Hey guys, been awhile.
Been busy with school and stuff.
I thought biology was hard but damn chemistry.
Anyway this chapter might be a little slow but stick with it
Kirkwall
Coterie Meeting
"Maker! What happened to you!" Dixon Carton said. Leech looked up from where he knelt, having just feed to heal himself only to find that it wasn't working.
"Little man, you will remember who saved you when Ignacio was taken" Leech respond bitterly… but weak. "Humph some legend you are. From what I see a breeze of wind would knock you over" Dixon glared.
Leech slowly stood up in his quiet yet forceful way of his. Dixon lost all color in his face as the feral Apostate loomed over him standing nearly a foot taller than him.
Dixon's men, Janos among them, shifted unsure of what to do. They were loyal to Dixon as long as he paid them but no coin made them forget their fear of Leech.
"Little man" Leech said glaring down at Dixon. "I'm not a little… what?" Dixon said stiffly as he started to sweat and he rubbed his palms. "Get. More" Leech uttered in his low cold voice before he turned and went back to feeding on the poor man the Coterie had captured for him.
How much until he's healed Dixon thought as he turned to Janos saying "you! Go to the others and tell them Leech needs more food." "Yes sir" Janos said hurriedly making his way out. I… need to tell Hawke and the others about this Janos thought nervously as he left.
"Move we've been summoned" Dixon said as made to tap Leech's shoulder telling him he could feed later but stopped. Dixon gulped as Leech mostly ignored him except turning to him and giving him a cold stare showing his sharped bloody teeth.
"Now we go" Leech said after moments of feeding. Standing up Leech wiped the blood off his lips and left as Dixon signaled for his men to clean up the mess.
Even as they walked Leech flexed his hand that had been recently burned… strangely enough no matter much he fed he could never seem to completely heal it.
They entered the meeting room alone. None of Dixon's men followed and Leech never worked with anyone as alone he was almost unstoppable.
At least until certain something had actually wounded the feral Apostate.
Once inside the meeting room Leech and Dixon found Marcus Tacitus waiting for them as he sipped his expensive wine with his Advisor. The Coterie Advisor. The Coterie advisor that had told them what they needed to know to keep the City Guard from noticing things too soon. The Coterie advisor whom had proven invaluable until two certain Ferelden deserters had undone the Four.
"Vanard's been taken" Marcus said not bothering to even look up at Dixon or Leech. "We could send another group to take him out before he talks" the Coterie Advisor said. Dixon scuffed as he glanced at Leech saying "are we sure it can still be done."
Leech turned to Dixon and coldly flashed his sharpened teeth.
"Settle down" Marcus command. Dixon looked at Marcus saying "let my men try again. Another distraction is all we need. Draw the bulk of the City Guards away just like last time."
"That failed the first time. Dixon do you believe I am insane?" Marcus said suddenly. Leech smirked as Dixon blinked and opened his mouth to say something.
Only for Marcus to stop him by slamming his fist on his desk saying "Do you believe I am insane? Insanity is doing the same thing expecting different outcomes!"
"No. I only meant we could try again" Dixon said not liking the way Marcus talked to him.
Everyone looks down on me! First Ignacio and now our real leader Marcus himself. Even that Freak! I am their backbone now! They have not right to speak to me like this Dixon thought through gritted teeth as his hands turned into fists.
Dixon didn't voice his thoughts however.
"What? Have you something to say?" Marcus said sternly. "… no" Dixon said knowing that Leech was silently laughing at him. "Of course you don't. You idiot" Marcus said before taking another drink of his expensive wine not bothering to look back at Dixon.
"The Marketplace is guarded more than ever since the fire. Even then when the bulk of the City Guards were putting the fire out we still failed. The other criminals in the city came to the Viscount's aid" the Coterie Advisor said.
"A third party we had not anticipated is what changed things. Anyone can see that" Marcus said turning to the Coterie Advisor he'd personally recruited at the start of things.
"My guidance kept us discrete and effective until something happened. Someone changed things in ways I could not predict. The City Guard changed all their tactics and they made a deal with powerful criminals to get their aid" the Coterie Advisor said.
"My friend here predicted everything the City Guards did. He even knew where they would send Ignacio and the path the prison caravan would take" Marcus said.
Dixon smirked saying "Ignacio is dead. I saw to that. I closed that loose end." "A loose end that wouldn't have existed if your men in the City Guard hadn't been caught" Marcus said coldly.
"The end of my operation in Kirkwall began the day your men in the City Guard were rooted out Dixon" Marcus said bitterly.
"Ignacio was a good leader. I chose him for a reason. He never met me and very few people involved in my little investment here in Kirkwall have. So take it into your foolish pride that we're even having this conversation" Marcus said sternly.
"Why?" Leech said in his low cold voice speaking for the first time in the meeting.
"You can speak then. I was wondering if whatever had wounded you had also cut out your tongue" Marcus said looking up at Leech. Leech didn't speak again but looked unblinkingly at Marcus, whom unlike everyone else didn't back down and remained calm.
"Why now?" Leech finally asked in his icily low voice. "You have a brain in that skull of yours after all don't you? You're meeting me now because we're losing" Marcus answered. Dixon scoffed saying "Ignacio's mess."
