They left the inn and traveled northward towards Tantervale. The trees eventually gave way to plains, long golden rows of wheat and green swathes of corn and other vegetables. Occasionally they came across livestock fields full of cows or horses. They hadn't gotten very far on their trek when a bright glimmering could be seen in the distance.
Puzzled, Merril stopped short. "I wonder what that is?" she asked pointing off into the distance.
Henric looked in her direction and replied, "Templars."
"Oh dear! What should we do? Should we hide?"
"There's nowhere to hide," interjected William.
Hawke looked around. "The only hiding we could do would be to take cover in the cornfield over there and hope they pass us by."
"At the rate they are moving that could be hours. Do you want to crouch in a cornfield for hours?" asked Fenris.
Hawke lifted her chin, meeting Fenris square in the eye. "No, I don't want to hide at all."
"I don't see the need to hide either. But even if we did, they still may see us. Mister Shiney-Sword isn't easy to miss," added Henric.
Fenris glared at Henric. "Yes, your staff is so inconspicuous."
"At least the sunlight doesn't glimmer off it like a sword. I could successfully hide in a row of corn."
"Afraid to face the Templars?"
"No," Henric replied directly.
"Then let's proceed and see what happens."
"Maybe they won't notice us," Merrill commented hopefully.
"Oh, somehow I doubt that, Daisy," replied Varric.
They traveled on for another hour or so, and it became apparent that if they didn't hide soon, then the templars would spot them - If they hadn't already. The land was flat and appeared uninhabited except for the occasional animal. They had seen no cottages to seek aid from during their travels. It was hide in the field or go forward.
They went forward.
When it became clear that the Knight-Captain had seen them and was briskly moving towards the group, Varric said, "Let me handle this."
"Greetings, Ser! It's so nice to meet fellow travelers on the road. Where are you headed?"
"We are on our way to Kirkwall to reinforce our comrades at the Gallows. The circle has fallen there, did you know?"
"I heard something about that last night at the inn we stayed at. We were heading towards Kirkwall ourselves when we decided to turn north instead. Most nasty business down there."
"Indeed. Who are you, Master Dwarf?"
"My name is Bartrand and I'm a storyteller. And these good folks are my entourage."
The templar glared at the party. "I am Knight-Captain Tullos and I don't believe any of your companions are bards. You carry far too many weapons. "
"Ah, the elf with the sword. He's my bodyguard. Sometimes the inns can get a bit rough."
"And you can't handle trouble with that crossbow?" the Knight-Captain asked suspiciously.
"Ahhh… she's just part of the act. The Dalish girl dances and the rest of them sing."
"I don't believe your story, dwarf. These three are wearing mage robes. You're hiding apostates."
"No! No!" Varric exclaimed, holding his hands up in supplication and trying to calm the templar down. "It's all part of the show! A few sleight-of-hand tricks, some singing, some dancing, it's all quite benign I assure you."
Hawke groaned inwardly. The story wasn't sticking. She cleared her throat. "Knight-Captain, we only want safe passage. We are but simple travelers."
"The dwarf said you were a traveling troupe of entertainers. Which is it? If you are entertainers, then you won't mind a demonstration of your talents. He turned his attention to Henric. "You there! Sing something!" The mage only glared in return.
"He's shy, you have to get the whole group going." Varric was grasping at straws.
This was not going well. Hawke gave a sidelong glance at Fenris and she noticed his hands were flexing like they often do just before a fight.
"No, this is a trap, you're not a storyteller and this is not your entourage!"
"You're wrong, I am a storyteller, and a damn good one too. And this is my entourage, although most of them don't serve a purpose beyond adornment. I keep them around because I like adornment."
Knight-Commander Tullos pulled his sword from his scabbard. "Apostates! Turn yourselves in now! If you come with us peacefully, we won't hurt you."
"Screw you." Henric waved his hand and the entire contingent of templars were blown off their feet. He followed the motion with a force power that slammed them to the ground. Hawke pulled out her staff and repeated the trick. Fenris was already attacking the Knight-Captain, and Varric put Bianca into play. William fireballed the group, while Merrill drew lightening down upon them all.
It was a dozen templars to their band of six and it was a long fight. The Knight-Captain tried to take Hawke down with a Holy Smite, which only enraged Fenris. William healed while Merrill and Henric played to their specialties. Fenris cut them down, swirling madly in a sea of templars, wounding and killing any in his path. Varric ran down his customary list of shots, pinning the captain in place, unleashing a storm of arrows upon the entire group.
