Hey guys I'm back
This chapter is long so maybe read it in parts.
Hours before the Reckoning
Somewhere out to sea
Miles away from the Kirkwall Docks
"Such a shame I rather did enjoy Kirkwall… and to think I almost owned the city" Marcus muttered to himself. He and his servants were aboard his private ship having left Kirkwall never to return as Marcus had agreed to self-exile himself.
Marcus had watched the infamous city of chains go from a mere spec in the distance to nothing as it disappeared in the distance. He heading back home to Tevinter having cut his losses in Kirkwall and salvaged a lot of money.
While his servants and the ship crew and mostly stayed below in the lower decks Marcus himself had stayed above having enjoyed the view of the sea.
He'd done well in all of this with everyone else taking the fall for what mostly was his crimes and he was heading back home to his wife and his many mistresses.
Perhaps another city would do. Crime can be very profitable and Kirkwall is closed to me but the other states are not Marcus thought the beginnings of another plan starting to form and take shape in his mind.
Yes another city will do fine. I'll personally supervise this time not let locals run things though they serve their purpose as figure heads. Starkhaven would be good they're still recovering from the Circle fire Marcus mussed.
"Three months and I'll return to the Free Marches." Marcus muttered to himself knowing that he still business to take care of back home. Suddenly the ship started to tremble and Marcus stood up as the ship began to shift making loud cracking noises.
"What…" Marcus said quietly.
A crewman slammed the door open running to the top deck where Marcus stood yelling "fire! The ship's on fire!" "How!" the Ship Captain called as even now they could smell the burning wood.
The Ship Captain got the crew's attention shouting "Maker our ships on fire all hands on deck put out the fire! Put out the fire or we'll sink!"
"You! Where is the fire!" Marcus said grabbing the crewman and wanting answers. "Uh… it's in the lower decks" the crewman answered before rushing off help with the fire.
The Cargo Hold… my coin Marcus thought as he moved to lean on the rail and get a closer look at the back of his ship while the crew fought to put out the fire.
Sure enough a fire had erupted from down in the cargo hold and was currently spreading throughout the back of the ship. "My money…" Marcus said in a low voice knowing that the fire must have been burning through his coin melting the countless Sovereigns into scrap.
This isn't right the fire is spreading too quickly… my ship was sabotaged Marcus realized just as he heard the Ship Captain shouting "it's no use we're sinking!" The ship was starting to fell apart from the fire and slowly was beginning to sink as servants and crewmen began panicking.
"To the lifeboats! It our only hope!" Marcus yelled as he left the railing and pushed past the other crewmen only to stop as they all saw what happened to the lifeboats.
Every single lifeboat was broken with holes cut into each of them.
Someone had sabotaged them in the dead of night when everyone was asleep. Marcus slowly backed away as screams of panic yelled the ship with the fire spreading further and further through the ship.
Marcus spotted the Ship Captain trying to control his crewmen and figure out what to do but to no avail… chaos had ensued. Thinking it over and having a theory Marcus reached over to the Ship Captain and pulled free his spyglass.
The Ship Captain was too busy to notice.
Marcus used the spyglass and spied out to sea as his ship burned around him and he spotted it… a group of about a dozen small ships slipping away in the distance. "Smugglers…" Marcus said bitterly as the ship began to sink into the ocean dragging Marcus, the man who had thought he could get away, to his death.
"How much of the coin did we manage to steal?" one of Tolan's Smugglers asked as they set course back home to Kirkwall with the servant that had betrayed Marcus.
Marcus's former servant spoke up saying "about a third of it but it was still a lot. I would've got more but we had to spread the oil."
As Tolan had planned the servant who had betrayed Marcus had sabotaged the lifeboats before spreading oil over key parts of the ship. From there the servant had secretly helped Tolan's smugglers board the cargo hold where they had stolen as much as they could carry.
Tolan's smugglers had been waiting outside the docks of Kirkwall and managed to keep pace with Marcus's ship and under the cover of night with the servant's help had successfully taken a third of Marcus's money before lighting the ship afire and escaping.
All in all the smugglers were using about a dozen smaller ships. Only three ships were filled with people the others held Marcus's coin. The nine small ships carrying the money were tied to the other three forming a mini fleet of sorts.
Now Tolan's smugglers were heading home having made their getaway.
"Boss is gonna be happy that's a lot of gold" one of Tolan's smugglers said grinning. "Wish I could have seen the look on Marcus's face" the servant said chuckling as some of the other smugglers joined in.
"Just like the boss said. No witnesses, no investigations. Marcus died at sea when his ship sunk. Kirkwall had no part in this" one of Tolan's smugglers said.
Two Days before the Reckoning
Kirkwall
Smuggler's Base
Chella sat flipping her axe with one hand as she watched the other smugglers celebrating the Coterie's End. Tolan had pulled out some of Athenril's old wine and passed it out to them saying that they'd all done good.
"Why so depressed?" Hermes asked pulling up a chair with his good arm and taking a seat beside her as he took a drink of wine.
"Just bored. Tolan says we're not going to interfere with the City Guard for a while so that means we keep a low profile" Chella said. "We won't just sit around doing nothing we're smugglers we're going to smuggle just nothing big no attacking City Guards" Hermes said.
"I suppose… Hermes why are you all dressed up?" Chella said noting that Hermes was wearing silk clothing fitting for a Noble and that his normal greasy black hair had been combed back.
Hermes could almost pass for Noble but he still walked and talked like the Lowtown smuggler he was and the fact that his left forearm was bandaged up. That burn from Leech still hasn't healed Chella thought.
"Oh you haven't heard? Hawke's leaving and with him gone Tolan needs someone the Viscount can talk to for the rest of the alliance" Hermes said shrugging as two of Tolan's smugglers started a drunken brawl in the middle of the base.
"I have to be respectable" Hermes snorted gesturing at his new clothes.
"Of all people Tolan chose you for Hawke's replacement. Can't believe Hawke's leaving already I thought he was staying longer" Chella said sounding a little disappointed.
