Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Dragon Age. Now lawyers leave me be as I sit in a corner and cry.
"Excuse us Bartrand but you need us!"
"No!"
"Come now, use your senses. You need people like us to make sure that any enemies that are down in the Deep Roads won't be able to lay a hand on you," Carver said. "We can do that. We've fought darkspawn. Hell we've fought an ogre."
"Andraste's tits, I've had enough," Bertrand responded. "I don't care if you've slain a dragon, I've hired enough humans on this expedition. There's no more room. Get lost!"
Carver was about to show the dwarf the nasty end on a blade but a hand from his brother stopped him. Carver let off a resigned sigh and turned away, disheartened by another lost opportunity.
"There goes another job."
"I understand how you feel Carver but we'll get no favors shoving a fists in people's faces," Hawke said.
"I know. But what choice do we have. It seems like you either die in this city or you become the very person you hate if you don't have the coin or you're born into nobility," Carver said. "We're not like Harry, able to swindle a man and take charge of the Hanged Man. We're simple Fereldens."
"Maybe we can ask Harry to speak on our behalf," Hawke said. "He always did have a way with words."
Carver grinned. "Not to mention the liver of iron. Better him than uncle Gamlen."
The pair strode off towards Lowtown to meet their friend Harry. Unlike them, once he was out of servitude, Harry had been able to set himself a new line of work. In one night, he swindled the bar from its previous owner and closed it down, much to the chagrin of many in Lowtown. After a week though, he opened it to the public. Unlike the dirty bar it used to be, it was a much pleasent place to be. It had better beer, better drinks, even a trough where the drunken patrons could vomit in. It was a extraordinary success and was raking in coins, much to Gamlen's chagrin. Bethany often worked as a waitress there, much to Carver's chagrin. Still they owed much to the quirky magician. If it wasn't for him, they wouldn't have been so well fed.
The pair walked down a couple of steps and turned a corner. Hawke bumped into a stranger. Hawke turned to apologize but realized that his purse was gone. He looked up to see that the stranger was running away. Hawke hurried after the thief, praying that the thief wouldn't run away. As he turned a corner, he heard a sharp twang and a thud accompanied by a pained cry. He rounded the corner and saw a stout dwarf knock out the thief. The dwarf smirked as he retrieved the purse and tossed it over to Hawke.
"Varric Tethras at your service," the dwarf said, twirling his arrow. "How do you do?"
"Thank you for stopping the thief," Hawke said, politely. The dwarf smirked.
"I apologize for Bertrand. He wouldn't know an opportunity if it hit him in the face," Varric said politely.
"And you would?" Hawke asked. Varric nodded.
"Of course I would," Varric said. "However, what my brother doesn't realize is that we need people like you. He would never admit it. He's too stubborn. I, on the other way, am very open minded."
"If you need us, perhaps you can persuade him to hire us," Hawke asked. Varric shook his head.
"We don't need another hireling," Varric explained. "The truth is that my brother has been tearing his beard out trying to fund this expedition. Invest in the expedition. Fifty sovereigns and I will be able to vouch for you."
Hawke gave Varric a wry smile.
"If I had that amount of coin, I wouldn't be asking for a job like this, would I?"
Varric chuckled. "You're looking at this the wrong way. In Kirkwall there are plenty of errands that need to be done. All you have to do is save a little bit from every job you do and you will have your money in no time."
"Aveline works in the city guard," Carver piped up. "She might have some bounties for us. And Harry might be willing to give us a loan if he knew what we were doing."
Varric chuckled. "You mean the rogue at the Hanged Man? I like him. Tells stories that make me hard pressed to keep up. Man's got a tongue of silver inlaid with gold. He could charm anyone out of their purses. Well, everyone except the pretty barmaid that works there."
"Bethany?" Carver asked. Varric nodded.
"Yeah that's her name!" Varric said.
"Well enough about my sister," Hawke said. "Why would you trust a complete stranger?"
"I'm willing to trust one of your reputation," Varric said. "Besides if you take me up on this offer, we'd be partners. I'd be willing to trust you if you trust me."
Hawke nodded and held out a hand. "It's a deal."
Varric smiled widely and shook Hawke's hand.
"When you're not busy, come down to the Hanged Man. I might be able to find a couple jobs that you can do."
Hours later, Hawke and Carver arrived back at the Hanged Man. Hawke opened the door only to see someone fly out.
"And stay out you filthy bastard!"
Said person stood up and drew his sword. Hawke raised an eyebrow when he noticed that it was a Templar.
