head again, hard.
"Stop!" Bethany shouted trying to slap his hand away but only blinking in surprise as Agron's hand seemed to vanish before her eyes and suddenly he was on his feet, his red traveling cloak whirling as he did so.
"Kid, you're one of the slowest people I've ever met" Agron muttered seeing the astonished look on Bethany's face.
He's so damned fast... faster than Isabela Bethany thought frustrated.
"Suppose it's to be expected. Never been in a real fight in your life, always done things from a distance. Always had your magic to fall back on" Agron muttered.
"I've been in a fight" Bethany said remembering her adventures with her brother.
Agron shook his head dryly saying "you hear but you do not listen."
Before Bethany could respond Agron continued in that quiet yet forceful way of his.
"What was your plan exactly? Use that power of yours and enter the Fade?" Agron said sounding more bored than anything else.
Bethany opened her mouth to spoke but found no words.
"While you're poking around in the Fade, your body is still here. And because your body is still here, you're vulnerable. Yet you sneaked off from your teacher and decided to look into the Fade anyway, in the middle of the forest were anything could sneak up on you" Agron said.
Bethany looked away not meeting his eyes.
He was right, of course. Leaving herself alone in the woods and completely vulnerable was incredibly reckless and if her brother was here he would have scolded her before embracing her and making her promise to never do it again.
"… will you cover for me while I-" Bethany began only to find herself being pulled to her feet and dragged back to camp as Agron said one word.
"No."
...
Bethany found herself before the camp sooner than she had expected and found Wynne waiting for them by the fire.
The elder mage had closed her book and she looked at Bethany amused. Agron released his hold on her and walked away returning to his usual spot to stargaze.
"Now then Bethany, let's talk about what bothering you" Wynne said getting straight to the point.
"I'm sorry but I can't let this go. Something in the Fade is calling me and it has to do with my brother. He's in danger" Bethany said at last.
"I see. And so instead of asking for my help you decided to go off on your own" Wynne said looking up at Bethany.
She always does that. She never gets angry only disappointed… sometimes I wish she would just get angry Bethany thought.
"I was afraid that you'd stop me. I'm sorry, but I can't wait until we reach Markham" Bethany said.
Wynne looked at Bethany curiously before she spoke saying "I understand. You'd do anything for your brother."
"Your obsession with your brother is… unusual" Agron said in that quiet way of his as he spoke up suddenly.
"Is it really that hard for you to understand that I care for my bother?" Bethany said snapping back to Agron.
Agron looked at her bemused.
"Kid, the way you talk about him, every time you mention him, you practically worship the ground the walks on. " Agron said simply.
"My brother is a great man" Bethany said.
"Never said he wasn't. There's that temper of yours, only comes up when someone insults your brother" Agron said in that stoic way of his.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bethany snapped.
"He's trying to prove a point" Wynne said suddenly.
Bethany turned to her mentor.
"You misunderstand Bethany, he's not saying it's wrong for you to worry for your brother. Only that when it comes to him that you begin to act irrational. That you change, you start to lose your head. He's saying you need to calm down" Wynne said slowly.
"If you have to explain it for her, then how can she be expected to learn on her own" Agron said looking at Wynne.
"Not everyone is you, Agron. Not all of us can shoulder their burdens alone, some people need a little help and there is nothing wrong with that" Wynne said warmly, looking at the living legend as if he were her grandson.
"We all have to grow up some time" Agron said sternly.
"Bethany I'm disappointed you didn't come to me. But if it means that much to you, then you have my permission to investigate under my supervision. I had wanted to wait until we reached Markham but it seems the matter is urgent" Wynne said grabbing her staff.
"What? I… thank you" Bethany said hardly believing it. I was sure I would be punished for breaking the rules she thought.
"Why do you believe me?" Bethany asked curiously.
Wynne looked her apprentice curiously before saying "your bond with your brother is strong. I believe that bond has had an affect on your powers, or rather that your powers are reacting to that bond. I've never seen anything like this but it is a theory."
Bethany nodded wide eyed.
"Agron, I trust you would be so kind as to watch over the two of us?" Wynne said.
