Chapter Twenty Six

Growing Wings

It is only when you leap you realise you can fly. - Flemeth

Theron ducked out of sight when more Chantry priests came into the building. He could hear their prayers and chanting while others whispered among themselves. For three years he had been coming to this place, even the Grand Cleric expected to see him nowadays but he never prayed to the Maker or uttered the Chant of Light. Theron liked the quiet and solitude this place offered but there was one person in particular Theron wanted to see.

Sebastian had left for Starkhaven but he had sent Theron a letter letting him know that he was coming back to Kirkwall. Ever since the Flint Company had been taken out of the equation Sebastian had spent what resources he could into finding out who hired them to kill his family.

Starkhaven was in turmoil because of a kingless throne and the only heir aside from Sebastian was a simple man who could be too easily manipulated. Theron always hated getting involved in politics especially when innocent people were killed.

He had seen what Loghain tried to do and while a part of him could understand why the Teryn did what he did the fact remained he was responsible for Cailan and Duncan's deaths. He still needed to pay and Alistair had swiftly beheaded him without a second thought. Alistair was an airhead and more than a little wet behind the ears when it came to leading men but he was still a good man and Ferelden needed that.

Maybe Starkhaven would need the same thing. The elf gripped the bow tightly as he thought about Sebastian leaving for his homeland permanently. He may wish to stay with the Chantry but the truth was Starkhaven would need a strong ruler. Being in the Chantry was a noble thing but to Theron he saw it as a means to get away from the responsibilities required of a person. Sebastian didn't strike him as a coward or the kind of man to leave his responsibilities behind but he was determined to stay in the Chantry.

Theron was pulled from his thoughts when the man in question entered the Chantry alongside another priest. Theron felt his face heat up and his grip on the bow tightened again. The archer was wearing his custom made armour again.

His hair was still the same soft chestnut brown and slicked back from his face. Sebastian parted ways with the priest and made his way to one of the storage rooms near the front door. Theron licked his dry lips before stepping towards the archer and he finally got his voice to work.

"So how did it go?" Theron cursed inwardly when he squawked out the question.

"Theron?" Sebastian turned around and smiled when he saw his friend. "Ah, it went well enough. I'm just glad to be back from Starkhaven and the politics."

"I can understand that." The elf grinned at the man. "Ahh...I got you something."

"Oh?" the prince raised an eyebrow.

"No that it means anything!" Theron felt his face heat up again. "J-Just a welcome home gift...so here."

"Theron..." Sebastian took the bow the elf held out to him. "You didn't need to buy me this."

"You always listen to me when I start complaining." Theron shrugged but he felt warm that the archer liked the bow he picked up. "You're a good friend."

"Thank you." Sebastian smiled serenely. "I mean that."

"It's a Dalish made bow. I couldn't believe it when I saw it sitting in the vendor stall." The red head sighed. "It reminded me of the one Tamlen used to have."

"Tamlen, he was your friend back in Ferelden." Sebastian remembered when Theron used to speak about his lost comrade.

"I always used to think that I was past missing my clan and Tamlen." Theron admitted as he walked alongside Sebastian. "Talking to Merrill helped to ease the pain a little but the truth is I can't go home again. It never really hit me before."

"Home..." Sebastian murmured.

"Are you alright?" Theron frowned when Sebastian's eyes glazed over.

"I found something out about my family." The archer said as he pulled Theron into an alcove away from prying eyes. "I know who sent the Flint Company after them."

"Who was it?" the elf asked.

"The Harimann family." Sebastian's eyes darkened with anger. "I...I still can't believe it was them."

"You knew them?" Theron felt hot rage boil inside him. Sebastian was in a lot of pain, he could see it in his eyes.

"They were always close friends of the Vael family. Lady Harimann was always ambitious but I never thought she was capable of this." Sebastian admitted. He chewed his lower lip for a moment before speaking again. "I want to go to their estate in Hightown. I want to confront them myself."

"I'll come with you." Sebastian looked stunned when Theron said that so quickly but he couldn't deny the relief he felt.

"I was going to ask Hawke to help me but I'd appreciate it if you were there." The prince smiled gratefully.

"It's no problem." Theron nodded. "I know what it's like when you're betrayed by someone you trust."

"You still do that." Beautiful blue eyes glanced over the elf.

"Do what?" Theron shivered under that gaze. "Make witty comments? Steal Varric's booze? Lick lampposts in winter?"

"Lick what? Oh my..." Sebastian blushed to his ears and Theron could only laugh. He made a note to thank Alistair for that one. "I meant that you always look burdened, like you carry the weight of the world on your shoulders."

"Grey Wardens usually do." Theron joked weakly. "Don't worry about me Sebastian."

"There's nothing wrong with worrying about a friend." The prince answered. "I like to think that you can talk to me with whatever is on your mind."

"Thanks..." Theron murmured as he turned his eye away from Sebastian.

The truth was he wanted to tell the prince everything. He wanted to tell him about the thing tormenting him in his dreams and how it could take Alistair's shape. He wanted to tell Sebastian that being around him made Theron feel better and more attached to the world around him. He hadn't felt like this in a long time but being around Sebastian was exciting and yet so very terrifying.

