(Sorry about the tiny chapter guys...been a rough week. Chapter 10 will be on its way soon, and I felt a tiny chapter 9 was better than no chapter at all XD. Let me know how I'm doing, it keeps me from second guessing and scrapping this whole project all together)
I decided when I woke up that today, I was taking a break. No bandits, no running about, just a nice simple day. I hadn't had a chance to spend time with a few of my friends one on one and I thought it would be a good idea. I decided I would go see Aveline first, see how being guard captain was treating her. I dressed for the day and sat down at the desk before heading out to see if there was anything important. There appeared to be nothing major, just a few people asking for help. I stuck them in my pocket to show to Varric, I had a feeling I would run into him before the day was out. I left Gamlens and headed for the Viscounts. I found Aveline in the barracks in her new office. She seemed to be doing quite well and the guard seemed to be flourishing under proper leadership. She seemed happy there, and I was happy that she had found somewhere where she was at home. We sat and chatted for awhile about life and the various things life had been bringing us. She was a little worried about the newest members of our little group, but promised to come to the Hanged Man for what Varric and I hoped would be frequent meetings to bring us all together. We parted ways just before lunch and I decided to head back to the house to have lunch with Mother and Beth, I didn't spend enough time with them lately, and although it was to better our family situation I still felt bad. When I reached the house I knew the scene inside wasn't going to be a pleasant one, I could hear the shouting from outside. Mother appeared to be on one of her tangents again and I could hear her and Uncle. I opened the door and leaned against the frame, knowing it was better to just watch and let Mother get it out of her system instead of trying to intervene. Mother was shouting.
"My children have been in servitude. SERVITUDE! For a year, when they should be nobility!" Ah this old argument again, they were down to having this one at least once a week. Only this time it seemed to be a little more intense than the others. Gamlen decided to chime in at this point
"Ah are we really beating this dead cart horse again Leandra? I told you, it doesn't matter how hard you wish, you are still going to wake up in Lowtown. Keep dreaming." I decided that this time I wasn't going to just sit by and watch this argument. I hated the way Uncle treated Mother, and I had had just about enough.
"Mother, Gamlen made his mistakes and unfortunately we have to live with them. Isn't that right Uncle?" I gave him the evillest glare I could muster, and I could see him stutter before speaking.
"Your mother was supposed to marry the Comte de Launcet, but instead she ran off with with some Ferelden apostate. You don't get to remain the favorite when you do something like that." And here he rounded on Mother, but Mother wasn't having any of it. She was furious and she was letting us know it.
"Where is Father's will! If I could just see it for myself." Gamlen huffed in frustration.
"Its not here! I've already told you that. It was read, it went in the vault. No one needed to see it again!" I was growing tired of this argument by now so once again I decided to jump in.
"Take me to the vault Uncle." Believe me when I say that there were no nice in my voice. Gamlen whined, his weakness and lack morality was starting to really piss me off.
"I can't! Its in the cellar of the estate, and someone else lives there now." Here Bethany chimed in, I hadn't even noticed that she was here until then; and I could tell that she wasn't happy either.
"You didn't take your parents will!"
"It was old news! Do you think I have been sitting here twiddling my thumbs for 25 years, waiting for Leandra to come slinking back!"
"Who bought the estate Gamlen? Perhaps I could speak to them, persuade them to sell the estate? Was it one of our old neighbours, they always seemed to want the estate."
"You do not know them sister, so get used to Lowtown, because that is where we are going to stay." We all stood and watched as Gamlen stormed from the house, slamming the front door behind him. Mother was muttering to herself, disbelief echoing her mutterings at Gamlen's behavior. She settled herself in her chair by the fire, lost in her own thoughts. Beth and I exchanged worried glances, and Beth motioned for me to follow her outside. We sat on our usual spot on the stairs and Beth looked at me with a serious expression plaguing her face.
"Is it just me or is this argument getting worse?" I sighed heavily.
"No Beth, its not just you. I think Mother is about to disembowel Gamlen if he doesn't change his tune and give her more information than he has as of late."
"Well you know how much I hate to think badly of family, but I know you feel it too. Gamlen is holding something back, he's not telling us everything about Grandfather's will. Do you think he spent the money that was supposed to be Mothers, and just isn't telling us?"
"I think dear Uncle Gamlen isn't playing with a full deck of cards." Beth chuckled but elbowed me in the ribs anyway.
"Be serious sister, this is really bothering Mother, and after all we have been through I hate to see her so unhappy."
"I know Beth, I just couldn't help myself on that one. Gamlen makes himself such an easy target. But I know what you mean, Mother isn't happy and it bothers me too. I want what is rightfully ours just as much as Mother does, and I know you do too." I heard her sigh in relief.
"Good, I knew you would want this a badly for Mother as I do. Our dear Uncle told me he gave the estate as payment to some slaver who beat him at dice." I could almost feel my jaw hit the floor. I knew Gamlen was a snake...but this was especially horrid. Beth shook her head. "Apparently our Mother's home, is now a base for slavers from all over Thedas." I was positively outraged, not for myself or Beth, but for Mother. If she ever found out this news would kill her.
"I can't believe a member of our family could be such a snake, but what are we going to do about it. If its run by slavers they will have the main entrance guarded and there would be no way to get the will out of the vault without it becoming a suicide mission." Beth grinned, and I couldn't help but feel she had something up her sleeve.
"Well, I've already taken care of that actually. I talked to both Mother and Gamlen, and Mother gave me her key to the cellar. The vault happens to be conveniently located in the cellar, so I have a feeling it will be easier to get to from there. The entrance to the cellar is in Darktown, so I think slavers wouldn't see it as much of a threat and would keep it less heavily guarded, which would provide us with the opportunity to sneak in, grab the will and sneak back out. What do you think sister?" I couldn't help but beam at her.
"Beth my dear, you are brilliant as always! Lets go now. We can get Varric and Isabella to help us and have this taken care of by evening."
"Sounds perfect. Let me get my staff and we can be on our way."