"Justice... it's a funny concept
It'll drive a man to perform the noblest of deeds... As well as the worst atrocities imaginable
Justice is a blade that draws blood from the innocent and wicked alike...
Raised high it can start a charge that changes the world... forever" - excerpt from the Tales of Varric
Lowtown, The Hanged Man
Noon
As Garrett, Bethany, and Kane entered the Hanged Man the first thing they noticed was the music, in the right corner of the Tavern next to the serving Booth were a couple of Bards playing their songs. After that, they noticed the people, the diversity of the people was astounding even for Lowtown; Humans, Elves, and even Dwarfs populated the Hanged Man almost regardless of economic standing.
It was obvious that people from DarkTown, Lowtown, and even some low to medium class Merchants from Hightown frequented here. Unsure of where to find Varric in the mess of people in the Hanged Man, Garrett looked for someone who worked there. After walking around with Bethany and Kane for awhile Garrett found a waitress. Signaling for her, Garrett waited in front of his sister and his dog, "hello Hun what can I do for you" the waitress said smiling. Wow... she really uses her famine assets here thought Garrett as he noticed the way the waitress walked over to him and also the careful amount of cleavage the waitress showed. Not enough to show everything but enough to get the attention of a lot of men, she most get a lot of tips hereGarrett thought humorously to himself as he spoke.
"Hi, I'm looking for Dwarf with no beard, wears a brown coat, name's Varric." "Oh yeah Varric, he comes here a lot, even has a private suite here, it's upstairs first door straight ahead." the waitress replied smiling. Garrett, having kept his eyes on the waitress's face and nowhere else, asked "there's suites here?" "Oh yeah, it's a good business, especially since all the people without places to call their own, mostly refugees. We got rooms for almost any budget, Varric's a good customer, you want anything before you meet him?" the waitress replied.
"No thank you miss" Garrett replied getting ready to move on, but was stopped by the waitress, "you don't come here often do you Hon, call me Norah, no one here calls me miss" she said chuckling. "Also if they dog of yours poops here, you're cleaning it up" Norah said politely looking at Kane. Nodding as Bethany giggled at the prospect of her brother cleaning up dog poop, they began to leave until Norah stopped Garrett once again.
"Oh one more thing" Norah said leaning close to Garrett, "you my new friend have A LOT of discipline and are VERY polite" she finished laughing as she walked off. Bethany raised an eyebrow at her brother saying "I'm not sure if I like or dislike her," shrugging Garrett said "I think that's part of her job, let's go Varric's waiting." Going up the stairs and heading to the first suite straight head, Garrett knocked as Kane smelled the floor.
"Come in" called Varric from his suite, Bethany opened the door and Garrett walked in.
"Ah Hawke! Good to see you" Varric said as he stood and beckoned Garrett, Bethany, and Kane to sit down on the table sitting in the center of the suite. Sitting down and making themselves more comfortable they noticed this was a pretty nice suite. "So I've got some possible jobs for us, but first we gotta do something that needs to be done, it's essential to the expedition and Bartand can't get it" Varric said as he sat down across from Garrett on the table.
"If it's essential why can't Bartand get it himself" Bethany asked as Garrett raised an eyebrow wondering the same thing. "My brother doesn't have the necessary set of skills to do this, it relies on certain people skills that Bartand, as you may have noticed, doesn't have.""What exactly is essential and needs people skills" asked Garrett a little curious, "here's the thing, we need a way into the Deep Roads. Bartand can lead us to the right place once we're down there, but we need a good entrance to start from" Varric said as he rubbed his chin.
"There's always something isn't there" Garrett said as Varric smirked at the comment. "seriously though, wouldn't any entrance do, unless there's a Dragon or a couple hundred Darkspawn blocking the way." Smirking Varric replied "Ideally yes, any entrance would do, but the Deep Roads is anything but ideally. We need an entry point that's relatively close to our destination but that isn't already plundered or filled with Darkspawn; fortunately I've received some new information." Standing up and putting his hands on the table, Varric continued, "There's a Grey Warden in Kirkwall, if anyone knows a way to get down where we need to be it's him."
