Act One

Chapter Three

Blood Magic

Working for Athenril was challenging to say the least. As the weeks and months passed, Paden and Carver Hawke were kept too busy to ever get bored. They had a job almost every night, and some took them outside Kirkwall for even days at a time. The sorts of people they were forced to associate with were rough, rude and unscrupulous. Carver took to it like second nature, trying to fit in with the tough crowd. His manner of speech became more abrupt, and his attitude more callous. It saddened Paden to see him changing so, especially since he seemed to be pulling away from the family. But he never wanted to talk, so she just left him alone.

Paden did what had to be done in order to complete a job, but she never enjoyed it. Every night she'd stay up into the wee hours of the morning studying their father's old book on magical theory and technique, learning new offensive and defensive spells. She consistently increased in skill, and after nine months time could stand alone against an entire mob of mercenaries. Though, she never had to do that, since Carver was always at her side, and his two-handed sword was just as effective as any spell Paden could cast. He learned new tricks and techniques in swordplay from some of the more colorful people they were forced to associate with in Athenril's employ.

Athenril and Paden didn't often get along. Paden's conscience often got the better of her, and she would try to refuse work that didn't sit right in her gut. But of course she didn't have a choice; she was a slave for all intents and purposes. She had to do what she was told.

One such head butting came about when Athenril ordered the Hawkes to negotiate a trade agreement with a group of blood mages that worked underground to infiltrate and influence the Circle mages to blood magic, in the hopes of aiding in a mage uprising.

While Paden was all for liberty for mages, she didn't want anything to do with blood magic. It was just bad news on all accounts. Nothing good ever came from making a deal with a demon. Even the thought of it gave Paden the chills.

So of course she protested doing the job.

"I will not," she said forcefully, and was happy to see Carver taking her side as well. "I won't have anything to do with blood magic, Athenril."

"They're blood mages, yes," Athenril admitted, hardening her voice to match Paden's. "But you don't have to do blood magic to get the job done. Just meet with them and give them the terms of our contract, then have them sign if they agree. It's that simple."

"I said I want nothing to do with them," Paden insisted. "By offering them a contract you're aiding their cause, and I won't be party to anything a blood mage wants to do."

"Well, guess what, Hawke," Athenril said, venom in her voice as she came almost nose to nose with Paden, "You don't have a choice. You can either do the job as I ask, or you can go back to your sorry excuse for a family with a big fat bill for debts unpaid as a parting gift."

Paden stared at the elf for a moment as she weighed her options. It didn't take Carver quite as long to make up his mind.

"Sister, let's just do the job. You know we can't afford to pay off the debt with coin."

"Listen to your brother, Hawke," Athenril advised.

Paden clenched her jaw and practically growled at the elf, but she finally relented. "And what if they don't accept your terms?" she asked.

"Then no deal," Athenril said. "Meet down at the docks, midnight tonight. Your contact's name is Larious." She handed Paden a sealed envelope containing the contract.

Paden snatched the envelope from the elf's hand and then spun on her heal, forcing Carver to jog a couple steps to catch up with her. Paden was fuming.

"We've got to get out of here," she muttered, deliberately keeping her voice under control since they were in a public place.

"What are you talking about?" Carver asked as he fell into a brisk pace beside her.

"I can't do this anymore, Carver. I can't work for her anymore. It's degrading and humiliating. Not to mention it's making me into someone I don't want to be."

"We don't exactly have a choice, Sister," Carver answered pragmatically.

"That's easy for you to say, you like working for her."

Carver laughed in disbelief. "I do not, whatever gave you that idea?"

Paden stopped walking and faced her brother. "Many things. The way you've taken to this life. The way your attitude's changed."

Carver shook his head. "Not on your life, Sister. Athenril goes way too far a lot of the time. Yes, I like the fighting and the excitement, but that's about it."

Paden regarded her brother for a moment. "I'm glad to hear that," she admitted softly. Then she continued walking again, only at a more normal pace since her anger was ebbing quickly. She shook her head and rubbed her brow with her fingers. "Blood mages," she muttered.

Carver chuckled. "The way you said that made it sound like a curse."

"Yeah well it should be. Blighted idiots. What makes a mage think that blood magic will accomplish anything? All it will do is cause the Templars to crack down even harder. It's the last thing we need."

"Well, as much as I agree with you, Sister, it's not our job to change it. Our job is to do what Athenril asks, and that's it."

