Chains of Blood

by Setrus

Champions aren't trained, they're made, through coincidence and hardships, potential is forged into ability. And as old and new conflicts ignite into something more, that ability will be sorely tested... T for violence and possible romance, not a simple retelling of the game, where would the fun in that be?

44. Chapter 44

"We are not friends-"

"We are not."

Garrett sighed, Fenris was a grim person, and his disposition towards Garrett always seemed to shift between reluctant respect and hostility...and right now, the man was exuding the later. As always when speaking of the future. "...but I respect you, and I'm simply giving you an offer, one that would give me some peace of mind and you a more reliable income. Surely you don't want to stay a mercenary forever? Being a mercenary is a dangerous profession, even more so when you are alone and not in a company."

"I like being alone."

Again, Garrett sighed. Fenris was a...hard man to speak to. Not only was he reserved, but his bitterness made it difficult to speak with him without the subject derailing...not to mention that ever since Fenris' 'apology', Garrett had an innate urge to punch the man every time he saw him. Not that that had factored into Garrett's offer, he knew to separate emotions from business.

Right now, it was hard not to snap at the elf though, and as such Garrett clamped his mouth shut and breathed through his nose, not about to make a scene on an open street.

Dressed in his fine leather armour – Maker willing, he'd never actually have to wear his plate outside training with Bastile – and carrying his fine silverite sword, Garrett knew he was an intimidating figure for most criminals of Lowtown. With Fenris at his right and the massive Maric trotting just behind him, the probability of someone accosting them was minimal.

Yet Garrett had even more protection now. The gang he and Varric was funding was still small, but well equipped, fed and motivated...and thinking he was paying them protection money. 'The cats', as Varric had named them for some reason, had already taken the territory of two minor gangs that had worn each other down with a feud, and while still small, the gang was making itself known as taking its deals very seriously. As such, Garrett expected that even now one or two of these gang-members were watching him, ready to step in if he was in danger...an invisible protection probably far more efficient and flexible than the guards other nobles brought with them when visiting Lowtown.

They were nearing the port area of Lowtown, and as such, the existence of the Qunari compound was making Garrett's back itch with a tingle of nerves, knowing he could not bring these gang members with him in there. He would have Fenris, yes, and the Arishok would not allow anyone to harm him, he was sure...but the Qunari numbers had steadily swelled with elven converts ever since the Qunari's arrival, and each elf convert held humans like Garrett in obvious contempt. Garrett was by now fairly comfortable around Merrill, heck, one might say he was so around Fenris as well...but he wasn't so foolish as to think the idea of armed elves didn't make him raise his hackles. With the exception of Fenris and Merrill, it felt wrong to think of armed elves...in fact he still found himself ever so slightly on edge around that race in general. Still, he knew this about himself, but also knew he was, much thanks to Merrill, doing better...which was what mattered.

Armed and hostile elves was another matter entirely though. Between them and anti-Qunari humans, tensions were high. The Viscount should never have let the Qunari in, it's tearing the city apart without the Qunari even doing anything...

Having calmed down during their silence, Garrett tried again, giving Fenris a glance and noticing the stubborn raise of the elf's chin with as much patience he could muster. "I'm merely saying that a steady income would do you well, plus put you out of a constant risk to your life. I would also feel safer, knowing you'd be guarding my mother, because I know your capabilities as a warrior. As Varric would say...everybody wins."

"My presence would not make your mother safe. Danarius-"

"Has not sought you out in years." Garrett interrupted. "If he did indeed value you so much, why wait for so long? He hasn't even sent anyone to seek for you since we took care of those hunters when we met. No, I fear a random thug or assassin far more than your old master to come and hurt her in the process of capturing a lone rogue slave." Garrett shot Fenris another glance, not surprised to find the elf frowning at his words. It's almost like he wants his old master to come, as if he can't enjoy his freedom until then...curious...

Finally, Fenris replied. "He will come...and I'm no guard...I did that for far too long in his service." He turned his head, eyes narrowing at Garrett. "I will not go back to servitude."

"It's not servitude if you're being..." Garrett stopped himself before finishing and turned his attention back to the street. "...ah, forget it, I should know by now I can't sway you. I was merely trying to help..."

