Hi guys
Update: fixed this chapter

Kirkwall, Gamlen's Home
Sixty nine days after the fall of Ostagar

Garrett Hawke and his sister Bethany had been busy the last couple of days and were now sleeping in the small cramped house that the Hawke family shared. Leandra and Bethany shared one room that held two beds while Gamlen and Garrett shared one room with Gamlen getting the only bed leaving Garrett with the floor.

More often than not however Garrett found himself in the living room floor. It's not that living room floor was better than the room he shared with Gamlen it was simply that Gamlen never stopped snoring.

Aveline had stayed with them for a few days getting a few odd jobs to help out but in the end she moved out getting a room at one of the Inns in Lowtown. Aveline had been polite enough but was still cold towards Garrett, which he privately suspected was one of the reasons she rushed to move out but he never addressed it.

Garrett and Bethany's work as Smugglers was a decent job that paid fairly and had some benefits but lately it was mostly tiring Bethany and even Garrett out. Garrett never sleep well these days especially with Gamlen's snoring mumbling something about someone named Rose but Garrett really didn't wanna know why.

While trying to get back to sleep Garrett began to think about the last couple of weeks. Garrett and Bethany had quickly proven that they could get jobs done and made Athenril happy to have them but of late Athenril's Smuggler group was having competition from some other groups and as such had been using Garrett and Bethany a lot.

Athenril still paid them but less than a lot of other people who worked for her. Gamlen's debt to bring Garrett's family to Kirkwall was pretty big and as such more than half of Garrett and Bethany's pay went to paying it back.

Some of the other workers were nice to them, like Tomwise, a friendly Elf, whom always gave them a small discount whenever they wanted some potions. But then there were others whom Garrett would never let be in the same room as Bethany, they would look at her and smile while Bethany would look disgusted.

It wasn't just perverts who Garrett wouldn't want Bethany to be alone with; one example was a Noble Hunter by the name of Elegant. Garrett and Bethany first met her on one of Athenril's meetings in a privately owned Tavern near Hightown.

Garrett remembered meeting Tomwise and sitting at a table with him and Elegant. The Tavern owner got exports from Athenril and was considered a business partner and owed her for helping him fund the Tavern when opening up.

The Tavern had its own Guards inside and only let in Athenril's workers that night. The meeting was short because having all of Athenril's Smugglers in one place was dangerous. Tomwise had spotted Garrett and Bethany when they walked in and moved over to them "hey guys, lot of people here huh" he said.

"Yeah I haven't met everyone though I'm not sure that I want to" Bethany said as Garrett shook Tomwise's hand saying "good to see you again Tomwise." The Darktown Elf led Garrett and Bethany to a seat were they all sat down next to a blond woman sitting in a table looking bored. Tomwise glanced at the woman saying "hey Elegant nice seeing you here, mind if me and my friends sit here," "not all" Elegant said looking a little more interested now.

"What was that look about" Tomwise asked having noticed Elegant's frown. Elegant sighed "I hit the Jackpot this time, met a wealthy Noble who was very interested in me but this little meeting of Athenril's made me cancel a date with him."

Bethany laughed saying "so that's hitting the Jackpot?" "Yes, it is. I can see it now, us getting married and me wearing a nice Silk dress being called Lady Elegant, oh being a Noble tell me the idea doesn't appeal to you miss..."

"Bethany and this is my brother Garrett" Bethany said pointing at herself and Garrett. Tomwise smiled and said "yeah these guys are all right, owe a debt to Athenril and now are some of her uh Dockers."

"I see, but anyway come on Bethany, you can't tell me you haven't thought about bagging a wealthy Noble" Elegant said matter-of-factly. Before Bethany could reply Elegant spoke up with a sly smile on her face saying "with looks like yours I'm sure you could get one no problem."

"What... no I… I wouldn't want to bag someone" Bethany stammered to Elegant's amusement. Garrett but in drawing attention away from his sister saying "technically speaking we're already Nobles just not wealthy… you might know our Uncle Gamlen."

