Chapter Five

Promises and Sons

When I came to, I realized I was in… Anders bed. I opened my eyes and received a shock.

Everything seemed enhanced, and more than that, I could see 360 degrees around me. My hair was floating and looked more like… shit; I was in 'goddess' mode as Alistair called it. This shouldn't be possible; I was conscious while in this mode.

"Guys! She's awake!" I heard Anders yell, and people came running from all over the house.

Alistair stopped short in the doorway. "She's in Goddess Mode… what set her off, I wonder?"

There were a few people here… Hawke, Fenris, Alistair, Anders, and Varric.

"Alistair… come here?" I asked, but the language was that of the Fae. Without hesitation he started to me. "What did she say? I only recognized your name…" Hawke asked.

Alistair reached me, and continued in Fae, "What do you need? Are you Aware?"

"Strangely, yes. I just feel the need to hold you… can I?"

He put his arms around me and in Common, spoke, "This is new. That you're aware during… this. When you taught me the tongue I was sure we'd only use it for one thing," he laughed.

I smirked and tried to speak, only to find I could only use Fae, "Yes, well… things happen. I need… food and drink. How long have I been asleep?"

Alistair relayed my request and said, "A week; meaning I have to leave in 4 days."

Fenris stood and left.

I gave a cry of despair. "I wish it were not so! I have no idea… what has happened."

"I'm just glad you're alright. I was so worried, love. I feared I would have to leave before knowing if you were okay or not."

Alistair nuzzled my neck as my hair slowly returned to normal. I asked Hawke for a status report. "We, erm… we checked out the foundry and only found bones, and reported to Emeric and Knight-Captain Cullen about Keran and the Mages. Keran still has his job, thankfully, because I was sure to mention he wasn't possessed. We also finished that Chantry Board mission for Prince Sebastian Vael, helped a… friend of Isabela, started to help Meeran but couldn't kill Lord Harriman. Solivitus asked us for help, so we cleared the Ironbark grove and got that, also got a Spider Silk Gland when we went to an Abandoned Ruin for Magistrate Vanard… had to kill his son; at the sons request mind you! Rescued the Viscounts son; he wasn't happy that the winters killed his Qunari friend. And we cleared the bone pit while we were out that way and got the Dragon Fang…"

"You got quite a bit done…" I was impressed.

"Yes, well, Fenris was pushing us to get it done. He felt useless here when you were… in a coma. I think he cares more than he lets on."

"Well, according to my visions, you can relax for the next week… nothing pressing going on." Hawke breathed a sigh of relief, and sat on a chair near me.

Fenris returned just then with a tray of food. I took it with a smile, seeing a sandwich and some fruit with a tall glass of water. "Thank you, hun." He nodded and took a seat.


Once again, I saw Alistair off with a satchel of cheese; much to the amusement of Ser Garrick. We'd had a fun tumble with Isabela, and she had asked if we could just share him, but Alistair said it was a one-time thing. I'd allowed a second round of Pizza the night before he left, and he'd eaten a whole 6 cheese pizza all on his own. And when it was time for us to get back to work? Work found us.

We had been Visiting Merrill when Hawke noticed Ser Thrask speaking with Arianni. She was 5'5 with her soft red hair in a bun, and her blue eyes looked worried. She wore the Vallaslin of Sylaise, and her skin was a deep tan. Thrask, in comparison, was 5'8, with reddish brown hair and a goatee, he also had blue eyes but his skin was pale.

We had Hawke, Myself, Carver, Fenris, Isabela and Varric.

"The Templars cannot tolerate Apostates." Thrask spoke in a deep and soothing voice.

"This will be mother if we're not careful…" Carver said softly.

"It sounds like your son is in trouble, is there anything I can do?" Hawke asked. Fenris gave me a look, lifting his eyebrow so while Hawke spoke to Arianni I leaned to Fenris. "Her son is not dangerous… he is powerful, however. A rare type of Mage called a Dreamer. We will be sending him to the Dalish so that we are better able to save him in a few years. You will not agree with what will ultimately become of him, but I swear to you, I will send him to the one house in Tevinter I know refuses to use blood magic. The son of that particular Magister will be a friend of mine in the years to come. I ask that you trust me in this, but I will understand if you cannot."

Fenris was thoughtful as Arianni turned to me, "One of the People?"

"The Sabre Clan happens to have need of a new first, Arianni. Merrill has left the clan, and Marethari will take Feynriel if you're agreeable?"

"If you can find him… please, I would do anything to keep my son safe!" I clapped her on the shoulder. "We will search, Arianni; Mala suledin nadas. Endure for Feynriel, for we will find him."

"Ma Serannas, Da'len." Arianni embraced me, and we headed off toward the market.

"I thought you were not Dalish?" Carver asked.

