A/N: So I updated faster than I planned (which is good I guess)
It's a bit longer then usual too :D
I've included 2 of the quests from the game in this Chapter, but I haven't played in a while so it's from memory. Let me know if I've missed something ;) Also, you should just assume that whatever quests they go on, the previous quests that lead up to them have already been completed.
I'm trying to focus mainly on the relationship between James and Anders so the goings on around them might be a bit muddled... Anyway Enjoy! AND REVIEW! Please?
James recovered swiftly as the days passed. At first he had been confined to the bed up until Anders was certain he was strong enough to walk again. Leandra fussed over him like a Mother hen, constantly checking if he was comfortable or asking whether he would like some more tea. She had seemed to age a bit more in the past few days but she carried on as if nothing was wrong. James smiled inwardly at her determination. She was so different from his birth mother.
The others came to visit as well. Everybody except Isabela that is, who had disappeared mysteriously after his recovery. Varric popped in most of all, very eager to spread the latest news as well as some new stories he had come up with, all of them Involving Hawke and his magnificent adventures. James enjoyed the company immensely.
On the third day after his awakening Anders had brought him a new set of robes as well as a beautifully carved staff. James had been sitting in front of the fire reading when he came up behind him. In a stern voice he told James that it was okay to start practicing with the weapon, but that he had better be careful or else Hell would break loose. He then softened a bit and pulled the man into a tight embrace. They stood there for what seemed an eternity when they heard
someone clear their throat near the door. It was Knight-Captain Cullen.
"Sorry to interrupt." He said in that calm voice of his.
Anders' brows drew together as he frowned. "What do you want?" he asked in a venomous tone.
Cullen seemed not to notice. "I am here on behalf of the Order to apologize for recent events. The Knight-Commander sends-"
"If the Knight-Commander has something to say, she can do so personally." Anders interrupted.
"I'm afraid she's very busy-" Cullen began, but was cut short once more.
"Ah, forgive me for assuming that she actually gave a shit." Anders said loudly.
James pulled away from him slightly. "Anders, there is no need to take it out on Cullen." He said softly.
"And why not? He is a Templar same as the rest. He stood by as that monster had you fucking tortured and made Tranquil. Why should I have any respect for him?" Anders yelled.
James frowned but didn't reply, instead looking away. Cullen looked like he might fall over.
"What do you mean 'Made Tranquil'? Hawke is obviously not Tranquil." The Templar said pointing.
Anders gave him an unbelieving look. "You mean you don't know what they did to him?"
It was Cullen's turn to frown. "In the report it stated that Hawke was taken into custody and held unlawfully for a number of days. It said nothing of torture, not to mention the Rite."
James cast a worried look at the mage standing next to him. Anders was seething. If he didn't do something soon Justice would join the party.
He swiftly pulled his shirt over his head to show Cullen his freshly healed scars, wincing slightly as he did. The Templars eyes grew wide as he took in all the cuts and burns. James pulled his shirt back on and then brushed his hair aside to show off the blazing red mark that sat above his brow. Cullen gasped at this.
"I swear to you, I had no Idea any of this was taking place. If I had known-"
"Yes, well too late for that now." Anders said bitterly.
"I'll take this up with the Knight-Commander right away. This is unacceptable!" Cullen said in a stern voice. It warmed James to see such conviction. Not all Templars are that bad.
Anders scoffed. "Why bother? I bet that bitch is the one who authorised it."
"Now listen here Mage! The Knight-"
"Stop! Both of you." James said suddenly. "It's not Meredith's doing. Not this time."
Anders turned to face him. "Why do you say that?"
James sighed and brushed his fingers through his hair. "When I was in that dungeon everybody was extremely secretive. I even heard one of them saying that they had almost been discovered by the Commander, but she had believed their cover up. Obviously they were doing it without her permission. Furthermore, Varric gave me this yesterday." He turned and walked over to the writing desk. From one of the drawers he pulled a crumpled piece of parchment.
"He said he found this on the body of that-" James hesitated. "Just read it." He said finally, handing it to Anders.
