So here's chapter 4. The story is starting kind of slowly, I guess, but that's going to change soon. (Probably in the next Chapter)

Enjoy!

'Why won't you let any of us see him? He's been awake for almost two weeks now, right? So why lock him up?' Isabela crossed her arms. 'What are you hiding?'

'I agree with the slattern. Something's up and you two are keeping it quiet.'

Anders and Bethany exchanged a look but remained quiet. Aveline and Isabela waited impatiently for some kind of explanation. When none came they turned and walked a few paces away from the two mages and then proceeded to discuss something. Anders gave Bethany a curious look and was about to call out to them when a glass vial shattered at their feet. A plume of gas that made his eyes and nose burn drifted up from the splattered substance on the ground. Everything started to blur, causing him to stumble a bit. When his mind finally started to clear, Isabela and Aveline were gone. Bethany still struggled to keep from falling over. She looked up at him, 'What the hell was that?'

'That was us failing miserably.' He said and turned to walk back into the clinic. A part of him dreaded what was about to happen and yet a different part was curios. 'Come on.' He called back to her. 'Let's go see how this plays out.'

James was reading. After about a day of doing nothing he had demanded that Anders give him something to keep him busy. It had been a childish outburst but it had been worth it. Later that day Anders and Bethany brought in a crate of books for him to read. They were filled with the most interesting things he had ever seen. Some were history books, dating back hundreds of years, while others seemed to be folklore and fictional. It was hard to believe that in a place like this there where things that some considered mythical or impossible. To James this entire world was impossible.

He read quite a lot in his free time back home so he breezed through the crate in about a week and a half. The last book had quite an interesting title. When Bethany saw him open it she tried to take it away, insisting that it was inappropriate, but James had laughed and said that now he HAD to read it. That had been the day before. Now he was sitting on his bed, his back against the wall, nearing the end of 'The Art of Passionate Love' when two people burst through the door.

'So, you're alive.' said a woman with carrot coloured hair. 'I was beginning to think that you had died and that those two were trying to keep it a secret.' She motioned behind her. James moved off the bed and saw Anders and Bethany appear in the doorway. 'Sorry Hawke, we tried to keep them out.'

'Barely. It was easy to get by.' Said a woman in a very revealing outfit. She scanned the room and noticed the book lying on the bed. 'Oh, nice choice.' That has to be Isabela...

James studied the two newcomers a moment before speaking. 'Isabela, right?' he asked. 'And you must be Aveline?' The two women looked at him as if he had just sprouted an extra head. 'Wha- Of course I'm Aveline! And, unfortunately, that's Isabela.' She turned and glared at the mages behind her. 'What's wrong with him?'

Bethany opened her mouth but found that she didn't know what to say. Anders came to the rescue however. 'His, um, death has caused him to experience some amnesia. He is struggling to recall most of his life. Bethany and I have been teaching him, I guess, for the past week and a bit.'

Isabela shared a look with Aveline. 'So he doesn't know who we are?'

'Kind of.' Said James. 'I can remember flashes of my past but that's pretty much it.'

Isabela huffed. 'All that flirting for what?' She said and then got a mischievous look. 'I guess I'll have to start all over again.'

James surprised himself by answering, 'I'd like that.' The two stared at each other for a moment before Aveline interrupted. 'Get a room.' Isabela responded with, 'We're already in one.' And then giggled. James felt drawn to her. She was appealing physically and mentally. He watched as she and Aveline bitched at each other for a moment before he heard a voice speak in his head. She is quite fine, isn't she? I approve...

James was slightly flustered by the comment. Fear crept into his thoughts as he recalled what Anders had told him about demons. His discomfort must have shown on his face because Bethany pushed through the cat fight and took hold of his shoulders. 'What is it?'

'Not- It's nothing, just a small headache.' He smiled slightly to reassure her. 'Ok then. I'll have Anders give you something for it.' She smiled and stepped back.

Aveline and Isabela had stopped their ramblings when they noticed the hushed conversation next to them. Aveline came forward. 'When will you be fit to go out?' Anders answered before James could. 'By tomorrow. Why do you ask? Is there something that needs doing?'

Aveline snorted. 'I should think so. Don't you have a few more coins to collect before you can embark on you venture.' She asked James, who nodded slowly, unsure. 'Oh right. You probably don't remember.'