"Your mess!" Marcus corrected sternly.
"Six months ago I left my Advisor here in charge as he gathered people for 'my' Coterie branch and they set up the Four. I told my Advisor to have the others place Ignacio in charge of the Four because I believed he could run things while I was away on business" Marcus began.
"Then I return to the city to find not only that Ignacio was captured but that Athenril was dead and the Smugglers had turned against us. I found that your men in the City Guard had been arrested Dixon. I found the Viscount had cut a deal with criminals against us. I found that the impossible had happened. The Four down to Two" Marcus said coldly.
Dixon slowly spoke up saying "the Advisor failed us."
"I predicted everything until someone began stealing our coin and getting away with it. Some enemy Coterie branch or this mysterious third party" the Coterie Advisor said.
"If I had not arrived when I did I suspect everything would have fallen apart. Luckily my business back in Tevinter finished when it did" Marcus said.
"Vanard will talk then how do we stop him?" Dixon said. "We can't. It appears that we're undone here it's only a matter of time" Marcus said simply.
"You're giving up!" Dixon yelled.
"No I never said that" Marcus said irritably. "We need to be smarter" the Coterie Advisor said. "We start to get our coin out of the city, make the most of what's left from my investment and hold out against the City Guard as long as possible" Marcus said simply.
Leech suddenly stepped forward the room seeming to get colder and colder as he stared unblinkingly at Marcus.
Fully trained Tevinter mercenaries were just outside and if Leech so much as threatened Marcus they'd be in the room… even still the question remained, could they stop the feral Apostate of legend.
"A deal was made with me" Leech said suddenly finding his lost strength as he loomed over Marcus except the wealthiest man in Kirkwall showed no fear at all.
Marcus smirked saying "I am aware of what was promised to you. Our agreement made by Ignacio still stands. In return for your services you will have what you desire."
Leech slowly stepped back his strength once again slipping away. Whatever it was that had wounded him had done considerable damage.
Marcus studied Leech curiously "I do not understand what it is about Darktown and the Undercity that you want. I hear that once you did in fact own it but no matter, whatever you need to reclaim what was once yours you will have" Marcus said.
"The Tomes you had were destroyed. I will find more for you and if not I will personally fund what you believe you need to truly own the Undercity" Marcus said.
The Freak. He cares nothing for wealth or women only his stupid obsession with the Undercity and whatever the hell he found down there years ago Dixon thought as he gave a snort saying "so you much you could ask for and choose that."
"Vanard is not like Madam Lusine. I expect him to break soon. Only two other Coterie founders are left. You will protect both of them as they go into hiding and I begin to transport their riches out of the city until I discretely smuggle them out" Marcus said sternly. "The rival smugglers I hired are gone. They refuse to work with us ever since their hidden cove and ship was burned down" Dixon said.
"I have better ways of smuggling than hiring locals. My way will work and you will be able to leave the city a very wealthy man Dixon" Marcus said coldly glaring at Dixon.
"I did what I had to do! We didn't know you were the leader. None of us except him" Dixon said pointing at the Advisor. "Exactly. You didn't know I was the leader. Only my Advisor knew, and because of my precautions we will salvage what we can" Marcus said sternly.
"What of the others?" Leech asked in his low cold voice.
"The other Coterie branches you mean?" the Advisor asked. Leech nodded.
"Whatever's left of them you mean. Ignacio did his job well there aren't many enemy branches left. Though you did not use best methods several of the other branches are dead" the Coterie Advisor said honestly.
"It worked didn't it" Dixon said.
Since the beginning the Four had gone head to head with the enemy branches and won several times. Ignacio had personal killed a few enemy branch leaders such as Aldos and even after he was taken Dixon and Leech had continued against the other branches until barely any remained. Whatever was left of the former Coterie branches was weak and stayed out of the fight as the Viscount made his deal with certain criminals.
"Yes I can honestly say the two of you did well against the other branches, or what is left of them, but you've done poorly against the City Guard. No matter, now that I have returned to the city the enemy branches will not trouble us further" Marcus said.
As Dixon stared at Marcus waiting for him to elaborate the Advisor spoke up saying "we hold information that could end the other branches permanently. They'll leave us alone in the hopes that once we're gone they can rebuild."
"I thought we would own the entire city but now we're running" Dixon said bitterly only for Marcus to sharply reply "we're salvaging not running."
"Go now you have work to do" Marcus said sternly.
There was nothing left to say as Dixon left the meeting room along with Leech whom silently sulked away faster than a man should be able to. Shaking his head in frustration Dixon turned around the corner only to find Janos tying his shoes.
"Janos what are you doing? I told you to tell the others to find another meal for that Freak" Dixon said as Janos hurriedly stood up.
"They already captured someone, a peasant woman in Darktown, I was waiting to tell you but you were still in the meeting" Janos answered quickly.
"Don't sneak around like that or they'll kill you" Dixon said sternly.
Janos made to laugh nervously but Dixon coldly interrupted "I'm not joking." "Go tell the Freak so he'll finally heal" Dixon said walking past one of his best men. Janos hurriedly moved along. Walking through the private Tavern that someone had rented for their meeting Janos let out a silent breathe he'd been holding in.
For what Dixon didn't know was that Janos wasn't really tying his shoes around the corner of the meeting room.