"Who do you think you are! I'm Ser Conrad of the Templars!"
A pewter mug flew from the bar and nailed the knight in the crotch with an audible clang. Hawke and Carver winced as the templar's eyes crossed in pain before slumping to the ground.
"Never a dull day at the Hanged Man," Carver muttered amused. Hawke shook his head and stepped inside the rowdy bar.
Inside the bar, people of all sorts were drinking, conversing, and having a good time as beer and liquor flowed freely. In a corner was a band of Fereldens playing merry music that filled the air, along with the smell of rich food. At the bar, Hawke and Carver saw their sister, Bethany, serving up numerous patrons with a wide smile on her face. She served a man his drink and spotted her two siblings, waving at them happily. The two brothers approached the bar and leaned over to greet their sister.
"Hello sister, having a good time serving as the barmaid?" Carver asked.
Bethany nodded. "It's such a good job and many of the people here are such good tippers. I'm grateful that Harry let me have this job."
Bethany turned and filled two beers for her brother and a mug of butterbeer for herself. She handed her brothers the drink and raised her mug up high.
"Besides, this butterbeer is delicious. I can't get enough of it!"
Hawke smiled and toasted her sister. "Well I'm happy for you. How's mother?"
"She's doing well. The fact that Uncle Gamlen lost the estate hit her pretty hard but she's getting better with Harry helping our family out. He even found a job for Uncle Gamlen as well."
"Really?" Carver said. "I can't imagine anything our rotten uncle of ours would be good for."
"He's the official trough scrubber," Bethany said, giggling.
Carver let off a bark of laughter and raised his mug. "Well for our dear uncle's health then!"
"Cheers!"
Hawke and Carver drank deeply, savoring the rich beer. They slammed the mugs on the bar and glanced around.
"Where is our roguish friend anyway?" Carver asked.
"You called, Junior?"
Carver jumped in surprise to see Harry sitting beside them, wearing a ridiculous false beard and a eyebrows complete with a drab robe and tattered hat.
"Stop doing that!" Carver exclaimed.
"What, and miss your shocked expression?" Harry asked. "Never."
Hawke chuckled. "It's good to see you Harry."
"You too. Anyway, a mutual associate of ours just told me you two are raising money for the Deep Roads Expedition?" Harry asked.
"Varric told you?" Carver asked.
"Varric? You mean the storyteller with the crossbow named Bianca?" Bethany asked. Harry nodded.
"That's the one. But yes, Varric did tell me," Harry said. "Anyways, I'm interested in this trip as well."
"Really?" Hawke asked. "Being a partner as well?"
Harry chuckled and shook his head. "No, nothing so drastic. Just promise me that I'll be part of the Deep Roads Expedition."
"What about your bar?" Carver asked.
"Bethany can run it. Maker knows that she knows it better than I do," Harry said. Bethany frowned and glared at Harry.
"That's because you spend half of your time drunk and telling tall tales along with that dwarf and pirate captain!" Bethany reprimanded.
Harry's eyes widened in shock and he clutched Hawke in a tight hug.
"Your sister is so cruel!" Harry wailed.
"No, just honest," Carver commented, eliciting more wails of sorrow from the quirky man. Hawke gave his brother an exasperated glance and pushed Harry off of his person.
"Anyways, just to show you support, here's a start-up fund to help you," Harry said tossing Hawke a purse. Hawke took the purse and upended it. Fifteen solid gold sovereigns fell out into the palm of Hawke's hand.
"Harry, I-!"
"Take it. Otherwise I'll hold a drinking contest for the Templars and then pretend the blood mage Edward Cullen is sacrificing goats while molesting a pig on the chantry rooftops when they're all drunk," Harry said curtly.
"I'd take it if I were you," Bethany advised. "He'll do it if you don't. Despite my best efforts, he still feels that antagonizing the Templars is the best source of enjoyment."
"Isn't that risky?" Carver said. "After all, you are an apostate. They'll clap you in chains if they find out."
Harry gave Carver a nonchalant wave. "Bah, as long as I don't mess with Knight-Commander Meredith or her precious lieutenants, they'll dare not report me. After all, they'd rather die than admit that they spent the night watch trying to scrub out itchleaf powder from their crotch plates."
Hawke gave a bark of laughter and pocketed the purse.
"Thank you Harry."
Harry nodded. He looked around and cracked a huge smile.
"Well, well, look have we here," Harry muttered.
