No I didn't scare him away...he didn't listen. He stands nervously waiting for me to finish with a patient. "Now run along, and remember to be more careful." I tussle the boys hair. Poor lad had shattered his arm trying to climb into someones window. Probably to steal some food. "Here." I hand him a loaf of bread. It was supposed to be for my lunch today, but he needs it more than me.
"Thanks!" He grins ear to ear, and has such a lively spring to his step as he leaves.
"That was nice of you." Issac comments. " Hey, I need your help on something Anders. You remember that boy we helped?"
"No, enlighten me. I think one way or another we have helped half the citizens of Kirkwall personally." I tease coercing a smile from his lips.
"Fair enough. The one, Feynriel."
"The apostate boy we sent to the Dailish, yes of course I remember him. Is something wrong?" I had hoped it would all work out for the boy.
"He's dreaming...he can't get out...the Keeper, she says he is tempted by demons in the Fade." Issac explains.
"What does she propose we do?"
"Well...are you and Justice up for a short trip to the Fade?"
…..
"I had not thought to return in such a way. It is good to feel the breath of the Fade again, not the empty air of your world."
"Does that happen to every mage in the Fade?" I can't tell whether he is joking or not.
Do not embarrass me.
What foolish fear is this. I have no time to listen to the incessant talk of your distractions.
Fine, just...don't say anything to make him hate me.
You want him gone, you want him close, what foolishness do you speak of now? We must focus.
"I am Justice, Anders has told you of me. Come I feel Feynriel's mind straining. We will not have much time."
"Spirits, demons, abominations...what have I let you drag me into." It would be nice for Fenris to keep his mouth shut, seeing as I am not in control.
"I don't know, I think this Justice fellow is a bit on the dark and mysterious side. Its a little bit of a turn on." Isabella smirks.
Just ignore them.
That is what we plan on doing. They are of no concern at the moment.
…..
"A demon of sloth. It exists to make men forget their purpose and their pride. Do not relax around it."
"Call me Tobor...I have a proposition for you." The sloth demon hisses. Surely Issac will not deal with such a fiend.
I will strike him down if he does.
What?
We will not treat with those who listen to the foul lies and temptations of demons.
You'd cut Issac down? Just so fast?
No we'd cut him down.
"I don't deal with demons!" Issac growled striking the demon down with a savage blow. Its minions surrounded us but were quickly dispatched.
If I thought spirits could smile...I'd say you'd be smiling right now.
He has demonstrated himself capable of resisting the call of demons. We are pleased.
…..
"Those who are free to choose always want power. You think your friends are different?" The enormous pride demon spoke to Issac, angered that we denied him Feynriel, his dreamer. "Do you think this slave would choose you over his freedom." He motions towards Fenris.
"Cast your eyes elsewhere demon. I won my freedom from the Magistars long ago." The elf steps towards the demon.
"But you fear them still. They have left their marks on your body and your mind. With my aid you could be free forever. You would have power enough to challenge any who would chain you." The demon rasped. Surely Fenris of all could resist. That is why Issac brought him along.
"Fenris, you know its all just lies." Issac looks a bit worried.
"But to face them as an equal.." No I can't believe it. The elf turns back to the demon. "What would you want from me?"
"A moment of your time and nothing more." The demon is confident...I am still in disbelief.
Fenris turns on us, going after Issac first. Issac throws his shield up to protect himself from the heavy blows.
"You must strike him down." Justice yells from our mouth.
"But what will happen to him? What if, What if..." Issac parries a strike that comes dangerously close to his chest.
"He has fallen to demons. Destroy him. He will have no lasting damage outside of the Fade." Justice demands, pulling magic from our body freezing the elf into place. Isabella is focusing on the pride demon, using her superior dexterity to dodge its grasp, and inflict damage with her daggers. Issac hesitates then brings his axe down. Fenris is motionless, then his body disappears. We all turn now to face the pride demon.
…..
"Fenris...I thought he would be stronger than that. I thought he was my friend." Issac is speaking to himself aloud. Obviously in shock.
"He was weak, yet he calls mages weak. Do not forget what you have seen here. Do not forget how easy it was for him to fall into the hands of demons." He nods sadly at Justice, at me, at us.
…..