"Gamlen… I know him, tried courting me once but he got in all sorts of trouble with his money; last I heard he had lost everything" Elegant said looking at Garrett as if trying to see any resemblance to Gamlen.

Garrett chuckled slightly saying "yeah that's our Uncle, we live in a cramped Lowtown home now." "Hey at least you don't live in Darktown, all that Chokedamp in the air gets pretty bad sometimes" Tomwise said with a hint of humor mixed with some saddest.

"You don't have to live there. I'm sure the Alienage would take you" Garrett said trying to cheer up Tomwise.

"I would if I could but I don't like leaving my Shop in Darktown at night. I can't take all the stock with me so I just have to live near my shop… my brother's watching it for now but I still should get back as soon as I can" Tomwise said.

Bethany looked sadly at Tomwise saying "it's okay Tomwise I'm sure you'll get out of there one day" "only time will tell" Tomwise replied. They continued talking about their dealings with Athenril and how they all were part of her network until Athenril started the meeting.

Athenril talked about her plan to stay strong and beat the competition for almost the whole night stating that most of the rival smugglers were just desperate refugees getting any work they could regardless of price.

Just like what would have happened to us if we hadn't joined Athenril's service… all those people only barely getting in. Most must be starving Garrett thought as Athenril droned on.

When it was over and Garrett, Bethany, Tomwise, and Elegant left the meeting, Elegant started talking to Bethany about helping her grab a Noble. "I'm just saying you got the looks, you could bag a Noble in few dates."

"Look I try not to judge people but I'm not going to get with someone because of their family or money okay, so no I don't want any advice" Bethany replied annoyed as Elegant just smiled saying "whatever you say but when the times comes when you want the help I'm in the Lowtown Market."

Bethany made a slightly angry face saying "I will never want that help, look let's just stay friends and not talk about Noble Bagging." Garrett turned around and held up his hands saying "hey guys I think Bethany and I are gonna head home now, later Tomwise, bye Elegant" then grabbing Bethany by her arm he pulled her away starting towards Gamlen's home.

When Garrett and Bethany had made it to Gamlen's home and walked in, Kane ran forward and started licking Garrett's hand in greeting. Gamlen, irritable as ever, however walked to Garrett asking "well, you get paid?"

"No Athenril already paid us Gamlen, next pay is next week stop asking already" Garrett replied annoyed. "But we barely have enough money to get groceries" Gamlen complained as Leandra walked out of her room saying "Gamlen we'll mange."

Bethany sat down in the breakfast table saying "Athenril keeps most of the pay, that was the deal." Garrett walked forward and grabbed Gamlen saying "Uncle Gamlen lets have a talk." "What? We're talking right now" Gamlen said puzzled.

"No we need to have a private talk" Garrett corrected as he sternly pulled Gamlen into the room they shared.

Once they were alone Garrett looked Gamlen straight in the eye coldly saying "Gamlen, whatever you do at night when you sneak out STOPS now," "what- I don't sneak out of my house" Gamlen said trying to laugh it off but he wasn't fooling Garrett.

"Gamlen I've noticed that our savings seems to have the strange habit growing smaller every now and again. Except me, Leandra, and Bethany don't ever use that money. We only add to it" Garrett said narrowing his eyes. Gamlen didn't meet Garrett's eyes as he continued "I can hear you leave at night and I know you're taking money from your OWN niece and nephew. It stops now."

Gamlen began to tremble saying "look a man has... needs- and I was gonna pay you back. It's just so hard to stop the things those ladies can do-" before Garrett cut in. "I don't really want to know but it stops now got it" he said. "Got it" Gamlen said sadly.

Then Garrett walked back into the kitchen saying "good talk uncle."

"Anyway, what's for dinner" Garrett said warmly at his mother as she worked in the small cramped space that was the kitchen. "Soup again, sorry it's all we have because of Athenril" Leandra replied as she cooked.