"Of a fashion." Fenris corrected, no doubt referencing Garrett's own gain from such a deal, voice curt.

Garrett, back stiff, stared right ahead, voice a grumble. "...not sure why I bother though..." This whole 'trying to be friendly with everyone' thing is hard work...not sure how Merrill does it.

Ahead, an all too familiar gate loomed high.

Slowing down, Garrett lowered his head as he spoke to Fenris. "Now, let me do the talking." The elf snorted, but Garrett ignored it. "I'm the one he sent for, the one he wishes to speak to...but just...listen in and see if there's anything of note I might miss. Given your knowledge of the Qunari, I'm paying you not as a guard, but an advisor, okay?"

"Yes, you've told me so already, why repeat it?" Fenris scowled. "Are the Qunari making you nervous? I did not think you the type."

"Anything that flies, crawls or walks makes me nervous." Garrett evenly replied, eyes on the gate ahead, guarded by two stoic Kossith sentries with bare chests. You'd think they'd wear shirts by now, they're hardly shipwrecked any more. "And when they are in my city, inciting tensions with their very presence and carry weapons...that so many aren't nervous is what surprises me."

"Hmmm...better safe then sorry?" Fenris cocked his head to the side as the doors before the elf, human and the Mabari opened. "I see." Was that approval? Hard to tell...

Garrett's attention was diverted from Fenris the moment they entered though, his eyes curiously taking in their surroundings. Nothing had really changed since last time he'd visited, but that was only in the square they were in. Judging by the sounds in the background though...the Qunari had gone from having a smith to having an industry...enough to make Garrett ponder the idea of sending in a spy, only to dismiss the notion instantly. The Qunari would not forgive something like that. Wonder what they're making though...I don't like it. Ahead, the path was lined by Kossith guards with their big spears glittering in the sunlight. This time there wasn't an elf was in sight though, making Garrett both relieved and worried at the same time. They are still in the compound, but where...? At least none will eye my back up while fingering a knife this time.

And at the end of the square, the Arishok sat, a statue that might as well never have moved from his improvised throne since last Garrett had seen him.

Marching past statuesque guards, Garrett approached, as always, somewhat uneasy by the strange light in the Arishok's eyes as the Qunari watched him come closer. It's like he can see right through me...

Shaking aside the scary thought, Garrett bowed his head slightly before speaking. Don't say 'sent', Garrett, you're not his servant... "You asked for me, Arishok?"

"I did." The Qunari's voice was like gravel. Hard, stony, bereft of all emotion. For a moment, all the Arishok did was look at Garrett, his gaze sweeping over the man. "You have done well for yourself, basvaraad" Garrett flinched, then remembered himself. He means no insult, it's a title, one I earned, although 'bas' means...no, ignore it. "Word has reached the Qunari that you are now a...'noble'." The Arishok seemed to taste the word, and find it wanting.

"I earned that title, yes." Garrett replied, annoyed with how defensive he sounded.

Next to him, Fenris cocked his head to the side, voice a low whisper. "It's not about earning..."

The Arishok's voice commanded silence though. "It's not about earning, it's about being."

"Can we agree that I'm rightly a noble, then?" Garrett snapped back.

"Yes." The Arishok looked to the sky, corner of his lip for a moment trembling into a what might have become a grimace of disgust. "More so than these other...'nobles'...all are bas, if not worse, dealing with them leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

That's not surprising. "Then it might please you to know that the Viscount has appointed me as liaison with the Qunari here in Kirkwall?"

The Arishok jabbed a thick finger in Garrett's direction, eyes narrowing. "The Viscount does not have the power to choose who the Qunari speak to." Then, as quickly, the hand dropped and the Arishok's eyes shifted to their usual neutral look. "However, I approve, speaking to you is far more bearable than any of the other wretches in this cesspit of a city."

How...kind. Garrett clenched one hand into a fist, then felt Fenris' warning eyes on him and relaxed it. Right, calm. "If you are unhappy with the way things work here, you are free to go, in fact, I'm surprised you haven't already. A Qunari ship could have arrived months ago, had you so wished it."

"We cannot go."