Theron hated that he felt like this especially for a man who was blindly devoted to the Maker and the Chantry. Even if Sebastian could understand how Theron felt he would never accept the fact that he was possessed by something he hadn't been able to fight against. Hawke, Anders and Orsino were trying everything they could to help him and Theron was grateful to them.

"When do you plan on going to the estate?" Theron broke the silence.

"I was hoping to go there tonight. The sooner I confront them the better." Sebastian replied.

"Good plan." The elf agreed. "I'll meet you here at nightfall."

"Should we tell Hawke?" Sebastian asked. "If something happens the Viscount will want to know and Hawke will find out."

"Hawke has enough problems with the Qunari." Theron ran a hand through his wild red hair. "Besides you're not helpless. We'll be fine."

"I appreciate the vote of confidence." Sebastian smiled warmly. "Then we'll meet back here tonight."

Theron hummed in agreement then left the Chantry. He may not wish to tell Sebastian the truth but for now he couldn't feel guilty about it. Honestly it was worth the lies if it meant feeling this level of peace and warmth whenever he talked to the priest.

It was something Theron wanted to keep.

The Wounded Coast

Things were even worse than Garrett had realised.

Upon meeting with the Arishok he learned that the recipe for a lethal toxin had been stolen but the thieves thought they possessed the recipe for the explosive powder. The Arishok wished to avoid needless slaughter among the Kirkwall citizens and he wanted Hawke to find the toxin and the thieves before anything happened. He had taken Varric, Fenris and Isabela with him to the Wounded Coast only to enter a fight with members of the Tal-Vashoth.

Garrett never liked fighting them and not because they were Qunari. They were hated simply for being what they are and not for anything they did. As a mage he could understand that prejudice. But he found a note left behind from a dwarf who his siblings encountered three years ago. The mage tracked a dwarf merchant down to the Wounded Coast but the merchant admitted that an elf took the recipe.

Upon getting back to Kirkwall Aveline and Carver were trying to get people out of a section of Lowtown when a thick green cloud filled the area. Whatever the cloud was it left people incredibly sick but so far there were no casualties. Bethany had arrived to treat the wounded and sick while Garrett went into the infected area to find the culprit. The resulting battle had left a sour taste in his mouth.

The toxin had been used in a fit of desperation by an insane elf who had lost her sister to the Qun. Varric and Isabela had sealed off the barrels containing the toxin and Aveline sent out the order to have them removed immediately. Garrett was afraid something like this would happen. It was only a matter of time before the tension broke and people were killed.

"This will only get worse." Fenris spoke to him as Garrett approached the Qunari compound. "That elf was only the start."

"I know." Garrett sighed heavily. "I don't want this to end in a war."

"You may not have a choice." Fenris murmured but Garrett gave him a small smile.

"Maybe but I can hope, right?" Garrett replied. "Can you come with me? The Arishok is a little more agreeable when you speak his language."

"As you wish." Fenris followed the human mage into the compound.

The meeting with the Arishok went as well as Garrett expected it to be. The large Qunari was troubled by the elf and her intentions to use the toxin but anyone who converted to the Qun was automatically placed under his protection. He was running out if patience and told Garrett that if one more person was harmed under his command then he would act accordingly. The mage could only agree to take the message to the Viscount. As he left the compound Garrett noticed people staring at him, some afraid while others looked angry and confused. He didn't want to admit it but now he could see the tension in the city.

"They're scared, afraid that the Qunari will have more of their loved ones." Fenris muttered to the mage. "Their blind devotion to their faith will tear the city apart."

"You really believe a fight is inevitable?" Garrett asked the elf.

"Look at them..." Fenris motioned his head to the crowd. "More people are converting to the Qun every day. They want the Qunari out of Kirkwall now."

"Maker's balls..." Garrett rubbed his face. "The only thing we can do is talk to the Viscount. Maybe Seamus can help with this."

"Are you sure about that?" Fenris cocked a dark eyebrow. "The boy is more than a little sympathetic to the Qunari."

"And he may be our best chance at getting the situation under control." Garrett pointed out. "We have to try something Fenris."

The elf said nothing but a small smile tugged at his lips. Garrett Hawke was indeed a rare man. Even now he was trying to make both sides happy and while that motion was implausible it was still a good thought. Garrett refused to let a battle break out but Fenris highly doubted he would be successful. There was too much tension and anger in Kirkwall and it was only a matter of time before someone lit the fuse.

As they left the compound neither Hawke nor Fenris noticed a man standing in the shadows, a smile on his lips as he observed the white haired elf. He had to report back to Hadriana about the runaway slave. She would be most pleased with this.

Not only was Fenris here but he was friends with Hawke, a mage with immense power that any magister in Tevinter would kill to have. Both the elf and the mage would make fine pets for Danarius and his friends.

The man quickly left to report back to Hadriana.

No doubt he would be richly rewarded.

Not the longest chapter, more of a filler really compared to what's coming next.

Cullen will be back soon. I have a lovely little subplot for him and Bethany planned out concerning the Amell mage Cullen knew. Can't say anymore than that but I hope you'll enjoy it.

Next up Sebastian and Theron battle a Desire Demon while Fenris finds out about Hadriana. Will it all end in disaster? You'll find out soon enough. Also a reviewer made a very good point so I shall hold a vote...

Should I write a scenario were Garrett buys Anders a kitten? Let me know, hehe.

As always much love to all my readers and reviewers.