"I thought the Grey Wardens just fought Darkspawn, I assume they must known a lot about the Deep Roads but my understanding was that even they couldn't take it back from the Darkspawn or Map it all" Garrett replied wondering about the Grey Wardens. "You're right, even the Grey Wardens can't take back the Deep Roads from the Darkspawn, let alone Map it all, but we don't need a Map of the entire Deep Roads. All we need is a Map of routes close to where we are, if the Grey Warden here doesn't know, then he might be able to point us to those who do."
At that moment Bethany spoke up saying "Are there any other options, what if the Grey Warden won't help us or can't even if he wanted to?" Sighing and standing up straight Varric replied "none at the moment, Bartand's last two entrances were a bust, you don't even want to know what happened to the scouts we sent to check them out ahead of us. I'll keep looking, but if we don't find something... we'll have a fancy expedition with nowhere to go."
Smiling lightly at the way Varric always spoke with unique charisma about him, Garrett said "seems like you have it all planned out Varric." Smirking at that, Varric did a humorous bow saying "and that good sir and gentle lady is why I'm here." After finishing with his little joke Varric continued "supposedly, this particular Grey Warden came in with some other Ferelden refugees not long ago.
A Lowtown woman named Lirene has been helping the Fereldens. We talk to her, maybe we learn where he is, I'll keep after my contacts, see if I can drum up any other work, but I've already got a good list of jobs we can do after we finish our business with the Grey Warden." Nodding Garrett stood up saying "alright, let's go."
As Garrett, Bethany, Kane, and Varric walked out of the Hanged Man, Norah the waitress waved goodbye to Varric. Once out of the Hanged Man the group walked about Lowtown heading towards Lirene's Ferelden Exports, while heading there Garrett noticed someone familiar, a woman wearing a Silk Dress selling potions.
Elegant thought Garrett remembering her and Bethany arguing about using her looks to 'bag a Noble', Elegant saw him and waved. Waving back and walking towards her as Bethany looked like she'd rather not meet up with Elegant again but went along anyway.
Once the group reached her Elegant taped her fingers saying "my, my, if it isn't Garrett and Bethany Hawke." "Good to see you again Elegant" Garrett replied as Kane sniffed at the potions, smiling Elegant replied "Lady Elegant if you don't mind. I'm a married woman now. Anyway I hear interesting things about you Garrett, leaving Athenril's service and all." "You heard about that, its seems like a lot of people heard about that" Garrett asked with a raised eyebrow.
Varric chuckled as Lady Elegant replied "yes it made quite the news for certain people, you were one of her best workers Garrett. Anyway it's been said you've been doing pretty good for yourself, how have you been?" "I'd say decent, could be better and it could be worse" Garrett replied honestly. "Good for you I'm impressed. Say, since your an old friend I'll you give a discount" Lady Elegant said smiling. "Thanks Lady Elegant, but I'm wondering if you... uh, if you're already married why are you still working?" Garrett asked.
"Just a bit of a hobby now, beside it's a good way to socialize with friends, just because I'm a Noble now doesn't mean I don't miss my old friends. Anyway my husband doesn't mind, he respects that I still work even though I don't have to" Lady Elegant replied. Wow... marriage has changed her for the better I'd say, I think it's an actual marriage not a 'bagging' thought Garrett as he bought three health potions. After gathering their new items and saying goodbye to Lady Elegant the group moved on.
After turning right and going down a hallway they found Lirene's Ferelden Exports, it was tiny building off to the side. Entering the tiny building the group found a crowed area with all the people in the rather small first room; where a middle aged woman was standing behind a Booth helping people, Lirene. "Will everyone please just step back! We'll help everyone we can just please wait your turn" said a woman behind Lirene at the Booth. Politely waiting in line like everyone else the group finally reached the front and spoke with Lirene, Lirene stood them before speaking.
"If your seeking aid leave your name with my girl, I can see you don't need any immediate aid, but we serve everyone here, no one came from Ferelden without trouble. But I won't give priority to people who've already found work and lodging" Lirene said as she pointed to the woman behind here on the right. Before Varric could ask about the Grey Warden in Kirkwall, Garrett asked "is there a way I can help these people," "if you've coin to spare, we won't turn it down. Donations go in the box to the left, anything else" Lirene replied.
