Sitting back, Garrett marvelled at what was before him.
Last time we did this, it was in Gamlen's sty, without enough chairs to go around and each bringing their own dish so we could all eat from our wooden plates. I'm surprised mother didn't think of inviting everyone for dinner like this again, actually, even more so that it was my suggestion.
This time, Garrett had invited his friends to dinner in style. He was sitting at the head of a table covered in food., nothing too fancy, he wasn't trying to impress a noble after all, but tasty and plentiful, just as all of them liked it.
Wine was flowing freely, a few discreet – though somewhat wide-eyed at the loud spectacle – servants staying in the shadows, ready to assist if need be.
Garrett could hardly blame them.
He was sitting at the head of the table, and knew he looked every part a noble, if only one from Ferelden. His mother sharing the corner on his right was finely dressed and looked as perfect as one could make a Kirkwall noblewoman. Even Maric, lying on a large cushion in a corner while biting into a big hunk of meat looked noble, yet the rest of the people at the table...
Next to Leandra, Gamlen was sitting, his new vest and shirt stained from the wine he'd already overindulged in. The man's eyes sad as he stared down at his meal, ignoring the odd reproachful look Leandra shot him. I don't know what to do with him, ever since returning here, he's become more and more of a drunk, it's like this place is eating him up...maybe it's hard to let the past go? I might have to send him to the countryside, a nice little place to sober up and breathe fresh air might be just the thing.
It was not hard to see the reason for his sour mood at this time though. While he had sneakily gotten himself seated next to Isabela once more, the pirate was ignoring him completely this time, her attention fixed on the elf seated next to her. Garrett wasn't sure how the pirate had convinced the sourly Fenris to come, but considering how close she was leaning to him while speaking with a smirk and coyly playing with her food before the hungry-looking elf, the noble could give it a guess. At least it was nice of them to show, whatever issues I might have with them, they're part of the group...though seeing Fenris smile for more than a second feels odd.
At the other head of the table, Varric was sitting, the dwarf taking delight in horrifying the servants. Booted feet on the corner of the table, a plate in his lap and eating from it with his fingers, Varric was the essence of a laid back rogue as he loudly discussed the finer points of Fereldian cheeses and cats with Anders who shared the dwarf's right corner. At times, the dwarf had even picked up a little violin resting against his chair and played a tune, adding a loud but pleasant atmosphere to the feast. The life of the party, should try convincing him to join us the next time we go to the Reinharts, they'd be hesitant at first, but I'm sure he would charm the whole nobility in no time...
The left side of the table was louder than the right. Anders seemed in a good mood. Ever since Garrett had allowed for the burning of the tomes of blood magic, the mage had been somewhat amicable, and given the latest news of another breakout from the Circle, Garrett could guess the reason for the usually sombre mage's cheerfulness when speaking to the dwarf. I really need to speak to him about that, escapes I can support, but what system does he have in place for making these mages survive in freedom? I can't surely be hiring all for the Deep Roads expeditions? Free mages in a world they don't understand could be a problem, and another cause for Meredith to cause trouble, we need to mitigate this.
Next to Anders, Aveline sat, Donnic to her right. Aveline had earlier been goaded by Isabela to try some whiskey, and by now her face had a red flush to it as she laughed at whatever Donnic said, the man grinning since he too had had his fill of alcohol. They were, for once, out of uniform, and looked as happy as any couple, if still a little shy around one another...to his surprise, Garrett found himself smiling at the sight. Aveline deserves some happiness, even if it's with a drearily dull man...
The smile easily transferred to the one sharing his left corner.
Garrett had feared, after their argument in the cave, that his friendship with Merrill had reached its end, or at least been damaged. But to his surprise and pleasure, this had not happened, their friendship had continued, maybe even stronger than before...although Isabela's words back in the cave sometimes snuck up on Garrett when around the elf, irritating him. After Athenril, I swore never to get into the clutches of another elf. Merrill might have made me see elves in a new light but...no, it's a ridiculous notion. In the end, Garrett was just happy to earn a smile in return as the elf pulled back a rogue tress of hair as she echoed what he'd thought just a few moments ago. "This is nice, isn't it? I can't believe we've gotten so far...remember the last dinner? I had to fight a rat for my apple!"
