Peeking out from the dark alley, Merrill looked left and right, a cold bead of sweat running down her spine.
I think...I think I lost them.
The Templars hadn't seen her, but they had sensed her in the crowd when she lost focus in containing her signature of magic. It had all started when she wanted to buy some cheese and the merchant didn't want to sell to her, his gaze flicking to her ears over and over, as if she couldn't figure out why he wasn't selling to her on her own. She'd gotten a bit upset then...distracted...and then felt her veins freeze to ice as a distant Templar boomed out a warning at the far side of the street.
She'd managed to loose them in the crowd then, people had gotten worried, so much that even though they wanted to get out of the way of the two Templars pushing their way forth, they couldn't, not with the press of people against them. Merrill, far smaller than two heavily armoured humans, had had far less trouble and slipped away in the commotion, only for the call of those two Templars alerting others...
It had been a terrifying game of cat and mouse then. Merrill had used the dizzying number of narrow streets, once meant to confuse slaves and make it impossible to organize an escape, to stay out of sight of the scrambling Templars, always one crossing or corner away as more patrols joined the first. It had only gone on for half an hour before Merrill could no longer hear the tromp of their boots or the shouts of their voices, yet it felt like it had taken a day, leaving her breathless and shaking.
Now, having waited another half an hour in her hiding spot, breath hitching every time she heard anything resembling armour, Merrill finally dared to move, like a ground hog finally escaping the safety of its burrow. Rubbing her shoulders, trying to warm herself as she stepped unto the street of Lowtown, Merrill joined the stream of people moving through it while keeping a hesitant eye out for Templars as the chilly but not really cold winter winds of Kirkwall raked her face.
The Templars are so many nowadays...
The thought was mixed with a hint of guilt.
Since the escape of the Starkhaven mages and their 'uprising', as stories called it, as well as a string of apostates being found among criminal gangs and a failed escape attempt from the Kirkwall Circle, the Templars had been recruiting...and recruiting a lot. One couldn't take a step without meeting some Templar initiate, all too many poor people being willing to join the order for a hot meal and a roof over their head. Garrett had said many would probably not make the cut as the training got harder, but already the ranks of the already strong order was swelling. It was now more likely to meet a Templar, even in Lowtown, on the streets of Kirkwall than it was a city guard.
Merrill thought Garrett had done right by the surviving mages and Thrask. Of course, it had only been after Karras had tried to kill them that the man had devised the plan to save the mages rather than bringing them to the Circle...but she still thought it had been somewhat thoughtful to suggest having Thrask to help them and to go to Rivaini. He hadn't needed to give them such advice, yet he'd done so anyway, and she liked to think that made his earlier harshness with the mages easier to stomach. It had still been a scary situation, not just the battle, but then going back to Kirkwall. Merrill had feared the next Templar would somehow see through her guilt, or that Garrett's story wouldn't work with the order...yet somehow they had managed to come out unscathed, save Garrett's injury and the odd scrape and bruise.
Thinking of the man made her slow down her pace, thinking on her...she guessed they were her friends? Garrett was, without a doubt, her Keeper. Stern, always thinking, cautious, disapproving... Yet he hadn't sent her away yet, despite disliking her task and the magic she was using with the Eluvian...Merrill was very grateful for that. He was like the Keeper in taking her seriously though, not dismissing her as ditsy, silly or cute like so many others, even those among her own clan...it was one of the few things she really appreciated about him, no matter how nice it was to be friendly with others, sometimes you just wanted to be taken seriously.
Fenris and Anders did have the later thing in common with Garrett, yet they not only took her seriously, they seemed to dislike her...Merrill wasn't about to apologize for who she was, but she didn't much like being disapproved of. I'll just keep being friendly, they can't be angry forever...plus, they're part of this odd 'clan' of ours...I should try to keep things friendly...they're nice, beyond disliking me, after all. Varric was nice and generous, reminding Merrill of Hahren Paivel in her clan, a story-teller, a man keeping the clan together by his very presence. Aveline...Aveline was so strong, like Mahariel...while the always so funny and playful Isabela reminded Merrill of Tamlen, Mahariel's best friend. Both were now gone...
Merrill came to a stop, breathing out a sigh of grief as she stared down at the ground. Two lives lost in a clan of fifty in a single moment...it had been a devastating blow, everyone had felt the grief of those deaths, unlike in Kirkwall, where death was everywhere and none even cared. For Merrill to take the mirror responsible and to try and fix it...she could understand the clan's anger, but doing nothing would mean those deaths were pointless! She took another deep breath, this time one of anger, of frustration.
