The cave was clearly an old mine.
If the broken rails running along the main paths wasn't enough of a sign, the pickaxes strewn about, some still embedded in the stone, were. Garrett doubted it was the Tal Vashoth that had run the miners out though, the handles to the pickaxes were mouldy, if they even remained, and the air had a lingering scent of age about it, despite the new occupants.
Having used side-passages and with Maric quietly scouting ahead, the group had been like shadows, fleeting from one hiding place to the other. In their wake they had left the odd Tal Vashoth in the dust, Isabela and Varric having been instrumental in silently taking care of those who could otherwise have raised the alarm.
Which Garrett was exceedingly thankful for now that they had arrived at the main camp of the Tal Vashoth. Fighting them head on if they had been ready would be suicidal, with surprise however, it's a different matter, just like with the Templars at the Chantry. From his vantage point at the end of a tunnel that gave a good view of the large chamber ahead, Garrett eyed the situation critically.
Below, there was another tunnel leading into the chamber, the one you had to take to enter it, since the one Garrett knelt in ended with a twelve feet drop. Near the tunnel two Tal Vashoth sat on a rock each, a barrel between them that they were using as a table as they played cards, low murmurs escaping them as they revealed their hands. As with all Tal Vashoth, and Qunari in general, they were bare chested, though Garrett wasn't underestimating them, the spears resting next to the two players were long and sported serrated blades, making them look more like cruel glaives than pure spears, and there was no question that the Tal Vashoth knew how to use them.
In fact, most of them seemed to carry those spears as their weapon of choice. Over at the far right of the cave, a full six spears rested against the cave wall, three of the owners busy forming a circle around and watching another two wrestling, the two combatants using leverage and various grips to fell one another over and over again. The sixth owner stood to the side of them, a thoughtful look in his eyes as he watched the struggle while sipping on the content in a large tin cup.
At the other end, four more of the Tal Vashoth stood in a line, their larger spears thrust into the ground next to them as they used smaller spears for target practice on a few crudely painted targets. Even as Garrett watched, one of them struck the dead centre of his, splitting the old wood in two with a crack. Garrett grimaced, to the giant Tal Vashoth the spear might be a javelin to throw, but for a smaller human such a large projectile was a horrifying prospect, something you'd expect from a ballistae, not a hurled by an individual. Better keep my shield up when facing them.
At the far end of the cave, atop a platform, it was easy to see who was the leader. The Tal Vashoth sitting on the chest with a overturned table acting as a backrest was not only sporting several gold necklaces, no doubt stolen from some killed trader, but also had a large claymore resting against his knee, as if his 'throne' wasn't a big enough sign of his status. Almost looks like the Arishok, sitting at the raised dais like that, maybe he fancies himself as something similar.
At the feet of the platform an additional two Tal Vashoth were sitting in the dirt, a small pile of copper coins between them that they seemed intent on arguing over. What really drew Garrett's attention though, was the Tal Vashoth standing at the right side of the leader. The beast was unlike the others, his muscled frame was supporting a large collar of bronze that rose up to his chin, his eyes hidden by a mask and bronze chains hung from him, disgustingly attached to his skin, the skin where flesh met bronze puckered and sickly-looking.
"He's a mage." Anders muttered, the man kneeling down next to Garrett and Aveline, something within his eyes coming alight, a small fire within them. "Look at what they've done to him, Qunari are just as bad as the Chantry, if not worse..."
Garrett glanced up at Bethany, exchanging a worried look, then grimaced as Fenris at the back muttered. "Control over something dangerous should never be scorned."
Anders glared back, ready to snap back, but Garrett was quicker. "Anders, we can't help him, in fact, I'm sure that the moment he becomes aware of us, he'll attack with the intent to kill, we can't show mercy." Garrett shot the still monster a worried look. "He can't...sense you, can he?"
"No, I know, they've turned him into a tool of war..." Anders growled, eyes flashing as he narrowed them at the Tal Vashoth mage, his voice hoarse. "...death will be a mercy for him." A shake of his head, and he blinked. "What? No, no he can't sense neither me nor Bethany, his training seems...rudimentary at best, I feel...control...control and raw force." Again, Anders' eyes flashed. "They've turned him into a hobbled artillery piece, nothing but a tool that's viewed as so volatile that even he himself fears he'll 'break at any moment."