Garrett threw a glance at Fenris, but the elf showed no sign of there being any danger, his cool eyes on the Arishok. Turning back to the Arishok, Garrett arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because our purpose here is not yet fulfilled." The Arishok replied, then eyed Garrett's face and spoke up again. "We are seeking something beyond the understanding of bas, until it is found, we will not leave."

That...makes sense yet not. "What is this thing? I may not understand what it is, but I may still be of assistance in retrieving it for you." Garrett hesitated, then realised it was pointless to hold back. "I have...ways and resources you do not when it comes to finding what is hidden in this city."

If the Arishok felt insulted by the way Garrett implied an eagerness to get rid of him and his Qunari, he didn't show it. "No, this is a task for the Qunari alone." Something of...religious significance then? Or a military secret? Garrett had a hard time picturing anything else viewed as vital that the Qunari would not hire outsiders for, however much it would have disgusted them. "But we will find it, eventually, and then we will leave."

Ah, so you did notice my eagerness to get rid of you... There was no anger or irritation in the Qunari's eyes though, and as such Garrett met the Arishok's gaze. "As you say." He shrugged. "That said, you have not yet said why you sent for me." Asked! Dammit, you were supposed to say asked!

The Arishok didn't seem to care or even make note of the word though, his horned head bobbing in a nod. "Agreed, I did not ask for you to discuss the dealings of the Qun, nor your...change in rank in this city." Again, there was a near-grimace on the Arishok's face. "I wished to speak of you regarding the actions of a bas by the name of Javaris."

Garrett held back a groan, shifting back onto his heels. Figures... "He is still in the city then? What has he done?"

"He has continued to ask for the gaatlok, sending more and more offers, refusing to understand that the value of the gaatlok, as with anything of worth, transcends mere money." The Arishok nearly spat out the last word, though his face remained impassive. "Now, he has resorted to thievery." A low rumble, like the growl of a dragon, escaped from deep within the Arishok's chest at that. "The Qun does not abide thievery."

"Do you wish me to find him and...hand him and this gaatlok back?" Garrett hesitated, thinking the situation over. He's still a Kirkwall citizen, if we start allowing them to punish out citizens...no. "I may find him, and return the gaatlok, or the recipe, if that's what he took. But Javaris is a citizen of Kirkwall, and I cannot hand him over. That said, thievery is not abided in Kirkwall either..." Was that a flicker of amusement in the Arishok's eyes? "...especially against a guest. As such I will have him punished for his crime."

A low growl escaped the Arishok, the giant leaning forward in his seat. "The crime was against the Qunari, and bas have shown themselves incapable of properly dealing with criminals..." For a moment, Garrett felt his chest tighten as the Arishok seemed ready to snap something more...only for the giant to lean back once more. "But that is immaterial, the thief is likely dead by now."

Garrett went cold. "Why do you think that?"

"Because the recipe the dwarf stole was not for the gaatlok, but for saar-qamek" Next to Garrett, Fenris shifted where he stood, a worried movement that seemed so out of place for the elf, that Garrett caught himself swallowing, despite not knowing what it was. "Not knowing how to contain it, he will no doubt release it...at which point he, and all near him, will die." The Arishok pointed a finger at Garrett. "Which is why I asked for you."

"Me?" Garrett blinked, confused. "Why me?"

"You are basvaraad, you are entitled a warning." The Arishok shrugged, a miniscule movement. "The others of this city are not."

Suddenly, Garrett caught himself taking a step forward, though neither the Arishok or his guards seemed to take notice of the movement, nor of his suddenly intense gaze. "What is saar-qamek?"

"A gas, that drives all but Kossith mad with rage upon inhalation." The Arishok replied, as if speaking about the weather. "Those who smell it will slay one another, and others as well...it's a dangerous weapon, one even the Qunari are careful with using."

"And...Javaris is making it, maybe right at this very moment..." Garrett swallowed, taking a step back. Next to him, Maric approached, the dog giving voice to a low growl, eyes on the Arishok. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"The danger to you is minimal, you have been warned and you are capable enough to avoid the gas, once it appears."

Garrett went pale. "B-but...it'll kill people, maybe hundreds?"