When the Knight-Captain was nearly down and his force half eradicated, Hawke called a break to the fighting. "Ser Knight-Captain, if you let us be on our way, then you need not all die. It's not worth it. Just let us go."
"You're apostates, but not ordinary…" he gasped for air. Merrill had shrouded him in pile of rocks and he was losing the battle quickly. "Not ordinary apostates…"
"No, I'm the Champion of Kirkwall and these are my companions. Now let us go."
"You're the Champion? No, that can't be. You can't be…"
"I am, now will you let us go?"
The Knight-Captain shook his head. "No you I need most of all." He broke through the stony bond of Merrill's spell, which had been weakening while they talked. He lunged towards Hawke and an ear-splintering cry went out from Fenris as he cut the Knight-Captain's head off.
The rest of the Templars dropped their swords and raised their arms. There were only five left.
"Please spare us! We were only on our way to Kirkwall."
"Where are you from?"
"Starkhaven."
"Return to Starkhaven and tell no one that you met us. We only want peace."
One of the templars spoke up for the others. "We should continue to Kirkwall. If we return to Starkhaven, they will wonder why we returned."
Hawke nodded. "Very well. There are large, hungry bears in the hills. Perhaps your comrades fell to them."
"We understand. Thank you, Champion, for sparing us. We won't forget your kindness."
Five templars walked away from the fight, seven died. Kimberly blamed herself for the seven not for the five.
-X-
They were taking a break and Kimberly watched Henric digging into the dirt again. She decided to talk to him, and so she walked over and sat beside him. The sun beat down on them from the sky above but Henric seemed not to care. After several long moments of silence, Kimberly asked, "Are you creating spells again?"
Henric nodded. "I wish I could have tried out some new ones, but knowing how skittish your elf gets around magic, I thought better of it."
Kimberly took offense on the Fenris's behalf. "Why are you so hard on him? You know nothing about him. He is wary of magic. He has cause."
Henric shrugged.
Kimberly frowned. "You know he was tortured as a slave by his Tevinter master, Danarius, and Danarius's minion, Hadrianna. Fenris was forced to kill people he cared about. The lyrium was branded into his skin and it wiped away his memories of the past. He has nothing. He has no one but me."
Henric stopped drawing and leaned on his staff, listening to Kimberly's tale. "He didn't like me at first. I was a mage and therefore stood for everything he hated. But despite that, we have found love and mutual respect. If I ever fall to blood magic, I want him to be the one to kill me. Fortunately, I don't foresee that happening. Most of my trips to the Fade are pretty benign. But he is correct, there is always a possibility."
"Not for the strong willed."
"Even for the strong willed. I've been to the Fade under circumstances not related to dreaming. I have been tempted by demons, offering all the desires of your heart. It takes a strong will and a reason to keep going to deny temptation.
"I used to have a nice house in Kirkwall. I lived comfortably, fought injustice and tried to stay out of the mage war. I've lost all of that now, but I am content because I have Fenris by my side. He is my protector and my lover. He still distrusts magic, but we have come to agree to disagree on the topic of magic. I know he would do anything for me and I would do anything for him. I fought slavers for him, and he has fought templars for me. We are happy, even camping out in the woods."
Kimberly turned and looked at Henric. "I know it might be hard for you understand Fenris and me, but we have a special bond – one that cannot be easily severed. " She searched his dark brown eyes for understanding. "But maybe you do understand that. A bond that is not easily broken?"
Henric looked away. Talia. Yes, he understood.
Kimberly touched his hand. "Henric, templars took someone close to you, didn't they?"
Henric removed his hand. He was silent for a long time. Should he trust Hawke? Or should he continue to carry this burden to the grave? Talia, oh Talia, what would you have me do? It had always been Henric and Talia against the world, much like Hawke and Fenris. They had had other friends, but they were always together. Until the templars. He looked at Hawke. She was silently awaiting his answer. Oh Maker, how did she guess? Talia, are you my secret? Or would I honor you to tell the world of our love? Or would it ruin the memory? Oh Talia, I miss you so much. What would you have me do?
No answer came. Talia, my love, the templars stole your voice and your soul. I am alone.
He frowned. Telling Hawke would do no good. She would tell the elf because they were one, just as he and Talia had been. No, he couldn't tell Hawke. Talia, you are my secret, beloved. I could never fully explain our love. I will not sully your memory by trying. I will not subject myself to pity.
Henric lifted his chin. "We should get going."
-X-
A/N: I'm trying to keep up with posting but finals are coming up and that will make things more difficult for me time-wise. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Go Henric! :)
Please review! I love feedback!