"Good, a sensible precaution." Fenris calmly noted.
Anders spun to glare at him, and when Garrett moved to grab the mage's shoulder and turn him back at the task at hand, he spotted Bethany inching away from the elf in fear. He shot Fenris an irritated glare, all the more so due to how unashamed Fenris seemed to be about voicing such an opinion in his current company. No, focus on what's important. Turning back to Anders, he whispered. "Ignore him, he's a spiteful one, now, I need you to understand that that mage might be in pain and enslaved, but still dangerous, I don't want you to hold back, because he's probably the most dangerous one of them, we need to take him out quickly."
"I understand." Was Anders dull reply, the mage offering a short nod, eyes fixed on the Tal Vashoth.
"Good, because we only get one chance." Garrett turned where he sat, gesturing at the others to come close. "Okay, this is what we'll do..."
8
8
8
In the shadows of the lower passage, Garrett waited, feeling nervous. Yes, the Tal Vashoth weren't ready for an attack, but they were more numerous, bigger and not to mentione trained soldiers. Yes, Garrett figured they had the advantage in magic, surprise and tactical disposition, but he had seen too many of his plans crumble as of late to find any calm in it. And now he himself didn't even have control, he was just waiting, waiting for the signal.
Next to him, Maric sat on his haunches, the Mabari silent, eyes almost glowing as he looked ahead, ready to do his part. Behind him Carver knelt, then Aveline and Fenris, followed by Isabela in the rear. They were all waiting with baited breath, waiting for Anders, Varric and Bethany to give the word.
You have good fighters at your back, good support from magic and Varric's crossbow, the Tal Vashoth are relaxing, we do it hard and fast like before. Garrett nodded at his own thoughts, calming a little. It's doable.
Around him, there were scrapes of feet against the ground, creaking of armour and a low sound of breathing, as if they all breathed as one as they awaited the imminent battle.
Silence.
Why is it taking so-
With a roar, a fireball shot forth from the tunnel above theirs, hurtling straight for the Tal Vashoth leader and his entourage.
The Tal Vashoth mage reacted quickly though, stepping forward his hands shot up...and the blast enveloped nothing but a large bubble of shimmering energy surrounding him and the three others upon the dais.
Dammit. "Now!" Garrett shouted the unnecessary order even as he jerked to his feet and ran forward, though Maric swiftly outstripped him as the Mabari charged forth with the power only a mounted knight could match.
Right past the closest two Tal Vashoth, making them look after him in shock as the Mabari hurtled for those practising with their javelins, bowling the nearest one over with a victorious growl, teeth and claws raking his target. The two Tal Vashoth he passed hesitated, then turned towards the others coming after the Maric.
The eyes of the closest of them widened in shock and pain as Garrett drove his sword deep into his chest, a low grunt escaping him as he tried to speak...and then Garrett knocked him onto his back, freeing his sword in the process.
In the background he saw the Tal Vashoth mage flinch as Bianca thumped a bolt into his chest, the strange shield around him and his leader shifting. Then a beam of whiteness shot forth, slamming through the shield of energy and striking the mage's right arm, freezing it solid and drawing a low growl out of the creature...a growl turning into a muted shriek as a second bolt struck the arm, shattering it.
Garrett forced himself to focus on his second target though. Rushing onwards to the next Tal Vashoth, Garrett was surprised by the speed with which the large beast pulled forth his spear. With no time to waste, Garrett thrust his sword forward...
Whiteness filled his vision.
Gasping, Garrett found himself tasting gravel, his jaw aching from a blow even as he rolled onto his back, seeing the Tal Vashoth standing above him with a spinning spear, the dull end stained by Garrett's blood.
Taking up a defensive posture, the Tal Vashoth prepared for the onslaught of the others, only for Aveline to run right past him, the woman running for Maric as the Mabari with a growl was kicked off his mauled target by one of the javelin throwers, two javelins flew at Aveline, only for one to miss her by a hair as the other bounced off her shield with a resounding thump.
A roar...and Carver leapt over Garret, sword coming down at the Tal Vashoth raising his spear to parry...only for the beast to step to his left and release the spear with his left hand and grab Carver by the neck before hurling him over Garret with an irritated snort.
Then Fenris was there, the elf rushing into the Tal Vashoth, his hammer slamming against the parrying spear, then surprisingly holding fast as the elf somehow managed to stay on his feet as the much larger beast and he locked their weapons against one another and began to push...