"Athenril does keep a lot of our pay but she does keep her word I'll give her that" Garrett said honestly as sat down next to Bethany grabbing a bowl of soup. As he ate dinner with his family in Gamlen's small humble home Garrett thought about Athenril, she was a tough boss but she protected her people he had to give her that; the Templars had almost noticed Bethany once while Smuggling.

It had happened weeks ago the Templar had been looking around Lowtown only for Athenril to send the Templar after a fake lead towards Starkhaven. Athenril also helped in other ways to all of her workers, she had made sure that Garrett and Bethany had legitimate jobs so as to not get the attention of the City Guards.

Athenril had gotten Garrett and Bethany the paper work to make both of them Dockers for Private Ships. Athenril's system worked pretty well, Garrett and Bethany worked as Dockers and really did dock exports, not all of them for Smuggling purposes, if the City Guard looked into it all they would find was just a small private Docking Business.

Usually night was when the actual Smuggling took place, Garrett would either take off or put crates of goods into secret compartments in ships with other groups of around seven to ten.

Other times though land Smuggling was also needed, Garrett would protect the group from enemy Smuggling groups, while Bethany would discretely use her Magic to distract rival Smugglers or City Guards, rarely did she ever use her Magic to harm or kill any one.

But these past two months though Athenril was having a lot more trouble with rival Smugglers because of the influx of Ferelden refugees willing to do anything to get by. Coming back to the here and now Garrett and his family finished their dinner before heading to bed.

Decided to sleep in the kitchen instead of Gamlen's room Garrett thought Maker he won't shut up, my uncle manages to annoy me without even being awake as he grabbed his pillow and blanket.

As Garrett laid down on the wooden floor of the kitchen and tried to get comfortable he noticed something. What's that feeling Garrett thought as he suddenly felt a coldness than a strange urge to grab... Flemeth's Amulet. Getting up Garrett walked to the cabinet near the breakfast table and opened it.

Looking at the Amulet and reaching his hand in Garrett grabbed it pulling it out as he noticed that suddenly the Amulet was cold... very cold. Holding up the Amulet to his eye Garrett inspect it.

I remember when Flemeth first gave it to me, it was just room temperature but now it's cold... ice cold. Garrett looked closer noticing something even more strange. The strange markings on the Amulet were expanding, slowly but surely they grew and changed color, black to light gray.

The red orb in the center started to glow and change color as well, Garrett watched as the red org lit up changing to light blue. The markings now covered almost the entire Amulet and the light blue orb in its center glowed one last time before stopping. Garrett wasn't sure what to make of all this and started to put it back in the cabinet.

Maybe I should find the Dalish already Garrett thought, after settling in at Kirkwall he and Bethany had debated whether to find the Dalish to deliver the Amulet, eventually decided not to just yet.

Garrett had said that he had an odd feeling that it wasn't time to deliver it yet, he couldn't explain it but he just felt that it wasn't time yet. Again Garrett felt that strange feeling but this time as he put the Amulet back in the cabinet; he thought he heard the voice of an impossibly old woman say "not yet, you'll know when to deliver it."

After he got over the shock of what happened Garrett tried to sleep again in kitchen. Garrett had actually managed to sleep for about an hour before someone started knocking on the door.

Knock

Knock

Knock

What now Garrett thought as he got up from of his blanket and pulled a pair of trousers on saying "I'm coming hold on." Leandra's door opened and Bethany stepped out wearing her nightgown rubbing her eyes saying "what's going on."

"Don't know gonna find out" Garrett replied.

Garrett walked towards the door and opened it as Bethany stayed out of sight but close encase Garrett needed her. Just outside Gamlen's door Tomwise stood looking exhausted and scared, breathing hard.

Almost immediately after seeing Garrett Tomwise started talking "Garrett, I need your help. Please" he said while looking around outside. Garrett looking at Tomwise with concern as he stepped back saying "whoa Tomwise take it easy, here come inside" opening the door wide for Tomwise.

Tomwise however didn't walk in, instead he shook his head saying "no time, Garrett tonight a shipment from Orzammar is coming to Kirkwall. My brother Samwise just started working as a Docker and was working this job. I was checking on him from the Docks and then the Smuggling group was attacked, Garrett please I need your help, I got here as fast as I could."

