Chapter 29

Gavin walked beside Sebastian, a few paces ahead of Fenris and Aveline. They were headed to the Harriman estate to get some answers from the head of household, Lady Harriman. The prince had discovered that it was the Harriman's who'd hired the assassins to kill him and his family. The poor man couldn't fathom that his parents closest friends and allies would do this. They'd been walking in silence for some time and Gavin had felt the prince eyeing him constantly. Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore.

"What?" he turned his head to look at him.

Sebastian started a little, "Excuse me?"

"You've been constantly eyeing me," he elaborated. "Is there something on your mind?"

"Well, uhm, I just," the prince stammered a little and then took a deep breath. "Did you know you have a mark on your neck?" He watched, fascinated, as a deep blush stole over the other man's face.

"Uh, yes," Gavin cleared his throat, his hand lifting to touch the spot in question. He then met the prince's gaze firmly, "Fenris put it there."

"I see," Sebastian nodded, a little non-plussed. "So, you and him-"

"Yes, last night," the mage confirmed with a nod. "What of it?" his tone defensive.

"Nothing, just, perhaps you should cover it," Sebastian said softly and saw the mage turn even more red.

"Fenris likes to see it," Gavin shrugged. "He told me he wants there to be no doubt that I belong to him."

Sebastian frowned, not liking how possessive that sounded. "Are you sure about being with him?" he saw the mage give him a puzzled look. "I mean, he's made no secret of how much he hates mages. Given the atrocities he must have suffered in Tevinter, one certainly can't blame him for such feelings. You may be different from what he's used to, but you are still a mage."

"He's already admitted that he knows I'm not like any others he's met," Gavin stated firmly.

"But, he's claiming to own you," he argued back. "I find that sentiment a little disturbing, don't you?"

"He does own me Sebastian," Gavin said softly. "I lost my heart to him long ago, and now he's claimed my body and my soul."

The prince sighed, "Just be careful Hawke."

Meanwhile, Aveline was having a similar talk with Fenris. "He does seem happy, as do you."

"I hear a but coming," the elf prompted.

"Can you honestly tell me that there's no doubt in your mind that he's different from your former master?"

"Aveline, I've already told you that, repeating it won't make it any more true," Fenris growled.

"Fine," she huffed and then suddenly stepped directly in front of him, her right hand coming up to press hard against his chest. She fixed him with a steely gaze, "He's like family to me. I swear to you, if you hurt him, I will personally chop you to pieces and feed you to Fang. Are we clear?"

Fenris swallowed hard as he looked up at her. He realized in that moment just how fierce and intimidating a woman she could be. She looked and sounded like a mother bear protecting her cub. He knew she meant every word she said and silently vowed to not give her any reason to come after him. "I can only promise to be honest and fair in my dealings with him. I don't know where our relationship is headed, or even if it will last. I don't intend to hurt him, but it may happen if things don't work out between us."

"If you have any doubts, any at all, then now's the time to back away," she told him.

"I don't have any doubts about being with him, or about who and what he is," he retorted. "He is the one mage I've met that is truly noble and honorable."

"Fair enough," she nodded and then resumed walking, hurrying to catch up with Hawke.

After taking a deep breath in relief, Fenris hurried to catch up to. The others were already at the entrance to the Harriman mansion. As he approached, something seemed off and his hand went automatically to his sword. He saw that Aveline had done the same thing.

"Hawke, wait," she called and saw him and the prince turn in surprise. "There's something wrong here."

"What do you mean?" Gavin asked.

"There is no guard and the door appears to be ajar," she pointed out. "Fenris and I will go in first. You wait until we give the all clear." She saw him nod and motioning to the elf, cautiously approached. Using the tip of her sword, she eased the door open and then dashed in, Fenris on her heels. Looking around, she neither heard nor saw anything dangerous and called to the others that it was safe to enter.

Gavin entered slowly and looked around. Sebastian was talking about how it wasn't right and he had to agree with him. Something was off, but what it was he couldn't pin down. As they slowly searched the rooms on the first floor, his feeling of unease grew. It wasn't until they reached the dining hall and saw one man raving about pouring molten gold over a poor elf girl that he realized what it was. When the girl ran out after Sebastian decked her captor, she brushed against him, snapping him out of his reverie.

"I don't know why, but I can feel the presence of the Fade in here," he said quietly.

"What?" all three said as they turned to face him.

"I can see tendrils of Fade power wrapping around that man," he pointed to the lunatic musing about gold.

"That means that there may be a demon at work here?" Sebastian asked nervously.

"Possibly, but how and why I don't know," he shook his head. "Were any of the Harriman's mages?"

"Not that I know of," the prince replied.

"There is still the upper floor and the basement to search," Aveline pointed out.

Gavin nodded and motioned to Sebastian to lead the way. The prince took them out of the room and towards the stairs to the second floor. As he did, they spied a small wine room below them with a woman yelling for more wine.

"Flora?" Sebastian called and then called again even louder, but received no response. "She doesn't hear me," he mused. "This behavior is totally out of character for her."