Hawke and Carver turned around to see Varric sauntering over towards them with a huge smirk on his face. He politely greeted Carver and Bethany before turning to Hawke.
"Good that you're already here. I want to discuss a few things about the Deep Roads Expedition. I even have a few jobs that can be done," Varric said. He turned to Harry who was patiently drinking his beer. "Do I know you?"
Hawke was initially confused as to why Varric didn't recognize Harry before he realized that Harry still had his disguise.
"In fact you do. Recently I gave Bertrand quite a significant loan for an investment. Unfortunately for Bertrand, the investment was not as profitable as he promised," Harry said. "So in order to pay off his loan, he signed you over for one year of indentured servitude."
"WHAT?" Varric roared. "That no-good, nub humping, lyrium-sucking, son of a transvestite whore!"
Varric continued to spout of curses while Harry and Hawke were suppressing their amusement. Carver and Bethany sighed at the pair's antics and waited until the dwarf had calmed down. Varric sighed and turned to Harry with a resigned look.
"Look serrah, my brother is planning an expedition into the Deep Roads. As soon as he returns, I'll make sure that he pays up," Varric said.
"No need," Harry replied. "Though I'm quite surprised you did not recognize me even though you're sober. Oh be still my breaking heart!"
"Huh?" Varric said. "Wait a minute."
Harry ripped off the fake beard, mustache, and eyebrows.
"Tadah!"
In response, Varric socked him in the nuts. Hawke winced as Harry slumped to the ground in pain.
"No fair, below the belt," Harry wheezed painfully.
"I'm a dwarf. Below the belt is fair game," Varric shot back. He looked up to see Hawke struggling not to laugh. "What?"
"For a rogue, you certainly fell for that trick," Hawke said. Varric's eyebrow rose.
"In my defense, it was believable. Bartrand would sell me into servitude if he could get away with it," Varric said. "Course I'm too valuable."
"Right," Harry piped up, giving a wheezing laughter.
"Anyway, back to what I was saying, I have good information that there is a Gray Warden in the city," Varric said. "In order for this expedition to succeed, we'll need to convince this Warden to let us use his maps so we can avoid darkspawn when we travel down there."
"Why would the Gray Wardens have the best maps?" Carver asked. "Wouldn't a dwarf map be better?"
Varric shook his head. "Gray Wardens dedicate their whole lives to fighting darkspawn. And since much of the Deep Roads is flooding with darkspawn, they have the best knowledge of the area. As for dwarf maps, you're lucky if you can get one to a chamber pot, much less buried treasure. As a race, we dwarves are greedy."
"Makes sense," Hawke said. "So how do you intend on finding this Grey Warden?"
"My contacts said that he's in Darktown helping the Ferelden refugees. Now I'll look suspicious if I ask around. However, you and Junior have a better chance since you two are also Ferelden," Varric explained.
"He's right you know," Bethany said. "We Fereldens are fiercely loyal to our own. Wouldn't surprise me if you were attacked by refugees if you asked about him."
Varric nodded. "Now I can hold my own in a scrap but it doesn't feel right to fight such desperate people."
"Do you have a good place to start?" Hawke asked.
"Try the Ferelden shelter in Lowtown," Harry said. "Might be a good place to look."
"Good idea," Varric said. "In the meantime though, here are a couple jobs that I found. You can split them between Junior and Sunshine."
Varric pulled out a couple leaflets from his belt. It was an assortment of odd jobs and bounties. Carver took the leaflets and eyed the descriptions.
"A couple of these we can do off the bat. Look here, there's one about rescuing the vicount's son."
"What?" Hawke asked. Carver handed his brother the leaflet.
"That's strange," Bethany mused. "You'd think the son of the most powerful man of the city wouldn't be unprotected."
"If you ask my opinion," Varric started, "I think this is one task we ought to finish as soon as we can."
"I agree. Having the vicount's approval would help a lot in the long run," Carver said.
"Then its settled," Harry said. "Off to the vicount's office we go!"
"But we can't leave the bar unattended!" Bethany argued.
"If I may, I-," Varric started. However he was cut off by Harry.
"No way," Harry said. "Last time I let you use be the bartender, you turned filled it with prostitutes! I'm trying to make a respectable establishment here, damnit!"
"Worth it," Varric replied.
Hawke grabbed Harry and dragged the cursing mage out of the Hanged Man while Bethany and Carver followed him. Hawke chuckled at the foul river of curses that flew from Harry's mouth that were so vulgar and imaginative that Carver covered Bethany's ears, to protect her virgin ears.
