Hey guys, finally post this
I couldn't upload for awhile because my Internet was acting strange and didn't like me for two days
Anyway I hope you'll enjoy this
Underneath Kirkwall
The Black Emporium
The Hawke siblings had just entered the long Hallway leading to the Black Emporium after the long walk through the Passages underneath the City. Garrett Hawke raised an eyebrow turning around to look at his sister Bethany; having heard her sigh out of nowhere, "tired?" he asked looking at her. "A little, I just never get used to how far down this is place is..." Bethany replied as she looked at her brother and noticed that he was grinning slightly at her.
"It's just a bit of walking Bethany, we walk all the time when we work" Garrett said light heartily but with a hint of seriousness. "That's not the same, we just walk around town or the outskirts of Kirkwall" Bethany began as she stood in front of her brother, "true" Garrett commented. Bethany looked at her brother amusingly saying "it always takes forever to get down here plus all the Passages we have to go through... and remember when we first came down here and you read the map wrong, we ran into a lower section of the Sewer... the smell was horrid."
"Uh yeah... sorry about that again" Garrett said rubbing the back of his neck remembering how he'd taken a wrong turn and they had had to go back nearly four passages to back on track.
"Well at least you don't wear Armor when you walk. I've been thankful ever since I got this Reinforced Leather Armor, it's a lot lighter than my old Ferelden Field Armor" Garrett said lightheartedly at Bethany. "Good point" Bethany replied giggling as she glanced at her brother's Armor and began walking down the Hallway with her brother. Together the Hawke siblings entered the strange circular chamber filled with an assortment of stands and tables stocked with strange, useful, and sometimes dangerous items that was the Black Emporium.
That creepy Urchin boy that didn't ever seem to speak watched them unblinkingly as they entered. Like usual that strange stone Golem, Thaddeus Gigantus Crumbum the Third, stood his Vigil of looking tough and intimidating for anyone with even a thought of Thievery. Then finally, there in the center of the chamber, was the Pool where it... he, was seated at all times, he being Xenon the Antiquarian.
Xenon, the old and strange nearly immobile mass of twisted flesh that could longer even speak with what had become of his body over nearly Four-Hundred years of existence and so used his Mystical Bauble to form words he wished to be heard by anyone in his presence. Xenon, whom few knew his legend and whom fewer knew that it was apparently true... Xenon was gifted with Immortality... but cursed with the ravages of Time... forever Aging but never Dying.
As the Hawke siblings got closer Xenon stirred in his specialized pool and spoke in his strained gravelly voice, stretching out his favorite words as usual. "Hmmm cccccustomers, welcome back! To the Blackkk Emporiummmm"Xenon said tilting his head at the Hawke siblings as they stood near his specialized pool. Garrett reached into his carrying pouch and pulled the Amulet that Flemeth had returned to him after taking it to Sundermount and the Dalish. Garrett held the Amulet up for Xenon to 'see' saying "Flemeth said to return this to you."
Xenon uncharacteristically snapped his head towards the Amulet with his rigid, deformed head, squinting with his beady, almost nonexistent eyes, gazing at every detail. Garrett turned to exchange a look with Bethany wondering just what the Amulet meant to Xenon of all people. Then a strange cackling noise boomed and echoed around the chamber surprising the Hawke siblings as they realized what the sound was… Xenon was laughing.
"Look Thaddeus! I haven't see this old thing in ages hmmmm been used I see… no matter, it's like seeing an old friend again" Xenon said in his strange gravelly voice that emerged from his Mystical Bauble. An old friend Garrett thought as Xenon tilted his head towards the strange Urchin boy and once again spoke in that gravelly voice emitting from his Mystical Bauble. "Urchin! Come forward and take the Amulet to my personal collection... yeszzzz Urchin you may touch my personal collection but be extra careful" Xenon said.
Bethany moved out of the way for the Urchin boy as he approached Garrett heading for the Amulet he was holding. Garrett handed the Amulet to the Urchin as he took it without saying a word and watched as the boy then walked off and left the chamber down a corridor that neither Hawke sibling had ever dared to follow.
The Hawke siblings stood in the Black Emporium in silence for almost a full minute confused at Xenon just sitting in his specialized pool almost as unmoving as Thaddeus. Bethany noticed that Thaddeus was gazing at her and that made her really uneasy as he didn't ever blink, being a stone Golem. Garrett just looked around the Black Emporium wondering wasn't I suppose to get rewarded. Bethany moved to stand behind her brother not wanting Thaddeus to keep gazing at her, at least with her brother Bethany knew Thaddeus would look at both of them and not just her thinking we've never stolen... why does he keep thinking we will.