"They were attacked. Hold on let me grab my armor-" Garrett began was stopped by Tomwise vigorously nodded and saying "no time, please you're the only one who can help."

Bethany walked around Garrett to look at Tomwise and said "come on Garrett he needs our help let's go" "okay, let me grab my Longsword and Shield" Garrett replied as he went over and grabbed his weapons from the trunk near the cabinet.

"Wait. What do you mean you'll go? What about me" Bethany said with a hint of annoyance as she followed Garrett.

Garrett had just picked up his Longsword and Shield then turned back to Bethany saying "yeah I'M GOING and you're STAYING. Someone needs to take care of Mother while I'm gone."

"Mother can take care of herself and you'll need my help" Bethany replied moving to get proper clothes only to get stopped by Garrett grabbing her by the wrist. "Bethany I need you to stay here… I've got this" Garrett said calmly as he let her go.

Bethany met her brother's eyes frowning before saying "fine but you're always doing that you know. Always trying to protect me… I'm not a little girl anymore I can handle it."

Garrett just smiled then walked out with Tomwise and closed the door waiting to hear to click of the lock as Bethany locked up after him.

Tomwise muttered a hurried thanks as he and Garrett ran as fast as they could to the Docks, about five minutes later they were there with Tomwise turning to him saying "they're at port fifteen." When Garrett reached port fifteen he saw the members of Athenril's Smuggling group fighting another group of Smugglers.

Athenril's Smugglers weren't doing so well, they were outnumbered and were quickly losing people in the fight. Tomwise just watched in horror as he saw his brother Samwise fighting an enemy Smuggler with a Longsword, Garrett rushed over and slammed his Shield into an Enemy Smuggler then slashed his Longsword at the stumbling man's throat.

Garrett then helped one of Athenril's Smugglers up with his Shield arm. Garrett quickly turned and began fighting a mean looking woman wielding a Battleax. As the woman swung her Battleax at Garrett he raised his Shield, thump the Battleax crushed into Garrett's Shield causing him to get pushed back a little.

As Garrett was trying to regain his footing from the push he felt something wet on his feet, without even looking down Garrett knew what had happened.

Oh great idea Garrett, I didn't put shoes on and I never put on socks, then without any armor I went to the Docks to fight armored foes plus I could slip and fall because I'm fighting on in the Docks, which the floors of which are always wet from the Waking Sea! Garrett thought as he pushed back and swung his Longsword at the opposing woman.

The woman ducked Garrett's swing and pulled back her Battleax for another strike only to be stopped by Garrett using his Shield to block the woman's strike then kicking her in the chest causing her to fly back and fall into the sea.

The woman started being carried by the current and tried to grab something but to no avail… she was just carried away unable to do anything. When suddenly an arrow flew through the air hitting the woman in her forehead ending her life instantly.

Turning around Garrett saw Athenril atop the stairs leading to port fifteen with a bow and arrow drawn and three more of her men as well.

Garrett then rushed towards another enemy Smuggler as Athenril and her Guards kept up sniping, killing an enemy with a stab to the chest Garrett turned his attention towards Tomwise. Tomwise had pulled out a knife from somewhere and was helping his brother fight a Dwarf with an Ax.

Garrett watched in horror as the Dwarf scored a direct hit to Samwise's right arm just above the elbow… the Ax embedded in Samwise's arm. Tomwise grabbed his screaming brother stopping him from falling down as the Dwarf reached to grab a another weapon.

Rushing over Garrett slammed his Shield into the Dwarf causing him to fly three feet and fall face first into the ground, knocking him out. Garrett looked around at Tomwise and his brother Samwise with worry only to find Tomwise helping his brother up then suddenly pointing behind Garret.

Realizing what was happening Garrett began to move out of the way but he was still too slow.

While Garrett had been turning to check on Tomwise and his brother he had failed to notice the man sneaking up behind him with a dagger in his right hand… only with Tomwise's warning was Garret able to survive.