Anders read swiftly, his eyes darting from left to right. His expression changed from one of anger to quiet disbelief. "The Divine rejected his proposal? Meredith too?" He asked looking up at James, who nodded.
"It is a Templars duty to protect others from the dangers of magic, but it is also our duty to protect the Mages who wield it. The Knight-Commander may be stern, sometimes cold, but she would never stoop to this level. I assure you." Cullen said from the doorway.
Anders looked towards the man, ready to jump into another fight but he stopped when James grasped his arm. He instead sighed loudly, closing his eyes briefly.
"I apologize for my outburst, Cullen."
The Templar's mouth twitched with a small smile. "Don't worry about it. If someone as important to me had been in the same situation..." he trailed off, looking wistfully at the two of them standing there together. James felt a tiny pang of sadness for the man. His history was obviously riddled with a few demons as well.
"Thank you for going through the trouble of coming here today, Cullen." James said.
The Templar nodded with a small smile. "I truly am sorry." He said in a soft voice before turning towards the door.
"I'll let you know if I hear anything. Farewell." And with that he was gone.
Anders grunted and turned around, making his way to the desk. He placed the note back in the drawer. "That was unexpected..."
"A bit." Agreed James as he sat back down to read his book.
Anders walked up and leaned over the back of the chair so that his chin rested on James' head.
"What are you reading?" he asked as he scanned the open page. His eyebrows lifted at what he saw.
James chuckled. "It's an old favourite of mine." He said and flipped it over to show Anders the cover.
"The Art of Passionate Love? Where ever did you get that?"
"You gave it to me. When I first came here, remember?"
"I don't, actually." Anders said with a grin. "See anything worthwhile?"
James grinned wickedly. "Maybe... Just give me the green light doc and I just might show you."
Anders felt a wave of heat creep up his neck. He grinned and placed a kiss on James' head. "You're such a tease."
About a week later, James was out in the Alienage with Anders and Varric. They were paying a visit to Merrill who had asked for their assistance with that strange mirror of hers. Anders wasn't sure he trusted the thing. There was something off about it.
The little tiny Elvin mage was in a bit of a state when they arrived, muttering something about a tool, called the Arulin'Holm, that she needed to finish the repairs to the large ornate mirror that stood in her room. James, feeling a little sorry for the woman readily agreed to help her get it.
They spent the rest of the morning travelling to the Dalish camp outside Kirkwall. Merrill had to ask the Keeper for permission to borrow the tool she needed and judging from her unsteady relationship with the clan it wasn't going to be easy.
James was glad to be out in the open again. He had to stop and catch his breath more often then he liked but it was worth it. Most of his wounds were completely healed but there were a few that were proving to be a bit stubborn. They were the wounds left by the metallic rods that that were used during the Rite.
James wore his hair loose these days. Usually he would have tied it back to keep out of his eyes but back then he hadn't had something to hide. The mark of the Maker blazed a fiery red above his brow, peeking out every now and then as he turned his head. In truth it didn't really bother him for he couldn't see it, but the look in Anders' eyes every time he caught a glimpse of it struck him deeply.
They reached the camp just after midday. Merrill went to speak with the Keeper, James, Anders and Varric trailing behind. It took some convincing on James' part but eventually the Keeper gave in. She proposed an exchange. If they would travel up Sundermount and destroy a crazed Varterral that had been attacking the Dalish hunters then she would give Merrill the Arulin'Holm.
The party agreed and set out moments later to track down the ancient beast. The cave they entered soon turned into a honeycomb of tunnels which planted a small seed of anxiety in James. He did not want to get lost in this place.
Along the way the encountered the dead bodies of various Hunters that had been slain by the beast. Their bodies were mangled but held no evidence that the thing had fed on them. Merrill knelt by each corpse and shed silent tears as she commended their souls to the Elvin Gods.
After hours of trekking they finally came upon a large cavern. As they ventured inside, a young male elf ran up towards them. He was frantically trying to get them to turn around, muttering that 'It' was coming. He carried on like this until he laid eyes on Merrill. He became deathly quiet and started to step away from her.