"Men!" Garrett blinked at the sight of Isabela's thighs above him, dimly surprised to find her wearing underwear, then she ducked low as she ran past the struggling pair...and cleanly slit open the ankles of the Tal Vashoth as she rushed onwards, making the beast roar in pain and fall onto his back. The next moment something that almost seemed to be an amused snort escaped Fenris as the elf brought his hammer down into the screaming mouth of his foe with a loud crunch.
Rolling onto his feet, Garrett took stock of the situation.
At the far right the six Tal Vashoth had gotten hold of their spears, but their counter-charge had floundered as Bethany and Anders did as instructed, targeting the cluster with their fireballs when the Tal Vashoth mage was disabled. The twin explosions made a whooshing sound as hot air brushed Garrett's face, but only one Tal Vashoth fell, the others simply growled in anger, despite the smouldering edges where the explosions had torn their skin off. The blasts did blind them though, despite them all having looked away at the last instance, as such they didn't even see Fenris and Isabela as the two came flying at them with enviable speed.
The leader of the Tal Vashoth and his two guards were confidently moving down at the battlefield though, the large leader apparently unharmed. Why isn't Varric shooting him! The answer came with a thud, making Garrett spot the Tal Vashoth mage struggling to move, to cast his spells with his remaining hand, his chest riddled with crossbow bolts. Oh...that's impressive. Even as Garrett watched, another bolt struck the beastly mage, making him stumble back and drop onto his leader's 'throne'.
At the far left the Tal Vashoth mauled by Maric was crawling away while clutching at his face, though his struggles were fading by every passing moment. The Mabari himself and Aveline were struggling though, the only thing keeping them alive being Aveline's quick shield as again and again she deflected fearsome thrusts at her and the dog as the three remaining Tal Vashoth slowly fanned around their two foes.
"Carver!" Garrett shouted the name even as he ran forth, feeling rather than seeing his brother at his side as he leapt to Aveline's aid.
With a crash, he slammed into the rightmost Tal Vashoth, his shield knocking the spear of his foe sideways when it struck the arm holding it. The large foe tried to turn away from Garrett's following slash, but growled in pain as it cut his back open and fell upon one knee. Howling in frustration, the Tal Vashoth spun where he knelt, thrusting his spear up at Garrett's face, only to miss as Garrett's shield moved from left to right to push the weapon aside, then down in a brutal backhand, knocking the beast down on all fours.
A grunt, and Garrett slammed his blade into the exposed back of his foe, his attention already on the others.
Carver came at the leftmost Tal Vashoth, but jumped even further to the left at the last instance as the Tal Vashoth directed his spear at the charging man. Dancing away, Carver smirked...and then the Tal Vashoth gasped and fell onto his knees as Aveline's quick blade darted into his back and through his chest.
The last Tal Vashoth was trying to retreat, but Carver was too close and it thrust out at him in desperation, only to find the spear swiped aside as the still moving Carver stepped within his foe's guard, his blade a silver trail as it whirled over Carver's head before descending once more, cutting the beast's head off with a dull crack.
At the other end of the cave, Fenris and Isabela were involved in what almost looked like an intricate dance of death and blood, the elf surprisingly matching Isabela's swiftness with his much heavier hammer. Two Tal Vashoth were already dead there, and two more now fell, one with his head caved in, the other gutted. The two remaining Tal Vashoth were backing away, spears held before them in defensive postures, as the much smaller human and elf slowly advanced on them, the role of predator and prey reversed.
And nearly upon them, the leader of the Qunari rebels leapt forth.
Only for Maric to bark as the dog leapt to meet the enemy charge, the Mabari swiping his foe's claymore aside with a bloodied paw as he went for the jugular.
The teeth snapped shut an inch short though, the Tal Vashoth's other hand having caught the Mabari by the throat in the last instance, his eyes coldly regarding the dog, voice low. "Saar..." He tossed the dog aside, sending Maric flying and drawing a pained yelp from him when he struck the cave wall.
Garrett growled and charged, Aveline at his right, Carver at his left.
Carver was, eager and young as he was, the first to reach his target, one of the leader's guards. He swung, but found his blade parried and deflected to his left by a raised spear whose jagged tip swiped at him in turn, only to miss as well as Carved ducked beneath it. Then the tip moved back in another swipe, this time low and long, catching Carver in the leg and tripping him onto his back.