Garrett started moving to the right just barely dodging the small dagger aimed at his heart, instead the dagger hit his upper back just below his shoulder, embedded itself into his back.

Grunting in pain and still using the momentum from moving Garrett managed to turn with his Longsword arm held out, the blade extended upwards in a desperate slash.

Garrett managed to slash the man in the mouth with his Longsword as the man tried to dodge but failed… the man fell backward.

The man shrieked in pain, holding himself up with one hand while the other held his mouth. Stumbling backwards and falling to down to one knee and holding himself up with his Longsword Garrett saw the man choking and holding his now cut and disfigured mouth.

The man had been cut right across his lips and past his cheeks that would leave a horrible ragged scar... Garrett could tell that the man's tongue was also cut by the way the man spit out blood and tried to speak.

Garrett surveyed the port and noticed that the battle was over Athenril and her men had finished off the rest of the enemies and were now helped her so called Dockers.

Looking back at Tomwise and his brother he noticed that Samwise wasn't screaming anymore but seemed to be more in shock and was breathing hard. Athenril shot an arrow at the man that stabbed Garrett, pinning the man to floor as the arrow hit his leg and broke into the floor.

The man yelled in pain. Athenril looked at Garrett and calmly asked "this wasn't your shift Garrett. What brought you here now?" "Tomwise, he noticed what was going on and brought me here to help" Garrett replied as he slowly got up and inspected his wound as best he could.

Garrett eyed Athenril closely and said "but how did you know about the attack… Tomwise barely had time to find me."

Athenril, calm as ever, simply replied "I knew an attack was happening. It happens every now and again, competition trying to get a leg up, been having one of my boys watch from afar. He let me know what was going down. I knew sooner or later they'd attack a shipment again."

Garrett narrowed his eyes and looked back at Tomwise and his brother, "there's more to it than that, you should have protected this shipment better. This was... like bait. It was wasn't it? You knew they'd attack at the advantage" Garrett said angrily and twitching from the pain.

Tomwise suddenly spoke up seething with anger as he said "Athenril! You knew something like this would happen and you didn't bother to put more protection for your Dockers!"

Athenril looked at Tomwise with pity and replied "not exactly, I was waiting for a right time and place for something to happen. Now we got some prisoners and I WILL make them talk."

Athenril walked to the pinned man and roughly pulled the arrow out, causing the man to cry in pain as she grabbed him and pulled him along. Garrett looked at the wounded man that was now Athenril's prisoner; the man was looking at Athenril with pure horror.

"This isn't right" Garrett said looking at Athenril. Garrett understood the logic behind what Athenril had done; she just had make sure the competition saw a target that looked like it was easy prey, then she would arrive to help and capture the enemy Smugglers, once captured she'd question them until she learned everything about the enemy Smugglers.

Athenril looked back at Garrett saying "it might not be right but its effective now time is running out. I have a… distraction keeping the City Guards busy." Athenril looked Samwise then gestured at her men saying "help Samwise."

Looking at everyone Athenril said "I know a place where I can get him help. I have a cleanup crew coming soon, should be here any minute. Garrett it's not good to travel in too large groups, keep a low profile then find me outside the Hanged Man, I'll get you help."

"I have my sister she can fix me up, take care of Samwise that wounds looks really bad" Garrett said as he looked at Samwise getting led along by one of Athenril's men and Tomwise.

Athenril just looked at Garrett's wound saying "your choice Hawke. Oh and good work with that man and the Dwarf, I think this merits a raise" and with that Athenril handed him a cloak to hide his wound if anyone saw him and walked off with her prisoner as she singled for another of her men to grab the knocked out Dwarf.

Wrapping the cloak over his himself Garrett walked off wishing Tomwise good luck and headed back home stealthily as the fellow Dockers went their separate ways, a few of them stopped to thank Garrett for helping before splitting up.

As Athenril said traveling in small groups was best.

As Garrett managed to make it back to Lowtown he noticed what the distraction was, Athenril had caused a small fire somewhere in Hightown, no doubt keeping the Guards busy with Nobles complaining about ruined furniture or something.