"Demon! Stay away from me!" he said in a fearful voice, all the while moving backwards into the large empty space, his earlier fear forgotten. Merrill, who was completely taken aback, moved forward to stop the man but this only made him move away faster. A sudden shriek made the two stop in their tracks.
Out of nowhere a huge beast appeared. It looked to be a mix between a spider, a crab and a whole bunch of rocks that stood so tall it nearly scraped the roof of the cavern. Its four long and dangerously pointy legs stabbed at the earth as it moved. The hunter made to run but he was nowhere near fast enough. The Varterral snatched him off the ground in its powerful jaws. A sickening crunch followed as it clamped down. A bloody mist rained down on the four still standing.
Their moment of shock soon forgotten, they sprang into action.
James harnessed the elements and flung one spell after the other at the huge creature although his lack of practise these past weeks made him a bit clumsy. Merrill, using her knowledge of the darker arts, raised a few undead warriors to keep the beast at a distance while Varric rained deadly arrows from above. Anders stood a few feet away from James, his face a picture of concentration. As he chanted magical glyphs appeared on the ground around the Varterral which exploded as the creature stepped on them. It shrieked in pain at this and seemed to lose its footing.
It started to topple forward, its legs flailing as it went. With a loud thud it fell against the cavern wall sending up a plume of dust. As their vision cleared the group saw that it had fallen on a rather pointy outcropping of rock and had thus become impaled on it. It shrieked and struggled desperately as it tried to stand up but its wounds were too severe. In one final effort it smashed its legs hard against the ground. The force of its attack caused the entire chamber to rumble. Bits of rock fell from the walls, the formations on the ceiling cracking and breaking loose. A large stalagmite nearly crushed Merrill but Varric swiftly pulled her out of the way. The group rushed back towards the tunnel from which they had come but just as they reached it the rumbling stopped.
Slowly they turned back towards the Varterral. It lay completely still. Silence crept into the chamber. Tentatively they moved forward to investigate. With a sweep of magic Anders confirmed the beast to be dead. Varric, who had been moving around the beast suddenly called out from behind it. James moved to see what the commotion was about but he stopped as he turned the corner. A smile crept over his face and he shook his head.
"Look what I found!" Varric said with a grin, motioning towards the rather substantial pile of treasure at his feet.
After gather as much of the gold as they dared to carry, it was a long way back after all, the group returned to the camp. The Keeper seemed relieved to see them approach but her expression soon changed as Merrill demanded the Arulin'Holm. Without a word the Keeper produced the tool from within her robes and held it out. But as Merrill moved to grasp it, the elder woman pulled back. She motioned towards James.
"You are her leader. You decide whether she may have it." The woman said and handed it to James. Merrill narrowed her eyes at the woman before turning to walk away.
James thanked the Keeper and made to follow but the old woman stopped him by taking his hand. "Please... Merrill is following a dangerous path. You need to think about whether you are going to allow her to keep on following it... for it could mean the end of her." The woman said, true pain flashing in her eyes.
"I won't let anything happen to her." James said softly and squeezed her frail fingers reassuringly.
He then turned to see Anders and Varric waiting for him. He walked slowly over, smiling as reached them.
"Let's go catch Daisy before she falls in another hole." Varric said with a grin, making James chuckle as he recalled that day on the Coast when the poor Elf had fallen down a hole after she had gotten too far ahead. He shook his head and let out a breath.
"Yes, we wouldn't want a repeat of that now would we?"
The three laughed before turning to rush after the tiny elf that had just rounded a corner up ahead.
Upon their arrival back in Kirkwall Varric had bid them fairwell and set off towards the Hanged Man. James leaned over and whispered to Anders that he would see him back at the Estate. Before Anders could speak however, James motioned towards Merrill who still looked thoroughly peeved. Anders gave him a small nod and a brief kiss before departing.
James stared after him a while before turning to the young woman. She was studying him with an impish grin, her anger seemingly forgotten.