"Hey I can be just as formal as Hawke can and I'll win the Viscount over with my charming personality" Hermes answered. Chella stopped flipping her axe and looked past the drunken brawl, which had a crowd of drunken smugglers cheering, and up to Athenril's old office.
Tolan's office now Chella thought.
Instead of joining the celebration with his smugglers Tolan was still locked in his office and rumor was that he sent some of his men on a secret mission of sorts and that the men wouldn't be back for days.
She didn't know why but she still didn't like Tolan as much as she had liked Athenril. Tolan hadn't exactly joined the smugglers like she or Hermes had but then again Hawke hadn't joined the smugglers like they had either.
"Hehe let me guess you wanted Hawke to stay and run things with Tolan" Hermes said having drunken a little too much wine this night. "Yeah I kinda did" Chella said.
Hermes laughed saying "you and half of the others. I mean seriously Hawke had a lot of respect with us before he left."
"Hawke had even more respect when he left Athenril. I remember it like it was yesterday. Athenril was fuming and the both of us shared a drink over it" Chella said. "Either way Hawke's leaving so just get used to Tolan he's our boss now. Has been for some time and he's taken us further than Athenril ever did" Hermes said.
"Yeah I know he's a good leader, but still sometimes I think Tolan might go too far one day… he's using more kids than Athenril did" Chella said.
"You too. Hawke was angry about that but it's like Tolan says he doesn't put them anywhere dangerous and he pays them" Hermes said.
"I just don't know him like I knew Hawke. Garrett had a lot of friends here before he left but Tolan's different. Tolan's never really been one of us" Chella said.
"I don't think anyone truly knows Tolan" Hermes said simply. "To Hawke" Chella said as Hermes handed her a glass of wine and the two of them toasted their old colleague who soon would leave Kirkwall.
Lowtown
The Hanged Man
"Why do you keep insisting on meeting here in this filthy tavern?" Hubert asked as he sat beside Tomwise across from Garrett.
Garrett raised an eyebrow as he met Tomwise's eye sharing a laugh.
"We like the Hanged Man it's got a homey feel to it" Garrett answered. "This feels like a home? Bah we could be sipping wine in Hightown but no the two of you always bring me down here of all places" Hubert complained.
I used to live in Lowtown and Tomwise still does Garrett thought as he and Tomwise chuckled from their business partner's annoyance.
All three of them had only met a few times in the past months as Garrett was busy running with Tolan but as Aveline had told Hawke, "the world doesn't forget you're a Noble and businessman now even if you do."
Garrett had spent over a year building a better life for his family only for his sister to get taken by the Templars. Despite everything Garrett had made for himself he had devoted most of his time to helping Tolan take down the Four and making a deal with the Viscount.
"So let me get this straight you're leaving?" Hubert said slowly taking a drink of his ale which he always called 'filthy common brew'. Garrett nodded saying "in two days I'll be gone. I'm leaving my uncle and Tomwise in charge of my shares of the mine."
"Where is he anyway? I haven't seen any of your family and if some of our profit is being given to him I want to know him" Hubert said coldly.
"My uncle is on vacation with my mother. He'll be back as soon as he can and when he does you can work out all the details" Garrett answered.
"Gamlen's not much of a business man but I'm sure the two of us can control him if he tries to do anything stupid like gamble shares away" Tomwise said speaking up. "Wait I don't understand Hawke are you're giving your shares to this Gamlen and the elf? If you're leaving when will you be back" Hubert asked curiously.
"I'm probably never coming back" Garrett answered honestly.
Silence filled the booth they were sitting in as Hubert took in those words and Tomwise looked away sadly, Hawke was one the best friends he'd ever had. "Nothing's changing for you Hubert you still have your business and your investment but now Tomwise gets more of the profit and you have to meet with Gamlen too" Garrett said.
"I suppose. Well for what it's worth we had a good business here I hope your uncle doesn't ruin things. Farewell Hawke" Hubert said standing up and getting ready to leave having had his fill of the Lowtown tavern.
Garrett and Tomwise just sat in the booth for a while after that.
"Look at us now" Garrett said smiling as Tomwise grinned too. "A year and half ago I was just some Darktown elf and you were just another refugee in Lowtown doing whatever it took to get by" Tomwise said.
Now Garrett was a Noble though he would leave Kirkwall once he broke his sister out of the Circle; and Tomwise now had a business partner and was doing better than ever.
"Thanks Tomwise. For helping me and my family get by when we were both smugglers" Garrett said.
"Thanks Garrett. For helping me and my brother leave Darktown. For letting us set up shop in Lowtown and getting us a business partner in these troubled times" Tomwise said.
The two former smugglers bumped their cups of ale together before finishing their last drink and parting ways.
Kirkwall
The Gallows
Circle of Magi
"I heard you lowered the age limit for Harrowings but Kenneth is a bit young" Sir Thrask said as Meredith arched her eyebrows.
"He's a mage and I demand that they be trained better. Thedas will be better off with the less stable mages gone. The last thing we need is one of our Circle Mages, no matter how young, to get possessed here in our base of power" Meredith said sharply.
"As I understand it only the Hawke girl could have done that. No other mage in the Circle can enter the Fade without the use of Lyrium or Blood Magic. At least that's what Wynne and Tobrius told me" Sir Thrask said awkwardly.
"The Hawke girl? Is that why you wanted to see me Sir Thrask? I understand you were the one who brought her in" Meredith said. "Sir Cullen and I brought her in and yes Bethany Hawke is why I asked for this appointment" Sir Thrask said.
"What about her? Are you worried she'll enter the Fade again she can't her magic is negated by the iron handcuffs" Meredith said sounding bored.
"What do you plan to do with her?" Sir Thrask asked shifting uncomfortably.
"I haven't decided yet. I've considered making her Tranquil but Wynne disagrees just like she always does. Wynne believes the girl should be trained" Meredith said scoffing at the notion.
Seeing the look on Sir Thrask's face Meredith said "speak plainly Thrask if you have something to say I would hear it." "The Harrowings trouble me. I believe we should return the way things were before. Kenneth was too young for such things" Sir Thrask said.