"I was just thinking about that." Garrett admitted, taking another sip of his glass. "It's hard to come to terms with how much things have changed." And what we've lost on the way... Garrett glanced down the length of the table, noting the lack of Bethany and Carver with a wince, the wine making him melancholy at the sight.
Merrill pulled him right out of the mood though, her elbow dropping onto the table as she leant closer, chin resting in her palm. "Could you imagine how it would have been, had you stayed in Ferelden? Would you have become a noble? Or stayed a farmer?" A titter. "Behold, noble Hawke, toiling the fields!" The elf grinned.
Mimicking Merrill's posture and finding her grin infectious, Garrett nodded. "That sounds about right, yes. Part of the reason I've gotten to where I am today is how we've all worked together, don't you think?"
Merrill's eyes widened. "I would have been so lost, had we never met! Ancestors, it's bad enough now, but without a little help and companionship at just the right moment...I would have gone mad!" A laugh. "Could you imagine me trying to figure out how things in the city worked without anyone willing to give me a hint or advice?"
Garrett chuckled at the imagery Merrill conjured up. "Oh that would have been...bad, but you're cleverer than you give yourself credit for, you'd have managed."
Merrill's cheeks flushed a little. "I don't know...maybe-"
"Well, it worked out for the best in the end." Leandra suddenly chimed in, her tone surprisingly neutral. Looking to his mother, Garrett found Leandra's look almost...haughty? Eugh, I know Gamlen's behaviour is putting you in a bad mood, but at least try. You haven't been very eager for this party since I suggested it, even... Garrett glanced to his friends, then Leandra again, and sighed. Don't tell me you think us too fine for them now... Mother's eyes betrayed no feelings on the matter though, her smile polite. "I hope you don't feel intimidated by how we've prospered? I understand if it can be a little...jarring...to come here, I mean."
"Oh it was, at first." Thankfully, Merrill didn't seem to notice any second meanings behind Leandra's words and smiled back. "But your son has been so nice, the library now feels like a second home!" The elf grinned as Leandra shot Garrett an arched eyebrow, making him scowl back. Stop it.
Over by the far end, Varric had once more picked up the violin, playing a strange tune Garrett had never heard...and after some bullying from Isabela, Fenris started to sing along on Tevinter, making Anders chuckle under his wine-cup. Aveline and Donnic were staring, though with approval, since Fenris surprisingly had quite a good singing voice. Gamlen glared at Fenris, then went pale and dropped his gaze the moment the elf shot him a glance and murmured something into his glass.
"Yes, my son is quite nice." Leandra chuckled, shooting Garrett a smile before turning her gaze back to Merrill. "He told me your clan is still in the area, by the way, it's quite an honour to know you value my son more than them." Mother!
"Well...it's not...it's not really a thing you can compare, you know?" Merrill shook her head, looking conflicted and pained at the memories Leandra's words had dug up. But then she smiled once more, banishing the darkness with sparkling eyes and a honey-sweet smile. "But don't worry, I won't leave your son, Lady Hawke."
Wait, did Merrill just... Garrett glanced at the elf, unsure since all he saw was kind sincerity, yet... Not as oblivious as many think, no, she's smarter than that.
"Aw, that's nice." Leandra smiled at the elf, a mixture of appreciative and patronizing. Maker, I don't need more conflicts among those I care about as well as those at work... Not noticing Garrett's despair, Leandra turned a more genuine smile to him. "Speaking of nice things, the Reinhart's have sent a new invitation for their next party!"
Garrett blinked. "It's only been a few months since the last one..."
"Five, and we're approaching summer, so yes, we got our invitation again." Leandra patiently replied. Wow, really? It's been that long? Time flies when you work... "Won't it be grand? We had such a good time the last time we were there, didn't we?" She grinned widely at him, her thoughts no doubt on Cecei.
