Hey guys, UPDATE: fixed this chapter
Newcomers this chapter had some grammar issues but I've gone back and fixed them
thanks for reading

Outside of Lothering

This has gone from bad to worse thought Garrett Hawke as he ran as fast as he could with his family, grabbing his little sister Bethany's hand making sure she kept up as Carver did the same with their mother as Kane took point.

Destruction of Lothering
It all started the previous night while Garrett and his family were setting up traps to strengthen then defense of Lothering. As Garrett and Carver had finished setting up a trap while Bethany and Leandra set up one with Kane roaming around them.

Lothering had made the mistake of believing that the Darkspawn Horde would attack them with their full force, just ripping threw them with sheer number as the legends and fables led the common folk to believe.

Unfortunately the Darkspawn had been using tactics ever since the Blight began due to the Archdemon leading them. As such the Darkspawn Horde had sent scouts to Lothering before the rest of the Horde would reach it.

It was how the Darkspawn cleared paths for the rest of the Horde by sending scouts and small forces to deal with small towns and villages along their path. It was that tactic that had caused the Chasind folk to flee the Kocari Wilds drawing the attention of Ferelden War council. Ever since the Fall of Ostagar the Darkspawn had continued in this fashion unchallenged and as such the Darkspawn Scouts noticed that the road was the only real way out of Lothering.

Armed with that knowledge the Darkspawn Scouts split into two groups for assault on Lothering. One group sneaked into the road, hiding further down it armed with Longbows; the second group left Lothering and returned to Horde reporting their findings.

A small force of Darkspawn detached from the Horde and reached Lothering far quicker than Lothering thought. Before attacking the small village of Lothering, the small force of Darkspawn sent more Archers and Shrieks to sneak into the road and join the group of Darkspawn Scouts ready to ambush the road.

Then the small force of Darkspawn attacked Lothering at night taking it by surprise and caused a panic from the townspeople. The Templars held a small line to defend Lothering behind the traps but the townspeople foolishly split into two groups; those staying to defend Lothering what crude weapons while the others ran for the road hoping to escape.

What the townspeople who fled to the road didn't know was that the road was a death trap... anyone who ran into the road was sniped by Darkspawn Archers when they got close enough.

Darkspawn Shrieks attacked the mob of people from behind them causing mass panic; the mob was so confused that they trampled over each other and stopped anyone with weapons from using them. Garrett had managed save his family by studying what was happening and wondering why the Darkspawn would send such a relatively small attack force.

Garrett had remembered the events at Ostagar and one talk he had with a Grey Warden about the Darkspawn tactics. How the Darkspawn only fought with greater numbers to swarm any prey along their path.

As Garrett looked at the small Darkspawn force he also glanced back at the road, knowing it was the only real escape route. Luckily for Garrett and his family when the attack began and the Darkspawn were spotted the Hawke family was still setting up traps and thus was far from the road. Midway on their run towards it Garrett noticed the mob being slaughtered on the road from a distance.

Garrett had understood what the Darkspawn's plan was; they made the exit a death trap and sent a small force to make sure the people fell into the trap. Garrett noticing this had stopped his family running to the road, having to grab Carver to stop him.

Looking at the road then the line of Templars defending before stopping to face his family Garrett said "wait. Look at the road... it's a death trap we have go around Lothering into the Wilds it's the only way."

Carver, having stopped in his tracks looking annoyed that Garrett had grabbed him, had shifting saying "what are you going on about?" Garrett let go of Carver saying "look, the Darkspawn have outflanked us we need to around them to the South, their heading North if we stay away from the road we'll be able to escape."

Kane shifted uncomfortably as Caver had looked around seeing what Garrett had seen and just as realization dawned on him said "... yeah you're right." Leandra had frowned and looked at her two sons as she held Bethany close saying "that's dangerous... are you two sure?"

Garrett had exchanged a somber look with Carver before facing his mother calmly saying "I'm sure. We need to keep moving and we'll make it now come on." Garrett had gestured for Kane to take point as he led his family out of Lothering running alongside the crowd of frantic town folk only for Bethany stop them saying "wait! What about the people we can't just leave them here... we have to warn them."

Garrett reached out and grabbed a Farmer whom was running next to his family and held the man saying "the road's a deathtrap go around the Darkspawn to South, trust me the road means death!"

The Farmer said "uh" not understanding at first but Garrett made him look into the distance near the middle of the road and then the Farmer saw the mob being slaughtered there; nodding the Farmer gathered his family around him as Garrett let go of him.