Leaning in, so as to try and keep only him and Lirene in earshot, Garrett said "I hear you know where I can find a Ferelden Grey Warden." "Only Ferelden Grey Warden I've heard of is sitting on the Throne, the Blight's ended, why do you need a Warden" Lirene replied crossing her arms causally. She played that pretty well, this Grey Warden's being hidden... but why? Thought Garrett as a woman next to them heard their conversation and spoke up. "The Healer was one of them once, wasn't he? A Grey Warden" said the woman, "well, he's not now, and busy enough without answering fool questions about it" Lirene said clearly unhappy with what the other woman had said.
"Then we'll ask smart questions good Lady" said Varric cutting in smiling before anyone could say anything else. Lirene uncrossing her arms and looking at Varric said "I do not joke about this Sir." Turning to face Garrett, Lirene continued "you see what our people face in Kirkwall, they have no jobs, no homes, most can barely buy bread. This Healer, he serves people with no though for coin, he's closed their wounds, and delivered their children." Looking at the people behind Garrett, Lirene looked sad and said "the Healer's a good man, I won't lose him to those blighted Templars." "You mean he's a Mage" Garrett asked, "would I stick my neck out for some purveyor of hensbane and leeches" was the simple reply of Lirene, neither confirming nor denying Garrett's question.
Bethany, speaking for the first time since entering the building, in all honesty said "we would never turn someone over to the Templars, Mistress, never." Lirene eying Bethany curiously said "he doesn't want to be locked in the Gallows just for using the gifts the Maker gave him." Garrett, looking Lirene straight in the eye, said "your Healer is in no danger from me, I swear," "no Mage should suffer for an accident of birth" Bethany said trying to help. Lirene looking more relieved said "I suppose it isn't my secret to keep, Anders has certainly been free enough with his services , people in need know to find the Healer to look for the lit Lantern in Darktown, if you have need enough... Anders will be within."
Then waving for Garrett's group to move on so as to help the people behind them, Lirene called "next." The group stepped aside and began to leave the tiny building, but Garrett stopped midway, then tuned around and heading for the donation box. Garrett reached the donation box and pulled out his money pouch from his belt, then pulling out five sovereigns, he put the money in the box. Bethany smiled at her brother, Varric looked astonished saying "that's really generous of you Hawke." "They need it more than we do, come on we need to find this Anders" Garrett replied as the group left Lirene's Ferelden Exports.
Having left the tiny building and moved on, Kane started growling causing the group to stop, Varric grabbed his crossbow, Bethany moved her hand towards her Staff and Garrett was ready to draw his Longsword. Appearing from around the corner were five armed men, the apparent leader, a gray haired man with hazel eyes, stood before them with two sheathed knives. "Hey! We heard you in there, asking about the healer, we know what happens to Mages in this town, it's worse then Ferelden's Circle. And it ain't gonna happen to him, he's done a lot of good."
Suddenly Bethany stepped forward saying "look, we're Fereldens just trying to keep out of the Templar's sight, same as the Healer." The leader of the group took a step back confused "Ferelden? But.. you, your clothes... I figured you for a Kirkwaller, sorry." As the armed men lowered their weapons and slowly began to leave, their leader did a humble gesture as he left with the others saying "Maker bless the rule of our Ferelden King."
After they left, Varric turned to Bethany saying "Sunshine that was impressive, getting them all to leave without a fight." Garrett raised an eyebrow at Varric calling his sister 'Sunshine', but Bethany just smiled saying "thanks."
The group headed back to the Hanged Man to wait until night to find Anders, as the waited Norah learned Garrett's name but called him Hawke instead, at Varric's insistence.
Varric smirked at Garrett as the group sat at a table eating. "What's that look about" Bethany asked as she noticed Varric smirking at Garrett and pet Kane as he circled around her feet. "Hawke here" Varric said pointing at Garrett as he raised an eyebrow at the sudden decision to call him Hawke.
"Is one of the VERY few people in Kirkwall that Norah genuinely likes, he has the discipline to look her straight in the eye and is immune to that asset of hers that gets men to give her a lot of tips without knowing the color of her eyes or hair" Varric finished. "You know Varric you said I'm one of the few, who are the others like me" Garrett asked as he finished his food.
"Oh none of the others are like you, only you look her straight in the eye, as for who they are, about four others including myself" Varric replied still smirking. "You mean I'm the only one who... what'd you call it, 'is immune to her assets' seriously" Garrett asked Varric in all honesty.