"And?" Meredith said seeing there was more Thrask wanted to say.
"Bethany Hawke. I worked with her brother several times and without him Leech would have killed me and gotten away. I… I was wondering if perhaps we could arrange a visit for the two of them" Sir Thrask said slowly.
Meredith narrowed her eyes at him.
"A visit! You would award the girl who broke nearly all of our rules with a visit to her brother! The answer is no!" Meredith said coldly.
"She could stay in the Gallows and her brother could come see her here with an escort of Templars" Sir Thrask offered.
"No" Meredith said firmly.
"Garrett Hawke deserves a reward and I know that he was very close with his sister" Sir Thrask said rubbing the back of his neck. "A reward? Fine I authorize you to give Garrett Hawke a sum of nine sovereigns but no visits of any kind" Meredith said sternly.
Sir Thrask looked away saying "I doubt Hawke cares about coin anymore. Will you at least consider raising the Harrowings age limit back to normal?"
Meredith crossed her arms saying "I will consider it just to stop hearing Orsino and now you complain about it."
"Is this still about Leech? He was a child when he murdered Sir Allard but he was a monster and lowering the Harrowing will not changing things the past is the past" Sir Thrask said feeling bold and have noticed the changes in his Commander lately.
"I am in control of my emotions Sir Thrask. I have already said that I would consider returning the Harrowing age limits to normal" Meredith said coolly.
But Sir Thrask noticed that Meredith seemed to be trying a little too hard to keep her stony hard face… there was anger in her eyes that she hide well.
"Is that everything? I always make time for my Templars but I do have duties to attend too and time is short" Meredith said calming down though she still held her composure well.
Seeing this was going nowhere Sir Thrask stood up politely saying "that will be all Knight Commander I will endeavor not to bother you needlessly again."
Meredith nodded and Sir Thrask left the Knight Commander's Office.
There is still something I could do Sir Thrask thought as he walked down the steps from the Knight Commander's office. Changing his pace Sir Thrask reached the bottom of the Circle and entered the courtyard heading for the Gallows prison.
Speaking with some of the Templar Guards in the Gallows prison Sir Thrask was allowed to see what items the Templars had taken from Bethany's room when she was taken.
"Her staff was destroyed during her incident in the Fade" Idunna said showing Sir Thrask the storage room where Apostate's personal effects were held in shelf after shelf.
"I understand. Idunna was there something Bethany kept from her old home. Did she write a letter? She would not have been able to send it yet" Sir Thrask asked.
"Yes a letter was found in her chambers when she taken. It was brought here and placed with her other possessions" Idunna answered in her empty flat voice as she showed Thrask the shelf where everything Bethany owned was being held.
Sir Thrask looked through Bethany's belonging find not much, the pieces of her broken staff, a few spare robes, a scarf of some kind, and finally a sealed letter.
"It wasn't opened?" Sir Thrask asked. "No we saw no reason to open it. The Templars checked it for traces of magic but found nothing it is simply a letter" Idunna answered flatly.
"If you wish to speak with Ms. Hawke I can bring you to her cell it's not far from here" Idunna continued as Sir Thrask picked up the letter saying "no… perhaps another day."
"Sir do you wish to take the letter?" Idunna asked stepped forward curiously.
Thrask looked the Tranquil over saying "I'm investigated a matter."
We're not allowed to take items without permission though it has been known for some Templars to steal from prisoners Sir Thrask, he wasn't stealing but he need this letter to get what he wanted.
"I understand Sir. Perhaps there was a mistake when letter was brought here. Perhaps the letter was accidently dropped along the way and lost. If that was the case I would be forced to mark the letter as missing without getting anyone in trouble" Idunna said suddenly.
She's… she's trying to help me. But Tranquil don't have emotions anymore. Is it possible to understand empathy without emotion? A question for the philosophers Thrask mused.
"Yes thank you. The letter was probably dropped somewhere in the Circle, so many stairs so many floors" Sir Thrask said thankfully.
Idunna nodded as Thrask hide the letter in his armor.
One day before the Reckoning
Lowtown
The Hanged Man
Garrett Hawke and all the companions and friends he'd made during his time trying to get the expedition up and running sat in Varric's private suite.
Isabela was little drunk, Merrill was humming to herself, Varric was drinking his ale, Fenris was brooding like he usually did, and Anders was waiting patiently with his feet on the table.
Garrett looked all of them over saying "thanks for all the help you all give me. Helping me and Varric with expedition and after." "Ah I can feel the tears already" Isabela said jokingly and pretending to wipe tears out of her eyes.
"Isabela this is serious" Merrill said turning to Isabela as the former ship captain was taking another drink of ale. "I am serious what other knight in shining armor am I gonna bother now that Hawke's gone? Brings a tear to my eye" Isabela said laughing.
Garrett grinned knowing that was just how Isabela was though he could see real emotion behind her mask of joking.
"I'm gonna miss you. All of you" Garrett said warmly. Varric spoke up saying "come on guys no crying in front of Hawke or you buy me a drink for every tear." Garrett chuckled. "The bet was if you cried Varric you'd buy me a drink" Anders said smirking.
"Blondie the day I lose a bet to you is the day Fenris smiles" Varric joked. "I might smile just you to see you lose Varric" Fenris said coolly. Varric mimicked being shot in the heart saying "so many friends turned against me haha."
"Guys come on Hawke is trying to have a serious moment" Merrill not being able to stop herself from grinning at how unserious they all were.
"Thanks Merrill" Garrett said honestly.
"I'm leaving soon and I wanted to say goodbye" Garrett said. "Maybe you could get us goodbye gifts? Why don't you buy the Hanged Man for us before you go so we can get free drinks for life!" Isabela said drunkenly.
"Sounds like a plan" Varric said grinning. "Guys Hawke's trying to be serious" Merrill said again only for Isabela and Varric to counter "we are being serious."
Garrett just smiled to himself sadly he would miss all of his friends he'd made here in Kirkwall in some ways it was better than his old life in Ferelden.