"I'm… not; though I was adopted into the Ellwood Clan when I received my Vallaslin at the behest of Flemeth. Did you know that Vallaslin started out as Slave marks? I only allowed it, because I know that Mythal has her reasons. So far, it has done nothing but help me, and she hasn't tried to take advantage of it. Besides, I know how to remove it, when I am ready." Fenris had looked pissed at the mention that they were slave marks.

"The Dalish willingly enslave themselves?!"

"No. The Dalish have lost much of the knowledge they once held. They do not remember that the marks were once symbols of Slavery. Those that try to tell them are generally chased away. To them, they are no longer slave marks, but worship marks."

Fenris shook his head, furious. "You let yourself be marked… why?"

"Like I said, Flemeth arranged it. Despite the fact that I did cut off her head once, I do trust her. She will be nothing but helpful. She will aid in the saving of Thedas in a few years. Without her, the world would fall. Likely she knows I will have it removed by her… friend, around that time too. This, these marks; they were not made with her blood like the marks of old. I am safe enough for the time being."

He grunted as we approached Vincento in the market.

"Greetings, Serah, you look like a man who'd be interested in the finest Antivan Steel to grace his hand. I only bring the finest northern merchandise to the Free Marches."

"Nice try, sweetie; I have a friend in the Crows who taught me quite a bit… that is a knock-off blade. This is the real thing." I pulled out my White Steel Dagger much to Vincentos dismay.

"Well, if you are not here to shop, what can I do for you?"

"I'm interested in your son," Hawke said.

"Son? I've never had the privilege, Serah. My poor wife, she is back in Antiva, and cannot see me often with my travels… let us not ruin the day with such weighty thoughts; perhaps I could show you my silks?"

I giggled and allowed my eyes to glow as I held out my hand, allowing a blue light to form into a woman and a man dancing on my palm. Hawke gave me a smile. "As you see, we are not Templars, Serah. Feynriel has nothing to fear from us."

"Maldicion! You are a Mage! I suppose you'd be kind then, to a boy who resists being taken by the Templars?"

"Oh, sure… like he's family," Carver said. I giggled.

"Don't worry, sweet; we only want to help him. I've guaranteed his stay with the Dalish," I winked as Vincento relaxed.

"The boy's in over his head, so I sent him to the only man I know who doesn't despise mages. A former Templar named Samson."

"I know him! He hangs out in Lowtown after dark… but if someone doesn't pay for his help, he directs them elsewhere…"

The merchant paled. "What? Please, my son had no money… you must find him!"

"Of course we will, Serah."


We waited around that night, near the entrance to Dark Town. It was an Hour after dark that Samson showed up. It was me, Hawke, Anders, Fenris and Varric.

"Vincento said someone might come sniffing around. You're looking for the boy, right? Feyn… something. I'll tell you now, there's not much I can do for you."

"I take it you met him?" Hawke asked.

"Afraid so… Blighter was dead broke, though, not a silver on him. I help one mageling for free and I'll never get paid again."

"I pity any mage who is forced to rely on you for protection!" Anders spat.

"I pointed him to a ship captain I know, Rainer… sometimes he'll take on runaways. Took another apostate, a girl, I sent him last week. Might have gone wrong though… I heard a rumor he took the both of them captive instead. Heard he has the two of them locked up in a quays warehouse; somewhere close to dockside. You want to go looking; you might find the lad before he gets ransomed to the Templars… or worse."

I sighed and handed him 3 small pouches of Lyrium before we headed on our way.

"One day, that man will be my greatest enemy; but I can't leave a man to suffer." I explained to the looks I'd gotten.

We reached the docks and fought our way toward the back. 15 pirates were all we encountered… until we reached the back room.

"Please! Help me… anyone…" a woman cried and I bolted to the back… I didn't make it. Just as I opened the door I saw a feminine figure slump to the ground before turning into an abomination. I felt a tear slip from my eye.

Nothing could prepare you for it; not even having seen it before. One moment, a person is standing there, and the next… a horrid, ugly lump of purple flesh and the smell of rot.

I looked to the ship captain, Rainer. He was 5'7 with black hair, beard and green eyes. He was a little pudgy and his face was messed up from years of blade fights.

When the fight was over, I was kneeling over Olivia Thrask, searching the ripped pockets for the note I knew was in one of them. "What are you doing?" Anders asked softly.

I found it and pulled it from the chest pocket. "It's a note to her Templar father. He… he deserves to know."

"Her father was…" Hawke started. "Ser Thrask. This was Olivia; his only child."

"I found a note, Hawke. Looks like our next stop is Dark Town to look for someone named… Danzig." Varric called out.

It was dawn by the time we reached that area of Dark Town… and Danzig was repulsive.