"Pretty much" replied Varric as he lifted his Mug of Ale humorously saying "to Sir Garrett Hawke! You my friend are truly one of kind." Giggling Bethany watched her brother chuckle at that as well, keeping at a generally happy mood because of Varric, the group waited til nightfall.
Darktown
Night, Tomwise's Booth
Having dropped Kane off back at Gamlen's house because he tended draw a bit of attention, Garrett, Bethany, and Varric were now asking Tomwise about Anders the Healer. "Yeah I've heard of something among these lines Garrett, a Healer of some sort who helps people down here, I've never met him,but my brother has" Tomwise said from behind his Booth as Samwise sat on one of the makeshift beds behind the Booth.
"Why?" Garrett began as he looked at Samwise then, "a while ago some people tried to rob us, me and my brother stopped them but I got cut, couple days later it get infected and I ended up finding the lit lantern at night, he fixed me up really good" Samwise said before Garrett finished. Bethany looked at Samwise saying "but you usually go to me for healing." "
Yeah I did but the Healer was closer, he looked at me and did some touching up, mostly he asked that I not go to him again unless it was really important because he was very busy with Mining accident that happened earlier. Very nice man, he didn't seem to like Athenril bringing people for him to fix but for me he seemed willing enough once he knew that I didn't work for Athenril anymore" Samwise replied.
Garrett thought for a moment, thinking Athenril's using Anders to heal her workers, I thought she had someone else for that.
Samwise then glanced at Bethany a little embarrassed, then saying. "Not to be mean or anything Bethany but this Healer knows more Magic than you and he's REALLY good at healing; I even saw him healing multiple people at the same time." Bethany didn't look offended and replied "your not being mean Samwise, he's knows more Magic than me, do you know where he is exactly?" "Yes I know where he is but it's not exactly hard to find, you just look for the lit lantern. but I think someone watches everyone who enters... you know in case he ever needs help" Samwise said as he passed a potion to Tomwise for inventory. Varric spoke up saying "he needs someone who watches who goes in, being what he is and all."
Tomwise nodded as he continued taking inventory and looked at Garrett, knowing what he'd ask. Garrett noticed this and return a look to Tomwise saying it's okay, I know what I'm doing. "Samwise do you think could take us there anyway, you could maybe vouch for us so we can talk" Garrett asked, Samwise thought for a bit then said "sure, I know you'd never do anything to put him in danger." Stepping out of the Booth, Samwise called "let's go, it's not too far," Garrett and the group followed Samwise after waving goodbye to Tomwise.
After about a fifteen minute walk they found it, the lit lantern above the hallway leading to a closed door, a sleeping man was on the floor was off to the right of the hallway, only Garrett and Varric noticed. He's not really asleep thought Garrett, Varric gave him a look saying I know, as Samwise opened the door down the hallway and waved for the group to follow him in. Upon entering the space there they noticed a curtain blocking the way into the back. Samwise stepping forward and through the curtain, failing to notice the crack on the upper part of the wall with a small pair of eyes watching the group. But Garrett and Varric noticed, but they both said nothing and followed Samwise as Bethany took a quick look at her brother knowing that he had noticed something.
As the group and Samwise entered the back and saw the space; they all saw a young boy on a table being healed by a blond man wearing a black brown tunic with armored shoulder pads, matching gloves and boots facing his back towards them as a Mother and Father watched the boy.
After finishing his healing he turned and grabbed a Staff he had placed off to the side yelling "I have made this place a sanctum of healing and salvation! Why do you threaten it?" as the boy and his parents ran off to the side exit seeing Garrett. Holding up his hands Garrett said "I'm just here to talk," then Samwise spoke up, saying "Anders it's me Samwise, you helped me with my infection remember, they won't cause trouble don't worry." Stepping forward Varric said "we're interested in getting into the Deep Roads, I hear you were once a Warden. Do you know a way?" Anders lowered his Staff saying "I remember you Samwise," then turning towards everyone else he continued "did the Wardens send you to bring me back? I'm not going, those bastards made me get ride of my cat, poor Sir Pounce-a-lot, he really hated the Deep Roads."