I did make a lot of connections there, yes, and my cooperation with Charles Reinhart has really born fruit, perhaps if I socialise further with him, I can deepen the relationship...oh, and yes, Cecei of course. "It sounds good, mother, I could use a more relaxed surrounding than the Qunari compound or the Viscount's keep for an evening."
"Ohhh...!" Merrill sat up straight, smiling. "Can I come?" Then she blinked in surprise, slouching back down and tapping her index-fingers together with a shy look on her face. "Err...if it's not a problem? I've never seen the nobility have fun before, and you described the Reinhart ballroom as so amazing...?"
"I don't know-" Leandra started.
And Garrett spoke before he'd even registered he had opened his mouth. "Of course you can, it would be nice to have you over."
Leandra shot him a look even as Garrett blinked, surprised with himself. Before him, Merrill was grinning. "Oh, can I!? That's so nice of you, thank you!" She shot forth, giving him a quick hug that smelled of birch, then pulled back, flushed but still smiling as Garrett stared back in surprise. "Oh I bet it'll be so fancy! I won't know where to look first!"
"Garrett...?" Leandra spoke up, a warning in her voice. "Have you considered how this might look...?"
Garrett grimaced at that. Like I'm bringing an elven mistress, to the Reinhart's party, the Reinharts everyone know sare trying to marry their daughter to me. "It'll be okay, mother, any misunderstandings can be explained, I'm sure, the Hawke name is quite respected by now, after all."
"I suppose, but..." Leandra looked to Merrill, then back to Garrett, her hands looking as if she really wanted to wring them in worry. "...son, I don't want things to become...awkward."
Garrett caught himself frowning in irritation. She's my friend, she's coming. "They won't, mother."
As Leandra looked back, an unreadable look on her face, Merrill pipped. "This isn't...a problem, is it? I don't want to be a bother..."
Garrett looked back to the elf, giving a reassuring smile as he put a hand on hers. "There is no bother, nothing that I can't fix, anyway."
Merrill opened her mouth to reply, a smile in her eyes, but before she could, Isabela called out. "Wait, Merrill's going to the Reinhart party!?" Looking up, Garrett found the pirate smirking at him, then down at the hand he'd left on Merrill's, making him grimace as he struggled not to pull it back as if feeling struck by the implication in Isabela's eyes. "That's great! Though...she's not going to the place in chainmail, is she? I mean it's bad enough she comes here, looking as if she expects us to stab her..."
Garrett glanced at Merrill, indeed noting the chainmail underneath her worn and patched tabard. Maker, you have no change of clothing? I need to pay you better... "Oh it's no-" Merrill started.
Merrill's protest was cut short by Aveline. "However much Isabela and I...never mind...she's right, Hawke, you can't bring her like that to the Reinharts."
Isabela's eyes were aglow with eagerness as she rubbed her hands together, eyes on Merrill. "Dress up? On you expense, Hawke?"
Garrett shrugged, surprising himself with not opposing the expenditure as he once would have. "I...suppose, yes, I can pay for it and arrange something unless mother has the time to...?" Garrett shot Leandra a glance, noting her frown. "...no, I'll arrange things."
"Great!" Isabela chuckled. "Trust me, Merrill, you'll love this..." Garrett rolled his eyes as he cupped his glass and brought the wine up to his lips.
"Oh no...I know your thinking, harlot..."Aveline replied, though the insult was spoken with far less heat than she normally reserved for the pirate. "...I'm coming with, or you'll end up dressing Merrill in little else but a belt."
Garrett coughed, choking on his wine.
Next to him, Leandra's frown deepened.
8
8
8
"Ohhh...wedding band, fancy one too." Isabela grinned, pulling the piece of gold off the corpse's finger. Well, seems someone out there lost an ass-hole of a slaver husband, I should charge for it. "Mine."