"What are you smiling about?" James asked in a confused tone.
Merrill just shook her head. "Nothing, nothing." She said and looked away.
James sighed, slightly annoyed. "Fine then, moving on. Merrill, about the Arulin'Holm..."
Almost two hours later James trudged into the Estate. It was just starting to get dark and he was already exhausted. The wound on his chest was stinging like crazy and he was desperate to get it looked at. Bodahn greeted him as usual, but James sensed that something was wrong. The man was jittery.
He kicked off his boots and set his staff against the wall. A sweet smell tickled his nose. He turned to find a large bouquet of white Lilies sitting in a vase on the table. Something about them made him uncomfortable but he shrugged it off. As he moved towards the stairs Anders appeared at the top.
"Where have you been?" he asked, obviously concerned. "I was just about to go looking for you."
James smiled tiredly and rubbed the back of his neck. "Sorry, my chat with Merrill took a bit longer than I expected. She-"
A voice interrupted him suddenly. "Nephew! Where have you been?"
"Gamlen?" James said as he turned to see 'his' uncle emerge from the library. "I was just about to-"
"Never mind that." The man interrupted again. "Where is Leandra? She's been gone a long time and it's getting very late."
"What do you mean 'gone'?" James asked.
Bodahn stepped forward. "She went out with a suitor, Messer..."
James frowned. "She's on a date? I didn't know she was playing the field again..."
Bodahn nodded. "He arrived earlier, not long after you left. He brought her those." The dwarf said and pointed towards the vase of Lilies.
"Lilies..."James said thoughtfully. "Why does it feel like I should know-" He suddenly stopped, his eyes going wide.
Anders stepped forward. "What is it, Love?"
"He's back..." James whispered.
"Who's back?" The other three asked simultaneously.
"Anders, remember those murders we were investigating a few months back? With that Templar fellow, the one who was murdered as well?"
Anders frowned a moment as he thought back, until his eyes also grew large. "We have to alert the guard!"
"What's going on? What aren't you telling us?" Gamlen asked loudly.
"No time, we must go!" James replied as he walked over to pull on his boots again.
"Bodahn, I need you to go get the Captain of the Guard. Tell her to meet us at the Hanged Man, urgently!"
"Right away, Messer!" the dwarf said and rushed out into the night.
"Gamlen, go get Fenris. Tell him to meet us there as well."
Gamlen scowled. "I'm not an errand boy you know?"
James turned and gave him a venomous look. "Don't test me right now, or I might just forget we're related."
Gamlen visibly paled. "Oh, very well." He grumbled and left as well.
James turned to Anders. "We must hurry."
The blonde nodded. Staff in hand James opened the front door and stepped outside.
Ten minutes later they were outside the Lowtown pub. His earlier fatigue was forgotten, replaced by a gnawing sense of dread. Anders stepped swiftly into the building to fetch Varric while James waited outside for the rest.
Moments later he heard the clinking of metal as Aveline approached.
"What's going on, Hawke?" she asked as she came to a halt. "The dwarf said something about
Leandra."
James nodded. "She's gone missing. I fear it might be that murderer we've been looking for who is responsible."
Aveline stifled a gasp. "You can't be serious? Not Leandra..."
His silence was all she needed to hear. "What do we do now?" she asked in a grave voice.
"I'm not sure... We could seek out that man, um what was his name again? The Orlesian?"
"Gascard DuPuis. Who could forget a name like that?" Aveline replied.
Before James could repond, a clattering sounded nearby. They both turned to see a small boy trying to sneak away.
"Halt!" Aveline commanded. "What are you doing sneaking about?"
"Beg your pardon, ma'am. I was just passing by when I heard you speaking. That name sounds familiar."
"What name?"
"Leandra." The boy replied. "There was a woman here in Lowtown today whose name was
Leandra. She was with this other man. He seemed... creepy."
"What? Where did you see them?" James asked urgently stepping towards the boy.
"Oh I don't know? My mind seems a bit fuzzy all of a sudden." the boy said scratching his head.