'Don't worry. I could stay and explain it to him, privately.' Another grin crept over Isabela's face.

'Ha! I don't think so.' Said Bethany and started pushing the two women out of the room. James heard Isabela grumble as she exited. 'Where do we meet tomorrow?' Asked Aveline as she passed Anders. 'Um, here, I guess. Listen don't tell the others yet. We can do that later. I don't think another surprise visit would be so pleasant.' Aveline nodded and left. 'See you tomorrow, Hawke.'

'That was interesting.' Said James and sat back on the bed. 'Indeed.' Agreed Bethany. She walked to Anders and whispered something to him. He nodded and left. 'He'll be back in a moment with some Elfroot, for your head.' Said Bethany before leaving the room as well.

A few minutes passed before Anders reappeared. 'Here, drink this.' He said holding out a cup. James took it and downed its contents. 'Remind me again who else is in the group.' Said James as he put the cup on the floor. Anders sat down next to him and proceeded to tell him about every person in their small, dysfunctional party. When he was done they sat in silence for a while.

'How's the practising going?'

James was caught by surprise by the question but his face didn't show it. 'It's going well, I guess...'

'I guess? That doesn't sound very reassuring. Show me.'

James sighed and stood up. He walked to the wall and picked up the wooden staff that Bethany had given him. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and started to move. He twirled the staff effortlessly lashing out in short jabs and strikes. Anders was amazed. He hadn't expected James to be that good at it so quickly. Where the hell did he find time for all that reading? This must have taken ages...

James ended his routine with a whack to the floor. He held his pose. And slowly opened his eyes. 'That was amazing.' Said Anders. 'How many times have you done that? How long do you practise a day?'

'This is the second time I've held this staff.'

Anders could feel his jaw hit the floor. 'But that's impossible. Unless... You've done it, haven't you? You've unlocked Garret's mind?'

James nodded. A shiver ran down his spine as he recalled the voice he'd heard earlier. That's who it was... He nearly jumped out of his skin when the voice spoke again. Finally you've figured it out... I was beginning to think badly of you. James grasped the sides of his head and shook. How are you able to speak? You're supposed to be dead. The voice sniggered. Supposed to be, but you put a stop to that it seems.

'What's wrong? Is it the headache?' Asked Anders. James opened his eyes and looked at the man in front of him. He's so handsome when he's concerned, Garret whispered in his mind. James shook his head again before speaking. 'It's getting better now, don't worry.'

Anders smiled. 'I'm glad.'

'I kind of think that I've unlocked a few spells as well as the staff training.'

Anders' eyes lit up. 'Really? Go ahead then, show me.'

James nodded, holding out his arms. He took a deep breath and thrust his arms sideways. As they moved apart a light started to flicker. Moments later a ball of fire grew until about the size of a melon. James concentrated on holding it there for a while before giving in, causing the fire to fizzle out. 'Nicely done. For a moment I thought you were going to throw me.' Anders laughed. That would have been funny, said Garret.

James chuckled nervously. 'I also know this one.' He said raising his hands again. Frost formed on his fingers as a swirl of ice appeared between them. James looked on in awe as they ice shifted and moved as if it was alive. This caused him to lose concentration which resulted in both the men being showered in a wet slush. Anders burst into a fit of laughter. The look on James' face as the ice sprayed everywhere had been priceless. As his fit came to an end he felt the long forgotten feeling of his stomach hurting from too much laughter. He sighed mentally, feeling a sudden sadness at how different his life had become. A little more than year ago he had been among friends, constantly laughing and joking around. He missed them every now and then, The Warden, Nathaniel, Velanna even Oghren. They had all become a kind of family. But that had changed with Justice...

'Hey? You ok?' asked James. Anders got up and brushed the slush from his shoulders. 'Yes, I'm fine. We'll have to work on that one, however.' He said with a smile.

'I agree.' Said a voice from the door. 'Lunch is ready.'

James shook the remaining ice from his robes, which he found were actually quite comfortable, and left the room with Anders and Bethany, sighing as Garret commented on the way Anders walked.

I decided to make Garret a kind of side character. He will have quite an influence on the next few events in the plot, but I don't think he'll have a permanent role. Anyway, what did you think? R&R Please!