Chapter 2

Gavin set out the bedrolls while Varric and Aveline set about preparing a fire. They were headed up to Sundermount to fulfill the promise he had made to Flemeth for her aid in fleeing the darkspawn. This was the first camp they'd made and he figured they would have to make at least two more before reaching their destination. Fang had been overjoyed at being free from Kirkwall, a feeling shared by his master. Fenris was checking the perimeter and setting up warning traps to alert them to any approaching danger. They would have to take turns on guard, but no one seemed to be put out by it, except for Varric. The dwarf had agreed to come, mostly so he could get some first hand knowledge about the Dalish elves. But, he wasn't exactly thrilled with all the nature around them, having never spent any time out in the wilderness.

He hadn't been sure Aveline could come, what with her new duties as Guard Captain, but she had jumped at the chance and made arrangements for her absence. He was glad of that, for he hadn't wanted to bring either his brother or Anders along. Carver was being even more of a surly ass than usual, and Anders ended up arguing too much with Fenris when they were around each other. He wasn't in the mood to deal with any more of that shit at the moment. This little jaunt, which would take probably a couple of weeks, was just what he needed to clear his head.

"Gavin, how about a little help here," Varric's voice broke into his thoughts. "You could get this going in no time."

He looked towards the dwarf to see him pointing at the firepit. "Magic isn't supposed to be used as a substitute for common tasks Varric," he sighed. They'd had this argument before. He held out his hand for the flint and tinder. "What would you do without me?" he asked in amusement as he expertly used the tools and started a flame. In a matter of minutes he had a good fire going.

"I know that's how you see it, but it's seems like a waste of talent," Varric shrugged.

"Sorry, but I learned early on how to not use my magic if it wasn't absolutely necessary," Gavin retorted. "It's hard enough avoiding the Chantry hunters without drawing unnecessary attention to myself. Staying free of the Circle means doing things the old fashioned way sometimes."

"Yeah, but we're in the middle of nowhere, so where's the harm?" the dwarf countered.

"There's no such thing as the 'middle of nowhere', not in Thedas at least," the mage shook his head. "I learned that the hard way once and never forgot it."

Varric was about to argue some more, but stopped as a dark look crossed the mage's face. "Sounds like there's a story there," he commented.

"Let's just say that not all Templar Hunters have the Chantry's best interests at heart," Gavin said coldly. "Some are willing to forget what you are if you give them what they want, and it's not always coin."

Fenris looked at his companion sharply. From the loathing in the mage's voice he could guess what that something else was. Gavin was an extremely handsome man, and often was the object of lustful stares of both men and women, of which he appeared to be oblivious. He knew what it was like to have no choice but to submit and felt a stirring of pity for Gavin. He saw Varric look away and knew that the dwarf had come to the same conclusion.

Aveline felt the tension and quickly changed the subject. "It's not been easy cleaning up the mess that Jevin left behind, but I finally managed to set things straight. Being out here is a refreshing change. I didn't realize how much I missed this until now. Thank you Hawke."

Gavin flashed her a smile, "I figured you could use a break from all the politics of the Kirkwall Guard."

"Precisely," Aveline nodded. "I love the job, but playing the diplomat is not exactly my strong suit."

"Any of them give you a hard time, just bash them over the head," Varric laughed. Getting a glare from the woman he shrugged, "What? It works on everyone else."

"If I did that, I'm sure that I would be replaced in no time," Avelin snorted. "Maker only knows what idiot they'd find to take my place. I've come to know many of the guard personally and they deserve better than that."

After he finished skinning and preparing the rabbits Fang had so helpfully caught for them, Gavin spitted them and stuck them over the fire. "I'm going to go wash up."

Fenris watched him go, followed by the hound. "I have to admit, Gavin is giving me a lot to think about."

"Such as?" Aveline probed.

"Being from Tevinter, you can probably imagine my opinion of mages is pretty bad," the elf said quietly. "In Tevinter, magic touches everything and blood magic is used widely and not always in secret. Mages there treat anyone with less power than them little better than slaves, and that includes other mages. Magisters hold all the power, make the laws, and dictate the way things are. Before Gavin, I had never met a mage who did anything for anyone without expecting something in return. It takes a little getting used to."

"He treats you like a friend and valued companion," Varric pointed out. "That's the difference."

"I've never had friends," Fenris said harshly. "You had enemies and allies, but no friends. Having friends was seen as a weakness to be exploited."

"You know, the more I hear about Tevinter, the more I hate the place," the dwarf grumbled.

"What I've yet to figure out, is what kind of power Gavin has," the elf mused.

"You've seen him casting fireballs and healing people," Aveline told him.

"Yes, but there's more to him, I can sense it," Fenris stared off in the direction the mage had gone. "There is a hidden power in him, one I've not encountered before. It makes me nervous."

"Why? He's done nothing to you," Varric protested.