No! Garrett thrust out at the leader of the Tal Vashoth, his arm momentarily going numb by the force of his foe's parry. His attention was on the leftmost guard though, who he struck with his shield before the Tal Vashoth could attack his brother...a loud crack and his foe stumbled backwards, his jaw bloodied.
Aveline had also charged into a guard, but her charge had floundered when he suddenly flung his spear at her, sending her tumbling to the ground with her blood running freely as the large spear lodged itself into her shoulder.
No!
Shouting out in frustration, Garrett ducked under the whooshing slash of the Tal Vashoth leader's claymore as he darted to the right, his shield smacking a surprised-looking Tal Vashoth in the face before the monster could reach for another weapon, which was swiftly followed by a thrusting sword going deep into his gut.
Spinning clockwise, Garrett's sword swung in a wide arc, striking the Tal Vashoth leader's sword with a flash of sparks as he deflected the enemy attack. His shield followed, swinging as wildly as his sword, making the beast jump back to avoid being hit.
No!
Another shout, this time almost sounding like a roar, escaped him...and he hurled himself at the second guard. The Tal Vashoth had recovered from the blow to his jaw and was now trying to press his advantage on Garrett's brother, his spear having drawn blood from Carver's legs as Garrett's brother was unable to protect them properly while on his back. At the sound of Garrett approaching though, he flinched.
It was all Garrett needed. Growling he slammed the spear of his foe aside with his shield, thrust at his foe's gut with his sword, only to have the blade miss by a hair as the beast turned away from the blow. The next moment Garrett was right in his foe's face...and head-butted him.
Grunting in surprise, the beast stumbled back...and then cried out as Carver thrust his blade up between the beast's legs. The cry was short-lived though, turning into a gurgle as Garrett's blade punched into his throat.
You will not harm them! Garrett spun round, knowing the leader was coming at him. None of them! He swung-
-and his blade was sent flying as the leader of the rebels parried the swing before kicking Garrett's hand open with a steel-tipped boot. The beast grinned-
And then stumbled back as Garrett punched his shield into the beast's throat. The claymore slashed at Garrett's face-
-only to hit air as Garrett leant backwards before coming back for another swipe with his shield, this time striking the side of the beast's face, dazing him. Drawing his dagger with his free hand, Garrett shot another shield-aided punch at it, but missed as the Tal Vashoth stumbled back and swung a backhand slash at him-
-which struck Garrett's steel breastplate with a resounding clang as he stepped close and yet again slammed his shield into his foe's face, and again, and again... Garrett hissed, feeling the blade slide down until it found skin instead of steel, slashing at it. But the pain only fuelled him, made him angrier.
You won't hurt them!
He took one step back and spun, his shield coming down from high, smashing the raised claymore down...and then his dagger followed in its path, Garrett roared as he swung...and punched the blade through the Tal Vashoth's forehead with a loud crunch.
The beast fell to its knees, a look of shock in his eyes...and then dropped onto his side.
Garrett too stared in shock, down at his foe, then, down at himself, finding large quantities of dark blood pouring down his right side. Is all that my-
He dropped onto his knees, the surge of adrenaline fading, replaced by a drained feeling, a coldness.
"Garrett!" He wasn't sure who shouted the name, nor if he was supposed to react, all he saw was the sand rushing at him...
Darkness.
Silence.
Then light.
Blinking, Garrett sat up straight, confused. "Huh?"
The first thing he saw was his sister leaning on one knee next to him, grinning wide, though her face was paler than usual. Next to her, Anders was also kneeling, a green mist coiling around his hands like a living thing, before slowly seeping into his flesh. His hoarse voice was calm, and a little amused. "There we go, nothing too bad, just a lot of blood, drink much water the next few hours, okay?"
Garrett nodded mutely, still a bit surprised, not entirely sure what had happened. Bethany seemed equally puzzled. "Brother...you were crazy...I mean a good crazy...but still crazy."
"There is no good crazy..." Garrett muttered and reached up, glad Bethany didn't comment about the fact that he needed help from her to get to his feet. Eugh, my knees feel like they're made out of water... "How is everyone?"
The question was unnecessary, he could clearly see it.
Varric and Isabela were unharmed, the two rogues exchanging chuckles as they went over the battle in low voices.