Garrett shrugged then coughed trying to get Xenon's attention but Xenon stayed just as still in his specialized pool. Bethany glanced at her brother as he glanced back at her then turned back to cough again. "Do you require a Tissue?" the gravelly voice of Xenon said suddenly still not moving but just sitting there without a care in the world. "Uh no... the reward" Garrett said trying not to be rude but a little annoyed that Xenon had let them wait in silence for no reason.
"Oh no, you don't have to reward meeeeeeee, I have plenty of thingzzzz already" Xenon said tilting his head slightly as he extended his favorite words like he usually did for no apparent reason other than to amuse himself. "Uh no... a reward for me... for taking that Amulet here" Garrett said raising an eyebrow at Xenon as Bethany did the same.
Xenon blinked slowly at Garrett then said "Amulet... what Amulet... I have no memory of this," Bethany gaped at Xenon as Garrett narrowed his eyes in annoyance thinking why is nothing ever easy. Suddenly Thaddeus shifted causing a strange rumbling sound as Xenon appeared to listen to something then snapped his attention back to Garrett. "Ahhhh the Amulet, yes I rememberrrrrr now, why did you make me wait to reward you! Young people these dayszzzzz soooo rude... no respect" Xenon said in his gravelly voice to the continued of annoyance of the Hawke siblings.
Garrett raised his arms incredulously as Bethany gave Xenon an exasperated look. Xenon looked above them with a thoughtful expression... or at least what Garrett thought was the equivalent of a thoughtful expression on what was left of Xenon's deformed face.
Xenon suddenly began to mutter to himself in his strained gravelly voice "gold, no! Anyone can give out gold." Garrett was about to say that gold was perfect but Xenon continued muttering before he could speak, "ahhhh perhaps, but no... too simple" Xenon muttered.
Suddenly Xenon snapped his head at Garrett saying "I know... hmmm you there, come here! I wish to seeeeeee something!" Garrett and Bethany looked at each other then looked back at Xenon, whom had extended his strange deformed shriveled up hand and was beckoning Garrett to his specialized pool. I'm gonna regret this I just know itGarrett thought as he made to step closer to Xenon but Bethany moved closer to her brother whispering "I don't think you should." "I don't really want to but I wanna get something for what we had to do for Flemeth" Garrett whispered back.
Bethany nodded slowly as Garrett continued and stopped right in front of the specialized pool that Xenon was always seated in. "Closer... I'm very very old" Xenon said as he extended his hand forward but not outside of his specialized pool. Garrett sighed and reluctantly stepped forward, nearly stepping into the specialized pool with Xenon thinking if he ask me to get in then I'm leaving reward or no.
Xenon reached his strange deformed shriveled up hand at the edge of his specialized pool to pushed himself to lean closer at Garrett causing him to step back but Xenon annoyingly said "wait." Garrett sighed again and stepped forward once again as Bethany frowned awkwardly at the sight of Xenon leaning closer and gazing at Garrett's face with his beady almost nonexistent eyes.
After five horrible seconds Xenon removed his gaze from Garrett's face saying "ahhhh! I know just the thing... step away from me... you smell funny."
Garrett gladly stepped away from the specialized pool to stand back with his sister as she giggled slightly at Xenon's comment. "I smell funny... sure" Garrett said sarcastically as he gave glanced at his sister dryly saying "ha ha laugh it up Bethany." "I'm sorry brother, it's just so unexpected" Bethany said still chuckling lightly as they watched Xenon tilt his head towards his Golem.
"Thaddeus! Bring the Tome for me" Xenon said in his strained gravelly voice as Thaddeus moved his enormous bulky form to a shelf in the right corner of the chamber and pulled a package out of it. Thaddeus then walked to stand in front of Garrett and roughly handed the package to him as Xenon nodded saying "thank you Thaddeus." The Hawke siblings stared at the package in Garrett's hands as he opened it and found a Tome inside of out as Thaddeus moved to stand in his old position in front of the hallway leading out of the Black Emporium.
Garrett opened the Tome and skimmed through the pages as Bethany watched. The Tome was fairly old and some of the pages were worn out but still holding together all the same, it was what was on the pages that made the Hawke siblings uneasy. The pages were a kind of... guide... a guide to skills that a Templar could use, ways to resist Magic and to effectively fight Mages. Bethany put her hand on her mouth as Garrett turned towards Xenon yelling "I don't want to became a Templar!"