At 5'7 he was sickly pale, with a freaking Hitler mustache, and green eyes. He wore robes and a hat that made it obvious he was a Mage.

"Why… look here, boys; Volunteers! Clap 'em in Irons and let's see what the Tevinters will pay for them… specially this one here," He pointed to me, "I don't want any scratches on her." I heard Fenris growl from beside me.

Hawke smirked and looked at Fenris. "Make him talk."

"With pleasure," Fenris snarled and shoved his hand through Danzig's chest. The mage coughed and wheezed as Fenris put pressure on the man's heart.

When Fenris removed his hand, Danzig groaned. "Andraste's great flaming ass! How did you do that? Never mind; I've stashed the boy in a cave; a smuggler hideout on the wounded coast. Tevinters will be by to finish the deal later today. C-can I go?"

"Sure! Oh wait… I meant no," Hawke smirked as Fenris tore the man's heart clean out of his chest. I used my throwing stars while the other slavers were distracted, making the fight… way too easy.

"Are you alright?" Fenris asked me. "I'm fine, love. I've been through worse than the threat of slavery, as you know…" I was surprised when he pulled me into a hug; and I think I saw Hawke and Anders looking stunned too.

Varric smirked at me and I stuck out my tongue.


At the wounded coast, we found Javaris Tintop, who asked for our help with the Tal-Vashoth. Hawke gave me a look and I shrugged; he said we'd do it to hunt the outlaws. He was 4'6 with red-blond hair and a Kung-Fu master mustache that didn't work for him.

We swiftly got to the slavers cave from there. 47 slavers by my count.

"Take one more step, and the boy dies," The man said… how predictable!

Hawke looked at Varric while I shot a smile at Feynriel. "Tell this dirt bag who we are," Hawke gave off a menacing aura.

"If I were you, I wouldn't be threatening the Viscount's boy." Varric gave an uncaring shrug.

"What?" The red-haired villain looked suddenly afraid.

"Oh, I suppose you just got a tip from a slaver that he was selling mage-flesh cheap? You never thought to ask where he got it? You never wondered if you were buying the Viscounts well known love child from his elven mistress; the boy he swore to protect even if it meant razing the Free Marches to the ground."

As Varric spoke, the slaver slowly lowered his sword. "I seek no war with the Free Marches… take the lad to his father."

"Give him here, then," I spoke, infusing my voice with a lyrical undertone. The man looked at me with red cheeks – likely thinking he was hearing things and thus thought I was sent by the maker himself – and nudged Feynriel, who came over to me. "Now, time to die," Hawke smirked as he pulled his staff. I cast a shield around Feynriel and myself. Feynriel was 5'4 – really was anyone shorter than me? – With gold eyes, blond hair and pointed ears… well mostly pointed. I knew Alistairs had been cut when he was a child; Eamons doing. I only knew that because I saw the scars and had a damn vision at the Vigil.

When the fight was over, Feynriel looked to Hawke.

"Who are you? Are you working for the Templars?" Feynriel was obviously scared but masked it well with his anger.

"Your mother sent me," Hawke lifted an eyebrow.

"Hmmph. Hardly a difference. I can't believe her. My whole life it was 'I'll love and protect you', then I have a few bad dreams and it's, 'off to the Templars'!"

"Feynriel, look at me. We are here to help you. You saw our magics, you see my Vallaslin… the Dalish will accept you," I said allowing my Vallaslin to glow and sparkle.

His eyes widened. "The Keeper doesn't hate humans?"

I snorted, "Not at all. Marethari is a sweetheart… most of the time. She'll take you in with my approval, hun."

"You don't know what a relief that is… I knew she could help me. Thank the Creators that you're the ones my mother hired. I will forever be in your debt, friends."

We ended up escorting Feynriel to the Dalish. He had stuck with me the whole damn way, because of my Vallaslin.

"I can't thank you enough!" Feynriel gushed as we approached the camp. "Think nothing of it; the Dalish would not see the son of one of their own suffer alone."

We got into the camp without being stopped.

"Aneth Ara, Keeper. I bring you the son of Arianni; he has need of your help and training. He is… Somniari; a Dreamer. For the moment, he needs you. When it is time, seek us out once more; you will know when." She looked startled as the clan surrounded us.

"Ma Nuvenin, Da'len; I will teach him to the best of my abilities." I smiled and gave Feynriel a hug. "Creators be with you, Da'len," I whispered in his ear and he hugged me back. I also let Ilen know that the Ironbark Grove was cleared out.


On our way back down the mountain, we took care of the Tal-Vashoth before heading into Kirkwall proper.

"I thought all dwarves had beards; where's yours?" Fenris remarked and I was giddy to hear the real conversation. "I misplaced it; along with my sense of Dwarven Pride and my gold plated noble caste pin." Varric snarked and I giggled.