Aveline was sitting up, nursing her shoulder, now spear-free. She had an incredulous look on her face as she eyed the now non-injury, a look she at times shot Anders. Clearly she hadn't expected such good results. Carver was also sitting up, gritting his teeth as Anders performed his magic on the boy's bloodied, but not too badly damaged, legs.
Further off, Fenris stood, the elf gripping his left upper arm with his hand, having received some minor but painful scrape. The fact that he was stoically ignoring Anders' work though suggested that he was not in enough pain to ask for healing. Idiot. Ignoring him, Garrett let his worried gaze sweep over to where Maric had been thrown, only to find the place devoid of any dog.
A small woof, and Garrett found Maric sitting on his haunches in front of him, fur sporting lumps of blood and dirt, but the dog's eyes didn't speak of pain. Bethany answered the unasked question. "I did some healing too...kind of proud of it."
"Thank you." Garrett rubbed her shoulder, feeling oddly distant from it all as he looked over the battlefield, of the dead foes littering the floor, well aware of how close he had been to becoming one of them himself, or worse yet, have Carver or Aveline be one of them, of how risky the enterprise had been. Javaris better be good for the gold or I swear he'll pay for it...
He shook off the melancholy, finding his sister eyeing him with a curious look on her face, only to look away when he noticed her.
"Right." He released her shoulder, forcing his watery legs to move. "Gather up the loot, Fenris, you have first choice as agreed, but let's keep this quick, I don't want to be stuck here until nightfall, there are more bandits than the Tal Vashoth out there after all."
Plus, I have an appointment...
8
8
8
"There you are, what took you so long?" Javaris asked, frowning in irritation.
Garrett felt something in his back stiffen at the question, he had been prepared for Javaris to be rude, the dwarf was nothing if not solely focused on his money, which Garrett was as well to be fair, but he had more tact about it. Tact he had already decided not to use with the merchant. "It took a while sawing off the head of the Tal Vashoth leader." He held up the bag, the blood from the cut had begun to seep through the rough cloth, drawing many stares from people around them as it stained the dusty ground, luckily, the docks were one of the places where you didn't ask questions. "He had a thick neck."
"Ah." Javaris eyes bulged at the sight, despite it having been he himself who had asked for that particular bit of proof. "Yes...I see, well..." He cleared his throat, tugged his tunic straight and raised his chin as he started to cross the road towards the Qunari compound. "...let's get this started then, money and wealth, here I come."
Following, Garrett frowned. He had considered that he might be dragged along with Javaris to the Qunari, but that didn't mean he had to like it, he remembered the beast in Lothering all too well. But with that in mind he had sent his siblings away, there was only need for one of them to enter the lion's den, after all. As such it was only him with Javaris, even Varric was gone, dragged off by a surprisingly eager, even for her, Isabela towards the Hanged Man. "I don't recall me escorting you into the compound as part of our deal, I want my payment, Javaris."
"And you'll get it in a moment." The dwarf replied, offering Garrett a calming gesture that did nothing to remove Garrett's frown as the two walked up to the gate. "You there, guard, open the gate, I have business with the Arishok."
The sole Qunari stationed outside the compound looked down at Javaris. As with most, there was a frightening calm about him, as if nothing could rock his stony demeanour, yet despite that Garrett sensed a hint of...mockery in the eyes of the beast. There was a long pause, making Javaris shift uneasily where he stood."You may enter." The Qunari finally spoke, his words slow, unhurried, showing who was in charge.
Someone had to have heard his words, for a moment later the gates swung open.
Snorting, his chin held high, Javaris strode on. Garrett however, paused to look at the Qunari guard, who steadily met his gaze. Oh well, better get this over with. Shrugging with a sigh, Garrett moved on, following Javaris into a place that Garrett would not tell his mother he had been in.
The compound was surprisingly clean, spotless save for the fact that the ground was made of dirt, and the difference from the rest of the dock area was so startling Garrett found himself blinking. Huh, if the rest of the docks looked like this, it would almost be pleasant being there... Banners hung from the walls though, and while the dark brown cloth made the place more pleasing to the eye, it was also a sharp reminder that every Qunari there was a soldier, of the danger Garrett was in.