The living legend merely nodded.
Bethany smiled as she grabbed her staff, she didn't need it to use her power but it did help, and together with Wynne they sat down.
Wynne took Bethany's hand in hers saying "you will peer into the Fade but I don't want you entering completely."
"I understand" Bethany said.
This wasn't the first time the two mage had done this. Wynne was a very accomplished Spirit Medium with an easy with spirits that Bethany was amazed by. Wynne, as Bethany's mentor and teacher, had been helping Bethany learn to master her power to enter the Fade without Lyrium or Blood Magic.
Tobrius, an old friend of her father Malcolm Hawke, had said that Bethany was a Fade Walker. After Bethany had left the Kirkwall Circle of Magi as Wynne's apprentice she had begun to experiment more with her power with Wynne's help.
Wynne acted as a stabilizing force for Bethany when she crossed over to the Fade without entering completely. The elder mage would guide Bethany's mind and if needed would pull her back to the real world, in this way no demon could take Bethany as had happened once before in Kirkwall Circle of Magi.
So it was now that Bethany closed her eyes and focused alongside Wynne, opening her mind as Wynne did as a Spirit Medium. Instead of her mind opening only to benevolent spirits, as Wynne could, Bethany opened her mind to the raw vastness of the Fade itself.
With Wynne's help she had gotten better at controlling it. She had gotten better at hiding her presence from demons.
And so it was that when Bethany opened her eyes again her body remained behind as her mind was in the Fade.
In the Fade
Brother why are you here? Bethany thought as she opened her 'eyes' peering into the Fade without fully entering.
She was standing in another of the floating islands of the Fade. Her body was not entirely solid in the Fade, she was translucent and pale, for she was only an observer in this form.
She could feel Wynne's presence beside her. Ready to bring her back the moment a demon tried to pull Bethany fully into the Fade, however Wynne herself could not 'see' what Bethany saw. The elder mage let Bethany try things for herself as long as she was careful.
Wynne was Bethany's safety line.
Taking in the scene before her, Bethany knew she could wonder forever in the Fade and never find what she was looking for.
"Be careful" Wynne's voice called out to her as the elder mage sensed Bethany opening her mind up even further.
"I will be" Bethany said.
She was looking for whatever it was that had been calling to her since the incident at the Inn. She could feel it again and this time she opened herself up to it and that's when it happened.
She felt it from inside her, a feeling of a bond forming in her childhood. A feeling of familiar warmth that she'd felt whenever her brother had comforted her in her youth. Whenever the night terrors came and Garrett pulled her back.
She remembered her brother's warm embrace and his comforting words and a warm feeling rose from her chest.
A light appeared before Bethany's eyes. A tread of light that led through the Fade.
"Bethany what is that? I sense something… it's not a spirit or a demon" Wynne's voice called.
The elder mage could not 'see' what Bethany saw in this state but she could sense things around the Fade where Bethany wandered.
"I have no idea. But I trust it, it feels familiar" Bethany said holding our her hand and stroking the tread of light before her.
"It reminds me of my brother. I don't understand it but I think he's in the Fade" Bethany said slowly.
"As if your powers are reacting to your sibling bond" Wynne's voice asked.
"Maybe? I can't explain it but I can feel him. My brother is here and he needs my help" Bethany said firmly. She could feel it in her heart.
There is a light in your heart, human. You are family are you not? Yes I can see the resemblance, that light is in both your hearts - Keeper Marethari's word echoing in Bethany's mind.
Bethany tentatively grasped the tread of light. She could feel the magic from within the tread and her eyes widened as she realize Wynne was right.
"I made this tread" Bethany said suddenly. Her uneasy feeling of concern for her brother had brought her to the Fade and once inside she had unconsciously created this tread of light.
I don't know how but I did. This will lead me to my brother… I know it will because it's like I can feel his presence on the other side Bethany thought.
Bethany Hawke began walking, wrapping the tread of light around her wrist as she followed it. Her brother was waiting for her, he just didn't know it.
Sundermount
Anders woke with a gasp.