"I wish we had never agreed to work with her. Maker curse Gamlen and his great ideas."

"It's only three more months," Carver said. "Then we can kiss Athenril good bye and actually start making some coin."

—

Midnight came around quickly, and soon the Hawke siblings found themselves standing in an alley by the docks facing three men wearing mage robes.

"My name is Hawke," Paden said. "I work for Athenril."

The leader of the mage group, who wore first enchanter's robes, smiled slightly. "I am Larious. You are prepared to negotiate terms for a trade agreement?"

Paden shook her head. "No negotiations. I'm authorized to hand you this contract, and then take it back again with your signature." She handed it to him.

He regarded her for a moment and then took the envelope, opened it, and began reading. After a moment he shook his head. "This is unacceptable."

Paden stared at him and then held out her hand for the contract. "I'm sorry you feel that way. You'll have to take it up with Athenril."

"Hm, Athenril is not easy to get in touch with—at least not personally. I've never even met her. I always have to deal with lackeys like you."

"That's how she does business," Paden explained. "But I'll let her know you're not satisfied." She reached for the contract again, but Larious pulled it back and shook his head.

"I want more of a guarantee than that," he said. "I want to meet Athenril in person or this trade agreement will not happen."

"I told you, I'll let her know; that's all I can promise. What she does with it isn't my concern."

Larious considered that a moment as he eyed Paden. "I wonder if she would be willing to meet if she knew I had something of hers she wanted back."

Paden frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

Larious smiled minutely. "Hawke," he said slowly, as if tasting the name. "I've heard of you before, your reputation precedes you. You've made quite a name for yourself in the Undercity. I happen to know that you're one of Athenril's most valuable employees."

"Just what are you getting at?" Carver demanded.

"It's quite simple," Larious said. "You come quietly with me, and when Athenril agrees to see me, then you can go free."

"And what if Athenril doesn't agree to see you?" Paden demanded.

Larious spread his hands and smiled sympathetically.

"You've got to be kidding," Carver said. "You want us to agree to being kidnapped just so you can get to Athenril?"

"Such a bright young lad you are," Larious said, turning a mocking smile on Carver.

"Well the answer is no," Paden said. "I'm not getting involved in this any more than what Athenril's told me to do. You'll just have to find some other way."

Larious sighed and shook his head regretfully. "Oh, that was the wrong answer," he said. "You see, you can either come with me willingly…or not."

As he spoke the two mages behind him brought their staffs to bear. Carver's sword was out in an instant while Paden reacted by casting a barrier spell between herself and Larious. Just in time, too, since Larious first used a telekinetic burst that would have thrown Paden back off her feet, but instead only knocked her back a couple steps.

Carver had dodged to the side just in time and the burst missed him by inches. He went after the two mage lackeys while Paden sent fireballs through her staff at Larious. The blood mage cast a strong spell shield around himself and the brunt of Paden's attack couldn't touch him. But she didn't let off her attack. She knew he wouldn't be able to sustain such a strong shield indefinitely, and soon she would be able to get through. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Carver cut down one of the other mages.

Then Larious's shield began to falter and Paden assaulted him with fireball after fireball. The blood mage cried out and tried dodging to the side, but it was a futile move as Paden tracked him with her staff.

Then Larious called forth the powers of nature and sent a storm of lightening at Paden. One of the bolts hit her in the shoulder and she immediately put all her energy into strengthening her shield. She noticed that Carver had dispatched the other mage lackey and was now turning his blade on Larious.

The lightening stopped as Larious moved to avoid Carver's attack. Paden wasted no time in renewing her own attack. Larious was getting bogged down, and too tired to sustain a proper shield. As Paden and Carver closed in, in desperation he used another telekinetic burst, which this time knocked both Hawkes off their feet.

Carver was dazed and couldn't rise immediately. Paden had been protected from the worst of it by her failing shield. She got shakily to her feet. Larious was visibly exhausted. If she was quick she'd be able to wear him down until he couldn't fight back. She picked up her staff and sent more fireballs in his direction.

But Paden had forgotten one important factor. Larious was a blood mage. And, unlike most mages who drew their power from the fade alone, blood mages were able to draw their power from life energy if their mana from the fade became week—either from their own life energy or that of a third party.

As Carver got himself to his feet and picked up his sword, Larious suddenly threw a renewed assault against Paden; a lightening storm of fearsome proportions. She was knocked back several steps before bracing against it with her physical as well as magical strength.