Gavin filed that comment away as they headed to the second floor. Hearing a voice coming from a far bedroom, he walked over there and knocked on the door. Getting no response, he pushed the door open and stepped into the room, followed closely by the others. What they saw brought them all to a halt in surprise. Another man, naked except for small clothes, was talking to a female elf who was on her knees in front of him. It was more than apparent what they were doing.

"I'm sorry Hawke for exposing you to this," Sebastian said in distaste.

Gavin barely heard him, for all of a sudden a vivid image of Fenris on his knees before him flashed into his mind. It was followed by a wave of lust so powerful that he was instantly hard. A voice whispered for him to give in, to let himself go. "Stop it!" he cried and fled the room.

"Hawke?" Fenris whirled in puzzlement. He leapt forward in pursuit of the fleeing mage, the other two right behind him. He didn't catch up to him until they were at the front door. He saw Hawke standing just outside, head down and hands clenched, lips moving soundlessly.

"What's wrong Hawke?" Sebastian stepped forward but paused when the elf waived him back.

Fenris lightly touched the mage's arm, "You're trembling."

Gavin took a deep breath, not opening his eyes or turning to look at the others. "There's a desire demon somewhere in there."

"Are you sure?" Aveline gasped and saw him nod. "How do you know?"

"Since I went inside, I've felt the presence of Fade creatures," he answered. "In that upper bedroom, I felt the demon reach out. She sent me a rather graphic image."

Fenris eyed him carefully, taking in all the details. His eyes widened as he realized what the mage's problem was. "So you're-"

"Don't even go there," Gavin glared at him. "Just give me a couple of minutes to calm down. Please."

"Sure Hawke," Sebastian too had grasped the situation and grabbed the elf's arm. They moved back to just inside the front door.

Gavin didn't bother to look at them again. Damn demon, you'll pay for this he vowed silently. He continued taking deep breaths, trying to bring his treacherous body under control. He heard the others whispering and could only imagine what they were discussing. When he heard a couple of suppressed snickers, he growled and then stomped inside to face them. "It's not funny!"

Aveline pressed her lips tight together and looked up at the ceiling. Sebastian was less successful in containing his mirth and turned his back, covering his mouth with his hand. Fenris looked appraisingly at Hawke, his lips pursed, a calculating look on his face. "What image did she send?"

Gavin's eyes took on a wicked gleam. Time to turn the tables on him. "She showed me you on your knees before me, performing the same act as that little elf upstairs."

Aveline saw Fenris' face flush and couldn't hold back her laughter anymore, earning a glare from the elf. "Talk about leaving yourself wide open," she guffawed.

Sebastian blushed at the mental image created for him. "Uhm, perhaps we could get back to the matter at hand?"

"I think that's an excellent idea," Gavin agreed and motioned for the prince to lead the way. "Time to check out the basement." As he moved off he couldn't resist a parting sally. "We'll discuss this at home later Fenris."

The elf scowled at the mage's retreating back. "Yes, we shall," he growled and then smirked at the shiver he saw go through the man.

Aveline rolled her eyes at the two of them, "Come on."

They proceeded to the basement, confronting and fighting a demon and some shades. The discovery of ruins running under the city surprised them all. Not even Sebastian had been aware of them, despite the numerous times he'd visited in the past. As they continued on, they faced more demons, shades and even a couple of Revenants and an Arcane Horror.

After the last one fell, Gavin sank to his knees, panting and shaking. He'd not had to use his magic so much in a long time and it was beginning to take its toll. He was even starting to get a headache, although his nose hadn't bled this time.

Fenris knelt by him in concern, having seen him in this condition often in the past. "Are you alright?" he asked and saw the mage nod. "We'll rest as much as you need."

"The demon we're looking for has to be one of the most powerful of her kind to be able to summon so many powerful lesser demons," Gavin told them. "I don't know if-" he paused and then shook his head angrily. "Taking on powerful demons is a mage's job. I will defeat the bitch."

"What's wrong now?" Aveline was puzzled.

Fenris looked at her, "He's still having trouble using his magic for an extended period of time. Although he's getting better at it."

Aveline, remembering what happened that time in the Bone Pit, looked worriedly at them, "Perhaps we should come back with more men."

"No," Gavin said sharply. "The longer we wait, the more damage she could do. We finish this, today." He sat back on his heels. "I just need to rest a little bit."

"Hawke, I want to put an end to the madness here, but-" Sebastian began.

"I'll be fine once I've rested," Gavin shook his head.

Sebastian and Aveline agreed reluctantly and found comfortable spots on the floor to wait. Aveline briefly explained the incident in the Bone Pit all those years ago. The prince studied the mage thoughtfully and silently applauded his courage, but worried about losing his friend. He'd never realized that mage's could hurt themselves using their magic. He acknowledged that he knew very little about magic and how it worked. Something to discuss with Hawke later on.

After about an hour, Gavin finally stood up and turned to go. "Okay, let's finish this," his voice was strong and confident.