"And when I get back you pig-raping, nub-sucking, son of a whorish Chantry abomination made from the Maker's forgotten third testicle and pissed into-!"
"HARRY!" Carver roared.
"What?"
An hour later the Hawke siblings stumbled out of the viscount's Keep, completely exhausted. Carver glared at Harry, for once wishing he could cast magic so as to smite the roguish barman to the Maker's side. Strolling behind them, Harry swaggered with a satisfied smirk as he listened with glee at the cries of confusion and panic within the Keep. Guards were running trying to maintain the calm within the Keep as for some odd reason, nearly a hundred chickens were set free inside the Keep. Harry chuckled as a particularly loud scream was heard from the Keep.
"Well, I say that business venture went well," Harry said. "What do you think Garret?"
"While I do not agree with your negotiation methods, we do have a sizable amount of bounties we can now chase," Hawke said calmly.
"Negotiation methods?" Carver roared. "That was blatant extortion and vandalism! We're in deep shit now!"
"I'll be fine," Harry replied. "Besides I'm innocent!"
"Liar!"
"I'm wounded, Carver. Don't you know proper protocol," Harry said. "Innocent until proven guilty. Besides, I was standing right besides you the whole time," Harry said. Bethany bit her lip.
"He's right, brother," Bethany said. "He was right with us, completely silent until the chickens appeared."
Carver was about to respond but Garret covered his mouth.
"Enough," Hawke said. "Let's just do these jobs and be on our way."
Carver grumbled but complied with his brother, occasionally throwing dirty looks at Harry.
The four of them headed out of Kirkwall to the mountainous route near Sundermount. When they reached to the meeting place, Aveline was already there, sitting against a large boulder. They hurried over to the guard and she smiled at her friends. Well everyone except Harry whom she gave a terse nod to. Harry grimaced. Aveline was not the sort of person you'd want to get angry for three reasons. One was that she was a redhead and two was that she was a woman. The third reason was the fact that she can knock a bull off its feet with that shield of hers. Aveline was not a person to cross.
"Thanks for meeting me up here. The ambush site is just up ahead," Aveline said.
"How many are there," Hawke asked.
"There are twenty in total but spread out into three groups. If we take them on one by one, we can eliminate them all," Aveline said.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Carver asked.
"If we go charging in, we'll be swarmed almost immediately," Aveline said. "We need someone to draw them out."
There was a moment's silence before everyone turned to where Harry was casually snacking on an apple. Harry paused in the middle of a bite and smiled at them, clueless since he was not listening to Aveline's plan.
"Everyone's looking at me," Harry muttered. "I love it when they do that! Hi everyone!"
Bethany and Hawke palmed their faces while Aveline merely shook her head. Carver's face split into a malicious grin as he stepped forward towards the mage.
"Harry, good friend of mine, we need someone to go past that hill and draw the bandits out," Carver said. "What do you say?"
"Hmm. Fine, but only until you admit you sodomize your sword at night," Harry snapped back.
"WHAT?"
"Harry, please!" Aveline said. "You're the fastest one amongst us and can surely bait the bandits to where we are."
Harry's face split into a grin. "I know. That's why I'm not moving one step until Carver admits it."
Hawke grabbed his brother before he could draw his sword. Despite him being stronger than his brother, Hawke was having difficulty restraining his brother who was itching to wrap his fingers around Harry's neck.
"Let me go brother! I'll wring the little gnat's neck until it snaps!" Carver snarled.
"Carver, be reasonable! We need him!" Hawke said. He turned over to his sister. "Bethany, can you do something?"
Bethany sighed. "Fine."
She strolled over to where Harry was posturing and leaned over to whisper in the mage's ear. Harry froze and turned to look at Bethany in surprise.
"You'd do that?"
"Yes, I will," Bethany said. "Now hurry up and let's finish this job."
"Aye aye, milady," Harry said before dashing off towards the bandit camp. Everyone stared at Harry in shock before turning to Bethany, who was shaking her head in exasperation.
"How?" Aveline asked.
"What did you do?" Hawke asked.
Bethany reddened and turned away from her friends.
"It's none of your business."
Hawke grunted in surprise as Carver began thrashing against his arms again.
"Let me go! I'll kill that rutting nug-humper!" Carver roared.
"Be quiet!" Aveline reprimanded. "We need to wait for Harry."