Lowtown
One of the hidden hovels Tolan's Smugglers used
"I never saw who it was I just managed to overhear some of it" Janos said as he paced back and forth telling his tale to Garrett, Tolan, and Aveline. "That's not important right now. You did good Janos; clever work with your shoes that was fast thinking" Tolan said wearing his Raider mask.
"We're still getting Vanard and Lusine to talk. We don't know who the last two Coterie founders are, who the Advisor is, or who the true leader is" Aveline said crossing her arms.
Following the others lead Aveline had donned a plain set of leather armor instead of her usual City Guard armor.
"You said it was a private tavern they were using. You don't know where they would all meet up again would you?" Garrett asked. "… No I have no idea" Janos answered. "Then we need Lusine and Vanard to talk. I didn't think the Coterie would let go… but they have" Aveline said slowly.
"I don't think Dixon wanted to. He wants to continue working in the city but their leader is the one who said they were done here" Janos corrected. "Go then we need you to keep close to Dixon" Tolan said gesturing for Janos to leave.
"We need to tell the Viscount. If Leech and Dixon are guarding the last two founders then we're going to need all of us" Garrett said as Janos hurriedly left the hovel.
"I'll meet you at the Viscount's Keep Garrett" Aveline said getting ready to leave before turning back to Garrett saying "careful Hawke. Sir Thrask and the Templars are still looking into what happened yesterday."
Meeting Aveline's gaze Garrett said "it won't happen again. Thanks for the heads up." Aveline nodded as she left the hovel. Now that the two of them were alone Tolan spoke up saying "I know you said it wouldn't be a problem but your friend the Healer is useful."
Garrett shook his head saying "no I won't risk that again. The Templars are working with us but I don't trust them to leave Anders alone." "There's a reason the Templars work with City Guards while the rest us do our part down here" Tolan said seeing Garrett's point.
"There's a way to take down Leech without Anders" Garrett said having checked on Anders earlier today finding the former Grey Warden exhausted and looking worn out. "The Templars. They have their uses and are good at killing Apostates" Tolan began only for Garrett to interrupt saying "but?"
"But Leech seems to go through them. Back in his 'lair' you said it was true. He collected pieces of their armor" Tolan said.
"Dozens of them. There's no use going back there though. I escorted Sir Thrask and eight Templars down there but it's abandoned" Garrett said. It happened a few days ago and though Garrett and Sir Thrask had considerable tension between them they had worked together a few times. Down in Leech's lair only Sir Thrask and Garrett had been able to keep their cool.
Odd for the other Templars to be so nervous but they had found nothing but pieces of Templar armor and the strange carving on the walls.
Leech had moved on.
"Janos said Leech isn't the same. He's wounded and if enough Templars surround him he'll be overwhelmed" Garrett said not wanting to bring back Anders. "Or you could do it" Tolan said suddenly.
"Excuse me" Garrett said raising an eyebrow.
"I've watched you Garrett and I can tell you can use Templars powers to some extent" Tolan said.
"You saw me resist Leech" Garrett said slowly. Tolan nodded saying "good of you to hide that from the Templars. I don't think the Knight Commander would take too kindly to you knowing her Order's secrets."
"Now you're going to ask how I learned those powers" Garrett asked smirking slightly only for Tolan to shrug saying "no." "Hawke you have some of the strangest friends and connections I've ever seen. And knowing you I bet you wanted to learn how the enemy thinks. You'd want to know everything a Templar would use against your sister" Tolan said simply.
"Yeah… a lot of good it did me" Garrett said looking away from Tolan. Strangely enough Tolan clamped Garrett on the shoulder saying "we'll get her out." "But first we have a job to do. Let me know what the Viscount and Sir Thrask say" Tolan said as the two of them parted ways leaving the hovel.
As Garrett headed for Hightown Tolan stopped him calling "oh and Hawke… one more thing."
Turning around seeing they were still alone Garrett waited.
"I understand Chella offered herself to you" Tolan said sounding more amused than anything else as he studied his fellow Ferelden. "She did but I didn't accept. She seemed to think I could help her move up the ranks" Garrett answered.
"She did the same to me" Tolan said offhandedly. First she tried directly than she went for who she thought was second in command Garrett mused.
"It seems quite a few of my Smugglers don't like the way I'm running things. I'm still very new to them and I had little friends among them before I replaced Athenril. It appears they see you as a more trusted figure" Tolan said slowly.
Seeing that they were still alone Garrett stepped forward meeting Tolan's eyes as he spoke.
"You know why I'm doing this" Garrett said honestly as Tolan studied him. I have no interest in being a Smuggler Lord Garrett thought as Tolan realized it as well.
"Forgive me Hawke… you've done everything I've asked of you and more but I try to prepare for everything" Tolan said as Garrett nodded saying "your plans worked."
Tolan smirked at that and said "till we meet again."
The Gallows
Circle of Magi
The Courtyard
Bethany Hawke sat in the courtyard watching the ships traveling to and from the Gallows to the Docks of Kirkwall. She'd skipped breakfast to Maire's confusion and simply sat watching the Waking Sea since morning.
I can't see Kenneth anymore. Tobrius was right the Templars are keeping a closer eye on him Bethany thought. She'd noticed that Templars mostly left her alone but with Kenneth she'd seen how where ever he went there was a Templar nearby.