I don't care what they say, when I get it working they'll see...I'll start a new era for the Dalish. An era of prosperity, not decline! An era of growth, not slow death! The Elvhen will not die out, I won't let that happen! Can't they see that we can't go on as we are!? We must find a way to exist with the humans without entering another war! And the mirror is the answer! I just need-
Suddenly, Merrill staggered to the left, a wall of flesh bumping into her side. Looking up, she found a pudgy human snap his head around to glare at her, the jowls of his chin shaking in anger. "Watch where you're going,knife-ear."
Merrill shirked back, the old stories from Hahren Paivel of humans raping elven maidens running through her head even as she knew she was being ridiculous. She was a mage, she'd fought people...and the man before her was just a fat merchant...yet none the less she found her lower lip shaking. "I...I wa-wasn't m-moving..." Dammit, I should...I shouldn't...I should... The human glared at her for a moment longer, then snorted and marched away from her while quickly checking his money-pouch to make sure the elf hadn't stolen it in the collision. ...I wish I was more confident socially... Merrill stared at the human's back, lips trembling, fists clenched, feeling powerless and hating it. I wish I was more like Isabela...
As if summoned, the pirate was suddenly right in front of her, looking down at Merrill with a grin on her face as she assumed that crooked stance she always did...Merrill had tried it herself once but simply tripped over...her whole being exuding the confidence Merrill could only dream of. "Well hello, kitten! Fancy meeting you here...you're going to Garrett's as well?"
Merrill blinked, looking about herself and realising she was actually fairly close to the Hawkes place. Or is it the Amels' place, since Gamlen owns it? Though it doesn't feel like he owns it now...humans have odd customs, what's the point of changing surnames like that? It just gives you a headache trying to figure out who's named what. "Ohh...no, I just got here by...accident." Isabela cocked her head to the side in question, but Merrill waved the concern aside. "It's nothing, but I'll gladly keep you company, if you want." Then Merrill frowned, confused. "Though why are you going to Hawke's? He usually comes to us if he has a job..."
"Sure, but this time I'm coming to him." Isabela smirked, leaning closer as she whispered. "I'm smelling money, you see..." She eyed Merrill expectantly, nearly bouncing where she stood in eagerness.
"Errr..." Merrill hesitated, then offered an unsure smile, not wanting to disappoint her friend. "...I like money?"
"That's what I wanted to hear!" Isabela grinned, leaned back and grabbed Merrill by the hand, nearly pulling the elf over in her haste to continue on. "You see, apparently our dear Garrett has gathered enough money for that expedition, an expedition that'll soon leave...lots of money down in the Deep Roads, you know, plus an adventure..."
Well that sounds fun...though didn't Garrett say it would be dangerous? Though I suppose it's just as bad up here right now, the Templars are being so aggressive...I don't want to be taken by them... Hurrying her steps to keep up with the taller human, Merrill nodded to herself. Well...it can't hurt to ask...and I have so little money already, with Garrett off in the Deep Roads I'll have no income...but in the expedition I'd earn money and be fed.
She was so caught up in those thoughts, and the little bit of giddiness at the thought of seeing something so unique as the Deep Roads, that Merrill barely stopped in time when Isabela froze. Looking up, Merrill found her and Isabela face to face with a frowning Aveline. "Ah, Isabela, here to bother Garrett, are you?"
"Oh ye of little femininity, I live to serve him." Isabela did an exaggerated bow, making Aveline bristle even as Merrill looked on with wonder. Not exactly how Tamlen and Mahariel got along... "And what's so important that you are going away from him in such a hurry? I thought you liked him?" The last bit the pirate asked with a wink and a nudge into Merrill's side, reminding the elf of the latest gossip and making her smile. I hope they get together, they'd both be happier that way, I think...not that I know much of that...except that Anders has no dirty spells in his spellbook... The thought made Merrill's neck grow warm, she hadn't been able to help herself...she was curious by nature...though Anders had of course not seen it that way...
The question went over Aveline's head though, or perhaps she chose to ignore it, as she frowned at the pirate. "I just visited him. Sadly, I can't help with the expedition, too much to do." The woman's gaze turned distant for but a moment, looking troubled, then she shook her head and returned to the present. "As to where I'm going...I'm apparently going to play babysitter." Merrill and Isabela exchanged a puzzled look, making the guardswoman sigh. "Garrett wants Carver to stay behind and support his mother and uncle while Bethany and Maric goes with Garrett to keep their sister away from the Templars...Carver...didn't much like hearing that." Aveline grimaced. "So now I have to drag him out of the Hanged Man before he does something stupid...Maker, I sometimes hate that boy."
"Oh let him drink a pint or two." Isabela replied, then shrugged when Aveline shot her an annoyed look. "What? Neither you or Garrett lets him unwind, no wonder he gets so cranky..." The guardswoman's look soured even further. "Ah, whatever, ignore me then."