"You had a cat named Sir Pounce-a-lot? In the Deep Roads?" Bethany asked humorously. Shrugging Anders said "he was a gift, a noble beast, almost got ripped in half once by a Genlock once. He swatted the blighter on the nose, drew blood too. The blighted Wardens said he made me too soft; I had to give him to a friend in Amaranthine." Garrett laughed a little at that then asked seriously "I thought joining the Grey Wardens was for life?" Smirking slightly Anders replied "that's only partly true, the hopeless tainted by the Darkspawn and plagued by nightmares of the Archdemon part don't go away. Ops I wasn't suppose to ever talk about those but it happens. Anyway its turns out that if you hide well enough you don't have to wear the new uniforms or go the parties."
"So you came here just to escape the Wardens" Garrett asked causally. "You say that likes it's a small thing, like moving to different city or something, it's not, but yes I'm here because there's no Warden outpost, no Darkspawn, and a whole host of refugees to blend in with. And some... other reasons of my own." "Look I'm obviously not working with or for Warden; I'm part of an expedition into the Deep Roads. Any info you could give could save a lot of lives" Garrett said now sure that the hostilities were gone. "I will die a happy man if I never have think about the blighted Deep Roads again. You can't imagine what I've came through to get here. I'm not interested" Anders said calmly.
"We'll pay of course" Varric said trying to help, only to be rebuffed by Anders saying "I don't really care about coin, I don't even charge for my Healing skills." Then looking at Samwise, Anders asked "Samwise, you know them, are they good people?" "Oh yeah, Garrett helped with when I was being attacked by enemy Smugglers. I'd have lost more than my arm without his help" Samwise answered.
Then looking at Garret, Anders said "How about a favor for a favor? Does that sound like a fair deal? You help me, I'll help you." "Alright, you help the expedition, I'll help you" Garrett replied. "You don't ask my terms? What if I were asking for the Knight Commander's head on a spike?" Anders replied jokingly.
"Bad joke, anyway that isn't really what you want?" Garrett replied crossing his arms, "you decide, I have a Warden's Map of the depths of this area. But there's a price " Anders said. Walking back and forth Anders continued "I came to Kirkwall for another reason, there's a friend I have here, a Mage. A prisoner in the wretched Gallows, the Templars learned of my plans to free him, help me bring him safety past them, and you shall have your maps." Bethany stepped forward saying "what exactly do the Templars know your plan?"
Looking at Bethany for a small moment Anders replied "you too eh, I don't know how much they know, I'd been exchanging notes with Karl via a maidservant in the Gallows. Then the letters stopped coming."
"Tell me about your friend, it might help us" Garrett asked. "His name's Karl Thekla, he was sent here from Ferelden when Kirkwall's Circle needed more talent. His last letter said the Knight Commander was turning the Circle into a prison. Mages are locked in their cells, refused apprentices at court, made Tranquil for the slightest of crimes, I swore I would came and help." Glancing at Bethany, Anders said "ask any Circle Mage in Kirkwall, over a dozen were made Tranquil just this year; the more people you ask the worse the rumors get."
Varric rubbing his chin said "how do you plan to break him out of the Gallows?" Frowning Anders said "I'm hoping it won't come to that; I sent Karl a message to meet me in the Chantry tonight, Maker willing, he'll be there alone. But if there are Templars with him, I swore I'd free him from them, whatever the cost." "Okay we know everything we need to, when do we leave" Garrett asked, Anders smiled then said "right now." Samwise spoke up saying "yeah good plan guys.. but I'm gonna go back to the Booth, good luck," with that Samwise left as he waved goodbye.
Then Garrett, Varric, Anders, and Bethany walked out, noticed that the man pretending to be asleep earlier was standing up with a hand in his jacket; Anders looked at him and waved, the man went back to pretending as they moved on.
That same Night
Hightown
Standing outside the entrance to the Chantry Bethany was slightly nervous, there could be Templars in there she thought as she rubbed her arms. "There's no going back from here, if anyone wants to leave now's the time, are you ready" Anders asked the group as he looked at Bethany.
"Ready" Bethany replied as Varric smirked like breaking out Mages from the Circle was a common occurrence for him. Garrett put hand on Bethany's shoulder reassuringly and said "we're ready, let's go," Anders nodded then opened the doors and entered the Chantry and the group followed him.