She wasn't sure but she had the sinking suspicion that if she even tried to talk to Kenneth again that one of the Templars would stop her.
Why do the Templars allow a Pride Demon to roam free during a Harrowing. Even Orsino said it takes a full squad of Mages to take one down Bethany thought glumly.
She didn't exactly know why but something about Kenneth really got to her, he was mage and afraid just like she had been as a child. But no child should be forced to fight demons for some cruel test.
"You shouldn't stare at the ships like that" a soft trembling voice said behind Bethany sounding maybe even a little scared. Turning around Bethany saw a rather unusual sight. A man in what appeared to be patient clothing of some kind as two Templars stayed close by.
Are they escorted him or something? Bethany thought as she looked the man over along with the two Templars.
"I'm sorry?" Bethany said putting her worries over Kenneth to rest for the moment.
"You shouldn't keep looking at the ships… it… it gives the wrong impression" the man in patient clothing stuttered. "I… oh. I was just watching the sea" Bethany said realized how it probably looked from the Templars point of view.
"Don't get any ideas" one of the Templars standing beside the man wearing patient clothing said somewhat harshly as the other merely looked bored. Are they that paranoid? Bethany thought as the Templar that had spoken to her began to glare. Before Bethany could respond the Templar said "even if you did steal a ship and make it off the Docks we'd shoot you down before you made back to the city."
The Templar gestured above them and Bethany slowly followed what he was pointing at seeing a Ballista, the large crossbows that could sink a small ship, placed atop the roofs of the Circle Tower.
"Like I said don't get any ideas" the Templar repeated coldly.
"I was just trying to get some fresh air nothing more" Bethany answered defensibly. "Doesn't matter. One shot from the Ballista and it's over, you can't outrun it and we can hit anything that travels these waters" the Templar said sternly.
"Leave her alone Jason she was just getting fresh air same as Sir Hynes over here" the other Templars said looking bored. "You don't take the threat seriously enough" Jason the Templar said to his comrade.
"The girl's young. What could she possibly do?" the bored Templar said not really caring as Jason spoke up saying "that Freak was a kid when he killed Sir Allard."
… what? A kid killed a Templar here? Bethany thought as she watched the two Templars banter back and forth. "That's a myth if that Freak was ever in the Circle we would have made him Tranquil" the bored Templar said.
"No it's true. I overheard Meredith and that old man in the post office talking about it, he used to be on the same squad as her before she was Knight Commander" Jason said.
That old man… worked with Meredith Bethany thought not being able to picture it as the two Templars bantered about. "Just don't give the Templars ideas" Sir Hynes said slowly as he turned back to look at Bethany.
"Circle Mages are allowed to walk about the courtyard but some of us like Jason over here are a bit paranoid" the bored Templar said facing Bethany, the man seemed to be genially sympathetic to the idea of getting fresh air.
Jason scoffed at the other Templar as Bethany noticed Sir Hynes didn't look so good, like he was afraid of something. "I think I've had enough fresh air for now. Can you take me back" Sir Hynes said to his two escorts.
Is he… is Sir Hynes afraid of me Bethany thought astonished.
"Sure we have better things to do than follow you around all day" Jason said rudely to Sir Hynes as the other bored Templar spoke saying "no need to be rude. Come on Sir Hynes back you go."
Bethany watched them go truly surprised as she heard Jason the Templar mutter "hump some Templar he used to be."
Do they really fear us so much… or did something happen to Sir Hynes Bethany thought as she began to leave the courtyard. Need to find Tobrius maybe he can tell someone… a Pride Demon is too much for single mage Bethany thought having been brought back to her worries before Sir Hynes had interrupted.
Walking through the halls of the Circle tower Bethany noticed that there some commotion going on between some of the Circle mages but she ignored them.
Finding Tobrius in his usual place inside the library Bethany noticed that Maire wasn't there like she usually was. "Tobrius?" Bethany said. "Hello Bethany" Tobrius said looking at her questioningly. "Is something wrong?" Bethany asked seeing that Tobrius was acting odd.
Tobrius smiled good-naturedly saying "I understand that you've been upset with some of my actions lately, I wasn't sure if we were still speaking." "I… you helped me. You were my father's friend and I'd like to think that we're friends" Bethany said a little slower than she would have liked.
"That's good to know. In a way I'm glad you did what you did Bethany. It may not have been wise but I did do something similar" Tobrius said smiling sheepishly. You helped me with my Harrowing even though you weren't supposed to Bethany thought as she remembered first meeting her father's old friend.
"I wanted to tell you something" Bethany said
I need to tell him what I saw Bethany thought as she made sure they were alone with no Templars listening in. "Tobrius I saw something last night" Bethany said slowly. Tobrius looked at her blankly.
"I saw a Pride Demon wandering around the Fade, wandering around Kenneth's Harrowing" Bethany said.
Tobrius slowly took in her words as his eyes widened and he grabbed her by the arms whispering "Bethany you were in the Fade?" "I… no. It's like I can see the Fade without being inside it. Like looking through a window and peering at the outside" Bethany said surprised at Tobrius's reaction.