Well, at least it's Hightown; the Nobles can pay for whatever burned to get rebuilt relatively fast thought Garrett as made it to Gamlen's house and limped to the front door. Garrett let out a heavy breath as he knocking once.

The door opened almost immediately… so fast Garrett didn't even knock a second time. Bethany stood in the doorway, before Garrett could say anything Bethany ushered him in saying "so how did it go?"

Was she waiting next to the door all this time? Garrett thought offhandedly as he stepped inside and Bethany closed the door, locking it behind him.

"I managed to help Samwise and the other Dockers but Samwise took a bad hit and I got wounded. Think you could use our magic to give me a hand" Garrett said quickly. Bethany looked at Garrett with annoyance and made a face that clearly showed it, "I told you something would happen you should have let me come along." Sighing Bethany eyed her brother and continued "how bad is the wound?"

Dropping the cloak, Garrett let Bethany see the small Dagger embedded in his upper back below his shoulder. Gasping in shock at her brother Bethany stared at the small dagger still stuck in Garrett's back with blood dripping down his back.

"What happened to you?" Bethany asked filled with concern and a small hint of anger.

Garrett pulled up a chair from the breakfast table and sat down, his back facing Bethany. "Didn't notice a guy trying to backstab me. Managed to move so instead of my heart he got my back" Garrett said dryly. "This hurts a lot can you help" Garrett said feeling weak.

Bethany just scowled and grabbed a boll and some tools to get to work saying "alright brother, try not to move... should have let me go. Let's get started."

Several minutes later...

Leandra Hawke got up from her sleep for the second time this night, the first had been nearly an hour ago when she had gotten up after hearing the front door close and wanted to see what happened.

Now she got up again after hearing grunting sounds and the sound of Bethany's voice, walking out of her room she saw a sight that almost made her gasp. Sitting on a chair Garrett sat, his back facing Bethany as she worked, grunting in pain as Bethany was stitching up his back.

Both Hawke siblings saw their mother and looked on awkward. Garrett just looking at his mother studying him as Bethany froze mid stitching. The awkward silence continued for almost a full minute until Bethany continued stitching causing Garrett to grunt in pain again.

"Uh mom" Garrett said as Bethany did her work. "How did it happen?" Leandra asked as she looked at Garrett's pained grunts raising and a hand to her mouth. "Well big brother here went to help Tomwise save Samwise from an attack by enemy Smugglers WITHOUT any armor I might add."

"There wasn't time" Garrett grunted as Bethany continued her stitching. "He got himself stabbed in the back with that small Dagger" Bethany said pointing to the dagger in the bowl on the table.

Leandra looked at the bowl seeing the small Dagger covered in Garret's blood as Bethany continued talking "so after big brother here then limped his way home, I got to work fixing him up. Almost done, I got the Dagger out and stopped the bleeding just disinfecting and stitching."

Maker I'm glad Father taught Bethany healing magic Garrett thought as he let out another heavy breath. "Yeah I got the best little sister in all of Thedas… but could do without all the nagging" Garrett said as Bethany finished the stitches.

"Well, if you'd have let me go with you and Tomwise, you probably wouldn't have gotten hurt" Bethany replied with a hint of smugness. Garrett just sat there not saying anything for a moment then said "so you done?"

Bethany stepped back and replied "yes, all done" chuckling a little Bethany continued "but I have to ask. Why did you keep grunted in pain? You've had to have felt more pain than my little needles."

"I've never liked needles, funny isn't it, I can fight an outnumbered battle with little fear but when it comes to needles..." Garrett said chuckling slightly as he stood up went to grab a clean shirt.

Leandra looked at Garrett's back, seeing the stitches and said "I don't like this, we're supposed to be Nobility but instead the last two Amell heirs are off getting hurt at night just so we can eat. Garrett please be more careful."