There was an eerie moment of silence before a large green mushroom shaped cloud suddenly appeared. Then they saw Harry race from out of the mountain pass. Hot on his heels were all the raiders, so infuriated at Harry that they failed to see the small party watching them. The ambushers stared as Harry cackled madly, dodging knives and arrows, whilst leading the raiders on a merry dance around the clearing. Aveline palmed her face and turned to Carver.
"Is this normal?" Aveline asked.
"Yes," all three Hawke siblings said.
"We can't just leave him," Bethany said. "We have to help."
"Right," Hawke agreed. From his belt, he pulled out two clay orbs and tossed them at the crowd chasing Harry. The orbs shattered, dousing the unfortunate raiders with tar, causing them to be stuck in the sticky goo. Several of the raiders stopped, confused. The distraction was long enough for Bethany to produce a fireball and send it flying at the raiders. The fireball exploded within their midst, scorching nearly half of the group while killing three. Several raiders with bows aimed their arrows at Bethany but Hawke smashed into them like a freight train. With a swing of his sword, he cleaved three of them in half before impaling another one quite brutally. A raider threw down a smoke bomb, impeding Hawke's vision. The raider slipped around the warrior's mighty blade and raised his two daggers at Hawke's back. However he was stopped by a bolt of lightning that electrocuted the assassin, stopping the fatal strike. Hawke turned around to see Harry merrily waving at him before dodging a raider's sword. Harry danced around the raider and slammed both stone staffs onto the raider's neck, stunning the raider. The raider stumbled, giving him enough room for Harry to kick the raider back into Carver's sword. Beside Carver, Aveline blocked a raider's axe with her shield whilst parrying a sword from another raider. She gave a mighty roar and swung her shield about, smashing the raiders away. Harry gave a low whistle in amazement, followed by a sympathetic wince as Aveline literally bulldozed a man into a large boulder.
"Ouch. Talk about being between a rock and a hard place," Harry muttered.
The small party quickly finished off the remaining raiders with little difficulty, eliminating them with the combined might of swords, shields, and spells. When it was done, the white sandy ground bubbled with the blood of dead raiders. Harry grimaced in disgust as he felt his boots sink in the bloody sand. He turned to Aveline who was watching Carver and Hawke looting the bodies of the raiders with distaste.
"Now what, mon capitan?"
"We go back to Keep and report to the captain. Hopefully I'll be able to pay you then," Aveline said.
"Read them and weep boys!"
Hawke shook his head in amusement as Harry continued to clean out several guardsmen out of their money. A guards-woman named Brennan was cackling in glee as she watched her fellow guardsmen being relieved of their week's savings.
"Hahaha! Fate's a bitch, isn't it Donnic!" Brennan called out.
Donnic merely groaned as Harry pocketed the money. Harry gave the guards a devious smile as he expertly shuffled the cards.
"Alright, next round boys. Who's in?"
Harry blinked and suddenly he was alone in a room with only Brennan standing next to him. Harry gaped in shock and turned to Brennan.
"I didn't know guards can move that fast."
Brennan chuckled. "Neither did I."
Outside the barracks, the pair heard the guard captain's voice roaring at Aveline. Harry stepped outside to see Aveline walking out of the office, confused and angry. Hawke turned to the guardian in confusion.
"That's funny. Shouldn't he be happy that the raiders are all gone?" Hawke asked.
"He should. I'm not sure why he's angry though," Aveline said. "I'm sorry about this Hawke. Hopefully there are some other jobs that can pay."
Hawke nodded and walked up to the poster board where all the jobs and notices were posted up.
"Aveline!"
Aveline and Hawke turned to see a guards-woman walk up to them with Harry behind her, smiling as cards danced in his hands.
"Brennan!"
"Thanks a lot Aveline!" Brennan said. "That route was to be mine. Lone patrol too. I would have been a goner."
"That route was yours?" Aveline asked. Brennan nodded.
"Yeah. Satchel retrieval. Now it's Donnic's route now," Brennan said. "Thanks again Aveline."
Aveline turned to Hawke with a concerned look on her face.
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Aveline asked. Hawke nodded.
"Someone's setting these guardsmen up," Hawke replied. Aveline nodded.
"Let's shadow Donnic's route tonight. Hopefully it'll remain quiet."
As Hawke and Aveline patrolled the streets of Lowtown that night, their friends were in Darktown searching for the Grey Warden. To put it accurately though, searching wasn't the best term for what they were doing. It was more akin to wandering the vast corridors of Darktown while Bethany attempted to prevent a fight between her brother and Harry. Varric was merely accompanying the group and was completely entertained by the conflict. However the situation was soon becoming serious when Carver threatened to report Harry to the Templars.
