Chapter 2: The City of Chains

The safe passage the Flemeth had promised them got them to Gwaren. Where they took a ship across the waking sea towards Kirkwall. In the 2 weeks that had passed since the ship had set sail it had been a voyage of desperation and fear. The ship having sailed through rough water and storms. Abel had done what he could without anyone noticing, subtly mending the ship's wooden interior to keep the passengers dry, casting and calming the minds of those who had trouble sleeping. Anything to ease the journey.

Abel's magic was slowly returning to him, but as he settled in this new world he realized that it wasn't what was gone. His memories, the time stream had warped. He could remember the big things. The ravaged landscape, stories, having a master, but there were gaps. His magical knowledge intact and vast, but somehow disconnected from his muscle memory. Unaligned in some way in his entirety. Only knowing that the gaps existed but unable to construe what was missing from them.

Hawke had stood vigil over the group for the entirety of the journey. Eyeing those he traveled with like the bird he derived his namesake from would it's prey. Unwavering, focused. Truth be told it had been a largely uneventful journey, most groups of Ferelden refugees keeping largely to themselves. Bethany and Carver had spent their time telling stories, the same ones he remembered hearing from sister Leliana back in Lothering. The two incessantly bickering over who told the more correct version. Aveline taking time to listen to them every now and again when she wasn't busy helping Garrett keep watch. What had surprised Hawke the most however was Abel.

Leandra having taken an interest in the young boy who couldn't have been more than fourteen, maybe fifteen years old. Doting on him as if he were yet another sibling. Knowing full well that Abel was the last person to need protecting. In his company, Leandra had quickly returned to high spirits. The defeated and worn out version of his mother that Hawke had come to know during their travels in Ferelden steadily returning to her former self. As for the boy, Hawke was more curious than anything. His magic unlike anything he had previously seen before. Not that he had much experience with what magic was supposed to look like to begin with given all the time spent on the run. Owing everything he knew to his father.

It wasn't surprising that his mother had grown so fond of him however. The boy might be dressed differently, but that thick unruly mane of black hair made him blend in like he was just another Hawke sibling. The only immediate tell beside his strange apparel were his eyes. Deep green like emeralds.

As their ship made port, the group made their way out together. Leandra insisting on sticking together as they journeyed through the gallows. Only to find themselves trapped at the gates along with countless other refugees. After an encounter with a group of Fereldan mercenaries, Garrett had got into in guard captain Ewald's favour. Pormissing Hawke and his group to get in contact with Leandra's brother, Gamlen for them in exchange for the help they had provided. But after hours of waiting they decided to make camp at the docks just as so many others had done.s

"So, both you and Carver fought at Ostagar?" Abel asked Aveline as the group sat around a makeshift campfire.

"Yes, Wesley and I were fleeing the same route as the Hawkes were. Although not knowingly," Aveline replied

"Well I can't imagine anyone really knew where they were going. Only that they had to run from the oncoming horde," Hawke said. "But I suppose fate is funny that way. Because if it wasn't for you, Bethany would have died," the accompanying smile that came with the sentiment lacking his usual comedic timing, simply ernest.

"Well I'm just glad to have helped the family of the famous Malcolm Hawke," Abel smiled, only realizing what he had done too late. Fuck, he had said too much. This immediately drew the attention of all present.

"You knew him, our father?" Bethany asked fascinated.

"Well, I knew off him. Never actually met him personally, my mentor told me a great deal about him," Abel said. Technically not a lie. "Malcolm was an inspiration to many. Maybe not in the same way as heroes from story books, but thanks to him many mages live better lives," also not entirely a lie, but at this point his statements were out of context.

Carver chuckled. Laughing without bitterness for the first time in days.
"Even when he is no longer with us, father continues to amaze," he half grinned to himself.

This got the attention of the family Mabari. A dog named Crowley. The Mabari barking happily at the sudden change in mood.

"Your master," Hawke said as he fed a bone to Crowley. His eyes brimming with curiosity. "Who were they?"

The answer came quick to Abel. Too quick, knowing full well how bad a liar he was.
"Helena. She was Nevarran in the same circle tower as Malcolm," Able said. This his first outright lie.

"Oh but her I remember!" Leandra responded excitedly. "It was an age ago, Garrett was barely a year old. She visited us in the early years when we had just settled in Ferelden. I remember those red eyes of hers. Fierce, but beautiful," Leandra going on to describe the early days of her life in Ferelden.