Then stopping the next wave of people heading for the road Garrett shouted "stop! Look closely at the road it's a trap if you go there you'll be slaughtered! Our only hope is to around the Darkspawn! Stay in small groups they won't follow all of us!"

The town folk had stopped running to see what Garrett was saying then sorted themselves into small groups and followed Garrett's lead of going around the Darkspawn. Bethany had smiled at her older brother helping all of those people as they ran past Lothering and around the Darkspawn as the small groups split, going their different ways after passing Lothering.

The Present

Now the Hawke family was still on the run from Lothering unfortunately for the Lothering survivors the Darkspawn had sent some of their own to chase them as they ran... even more unfortunate was that Hawke family seemed to be their primary target.

It was almost as if the Darkspawn knew Garrett had given his advice to the townspeople of Lothering and the Darkspawn were now punishing him for it. The Hawke family, still running, was currently being chased by a small group of Darkspawn through some rough terrain. Glancing behind him Garrett noticed the Darkspawn closing in on them.

"Bethany! Again!" Garrett called having guessed that Bethany's spell had recharged. Bethany quickly turned around grunting in effort as she erected a wall of fire behind them effectively cutting the Darkspawn off from them.

The Darkspawn chasing them stopped in their tracks and stood watching the wall of fire warily as the Hawke family continued for a few moments getting ahead while they could before stopping to catch their breath.

Carver looked back to where the Darkspawn were held back by the wall of fire in distance saying "we should be alright for now." Looking back at the Darkspawn in the distance Garrett warily said "for the moment anyway... they'll go around and find another place to start this all over again."

Kane sniffed the area around them searching for any more threats as Leandra Hawke crouched down panting "Maker save us! Everything your father and I built... we've lost it all."

"Good job Bethany" Garrett said clamping his little sister on the arm before moving forward and putting his hand on his mother's shoulder Garrett said "mom I know how much Lothering meant to you but we can't stay here." Leandra nodded accepting her son's help and stood up saying "you're right."

"We should have left sooner we've been running since Ostagar... we didn't even get to rest much" Carver said coldly as he looked at Bethany "What are you looking at me for? We needed to help those people" Bethany said catching her breathe and noticing where her twin brother was looking.

Bethany and Carver started arguing about how they left Lothering until Garrett stopped them by cutting in and grabbing both them by their shoulders saying "listen you two, now is not the time for this. The Darkspawn will catch up with us just like last time and we need to be ready." Then letting go of his younger siblings Garrett looked both of them in the eyes waiting for their reply; Bethany nodded saying "sorry your right brother."

While Carver grudgingly nodded and walked off taking point. Carver can't you just be nice Bethany Garrett thought as he led his family forward gesturing for Kane to take point so he'd let them know of anything up ahead.

After nearly thirty minutes of walking the Hawke family reached a bit of high ground and took the moment to rest and look at the nearby lands trying to find where to head next.

Bethany spoke up saying "wait where are we even going?" Garrett and Carver turned around to look at their sister speaking in unison saying "away from the Darkspawn." Gesturing to the all the land they could see from their spot on the high ground Bethany said "we can't just wonder aimlessly in the Wilds. We need to have a real place to go."

Garrett and Carver shared a look then Garrett said "good point." Taking a step closer to his sister Garrett said "look we'll find somewhere to go but what matter is that we all stay together okay... we don't separate for any reason."

Looking uneasy then straightening her face Leandra faced her children saying "we can go Kirkwall... my side of the family's Nobility. We'll be safer there." Garrett looked surprised then asked "Kirkwall?"

Glancing at Bethany and seeing her shift slightly clearly awkward Garrett said "is that wise?" Bethany understood what her older brother meant and spoke up saying "... there's a lot of Templars in Kirkwall."

Leandra turned to face her only daughter saying "I know Bethany but we have family there and like I said we're Nobility we even have an estate there." Garrett nodded saying "alright then it's settled we need to reach Gwaren and take Ship from there." Carver nodded saying "if we can make it that far..."

Garrett studied the area from their spot on the high ground looking at what was visible in the distance then deciding on a path that should take them closer to Gwaren Garrett led his family forward with Kane in front to warn them of anything that came their way.

As they walked Carver suddenly moved to walk beside Garrett in the front darkly saying "think we can make it? Hardly have any supplies and... we're moving slower than we should." It was a sort of code Garrett was glad Carver used... waiting until they were out of earshot so Mother and Bethany couldn't hear how bad the situation was.

