Chapter 39: An Apostate's Plight
A mage who does not receive the teachings of the Circle and who does not have the words of Andraste in her heart is an apostate, and a danger to us all. Without the guidance of the holy Chantry, a mage may foolishly dabble in the darker arts—blood magic, or demon summoning, thus becoming maleficarum. And a mage's mind will ever be a doorway to spirits of the Fade; without proper instruction, this doorway remains open and unsecured. If a demon should come through this doorway and possess a mage, an abomination is created. Abominations know only madness. They cannot be reasoned with and will slaughter man, woman and child without thought. Whole cities have fallen to these creatures. Thousands have died at their hands. The Chantry and her templars have a duty to ensure that this does not happen.
If I knew a better way to deal with magic, I would seize upon it immediately. You say we should let the mages guard themselves. I tell you that this is no solution. Look at the Tevinter Imperium. Their magisters do not know restraint. Without Chantry oversight the magisters abuse their power. Those without magic are trampled underfoot and forced to serve. Slaves are slaughtered by the hundreds to feed the magisters' hunger for power. Even some mages are not spared, for in mages as in all humans, there exists a spectrum—on one end, the very powerful, on the other, those that can barely light a candle. The Empire cares only for the strongest, and those who do not compare favorably are thrown to the wolves.
Imagine your children growing up in such a world. If a mage asked it of you, you would have to give him your daughter, not knowing what his plans for her might be. You could not resist him, and neither could she. Without our templars and without the Circle, the common man would have no defense against magic. We must deny the mages certain freedoms for the common good. I wish there was another way. I tell the apprentices this is a test of their faith, that it is the will of the Maker. Many understand that we do what we do for their own good.—Excerpt of a letter from Grand Cleric Francesca of Starkhaven to Lord Guthrie Abholz.
Hightown-Three Years Ago
Bartrand was standing before the expedition team ready to move out. It took some convincing but eventually Bartrand took Ericks on an equal partner in this expedition. Anders didn't come due not being able to leave his clinic and plus he had his fill with the Deep Roads when he was with the Wardens. Aveline's coronation as the new captain of the city guards was today but she came to see the gang off. "We've chosen one of the hidden entrances. The Deep Roads there will be nice and virginal, ready for a good deflowering" The men in the group all laughed including Isabella. Sebastian just looked uncomfortable while Fenris and Aveline just shook their heads in annoyance.
Merrill tilted her head. "I don't get it"
Isabella wrapped her arm around the elf's neck. "I'll explain it on the way, kitten"
"Your brother sure has a way with words, Varric…" Bethany said.
The dwarf just sighed. "Yep and all the charm of a bronto, Sunshine"
"It'll take a week for us to get to the depth we need, and there are bound to be leftover darkspawn from the Blight" Bartrand said. "Big risks, big rewards"
"Risks, rewards…sound like your typical night at the Rose" Ericks said.
"Exactly!" he said. "Now, before we…wait. Who invited the old woman?"
Leandra walked up. "I'm sorry to interrupt, ser dwarf, but I need to speak with my children"
"Ma?"
"Mother" Bethany said. "I thought we talked about this?"
"I still think you shouldn't go, Bethany" Leandra said. "What if something were to happen to you? I already lost Carver; I can't bear to lose another child"
"Ericks, I understand you wanting to do this but leave your sister here, I beg you!"
"Mother, I need to go besides it would be better for me to stay out of sight of the Templars for a while"
"Hey, could you hurry it up over there?" Bartrand asked. "I'd like to get to the Deep Roads before the next Blight begins"
"Betty, perhaps it's best you stay home" Ericks said.
"Not you too, we're supposed to do this together!" Bethany said with a frown.
"I know, I know but we're entering a lion's den and anything could happen in there" he said. "Plus someone needs to protect Ma and Aveline will be busy with her guards" Bethany looked hurt, she thought Ericks would at least have her back in this…she really wanted to go. "Look, how about this? When I come back with the haul of a lifetime, I will personally treat you to the shopping spree of your dreams in Hightown"
"Ah, really? But you hate shopping…"
"A small sacrifice for my dear little sister"
"I'll hold you to it, Ericks, don't think I won't"
"Wouldn't have it any other way" Ericks said. "Shiny, Avi, you'll look after them won't you?"
Sebastian nodded. "Of course, on my honor as a man of the Vael family no harm will come to Bethany"
"She's in good hands, Ericks" Bethany stood at Leandra's side along with Sebastian and Aveline. Bartrand walked up to Ericks.
"Personal drama over with? Then let's get underway"
"Been a long time coming, eh, Brother?" Varric asked.
"That it has. The Deep Roads await!" The men cheered and the expedition headed out of Kirkwall. Bethany gave a forlorn sigh; she wished could have gone as well. When the expedition was out of sight Bethany and her mother went back home.