The Chantry was huge, it had tall marble pillars surrounding a giant statute of Andraste with lit candles off to both sides. Everything about the Chantry was grand, even the smallest of things looked like cost a good deal of coin, Anders broke Garrett's line of thought saying "Karl will be in top right prayer room, let's go." Climbing up the stairs and keeping close to Bethany, Garrett looked around the Chantry checking for anyone hidden.
Reaching the prayer room the group saw a man wearing the Circle Robes as he prayed in front of some candles. Anders looked happy then stepped forward saying "Karl! I'm glad to see you, come on lets-" but was stopped when Karl stood up. "Anders I know you to well. I knew you never give up trying to 'save me'" Karl said in an odd emotionless and plain voice. Anders suddenly lost all hope in his face, taking a step forward he said "Karl... why are you talking like that, Karl."
Turning around Karl gave the group the sight of his face, right in the center of his forehead... the Chantry symbol was branded into his flesh. "Karl... please no" Anders moaned despairingly at the sight Karl and his branded forehead. "I was too rebellious. Like you. The Templars knew I had to be made an example of" Karl said in that empty, emotionless and hallow voice. "No, Maker please Karl" Anders said looking at once was a friend he would have saved. Karl continued uncaring for Anders's despair, "how else will Mages ever master themselves? You'll understand, Anders; as soon as the Templars teach you to control yourself."
The moment Karl finished speaking, the group heard movement, turning the group saw seven heavily armed Templars coming for them. Exasperated, Anders yelled "no!" then Andes fell to the floor breathing hard and began to glow. Maker! What's that... that energy... it's enormous... like the Fade is being brought into this room thought Bethany as she felt the power emerging from the room.
Blue fire erupted from Anders's body as he stood up, some of Anders's veins lit up and beamed bright blue as his eyes glowed bright blue as well. "YOU WILL NEVER TAKE ANOTHER MAGE AS YOU TOOK HIM!" Anders yelled... in a astringent and cold voice that did not belong to Anders. The Templars paused at moment as they saw Anders, but then moved to attack; Varric had pulled out Bianca, Bethany pulled out her Staff and Garrett unsheathed his Longsword and Shield. Is... Anders on our side or just against the Templars thought Garrett as his Longsword met the Shield of a Templar and he ducked dodging the Templar's Longsword.
Varric shot a Bursting arrow as two Templars tired to rush, they got pushed back from the burst. Bethany used Cone of Cold to freeze to two Templars and hit another Templar. The unfortunate lone Templar who tired to rush Anders was now coughing up blood... Anders had cast Crushing Prison on him.
The blue glow surrounding the Templar was slowly crushing the life out of him as blood came out of his mouth, it's not suppose to be that strong, something's... fueling his spell, making it stronger, that light... is it a... a Demon thought Bethany as she saw the Templar finally crushed to death. Garrett manged to finish off the Templar he was fighting by using his superior speed to beat the Templar's armor.
Weaving in and out to dodge the Templar's attacks, Garrett slashed at the joints where the armor was held together, cut the back of the Templar's leg where his armor was weak. Causing the Templar to fall down, taking the opportunity, Garrett moved to the Templar's back and stabbed him in the back of the neck killing him, the Templar's blood slid down his armor as he died. Varric had taken down one Templar by shooting an arrow directly in his visor, the arrow went straight in the Templar's eye, killing the man instantly.
Bethany used Stone Fist to break apart one of the Templar's frozen from the Cone of Cold, my magic is stronger than normal, Anders is... funneling some of his energy to aid my magic thought Bethany as she noticed the Battle.
One of the Templar's in the back finally got smart and Cleansed the area, instantly the other Templar Bethany had frozen was free and ready to fight. Anders was keeping the other two Templars busy as Varric reloaded his Crossbow with another clip. Bethany started to cast Winter's Grasp but was stopped by the unfrozen Templar using Silence, the burst of light hit Bethany and she felt her Magic go numb and unresponsive.
Backing away Bethany noticed Anders burn down one of the Templars, the unfrozen Templar advanced towards her. When suddenly a Shield hit the Templar in the back causing him to fall down with a grunt, Garrett had thrown his Shield. Varric, having finished reloading, aimed as the unfrozen Templar got up, when Varric fired. Varric's shot hit it's mark, his arrow went straight through the unfrozen Templar's left eye... killing him instantly. Anders, after killing the one of the last two Templars, was now having trouble; after burning down one Templar the other and now last remaining Templar used Holy Smite, it hit Anders causing him to fly back.