"If the dwarf makes enough, maybe thousands." The Arishok agreed, not looking the least bit moved.

"Why...why haven't you sent out a warning right away?! Done something!?" Garrett found his face flushing, anger making his fists curl as Maric gave voice to another low growl.

"The Qunari will not protect the bas from themselves...it's their lack of purpose, their diseased minds, that have caused this, not the Qunari." The Arishok leant back, his guards suddenly moving their heads, eyeing the Mabari and Garrett both. Careful now... Quietly, Maric inched backwards, growl disappearing.

"And the fact that thousands will die due to one man's foolishness does not...!" Garrett nearly bit his tongue, realising his arguments would fall on deaf ears. "You yourself have elves among you, elven Qunari are not Kossith, they're in danger."

"Qunari know how to nullify the effect of saar-qamek" The Arishok dismissed the danger. "The other races of of the Qun are in no danger, their protection exist within themselves." Within themselves...?

"Tell me how to neutralise the gas then!" Garrett swallowed, suddenly scared as realisation dawned on him. Javaris will make it in Lowtown...Merrill is there...Isabela too, Anders is close enough, and with such random violence...not only is everyone I know at danger, but afterwards...Maker. "If nothing else but for your own sake! Javaris might be at fault, but once the gas has disappeared, everyone will blame you, not the dwarf!" A bloodbath will ensue!

"You are basvaraad, but still bas, my warning is enough to make you capable of saving yourself." The Arishok shook his head. "And the actions of bas are no consequence to the Qunari. In their madness, their actions make no sense. You may be right, but the Qun is the truth, we need not play your games, your...politics." The Arishok nearly grimaced, as if sullied by the very word. "The Qun will endure."

"I...that's..." Remember the Saarebas and its pointless death, Garrett bit down, hands clenched to his sides as he struggled not to shout.

Before him, the Arishok eyed him almost looking...curious.

Garrett though, found his gaze drawn to the ground, thinking.

I have to get the others to safety and then...no, that'll take too long and by then Javaris might have...

The whole city could become engulfed if the man does too much though.

And even if not, the city will erupt into a war that might leave all I've worked for in tatters.

Bethany's death, Carver's leaving the family...for nothing...

No.

Looking up, Garrett shook his head. "If you won't tell me how to neutralise the gas, we are done talking."

The Arishok actually frowned at that, his words nearly a question. "I will not..."

"Then we are done." Garrett swivelled around and began marching towards the door, Maric at his side as Fenris struggled to catch up after the sudden manoeuvre.

Behind him, the Arishok called. "What will you do?"

"Stop Javaris, of course!" Garrett snapped back, anger flooding back into him.

Before him, the gate opened as the Arishok once more spoke, puzzled. "You are not obliged to do that."

"And that's the difference between you and me..." As he reached the gate, Garrett once more turned around, glaring back at the perplexed Qunari. "...I choose to do what I do."

With that, Garrett once more wheeled about and marched, this time out of the already closing gates, ignoring the Arishok's gaze boring into the back of his skull.

His voice was clipped as he brushed past a surprised-looking woman carrying a basket of laundry. "Maric, go home, warn Bastile, he'll know well enough to put guards on the walls."

With a woof, the dog took off with the speed of a horse, rushing past people that screamed or jumped out of the way...some too slow as they were bowled over by the giant Mabari.

Next to Garrett, Fenris followed, tone somewhat uncertain. "I do not know the way to resist saar-qamek, and considering their effects, which I've seen...if you wish me to accompany you, I think it's fair to demand more gold."

"You get half again as much offered previously if you go to the barracks and warn Aveline or whoever is in charge at the moment about the danger." Garrett stopped, a sudden scream making him turn his head towards the sound...only to see dozens of guardsmen run past, towards the alienage. "Scratch that, you go to the Hanged Man and warn Varric. He'll get the word out of the danger and do all that might be necessary."

"As you wish." The elf started turning, then stopped, eyeing Garrett. "And what will you do...?"

"I'll be solving the Arishok's riddle."

Garrett started to run after the soldiers.

8

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Thanks to Abydos Jackson for somehow always finding that extra bit of time.