Lowtown-Days later
In the days following the expedition's exit from Kirkwall, life went on at the Hawke household. Everyday Bethany was out of the house doing odd jobs around Lowtown to keep the family afloat. Many of her brother's 'acquaintances' had come over looking for Bethany's magical talents…something they have always coveted but could never get due to Ericks protecting her from the more shadier aspects of his mercenary work. Bethany declined every time; despite the coin it would bring in she didn't want to gain the attention of the Templars. She went to Lirene's store to see if she could help the refugees.
The store had a good crowd; due to Lirene's actions more of the Ferelden refugees were making a life in Kirkwall. Though there was still a lot of work to do…and the local marchers were not making things easy. "You're that mage…what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help; I'm trying to earn some extra coin while my brother is on the Deep Roads expedition"
Lirene snorted. "That dwarf's expedition, a lot of the refugees have tried to get on that venture" she said. "I wish them luck, but I doubt they'll come back with anything other rocks and old junk"
"What can I do? I'm a very hard worker"
"Hmm…as far as clothing and food go we're good" the merchant said. "Tell me how good are you with healing magic?"
"I'm no Anders but I know some things…why?" Bethany asked.
"Some of the local hoodlums around here have been harassing the refugees, they haven't killed anyone thank the Maker, but a lot them end up having bad injuries" she said. "Anders, bless him is mending the wounds for no payment as usual but I'm afraid of overwhelming him…even mages need rest"
"If you help take the load off of Anders then I will hire you" Lirene said. "And don't worry; I'll keep the Templars off your back"
"Thank you I won't let you down" The next couple of days had been busy for the mage, running errands for the shops in Lowtown while mending some injuries of the refugees. The injured had been growing in frequency, the wounds varied from minor bruises to more serious injuries like cuts and broken bones. Bethany wiped the sweat from her brow as she healed the last patient, an old man. The old man thanked Bethany and went home.
"You did good work today, Bethany" Lirene said. "Here are you payment for the day"
"Thank you, Lirene"
"Something troubling you?"
"The amount of injuries has increased over the days, it's getting to the point that we're getting swamped ourselves" Bethany said. "You said some local hoodlums were responsible, who are they?"
"A group of young punks calling themselves the Lowtown Spiders, usually their activities boils down to some vandalism and theft but this is new for them" the merchant said. "I wonder what changed for them to become so bold"
"Hmm…"
"What is that look, Bethany? It would be best if you don't get involved, Templars don't care if you are a good samaritan, they will capture you all the same" Lirene said. "For now just help heal the people who needs it, the city guards will handle the Spiders"
"Alright"
"It's getting dark soon, you better head back home"
"Ok, see you in the morning Lirene" Bethany left the store and headed back home. She took the alleys to get home faster; it was kind of strange walking the streets without Ericks by her side. Her thoughts went to the expedition and her brother; she was worried about Ericks…she had lost one sibling to the darkspawn, it would break her heart if she lost her older brother too. She turned the corner, one more turn and she would be at home. In an open lot to her left, an old man was surrounded by three thugs with spider tattoos on their arms.
"You're not welcome here, dog lord" one of them said. The thug pushed the old man and he cowered while on the ground.
"Please, I don't want any trouble…I just want to return home to my daughter and grandchildren" the man said in fear. The thugs just kicked the old man while he was asking for someone to help him. Bethany balled her fist, she could do something about this…she had the power but she had to keep hidden.
"You fucking dog lords are stinking up the streets like you own them" another one said. "Running Marchers like me into our own sewers, I'll see you dead first" The thug pulled out a knife and approached the old man threateningly.
"Leave him alone!" The spider thugs turned as Bethany ran into the open lot.
"Well, well looky here lads, we got company…" the thug said. "Why don't you run along before you get hurt, lass?"
"You're the one that will get hurt if you don't leave that poor man" The spider members all laughed.
"She's a brave one…or just stupid" one of the thugs said. "You want to join the dog lord, be my guest!" One of them rushed the mage with a knife; Bethany held her ground and caught the man's arm to disarm him. The mage then punched the thug in the gut knocking him. Magic wasn't the only thing her father taught her, he also taught Bethany how to fight without her magic though this was the first time she ever had to use it.
"Bitch!" Another thug ran towards her, this time Bethany didn't stand her ground. She charged the second spider thug and then juked to the side. She then blindsided the thug with a hard punch to the jaw. Now there was one thug left, the final spider grabbed the old man and places a knife on his throat.
"Stay back lass or the old dog gets his throat cut!" he yelled. "I mean it!" Bethany just raised her arm. "W-What are you doing?!"
"Sleep" she simply said. The spider dropped his knife and fell to the ground sound asleep. Bethany went to the old man. "Are you okay, Serah?"
"Thank you, my dear girl" he said. "I thought I was dead"
"Do you mind if I walk you back to your home?" Bethany asked.
"That would be nice, let me thank you for your help by treating you to dinner, my dear" Bethany and old man walked out of the lot.
Bethany the protector…Next Time! Review and Comment!