For years Garrett had been the man of his family and had taken charge. He had been without any real friends but he was always close with his family. Here in Kirkwall Garrett had remained close with his remaining family possibly growing closer from everything they'd been through but he had also made friends here.
"I don't normally say this but how about a game of diamondback?" Garrett said suddenly to the surprise and joy of Varric and Isabela.
"I don't know how to play" Merrill said sadly only for Anders to clamp her on the arm saying "it's okay we'll teach you." "As long as someone beats Fenris!" Varric said, he still had an ongoing rivalry with the brooding elf ever since Fenris had outdrank him.
And so they played. None of them spoke about how Garrett would be leaving and mostly likely never coming back. Five rounds and Fenris had won four of them before Merrill of all people managed to beat him after learning the rules of the game.
Isabela just wouldn't stop laughing at it.
Fenris had beaten every single one of them only to be beaten by Merrill the youngest of the group.
They hadn't played for money just for fun. After they had finished they left Varric's private suite and celebrated at the bar.
Garrett never drank too much but he did more than he usually would have at the encouragement of Isabela. It was truly the first day off Garrett had had in a really long time. A day spent with his friends and allies.
When it was over Garrett finally said his goodbyes.
Fenris stood awkwardly at first but clamped Garrett on the arm saying "goodbye… my friend."
Isabela had drunkenly kissed him saying "just so I can say I did it once; though maybe you should shave that beard now." "I kinda like it" Garrett said rubbing his beard.
Merrill hugged him saying "you were so nice to me and helped settle in thank you Hawke! Say hi to Bethany for me."
Anders shook his hand saying "glad I could help when I could. Wish I could have done more to help the Smuggler Lord but he found a way without me." Garrett smiled saying "I'm glad he did. I kept dragging you into this mess. Thanks Anders."
When it was Varric's turn to say goodbye he just laughed saying "now that you're leaving you think I could write a serial about your life." Garrett laughed saying "my life wouldn't make a good story. I'm no knight and there's no beautiful princess for me to save."
"Hey give yourself more credit Hawke" Varric said smirking.
Garrett shook Varric's hand saying "it been nice doing business Varric."
"Same here Hawke. Write me when you can I'm still tracking down Bartand and I think I got a lead in another state, Cumberland. When I track him down there I'll get the rest of our coin and send it to you" Varric said grinning.
"Thanks Varric it would help I'll be moving around a lot with my family. Give that cheating bastard a punch for me" Garrett said smirking.
"Wish I could see you off better Hawke but I'm heading out today and when I come back me and the group will drink in your name" Varric said. "Sounds good" Garrett said as Varric left leaving Garrett alone in the Hanged Man bar.
Garrett stayed there for a moment before leaving too.
Only Sir Thrask was waiting for him. Thrask wasn't wearing his usual Templar armor just normal civilian clothes like he didn't want to draw attention to himself this time.
"Hawke… I didn't want to intrude on you and your friend's celebration but I need to speak to you its urgent" Sir Thrask said.
They were both standing outside the Hanged Man.
"What about?" Garrett said crossing his arms not in mood for this. "Can we talk privately?" Sir Thrask said gesturing to the back of the Hanged Man. "If you have something to say just say it" Garrett said.
"It'll be worth it" Sir Thrask said as Garrett reluctantly followed him to the back of Lowtown tavern to speak privately. Garrett stood waiting for Sir Thrask to talk only for the Templar to reach inside his armor and pull out a sealed letter.
"What's that?" Garrett asked raising an eyebrow.
"A letter… written by your sister" Sir Thrask answered. Garrett's eyes widen and he strode forward grabbing the letter only for Sir Thrask to hold onto it as well. The letter stood stuck between their grasps…
"I will give it to you but first I want you to promise me something" Sir Thrask said looking unblinkingly at Garrett.
"What?" Garrett asked narrowing his eyes and his other free hand form into a fist.
"I've been thinking things over. The reason you joined this Coterie mess… you were speaking for the smugglers. Then I remembered back when Bethany was first taken you told her that you would find a way to help her" Sir Thrask began.
Garret's heart was pounding in his chest.
"I pieced it together and I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. I didn't think anyone would be foolish enough to try and break someone out of the Circle but you need to stop" Sir Thrask said.
"Promise me you won't try anything stupid like breaking your sister out of the Circle and you can have this letter… maybe I can even arrange for a visit hopefully with more to follow" Sir Thrask finished.
A visit… he's trying to bribe me Garrett thought.
"I don't want to have to arrest you Hawke. You're a good man who I respect and you saved my life" Sir Thrask said as Garrett remained silent.
"You took my sister away from me" Garrett said suddenly. "I didn't know that she was your sister Hawke" Sir Thrask said quickly. "But you would have taken her anyway! You told me remember" Garrett countered.
"It was out of my hands. The Templars would have taken her there was no way I could have stopped it" Sir Thrask countered. "What about Feynriel? We let him go to the Dalish remember. You already let an Apostate go free or did you forget?" Garrett countered.
"That's was different. I was only investigating because the lad's mother asked me to and only I knew. There was no official order to take him in. Sir Cullen already had a signed order for your sister I couldn't have stopped it" Sir Thrask said nearly shouting.
"I spent years protecting my sister from men like you Thrask. I devoted my life to keeping her hidden from the Templars" Garrett said anger rising from his bones.
Thrask let out a haggard breathe saying "I know how you feel Hawke truly."
"I tried to protect my daughter but I failed her..." Sir Thrask said somberly. "You're a hypocrite Thrask! You would have done anything to save your daughter and I kept your secret but you took my sister!" Garrett shouted.
Sir Thrask stood silent at that.
"What would you have done if the Templars came for your daughter huh? Who was the mother anyway? Some Circle mage you forced yourself on huh is that it!" Garrett said coldly.
Sir Thrask glared up at Garrett saying "how dare you! Leave my daughter out of this! You think I don't know how hard it was for you! For years I kept my daughter hidden no even knew she was mine! I couldn't even hold a proper funeral for her!"