Bethany went to wash her hands as Garrett walked back into the living room with a clean shirt saying "wow, Uncle Gamlen's slept through everything." Leandra looked back at Garrett and crossed her arms, sighing Garrett rubbed the back of his neck saying "mom I'll be more careful from now okay" "okay" Leandra replied.

"Now I'm gonna get some sleep, night" Garrett said yawning.

"Night" replied Bethany and Leandra as they went back to their room. With that Garrett took a peek at the room he shared with Gamlen, Maker he's still talking in his sleep, gonna have to sleep here he thought as he laid down on the floor and grabbed his blanket and pillow ready to sleep.

The Next Day
Lowtown Market

Garrett and Bethany were walking through the Market place looking for supplies and listening to some news before they stopped by to check on Tomwise. "Stop trying to rub it you'll only make it worse" Bethany said as she noticed her older brother trying to rub his stitches on his back yet another time.

"I can't help it; it itches and it hurts... a lot actually." Garrett replied annoyed. "Anyway from what I've heard that fire in Hightown didn't cause too much damage, not much was lost" Garrett began as Bethany looked at her brother with concern.

He's been holding himself carefully since getting up, he tries to hide it but he's in pain… and of course he's too proud ask for help, especially since Mother's lecture about being careful. Bethany watched her brother carefully and noticed as he felt the pain on his back again and winced for a split second, still talking to distract her from his pain.

"Anyway so I been listening around and remembered the Guard Captain who helped us when we first got here, Ewald, well apparently he's retiring next week. And I heard the Crewe business is starting to rebuild from what I hear so good for Henry and William" Garrett said still not wanting his sister to see that he was in pain though he clearly was.

Quickly looking around her and searching for a place not to be seen Bethany suddenly grabbed Garrett and pulled him around a corner of a nearby Tavern. "Bethany what is it?" Garrett said surprised.

"Quiet" Bethany said turning her brother around before breathing lightly as she put her hand on where his wound was uttering a spell. A low light green light appeared from the palm of her hand and went into the wound before disappearing; the pain Garrett had been feeling vanished almost instantly to be replaced by a pleasant feeling of numbness.

"Ah" Garrett said in relief as he let a heavy breath. Barely a moment after Bethany had eased his pain; Garrett whirled around at her grabbing her by the shoulders and looking her straight in the face.

"What are you thinking! Don't ever do that again Bethany! Do you want to get caught!" Garrett said sternly to Bethany as he shook her by her shoulders before letting her go and making sure no one had seen what she'd had done.

I already lost Carver I won't lose her too Garrett thought bitterly as he made sure no one had seen them.

"I don't know how I could live with myself if I let you get caught" Garrett said as he breathed a sigh of relief that no one saw what had happened. Bethany went to her brother and now looked him straight in the eyes saying "you were in pain but too proud to show it. I'm not afraid to help me brother even when he's too dumb to see he needs it. I saw how you were walking; you needed that don't deny it."

Garrett stood silent, shocked by his little sister's words.

"Don't do that... don't put yourself at risk for me… okay, I'm the eldest" Garrett replied finally before walking back into the market. Bethany followed him but knew that if it came down to it she'd risk being caught to help her brother no matter how much he protested.

He's always been like that... always putting me before him Bethany thought.

As Garrett and Bethany left the corner behind the Tavern and continued to get supplies they didn't speak much. After getting the enough supplies to last the family for at least a week the Hawke siblings started to leave the Lowtown Marketplace but they saw something that stopped them, Aveline.

There walking towards the Tailor's shop in the Lowtown Marketplace was Aveline as she headed towards the door. Garrett and Bethany tried to wave at her but she couldn't see them so they started walking towards the Tailor shop too.

Catching up with her just before she reached to open the door Garrett called "Aveline," causing her to stop and turn around. Aveline looked at Bethany and Garrett then said "hello, it's good to see the both of you again… how's Leandra."

"She's fine, how are you?" Bethany replied smiling at meeting Aveline again after all this time. "I'm doing pretty good, been doing some odd jobs to get by but now I'm joining City Guard Training" Aveline said.

