Chapter 11
I give this Carver Hawke a quizzical look, feeling some sibling rivalry. "What makes you say that?"
Carver takes a deep breath and I feel a well-worn rant coming on, "For starters, Garrett did not even mention me…"
"Now now, it is not like Hawke and I really had time to talk," I cut his rant short, defiantly not wanting to discuss anything to do with family dynamics. Carver looks like he wants to say more but holds his tongue. Silently I return the books to their homes on the shelves.
"It seems I have not been very gentlemanly this morning. Since you lost out on sleeping in a bed, would a hot breakfast help make up for your loss?"
"Breakfast would be great." We both entered the kitchen at the same time as Leandra. After she finished hugging on Carver, she started cooking breakfast. Carver offered his help but Leandra sternly refused and told him to stay put. I did not even bother to help because I knew I would be no use in the kitchen. Throughout breakfast, mother and son became lost in conversation with each other.
From the looks of the situation, Carver has not returned home for a long period of time. I wonder how Garrett and Carver get along. Besides the obvious sibling rivalry taking place, how does the whole one brother being a mage while the other brother is a Templar situation work out. From my understanding of what Isabela said, Templars and mages do not get along. At least, they are not supposed too.
Garrett and Isabela have yet to surface from cleaning the room. Glancing out the window, it looks to be midmorning. I still need to go speak with Fenris today. I contemplate going without Garrett but frankly, I do not know where I would find Fenris. Leandra or Carver may be able to guide me to him but I do not feel like interrupting their mother-son time. Five more minutes pass and I am seriously considering walking around Kirkwall to find Fenris. Carver sees my discomfort and comments on it.
"You do not need to sit here and listen to us catch up. Feel free to go whenever you like."
"Thank you and I do not mean to be rude by just sitting here. I am not sure where to go," I admit, watching their faces to see if they will use this information against me in some manner. They would not do such a thing, but I do not know this yet. "I am thankful you let me stay."
"Even if you stayed on the floor?" chimed Carver.
"Even on the floor, surrounded by lovely books," I agree. Leandra is appalled by this fact and starts to fuss over me. Saying how no guest in her house should ever be on the floor.
"You poor dear! I did not know you were on the floor." Distressed, Leandra quickly clears the dishes off the table. "I am going to have a word with Garrett!"
Carver turns to me as Leandra leaves the room.
"Why did you stay on the floor?"
"Hawke… I mean Garrett, does not want me to be out by myself since we do not know who may all be after me. It is a long story. I feel oddly inclined to listen to him though," I admit.
"So normally you would not have listened?" asks Carver.
I give an unattractive snort, "You could say that."
Leandra has reached Garrett's door and is pounding on it with the ferocity only a mother can have. Over the pounding we can hear her threatening Garrett. Carver and I share a look and an unspoken agreement that it is time to split. From the sound of her voice, Leandra is going to rip Garrett a new asshole.
Once outside, I breathe in the city air trying to become accustomed to all the strange scents. Defiantly not as fresh as the air from the forest but at least it does not stink like Dark Town.
"Sorry for interrupting your time with your mom," I cannot help but apologize.
"No worries, Garrett seems to have a knack for getting on her bad side," Carver shrugs off my apology.
"But you should not have to be wandering the streets."
"I am not wandering; I am escorting a beautiful lady around Kirkwall." My eyebrow rises as I hear his words.
"Surely you are mistaken good sir," I scoff. Entering a small side courtyard off the main walkway, we take a seat on a stone bench.
"Pssh, I am never wrong," boasts Carver.
I throw my hands in the air in mock defeat. "Fine, fine. Anyways, why don't you head on back to mommy?"
"And leave you all alone?" retorts Carver. "That would mean going against Garrett's wishes; which I am very inclined to do, if only I was not such a gentleman."
"Since I am not a lady, it makes no difference if you return to annoy your brother. And if you want to please your gentlemanly side, give me directions to Fenris's place," I quickly compromise.
Carver gives me a sideways look before continuing, "Fenris's place?" After some slight persuasion, Carver finally relents and gives me directions to an abandoned mansion Fenris has been staying in. Carver leaves the small courtyard, leaving me alone. Looking around, I begin assessing the sides of the buildings. Deciding to get a higher vantage point, I walk over to a fairly easy looking wall.
Quickly I climb up the side of a estate. My fingertips feel foreign on the stonework as I scale the wall. Normally when I spend my time climbing it is with claws. In the forest climbing trees, I would use my claws for greater grip, plus being in panther form is always a bonus no matter what I am doing. Up on the peak of the roof, I roll my shoulders and easily slip into panther form. Dashing across the rooftops, I make my way to the old mansion. On an adjacent roof, I scope out the mansion looking for any sign of life. After an hour of watching and seeing no activity, I wonder if he is even there.
Carver warned me that I should knock before entering because Fenris can be touchy but I think it is time I had my own fun. Silently I drop into the alley running behind the estate. I find a broken window and slip inside, staying alert.
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