Aveline rolled her eyes and threw a few coins his way. "Better now?" she asked in a low voice.
The boy scrambled to pick up the money. "They were over that way." The boy said pointing. "Over by the old Foundry."
His dread only increased at hearing this. "That's where we found the bag of bones... And the hand." He whispered.
He turned to ask the boy if he knew more but the urchin was gone. At that moment Varric and Anders stepped out of the pub.
"We have a lead." Aveline informed them. "Leandra was sighted near the old Foundry. She was with a suspicious looking man."
Varric nodded. "Let's be on our way then."
"But we're still waiting for Fenris."
Aveline shook her head. "He's not coming. I met Gamlen on the way over. He told me to tell you that he couldn't find the elf. Sorry, it slipped my mind."
Anders scoffed. "Typical."
"Let's go then!" James said loudly and pushed past them, heading towards what he hoped would be a happy ending. He knew deep down that it would not be.
As they approached the Foundry James became more desperate. There was a trail of blood leading up the stairs to the door. He rushed forward and yanked it open. He was met with silence and the smell of death.
They searched the place from top to bottom, but found nothing. Just as they were about to give up Aveline called from somewhere on the second floor.
The men rushed up to where they found her crouching on the floor next to a small trapdoor. With a burst of flame James melted the lock right off and lifted the door.
"Ladies first." Said Varric and motioned towards the others. Aveline gave him a glare but moved forward and jumped through the hole. She landed with a thud and stepped out of the way so that the rest could follow.
Once everybody was present they moved forward into what seemed to be a sewer tunnel. A few minutes, a dozen giant spiders and endless traps later, they stepped into a room that was quite different. Candles dotted the floor in clusters, the light they cast creating shadows that danced on the surrounding walls. James squinted in the low light.
Aveline moved towards the centre. Even in the bad lighting James could see her frown. Anders strode in a wide circle, checking everything.
"Look at this." Varric said from one side of the room. James walked forward to see a body stretched out on a low table. At first his heart jumped into his throat, thinking that it was Leandra, but as he approached he saw that it was the woman who had been with Gascard that night.
"She's been dead a while, judging by the decay." Varric said softly.
James felt the bile rise in his throat. He turned away before he gagged.
"Hawke?" Aveline called. James walked over to her.
"That looks a bit like Leandra, doesn't it?" Aveline said pointing towards a painting that hung against the wall. A shrine of candles and flowers were arranged around it.
Anders came up beside them holding a book.
"Necromancy. That explains the death that's seeping into everything." He said with a frown as his eyes darted around the room.
"That doesn't bode well." Aveline whispered.
A sound came from further down the hall.
"What was that?" James asked softly.
Varric, who had joined them at the shrine, pointed into the gloom. "Somethings moving down that passage."
A rattle behind them made them turn. All around them bones were rolling across the floor and forming neat piles. Soon after that they started to tumble and twist into the air, taking on the shapes of bodies.
"Walking dead!" Aveline spat as she drew her sword and lifted her shield.
The newly risen enemies advanced on them with unnatural speed, clicking and clacking as they moved. James threw a few fire balls, remembering the skeletons weakness to fire. Bones scattered as the magic holding the fiends together dissipated with each blow. Aveline swung her blade left and right, sending heads flying. Anders and Varric barely lifted their weapons before the fight was over.
"That's it!" Aveline said loudly. "I want to know what's going on here right now!"
"Let's move on then." Varric said and took the lead.
They followed the corridor until it emptied out into another room. This one held a few simple pieces of furniture and a fireplace against the far wall. A chair was pulled in front of it. James could vaguely make out the shape of a person sitting in it. Before he could react however, a boiling pit of fire opened up in the ground just a few feet away.
There was a roar as a Rage Demon clawed its way up from the earth. James gave a hopeless sigh and readied a frost spell as the others prepared themselves for attack.
A short while later the thing gave a screech as the last blow hit. James was panting now, his wounds flaring. His earlier exhaustion was returning now.