"What the hell is your problem with me Carver?" Harry roared.
"Is it wrong for me to protect my family from you?" Carver shot back. "You've done nothing but cause trouble ever since we've stepped foot here!"
"Protect your family from me?" Harry asked, flabbergasted. "I've helped your family countless of times since Ferelden!"
"We never needed your help!" Carver replied.
"I know but I do it because Garret is my friend and so is Bethany!" Harry said. "Don't let your foolish pride get in the way, Junior!"
Carver snarled and placed a hand on the sword slung on his back. Harry's eyes narrowed and he laid a hand on the knife at his belt.
"Carver, you pull that sword out and you'll find a dagger in your heart," Harry warned.
"I'll take my chances," Carver retorted.
"Carver! Harry! Stop this at once!" Bethany commanded. She stepped between the two and glared at them. Harry's anger melted away under Bethany's furious glare. However, Carver was matching his sister's stare.
"Get out of my way sister," Carver warned.
Bethany shook her head.
"Carver, be reasonable. We have no reason to be angry at Harry. He's helped us so many times and treats us like family," Bethany said calmly. "Don't be angry at him, brother."
Carver slowly nodded and let his hand go slack.
"Fine."
Bethany sighed in relief and turned to Varric.
"Perhaps its best if you lead the way while I keep a war from starting out between these two," Bethany said. Varric shook his head.
"Don't bother. We're here already," Varric replied.
Harry pushed open the door to see a mage standing over a boy while the boy's parents were looking over anxiously. Ethereal energy wafted from the boy's body, healing the ailments that were harming the boy. When the healer finished, the boy gave his relieved mother a wide smile. The healer stumbled but was helped back to his feet by the boy's father. Whispers of relief and gratitude were passed before the family left the healer. The healer seemingly ignored the small party. Carver was about to call out to the mage but the mage whirled about, his staff pointed at the small group.
"Who are you?" the mage demanded. "If you are with the Grey Wardens, I will not go back! The bastards made me get rid of Ser Pounce-a-Lot. Such a noble beast."
Harry nodded sagely. "I understand how you feel. Had a owl named Hedwig. Beautiful bird and my constant companion. I could say my thoughts out and not be judged. Such a tragic day when she died."
"Indeed," Anders said. "Poor Ser-Pounce-A-Lot helped me in the Deep Roads. Saved my life from a gemlock once."
"Ahem," Carver interrupted. "Speaking of the Deep Roads, do you have maps of them?"
"Maybe," Anders replied cautiously. "Why do you ask?"
"We're planning an expedition into the Deep Roads. We were hoping for maps so we can traverse those ruins without stumbling into any darkspawn hordes," Varric said.
Anders nodded. "I may have some maps around that would help you in this expedition."
"May we see them?" Bethany asked. Anders eyed her cautiously but visibly relaxed when she saw the mage's staff on her back.
"How about we make a deal," Anders said. "You do me a favor and I'll give you the maps."
Harry nodded. "Works for me."
"Just like that?" Carver asked, completely flabbergasted. Harry rolled his eyes and gave Carver a condescending look.
"Honestly, do you think an evil necromancer would open a clinic for the refugees and be saddened over a cat?" Harry asked. When no answer came from Carver's mouth, Harry grinned. "Thought so."
"Your trust is welcoming friend," Anders said. "The favor I wish to ask is to help a fellow mage escape the templars. He will be waiting for us in the Chantry at midnight."
"You're asking us to fight templars?" Bethany asked. "What if we're caught?"
Anders nodded solemnly. "I understand the risk. However this mage is to be made Tranquil, despite managing to pass the Harrowing."
"They can't do that!" Bethany exclaimed, horrified at such an act. Harry shook his head solemnly.
"Templars fear what they can't understand," Harry replied. "As such they cast amongst all mages as slavers, villains, monsters in waiting and that the Templars exist to restrain them. Like cattle for oxen. However what they fail to realize is that the more they treat mages as animals, caging them against their will, the more risk of a revolution will spread."
"I could not put it better myself," Anders said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Harry James Potter-Black," Harry said.
"Well met," Anders said. The healer turned back to the group as a whole. "Will you help me?"
Bethany bit her lip in uncertainty but she nodded. Carver sighed at her sister and nodded as well. Varric chuckled.
"I with you Blondie. This will make a good story to tell."