"You can see Kenneth's Harrowing in the Fade" Tobrius said in awe.
"I didn't mean to but at night when I'm asleep it's too much to ignore" Bethany answered.
"It's strange I didn't notice the Harrowing when it was my turn but with Kenneth I could sense it without even trying" Bethany said thinking it over. "Bethany… how old were you when you first used magic?" Tobrius asked suddenly.
"I was around four but that doesn't matter we need to warn Kenneth" Bethany said as Tobrius simply stared at her. "Bethany no one else inside the entire Kirkwall Circle can see inside the Fade like that" Tobrius said as he slowly let go of Bethany's arms.
"It's not like I try to it's just something I can't ignore" Bethany said not knowing why they were talking in circles. "You don't understand" Tobrius said once again making sure the Templars weren't listening on them from around the book shelf.
"How long has your flame magic been blue?" Tobrius said slowly. Bethany thought about it then shrugged saying "as long as I can remember." "You told me you did at as a child. How old were you" Tobrius asked again. "I don't know maybe four or five" Bethany answered.
Tobrius looked at her strangely.
"What?" Bethany asked.
Tobrius gestured for her to follow him as went further down the book shelf until coming across a nearly empty section. It was a section that only held four books in stark contrast to the dozens of books placed all around the bookshelf.
Pulling an old ragged green leather book out Tobrius began flicking through the pages to Bethany's confusion.
"I don't think you're a normal mage Bethany" Tobrius said finally after he found the right page and showed her. Bethany looked at Tobrius frowning as she said "I'm just a mage."
"But not like the others" Tobrius said not needing to gesture as they were literally standing inside a building where more than a hundred Circle Mages lives. "Bethany you discovered your magic at an early age. Earlier than you should have and you have more control of it than you should" Tobrius said.
"My father taught me" Bethany counter feeling uncomfortable.
"It's more than that. Malcolm was an extremely talented mage; he surpassed many Enchanters here without ever moving up the ranks of the Circle. But even he could not do what you did. Bethany, I remember Malcolm when he first used blue flame magic" Tobrius said.
"Do you know old your father was when he cast blue fire?" Tobrius asked suddenly.
"No…" Bethany said feeling more uncomfortable by the second.
"Malcolm was twenty four years old when he first cast blue fire" Tobrius said as Bethany gaped slightly I always thought he did it when he was young… like me she thought. "You did it at four" Tobrius said in awe.
"That's not important right now" Bethany said rubbing her arms, she didn't know why but she felt uncomfortable.
"Bethany I believe you're a Fade Walker" Tobrius said at last.
"… a what?" Bethany asked frowning.
"You're a mage born with incredibly strong affinity to the Fade. It's why your magic is so strong and you can sense things other mages can't. Spirit Mediums learn to strengthen their bond with the Fade but you already have what they had to learn" Tobrius said in awe.
"I never trained to be Spirit Medium. My father taught me to ignore the Fade and shut things out, it took a long time but I learned in the end." Bethany said not meeting Tobrius's eyes.
"I think Malcolm knew what you were. I suspect he tried to protect you. A child with that strong of a connection to the Fade is always in danger of Demons" Tobrius said forcing the old leather book into Bethany's hands.
I couldn't even be normal in a building full of Mages Bethany thought as she felt the withered book in her hands saying "I don't want to talk about that."
"Bethany this is amazing. There hasn't been a living Fade Walker in nearly a hundred years" Tobrius said his curiosity getting ahead of his empathy. "When you first arrived in the Circle you had never experienced a Harrowing before. That's why you couldn't sense it. It took time but you can now" Tobrius said thinking it over.
"Tobrius" Bethany said slowly.
Tobrius looked at his old friend's daughter and really saw her this time, "oh I'm sorry I tend to get caught up in my academia." "It fine but we need to help Kenneth. You told me an apprentice failed a Harrowing because of a Pride Demon. Just like the one that snuck into mine" Bethany said.
"There's not much we can do" Tobrius said as Bethany shook her head. There had to be something, anything. "I can try talking to the Templars maybe they can postpone his Harrowing or chase the Pride Demon away" Tobrius said sounding uncertain.
"Would they really listen?" Bethany asked bitterly.
"It's the only thing we can do" Tobrius patting her on the shoulder before leaving to talk to the Templars in charge of Kenneth's Harrowing.
Bethany watched Tobrius go; knowing that he meant well but that the Templars probably wouldn't do anything. That's when Bethany realized she was still holding the book Tobrius had given her about Fade Walkers.
Postponing the Harrowing… or chasing the Pride Demon away Bethany thought remembering what Tobrius had said.
Kirkwall
The Viscount's Keep
"Lusine and Vanard are resisting but Aveline and I have managed to get some information from them. We have a pretty good idea of who the last founders are" Senior Officer Qerth said.
"But only the last two founders know who the Advisor is and from what we understand only the Advisor knows who started all this by gathering the Four" Aveline said.
"Are they sure? We need to be sure about; this is too big to get wrong. If we accused or arrest someone who was innocent the blow back would be considerable" Viscount Dumar said crossing his arms.
"The public would understand" Garrett said suddenly.
Sir Thrask coughed saying "I don't mean to be rude but you are still very new to politics. Garrett you've only been a Noble for a few months." Judging from what I've seen a lot of Nobles are completely lost when it comes to politics and the things that matter. Only a few actually know what's going on Garrett thought.
