Chapter 33: A New Normal

Lowtown-Gamlen's House

Ericks ran into the house where Cullen and the Templars surrounded Bethany who was now wearing dark blue robes of the Circle of Magi. Leandra stood in fear of what was going to happen next. Ericks frowned. "What's going on?"

Bethany just gave her brother a sad look, she knew Ericks better than anyone. She knew he would his life to protect her and her freedom. She shook her head. "Please don't do anything"

"Mistress Bethany is being taken to the Circle of Magi in the Gallows" Cullen said.

"Like hell!" Ericks was about to reach for his daggers and the Templars were about to reach for their swords.

"Ericks, please stop!" Bethany said. Ericks gave a low growl as he took his hand off of the hilt of his dagger. Bethany lowered her head, not even her beloved big brother could stop what was coming. "We had a good run, but it had to happen eventually didn't it?"

"Consider yourselves fortunate. Her cooperation allows us to spare you the punishment for harboring a dangerous mage…this once"

Ericks gave Cullen a deadly look. "A threat to get what you want like some common back alley thug" he said with venom. "The Maker and his bride must be so proud of what you are doing in their name" As Ericks and Cullen glared at one another; Leandra came towards her daughter and placed her hands on her face for possibly the last time. Tears streamed down her cheeks, she lost one child to darkspawn and now she was losing another to the Templars.

"Oh, Bethany! What will happen to you?"

Bethany placed her forehead on hers trying to be strong for her mother and to not give the Templars the satisfaction of seeing her cry. "Don't worry, Mother. I'll be fine" she then looked at Ericks. "Take care of her, big brother" Ericks could only nod his head, for all his cunning and skills for once he didn't an answer to save his sister. He could only watch as the Templars took Bethany away. She stopped and looked one last time at her family before walking out of the house for good. Leandra fell to her knees and cried as Ericks came to her side. The Hawke family was going to be rich nobles soon but what good was all that coin if they all couldn't be together to enjoy it?


Hawke Estate-9:40 Dragon

"So the Champion's sister was in the Circle"

Varric nodded. "Yes but I'm guessing that's not what you're looking for"

"Isn't it? Driven from their home, a sister taken against her will?" Cassandra asked. "And the Champions' companions? Merrill, Aveline, Isabela…that Warden, Anders"

The dwarf sighed. "You don't have to remind me, I introduced them, remember?"

Casandra turned her back. "We thought they all came from Ferelden together, but now it makes sense. Motive and opportunity" Varric shook his head, the seeker so wanted to see the world in black and white absolutes but this crappy world didn't work like this.

"Still not what you think"

"Then I need to hear more"

"Unless you've already decided, I can always go if you don't need me anymore…" Cassandra was tempted to do that, it would be easy enough to do but she still had questions. Being a champion was no easy feat, it was a title bestowed, only by a city ruler, on an individual who has proven her/his dedication to the city in blood, sweat, and leadership. Someone like that couldn't be the cause of the calamity she's seeing now…Cassandra needed to know more.

"What came next? Tell me"


The treasure we found in the Deep Roads made us a fortune. The Champion moved up in the world. Literally. Bought a mansion in Hightown. Everyone knew who he was now; even the viscount was taking notice. Sunshine was in the Circle, now. There was nothing we could do for her, poor girl. Three years had passed and the Qunari was still in Kirkwall. They said they waiting for their ship but some of us knew better…

Viscount's Keep-9:35 Dragon

It was a bright and sunny morning in Kirkwall, Ericks was at Viscount's Keep. He was invited by the viscount himself for a meeting of some kind. Since moving up in the world, everyone with any kind of influence in Kirkwall wanted his attention. A good many of them had business proposals for some risky venture and then some of them were marriage proposals from families wanting to join with the up and coming Hawke estate. Leandra was all too happy to try and find someone for Ericks to settle down with. The rogue wasn't the only one who had changed; Aveline was now a full-fledged captain for the city guards. Although she popular with her subordinates, not all were happy with her methods.

"We'll need to give them answers by tomorrow, Captain" one of the guards said.

"I'll have them, dismissed"

"The seneschal was particularly vocal…"

"Dismissed" The guard then nodded and walked away as Ericks came in. "You'd think the captain of the guard could requisition a Templar or two but no, that would be demeaning" Aveline said. "Can't have them working for the people when eternity needs a nanny"

"That's why I remain unimportant, less pressure"

"As if the return of the Amells hasn't set Hightown on its ear"

"As long as it's off its ass"

"Sure have your fun, but the coin you poured into Kirkwall tipped what balance there was" Ericks raised a brow, since gaining success he became something of an unwanted rival to the powers that be in Hightown. Their efforts to stay on top have led to a lot of work for the guards and a lot of paperwork for Aveline. "I just harassing you, although you are a bit like the center of a hurricane" she said. "You've changed fortunes foe many people. Not always for the better"

"Sounds like you're spreading yourself pretty thin" Ericks said.