Garrett laughed coldly without any joy in eyes as he said "see you wouldn't have sent her off to the Circle. My sister never used Blood Magic but your daughter did."
"Don't you see I should have sent her… she always had trouble with her magic. You think I don't know that I didn't have the strength to do what was needed. She died because I never saw that she needed the Circle" Thrask said sadly.
"Mages need the circle. The Templars exist for a reason… look at Leech… look at my daughter which you so painfully make me do" Thrask said somberly.
"My sister isn't your daughter. She never use Blood Magic she would never become an abomination" Garrett said fiercely.
"Maybe… but Bethany's in the Circle now. You think even if you did somehow free her that that it would end? The Templars would chase you wherever you went. You think we can't make more than one phylactery?" Sir Thrask said harshly.
"They need control Garrett not every mage is your sister!" Sir Thrask said.
"And not every mage is Leech!" Garrett countered having had enough of this.
Before he realized it Garrett's fist had found Sir Thrask's face and the Templar stumbled back as the letter slipped from his grasp. "I was trying to do this the easy way" Sir Thrask muttered as suddenly as he was on his feet and his fist found Garrett's face.
Garrett stumbled back the letter slipped from his grasp and falling to the floor.
"I wish it was different Garrett but this is the way it is. Don't do anything stupid or their will be consequences" Sir Thrask said as Garrett got up.
Before Sir Thrask could react Garrett charged and tackled the Templar.
As Thrask was pushed back he brought his knee to Garrett's chest.
And so they were brawling in the back of the Hanged Man. No weapons just their fists only Thrask was surprised that Garrett seemed to know some of the Templars training. In the end neither was able to get the upper hand.
"Are we done!" Garrett shouted as he and Sir Thrask panted from their brawl. "This doesn't change things" Sir Thrask said tired of fighting.
"I planned for this you know. I had some friends of mine get proof about your daughter… you stop me and Meredith learns you knew of an Apostate's existence and didn't send her to the Circle" Garrett said harshly.
Sir Thrask's eyes widened. "You're bluffing I was careful" Thrask said.
"Not careful enough. I didn't want to use that card unless I had to but what was that you said I wish it was different Thrask but this is the way it is. Don't do anything stupid or their will be consequences" Garrett said throwing Thrask's words back at him.
Sir Thrask stood speechless as Garret reached over and scooped up Bethany's letter which was a little dirty but no worse for wear. "Thanks for the letter… that was a good brawl" Garrett said haggardly as he left without saying another word.
Reaching his home in Hightown and falling atop his bed Garrett held the letter up and took a deep breath opening it.
Dear Garrett
I don't know when you will get this. I've been trying to write but the Templars won't let me send letters yet.
I just wanted to let you know that I'm doing okay.
I know you always did everything you could to protect me but it's fine.
I don't blame you even if you blame yourself. You've always been my big brother and I love you. So Garrett please don't get into any trouble on my behalf.
It hasn't been easy but I'm surviving. I've made a few friends here even if the Templars tend to watch us a lot.
I don't really know what's going on in the city anymore.
But I'm sure you're busy trying to get used to the life of Nobility with mother. I hope mother is okay and please tell her I'm fine I don't want her worrying about me.
Say hi to Varric and everyone for me. I miss those days with our friends. We're only allowed to send so many letters but I'll send as many as I can.
Your sister, Bethany.
Garrett reread the letter several times before slowly putting it down.
"She's okay" he said slowly looking tired and worn out. He laughed even though nothing was funny he was just so relieved to hear something of his baby sister after months of nothing.
"I'll get you out Bethany. I couldn't save Carver… but I can save you" Garrett said just to hear the words as he went to bed.
Day of the Reckoning
Hawke's estate
"So you and Thrask really just brawled it out? Seriously Hawke? This sounds like one of Varric's absurd tales" Aveline said even as she examined Garrett's face.
"It wasn't so bad" Garrett said lightly as Aveline reached a hand up to feel the bruises on his face.
"I swear Hawke you do the craziest things but a fight with a Templar that's a little too far. I worry about you sometimes" Aveline said her hand lingering on his face for a moment.
"I'm fine and it'll all work out" Garrett said grinning lightly as Aveline lowered her hand saying "be sure to get that looked at." "I will now come on I promised to share a drink with a friend before I left" Garrett said as he led the two of them to his dining table.
"I don't have too much wine or ale just what was left over from when the Tevinter slavers lived here but I'm sure we can find something" Garrett said causally.
"I brought some for us" Aveline said pulling something out of her carrying pouch. "Oh?" Garrett asked surprised as Aveline placed a very expensive looking wine bottle on the dining table.
Seeing the look on Garrett's face Aveline shrugged saying "I'm not really supposed to do this but when we were clearing out one of the Coterie's estates I snagged this."
"You stole the Coterie's wine?" Garrett asked his eyebrows raised.
"What? They didn't need it anymore and why not put it to good use" Aveline answered.
Garrett laughed as Aveline joined in. "It's a special occasion now come on let's drink some of the Coterie's wine it cost more than my rent" Aveline chuckled. Pulling two glasses out Garrett let Aveline pour them the Coterie's expensive wine before they toasted.
"… This just taste like regular wine to me" Garrett said after he and Aveline had started drinking the expensive wine.
"Yeah… I don't see why it's so expensive" Aveline said as they both chuckled. Neither one of them was used to the more extravagant life. Either way they enjoyed the expensive wine simply because the Coterie had once owned it.
The two of them only finished a fifth of the wine but that was okay they mostly reminisced of everything they had been through.
They both had survived the Fall of Ostagar. They both had made it to Kirkwall and lost people along the way and they had a shared sense of loss from that. They both had found their own way in Kirkwall moving up in the world from simple refugees.
"I'm going to miss you Garrett" Aveline said honestly.
"I'll miss you too Aveline I wish I could see you become Guard Captain" Garrett said warmly.
Aveline laughed lightly saying "we don't know that I'll be the next Guard Captain. Qerth has just as much chance as me." "For once I agree with the Seneschal trust me one day you'll be Guard Captain and restore honor to the title" Garrett said firmly.