Garrett glanced back at Leandra and Bethany before turning to face Carver saying "I don't know... but we have to try for their sake." Carver glanced behind them seeing his twin sister and mother then nodded.

Mother and Bethany aren't used to this, running and hiking through the Wilds like Carver and me are but they've handled things well considering Garrett thought as they walked.

Just then Garrett noticed Kane start to growl and bare his teeth, looked back at his family Garrett called "be ready Kane smells something." Carver and Garrett unsheathed their weapons and Bethany went forward holding her staff as Kane stayed in front walking forward then stopping as he turned around a corner. The Hawke family caught up with Kane around the corner only for Garrett and Carver to stop in their tracks at the sight that Kane had lead them to.

A Templar along with a green eyed woman with brown hair fighting a group of Darkspawn… and not doing very well. They watched as the Templar took a bad slash to his side and fell down barely blocking a second slash with his Templar's Shield.

The green eyed woman rushed back and tackled the Darkspawn that was attacking the Templar then picked up a rock proceeding to bash the Darkspawn's head in. She's strong... she may wear common clothing but she's not common folk Garrett thought as he saw the woman move back to help the Templar stand up.

It was losing battle and they knew it, the two of them were outnumbered. Garrett and Carver were still just watching unsure of what to do because of the Templar there and with Bethany with them but Leandra made their choice for them saying "what are you waiting for? Go help them."

Garrett raised a hand behind him gesturing for Bethany to stay behind with Leandra just as he and Carver rushed forward along with Kane to help the two strangers. Unsheathing his Longsword and Shield Garrett reached the nearest Darkspawn stabbing it in the back where its heart would be effectively killing it.

Carver rushed forward and decapitated one Darkspawn with a heavy slash from his Greatsword as Kane tackled one Darkspawn to the floor and clawing at its throat killing it. The Templar handed his Shield to the woman while keeping his Longsword just as the two strangers noticed the Hawke brothers.

The two of them joined Carver and Garrett fighting the Darkspawn making them allies at least for the moment. Garrett slammed his Shield into one Darkspawn bring him down and slashing open another Darkspawn with his Longsword as Kane killed the downed Darkspawn.

Carver stabbed a Darkspawn in the chest while the woman blocked a stab with the Templar's Shield then stabbed the Darkspawn in the chest killing it; the Templar beheaded a Darkspawn whom was only focused on the others and not him. Garrett blocked a slash from a Darkspawn then slammed his Shield into the Darkspawn only for it hold it's ground not falling and kept attacking.

Garrett blocked a slash with Longsword then pushed forward forcing the Darkspawn he was fighting back then slammed his Shield into Darkspawn again and again until it finally fell to the floor dazed.

Garrett quickly took the opportunity to stab the Darkspawn in the chest causing it to cried out as it died trying to grab at Garrett but not even reaching halfway. "Watch out!" the woman yelled to Garrett before he could pull his Longsword out, turning Garrett saw a Darkspawn rushing for him.

Acting quickly Garrett quickly used his Shield to bash the Darkspawn's head causing it to stumble backward. "Thanks" Garrett called as he pulled his Longsword free of the Darkspawn corpse and rejoined his brother. Together the Hawke brothers kept the Darkspawn back Garrett covering his brother as Carver batted them back with the threat of Greatsword allowing the wounded Templar and the woman to get behind them.

Unfortunately Darkspawn reinforcements arrived from further down the path... right behind the left over Darkspawn the group had been fighting. "Too many" Garrett said keeping his voice calm but feeling anything but inside as the five of them formed a line and began to fall back to where Leandra and Bethany were.

This is bad we can't just fall back... the Darkspawn will just surround us and it'll be overGarrett thought trying to foresee a way out of this but to no avail; they were outnumbered and had nowhere else to go except back.

The Darkspawn took their time going forward... seeming to find some sick enjoyment from the hunt as they menacingly walked forward flexing their weapons causing the five to hold their weapons out while moving back.

Suddenly Bethany ran through the line that Garrett, Carver, Kane, the Templar, and the brown haired woman formed. "Bethany! Get back!" Garrett called in fear as Carver watched stunned.

"I can do this!" Bethany called as Garrett moved to grab her but didn't reach in time. Bethany raised her staff using nearly all of her magic and unleashed a massive Firestorm upon the Darkspawn in front of them.

The Firestorm hit the group of around fourteen Darkspawn... burning and spreading to the floor causing smoke to rise from the ground. The Darkspawn cried out in agony as they burned to death, their weapons falling to ground burning with their owners.