"That's...nice." Merrill, crouching down next to Isabela, grimaced, the elf not yet comfortable with this final part of their job. Too good a person for this, I'd say, though you do fry them well with lightning... Not that her distaste for their grisly work stopped Merrill from opening the pouch stuck to the man's belt to see what was inside. Garrett was paying them exceedingly well in comparison to before, but that didn't mean the extra income from looting wasn't needed, and Merrill had to pay her bills just as Isabela, maybe even more, given how she had to actually pay for her drinks in the Hanged Man. "Awww, amber dice, they look beautiful..." Bet they're loaded.
"Sure, sure..." Isabela looked about with a grimace, trying to get a an update on the situation and finding that nothing had changed.
The opening in the cliff-face they had entered with Fenris as a guide had turned out to be anything but another dank cave. While dusty from disuse, the walls had been smooth, the furniture sparse but present, the cave seemingly an underground dwelling of old. Given the many rusty cages that had lined every major room, its previous use had been obvious even without Fenris' explanation.
Like once long ago, the place had been inhabited by slavers, though not for long.
Isabela, having a burning dislike for slavery in any form, found the scale-armoured bodies strewn across the final chamber quite pleasing to the eye. If only all slavers would die as easily. The Tevinter slavers had obviously not had much experience with people who fought back...a far cry from the men someone like Castillon surrounded himself with, men that even Isabela feared. And rightly so, if he gets a hold of me...
The head of the slavers was miraculously still alive, though for how long was debatable, with her on her knees and surrounded by a glowing Fenris, a scowling Garrett, a growling Maric and a frowning Anders. Oh for...just kill her and get it over with, I can hear your mumbling over there, just put her out of her misery so Fenris can smile again. Isabela liked intense Fenris, she really did, but something about angry intense Fenris...it was frightening. At least Hawke knows how to deal with the man then.
It was odd, but Isabela had actually understood Garrett's reasoning for acting on Fenris' request for aid. The man had explained it to Merrill, who of course had told Isabela...and it made sense. Fenris might not be a great friend of the Hawke's, but he was hunted by Tevinter blood mages, and his relationship to the Hawkes' was easily tracked back. That meant that if Meredith got wind of things, learned of their relationship to the blood-mages, however tenacious and hostile it might seem...she might investigate things further...and that was something Garrett didn't want.
It made sense, a disgustingly logical conclusion.
Yet at the same time, Garrett had also apparently explained to Merrill that there was a principle in the matter as well. Fenris had fought by their side, protected them and was, however grumpy about it, part of the group...and one defended the group. Soon he'll call us a family too. Isabela nearly grimaced at the disgusting thought even as she couldn't help but admit that the thought of someone being willing to watch out for her was...nice.
Looking back, Isabela also spotted the one survivor, a woman looking like she'd been hit by every branch of the ugly tree when falling off it; a servant the slavers had brought. She was a bony little elf that had been weeping as she'd shovelled the grisly remains of her former friends away from an altar when the group had found her. Now she was still weeping, but quietly, the woman pale as a ghost as she stared at the carnage across the floor, perhaps unable to understand that her oppressors were dead. I know that feeling. Isabela's lips turned into a grim line, the memory of her dear departed husband a grimly satisfying one, though at the time, she'd been terrified...
Varric was with the woman though, a hand on her back, muttering comforting nonsense with a reassuring smile on his face, slowly soothing the frayed nerves of the elf like only he could.
Noticing Isabela's gaze, Merrill perked up. "It was nice of Garrett to offer the poor girl work, she looks like she could use it."
"Yes, because Garrett needs another servant..." Isabela grimaced, the very term 'servant' making her stomach roll. "Really, she's been stuck doing that thing for her entire life and now...he could have just put some gold in her pocket and let her make her own future." Isabela sighed, what she wouldn't have done for a little freedom back in the old days...it was like a drug to her now, more valuable than life itself.
"I...don't think she would have done well that way." Merrill replied, hesitant as she always was when voicing a disagreement, as if afraid she'd hurt the other person's feelings. Probably exactly what it is, kitten, you'll never learn...