He stepped over the spot where it had sunk back into the ground and advanced on the figure sitting in the chair. Just as he was about to reach it, a strange voice from behind made the whole group turn. In the doorway stood a man grey with age. He wore the robes of a mage but held no staff. His grin was eerie.
"Come my love," he said staring past them, "Come greet our guests."
James frowned at the man. "Who are-" he began but stopped when he heard a strange shuffling behind him.
He turned once more to face the chair but instead his gaze fell upon the figure standing next to it.
Leandra, or rather what was left of her. She was wearing a tattered and filthy wedding gown. A veil was draped over her head. Deep cuts marred her exposed flesh, pulled together by thick stitches. She looked like a new version of the bride of Frankenstein.
"Maker preserve us." Aveline whispered.
James rushed forward but just as he reached her he was pulled back with great force.
"No touchy." The strange man said from the door. He clicked his fingers and in a flash he stood next to Leandra. "Beautiful, isn't she?" he said as he traced a finger over her cheek.
"What have you done to my mother?" James cried out, rage and sorrow fighting a mighty battle in his heart. Garrett might be gone, but James still felt his fury deep within.
"I have done nothing but perfect her." The man said with a grin. He gazed hungrily at Leandra.
"She looks so much like my beloved now. She was the last piece I needed, you see?"
James was shaking. "You fucked up psychopath! How could you do something like this?"
The man gave him a look. "It wasn't easy. It's taken years but now I finally have my beloved back." The man said, his voice cracking with emotion.
James closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. When he opened them again they blazed like fire before going completely black.
"You will pay for this!" He cried and threw himself at the man.
Unprepared for the sudden attack the man failed to react fast enough. The two of them hit the ground as James struck him. The monstrous man gave him a wicked grin before raising his arms in the air.
"You think you can stop me?" he asked and gave a demented chuckle. Magic crackled through the air and suddenly they were surrounded by a variety of Shades and Demons. The others engaged the reinforcements while James wrestled with the mage on the floor. He punched and kicked like a mad man, his every blow empowered by his magic, sending fire and ice into the demented man's body.
Around them the battle escalated until finally there was only one Desire Demon left. The three companions converged on her and within moments she groaned loudly before crumpling to the floor.
The murderer saw this, panic flashing across his bruised and bloody face. James didn't notice. He was too busy beating the crap out of him. Finally he reached for his knife that was strapped to his belt.
The murderer was too broken to do anything. He moved slowly but could do nothing to stop James from cutting into his flesh. Swiftly James recreated all the cut marks he had seen on Leandra. The man screamed with each slice.
"Scream louder!" James commanded, "Beg me to stop!"
The man shrieked and cried as he begged for respite. Finally James gave in and stopped cutting.
He leaned forward until his lips were right next to the man's ear.
"I hope you burn for an eternity." He whispered before getting up. With a snap of his fingers the man's robes caught fire. One final scream ran out as the man burned. The stench was nauseating but James savoured it.
A shuffle behind him made him turn. Leandra was staggering towards him, her arms held out, a tear rolling down her pale cheek.
James stifled a sob as his eyes returned to normal, his rage fading. He dropped the bloodied knife and rushed forward to catch her just as her legs gave way.
She looked up at him with glassy eyes. "You came." She whispered.
James smiled sadly. "A bit late it seems... I'm so sorry Leandra."
She smiled weakly. "How many times do I have to ask you to call my mother?"
"At least once more, for old time's sake."
She laughed softly at this. It was a soft gasping noise.
"I'll miss you, you know? In the short time that you've been here I've come to love you like my own." She paused as another tear leaked from her unblinking eyes. "Send my love to Bethany will you? And Take care of Gamlen too. Tell them not to worry."
James sobbed as he nodded. "Rest now, Mother." He said softly.
Leandra smiled then, a truly content smile before her body went limp. The magic that had been keeping her alive had been broken when that monster had died.
James closed his eyes and pulled her close as he sat there crying in the dim light, his friends standing around him. Anders knelt down and put his hand on James' shoulder, silently letting a trickle of his magic flow into him. Slowly James started to calm down, his eyelids growing heavy. He leaned back against Anders and was asleep.