All of them, Garrett, Bethany, Carver, Leandra, Kane, the wounded Templar, and brown haired woman, watched the strange spectacle of the Darkspawn burning in the Flame Magic.

Bethany let out a heavy breathe as she stumbled almost falling on her back before Garrett rushed forward catching her. Helping his little sister regain her footing Garrett said "hey are you alright?" Carver stepped forward to check in on Bethany saying "that was... thanks." "I'm okay... just used a lot of magic" Bethany told her two brothers as Garrett let her go having regained her footing.

Out of nowhere a single Darkspawn, an Alpha of some sort stepped forward out of the fire and stood six feet from the Hawke siblings. Garrett grabbed Bethany pulling her behind him as he gripped his Longsword and Carver raised his Greatsword warily.

The Darkspawn Alpha stood before them still as some demonically rusted statue burning and with smoke rising from its body as it looked at them with its dark hollow eyes.

Breathing heavily the Darkspawn fell to its knees in a hoarse groan dropping its Longsword, a harsh metallic clunk ripping through the air as it hit the floor while the Flame Magic began to fade away into nothing behind him.

The Darkspawn stared at the ground and then... spoke, in deep and stained voice "ut... Urthemiel." Letting out one last haggard breathe the Darkspawn collapsed on the floor... finally dead from its many burns.

The three Hawke siblings stared at the dead Darkspawn in front of them until Bethany asked "what was that about?" Carver shook his head in confused as Garrett said "I... I don't know... I never knew they could talk; the never did that Ostagar."

Leandra stepped forward saying "I don't think we should linger too long." Suddenly bringing the Hawke family back to the matter at hand the wounded Templar spoke up. "Maker! An Apostate!" the wounded Templar shouted still holding his Longsword. Garrett and Carver moved to stand in front of Bethany with Garrett sternly said "you will not take her Templar!"

"Well the Maker has a sense of humor, we save escape the Darkspawn and save a Templar only for the Templar to take me in" Bethany said dryly if a bit tired as Kane growled at the Templar ready to pounce on the man in a moment's notice.

The wounded Templar stepped forward saying "the Darkspawn are clear in their intent but a Mage is always unknown... the order dictates." Garrett blocked the wounded Templar as he tried to walk to Bethany while Carver stood ready to interfere if he needed to.

Suddenly the brown haired woman stepped forward and held the Templar back saying "Wesley... dear they saved us the Maker will understand." The wounded Templar, Wesley it seemed, stepped back from the Hawke siblings and towards the woman saying "of course I apologize."

"I'm Aveline Vallen and this is my husband Sir Wesley" the woman, Aveline, said pointing to herself and her husband. Aveline and Wesley looked thoughtfully at Garrett and Carver noticing the Hawke brothers' Ferelden Field Armor. Aveline looked Garrett up and down asking "I think I saw both of you at Ostagar, what company where you in?"

Yes I can see it now she's had Army training Garrett thought as he answered "Third Company under Captain Varel" and Carver nodded.

"Did Captain Varel survive Ostagar?" Aveline asked frowning. Garrett frowned as he shook his head saying "no Captain Varel didn't make it. When we were running from Ostagar he took a bad hit to the leg and got overwhelmed." Aveline closed her eyes for a moment then said "now is not the time to mourn, we must honor his memory by living on for him."

Garrett and Carver nodded glumly as they remembered Captain Varel. "We were defeated pretty badly" Carver said remembering how the line was broken and King Cailan dying. "We fell because of betrayal no other reason" Aveline replied firmly.

Sir Wesley spoke up saying "for whatever reasons we are here now and we must stand together to survive." "So long as you know I stand with my sister" Garrett said sternly standing in front of Wesley holding up his hand for Wesley to shake. Sir Wesley grabbed Garrett's hand and shook it saying "we are allies this day."

Garrett nodded finishing the hand shaking then turning to Leandra saying "mom... you can put the rock down." Wesley and Aveline snapped to Leandra just in time to see her gently place a rather large rock back on down on the ground.

Wesley blinked at he stared at Leandra causing the single mother to say "... she's my daughter." Aveline glanced at Leandra then at Bethany and finally at Garrett and Carver seeing the family resemblance before saying "we understand."

A few awkward moments later the Hawke family with Aveline and Wesley began to move forward further along the path. "Careful not to burn your feet some areas are still hot" Carver said annoyed as he looked around the burned floor and Darkspawn corpses. "It worked didn't it... all the Darkspawn are dead" Bethany replied somewhat defensibly.

"Maker will you two ever stop arguing" Garrett called as he lead the group through the Wilds with Kane taking point once again.