For the Templars 11
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Hawke sighed as Isabella loading up her ship. Isabella was leaving soon and Hawke couldn't help but feel a bit lonely. Fenris, Varric, Sebastain and Isabella were all away and Merrill was avoiding Hawke for the moment and Aveline was too preoccupied with the Guard to notice.
"Oh sweet-thing; don't look so sad. I'm getting teary eyed just looking at you." Isabella laughed as she approached Hawke.
Hawke smiled lightly as Isabella gave her a tight hug.
"I'm gonna miss you 'Bella. Promise once you're done in Denerim, you'll come back before you embark on the world?" Hawke asked sweetly as she pulled back from Isabella.
"Oh I could never say no to that look Hawke. You don't even give me a fair chance!" Isabella laughed as she looked at Hawke.
The wind picked up and Isabella's eyes became alive.
"The wind is with us! Hurry and pull up anchor! I'll be back soon sweetling, count on that." Isabella gave Hawke a quick kiss on the cheek, before she ran back up the stairs to the ship and pulled up anchor.
Hawke watched as The Siren's Call 2 began to move from the harbour. She saw Isabella at the wheel of the ship barking orders to the poor men who all thought they had a chance with her. Isabella turned and waved to Hawke, the wind blowing her hair around her and the low sunrise casting a shadow over her exotic features. Hawke waved back at her friend and felt happy that Isabella had finally got what she wanted.
Hawke felt like crying; everyone seemed to be going now. Isabella had her ship, Sebastian had to attend to Starkhaven, Aveline and Donnic would eventually start a family and become too busy to deal with her, Merrill would eventually join the Circle or find more Dalish, Varric would probably stay and Kirkwall… But she had Fenris. And that was all she truly needed.
"Viscount Hawke!" Hawke turned to see Cullen approaching from the Lowtown stairs.
"Knight Commander Cullen! What a surprise, how are you?" Hawke smiled as he approached her.
"I am well. I need you to come to the Gallows; some of the new mages are demanding to speak to you. They say it is important." Cullen spoke solemnly and directed Hawke to a small boat that would take them to the Gallows.
"Very well Cullen, lead the way." Hawke turned to face the Waking Sea and saw the shadowed outlines of The Siren's Call 2 and smiled softly.
"Return soon, my friend." Hawke whispered and a strong gust of wind from behind her and Hawke felt some of her troubles lift as she remembered a line from a Rivanni story Isabella her once:
"The winds and tides bring unimaginable change. The Winds make us bolder,
The tides make us stronger. Rise with the sun and embrace the ever changing World."
Hawke smiled as Cullen and her exchanged pleasantries as the crossed the harbour. She smiled as she asked Cullen if anyone had caught his eye.
"Well…I…not at the moment, your Excellency. I have heard that you are bringing volunteers from other Circle's around Thedas. I approve of your plan to strengthen the Circle." Cullen smiled softly.
"And I must congratulate you again on your baby; you must be proud."
"I am. I cannot wait until I have my child. Can you think of any names, I am struggling, truth be told." Hawke laughed.
"You honour me, Excellency. I know not a name that would be appropriate for the child of two fine heroes'." Cullen smiled.
Hawke smiled as the docked in the Gallows and was greeted by Samsun and several other Templars who watched her enthusiastically.
"Viscount, if you would the mages have gathered inside the main hall. Please follow me." Cullen said as he led her onward.
Hawke watched as Cullen opened the door and that mages faced her. Hawke saw humans and Elves, children and elders. All watched her intently some with fear, others with anger. Hawke sighed as she took the stairs at the end of the Hall and looked around. This was where those poor mages begged for their life from Meredith's wrath.
"I know many of you are unsure of what you have been told. I will confirm that the Circle of Magi in Kirkwall is a free Circle. The mages will be allowed to stay with their families as long as they abide by the rules of the Circle, and blood magic is still a cause for offence. I know many of you don't believe me when I say this, but I want to help the mages." Hawke paused when she heard some scoffs from some of the older mages.
Hawke sighed and continued:
"Many of you may not know, but the Amell line from which I was born was filled with magic, my sister and father were both mages. I understand your fear. I understand the pain, the sadness. I genuinely want to help. Magic is in my blood and my child may be a mage. I will not let you suffer for your heritage. The Templars have agreed to show restraint and I hope that we will be able to work together."
Hawke watched the mages as they appeared to consider her speech. She watched as one young elf, probably no more than twenty stood up and faced her. Hawke watched as his face remained neutral. Hawke stiffened as she saw his skin slowly becoming a light and some mages scrambled back while some Templars took positions around them.
Hawke shielded her eyes as the mage became possessed by a rage demon and took out a Templar before he began screaming.
"You know nothing of magic! You think we can be won over by kind words and sweet ideals. You shall pay for your insolence!" The demon began and fired flames around at the Templars and sent a giant fireball towards Hawke. A shield went up infront of Hawke and she turned to see who the mage was. "Merrill?"
"I know what you are thinking Lethilan; I want to help you so I hope to be able to as a member of the Circle." Merrill smiled as she dropped the shield and froze them demon.
Hawke moved and cut the demon's head off with her dagger and watched its corpse sink into the ground. Hawke sighed as she re-sheathed her daggers and looked at the remaining mages. Merrill smiled at her as she walked towards her, and spoke to the remaining mages.
"Hawke is a good human and a good woman, she wants to help us and I think we should let her. If we don't then what will happen to us? You all know what happened to the Circle in Ferelden and here, so if Hawke wants to help us; why are we making this difficult for her?"