Then Carver collapsed to the ground and began crying out weakly. In that moment Paden realized where Larious was getting his second wind. He was using Carver's life force to augment his powers. If Larious wasn't stopped he could actually kill Carver that way.

Paden focused, strengthening her shield to ward against the continued lightening attack. Then with her staff she inscribed a paralysis glyph on the ground at Larious's feet, which effectively called a halt to his movements, preventing him from casting any more spells. Once he was frozen, and before the glyph expired, Paden summoned every last ounce of strength she could muster, and raising both hands into the air, she called down a fire storm on Larious. Fireballs fell from the sky, exploding on and around Larious until he was obscured by flame and smoke. At the same time Paden shot more fireballs from her staff for good measure.

It took a few moments for the powerful mage to fall, but fall he finally did. And as the fireballs dissipated, Larious's scorched body lay smoking on the ground, unmoving.

Paden collapsed to the ground, exhausted. Her whole body trembled and she couldn't even find the energy to lift her arm. She had never fought a fellow mage before, let alone a blood mage. It was very different from fighting someone who did not have magical skill. It required her to tap deeper reserves of strength that she had never tapped before, and to use spells she had only read about. It showed her just how powerful she wasn't. She prayed to the Maker she would never have to go up against another mage again.

After the fog cleared from her head she was able to remember Carver. She raised her head off the ground and saw him lying a few yards away, unmoving.

"Carver!" she called, but he didn't respond. "Carver!"

She forced herself to move and crawled over to her brother. He was unconscious, and wouldn't wake even when she shook his shoulder. "Carver, wake up!"

She glanced around frantically, looking for anyone who could help her. But there were few people on the docks at night, and she was in a blind alley; no one was around. Paden wasn't a petite woman, but Carver was a full grown, heavily muscled man, easily twice her weight. Even in prime condition she wouldn't be able to lift him and carry him all the way home on her own.

At least he was breathing still, but barely. "Oh, Maker, save us," she breathed as she glanced around frantically. She couldn't leave Carver alone while she went to get help. There were stray dogs and nefarious people out at night; he wouldn't be safe.

But what else could she do? They couldn't just stay there. Carver needed help. She finally got up and walked to the alley's entrance and took a look around. A full moon cast everything into sharp relief, and Paden could make out a group of men gathered on one of the piers down the street. She glanced back at her brother, decided she had to risk it, and then hurried to the pier.

"Excuse me!" she called as she approached. "I need help!"

Then men—three of them—turned to look at her, and instead of giving her concerned looks, they smiled.

"Well, what do we have here?" one of them said as he raked his eyes across Paden.

"I need your help," Paden said. "My brother is injured."

They didn't seem to hear her words as they moved slowly to surround her. "Looks like our night just got a lot better, boys," another of them said.

Paden suddenly realized their intentions and she backed away. "I need your help," she said again, putting more authority in her voice. "My brother's life is in danger."

"In good time, missy," the first man said. "All in good time."

They stepped closer to her. Paden backed away and held one hand out toward the nearest man. She conjured a flame in her hand and took a defensive stance.

"Keep your distance!"

All three men halted and then backed up a couple steps. "She's a blighted mage!" one of them exclaimed.

"I don't want to hurt you," Paden said. "All I want is your help. I'll pay you ten silvers if it will motivate you. I need to get my brother to safety."

The men exchanged nervous glances.

"You have nothing to fear from me if you stay respectable," Paden assured.

"Ten silver?" one of the men said. "Each?"

Paden gasped and glared at him. "Each? It won't even take all three of you to carry my brother!"

"Each," the second man insisted. "Else I ain't helpin'."

Paden sighed. That would be all the money they had for that week. But wasn't Carver's life worth much more? "Fine, ten each," she said. "Now please, help me."

She motioned for the men to follow her, and she led them back to the alley where, thankfully, Carver still lay undisturbed. He was still unconscious, and still did not respond to Paden's calls.

The men glanced around at the scene. The two mages that lay bleeding out on the pavement, and another body, scorched beyond recognition, that lay close by.

"Uh…where you want us to take him?" one of the men asked, choosing not to comment.

"The Old City Slums," Paden said.

One of the men laughed while the other two gaped at her. "The slums?" one exclaimed. "You want us to carry him all the way to the slums, are you crazy, lady?"

"Do you want the ten silver or not?" Paden demanded. "Hurry up, we haven't got all night, I need to help my brother."