Xenon did his equivalent of scoffing at them as he slumped back in his oringial seating position saying "I'm NOT asking you to." Garrett held the Tome up for Xenon to see, Xenon tilted his head in annoyance at him as he spoke in his strained gravelly voice. "Templarszzzz are rather boring and stupid... but their talentszzzzz are not, you would find them useful if you bothered to learn them." Garrett looked at Xenon with narrowed eyes saying "I don't go around fighting Mages," "Templar skills are not only effective on Mages" Xenon replied as if it was the most simplest thing in the world.
"What do you mean" Garrett asked a little curious to what Xenon meant as Bethany looked at him and frowned... almost hurt but felt Garrett put his free hand on her shoulder reassuringly and stopped frowning trusting that Garrett knew what he was doing. "Templars use a form of Magic though they don't treat it as such... it is highly useful when fighting Mages but also in enhancing already skilled warriors. I can tell you're a skilled warrior" Xenon said impatiently.
Garrett glanced at Bethany then turned towards Xenon once again saying "wouldn't this take years to learn though?"
Xenon boomed his strange cackling laughter then stopped to say "that is merely arrogance on their part... those 'years' of training are just to make them Warriors, the Talents come after. You, Garrett Hawke, are already a skilled Warrior you could learn the Talents any time you wished, all it takes is the Will to learn. You seemmmm the kind of person who would find this extremely useful... for a variety of reasons" Garrett looked at the Tome than at Bethany, whom looked uneasy at the Tome as if unsure what to think of it.
Narrowing his eyes Garrett said "you knew that I had that Amulet?" Xenon looked at Garrett with what seemed to be amusement saying "No, I had suspicionszzzz." "I take it you know Flemeth then... is she like an old friends of yours or something" Garrett asked curiously, his eyes still narrowed.
Suddenly a cold chill seemed to emanate inside the Black Emporium and filled the Hawke siblings with a coldness, Bethany grabbed her shoulders and rubbed them trying to get warm. Garrett felt the coldness as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up but he ignored it, standing his ground even in the face of the unknown, as Xenon got a serious expression on what was left of his deformed face.
"That is information of a private sort" Xenon said in an unusually low voice, spectacularly in contrast to his 'normal' strained gravelly but booming voice. Garrett was about to continue but decided against it because of the strange coldness that was filling the room and what he assumed was Thaddeus's gaze on his back.
A wise man knows to pick his battles Garrett thought nodding as he closed the Tome and placed it inside his carrying pouch saying "uh thank you for the Tome... we'll be leaving now." "Farewell customers!" Xenon said oddly jolly as the strange coldness disappeared as quickly as it had appeared as the Hawke siblings began walking out the way they came, as they left Garrett heard Xenon mutter "must remember to have Urchin get more socks... can never have enough socks." After leaving the long Hallway and stepping past the special door the Hawke siblings began their long tread up the Passages and back into Kirkwall.
Same time later
Kirkwall, Darktown
Garrett had recently climbed up one of the old abandoned Mining tunnels leading up to one of the lower levels of Darktown, there we go... knew that shortcut would work he thought smugly as he looked around the empty section he was standing in. Garrett then walked up to the tunnel he had climbed out of and extended his hands into the the tunnel saying "here."
Bethany had not wanted to follow her brother's so called 'shortcut' but did it anyway at the possibility of a faster way back into the city, unlike her brother however she did not like having to hike through some of the Passages underneath Kirkwall. Garrett had been a Soldier in the Ferelden Army more than a year ago and was remarkably still used to hiking and walking around a lot even when wearing armor.
Unfortunately Bethany did not have this advantage and was okay with walking around a lot but not with hiking and had grown tired of it after the first twenty minutes and was now following her brother up a Tunnel he had sworn would lead them to Darktown.
Bethany panted slightly as she neared to the exit having seen Garrett exit a moment ago when she saw him leaning back into the Tunnel holding his hands out. Bethany reached and grabbed her brother's hand and held on as he pulled her up and out of the Tunnel and into Darktown, though it was a lower part than she was used too.
"Wow that shortcut really did work" Bethany said as she stood in Darktown with her brother still a bit tired. "You don't have to act so surprised" Garrett said amusingly as he looked around the area seeing the stairs and figured out the fastest way out of Darktown. "I still don't get how all these Passages and Tunnels can lead to these places" Bethany wondered aloud as she rested against a wall. "The City's been used by a lot of different Nations through-out history, no one bothered to keep track of the things they kept building below Lowtown and Hightown" Garrett replied looking thoughtfully.