"I may be new to politics Sir Thrask but I know people. People living below the upper classes. The commoners will understand I think most of them knew what was happening before the upper classes did" Garrett said.
Viscount Dumar chuckled saying "Mr. Hawke you remind me of your mother. I will admit you are right when it comes to the lower classes. However the Nobles want the city free of crime or at least low enough so that it doesn't bother them."
"I cannot speak for all of the upper class but the Templars are involved in this and I will not allow the Nobles to slow us down any further" Sir Thrask said.
Would that I had the manpower to do so on my own Viscount Dumar thought knowing that the Templars were largest force in Kirkwall but politely nodding to Sir Thrask anyway.
"Whatever happens we need to be fast" Aveline said firmly. "I agree, my friend is keeping Janos close to Dixon but he moves around a lot and eventually he'll notice that Janos has a habit of disappearing from time to time" Garrett said.
"Can your friend get Janos to give us a time and place?" Senior Officer Qerth asked stepping forward eagerly. All eyes were on him as Garrett said "I don't know… it would be the most dangerous thing Janos has done for us and it would blow his cover."
"It's now or never" Viscount Dumar said suddenly with such a stern tone that the others briefly glanced at him curiously.
The Viscount had held thing together well these past months and even made a deal with certain criminals and unofficially assumed the role of Guard Captain but he was tired of this Coterie branch and what it took to root them out.
"We will see this through" Viscount Dumar said firmly. "If Janos left us a trail of some kind or let us know what to look for I think we could storm Dixon and the founder he's guarding before they got away" Aveline said.
Garrett looked uncomfortable saying "I think he could but my 'friend' won't like this; it's very dangerous for Janos and like I said it would blow his cover."
"We won't fail. We can't" Senior Officer Qerth said fiercely.
"And what of Leech. He is also guarding one of the two last founders and he is wanted for murders beyond counting" Sir Thrask said. "Two operations simultaneously. One to get Dixon and the other get Leech with both founders taken in" Viscount Dumar said.
"We can't do both at the same time. Janos can only trail Dixon" Garrett said thinking it over as Sir Thrask frowned.
"I believe I have a way but it is dangerous" Sir Thrask said slowly.
"All of this is dangerous if you have an idea I would hear it" Viscount Dumar said. "From Janos's information I gather that some of Dixon's men find people for Leech… for him to feed on" Sir Thrask said slowly.
The man is a monster Sir Thrask thought remembering the incident in where former Magistrate Vanard had managed to escape.
"If we can plant a spy of our own to get kidnapped than they could lead us to Leech and the founder he's guarding" Sir Thrask said slowly and with a bitter taste in his mouth. "That's suicide" Garrett said.
"Not if we follow close behind" Sir Thrask said not liking his idea but knowing that it could work. "And how could we follow our spy? They've done this a few times without ever leaving a trail" Senior Officer Qerth said. Sir Thrask shifted uneasily saying "the Templars have a certain technique that allows us to follow anyone we wish. All we need is the blood of who we want to follow."
"A phylactery. You'd use a mage as living bait" Garrett said coldly as his hand slowly became a fist and he had to fight the urge to do something he'd regret.
"There are a few Tranquil who could past as normal people if they were gagged, some who had a phylactery before they became what they are" Sir Thrask said solemnly.
"You mean before you made them into what they are" Garrett said coldly. Sir Thrask looked away not meeting Garrett's eyes. "Could it work? Arrange for Janos to plant our spy where they needs to be then using this phylactery to follow them when their taken" Viscount Dumar asked.
"… it would work" Sir Thrask answered.
Garrett shook his head not liking this as Aveline voiced her thoughts saying "even if it can be done is it the right thing to do. We're putting someone's life on line… if we can't follow fast enough then that monster will feed on them."
Senior Officer Qerth thought it over saying "then we'll need small group of our best for Leech and to save our spy."
Suddenly all eyes were on Senior Officer Qerth.
"A small group would be able to move the fastest, fast enough to save our spy but they need to strong enough to take on Leech and whatever hired swords the founder will have" Qerth answered.
"Myself and squad of Templars" Sir Thrask said instantly only for Garrett to interrupt as he spoke up saying "no." "The Templars specialize in Apostates" Viscount Dumar said as Sir Thrask looked at Garrett curiously.
"Apostates yes but not against Leech" Garrett said.
"Every time a group of Templars were sent against him Leech slaughtered them. He knows how to fight Templars he's had years to experience with them. If we're gonna take him down then we need to change things" Garrett said calmly.
"As much I hate to admit it Garrett is right. Every time the Templars have gone against the Freak he has come up on top. But I insisted I at least go. We will need at least one of us who can challenge magic" Sir Thrask said.
"I need to be there as well" Garrett said suddenly.
Sir Thrask you aren't the only one who can challenge magic he thought.
"What? Hawke you should come with us against Dixon, not Leech" Aveline said suddenly looking a little embarrassed for some reason. "I've gone up against him twice and lived to tell the tale" Garrett said.
"Hawke both times he nearly killed you" Aveline countered. "We all knew the risks when we agreed to do this" Senior Officer Qerth looking at Garrett with respect as he spoke, the same respect he showed to City Guards.