"Thank you… I still can't believe Ewald betrayed us. He was the one who recruited me into the City Guard and to think he thought I would join Dixon's men" Aveline said bitterly.
"I never asked. Who are you? I know it must have been hard seeing Ewald arrested" Garrett said looking concerned for one of his oldest friends.
Aveline looked away for a moment and stared at her glass of wine before saying "the City Guard has lost a lot of good men Senior Officer Cedric, and Former Guard Captain Ewald. But we're rebuilding."
"And it's just hard sometimes… knowing that even someone like Ewald could fall so low and betray everything he once stood for. I used to look up to him" Aveline said somberly. "I'm sure you'll do the Viscount proud Aveline. Ewald got greedy and blamed everything on the world but you're better than that" Garrett said honestly.
Aveline smiled at that saying "Garrett you have a lot of practice at pep talks it seems. Is this what Bethany felt always having you at her back for support. It's kinda nice."
Garrett chuckled.
"Things are a little boring now but it's good. The city's changing everyone can see it and it's only going to get better" Aveline said. "The Coterie really is gone then? That's a relief" Garrett said.
"Still a few scumbags out there but we're cleaning the streets up now that there's no organized crime anymore" Aveline said. "Things really are changing… I wish I could see how it ends up. Kirkwall without organized crime it'll be a whole different city in a year's time" Garrett said.
"I wish you could see it too Garrett. You know I still think you would have been an amazing City Guard Garrett. You would've done the city proud with me and Donnic" Aveline said honestly.
But they both knew it could never happen. Just like when Aveline had first asked Garrett nearly a year ago. Garrett always had his family to look after and he would never let himself be in a position where the Templars had more power than he did.
"It's getting pretty late Aveline. I should be leaving soon" Garrett said standing up as Aveline nodded sadly. He walked her to the door and let her out as he gathered his thing he would take with him when he left Kirkwall.
"Here we are" Aveline said as they both stood outside his estate.
"Goodbye Aveline have a good life" Garrett said warmly as he held out his hand.
Aveline shook Garrett's hands before reaching over and hugging him. "You too Garrett. Keep Bethany safe but do something for me will you?" Aveline said as she hugged her fellow Ferelden.
"What?" Garrett asked.
"Garrett have a life again. You spent so much time protecting your family and after Bethany was taken you never got to appreciate what you made for yourself here. Protect Bethany but please live your life too. Make friends and find a good girl. A girl who's willing to move around with you and your family" Aveline said finally.
"… I'll try Aveline" Garrett said as their hugged ended and they parted ways. The Hawke estate was locked and would stay that way until Gamlen returned to Kirkwall.
Garrett and his trusty hound Kane headed for the meeting place outside the Docks where he would meet Tolan.
"Kane you can't come with us on the ship but wait around the Docks for me and I'll collect you before we leave Kirkwall" Garrett said kneeling down to Kane whom wagged his tail and licked his master's face.
Mabari were smart and he understood Garrett.
Garrett found Tolan waiting for him outside the Docks… except something was wrong the Smuggler Lord was wearing his Raider Mask again.
"What's going on?" Garrett asked as they stood outside the Docks.
"There's been a slight change plans. One last thing then we break Bethany out" Tolan said. "You said when the Coterie branch fell you would help me" Garrett said growing anxious as turned to stare at the Gallows visible in the distance.
"And I will help you but I need one last favor. I'm trying to make a deal with the Red Iron and Meeran will only hear me out if you come with me... the two of us have a history" Tolan said calmly.
"Just help you set this deal up? That's it nothing else" Garrett said feeling the urge to pace back and forth but forcing himself not to. "That's all it'll take less than ten minutes" Tolan said as he gestured for Garrett to follow him to the Red Iron's base nearby.
Need to get this over quickly Garrett thought. The Red Iron base was a space squeezed between the Docks and Lowtown, similar to the space the Qunari were given, but with an office Meeran had set up.
Inside Garrett found that two of Tolan's smugglers were already at the Red Iron base handing out ale to the mercenaries who were celebrating. "Hawke" Chella said glad to see Garrett as she and the other smuggler were handing out drinks.
"Chella what's going on here?" Garrett asked as he and Tolan entered the Red Iron base seeing the mercenaries were partying drunkenly already.
"I sent them. A good ice breaker to set the mood Meeran doesn't like me so I thought I'd get his men on my side to make sure he heard me out" Tolan answered before Chella could say anything. "But Meeran likes me… that's why you needed my help" Garrett said seeing that Tolan did have the mercenaries on his side but still not Meeran himself.
"Boss he's waiting in his office for you" Chella said pointing to Meeran's office. Tolan and Garrett nodded and headed over there.
Inside Meeran's office sat the man himself sitting patiently by himself. As Garrett closed the door behind him he could still hear the mercenaries outside having a good time.
"Hawke and let me guess mister handsome face! Good to see you two again and thanks for the drinks my men enjoyed it" Meeran said gesturing for the two of them to take a seat on either side of his table.
"I thought it would help smooth things over" Tolan said as he and Garrett took their seats. "I don't appreciate you two bringing your weapons here" Meeran added harshly.
"We're in your base surrounded by your men you really think we would try anything" Tolan said dryly almost like he was bored. "We were doing something and you never know when you need to defend yourself" Garrett said backing up the Smuggler Lord.
Tolan suddenly raised a hand slowly taking off his Raider Mask and revealing his scarred face as he looked Meeran in the eye.
"Ha knew it was you" Meeran said smugly.
"We worked very well together during this Coterie business. I was thinking maybe we could come to an agreement of sorts" Tolan said getting to the point. "I know you two don't get along but this business. Don't let personal issues cloud your judgment you two can help each other" Garrett said playing his part.
"I brought a present for you on good faith" Tolan said pulling an old bottle of rum out of his carrying pouch and placing it on the table. "Antivan brew I had to pay a great deal to import this into the city" Tolan said.
Meeran looked at the bottle greedily and grabbed it taking the lid off and pouring himself a drink saying "I love this rum you did your homework."