After a few minutes Bethany stood up and nodded at Garrett as he led them up the stairs and through a few turns and finally out of Darktown.
As the Hawke siblings walked through the in between areas of Darktown and Lowtown and past the Lowtown Marketplace and back to Gamlen's house Garrett noticed how unusually quite his sister was. Opening the front door to Gamlen's house and walking in seeing Kane asleep as usual, Garrett was starting to wonder what was up with Bethany as he closed and locked the door.
"There's a note on the table" Bethany said walking to the breakfast table and picking up the note, "what's it say" Garrett asked walking up to the table as well. "Went out to go drinking. Your Mother is off at the Viscount's Keep again about the Estate with one of her friends -Gamlen" Bethany read aloud as Garrett nodded thinking at least he only gets cheap Ale now. Bethany put the note back down saying "I wonder when Mother will get the audience with the Viscount," Garrett smiled saying "Mother is stubborn, I'm sure see Dumar one day soon."
Bethany nodded still a bit distance then walked to the kitchen to find some food for Kane. Bethany found some food and placed it in front of Kane, causing him to sniff then get up sleepily to eat his food as Bethany smiled at him.
"Is something wrong" Garrett asked seriously as he stood in front of the breakfast table watching Bethany feed Kane. Bethany turned around to face her brother, not speaking and looking uneasy, rubbing her fingers together as she glanced at Garrett's carrying pouch where Xenon's Tome was. Garrett slowly pulled up his carrying pouch and pulled out Xenon's Tome and laid it on the breakfast table for the two of them to look at it.
Together the Hawke siblings stood side by side gazing at the Tome that Xenon had given them, the Tome which could teach Garrett the skills the Templars were famous for. "Bethany... I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable but I think it's an opportunity that will help a lot in the future" Garrett said looking at his sister to see her reaction.
Bethany looked at her brother with confused, almost hurt, eyes saying "why... I know not all Templars are bad, Wesley was okay but... but you..." Garrett interrupted saying "Bethany I want to learn these skills because of the Templars."
Bethany blinked slowly saying "... I don't understand," getting a serious look on his face Garrett said "I want to learn how Templars fight, how they work, I want to learn their Tactics then I can analysis and counteract them." Bethany gaped at her brother in surprise clearly not expecting that answer then after a moment spoke up saying "... what?"
Garrett nodded saying "I want to understand a potential enemy, remember the last time we faced Templars, in the Chantry with Anders... if he wasn't there... I don't know if we would've won. They were surprised and wary of Justice, he drew most of their attention and the Templars were fazed by him, they had never seen a Mage like that. " then picking up his right hand and making a fist Garrett sternly continued "I want to be able fight Fire with Fire, Justice won't always be there and even then one of the Templars did manage to hurt him, I want to learn that skill" Bethany glanced at the Tome thinking should have known brother had a reason for keeping it... he always has a reason for things like this.
"I didn't see it like that... I understand it... I was just... Father always told me to be wary of the Templars and their talents and even Wesley wanted to turn me at first" Bethany said feeling like a small child again for some reason. "It's alright Bethany" Garrett said sincerely then lightly continued "yeah... I probably should have explained that earlier."
Bethany chuckled slightly saying "Yes, you might have thought to explain your grand idea, not all of us are good chess players and skilled tacticians." "You're not that bad at chess Bethany and besides Father was better than I ever will be" Garrett smiling fondly remembering the many Chess games he had with his Father throughout the years. "I'm not going to play Chess with you" Bethany said firmly but lightly as Garrett shrugged saying "worth a shot, anyway Gamlen and Mother are out so I think we should check with Varric, he said something about business for the Expedition."
"We never did get around to that business... with Flemeth and all" Bethany said speaking her thoughts. "Exactly," Garrett said nodding as he grabbed Xenon's Tome and placed it in the Cabinet that once held Flemeth's Amulet for a little over a year.
Stepping back and glancing at Kane, Garrett notice him finish eating and lazily walk back to his usual spot, slump down and fall back to sleep. "Lazy dog" Garrett said smiling as Bethany grinned as well at the sight of Kane going back to sleep after nearly four minutes of being awake. Garrett and Bethany walked to the front door, exited the house, and locked the front door as they heard Kane give a soft sleepy bark as a goodbye.
The Hanged Man
As the Hawke siblings walking into the Hanged Man the first thing they noticed was that Corff, the Bartender, was arguing with Isabela of all people.