"Well then she'd just have to rise to the occasion, wouldn't she?" Isabela looked back to Merrill, arching an eyebrow.
The elf was looking at Garrett though, shaking her head. "Not all of us are like you, Isabela, some of us need others to survive, to...live." A soft smile stole its way to the elf's face. "I'm glad Garrett did this for her."
Eugh, fine. Isabela shrugged the issue aside as she instead focused on more fun issues...smirking, she spoke. "Well...of course you approve of what he does...you're such a fan of his by now..."
"I wh-what?" Merrill's eye widened, her neck flushing as she glanced at Isabela, as if afraid to look directly at the pirate.
Who grinned back. "Just saying, you've been over to his library very often as of late...found something you like there...?"
"I...it's not like that!" Merrill swallowed, looking ready to panic as she shook her head. "I would never-! The clan would-! I have an obligation to-! I'm not-! Just...no!"
"Okay, okay...yeesh..." Isabela raised her hands in surrender, shaking her head as she looked back to the corpse between them, hands moving down to check for anything extra. "Still don't understand how people can be so against a little fun rumbling in the sack, but if it's so important, ignore my teasing..."
"Thank you."
"Though don't come complaining to me when you feel like you're about to explode for a want of a good stiff co-"
"Isabela!" Merrill blushed even as she grinned, slapping Isabela's arm in playful horror.
Isabela was about to reply when a loud "No!" exploded from the other side of the room.
Looking up, she and Merrill were just in time to see the leader of the slavers fall to the floor, her heart still beating as it squirmed in Fenris' gore-covered hand. Okay...so I hope I don't mentally picture that when he's fondling me...
The one who had shouted was Anders, the mage's eyes glowing with an eerie light as he glared at the elf still staring at his prize with bitter eyes. "You promised her you'd let her go if she answered your questions!"
"Anders, calm down." Garrett moved to stand between the mage and elf. Brave man. Even going so far as to put a pair of hands on the mage's shoulders. Braver still... Isabela arched an eyebrow curious at what would happen. "We'd already agreed before to kill all the slavers in here."
"This is different!" Anders snapped, no pushing against the much stronger Garrett any more, yet neither backing off, eyes fixed on Fenris. "He gave his word!"
"That's what's different?" Fenris replied, tossing the heart aside with a snort as he looked back to Anders, eyes narrowed. "Or is it that she's the only slaver here that was a mage? Would you have had any problems, had she been a Templar slaver?"
"Don't turn this around!" The mage snarled back, his voice louder and darker than any human voice was capable of. "You swore not to hurt her, then you killed her! You had no right!"
"Don't you know? In Tevinter, slaves and their oaths are worth nothing...and betrayals constant." Fenris shook his head and shot the corpse a glare. "I merely played by her rules, how's that anything but fair?"
"You dare-!?"
"Anders, stop." Garrett growled, grip on the mage tightening. "She's dead, you can't change that, remember...?"
"I can still-!"
"No, Anders, no more, it's over." Garrett snapped, holding Anders' glowing blue eyes with his own brown, the irises within seemingly burning in the light of a lone torch. Is he prepared to use that templar nonsense we saw in the cave...? She shot Merrill a glance, noticing how the elf shivered at the sight. I think he is...eugh, typical, got to try to make violence stop with the threat of more violence...men.
Yet to her surprise, it worked. A sigh...and Anders stepped back, the glow in his eyes fading. Though the hostility remained, now aimed at Garrett and Fenris both. "I see...so that's how it is now?"
With that, the mage turned away and marched out.
And Garrett, groaning as he rolled his head back, moved to follow. "Oh for...Anders!"
Isabela snickered at the sight. "Huh, a lovers spat in the making?" Merrill shot her a scathing look before remembering herself and assuming a poorly made neutral look, making the pirate smirk. "What? Jealous?"
The only reply she got was an elvish curse as Merrill moved over to the next corpse to loot.
8
8
8
Thanks to Abydos Jackson for being a true roman.