"Take away my pets and I'll take away yours. How loyal are these friends you drag into the Fade? Would your pirate queen stay if the open water beckoned? What do you say sweetheart, a two mast brigandine, square main topsail, a hundred well built lads to answer your every whim." The Desire Demon purrs seductively into Isabella's ear. I know she is lost to us already. "I know you've been looking for a stiff masthead." The demon runs its fingers along its breasts...
"Hmmmmm." Isabella sways, lost to the demons charm and promises.
"Isabella...what are you doing? Did I mean so little to you that you'd betray me?" His expression is so very pained. She would hurt him again like this...
"Oh sweet thing, I like big boats and I cannot lie." She leaps to attack him.
"Anders...I mean Justice...you do it I can't." Issac cries dodging her swift daggers.
"Weakness." We dispatch her with several well placed spells, and no mercy.
…..
"I...I meant nothing to her. I meant nothing..after all we...I was just some lay when she was bored, just some distraction when she grew tired of everything else. I knew it was over I just thought..I just thought...I was worth more than that to her." My heart breaks for him. I appreciate him. He means so much to me.
"She was weak. It is no time to dwell on your strange mortal mating rituals."
I asked not to embarrass me.
We have no concept of such things.
"Its ok Justice, I knew you wouldn't understand. I just thought maybe... can Anders hear me?" He looks at the ground. I don't know how to feel. I guess he just wishes for a friend, some who hasn't betrayed him.
"I am Anders, I am Justice. We hear you."
"Never mind. I'll talk to him after we're out of here." He sighs.
…..
The boy is safe. He is on his way to Tevinter, good thing the elf was not present for that. He and Isabella looked shamefaced when confronted with Issac.
"I'll talk to you guys later. I need some time to think." They offer no words and part from us. "You saw everything." he asks.
"Yes, I did. I'm sorry. I hope Justice didn't put you off any."
"No he was...direct. Anders, they all...so easily...I just don't understand. Would Merrill, Aveline, Varric betray me too?" I am at a loss. I do not know what to say to comfort him.
"They all care about you Issac. Demons have a way of getting into people's heads. They promise them the things they dream of. They make it sound so easy. Start listening to one and they can fill your head with so many lies they appear to be truths." I try. I don't want to skirt what our companions did, but demons can be persuasive. If they were not so many would not fall to them.
"Did they ever promise things to you?"
"Yes. I am a mage. They promised me things all the time." During my harrowing...it was the worst.
"What did they promise? I'm sorry if I am prying..." expectantly he gazes at me.
"Freedom."
…..
He told me that he would stop by in a few days after he sorted through the mess with Fenris and Isabella. Maybe he will bring them around less...that could be pleasant. I'd still have to put up with the Bloodmage, Chantryboy, and Captain Manhands...at least Varric will be around. Issac walks in hiding something behind his back.
"I got you something Anders." He hands me the box he was hiding behind his back.
"You got me a gift? I hardly think I've done anything to deserve that." The box was obviously hand wrapped...rather sloppily. A gift does this mean...no of course not. I'm being foolish again. I peel back the wrappings and open the box... "That a Tevinter Chantry Amulet. Do you want me to get executed? Its sacrilege to wear them any land under the divine!" How could he think I'd want such a thing, another target on my head!
"I'm...no no I don't want you to get executed, I just thought...well the Divine condemned the Tevinter Chantry for freeing their mages from the circle... I thought you could...never mind its stupid I'll take it back." I had his meaning all wrong. A symbol of mage freedom, a symbol of subversion to the Chantry of the Divine. It was truly a thoughtful gift indeed.
"No I like it. I do. Well not maybe on the outside of my clothes. I'm not that eager to face the hangman's noose. I do appreciate the thought. I've never considered what life would be like in the Tevinter Chantry. In the Circle they make it sound like the Void itself. The Black Divine stalking Thedas, making unsafe for kittens and virgins."
"Ha well maybe those kittens and virgins will have to find a nice strong mage to protect them." He's teasing me, I'm glad he's let my first reaction to the gift slide. I laugh.
"From what I hear about the Tevinters that's the last thing they'd want. The virgins anyway...I've never heard of any horrific Kitten rituals. I appreciate the gift Issac. Maybe one day I can return one just as meaningful." Did this mean something? Am I fooling myself into seeing whats not there.
"I'm really glad you like it Anders. I have to get going, you know me...always busy." I swear he is blushing.
"Alright then I'll see you later." When he leaves I tuck the amulet under my clothes, the metal smooth against my chest, against my heart. Justice stirs, but nothing can spoil this moment.