At the look he got from Varric and Aveline he merely shrugged. "It's for the best."
He then took James in his arms and stood. "There's a blanket over there. Cover the body." Varric did as he said.
"I'm taking him back to the Estate." Anders said, "Could you take care of her?" he asked Aveline.
The woman nodded and knelt beside the corpse. "Should we burn her?"
Varric nodded. "Save some of the ash for James to scatter somewhere nice."
Anders didn't stay to watch. He turned with James still in his arms and stepped back into the tunnel.
Just as they entered Hightown the sleep spell wore off. James opened his eyes slowly and squinted as Anders passed underneath a brightly lit lamp.
"The others are taking care of the body." Anders whispered softly. James nodded weakly. His head was throbbing and his chest was on fire.
"Anders?"
"Hmmm?"
"You can put me down now."
"Oh, right. You sure?"
James nodded again. "It wouldn't be that great for my reputation if I was seen paraded through Hightown like a baby." He said trying to lighten the mood. Anders marvelled at the man.
A few minutes later they were at the front door. Just as James reached for the handle it flew open to reveal a very worried Gamlen.
"So! Where is she?"
James looked at the floor and Anders shook his head slowly. Gamlen's jaw dropped as he stepped back.
"Dead?"
James looked up and gave him a look to confirm.
"No... NO!" he cried out. "She can't be gone!" Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"It's your fault!" he said suddenly as he pointed at James. "You weren't fast enough! If only you'd been faster she wouldn't be..." he stopped as his voice cracked. He moved forward swiftly and pulled James into the house and into a tight hug.
"Did you make the bastard pay?" he whispered.
"He begged me to end him." James said coldly.
"Good." He said as he pulled away. "How did he- How did she...?"
James took a deep breath. "The murderer used parts of her as well as other woman's bodies to magically reconstruct his dead wife."
Gamlen gasped.
"They had the similar faces. That's why he killed her."
Gamlen turned away and gagged. "I shouldn't have asked." He said in between.
"Magic has always been fouling up this Family. Look what it's done to poor Leandra. It's nothing but curse, wielded by monsters."
James looked up sharply. Anders stepped forward to say something but James stopped him. "Is that what you think of us? Of me? Of Bethany?"
Gamlen immediately regretted his choice of words.
"Get out of my house!" James said loudly.
"Nephew, I'm sorr-" Gamlen began but he was cut off.
"OUT! Now!"
The man flinched at the power in James's voice. James didn't say a word, he simply glared. Slowly Gamlen inched past them and out the door. James groaned and stumbled into the main room. The fire place was still crackling as it always did, making James uncomfortably hot in his robes. Who knows how Bodahn does it.
"Do you want to be alone?" Anders asked form the doorway.
James turned towards the mage. "Anything but. Will you stay the night?"
Anders smiled briefly. "Of course I will."
James smiled and held out his hand. "Let's go to bed then."
Anders jolted awake some time later. He had borrowed a loose shirt and some pants from
James who had dressed and almost instantly fallen asleep. He looked down at the figure that was curled up against his chest. James was sobbing softly.
He lifted James' head with his hand so that he could look into his eyes. The distraught expression he beheld there wretched at his heart.
Instinctively he pulled James closer to place a kiss on his lips. The dark haired mage moaned at the contact and moved to straddle the blonde.
Anders broke the kiss to stare into those deep green eyes.
"Are you ready for this?" he whispered as he rubbed his hand over James' cheek. "I'm not going to force you into-"
"Shut up and kiss me, idiot." James interrupted and leaned in close again.
"As you wish." The blonde said with a grin.
Hehe, you probably thought there was going to be some action, right?
You'll just have to wait for next time. It shouldn't be a long wait, I can't possibly leave the two of them in such a position ;P
I'd just like to thank JellyBonkerz for being such a good friend and Beta Reader for me! I really appreciate your help hun! *hugs* Be sure to look up her page as well, she's an excellent writer!
So that's all for now, till next time!
Thanx for reading