Abel's facade almost shattered. That was a lie. It had to be, yet Leandra described this fictional character perfectly as she continued to speak. This made no sense, what was going on?

"She still writes to me you know," Leandra said to Abel. "Now that I think about it, she mentioned you in one of her letters. Never by name though. Is she still with the Mortalitasi?"

"I wouldn't know," Abel said, playing with his red scarf absently. "It's been complicated." A dead silence washing over the group, broken only by Crowly curling up and resting it's head on Abel's lap in an attempt to comfort the boy.

Abel didn't know what was happening anymore. His sense of abandonment felt so, real. Then he felt that strange sensation as the words came to him like memories from intermittent revelation. Again, far faster than they should and not feeling like lies.
"But I suspect fate was unkind to us all before the blight and missing home won't be bringing me any closer to it."

Crowley whimpered sadly. Fully curling up on Abel's lap with is head on his chest. The sudden change in weight, pushing the boy over. To everyone's collective amusement.

"It would seem the dog likes you," Bethany laughed as Crowley affectionately slobbered all over Abel's face. The dog only getting of once Abel laughed with them.

This continued for the next 3 days. The party gathering together and telling stories by the dock. Abel quickly realizing how impactful he had been. The stories he had heard in the distant future depicting this particular instance in the Champion of Kirkwall life as miserable. He knew his purpose now, to change the future for the better. In every way he knew how


A few months later…

"What do you mean I can't come!?" Abel almost snarled at Athenril. His magic flaring up with his anger causing the air around them to flicker between cold and warm . "I'm a better spellcaster than either Bethany or Garrett. Tell her," he said turning toward Hawke and the twins

"Look, kid. Only they are in dept to me, there is no need for you to come," Athenril offered diplomatically, even convincingly. But ultimately ineffective.

"Bullshit," Abel spat dismissively. "2 month long job and you bring all 3 of them despite how high profile they are getting? You need all the help you are getting and I'm not about to be a burden to my family." The last part catching Bethany and Carver off guard.

Abel's outburst earning Hawke a pleaful look from Athenril. Hawke nodding back in understanding, taking Abel of to the side.
"You know she isn't saying yes, right?" Garrett said "Athenril's guild doesn't deal in slaves or flesh. Also has a soft spot for children. Trust me when I say you aren't winning this one, pretty please?" Hawke asked, his request despite the comedic tone being genuine.

This only earned him a glare from Abel. Hawke quickly deciding not to press the issue further upon realizing he couldn't win. Carven and Bethany deciding to step in, taking Abel outside onto the balcony of the building they found themselves in which overlooked the lowtown market as it bustled in the night. Abel grumpily facing outward on the railing. Carver giving Bethany a look, her expression softening. He got this.

"Look, I know how you feel. Trust me, I do," Carver said, standing beside Abel as they both overlooked the Balcony. "Garrett can be difficult, but everything down to the last choice he makes, he does to provide for the family. He has always cared too much and even if he doesn't want to admit it, he just doesn't want to see you grow up too fast. Especially after all we have been through."

This earned Carver a hug. Sudden, but affectionate. The ambient magic from Abel's anger subsiding into a pleasant but almost somber breeze.

"Just promise me you all will stay safe. Please," Abel pleaded, burying his face into Carver's tunic so he and Bethany wouldn't see him cry.

"Ofcourse we will be safe," Bethany said soothingly in a way only she could as she joined her brother. "We survived a blight together, we aren't about to let you lose us now. Little brother," Bethany said, those words long overdue.

Hawke smiled as he stood in the doorway, watching as the three of them gaze out from the balcony. Joining them to Abel's surprise.

"I think it's about time you headed home, Crowley is probably missing something fierce," Hawke said, this time earning him a smile from Abel.

"Yeah, I suppose it is," Abel said. Taking one last look at his newfound siblings as he leaped of the balcony transforming into an ethereal trail as he sailed over the buildings.

"I should really have him teach me how he does that someday," Garrett jested. Earning him a laugh from Carver and rolling eyes from Bethany.


A few Days Later…

"OK Crowley, just a few more pages then we can go to bed," Abel yawned. Too tired to even notice that the Mabari war hound was already asleep beneath the table.

Gamlen entered the room, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"What in the name of the Maker are you doing?"

"Oh, hey Galmen. Just finishing up some paperwork. Turns out banking is exhausting," Able yawned.