Varric shot the last Templar in the heel, pinning him as Garrett rushed to him, Bethany stood back slowly getting back her Magic and picked up her brother's Shield off the floor, it's heavy, how in Thedas did he throw it like that she thought. The last Templar blocked a shot from Varric with his Greatsword, as Garrett reached the Templar he dodged a slash from his Greatsword.
Using his Longsword Garrett stabbed and slashed joints where he armor was weak, some of attacks cutting into the Templar; Garrett got the Templar wounded enough to slow down his Greatsword slashes giving Garrett the opening he needed. Garrett rushed the Templar, stopped a slash from the Templar by hitting the hilt's edge of the Greatsword right where the blade started with his Longsword.
Nearly dropping his Greatsword the Templar tried to move but was still pinned by Varric arrow in his heel as Garrett used his free hand to grab his knife from his belt, using the knife Garrett stabbed the Templar in the forehead, killing him almost instantly.
Withdrawing his knife, Garrett used the Templar's robe underneath the armor to clean the blade; standing up Garrett looked as Bethany walked to her Brother handing him back his Shield "thanks" Garrett said, then Bethany got her Magic back and tested it by creating a orb of green power, then allowing it fade away. Anders had gotten up again and was no longer glowing blue, Karl, whom had stayed out of the fight stood behind Bethany and Varric looking confused and holding his Head, then suddenly spoke.
"Anders, what did you do" Karl's voice now sounded like a normal human voice, not empty and hallow anymore. Taking his hands off his head he looked at them saying "It's like... you brought a piece of the Fade into this world. I had already forgotten with that feels like." Varric rubbed his chin saying "I thought the Fade was cut off to Tranquil forever, so what Anders has a cure?" Karl answered saying "when your Tranquil you never think about your life before. But... it's like the Fade is flowing through Anders, burning like a star in the darkness, whatever it is that allowed me to come back won't last long. I can already feel it being cut off again, Anders please kill me before I forget my life again! I'm barely managing to hold on to it as it is."
Anders shook his head in despair saying "Karl, no... I can't," Bethany looking confused said "can't you just do that thing again, whatever... it was." Anders shook his head saying "no it won't work forever, it'll only last for a short time then it'll never come back."
Karl looking pleadingly at Anders and Bethany then said "please I would rather die a Mage than live as a Templar puppet a hollow shell of what once was a person."
Garrett frowning sadly, glanced at Bethany then turned back to Anders saying "being Tranquil is a fate worse than death, you said you'd free him... so free him it's what he wants."
Anders looking sad stepped towards Karl saying "I got here too late, I'm sorry Karl... I'm so sorry."
Karl smiled saying "It's what I want Anders, you're the best friend I've ever had, now please... give me my freedom," then the warmth that in Karl's eyes as he spoke to Anders died.
Karl's face and eyes became emotionless and plain once more and he spoke in that empty voice again "why do you look at me like that?" Anders went to stand in front of Karl, looked him straight in the eye saying "goodbye my friend... be free," then Anders pulled out his knife and stabbed Karl in the heart, killing him.
Anders cleaned the knife with Magic, then glumly said "we should leave before more Templars come," no one spoke as they left the Chantry and got out of Hightown; but as they left, the Hawke siblings and Varric wondered what was that thing Anders did...
Darktown
Anders's Clinic
Anders looked exhausted as he lead them into the space where he slept and pulled out the Warden Map from his cabinet saying "here as I promised."
As Garrett took it he looked at Anders and warily asked "I think we should know about the thing you did back at the Chantry."
Varric coughed to get everyone's attention then said "so let me guess, this the part where you tell us you're an Abomination?" Anders gave Varric an odd look saying "I'm not an Abomination, you're wrong, but not far wrong. I... this is hard to explain, when I was Amaranthine... I met a Spirit of Justice who was trapped outside the Fade. We became friends, and he recognized the injustice that Mages of Thedas face everyday." Garrett raised an eyebrow saying "and... that's different than a Demon?"