"I thought maybe it fell onto your chest…" I snorted and Fenris shot me a small smirk.

"Oh-ho! The broody elf tells a joke!"

"I don't brood…"

"Friend, if your brooding were any more impressive, women would swoon as you passed by. They'd have broody babies in your honor."

"You're a very odd dwarf," Fenris shrugged. "And you thought I was joking about the pin!"

"He's right you know… your brooding mixed with your voice… makes me want to swoon… or even have your babies," I giggled as Varric snorted.

Fenris looked at me, "Well, if it's you…"

I smiled as Varric pulled out one of the pens I gave him along with some paper… fucker was writing this down! We better not end up being the stars of swords and shields that was Aveline and Donnic!

"Let us pass, I have buissness with your Arishok and the Dwarf Javaris," Hawke demanded at the gate.

"The short mouth, yes… enter if you must, Basra." The Qunari at the gate was covered in red paint markings. I bowed my head to him. "Anaan esaam Qun."

Looking startled, the Qunari repeated the words to me, looking a bit more relaxed. Fenris looked at me, "You know Qunlat?" I knew there were several Qunari listening at this point.

"A Sten once called me Basalit-an, Ashkaari, and Kadan. I would say that I know quite a bit of Qunlat, from my travels with him during the blight."

"A Sten… called you Kadan?" Fenris asked in disbelief.

"He called me Ashkaari because I found a single lost blade in a country at war; he called me Kadan because it was his sword and I gave him a way to restore his Honor; he called me Basalit-an because, not only was I able to best him in combat, but I stared down the Archdemon into its eyes – the ones I had stabbed to blind the creature – and taunted it so a Grey Warden could deliver the killing blow."

After speaking with Javaris, whom I glared at, the Arishok was called. He sat upon the throne that had been fashioned for him and looked to us. Fenris and I both stepped forward. "Arishokost. Maraas shokra. Anaan esaam Qun," we intoned together. He was 7'3 with his grey skin and holy-hell he had muscles for days… his horns were rather long and his eyes were dark eyes. He wore the outfit from the game and the harness actually made him look… good. I wasn't expecting that.

A Sten whispered into his ear. "She claims to be the one we received word of? Let her prove it," The Arishok said with a wave of his hand. Four Stens approached us, and Fenris herded our friends to the side.

"First Blood, or to the death?" I asked. "Blood," he nodded.

All four came at me at once and I smiled. I ducked and pulled one blade to stab into the thigh of one of my attackers while I used a throwing star on the gut of another. I ducked, bending backwards as one I had not yet injured stepped forward with his sword raised; he'd anticipated the duck, but thought I would lean forward not back so he missed.

I giggled and danced around to number four with a kunai placed in his upper arm. From there, I pulled my Antivan Dagger from its sheath on my thigh and embedded it into the leg of the one who'd thought to cleave me in two. … The Arishok watched impassively. I was covered in blood, but I had refused to use magic, so that was an accomplishment.

The Arishok nodded, and went on to speak with Javaris and Hawke… then it got to the part "I humbly request clarification from the Arishok," Fenris voiced then shot a look at me.

"I have a growing lack of disgust for you. The dwarf imagined the deal for the Gaatlok. He invented a task to prove his worth when he has none."

I gave a small bow as Fenris spoke again. "Then we have wrongly inserted ourselves in your affairs…"

"Would you have us kill this Dwarf?" I asked, causing all heads – except Fenris – to snap over to look at me.

The Arishok gave me a calculating look. "You faced Tal-Vashoth; he is not worthy of dying to you as he was not worthy of dying to them…" he looked to Hawke – the obvious leader of our group. "You keep good company. Let him live… and leave."

I cleared my throat, catching attention once more. "The Dwarf brought you into another bargain, Arishok." I nodded to Hawke. The Arishok lifted a brow.

"Dwarf… did your imaginary bargain make promises on my behalf?" I saw the fury in the other Qun around us.

"I… erm… expected your wisdom to be more profitable…"

The Arishok stood, and the three Stens surrounding him looked ready to kill.

"Then you will pay, on my behalf." "Sod it all, take your coin; whatever." Javaris handed over money and stalked off. I shook my head, "He is… Maraas imekari."

Fenris snorted, "A child bleating without meaning… fitting."

I straightened my shoulders and looked to the Arishok once more. "I present a gift for the Arishok. Blood of a High Dragon that I slew myself," I pulled the two flasks from my bag and handed them to the Sten who came forward.

"I am… impressed, Bas. You have my thanks." I bowed my head as we left.

"You have a way with people, Feathers…"

"Go to Orzammar and ask about me sometime. The Castles will be up in arms if I need them. I have a god-daughter there too!" I had to explain that one, and Varric chuckled. "As I said; a way with people."