"Hey not my fault the guy couldn't take no for an answer" Isabela was saying leaning on the Bar Stand with an odd stance to the annoyance of Corff, "you didn't need to knock the guy out." "I dragged him out after knocking him out didn't I" Isabela said smugly. Corff sighed saying "alright just if someone's bothering you again please just don't knock them out... call me or Norah." Isabela did a mock solute saying "you got it Captain, your Ship" Corff nodded and got back to cleaning the glasses.
Noticing the Hawke siblings Isabela waved "hello Hawke, come for a drink or looking for Varric," "Varric" Garrett replied stepping closer to the bar to stand next to Isabela as Bethany did the same.
"Of course the great and might Sir Hawke never loosens up, always business" Isabela said as she took a drink of Ale and did a mock bow. Garrett smirked as he raised an eyebrow saying "Isabela... you're drunk aren't you?" "yup" Isabela replied casually as she sat back down on her bar stool. "And you're still drinking" Bethany said noticing Isabela taking another drink, Isabela smirked saying "jealous?" "I don't even like Ale" Bethany said casually causing Isabela to turn lightly saying "you don't know what you're missing Beth, Hawke's been holding out on you... he drinks."
"Only small amounts... hmm Isabela you ever try to out drink Fenris, I heard even Varric couldn't beat him" Garrett said causing Isabela to grin mischievously saying "hehehehe Challenge Accepted Hawke."
Suddenly Isabela stood up a saying "he's with Varric in his private suite," then she strode off towards the room. "Why always does she walk like that... even when she fights" Bethany said chuckling slightly as she and her brother followed after Isabela towards Varric's private suite. "It's a good distraction... keeps people focused on what she wants them to focus on, Norah does it too, she uses it too get more tips" Garrett wisely. "Huh never thought about it like that... still I wouldn't want to do that," Bethany said humorously watching Garrett's reaction, "you better not... Mother would skin me alive" he said lightly as they reached Varric's suite went inside following Isabela.
"Rivaini! Hawke! Sunshine! Good to see you" Varric called from his seat in his Table where he playing carrying Cards with Fenris and Merrill was watching intently.
"Rivaini? Is that my name now... I like it, it adds to my Mystique" Isabela said as she suddenly sat down next to Fenris, causing him raise an eyebrow at her. Varric grinned saying "knew you would Rivaini," "Hawke" Fenris grunted as he looked at his Cards. "What's up with Mr. Broody... he get second place in Broody of the year" Isabela said looking at Fenris's Cards as he maneuvered them out of her view.
"There's a competition for who broods the most in a year, what a sad tournament" Merrill said frowning causing Isabela to say "aww poor kitten believed me." "Merrill, it was a joke" Garrett said causing Merrill to blush slightly saying "oh, well if there was I think you'd win Fenris... not that you're a gloomy person... I'll just shut up now." Fenris just glanced angrily at Merrill causing her to look away shyly, Isabela went to Merrill and hugged her saying "it's okay Kitten, Mr. Broody's just jealous he doesn't have an adorable accent."
Garrett and Bethany sat down next to Varric as Bethany chuckled at Isabela's words about Fenris. "Don't worry Daisy he's just more gloomy than usual," Varric said turning his gaze from his Cards to look at Merrill. "Daisy, is that my nick name now... I like it, Daisies are pretty" Merrill said hopefully, Varric nodded grinning.
Garrett turned to Varric saying "what was that business with Expedition about, didn't get to ask because of the whole Amulet thing." Varric turned back to Garrett saying "oh yeah about that, we were having some trouble with the Grey Wardens of all people." "The Wardens... why would they care about our Expedition" Garrett asked curiously as Bethany listened intently. Varric nodded at Garrett saying "that's right Hawke, they don't like that we're going to be drilling into a tunnel and searching... it interferes with some of their sweeping to make sure the scattered Darkspawn don't bother the Cities in the Free Marches."
"So are they trying to stop the Expedition completely or just delay it" Bethany asked crossing her arms as Isabela left Merrill alone and went to bother Fenris again looking for a way to challenge him to drinking.
"Actually they wanted to close down the entire operation at first" Varric said exasperated as Garrett noticed the 'at first' part saying "but not now? Varric." "Good ear Hawke, after that they just wanted to delay it for almost another year or two but Bartand and me been talking them down. We have them convinced that we don't care about Darkspawn" Varric began taking a drink of Ale and Fenris placed his Cards on the table.
Varric placed his Cards down, Four Serpents, as Varric smirked continuing "and we told them we have Guards, Guards that some of which have experience in fighting Darkspawn firsthand."