The former Grey Warden shot up as the others turned their attention to him. Anders turned to them and was met with mixed faces.
"Hey Blondie welcome back to the real world" Varric said doing his best to keep the mood light but straining.
Merrill wouldn't meet his eyes. Fenris only looked back at Keeper Marethari.
"What happened?" Anders asked in surprise as he turned around seeing Garrett still asleep beside him.
"I am sorry" Marethari called as she tried to stand but stumbled slightly. Instantly her Dalish helps came to her aid, steadying her.
Merrill looked back up at the Keeper grimly.
"I brought you back because I was losing you to the Fade. Hawke is still lost to us but I will keep looking" Marethari said.
"You brought me back" Anders asked confused.
"Yes. I was able to follow your presence through the Fade but not Hawke's. You are rather easy to find" Marethari said looking at him… warily.
"What do you mean?" Anders asked.
"You were storming your way through the Fade in your search for Hawke. You killed many lesser demons and many learned to stay out of your way. You wandered and wandered to no avail, killing demons but unable to find Hawke. I have never seen such raw power in a mage" Marethari said looking at Anders curiously.
"Maker… I'm so sorry. I tried. I really did but-" Anders began
"It's not your fault" Merrill said.
"Thanks Merrill" Anders said turning to his Dalish friend but frowning as she seemed to recoil at his gaze.
"I shall continue the search for Hawke and Feynriel" Marethari assured them.
Anders turned and looked to Hawke then to Feynriel nearby. Both of them were still lost to the Fade, unable to wake until they escaped.
"Damn it" Anders said slamming a hand to the ground.
The Fade
Garrett had lost his sense of time again. It could have been minutes or hours for all he knew.
He had found what appeared to be a cave and had made for that.
He had entered the 'cave' and sat Feynriel down propping him up against the wall.
Garrett had sat down beside Feynriel and waited. The elven lad would sometimes stir but he wouldn't waken and as time went by Garrett grew more and more worried.
Then the demons had come. It had started as Shades, a few of them appearing as they circled the entrance to their cave and Garrett would stand at the ready his longsword raised.
Garrett eventually charged out staying as close to Feynriel and the cave as he could as he battled the Shades channeling the Templars' power. He defeated the Shades before heading back to the cave and to Feynriel when another wave of them had appeared.
And so it became a cycle, Shades would appear and Garrett would waste time and effort dispatching them. Again and Again. Each time harder than the last.
Garrett was reduced to using the cave as a border of sorts, he would wait for the Shades to come to him instead of charging out. He would take them on as they tried to get in, the smaller space allowed him to better handle their numbers.
Even then the Shades never appeared in larger groups. Always a handful, always enough to give Garrett trouble but never enough to overwhelm him. Garrett had pieced together that a stronger demon had been sending the Shades to him, weakening him slowly.
The stronger demon seemed to be playing with Garrett. Testing his resolve and seeming to enjoy watching him struggle.
And so it was that when Garrett dispatched the latest wave of Shades that he collapsed to the ground before using his longsword as a walking stick to get up. He limped back to the cave and slammed himself into the cave wall beside Feynriel.
Finally Feynriel opened his eyes warily.
"Hawke? What happened?" Feynriel muttered as he began to wake up.
Garrett looked at Feynriel panting as the elven lad raised a hand to his forehead and he flinched at the pain.
"You brought us somewhere in the Fade. Remember we were falling and you used your power" Garrett said between pants.
Feynriel looked at him nodding before he really got a look at Garrett.
"Hawke! You look awful" Feynriel said. Garrett gave him a cross look saying "been busy protecting you."
"What?" Feynriel stammered.
"I dragged you here because I thought it could be shelter. Turns out it wasn't. Demons trying to steal you again." Garrett said.
"Been fighting them off" Garrett said with a laugh as he raised his longsword.
Feynriel stared at him.
"How long?" Feynriel asked. "No idea" Garrett answered with a shrug.
"Doesn't matter. You're awake now Feynriel" Garrett said allow himself to laugh again between pants.
Feynriel frowned as Garrett clamped him on the shoulder saying "you can get us out of here."