"If only it were that easy." Aveline grunted, offered Merrill a polite nod and then brushed past her and the pirate, muttering to herself as she went.
When the guardswoman was far enough away not to hear them, Isabela stretched. "Good riddance." She looked down at Merrill with a smile. "Don't hang around that woman too much, she's a bad influence."
Merrill blinked. "That's odd...she said the same thing about you."
Isabela chuckled at that even as she took the lead, confidently cutting a way through the crowd ahead and making Merrill follow, thankful that she for once didn't have to press her way through the mass. "Who says either of us is wrong?" She glanced back, smirking. "I'm a bad girl, you know...but fun too, it's up to you if I'm worth your while."
"You are!" Merrill quickly replied, afraid to insult the pirate and her...odd words. Why would you insult yourself like that...? "And you're not bad."
Stopping just in front of the Hawkes' door, Isabela turned and regarded Merrill for a moment, her smile gone, but only for a moment, as her face split into a grin. "Thanks, kitten." Her hand darted forth, ruffling Merrill's hair even as she shoved the door open, making the elf struggle to see from under a loosened bang of hair as she hurried to reach for the door frame. Isabela! Always forgetting to knock...I guess she's just so eager she forgets...
Within the little apartment, space was in short supply.
Merrill saw no sign of Gamlen or Leandra, though the sound of pottery clattering in the next room suggested they were preparing some kind of meal...if it was the regular evening meal or dinner for all assembled was impossible to tell. Pulling the bang out of her eyes, Merrill looked about the room with large eyes. All furniture but the central table had been pushed to the side, a table now covered with a large map, a dozen pieces of paper, an old-looking scroll, a pair of daggers and half a dozen pens as well as an ink-pot balancing dangerously close to the edge of the table.
The only one not gathered around the table was Fenris, the elf leaning against the wall in the right corner, glowering at Merrill as she entered, making her quickly deflect her gaze, not willing to get into another argument with him. I don't understand him, he doesn't care for the Dalish, he doesn't feel sympathy or anything else for the alienage elves, he hates mages...is there anything he likes!? Poor man must have had a rough life...I should try and help him realise he's with friends at some point!
Three sides of the table sported people. The right side had Bartrand standing in the middle, flanked by a pair of dwarves with black tattoos over their faces and a third wearing a pair of spectacles, and then a pair of humans dressed in worn-looking leather armour. Though while those men were frowning down at the map or muttering to one another, Bartrand himself was leaning on the table, frowning at the map and speaking loudly. "Yeah, it might work, we'll take that route."
"It must work, brother." Varric was standing at the other side of the table, ably flanked by a grimacing Anders and a nervous-looking Bethany. The sight of the later made Merrill grimace. She'd tried to apologise for her presumptions about Garrett a few days ago, but somehow she'd made things worse while babbling...and it was so wrong that Bethany, such a sweet girl, would think less of her...but Merrill had a feeling the woman didn't 'notice' her now in the room for a reason. I really screwed this up...I'm...I'm no good with...people...or talking...or...anything practical, really... Merrill found her shoulders slump. "If it doesn't, there won't be any expedition."
"Then we head for that entrance and hope for the best." Garrett, standing at the far side of the table, grunted. He, like Bartrand, was leaning on the table with his hands while frowning, though the only one next to him was Maric, the Mabari having his forepaws on the table so he could keep his head atop it...and looking surprisingly serious doing so. Merrill couldn't help but notice that Garrett's loose tunic revealed the top of the white scar that scary Templar had given him, a testament to how close he'd been to being killed. And all for a little bit of coin...human society is weird...and I seem to be part of it now... The thought left a bad taste in her mouth. "We've come too far to give up now." With that, he turned his head to look up at the open door, frowning in irritation at Isabela – oh right – Merrill tapped the door frame with her fist, making Garrett offer her a stiff nod...though Merrill's attempt to smooth things over apparently didn't help as he fixed his frown back to Isabela. "I thought I told you to knock when coming over...what do you want?"
"Well you're planning the expedition, what do you think I want...?" Isabela confidentially replied, marching up to the empty side of the table and putting her hands on her hips even as the men at Bartrand's side at the table eyed her with looks Merrill had never seen anyone look at her with...and she wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. "I want in."
Silence.
Bartrand and Garrett exchanged a look, then the former exploded into a laugh as the later frowned at the pirate in exasperation. "You want to be a partner?" Isabela shrugged, shooting off a cocky grin, making Garrett narrow his eyes at her. "Do you have fifty sovereigns?"