Fenris chuckled saying "Ironic isn't it... looks like you got me back after all Varric." "Well look at that! Mr. Broody cracked a smile, you see Kitten his face didn't break off" Isabela suddenly boomed drunkenly causing Merrill to chuckle. Fenris scowled at Isabela and Merrill as the Hawke siblings laughed lightly and Varric smirking saying "told you I would Fenris, we're even now."
"Did the Grey Wardens stop bothering us then" Garrett asked wondering if Varric managed to smooth talk his way past even the Grey Wardens. "More or less... we had to sign some papers clearing the Wardens of any blame if any harm befalls us in anyway" Varric said seriously looking at the Hawke siblings to see their reactions. Sighing Garrett said "well I never really thought about that... I guess it's the only way, well... never did think Wardens would help if we went digging where we didn't belong."
Varric laughed lightly saying "exactly Hawke, besides what's a little Darkspawn here and there," Garrett shrugged slightly thinking fought them before, but this time's different, really outnumbered.
Fenris suddenly spoke up saying "even if you have fought the Darkspawn before this is different, this is their territory... they know the areas better than us even if they're scattered." Bethany frowned saying "you don't always have to be so negative Fenris, we have a map at least and we're not the only Guards." "Blondie too, don't forget that, who better to have than someone who's actually been down there several times" Varric said raising his finger to make a point. "Blondie's a two in one deal, first you got the fun guy and his cool Staff/Sword then you got the other guy, real stick in the mud with his freakish glow and old man voice" Isabela said drunkenly.
"I don't know... the glow could help in really dark places and you wouldn't have to carry any Torches" Merrill said hopefully. Garrett chuckled at Merrill's naivety saying "I don't think Anders would like walking around being our personal Torch," "and Justice wouldn't like it either, he's a real hardass" Varric added pointedly.
"Fenris has point guys, it's never wise to underestimate enemies especially when in their territory" Garrett said rubbing the stubble on his chin that was starting to grow into a beard as Fenris nodded at him. "Careful Hawke you don't want the brooding to pass onto you" Isabela said chuckling as Varric turned to Garrett saying "True but we got a formidable group of Guards." Garrett smiled saying "that we do, but realistic speaking we can't take everyone there just isn't enough room. For now let's just focus backing up the finances of the whole thing, we're almost there but I still wanna get a little extra for my family to have just in case when we're gone."
"You're the only one who works in you're family Hawke... I mean Garrett or unless you liked being called Hawke... but we do people call you different names... what should I call you then" Merrill asked looking confused.
"Garrett," Garrett said as Varric simultaneously called "Hawke!" Fenris grinned slightly for the second time that day at the look Garrett and Varric shared. "Garrett Hawke then" Merrill said blinking amusingly at Varric and Garrett as Bethany chuckled slightly at whole thing. After a moment of staring at each other Garrett give in and sighed "fine Merrill just call me Hawke everyone apparently does now," Varric grinned slightly at that.
"Kirkwall is strange, people with more than one name... I like it here" Merrill said out of the blue. '"Glad you're starting to like it here Merrill and... why do have a ball a twine in Varric's private suite in the Hanged Man?" Garrett said looking at Merrill and noticing the ball in her hand. Merrill held up the ball saying "it's so I won't get lost, Varric give it to me because he noticed how I would get lost in Lowtown."
Varric shrugged saying "I'm sucker for lost things , thought I'd lend a hand," Bethany grinned slightly saying "I think it's a nice thing to do, I remember when we first got here, no one went out of their way to help us."
Isabela lazily went back to Merrill for a second hug saying "a ball of Twine... Merrill you really are my little Kitten." Merrill smiled slightly a little embarrassed as she was hugged, just how drunk is Isabela Garrett thought off-handily as he looked at them. "Anyway I'm glad you came here Hawke we have a job, these rumors I heard about have finally come through," Varric said turning his gaze form Merrill and Isabela to Garrett.
"Really, alright we can we leave Varric" Garrett asked noticing Fenris tilted his head interested as he suddenly gripped his fighting Greatsword propped against his chair. "Whenever we're all ready, there's a fellow Dwarf named Javaris Tintop, he needs help clearing out some Outlaws in the Wounded Coast, not sure about the specifics, he said he'd explain more when we met with him in person" Varric said. Garrett stood up saying "alright, let's go right now then, just need to pick up our gear," Bethany nodded standing up too.
Varric smirked getting up with his trusty Crossbow, Bianca, saying "well Fenris you can get revenge next time." Fenris shrugged at Varric getting up holding his fighting Greatsword in his left hand and his 'other' wrapped up Greatsword sheathed on his back and looking at Garrett saying "I'll come too... I need to hit something."