He could hear and smell them working in the distance, off in various buildings flanking the street, the sound of Qunari blacksmithing and the spicy smell of cooking was reaching him. Yet quite a few Qunari were on the street as well, at even distances they stood, spears resting on the ground and heads held high as they stood guard, eyes never leaving Garrett and Javaris, making Garrett feel small even before they approached the Arishok.
At the end of the street, atop a small flight of stairs, the Arishok somehow made what was really a park bench without a backrest look like a throne. Leaning one elbow on his leg and his chin on his fist, the Qunari eyed the human and dwarf approaching with little interest. Garrett found something within him quiver under that gaze, there was a cold fire within it, a great calm, matched by an equally strong ferocity, all held in place by something Garrett couldn't comprehend.
It didn't help that the Arishok was the largest one of his specimen Garrett had ever seen, his bare chest looked like it had been carved out of stone by a sculptor that had been overly generous on the proportions of his target. Yet the Arishok was very real, and Garrett had no doubt that the man could crush a man's skull with just one of his massive hands. Even his horns were bigger than the others', intricately curled, like massive vines of some plant that had turned into stone.
Surprisingly, Javaris seemed less intimidated by the sight than Garrett – perhaps he was just too arrogant to sense the danger, or perhaps it was because as a dwarf he was used to being towered above – but whatever the reason, his voice was eager when he spoke. "Greetings again, Arishok!"
He was met by stony silence, the Arishok cocking his head to the side as he looked down at Javaris as one would a bug.
The dwarf cleared his throat. "Yes, well, I'm here to tell you that my hireling did his job, the Tal Vashoth were felled, one and all." He glanced back at Garrett and nodded at his bag. "Show him."
Sighing, Garrett turned the bag over, letting the large head of the Tal Vashoth's leader drop to the ground with a dull thump.
To his surprise, there was no reaction from the Qunari around them, the guards simply looked on, unfazed. The Arishok made a pause though, eyeing the head with a hint of interest before looking up at Garrett and offering a small nod. "Impressive, I did not believe anyone in this miserable city capable of such a feat." His voice had a low timbre, as steady and powerful as the rest of his demeanour.
Unsure what to do, Garrett tilted his head forward in a curt nod, but remained silent. This is Javaris' show, I'll let him wrap this up, take my gold and go...at least the Arishok doesn't seem to be the mindless beast like the one in Lothering.
"Yes, very impressive." Javaris agreed with an eager wave of his hand, wanting to get things onwards. "Which means we can discuss the matter of trading in the explosive powder."
The Arishok slowly turned his gaze from Garrett over to Javaris, then shook his head. "No."
"I...what?" Garrett arched an eyebrow even as Javaris' words reached him, the dwarf took a step forward. "B-but you have to...Garrett! Say something!" The last words were hissed through clenched teeth.
Eyeing the incensed-looking Javaris with an unamused impression, Garrett replied. "I was hired by you to kill the Tal Vashoth, not to strike deals for you."
"Come on, just...try something!" Javaris hissed, refusing to let it go.
Garrett sighed. Well, if it'll get us away sooner... He turned back to the Arishok, keeping his tone civil. "The Qunari do not honour their deals?"
"There is no deal." The Arishok snorted, his eyes on Garrett, making the man struggle not to look away. "We denied the dwarf the Gaatlok, then he invented himself a task to prove himself worthy of trade we would never make, a task he then made you do. And even if he had done the task himself, there would never have been a deal." The Arishok shook his head, gaze never leaving Garrett.
Garrett nodded. Sounds straightforward, actually. Turning his head, he looked down at Javaris with a shrug. "Well there you go, you can't force them to sell something if they don't want to."
"But that makes no sense." Javaris blinked, apparently having difficulty wrapping his head around something like that. Merchants... "It's a product, they have to sell."
"It's a tool of the Qunari." The Arishok interrupted, tone sharper than before, though his eyes were as calm as ever. "A means to an end." Now, the Qunari snorted, a hint of disdain in his eyes as they looked down at Javaris. "Not to be squandered on foolish basra, who will only receive the gatlook in the traditional matter."
"But...but...but..." Javaris stuttered, flabbergasted, making Garrett sigh. "You can't just not sell..."
The Arishok's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, making Garrett put a hand on Javaris' shoulder. "Ser, I would advice you to let this drop now, you are not going to get any further by arguing."
"The human speaks truth, leave." The Arishok leant back, already looking away, done with them.