The mages looked at Merrill and then to Hawke, who was incredibly surprised to see Merrill speaking up without stuttering. Hawke regained her composure and smiled at Merrill. "Thank you."
Fenris had to try and contain his laughter as he watched Varric turn a deep shade of green for what must have been the third time that afternoon. Sebastian smiled as he saw the dwarf attempting to control his stomach. Donnic helped steer the boat along the river. It was already late afternoon and they had made steady progress along the river. Sebastian smiled as he began to speak.
"If we continue at a pace like this, we will reach the Wintervale by sunrise."
"That is if the dwarf can control his vomiting." Fenris chuckled darkly.
"Shut up, elf. My ancestors seemed to have the right idea by not living near these things. There is far too much rocking involved."
"Shall I look after Bianca until you feel better?" Fenris raised his eyebrows evilly.
"Touch her and you die." Varric attempted to glare at him, but due to his colouring.
"What will you do? Kill me with your sick."
"Sounds like a plan."
"You're a very odd dwarf."
"If you two are quite finished." Donnic laughed as the two quietened down. "I think we should stop for a bit so Varric may rest. Otherwise he will complain about it for the rest of the day."
"Very well." Sebastian sighed as he looked forward to see any place to dock. He saw a small bit of flatland just along the bend and directed Donnic there.
Varric practically sprang off the boat to get onto solid ground.
"Oh Maker! Dry ground!" Varric said as he practically kissed the ground. Fenris walked around him and looked at the area. It was a small flat plain by the river and the mountains rose high before them. Fenris inhaled and was surprise to smell burning wood. He motioned to Donnic to be ready as his eyes scanned the area. There was a small collection of trees before him and Fenris could make out the shapes of tents. He watched carefully for a few moments but saw no campers.
Sebastian and Fenris walked slowly towards the camp. The tents looked old and worn but the fire's embers were still burning. Sebastian waved Varric and Donnic over and they searched the camp.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing." Varric grumbled.
"Something does not feel right." Fenris spoke quietly
"We should leave, now." Sebastian said as he turned around to leave but was stopped as a wall of fire appeared before him. The flames danced as they formed a circle around them. Each withdrew their weapons and watched for their attacker.
The flames died slightly and allowed them to see their opponent. Varric's eyes almost popped out of his head.
"Anders?"
"Thank you again Merrill for your help in the Gallows. I don't know what would have happened otherwise." Hawke smiled as she walked Merrill home.
"Oh, thank you Lethilan. I am happy that I will be able to follow you around for a little while." Merrill blushed.
"So you have decided to give up Blood magic?" Hawke raised her eyebrow as she looked her.
"I will try Hawke. But it is going to be difficult. After everything that happened with the Keeper and my clan… I know why the Keeper tried to save me, but I don't want you to throw your life away either Lethilan." Merrill spoke softly as they reached her door.
"Merrill, you know my feelings on Blood magic. I know you are strong, but please…I have lost too much to Blood magic, and I don't want to lose you as well." Hawke sighed as she took Merrill's hand.
"Thank you Lethilan. I promise I will try." Merrill smiled as Hawke gave her a quick hug before she made her way to the Hightown. Hawke was about to enter the Hanged Man to see Isabella or Varric but stopped as she reached the door. I almost forgot they were gone Hawke sighed as she made her way up the stairs to Hightown where she saw several people lounging against the wall in the market.
Hawke was about to ignore them until they saw her and walked in front of her.
"You are the Viscount, yes?" A thick Orlesian accent asked. Hawke looked at the mercenaries around her, their faces were covered and only their eyes were visible.
"I am. State your business." Hawke spoke firmly as she crossed her arms and stared at the man speaking to her.
"You see we have a small problem. We have orders to kill you; however you are far too beautiful for us just too outright kill you. So I think we should have a little fun."
"And who hired you?" Hawke spoke calmly as she counted the men. Six in total…I've had worse odds.
"That is not of importance; just know that we regret having to kill you. Get her boys!" The Orlesian shouted, but before any of them could realise, Hawke had disappeared and stabbed the leader in the heart before fighting the next one.
Hawke threw a combustion grenade as she jumped backward. Three still stood although they were weakened, Hawke was about to strike again, but she was stopped when each of the mercenaries were beheaded. Hawke looked up and saw two elven men and a dwarf woman before her.
"I apologise my lady, are you hurt?" The dwarven woman asked as she placed her large war axe back on her back. She had silvery blond hair tied back in a tight bun, with white eyes and several blue tattoos around her neck.
"I am fine. May I ask who my saviours are?" Hawke laughed
"I am Delba Strongbeard, and these are my friends Legodur Nallsumé and Calain, we were sent for by a dwarf named Bodhan, and we are to serve the Champion of Kirkwall, Serah Hawke, are you she?" Delba spoke kindly.
Hawke looked at the two elves they looked only about eighteen they both had yellow eyes like Isabella's. Delba gestured to the taller elf as Legodur who had long black hair tied in a high ponytail, who wore a neutral look on his face and Calain as the blond elf who smiled lightly at her. Hawke felt herself smile at them.
"I am indeed Hawke; I was not informed that Bodhan had already sent for his replacement."
"Regardless, we are happy to have arrived when we did, who knows what might have happened otherwise." Legodur spoke plainly.
"As flattering as that is, I can manage." Hawke laughed. "Follow me to the estate and we will get things sorted."
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