"Banking? What bank employs a child? You know what, don't even answer that," Gamlen replied. But before he could press the matter further, Abel was asleep in his chair. A stack of paper left.

Quickly perusing it, Gamlen laughed. The boy had been hired by some member of the merchant's guild. The paperwork quickly bringing him back to the days when he managed the assets of the Amell family. In a rare moment of spontaneity, Gamlen took the quill from Abel's sleeping form and continued where he left off. Compared to what he used to do in his day, this was childsplay.

The next morning Abel woke with a start, startling crowley who was happily munching on a bone. He was going to be late, but then he realized that the paperwork had been mysteriously completed. Taking a closer look he realized it was Gamlen's, this gave him an idea. Which came to fruition once he returned home for the day.

Abel returning home with Crowley, carrying enough groceries to fill a small wagon pulled by the mabari.
"Leandra! Gamlen! We are home!" Abel called out, both Leandra and Gamlen surprised by the the haul they had brought home.

"How much did this cost you?" Leandra called out shocked as Abel began stocking the pantry until it was overflowing.

"This? Not much actually, well not much in comparison to how much money was made today," the boy responded triumphantly, tossing Leandra a a heavy bag of gold coins which landed square in front of her.

"All this from filing that paperwork?" Leandra inquired, still in a small state of shock.

"This was from helping clear out a borough of nugs that had formed a network of tunnels underneath a warehouse by the docks," Abel said pointing at the bag, before hauling up a bag easily five times the size of the previous, Placing it right beside for contrast.
"That was for the paperwork." Both Gamlen and Leandra visibly dizzy at the prospect of new wealth.

"By the way, Gamlen. My employers were so satisfied with your bookkeeping that they asked to bring you on full time. Interested?" Abel asked as he pulled a chair up by the table to join them.

"Well, I did want to get out more anyway," Gamlen said half mindedly, clearly also at a loss for words.

"Great, I will let my associates at the merchants guild know to expect you later this week."

"Why later this week and not tomorrow?"

"Well, they want you to go to a tailor in hightown first. Something about it being unbefitting of one of their employes to dress in rags," Abel chuckled. Earning a laugh from Leandra, Gamlen remaining dumbfounded as to how the boy had managed all this.


A few weeks later…

"Are you sure this is the right place brother?" Carver asked as they stood in front of where Gamlen's house should have been. The three Hawke siblings visibly confused as the entire lowtown neighborhood looked to be under major renovation with the exception of Gamlen's old house, which looked to be more of a small estate since they last entire neighborhood was bustling and even a bit crowded as merchants and stonemasons yelled at each other, all seemingly having business with Gamlen.

Once inside the estate the three siblings were nothing short of dumbfounded. The entire place renovated top to bottom, workers currently furnishing the extensions which came in the form of new floors, a cellar and an expanded living area. Gamlen off to the side of what once the old dining room, now a makeshift office, speaking to an young elven girl who looked to be a courier. Their uncle dressed in clothing one would expect to find in Val Royeaux, not lowtown.

"I'm so sorry for the trouble sera Amell," she spoke. "Those Antivan merchants whos venture you decided to sponsor were rather insistent on you receiving these documents before tomorrow."

"Nonsense child, you did good delivering these to me when you did," Gamlen chided as he scanned the documents. "Be off now, enjoy the rest of your days off. With the boy out of town I suspect I will be needing your help very soon." With that the young elven girl nodded and walked out. Gamlen noticing the siblings for the first time.

"Gamlen, what on earth happened while we were gone?" Hawke said, eyebrow raised in curiosity and confusion.

"Well after that brother of yours got into the good graces of the merchants guild I have been put into their employ. Excuse the mess, we weren't expecting you for a couple more days. I'm afraid you just missed Leandra and Abel, they left earlier today to stay for tea with some dwarven merchants," Gamlen replied, far more genuine and ernest than they had ever seen him. He even went as far as to pet Crowley as he gnawed on a steak by the table, what had happened to their uncle?

"So you are a merchant now?" Bethany asked, "What kind of merchant deals with stonemasons?"

"The kind that wind up employing the entire neighborhood," he chuckled heartily. "Although that was admittedly the boys doing. But with the money now flowing through this neighborhood everyone's lives will change for the better, just you wait and see."

"Wait. Was that altruism?" Hawke said, weather in jest or genuine surprise no one could tell.

"I know. I'm beginning to scare myself," Gamlen said. For the first time since they got there humoring his nephew by joking back.