"It's not the same Garrett isn't a City Guard or a Templar" Aveline said looking uncomfortable as she spoke.
"Yet he is here. He has made a place for himself with the likes of us Aveline. Hawke is a Noble and our connection to what criminals are on our side. In all of this Hawke has gone above and beyond his civil duties. Whatever his reasons he has the right" Viscount Dumar said.
Aveline nodded slowly as she shared a look with Garrett.
Aveline did know the reason Garrett had involved himself in all this, and she promised to tell no one.
"So it's settled then. Myself and Hawke along with a few men against Leech" Sir Thrask said glad that they had come to an agreement. "And Aveline and me with City Guards and Red Iron men against Dixon" Senior Officer Qerth said sternly as the experienced senior officer began to plan things out.
"We have our targets now we need only to set this up" Viscount Dumar said looking at the two teams in front of him, the teams that would take down Dixon and Leech.
"It will take time we'll need to wait for the right moment" Sir Thrask said as they all got ready to leave. "One maybe two days" Garrett said thinking it over. "Then we will be ready when the time comes" Viscount Dumar said sternly.
The meeting was over as they set out to arrange what was needed and do their part.
Back at the Smugglers Base
"Is there no other way?" Tolan asked.
The Smuggler Lord wasn't wearing his raider mask as the two Ferelden deserters spoke privately in his office.
"Not unless you have an alternative. All those plans you thought of… any brilliant schemes this time" Garrett said. Tolan smirked at that the effect being the ragged scar running across his lips and past his cheeks appearing as some twisted smile out of a horror story.
He rarely smiles like that… I wonder if that scar still pains him after all this time. It never truly healed it the way it should have Garrett thought.
"No. No brilliant schemes this time though my original plan seems to have worked better than I thought if they are more or less giving up" Tolan said at last. "I'll tell Janos what needs to be done. You and Sir Thrask are going after Leech then I want in" Tolan said coolly.
"Fine but we can't exactly bring a whole group of smugglers with us this time. We need to stay small, maybe Chella, Hermes and two Red Iron men" Garrett said as Tolan nodded.
"Agreed. Though your friend the Healer could be useful, whatever he did the last time had that Freak on the run" Tolan suggested. "No I said wouldn't drag him back into this especially with the Templars working alongside us" Garrett said.
"You don't think Sir Thrask could be persuaded to work with an Apostate" Tolan asked to which Garrett firmly replied "I doubt it."
"Fair enough" Tolan said.
"It appears we're reaching the end Hawke. One day soon we'll finish all of this and I will get your sister out of the Circle I promise you" Tolan said holding out his hand.
"And a head start on the Templars once I leave" Garrett said grasping Tolan's forearm and handshaking it in the old Ferelden army style.
We may not have start as such but I believe we are friends now.
Night
The Gallows
Circle of Magi
Bethany sat in her chambers nervously thinking about what she was about to do… she'd never done it before nor even tried but there was a chance.
She'd talked to Tobrius again before night fell and though he meant to calm her she knew that the Templars had ignored his warning.
Tobrius had said that the Templar had listened to him and heard his warning sincerely but that they could promise nothing as only the Knight Commander held authority over Harrowings.
And judging from what she had overheard from the other Circle mages First Enchanter Orsino hadn't proven much help either. Orsino was constantly demanding to meet with Meredith and even when they did meet, people claimed to have only heard shouting.
Nothing was being done about Kenneth's Harrowing. Nothing was being done that at this very night a young mage would face a Pride Demon all alone.
That was at least until Bethany had her idea.
Bethany had never liked her magic but she had always respected it as a part of her life just as her father had taught her. When Tobrius had told her what she was she hadn't wanted to talk about it for she had bad memories of her childhood.
Memories of wandering the Fade in her sleep even when she didn't want to… and the one time where she had been trapped unable to leave until her father Malcolm Hawke himself and pried her free and brought her back.
It was an incident that she and her father had never told anyone because Malcolm had doubled his efforts to teach her to ignore the Fade. Neither Garrett nor Leandra knew what Bethany had been through all they knew was that as a child she had nightmares.
Reading through the old book that Tobrius had handed her Bethany learned that she was indeed a, as Tobrius had called it, a Fade Walker.
Mages with a strong connection to the Fade that almost always became Spirit Mediums once they learned to control their gift. But that was not the only thing they could do. As Bethany had already experienced she could see into the Fade without trying when something big was happening.
According to the book it can be done. Peering into the Fade but not stepping all the way in, I've already done it before without trying Bethany thought.
But this is different... this is straying near a Harrowing. This is luring a Pride Demon away from Kenneth's Harrowing Bethany thought as she nervously gripped her staff.
Bethany knew there was a chance that she could get caught doing this, during her Harrowing the Templars had watched. I just need to stay outside the Harrowing… the Templars and Orsino could only see what was in that section of the Fade but nothing outside it Bethany thought.
Taking a deep breathe Bethany grabbed her staff and began to channel her magic and opened her mind, the exact opposite of what her father had taught her. It wasn't even that hard to find Kenneth's Harrowing.