"There are a lot of people in my charge. Someone has to look out for them"

"Ah you babysit them, like you do me"

Aveline rolled her eyes. "I wouldn't put it that way…there's additional training, doubled patrols" she said. "I'm not like Jeven; I won't just turn people loose to the wolves"

"Costs are up, but the injuries are halved. I'll take it, and argue with Seneschal Bran later"'

"Damn, didn't realize Jeven left that much of a mess" Ericks said.

Aveline sighed. "At least I had the guards on my side, once they understood, they rallied" she said. "And those who didn't weren't fit to hold the crest"

"Stack friends against the enemies, I don't know if I came out ahead but it's for the better"

Ericks smirked. "You complain but you love it"

"They'd have to drag me out of here and I'm sure some are lining up to try" Aveline said. "You among them, I bet. Haven't had much time to follow you around"

"Really? I just thought your spies had gotten better at sneaking around" Ericks said dryly.

"Well I can at least trust you to do what's right" Aveline said. "Well if you excuse me, I have paperwork to do and you have a meeting to get to"

Ericks went up the stairs where a meeting was in session. "The compound was not meant to be permanent. There are concerns the Qunari influence is…no longer contained" the seneschal said.

The viscount shook his head. "Was it ever? Kirkwall has tension enough between Templar and mage, but these Qunari…"

Marlowe Dumar, the current viscount of Kirkwall. The Dumars had roots in Kirkwall since the early Storm Age, though they were a relatively minor noble house until the early Dragon Age. Lord Randall was uncommon in that he did some work; personally overseeing the operations of the family's trading company on the docks. Marlowe grew up believing in the virtue of good, honest labor.

In 9:21 Dragon, when Viscount Perrin Threnhold blocked the Waking Sea passage, Marlowe went to the docks and oversaw the running of the Dumars' company, finding ways for Kirkwall's trade to continue. After Threnhold was overthrown by the templars, Knight-Commander Meredith appointed him the new viscount, much to his surprise. She said that he was different from the entitled degenerates that filled Kirkwall, that his family was humble, had never grasped for power or gold. At his coronation, she gifted him a carved ivory box containing the Threnhold signet ring, misshapen and crusted with blood and the words "His fate need not be yours" to remind him who truly held the power in Kirkwall.

As Viscount, Dumar struggles to maintain order in a city riddled with political and religious tensions, without any ability to effectively enact his will. Under his reign, the Templar Order has grown extremely powerful in Kirkwall: it has become the center of Chantry strength in eastern Thedas and holds its Circle of Magi in a terrifying iron grip. With the Qunari presence exacerbating the city's tensions, Dumar becomes increasingly helpless as events spiral out of his control.

Dumar stands up. "They sit like gargoyles, waiting for Maker-knows-what, and everyone goes mad around them. Nearly four years I have stood between fanatics" He looks at the large book on the table and sighs. "And now this"

"Don't keep us in suspense" Ericks said crossing his arms.

"Leave us" The seneschal nodded left the room as Ericks approached. Dumar sits in his chair rubbing his tired eyes…the man has definitely seen better days. "Meredith at my throat, Orsino at my heels, and a city scared of heretical giants"

"Balance has held for now but only because the Qunari ask for nothing. Even the space in Lowtown was a 'gift' to contain them" Dumar said. "But now the Arishok has requested you, by name…what did you do?"

Ericks shrugged. "Hell if I know…I thought the Arishok hated me like he hates the rest of Kirkwall" he said. "Must have made more of an impression than I thought"

"Perhaps we can use this…speak to the Arishok, give him what he needs to keep the peace" Dumar said. "Can you do that for Kirkwall, Serah Hawke?"

"Weird…I know the city's nervous about them but I haven't heard anything major in years"

"Zealots are bravest where their lies can't be argued: behind closed doors" the viscount said. "Chantry leaders see Qunari beliefs as a challenge not an attack. But…"

"You don't think it will that way…" Ericks said.

"Messages get muddled among casual adherents" Dumar said. "I am certainly not equipped to argue the fine points of faith" Qunari usually arrive as conquerors, so it has been odd that this arrangement has gone on for so long. Viscount Dumar is also surprised but he has no interest in antagonizing them as they have honored the treaty. But…the viscount has his doubts, the Qunari have claimed they are waiting for a second ship but to wait three years…they want something else.

"Any idea what I can expect?" Ericks asked.

"None, honestly I don't think I've heard two direct words from the Arishok" Dumar said. "Other than his rather deliberate phrasing of 'begone'"

"If you think his asking me to notify you of this is strange, well, you would be right"

Ericks cracked his knuckles. "Well what's the payment? A merc doesn't work free"

"Humph, you've served yourself, built a fortune. I give you that" the viscount said. "But, if you and only you cannot calm this situation, I fear the only reliable investment will be in swords and armor"

"Serve your city and then we will talk about what you are due, the Arishok is waiting" Dumar went back to his desk. "Maker, what a mess"

A New Beginning with new dangers! Next Time! Review and Comment!