"Just as Demons prey on deadly sins of Mankind, there are also good Spirits who embody our virtues, Spirits of Compassion, Fortitude... and Justice. They are the Maker's first children and they have all but given up on us" Anders replied. Garrett, trying not to keep things too serious, asked "what does that have to do with your eyes glowing?" Anders returned a light smile, seeing that Garrett was trying to keep the mood light, but grew serious again saying "to live outside the Fade, he needed a host... I offered to help them... we were going to work together. To bring Justice to every child ever ripped away from his Mother to be sent to the Circle, but I guess... I had too much anger, once he was inside me, he... changed... I changed him."
Crossing his arms Garrett said "so, you... share a body with this Spirit of Justice and have... merged with him to some degree?"Anders looked thoughtful saying "I guess you could called it that, but he... Justice is gone... he's part of me, it's not like we can... have a conversation. I feel his thoughts intertwined with my own, sometimes it's hard to tell who's thoughts are who's. Not even the greatest Mage or Scholar could tell you where I end and he begins" Anders finished as Bethany looked at him with pity and awe.
Varric spoke again saying "don't mean to sound mean, but... that really didn't like a happy, benevolent Spirit from where I was standing." Anders just looked at Varric as he replied "since when is Justice happy? Justice is harsh, Justice is righteous, Justice is hard... and yes sometimes Justice is cruel." Bethany spoke up saying, "you tired to help a friend, surely no harm can came to that"with pity. Anders sadly smiled at Bethany saying "I wish I still had your innocence, like I said there was too much hatred in me, Justice... my friend, thought he could overcome it and help me/us... he couldn't. When I see Templars now, things I see that have always outraged me that I could do nothing anything about... he comes out."
Now looking slightly fearfully and sad, Anders continued "and he is no longer my friend Justice, he is a force of Vengeance... and he has no grasp of mercy."
Uncrossing his arms Garrett asked "can you bring him out at will, like maybe control it?" "No he comes only when I've lost all power over myself, it's a madness a frenzy, I only find out after what I might have done" Anders replied glumly. "Can... can he... Justice ever be separated from you" Bethany asked thinking about what Anders had done. "I don't think so, the only way a Spirit has ever been separated from a living host is by it's death... this curse is of my own making. And this isn't something that's ever happened before to the best of my knowledge. All I can hope to do it control it... or at least aim it."
Garrett felt bad for Anders, it seemed to Garrett that Anders had tired to do good but in the wrong way and now it was costing him; "Is there anything we can do to help you" he asked Anders. "Your the first people I've told, thank you for not running away, my Maps are yours and are my services if you wish me to, I'll join your expedition. I thought I was done with the Grey Wardens, but if you have need of me... I will be waiting here, I'll tell my helpers to let you pass anytime" Anders replied.
Then Bethany asked something that she'd been wondering ever since the Chantry. "Anders when... Justice came out... your spells were stronger than they should have been... and then my spells were also stronger than usual, did you... or did he" Bethany asked. "Yes, Justice brings energy from the Fade when he comes, it makes me... him and me stronger, and yes Justice channeled some of that energy to you, to give a helping hand. I can still channel energy from the Fade without Justice coming out, but not as much as when he comes out. I don't like to do it if I don't have to it's very tiring" Anders replied sitting down.
Garrett looked at how tired Anders was and said "we'll let you rest Anders, thanks for the Map" then Garrett, Bethany, and Varric his Clinic. Once outside Garrett handed the Map to Varric saying "is that everything we need" as they walked out of Darktown.
Varric looked everything over as they climbed the stairs up to Lowtown and finally said "yes, that's everything, there's an entrance right out of Kirkwall we can use. Tomorrow we should meet up at the Hanged Man again, we still need to get the money for your investment."
After that Varric left to his suite in the Hanged Man, and the Hawke siblings returned to Gamlen's house to sleep. Now all we need is the coin thought Garrett as he went to sleep in the living room as usual.
Thanks for reading and please review
I know I made Anders a bit strong but they way i see it is that Anders got training from the Circle and other Apostates, plus his time with the Hero of Ferelden made him stronger
Also I played DA II with mods so that's why I portray Anders differently than the game, personally i think Anders's "offical" outfit kinda sucks so I portrayed him with a modded outfit, to see it just google Anders of the Anderfels Mod