"My concern isn't just for myself," the elf retorted. "The more powerful the mage, the greater the potential for evil as well as good. A mage who doesn't understand or can't control his own power is a danger to all. I wonder just how much Gavin understands his own power. If he's not fully aware of what he can do, that makes him unpredictable, something that should give everyone around him cause for concern."

"You don't trust him," Aveline said simply.

"I've not known him or any of you long enough to trust," the elf replied.

"Well, you got plenty of time on this trip to figure things out," Varric chuckled. "If you come to any earth shattering conclusions, let me know and I'll write it down. It'd make good fodder for my stories."

"You and your stories," Aveline shook her head in exasperation. "It doesn't matter what you tell him Fenris. If it isn't exciting enough, he'll just embellish it beyond recognition."

"If Varric didn't embellish his stories, no one would listen to them," Gavin had suddenly appeared back in camp and overheard the last bit. "Although why he never makes himself the central character I have no idea."

"It's simple, the main character always needs to be larger than life," Varric laughed. "Me, I'm just a simple merchant and businessman, no one of real interest. You my friend are far better suited for the role of hero, what with having fought an Ogre and lived to tell the tale."

"Before I forget Hawke, I wanted to talk to you about Carver," Aveline broke in, her voice becoming serious.

"Please don't tell me you had to bail him out of trouble again," Gavin groaned.

"No, fortunately," she shook her head. "As for bailing him out, I've got a good mind to let him suffer the consequences of his actions the next time. He's been a right pain in my ass of late."

"You're talking about his wanting to join the guard and being denied," the mage grumbled.

"You know about that?" Aveline said in surprise. "Of course you do, how could you not with the way that boy likes to bitch about everything."

"Somehow, I just don't see Carver as the type to like patrolling and helping people in trouble," Varric snorted. "He probably would argue with orders he thought were beneath him."

"The boy has moderate skill with a sword which could be honed, but completely lacks the discipline required to make a good guard," Aveline went on. "I told him this and he stormed out of my office in a huff growling about how everyone tries to keep him down and hold him back."

"I know, he came home ranting about it," Gavin sighed. "I came very close to knocking his teeth out for making mother cry. He stopped as soon as the first tears started to fall, but he stormed out of the house. The last words out of his mouth was that it was all my fault the guard wouldn't have him."

"How can he possibly think you could influence Aveline, of all people?" Varric turned to the mage. "I always expected he wasn't the brightest lamp on the post, but that's just plain stupid."

"It wouldn't matter if the Viscount himself turned him down, he'd still blame me for it," Gavin sighed.

"It sounds like your brother has yet to grow up," Fenris interjected and saw the mage nod in agreement.

"Well, let's just hope he gets the chance to do so," Aveline said darkly. "He keeps going on the way he is and he'll end up in jail or worse."

"Okay, enough about my brother," Gavin said sharply. "I didn't come all the way out here just to hear about how he's making not only my life, but the lives of my friends miserable." He had finished eating and suddenly felt very tired so he went to lie down on his bedroll.

Fenris, also having finished, stood up and prepared for first watch. "I have just one observation for you to think on over the next couple of weeks," he said as he looked over at Gavin. "An unhappy person is more likely to turn on you than not. He may be your brother, but he resents you for whatever reason, real or imagined. It would be in your best interests to not let such resentment fester to the point where he does something he'll regret later on, such as turning you in to the templars."

"Carver wouldn't do that, not to family," Aveline protested.

"No?" Fenris arched a brow. "I believe otherwise. I have seen it happen many times. The promise of fame or wealth or power is a very powerful one. Resentment, distrust and anger only make those promises seem more appealing. Everyone has a breaking point, and Carver seems like the type to break easily. Think on my words."

The other three watched him go in silence. Finally Varric said quietly, "I have to admit, he's got a point. I've seen many dwarven families fall apart due to backstabbing siblings. Carver may be confused and resentful, but deep down he loves you and his mother too much to easily betray you. But, sometimes things just spiral out of control."

Gavin was silent for a long time. "As much as I hate to admit it, Fenris has a point. Carver has always wanted to prove himself to everyone. Ostagar was supposed to be his big chance and we know how that turned out. He resented having to come home, back to his big brother's shadow." He sighed and turned over, "I guess I'll have to see what I can do to make his life a little better."

Aveline thought that the task was an insurmountable one, but kept her opinion to herself. Carver was still a boy playing at being a man. Until he learned that life wasn't always fair and the only one responsible for his life was himself, then he would remain a child. Bidding a soft good night, she stretched out on her own bedroll and closed her eyes.

In the ensuing silence, Varric watched the dancing flames of the fire. He liked Carver a lot and he hoped that the boy would find himself. He knew better than most what life was like living in someone else's shadow. The difference was that he preferred it that way, much easier to dodge the blame when things went wrong. Carver wanted glory and honor and to be something other than Hawke's younger brother. But when your brother was someone like Hawke, well it was an awfully big shadow to stand in.