Isabela stood up drunkenly but Garrett stopped her saying "uh Isabela don't you think you should sit this one out," "hmm maybe" Isabela replied she leaned on Merrill for support causing the elf to chuckle. "Merrill think you could stay with Isabela, make sure she's okay" Garrett asked glancing at Merrill, "okay, I wasn't doing anything really" Merrill said as she lead Isabela out of the private suite.
As they left Garrett distinctively heard Isabela say "come on Kitten I'll teach some good drinking games I know." Laughing slightly Garrett left the Hanged Man with his sister, Fenris, and Varric thinking wonder why Javaris wants those Outlaws cleared out... and why is Fenris gloomier than usual.
Later that day
Darktown
Anders was just cleaning up his work bench when suddenly a local Darktown resident, Cooper, walked in saying "Anders there's a man here who wants some healing, he looks hurt but David doesn't like him."
Cooper had been just another peasant in Darktown slowing dying from Chokedamp poisoning from being forced to live in some of the lower levels of Darktown. But then Anders had found him all alone, curled up in a corner coughing violently from the damage the toxic Chokedamp had done to his Lungs. Anders had reached down and put a hand on the poor land saying "hey, look I can help you, just trust me okay," Cooper had at first shunned Anders away thinking he might be one of Slavers that prowled Darktown for inventory.
"Look that toxic crap in the air is killing you, trust me I can help just follow me, you're killing yourself by staying here" Anders had said kneeling at poor Cooper trying to shake him to get up. "I... I... have no where else to go" Cooper had moaned having known that the Chokedamp was poisoning him but knew that staying down in lower levels was the only chance he had of not being mugged for worse. People could disappear in the lower levels of Darktown so it's all he had.
Anders had grabbed Cooper by his shoulders and hauled him up and to the abounded storage room that would become his home and Clinic in Darktown.
Laying Cooper down on a makeshift bench Anders had examined him and then used his Magic to heal the damage to Cooper's lungs saying "you're lucky I can help this at all, another month and no one could have fixed this. I'm sorry but this isn't a cure only a treatment, listen you need to find away to stay in an upper, or at least a level not that low. As long as you don't go too low you'll be fine."
Cooper had been stunned Anders's Magic at first, then as Anders was leaving Cooper suddenly started following him saying "can... can I stay with you." "I'm sorry but no," Anders had replied looking truly sad as moved along but Cooper had persisted and convinced him that an Apostate needed help and though Cooper couldn't stay anywhere else he could indeed help him. After sometime Anders had relented and Cooper had became his helper and together they had stumbled upon the middle aged man David limping his way through a gutter after having been stabbed three times in the chest.
David, they learned, had been a Miner in his youth but an accident in his shift had caused an intense injury in his right arm and lower leg, losing his job due to it, he couldn't live in Lowtown anymore. David moved to Darktown with what little he had left only to mugged in his second week, he tired to fight back with a Knife he gotten for protection but was defeated and stabbed three times for his trouble.
Anders and Cooper had gotten him to the Clinic and where Anders healed him and Cooper had nursed him back to health as Anders took care of other people and duties. David had been so grateful that he had decided to act as another look out for Anders and wouldn't take no for an answer. David had become the man whom pretend to be asleep next to the entrance to the Clinic and had worked a system of signals to alert Cooper or Anders to potential patients and wither or not he trusted them.
As of right now David did not like the person currently trying to get medical help and Cooper had heard the signal and had stalled the man and alerted Anders.
Anders now turned to face Cooper saying "he's alone and wounded right," "yes he's holding his chest carefully and he's alone" Cooper replied readily. "I'll see him, David's a bit protective but I can handle myself" Anders said as he got ready for whatever help the man apparently needed. Cooper nodded and went outside to send the man back in as Anders waited.
The first thing Anders noticed about the patient was that he wore slightly ragged clothing with a matching hood that lower class citizens in Kirkwall were known for wearing, the man was either relatively well off living in Darktown or about average living in Lowtown. Anders waved for the man to come to the table that he set up for patients. I can't tell where he lives... it could be Lowtown or Darktown or even both... he's too... unreadable, that's odd I can usually always tell where people generally live by their appearance or mannerisms Anders thought as the man sat on the table.
"I take it your chest is hurt" Anders said noticing how the man carefully held himself and how he shifted as he sat down without saying a word not showing his face under the hood.