"Well...damn!" Javaris grumbled, kicking at the ground.
"These things happen." Garrett tried to soothe him, despite not feeling any sympathy. "Now, my payment." He thrust his hand out.
Which the dwarf slapped aside. "What? Didn't you hear? There is no deal."
Now it was Garrett's turn to narrow his eyes. "You may not have had a deal with the Qunari, but you did have a deal with me, dwarf."
"No, no." The dwarf shook his head, glaring at Garrett in irritation. "No money is being exchanged today, because nothing was accomplished."
"That's not how it works." Garrett growled, stepping closer. "You might have invented your deal with the Arishok, but I have papers on our deal, and they explicitly says you're to pay me for the slaying of the Tal Vashoth, not for you to pay me when the Qunari sell you their powder. So you will pay me."
"Or what?" The dwarf snorted. "You're going to complain to the Viscount's office? As if someone in your position could even get noticed, besides, I have half the people there owing me money or favours, you really think you're going to get anywhere with your paper?" He crossed his arms over his chest, unimpressed.
Garrett felt a flutter of panic in his chest. Maker, what if he's right...it doesn't look like he's bluffing. Feeling his face warm, Garrett forced himself to stand straight though, to glare harder at the dwarf. "If you think you'll get away with not paying me, you have another thing coming, I always get my job done, and I'm always paid, one way or the other you will pay me." At the corner of his vision, something moved.
The dwarf growled. "You think I'm going to let you bully me into paying you? I have friends you don't want to-" The movement in the corner of Garrett's vision finally drew both him and Javaris' attention, interrupting the dwarf as they both looked over at the Arishok.
The Qunari had risen to his feet, his eyes as calm as ever, but there was heat in his words as he focused them on the dwarf. "You would deny the victor over the Tal Vashoth what you have promised? You accuse the Qunari of breaking our deal with you, then go ahead and break the one you yourself made?" The Arishok's eyes narrowed. "Qunari do not make 'deals', but we act with honour, and while you are in my domain, you will act with it as well."
"I...what?" Javaris took a step back, confused.
The Arishok took a step down from his throne, and Garrett felt rather than saw the other Qunari inch forward, the threat obvious. "This human did something you could not for you with a promise of gold, now you withhold the promised reward?" The Arishok snorted. "Gold is a poor replacement for doing what you're meant to do, but what can one expect of a sick society such as yours? That said, you will behave with a modicum of respect towards your betters when within these walls, and you will give him what has been promised."
"I...what are you saying...?" Javaris swallowed, his confidence evaporating.
Garrett held back a grin, sensing it wouldn't help him in keeping the Arishok on his side. "I believe he says you should pay me, or die where you stand."
"You can't do that!" Javaris protested, the pitch in his voice rising. "I'm a citizen of Kirkwall! An influential-"
"I do not care about your influence." The Arishok snapped. "And if you think claiming legal protection from a society sick because of people like you corrupting it will help, you are mistaken." He took another step forward, and despite still being far away from Javaris, it felt like he stood right before them. "Within these walls, dwarf, the Qun word is law. And the Qun says you will honour your promises."
"I...I..." Javaris' gaze moved from the Arishok to Garrett, then to the Qunari guards, who had barely moved more than enough to make the implied threat a reality, that the Qunari wouldn't hesitate to put him to the sword. "...fine!" Grumbling loudly, the dwarf reached down and tossed a purse in his belt to Garrett and made to stride off...only for Garrett to step in his path. "What!"
Not replying, Garrett opened the purse and counted the coins, his heart fluttering with glee as he saw the amount of gold before him. Twenty sovereigns... He struggled not to grin. "Nothing, ser, carry on." Garrett stepped aside, letting the grumbling dwarf move on, much to Garrett's amusement. Twenty, I have twenty sovereigns, twenty more for the expedition, to get rich...
Silence.
Then Garrett remembered himself and tied the purse up before turning to face the Arishok with a respectful bow. "I thank you, Arishok."
"And I you, for your service to the Qunari." Was the response, though it was hardly impassioned as the Arishok had already turned around and started walking towards his throne. "Now go, we are done here."
"Agreed." Garrett offered a final nod to the Qunari, then walked away, struggling not to hurry or to reveal how happy he was as he took his respectful leave.
I have twenty sovereigns!
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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for finding the time to help.