"Hawke, I can't control my powers. I don't know how to exit the Fade" Feynriel said.
"Look for Marethari's presence again." Garrett said remember what the Keeper had told him about what to do when he found Feynriel.
Feynriel closed his eyes opening his mind as Marethari had taught him. He searched and searched but he couldn't find the Keeper's presence.
"I can't find her anymore. I could almost feel her last time, before the Desire demon kidnapped us I mean" Feynriel said.
Garrett looked at him with tired eyes saying "what are you saying?"
"I… I don't know. We might be stuck here" Feynriel said beginning to feel nervous.
Garrett sighed but kept his cool. He turned to Feynriel saying "Keeper Marethari said you could, she said that just need practice. You can do this Feynriel, I believe in you."
Before Feynriel could respond he heard movement from outside the cave. Both of them turned their heads and saw a demon heading for the entrance.
"No more games. You will handle over the elf" the Sloth demon said.
"Stay here, try to get us out" Garrett said getting to his feet longsword in hand.
Feynriel grabbed him by the arm saying "what about you?"
"I'll hold it off. Focus on getting both of us out of the Fade" Garrett said brushing off Feynriel's grasp and headed back out.
"Foolish mortal. Weak and weary from my trials. Stand aside and I will allow you to leave" the Sloth demon said gazing past Garrett to Feynriel.
"You want him, you have to go through me!" Garrett said.
"Very well" the Sloth demon said charging forward to meet Garrett head on.
I need to help him Feynriel thought. The elf watched as Garrett fought the Sloth demon, struggling to hold his ground.
Go back to the real world. Go back Feynriel thought opening his mind again, trying to find a way back.
Feynriel couldn't do it.
Garrett slashed and slashed but he was slower than usual. The Shades had taken their toll on him and the Sloth was toying with him.
The Sloth backhanded him and Garrett slump to the floor.
"NO!" Feynriel said raising his hand casting a Spirit Bolt.
The Sloth stumbled as the bolt struck him. It turned to Feynriel and started towards him.
Garrett got back to his feet and slashed the Sloth demon across its side.
The Sloth roared and tackled Garrett to the ground. Garrett fought to break free and managed to get his longsword up but before he could stab the Sloth it looked into his eyes and said "sleep".
Instantly Garrett dropped his longsword.
Feynriel watched in horror as the Sloth demon rose and left the unconscious Garrett on the ground as it turned towards him.
The Sloth headed for him and Feynriel stumbled back.
Feynriel raised his hands casting flame magic trying to keep the Sloth at bay.
…
Bethany Hawke followed her tread of light and spotted a cave in the Fade.
She kept moving and eventually found the entrance to the cave… and the scene playing out before her eyes.
Her brother lying unconscious, and Feynriel, her old friend, fighting off a Sloth Demon as it headed for him inside the cave.
"Wynne, I need to enter further into the Fade" Bethany called back to her mentor.
"Bethany there's a demon nearby. You can't" Wynne's voice called back.
"I need to be able to cast! My brother and an old friend will die if I don't" Bethany called back.
"Fine"Wynne said allowing Bethany to bring herself further into the Fade.
Bethany looked down at her hand seeing it become more solid and visible in the Fade.
The Sloth demon loomed over Feynriel as the elf fell to the floor. "You are mine" the Sloth demon hissed reaching for Feynriel… when suddenly the Sloth was thrown back.
Feynriel gasped in surprise as the Sloth demon was lifted off the ground by some unseen and thrown back outside the cave.
Bethany's force magic sent the Sloth flying back and went it landed with a thud she called out.
"Feynriel! What's going on!" Bethany yelled.
Feynriel got to his feet and stared saying "Beth… Bethany!"
"Why is my brother in the Fade?" Bethany called out as the Sloth demon began to rise.
"I got lost in the Fade and the Keeper sent Hawke to get me" Feynriel called back before looking in horror as the Sloth demon turned to Bethany.
Bethany raised her staff and sent a burst of blue flame magic to the demon. The demon roared in pain and Feynriel strode forward.