Once opening her mind Bethany instantly sensed Kenneth's Harrowing. While in the real world Bethany set cross legged in her Apprentice chambers channeling her magic, her mind was in the Fade with no Templars aware of what she was doing.
I can control this Bethany kept thinking to herself as she peered further into the Fade seeing the small section of the Fade that was the Templars playground.
Now watching from the other side of things Bethany could see that a Harrowing wasn't as confusing as most people thought. When she was in her Harrowing there had been almost no sense of direction with random islands floating around.
But now she could see the floating islands of Kenneth's Harrowing were actually lined up and pretty straight.
It's just like Tobrius's book said… the dangers of the Fade are perception. It was an odd feeling being able to see the Fade from a different perspective. Is this how spirits and demons see the Fade… they know how to navigate it she thought.
It was such an odd sensation for Bethany; she was willingly peering into the Fade without entering it completely, like having one foot in the Fade and another in the real world.
Peering further and staying at the very edge of the Harrowing she spotted Kenneth moving along a floating island looking terrified.
Kenneth couldn't see her but she could see him. The young circle mage had made it this far but from the look of things it hadn't been easy for him, he looked haggard and nervous.
Come on Kenneth you're almost at the end… remember the book I gave you. Navigating the Fade is all about perception Bethany thought as followed her friend's progress.
It was hard to say how much time passed as she watched Kenneth struggle forward and there were a few times when she wanted to help but knew that she couldn't. Only Tobrius knew what she could do and if she tried stepping into the Harrowing the Templars would know.
It wasn't that Kenneth got lost very much, though he did, it was the lower Demons would mock and attack him before he managed to burn them away.
He learned to cast fire Bethany thought remembering how she had taught him. Just as Kenneth was reaching the end of his Harrowing with Bethany trailing along the edge the Pride Demon appeared.
Kenneth couldn't see it but Bethany could. It had once again taken the shape of a Spirit of Justice and was watching the young circle mage just as she was. Staying at the edge of the Harrowing and out of the Templar's sight the Pride Demon mostly seemed amused if anything else like all of this, the Templar's Harrowing, was mere entertainment.
Is that how it watched me… laughing as I wondered the Fade Bethany thought also staying out of the Harrowing and keeping her distance so the Pride Demon couldn't see her. Bethany knew what she had to do; she knew that if she could keep the Pride Demon away long enough for Kenneth to finish his Harrowing then Orsino would let him out.
Just as the Pride Demon began to glide into Kenneth's Harrowing still wearing it's disguise Bethany called out "hey!"
The Pride Demon actually stopped as if confused, like no one had ever managed to sneak up on it before. Bethany however kept her distance wanting only to distract the Pride Demon, she didn't even have to fight it only give Kenneth time to escape.
Kenneth had reached the final part of his Harrowing only the young circle mage didn't know it as the Pride Demon began to step into his Harrowing.
The Templars would wait now to see if Kenneth could resist, they wouldn't just let him go now even as he had reached the end.
"Hey" Bethany called trying to call the Pride Demon away as she circled the edge of the Harrowing so it might get a look at her. Only the Pride Demon ignored her as it appeared before Kenneth.
Kenneth froze unsure of what to do as he was still stuck in his Harrowing and not sure why a Spirit of Justice had stepped in.
I have to lure it away Bethany thought as she did something dangerous.
Knowing the Templars would see Bethany 'stepped' further into the Fade allowing herself to almost cross over as she raised a hand sending a hurried spirit bolt at the Pride Demon's back.
Kenneth had been fumbling with his hands managing to form a small fire as he did not trust anything in the Fade when something happened. The Spirit of Justice that had appeared before him suddenly stopped in its tracks and shifted, almost like in momentary pain.
Then without so much as an explanation the Spirit of Justice turned around and left the Harrowing.
Is… is that it Kenneth thought not knowing that Bethany had secretly saved him from being a play thing to a Pride Demon. That's when it happened, Kenneth standing unsure of what to do when suddenly a force emerged from somewhere beyond the Fade shattering the Harrowing in a flash of white...
Kenneth had passed his Harrowing.
But unbeknownst to Kenneth, First Enchanter Orsino, Knight Commander Meredith and her Templars, was that all was not well.
Bethany had saved Kenneth by getting the Pride Demon's attention on her. But something happened that shouldn't have. As Bethany saved Kenneth and tried to return to the real world the Pride Demon, still disguised as a Spirit of Justice, had appeared before her in flash.
It had happened so fast that Bethany couldn't even react as the Pride Demon grabbed her by the throat.
"I did warn you that we should not meet again" the Pride Demon hissed.
It was only then that Bethany realized what had happening… the Pride Demon was pulling her completely into the Fade. She tried to fight it, to simply wake up back in her chambers but it was no use as the Pride Demon dragged her into another part of the Fade.
In the real world inside of Bethany's Apprentice chambers her body slumped to floor still gripping her staff.
Bethany was trapped inside the Fade with the Pride Demon.
As for what Bethany is it's just something I thought of that was inspired by Feynriel
I had planned that since I first started writing this story.
For the Fade part i thought really hard on how to write it... it couldn't just rehash what I did for Bethany's Harrowing so I didn't I decided to leave it very abstract on purpose. Bethany's seeing things from a different perpesctive almost like a Spirit.
Anyway thanks for Reading and please Review!