Garrett looked at Aveline saying "you're gonna be a City Guard," "not right away but that's the idea" she replied. "You hear about the Guard Captain retiring in a week right" Aveline said facing Bethany and not looking Garrett in the eye.

"Yeah we heard about that" Garrett said looking curiously at Aveline as Bethany nodded.

"One thing he did before he turned in his retirement form was write a recommendation letter for me. I had met with him earlier and impressed him with my fighting skills. Couple months of training and I'm a City Guard just need to get my training uniform" Aveline said as she took out a slip of paper used for authorization for the Tailor to give out the uniform.

"Good for you its good that you're moving up here" Bethany said smiling. Aveline suddenly looked awkward at them saying "look I'm sorry to say this but I don't think we should be around each other for a while, since your... jobs don't agree with my new one."

Bethany opened her mouth to say something but closed it as she knew it was true, Garrett put an arm on Bethany's shoulder and said "I understand Aveline" then nodded and left with Bethany.

Leaving Lowtown Bethany slid out under her brother's arm and looked at her brother saying "Aveline is still cold towards you… it's not fair." Garrett looked back at his sister saying "no it's not I don't blame her for being cold."

Garrett didn't met Bethany's eyes as he spoke up darkly saying "I killed her husband."

Having reached Darktown the Hawke siblings went to check up on Tomwise and his brother. When they reached Tomwise's booth they saw him there, selling a potion to another elf. As the customer walked off with her potion and Tomwise saw them, he waved.

"Hi guys, thanks Garrett for helping with... you know last night" Tomwise said as Garrett and Bethany walked in front of the booth. "Anytime Tomwise, so... how is he. Samwise took a pretty bad hit" Garrett asked. Tomwise looked sad then hunched a bit saying "Samwise... lost the arm."

"No... That's horrible" Bethany said sadly as Garrett flinched a bit too then looked at Tomwise saying "I'm sorry Tomwise I should have been there faster." "Not your fault Garrett, I shouldn't have let Samwise get that job. Oh yeah and I stopped working with Athenril" Tomwise said facing Garrett.

Garrett looked shocked then said "you... quit, I mean wasn't Athenril mad about that." "Yeah, she was mad but I still quit. My brother lost an arm to her work" Tomwise said bitterly. "Well at least you're free from her now. What are you plans now?" Bethany asked.

Tomwise stood up straight answering "I'm going to be a fair and legitimate merchant now, no more trying to work my way up quicker with help."

"I respect that, take care Tomwise and I'm sorry about Samwise" Garrett said as he shook Tomwise's hand as he and Bethany left. On their way back home Bethany asked Garrett "you think that was smart of Tomwise. Athenril's not going to like losing a worker."

"No, she's not going to like it at all but I respect Tomwise for doing it. We'll have to do it one day too Bethany and Athenril's not going to like it either. It's another ten months for us" replied Garrett.

Once Garrett and Bethany made it home and delivered the supplies Leandra began to cook lunch as they took seats at the breakfast tables.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long ten months Garrett thought as he looked at his family, Leandra cooking with Bethany playing with Kane, even Gamlen trying to help Leandra with the food. Well at least I got my family together even in this mess… I think Father would be happy we managed to stick together Garrett thought as he smiled looking at his family.

Without realizing it Garrett smiled for the first time in a very long time. We've lost so much and have so little here in Kirkwall. It's never going to be the same with Carver gone but we've managed to make a home here for now. Home is where your family is Garrett mused as he smiled.

"What are you smiling at?" Bethany asked curiously at the sight of her brother smiling for no apparent reason.

"Nothing, just thinking about lunch" Garrett said simply. "You're so weird you know that Garrett" Bethany chuckled just nodding as she watched as Leandra and Gamlen join them as they started passing out their lunch.

"So people keep telling me" Garrett said at Bethany's joke. Together the Hawke family, even Gamlen, gathered around the breakfast to share a meal in their small cramped Lowtown hut.

Thanks for reading and please review
I don't know why but I liked something about Tomwise, even though he got almost no screen time
So I wanted to show how he knows Hawke and Athenril