I can't sit this out anymore! First Hawke and now his sister! I have to help Feynriel thought getting angry.
He clenched his teeth and raised his hand casting his red flame magic to join Bethany's.
The Sloth demon shrieked as it was enveloped with red and blue flame magic, burning away into nothing.
I did it... no Bethany did most of the work Feynriel thought panting as the Sloth demon faded away into dust before their eyes.
Bethany ran to her brother and slammed into the ground beside him in her hast.
She knelt beside Garrett and pulled him into her arms making sure he was okay. After making sure he was still alive in the Fade she breathed a sigh of relief before realizing that she was struggling to hold him.
Has he always been this heavy? Maybe he's gained weight... no I just don't have much muscle Bethany thought offhandedly before smiling lightly. She gently laid her brother down and ran a hand through his hair glad that was okay. He was pale and unconscious but he was alive.
"It was the Sloth. It made him sleep even in here" Feynriel said speaking up at the worried look on Bethany's face. Bethany heard him but didn't respond as she raised her hand sending Healing Magic into her brother's wounds.
Feynriel approached the Hawke siblings hesitantly, he felt awkward interrupting them... well interrupting Bethany more than anything.
"Bethany? How... I mean... why are you here?" Feynriel said feeling awkward as he stood before Bethany and her brother.
The younger Hawke looked up from her brother to Feynriel and said "I could tell my brother was in danger... in the Fade. I knew he needed help and so I entered the Fade and somehow, I made this"
Feynriel blinked in surprise as Bethany raised her hand and for the first time Feynriel noticed a thin tread of light wrapped around her wrist. It seemed to bend to Bethany's will and it angled it's end to where Garrett was.
"What? How is that possible?" Feynriel said.
"I have no idea, and to be honest I don't really care at the moment. The better question is why is my brother in the Fade. He shouldn't be here, its incredible dangerous for those with Magic let alone non-mages" Bethany said looking at Feynriel crossly.
She wasn't sure what was going on but she knew Feynriel had something to do with why her brother was in danger.
"Well, like I said... I've been having nightmares a lot. I have trouble with Magic. A lot of trouble. And the nightmares don't stop. The Keeper would give me herbs to sleep without dreaming but it wasn't always enough." Feynriel said.
"It's normal, for a Mage I mean. I had nightmares for years growing up" Bethany said.
Feynriel shook his head somberly saying "I'm not a normal Mage, Bethany. I... I can enter the Fade without Blood Magic or Lyrium."
Bethany gaped at him as she slowly got up, making sure to be careful with her brother as she did, and stared at Feynriel.
"What?" the elven Apostate asked growing nervous from Bethany's gaze.
"Feynriel... I can do that too" Bethany said gripping her staff. Feynriel stared back at her and moved to stand in front of her his eyes wide.
"You... You can do it too? You can shape the Fade around you? You can manipulate parts of it with your mind? I created areas from my memory in the Fade without meaning to, can you?" Feynriel asked. He couldn't believe this, maybe he wasn't so alone after all.
"... no" Bethany said slowly. Feynriel's heart shrank.
"I can't shape the Fade around me, not like you can... but I can enter it without Lyrium or Blood Magic. It's a long story but for a time I was in the Kirkwall Circle of Magi, I became friends with a librarian, Tobrius. He helped me when I found out what I could do. He called me a Fade Walker" Bethany said.
"When I found out what I could do, Keeper Marethari called me a Somniari" Feynriel said slowly.
"Similar but different" the Mages said simultaneously.
"What else can you do?" Feynriel asked curiously.
"I feel things from the Fade even when I'm awake. I can 'peer' inside of here without fully entering. When I'm peering into the Fade the Spirit and Demons have trouble seeing me, I can't be seen unless I step further in and cast. And today I learned I could make this" Bethany said raising her hand again and gazing at the tread of light wrapped around her wrist.
"I can't do that but I can shape the Fade without meaning to. How do you control your power? What if you trained me?" Feynriel asked.