Suddenly Meeran pushed a glass of the Antivan rum to Tolan and poured anther for Garrett saying "drink… I demand it." Garrett raised an eyebrow but Tolan picked up his glass and slowly took a single drink for Meeran to see and Garrett took a sip or two.
I already drank with Aveline Garrett thought deciding not to drink much of the rum. Meeran smiled and poured a drink for himself before swallowing almost all of it in a single gulp and slamming the glass down.
"That's the stuff" Meeran said smiling. "The Coterie's dead and the City Guard is cleaning the city up. Together we could make our own little empire but not like the Coterie. We would stand by our alliance" Tolan said suddenly.
"I'm listening" Meeran said refilling his glass and enjoying the rum.
Why am I still here? Garrett thought as Tolan and Meeran continued to talk about joining the mercenaries and the smugglers. Meeran listened on good faith and keep taking drink after drink of the Antivan rum getting obviously drunk by the first two minutes.
"Together we could look out for each other and if anyone ever tires to make another Coterie branch we can take them out without the City Guard. As long as we don't go too far we can have our empire" Tolan said.
Is Meeran even paying attention anymore? Garrett thought seeing that Meeran seemed to be having trouble sitting in his chair.
Suddenly there was a loud thump from outside followed by another and another and the sounds of glasses shattering as they hit the floor.
"What's going on out there" Garrett said getting to his feet as he slowly peered at the front door wondering what was happening outside as Meeran only blinked clearly wasted.
"Tolan something's happened" Garrett said turning back to them only to gape at what had happened in the seconds after the commotion outside.
Faster than Garrett believed possible Tolan had slide from his chair dagger raised and impaled it into Meeran's throat… Meeran's eyes widened as he slumped in his chair before he let out one last croak with blood flooding down in his chest.
Tolan had killed Meeran.
As Garrett was still taking in Meeran's death Tolan started moving again as he grabbed the table and flip it sending it Garrett's way. Garrett stepped back only managing to draw his Longsword as Tolan fell upon him with Longsword and Dagger.
"I always did want a rematch" Tolan said as he pushed Garrett back and back not letting up forcing to keep his Longsword raised.
The rum… Tolan only took one drink while Meeran never stopped. Poison but it wasn't meant to killGarrett realized as he tried to bat Tolan away and unsheathe his Shield only for Tolan to dart forward and slash his chest with his Dagger.
Tolan's Dagger pierced through Garrett's Reinforced Leather armor leaving a light cut running across his chest.
That one cut is what decided the fight.
Garrett lumbered back feeling numb. That Dagger… it's poisoned just like the rum was Garrett realized as managed to shove Tolan back. Already Garrett could start to feel his body going numb.
It was getting harder and harder to move and keep pace and Tolan was merely toying with him.
Garrett frantically slashed his Longsword only for Tolan to lazy block and he parried the longsword out of Garrett's hand. Garrett's Longsword landed on the floor with a thud.
Not wasting any time Tolan punched Garrett then kicked him and slashed his back with the poisoned Dagger.
Garrett managed to slip away from Tolan but he was weak and he was having trouble standing from his wounds and the poison. Garrett managed to pull free his Ostagar knife and hold it out but Tolan causally strode over Longsword and Dagger raised.
Smirking Tolan sheathed his Longsword and rushed forward as Garrett tried to stab him only for Tolan to grab his wrist mid-stab. Tolan elbowed Garrett in the face and slashed him again with the poisoned Dagger.
The Ostagar knife slide from Garrett's grasp and Tolan caught it. Garrett fell to his knees trying to stand but the poison was too strong… already he could feel himself paralysed and slump over.
"Why?" Garrett managed to whisper as he lost feeling and lay unable to move.
"You really haven't figured it out yet?" Tolan asked sounding more amused than anything else as the office door slammed opened and Chella stormed in followed by the other smuggler.
"Boss what's going we heard swords clash" Chella asked as Tolan's other smuggler stepped inside as well. "Hawke!" Chella said genuinely shocked as she him laying unmoving on the floor. "Boss, Hawke too?" the other smuggler asked.
Garrett lay unable to even speak as Tolan nodded saying "change in plans I have something special in mind for Hawke." Chella gaped and looked between Tolan and Garrett saying "but boss… you said… you said… you said you would help him."
Tolan scares her Garrett realized as he watched Chella.
"You two pick him up we need to leave quickly. Leave the Coterie's mark on one of the walls we need the City Guard to think whatever's left of the Coterie did this" Tolan said having thought of everything like usual.
"Hawke… I didn't know. I swear I didn't know" Chella whispered as and the other smuggler picked up Garrett. She really didn't know. Damn Chella help me! Garrett thought still unable to move as they exited Meeran's office.
Outside in Red Iron base Garrett finally saw the commotion that had been the distraction that gave Tolan what he needed to kill Meeran.
Littered all over the base where the dead bodies of the Red Iron mercenaries every single one of them had been poised and killed.
"Not bad huh. I took down the entire Red Iron with some poisoned drinks" Tolan said smirking.
Two poisons. One in the ale all the mercenaries were using to kill them and another in the Antivan rum to paralyze Meeran. Tolan was hoping it would work on me too but I didn't drink enough of it so he used his Dagger Garrett realized.
Tolan waited as his other smuggler left the Coterie's mark on one the Red Iron base's walls giving the City Guard a false lead. "Come on" Tolan said gesturing to Chella and his other smugglers and together the three of them left the Red Iron base, Garrett having to be dragged.
Can't move Garrett thought in despair as Tolan and his smugglers dragged Garrett to the large areas underneath the Docks that served as the 'top' of the Kirkwall sewers.
People generally didn't hang around these areas as they were used mostly for storing excess garbage until it was shipped out of Kirkwall and to one of the Garbage Islands, and at times by Smugglers as long they remembered to bribe some Dockers.
Garrett could hear the roar of the Waking Sea and its brutal currents under them along with the flood water being redirected out of the City by the massive pipes near them.