"Yes, I was slashed in my chest by some kind of unique Dagger, it was coated in some kind of substance, I don't know how to cure it and I'm fairly certain it'll kill me soon, would you kindly heal me" the man said unusually calm but pained in a strange voice with an odd... tone to it... like there was something wrong with his Tongue. Anders nodded slowly unnerved at the strange man's calmness at what could potentially be a fatal wound, who is this guy Anders thought. The man lifted his ragged shirt slowly and Anders saw the slash on his chest, it was about fourteen inches long and looked inflamed, poison and maybe infection.
Anders leaned in to take a closer look saying "and how did you get this exactly?" "someone attacked me" the man replied simply.
Oh great a funny one, haven't seen one of those in awhile, hehehe I used to be like that once Anders thought as he rolled his eyes saying "yes but why?" "You know how it is, you're taking a walk through Darktown when some idiot tires to mug you" the man replied. Anders scratched his chin saying "and the mugger just happened to have a poison Dagger? Hey you think I could see your face, it might help me figure it out how to heal you."
The man paused for a second then slowly lifted his head so Anders could see his face without taking off his ragged hood. Anders looked at man's eyes to see if there were any noticeable side effects effecting the man, but he seemed to be fine so far as his eyes looked, they were normal so the poison had spread too far... yet.
Anders also noticed that the man had a ragged scar running right across his lips and past his cheeks but Anders had seen plenty of people with scars in Darktown so didn't bring it up, not wanting to be rude. "Alright, it hasn't spread to far so I should be able to treat this" Anders said as he placed his hands on the man's wound and examined it with Magic. The man flinched slightly at the pressure from Anders's hand as he healed him but mostly stayed still, a rather rare occurrence for Darktown but Anders wasn't complaining.
Once Anders was finished he stepped back, grabbed some bandages and bandages the man fairly quickly saying "well that should cover everything for now, if you feel any unusually pain there's an apothecary in Hightown where you can get disinfectant." The man nodded as he got off the table and pulled out a money pouch then handed Anders three Sovereign. Anders took the money with raised eyebrows saying "normal I don't charge for healing but I'll take donations when people give them... even still, seems a bit much not that I'm complaining."
The man had already started leaving as Anders had taken the money but still replied saying "for the questions you asked and didn't asked." Anders nodded saying "you're not from around Kirkwall are you... you're a foreigner like I am," the man stopped in his tracks at Anders's words.
The man turned around to look at Anders keeping his face hidden behind his hood and chuckled slightly then said "you're right I'm not a native Kirkwaller... I'm Ferelden, just like you." "A lot of us Ferelden ended up here hmm" Anders said crossing his arms as Cooper watched from the sidelines boringly. The man seemed to smile slightly as he spoke, "yes many of us ended up here... with varying degrees of success; most in the back Alleys or homes of Lowtown, the worst in Darktown, and the lucky in Hightown."
"Not always the worst end up here in Darktown" Anders said offhandedly causing the man to nod saying "true, you are the exception apparently." The man turned around facing the exit saying "thanks for the healing," Anders nodded as the man took his leave of them.
Cooper leaned against the wall saying "I wonder what kind of mugger uses a Poisoned Dagger, that's dangerous maybe you should you talk to your friend Hawke about it... he could help get rid of him." "Hawke's not the City Guard Cooper and no Mugger in Darktown uses a Poisoned Dagger" Anders said to the lad as he laid down on his makeshift bed in the back, crossed his hands behind his head and started to relax.
Cooper looked at Anders with confusion not really understanding, "he paid me for the questions I asked and the questions I didn't ask" Anders elaborated. Cooper nodded saying "yeah this is Darktown after all people come here for a reason," "exactly, everyone who comes for my healing has reasons for not going anywhere else, let me know if someone else comes Cooper" Anders replied.
Cooper nodded and left Anders in his makeshift bed to nap, as Anders dosed off he thought I still don't know where that Man is from, Lowtown, Darktown, or both... how odd.
So I hope you'll like my take on Xenon, I had a lot of fun writing him
As for the whole Templar Skills thing I wanted to explain how Hawke learns those skills. In-game Hawke is able to just spontaneously learn those skills at Level 7
While back in part 1 (Origins) the Warden is able to learn these skills from Alistair, it's clearly explained in the story-line how the Warden learns all and any skills
It felt odd that Dragon Age 2 didn't have that element in it so I decided to added it in
I apologize if this Chapter seemed boring but I wanted to upload this before the end of the week, don't worry next Chaps will have action I promise
But I digress...
Thanks for Reading and please Review!