"I have my mentor Wynne to help me. I'm her apprentice and I've learned a lot from her. And before that my father trained me. He taught me to control my magic before I knew what I was... but I don't think I could train you Feynriel. I'm always traveling with Wynne and I'm still an apprentice myself" Bethany said sadly.
"But I'm not a very good Mage, there's so much you could show me. I can't cast like you can" Feynriel said.
"You just need practice. You can learn" Bethany said softly.
Feynriel shook his head saying "no. I've tried but it's no use. Not in Kirkwall anyway. The Keeper tried to teach me but it wasn't enough... the Circle would make me Tranquil I just know it."
"But maybe there's another way. Before I fell into the Fade, Marethari told me that Tevinter had legends of what I... what we are. If there's anyone would could help me they would be in Tevinter. I heard stories of the Mages there. They're more open with Magic. It's my only hope." Feynriel said suddenly.
"What if we went together?" Feynriel began nearly beaming with excitement only for Bethany to sharply interrupt "no."
"No... I'm sorry Feynriel but I can't to go to Tevinter with you" Bethany said raising a hand to her forehead confused at the headache she suddenly had.
"I have a mentor already. But Feynriel, Tevinter? ... I've heard some pretty bad stories. One of my brother's friends was a slave in Tevinter. You'd need to be really careful if you went, the Mages there... there's a lot of bad people there. My father spent time in Tevinter and he refused to speak of it" Bethany said slowly.
Feynriel somberly nodded. He was sad that he would be going to Tevinter by himself after finding out that he wasn't alone.
"I know the Mages there are different but I have to go. If I'm to have any hope, I have to find someone to teach me, and I don't trust the Circle" Feynriel said.
He isn't like me. Feynriel didn't have my father to train him, to teach him control. His magic is a lot more unstable than mine. The Templars would almost certainly make him Tranquil Bethany thought frowning as she looked at the elven Apostate.
"Feynriel can you the leave the Fade on your own?" Bethany asked suddenly. Feynriel shifted uncomfortably but said "no. I just... don't know how."
Bethany reached forward and took Feynriel's hand saying "I'll help you." Feynriel blushed at Bethany's touch
"Open your mind but ground yourself. Don't get lost in the Fade but remember something about your home. Find an anchor and follow it back" Bethany said ignoring Feynriel's reaction as she made him sit down with her beside her brother.
"An anchor? Like what?" Feynriel asked.
"For me it was my brother. When I was a little girl he would hug me whenever I had night terrors and whisper to me. I would hear his voice and follow it back. I think of my family as my anchor, that's how I come back to the real world" Bethany said turning to her brother fondly as he placed a hand on Garrett's shoulder.
"My mother" Feynriel said slowly as he closed his eyes and opened his mind remembering Arianni. Remember the fond memories he had of her.
Bethany closed her eyes as well and guided Feynriel in the Fade, and as she aided Feynriel so too did Wynne.
Feynriel gasped as he could see glimpse of himself on Sundermount. He could see his mother kneeling beside him looking worried, he could see Keeper Marethari working to maintain the Dalish ritual, and he could see Garrett and his allies nearby. He could see glimpse of the real world.
"You have it Feynriel. Follow it back." Bethany said smiling.
Feynriel nodded saying "thank you."
"Oh and tell my brother that I love him, but maybe he should lose some weight. He's really heavy" Bethany said with one last smile.
Feynriel began to laugh as he felt them leaving the Fade, the last thing he saw was Bethany grinning at him before looking back at her brother warmly.
Sundermount
Feynriel groaned as he opened his eyes and sat up. There were a few audible gasp as he did so, and Feynriel felt someone wrap their arms around him.
"Uh. Hey mom" Feynriel said as his mother hugged him tighter.
Suddenly Garrett shot up from where he been sleeping with a shout.
"Ah!" Garrett shouted jumping to his feet and stumbling around extremely confused.
He reached a hand to his longsword but Anders appeared suddenly grabbing Garrett by the wrist.
"Whoa there Hawke! It's okay! You're back in the real world, I promise" Anders said helping to steady his friend.
Garrett panted heavily as he looked at Anders before taking in the scene around him. His friends and allies gathered around him with concern in the Dalish camp.