When the moon was in the middle of the sky, Varric guided the group to the grand building known as the Chantry. There, the faithful worship the Maker and his wife, the prophetess Andraste. Anders was waiting for them at the doorway, looking around worriedly for any Templars. Luckily, despite it being a clear night, there were no guards or Templars about. Anders smiled in relief when he saw the group hurry towards him.
"Thank the Maker. I wasn't sure you were going to help me," Ander said. "Let's hurry. Karl should be inside. Let me talk to him."
Harry nodded. "Varric, Bethany. Stay behind Carver and I. If I am to be captured Varric, take Bethany and Carver away. Run as fast as you can. Understand?"
"Leave you to be captured?" Bethany asked in horror. Harry nodded.
"I swore to Garret I would protect you," Harry said. "Varric, I'm trusting you with this."
Varric frowned at the enormous responsibility but nodded in agreement. "I'll keep her safe."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," Anders whispered.
Anders pushed open the doors of the Chantry. They hurried up to the side stairs where a robed man was standing.
"Karl!"
"I was waiting for you," the man said. He turned about and Anders gaped in horror at the man.
"No."
All around them, doors opened and Templars came from the rooms. Karl looked at them blankly and pointed at Anders.
"This is the apostate, Anders."
Anders fell to the ground and smoke began to wisp about. He began to glow and erupted to his feet. Veins of blue criss-crossed his body as he glared angrily with piercing glowing eyes.
"You will never take another mage as you took him!" Anders roared in an unearthly voice.
The templars charged at the group. Harry quickly pulled out his staff and stabbed a knight through the chest. Harry then swung his staff, still with the templar impaled on his staff, and slammed the corpse into two others. All three bodies were sent crashing to the ground. Varric threw down a small flask, clouding him and Bethany behind a noxious smokescreen, and pulled Bethany away from the middle of the fight. When they were clear from any immediate danger, the pair rained arrows and spells upon the templars. Near Harry, Carver smashed the pommel of his greatsword into the helmet of a templar, stunning the templar briefly. Carver shoved the stunned man into his comrades before slamming his sword with so much force that it killed the stunned man and his two comrades while knocking three more off their feet. Harry turned to Anders watching the possessed man cast spells at an insane rate. Harry slipped past a templar's sword and to the templar's surprise, smashed his fist in between the templar's eyes. The knight stumbled back stunned before Harry blasted him away with magic. Harry turned around to see that the battle was finished with Anders slaying the last templar with a particularly nasty spell. As soon as the templar fell, the blue aura surrounding the mage fell away from Anders. Harry's head tilted in curiosity as the tranquil mage's eyes seemed to focus on Anders.
"Anders? Is it you? How?" Karl stammered. "It's like the Fade is within you."
"What was that?" Bethany asked.
"Are you some sort of abomination?" Carver asked suspiciously.
"No, something different," Anders replied.
"How are you speaking?" Harry asked. "Aren't the tranquil merely husks of flesh?"
"When you're tranquil, you forget your past life," Karl explained. "Anders! Please kill me before I forget again! I don't want to live as a templar's puppet!"
"Can't we let him live?" Bethany asked.
Anders shook his head. "When you're tranquil, it's like you are the walking dead. No will and your body completely at the will of others. It's as if your soul is gone. If I was tranquil, I would wish that someone would have the compassion to kill me."
"Please hurry!" Karl begged. "It's-!"
Before Karl could escape from the Fade, Harry's hand lit up in a greenish aura. To everyone's shock, Harry stabbed his hand into Karl's chest. Karl gasped in shock as he was stuck within the boundaries of the Fade and the real world. Harry turned to Anders with a solemn expression on his face.
"I've stopped the Fade from closing. Kill him now," Harry said. "Let him die a mage, Anders."
Karl gave a shuddering gasp and smiled as Anders pulled out his knife. He smiled at the two mages and nodded to Anders.
"Thank you."
Harry pulled his hand out. Immediately, Anders plunged his knife in Karl's chest, killing the man. He laid his friend gently on the ground and crossed the man's arms across his chest. Beside him, Harry muttered a small prayer whilst Carver comforted his sister. Varric shook his head in disgust before turning to Anders.
"We need to go before more templars come."
"Agreed," Anders muttered. "Besides, we have much to talk."
That night, Bethany stared up at the ceiling in her and her mother's room at the Hanged Man. She could not help but replay the conversation Harry and Anders had at the clinic when they returned back from the Chantry.
Flashback
When they reached the clinic, Harry stopped the rest of the group from walking in. He turned to Varric and handed him a sovereign.
"Drinks on me all night Varric. Make sure Carver and Bethany make it back at the tavern safely."