Chella and Tolan's other smuggler placed Garrett next to one of the massive pipes as Tolan instructed them.
"Leave us. Await me at the Docks" Tolan ordered dismissing his two smugglers. Chella looked back at Garrett and stepped towards Tolan saying "boss… please don't do this. Hawke was one of us he did everything you asked."
"You promised you'd help him don't do this" Chella pleaded. "Are you questioning my orders Chella?" Tolan asked sternly. Before Chella could answer Tolan slit her throat with a slash of his Dagger.
Chella fell to the floor dead as the other smuggler shifted uneasily.
"Boss?" the smuggler asked as Tolan gestured to the missive pipes. The smuggler nodded grimly as he picked up Chella's corpse and throw it inside the massive pipes that redirected the flood water out of the city.
Chella's corpse instantly vanished with the strong artificial currents pulling her down… her body would never be found either crashing down to the lower levels of the Undercity or else popping up in the Waking Sea where the currents would pull her far away from Kirkwall.
"Leave us Aidith and await in the Docks" Tolan said turning to other smuggler, Aidith his name was apparently.
Aidith hurried left without even looking back at Garrett.
Now that they were alone Tolan held up Garrett's Ostagar knife saying "you still haven't figured it out Hawke? Fine I'll explain it to you I owe you that much for the help you gave me."
Kneeling down to look Garrett in the eye Tolan loomed over him knowing that Garrett was unable to fight back.
"I'm a liar Hawke. I lie a lot. You know during all this mess with the Coterie I was worried that you'd see through my lies but no. You wanted to believe everything I said because your family is your weakness" Tolan began.
"Don't you see Athenril didn't give your sister to the Templars" Tolan said suddenly as Garrett felt his heart stop and his eyes widen. That was all the movement he could managed.
"I gave your sister to the Templars" Tolan said coldly.
Somewhere inside of him Garrett felt a rage unlike anything he'd ever known his life swell up like a caged animal with nowhere to go. Garrett just glared at Tolan with cold furry unable to do anything.
"I wanted my revenge and I could have taken it several times but I thought I could use you and I was right. Thanks to you I brought down the Coterie and took control of the smugglers. Thanks to you I made a deal with the City Guard and took down the Red Iron" Tolan said.
"I knew that with your sister in the Circle you would do anything to get her out. Even help me with my plans" Tolan said coldly. "Kirkwall is my city now. The Coterie's dead, the Red Iron's gone, and after this alliance is over the City Guard won't even know about my empire" Tolan said.
The smugglers are the last organized criminals in the entire city now Garrett realized as he glared wishing he could do something.
"No one will ever know Garrett. Everyone thinks you and Bethany ran away and anyone who starts to look into it dies. Varric might suffer an accident on his way to Cumberland and for your uncle and mother I'll get rid of them when the time comes" Tolan said coldly.
He made sure I said my goodbyes Garrett thought.
Tolan placed the blade of Garrett's Ostagar knife on Garrett's cheek saying "I temped to just kill you and be over with it but no I want you to suffer."
Putting away Garrett's Ostagar knife Tolan grabbed his own face tracing the ragged scar that ran across his lips and past his cheeks as he glared at Garrett saying "I never forgive."
Tolan hauled Garrett up holding over the massive pipes that had gotten rid of Chella's corpse, he could hear the current roaring beneath him.
"I hope you don't drown right away Garrett. I hope you survive the fall and land in the Undercity with every bone in your body broken. I hope you starve to death alone and forgotten as I almost did so long ago" Tolan said.
Without another word Tolan dropped Garrett letting him fall in the massive pipes that redirected the flood water out of the city.
Garrett couldn't move as the current forced him down the pipes, he couldn't stop the water flooding his mouth. He could himself being literally pushed out of the city and falling down and down to either land in the Undercity or the Waking sea.
He couldn't breathe the water had filled his lungs… Garrett was drowning.
Bethany I'm sorry he thought as he lost consciousness no longer able to breathe as the water filled his lungs, he knew he was dying. The current pulled Garrett's lifeless body along and he fell… only something happened that shouldn't have.
Some force grabbed Garrett's lifeless body and pulled him against the current. Instead of crashing down into the lower levels of the Undercity his descent was slowed and he landed hard but not hard enough to kill.
Tolan was wrong... Garrett had not broken any bones after all. The danger was not over however his lungs were still filled with water and Garrett lay unmoving as a small figured appeared, almost like a child.
The child like figure found the lifeless Garrett right where he'd been told to wait. Without speaking a word the child like figure grabbed Garrett's lifeless body and pulled him away... heading somewhere safe.
The Docks
Tolan stood waiting for his men. He had two knives sheathed on his belt, his Ostagar knife and Garrett's.
Only one more to collect Tolan thought as he remembered Aveline Vallen the other Ostagar survivor he would have to deal with.
Just then his men arrived under the cover of night in their mini fleet of small smuggling ships carrying Marcus's money. "It worked then? No witness and a death at sea for Marcus?" Tolan asked as he helped his smugglers off the ship along with the coin.
"Plan worked like a charm boss" one of the smugglers answered. "How about Hawke? He leave with his sister yet? I didn't know him to well but I wanted to wish him good luck in his new life" another smuggler said.
"Hawke's gone. He and his sister are headed for Orlais and from there only the Maker knows" Tolan lied. The smugglers simply nodded as they hauled Marcus's coin back to base with Tolan taking the lead as usual.
Tolan's reckoning was complete. Now all he had to do was tie up some loose ends.
But somewhere else at the Docks a Mabari was searching frantically for his master. Kane ran along with ports looking for his master. The trusty hound sniffed at the air but found nothing.
Kane whimpered before howling loudly for his master…
Kinda of a dark chapter huh.
But the story isn't over so stay tuned.
The true villain has been revealed remember the way Justice reacted to Tolan.
This chapter was kinda hard for me to write because I wanted it to really feel like Hawke was saying goodbye.
As for why Garrett couldn't see it coming he wanted to believe he could save his sister
and saw only what had wanted to see and that blinded him
Thanks for Reading and please Review!