Bartrand's laugh died, the dwarf looking back to Isabela with a glint in his eyes...and then snorted as the woman chuckled. "Me? Not even close, but you know how good-"
"Then you can't become a partner." Garrett interrupted, steady staring back at Isabela, challenging her to argue.
Which she did, her head pulling back with a grimace. "That was a little rude, you know I'm more than capable of-"
"As rude as assuming you can get an equal share of a joint effort for...what...just being you? While me and Bartrand have spent a year preparing and gathering coin?" Garrett replied, gaze steady. "I have worked hard and saved every scrap I've earned, Bartrand here has sold everything but his clothes...all to fund this expedition...and you want in on it just because you say you should be?" He didn't raise his voice, yet Merrill could sense an anger within him, an anger forbidding any further arguments.
Isabela, grumbling to her self, glared back, making Merrill take a furtive step away from her in case things got ugly.
A shrug, and Garrett spoke again. "If you'd like, we could hire you on as a guard."
"We could?" Bartrand asked, sounding annoyed even as Varric rolled his eyes and shot a meaningful look at the way his brother was clutching his money-pouch. Oh yes, he told me his brother doesn't like spending money...though I thought he had so little left...does it matter if he spends a little more to be safer then? Isn't that good?
"We could." Garrett replied, not taking his eyes off Isabela...who was frowning, not looking the least pleased. "She's ill-disciplined, but skilled, and would prove useful in a tight spot." He paused, still regarding Isabela. "Well? What do you say?"
"Guard? You want me to be a guard? Not a partner?" Isabela snorted in derision. "No booty, just...pay?!"
"That's what on the table, yes." Garrett replied, unfazed. "Take it or leave it."
"Bloody...fine, it's your head." Isabela grunted, turning away. "I'm out of here, good luck with your expedition, hope you find nothing but bones." Grumbling, she stalked past the baffled Merrill and out the door.
"What was that all about?" Varric grunted, echoing Merrill's confusion.
"She wants one great haul to afford herself a ship, most likely." Garrett shrugged, giving the now empty door an irritated look. "Lucky breaks like that don't come to you like that though. You have to earn them, and that's something she doesn't seem willing to do." Merrill frowned, the words weren't exactly untruthful...but they were a bit rude. "Now...Merrill, what can I do for you?"
Suddenly finding herself under the scrutiny of a dozen pair of eyes, Merrill found herself hesitant...not to mention a little annoyed as some of the men that had been eyeing Isabela before looked at her with surprise, apparently not even having noticed her entering. "Well...I just came with Isabela...b-but if that guard position is still available...?"
One of the humans snickered while one of the tattooed dwarves arched an eyebrow. Bartrand was more vocal though. "Is this elf serious?"
"Do not underestimate her, I can vouch for her ability." Garrett evenly replied, making Merrill blush. He kept his eyes on her though, cocking his head to the side. "Why would you want to go though, Merrill? This is hardly a small job like those we've had before, we'll be gone for weeks."
"I know...and that's good." Merrill grimaced, rubbing her shoulder as she glanced back at the door, then at the men around Bartrand, unsure if she could answer. Garrett didn't seem bothered though, not giving any sign of danger. "The...the Templars are all over the city and so I thought...maybe..."
"What? Another mage?" Bartrand growled, though it was a pleased sound. "How many do you have, Garrett? Do you collect them or something?" The dwarf chuckled at his own joke.
Garrett ignored him though, his neutral look even softening a little at Merrill's explanation. "I understand, Bethany and Anders are both coming along for that very reason." If he heard Fenris in the corner finally give voice to a sound, a lone snort, he didn't show it. "Very well, you can come as a guard, and be paid accordingly." At the table, Bartrand grumbled, but nodded in agreement.
Merrill's face split into a smile, the slight excitement she'd already felt at the thought of exploring the Deep Roads exploding in full bloom so suddenly it caught even herself with surprise. "Oh thank you! It'll be so much fun! I've always been curious about the architecture down there!"
As one, the men on Bartrand's side of the table turned their heads to look at Garrett with arched brows. The man, sighing, gave Merrill an unamused look. "Yes, it'll be interesting, but this is not some amusement trip. We have to be careful and professional, do you understand?" Merrill swiftly nodded, eager to please. This'll be fun! "And no...you-know-what." He again ignored the other men as they shot him questioning looks.
No blood magic...
Merrill smiled and nodded. "Of course not."
"Good, it's settled then." Garrett nodded at her, offering a dutiful smile before he turned over to Bartrand. "Now, I'm not sure which route we'll take after..."
Still smiling, Merrill shifted where she stood, eyes on her feet.
No blood magic...unless absolutely needed, of course.
8
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8
Thanks to Abydos Jackson for my surprise.