"Hawke came back" Isabela said smirking as Merrill reached over and embraced him. "I'm so sorry! Hawke I don't know what happened to me" Merrill was saying before Isabela silenced with her 'it's okay'.
"Hawke" Fenris said nodding. Varric clamped Garrett on the shoulder smirking as he said "you made it, and now I have a tale to tell that no one would believe. Sigh, seems that happens a lot with you Hawke."
Marethari breathed a sigh of relief putting an end to the Dalish ritual as Feynriel slowly got to his feet, Arianni clutching him the entire time.
"Thank you Hawke. Thank you" Feynriel said smiling up at him.
Garrett smiled back him saying "the Sloth demon. You killed it, didn't you? Then you brought us back, haha I knew you could do it."
Feynriel shook his head chuckling at their confusion as he said "no, it wasn't me Hawke."
Garrett stared at Feynriel as he laughed saying "it was your sister who saved us."
Sometime later
"My little sister. Whoa" Garrett said once Feynriel had finished explaining.
They were still in the Dalish camp. Marethari, Arianni, Garrett, Anders, Merrill, Varric, Isabela, and Fenris sat with Feynriel. It was getting late but Garrett and the others had wanted to know what happened.
"And now you're heading to Tevinter" Fenris said coldly.
Feynriel nodded seeming to shrink under Fenris's cold gaze. Suddenly Isabela bumped her elbow into Fenris saying "careful there, before Merrill kicks your ass again."
"She did not!-" Fenris said through gritted teeth but Garrett shushed them both as Arianni gazed at her son.
"Do you really have to go?" Arianni asked. At least when he was with the Dalish she could come and visit him.
"I have to mom. Bethany found a teacher but she's better than me. She had much more control that I did. The only hope for me lays in Tevinter" Feynriel said.
Arianni bowed her head saying "promise me you'll write." "I will" Feynriel said reaching over to grab his mother's hand.
"Marethari" Feynriel said turning to the Keeper.
"Can my mother rejoin the Dalish? She give up her clan to raise me, she shouldn't be punished for that. It'd be good for her to be among our people again, this is my last request" Feynriel said as Arianni gasped.
"I grant it. Arianni you may rejoin the Dalish, I would never have denied you" Marethari said smiling lightly.
And so it was that Feynriel packed his things and said his goodbyes. Making sure to thank Garrett again and again. Feynriel was given as much coin as his mother could spare, some from the Dalish, and bit from Garrett, he would need it to make his way to Tevinter.
Bethany, one day me and you are gonna have a lot of catching up to do Garrett thought once he had returned to Kirkwall with his friends.
Back at the Hawke estate, Garrett found his mother and Aveline waiting for him. They had been worried about him but he had assured them that he was fine.
"Where have you been?" Aveline asked crossly.
"Mom, Aveline, I have a story to tell you" Garrett said smiling.
Bethany sat near the smoking remains of the camp fire mulling things over. She was glad that she had saved her brother and helped Feynriel, but something he had said kept bothering her.
It had all started when Feynriel had mention the both of them going to Tevinter. The words had made her heart clench and she replied 'no' before even thinking about it.
A memory resurfaced in Bethany's mind. A memory of her father.
It had been many years ago during one of the night terrors of her youth. The one time that she couldn't wake up, the time when her father had entered the Fade to save her, the time that not even Garrett and Leandra knew about it.
"Bethany, one day a man might come and find you. He will offer to take you to Tevinter. You must not go with him. Promise me" Malcolm had said.
Bethany had looked at her father scared from the serious look on his face.
"Promise me that you will not go to Tevinter" Malcolm had said grabbing her by the shoulders.
"I promise" Bethany said slowly.
These events will affect both Merrill and Anders.
I had fun writing Bethany again.
As for readers of my other story 'Legend' this Agron is considerably older than the young man seen there. His journey has changed him and not always for the better, he's grizzled and suffered loses, Legend will show that.
Are the chapters are getting too long? I get carried away at times. PM me or post it in a review to tell me what you think.
Thanks for Reading and please Review.