Varric nodded and tugged on Carver. "Let's go Junior! I'm not letting a free night of booze go to waste!"
"Oi let go of me dwarf!"
Carver's protests rained on deaf ears as the dwarf continued to tug Carver away. Bethany gave Harry a confused glance but hurried after Varric. Harry walked inside the inn and took a seat on the cot. Anders quickly locked the doors to the clinic and turned to face Harry. The normally jolly and merry look that adorned Harry's face was gone. Gone was the smiling rogue with the sparking green eyes and the quick tongue. No, here was a mage who had traversed many a long road and had seen too much death. Bethany shivered as Harry pulled out a knife and twirled it in his hands, waiting for Anders to speak.
"Who are you, Harry?" Anders asked bluntly. Harry chuckled but it was harsh and mocking, like a crow's cry.
"I can ask you the same question, Anders," Harry shot back. "I recognize that spirit. Channeling the very essence of justice. Allowing it to host within you and become its host. An avatar of justice to the mages. Yet within yourself, the dark side that you wish to hold back has influenced justice. Corrupting, no. Changing him into vengeance."
Anders began to glow blue again before he repressed the spirit.
"How?"
Harry gave Anders a long look before laughing. Yet this laughter was nothing like the merry laughter. It was full of pain and anguish as well as regret.
"I have walked within the Fade. Mind, body, and soul. To see the blessed land of dreams where imagination rules and the will of the mind is absolute! Preyed upon by demons and spirits as well as shades of mages forced to become tranquil! I've traversed the mountains near the legendary Golden City where the accursed Tevinter mages attempted to steal immortality, only to be cursed into darkspawn! To wander amidst ever-changing lands and to see nightmares of the tormented, the sorrows of mankind! That is what I have experienced!" Harry ranted. "The spirits and demons that roam the Fade are not the children of the Maker! They are the embodiment of hundreds of dreamers, wishes made with so much will they have achieved sentience! Happiness, Joy, Love, Honesty, Valor, Sacrifice! And demons of Lust, Hate, Wrath, Greed. Do you not understand, Anders? You host not one spirit the collective desires of many demanding justice upon their oppressors!"
Anders began to glow blue and wafts of smoke began to rise from his body. When Anders opened his eyes again, it was Justice that appeared.
"Who are you to say of what I am, mortal?" Justice demanded.
In response, an aura of green magic enveloped Harry. His eyes began to glow green and Bethany could hear the song of a bird that bolstered her courage. Harry's eyes shone brighter than ever as greenish flames erupted around him.
"A mortal who has mastered an art that even spirits of virtue fear and the demons of vice crave! One that is immune to possession, corruption, and influence! I have mastered my mind, my will tempered by fire and darkness, and my heart hardened when needed. One who has seen the worst of mankind yet still sees the best within man. I forge my own path! So away with thee, spirit! Rest within your avatar! I have no qualms with ye nor your host!"
Justice roared in anger before releasing its hold on Anders, residing deep within the man's consciousness. Anders slumped in his chair before stirring again. Harry sighed and released the magic around him. Anders blinked in confusion and held his head in pain.
"Oh, what happened?" Anders whispered.
"I had a little chat with Justice," Harry replied.
Anders nodded. "I heard everything that you said. Is it true what you spoke of?"
"Every word," Harry replied.
"You were actually in the Fade?" Anders asked. "How?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"That is a story that I will keep to myself," Harry whispered. "For now, I bid farewell."
Anders nodded. Harry strode away from healer and picked up the maps nearby. He wordlessly opened the door to see Bethany staring at him in shock and fear. Harry's eyes immediately dimmed in fear and pain at Bethany's deceit.
"You should not have seen that, Bethany." Harry whispered.
"But-!"
"Enough," Harry said harshly. "Let's find Carver and go back to the Hanged Man. I need to rest."
End flashback.
Bethany wiped the tears falling from her face. Harry had done nothing but help her and her family. And now she betrayed his trust. She cursed at her foolish self, wishing to take that single moment back.
"I'm sorry Harry," Bethany sobbed out. She fell asleep, repeating that phrase over and over until sleep took mercy upon her.
Outside of her door, Harry leaned hard against the wall and wiped a solitary tear down his face. He walked back to the bar and chugged a whiskey bottle as fast as he could, cursing himself for his stupidity as he blacked out.
Woot, another chapter done! BTW, I've re-edited the first chapter a bit so you might want to reread it again.
As always, please review.
Peace! Oso1991