Grumbling, the men lifted Carver, and then followed Paden as quickly as they could.

The going was slow, but with the men's help Carver was brought home. When they burst in through the front door of Gamlen's house, Leandra jumped up from her chair in fright.

"Paden? What's going on? What's wrong with Carver?"

"Bring him in here," Paden said to the men as she led them into the bedroom. She motioned for them to lay her brother down on the bottom bunk.

"Paden, what happened?" Leandra demanded.

"We encountered a blood mage," Paden said softly as she quickly checked her brother's condition.

"A blood mage?" Leandra gasped. "What happened?"

"Hey, what about our coin?" one of the men demanded.

Paden sighed and fished thirty silver coins out of the pouch on her belt and handed it to the man. "Here you go. Thank you for your help."

"I'll show you to the door," Gamlen said with a frown.

As the men left the room Paden and her mother knelt beside Carver.

"Paden, what's wrong with him? Is he injured?"

Paden shook her head. "The blood mage drew his life energy; he almost died."

"Is there anything you can do for him?"

"I don't know!" Paden said, beginning to panic when she listened to her brother's heartbeat and had to listen again to be sure it was even there. "I'm not a healer," she explained. "I don't know the first thing about healing magic. Mother, do you know any arcane healers in the city?"

Leandra shook her head. "I don't think there are any, dear. At least not ones who would advertise their services."

Paden knew the truth of that.

"What about the Circle?" Leandra said. "Surely one of the mages there would know healing magic."

Paden stood up and began to pace. "The Circle? Mother, don't you know what turning to them would mean? If one would even agree to come here, he'd be accompanied by a Templar. The last thing we need is for one of them to know where we live."

"Tell me the truth, Paden, could Carver die from this?"

Paden sighed and looked down at her brother. "I don't know at this point, possibly."

"Then do we have any other choice?"

Paden rubbed her eyes wearily for a moment as she considered their options. "I'll take a quick look at father's grimoire," she said. "Maybe I can learn something that will help."

"Well, hurry, Paden. We shouldn't delay help for your brother any more than necessary."

Paden hurried into the next room and retrieved the large book from the table. She sat down next to Carver's bed and began perusing the pages. Leandra paced, biting her nails, while Gamlen leaned against the door frame, waiting.

The healing arts were complex, and not many mages ever bothered to learn them. But a basic healing spell that granted vitality to an injured or exhausted person didn't look too complicated compared with the others. Paden just had to be careful not to exhaust herself or she'd need healing too.

After reading through the technique several times, Paden set the book aside and knelt by her brother's bed. She placed both hands flat on his chest and closed her eyes to concentrate.

She found that place inside her that connected her to the fade. She anchored herself there and began drawing power from it. A soft white light began to glow around her hands as she imparted that energy into Carver's body.

The effort was incredibly draining for Paden. She almost immediately felt exhausted, but that could have been due to the fact that she had just had a fight to the death with a blood mage.

After a moment Carver's body began to vibrate. "Paden, what's happening?" Leandra asked worriedly.

Paden shut her eyes tighter and tried to tune out her mother's voice. She didn't need any distractions. After a couple more minutes Paden felt a sudden heaviness settle over her, like a thick wool blanket. Her head began to swim and abruptly her connection to the fade faltered and her body sagged, nearly falling atop Carver.

Leandra caught her by the shoulders and pulled her back. "What happened?" she demanded.

"I can't…" Paden said weakly. "I'm too tired, that's all I can do."

"Was it sufficient?" Leandra asked.

"I don't know." Paden leaned forward and listened to her brother's heart again. It was beating stronger. "I think it must have helped a little. I think he'll be all right now. He just needs to rest."

Leandra let out a tense breath. "Oh, thank the Maker. How did this happen, Paden? How did you get involved with a blood mage of all things?"

Paden rubbed her eyes wearily. "Athenril," she said simply.

"Oh, of course. All the problems we have now are because of that blighted elf. I wish you didn't have to work for her." She shot a glare at Gamlen.

"What?" Gamlen demanded. "You're blaming me for this now?"

"This would never have had a chance to happen if you'd been more responsible, Gamlen."

"Hey, I—"

"Would you two quit arguing about this again?" Paden said, her voice sharp. She stood shakily to her feet. "I need to rest." She climbed the ladder to her bunk and collapsed atop her blankets, too tired to bother climbing under them. "Wake me…if Carver wakes…" she mumbled before dropping into exhausted sleep.