Garrett took a deep breath, steadying his nerves and – more importantly – his gaze.
I'm Viscount, I will show everyone it, no hesitation, no nervousness, no show of doubt or the like, they must see me as iron, as unbending and trustworthy.
It was night time at the docks, a dangerous time. The lack of people around would normally be a cause for concern, of danger.
Normally.
There was still danger, but it came not from the shadows, but was appearing on the small ship ahead, in the open.
The Tevinters were a curious sight.
Most mages, if in the open street, would be nervous-looking and somewhat ashamed about their appearance. Yet the Tevinter Magister ahead wore his robe like a badge of office, his fingers covered in rings glowing with runes, the golden chain around his neck a heavy-looking object covered in runes of silver and rubies. His grey hair matched his robes, combed back, revealing a square face and cruel grey eyes within a web of thin wrinkles.
Those accompanying him were without a doubt less dangerous, despite that, they looked more intimidating. Their scale armour was a dark grey and covered them from head to toe, their shields displaying a bloodied hand and their hands on the hilts of their swords. On their other hip, whips hung coiled and ready to be used. Worst were their faces, or lack of, their helmets sporting visors shaped like leering demons, the eyes looking through the slits of the visors mere glitters of light in the shadows.
There were thirty of them accompanying their master, hard eyes on Garrett and those around him.
Garrett's entourage was smaller.
Just behind him, Anders stood with a ready staff, the mage eerily quiet, a brooding crow in black among more colourful companions.
Merrill also stood behind him, though slightly to the side so as to better see the approaching delegation, her large eyes curious as they followed the Magister's every move. Garrett didn't like to think about why she was curious about an obvious blood-mage, though.
Varric and Isabela were also there, the dwarf nonchalantly sitting on the stairs at the end of the pier, polishing Bianca without looking up even once. The Rivaini, dressed in leather armour more to conceal her bandages than for its actual protection, looked at ease, leaning against a post with a sign forbidding people to go onto the pier at night.
Besides them, Garrett only had six of his soldiers with him, the men standing at the ready to the flanks, prepared to stop any sudden rush by the Tevinters.
He also had his prisoner, of course.
Fenris, growling under his breath, was on his knees, hands tied behind his back, head downcast, his shoulders shaking with furry.
Danarius, despite having hunted the man for many years, didn't even cast Fenris a glance. Instead, he was smiling at Garrett, casting his arms wide in a friendly gesture, as if he was about to hug the armoured warrior before him. He stopped a few feet away though, smile widening. "Ah, the Viscount apparent, as rumours say? It's an honour to meet you, it's not easy to make an impression on the Tevinters, but even we have heard of your ascent to glory...we as a people love tales of men growing into power by their own ability."
"I'm sure you do." Garrett offered a milder smile back, offering a courteous nod. "As I understand it, Tevinter is the land where ability is everything, no?"
Danarius' smile faltered, unsure if he was being judged or not. "And we take great pride in this, yes...the world is meant to be ruled by those with the power to do so."
"Agreed." Garrett nodded, noting Danarius' smile returning. "I'm not the unofficial Viscount by chance, after all." He shrugged. "Of course, you too are a man of ability, are you not? We do not hear much of the dealings in Tevinter here, I'm afraid, but to be chosen as an ambassador to Kirkwall requires some pull, does it not? Not to mention I've had Fenris tell me many tales of your deeds."
Still, Danarius didn't spare Fenris a glance, his smile cruel. "Well...some had to be...convinced, that I was the best choice. But that's always the case in the empire, and as it has no doubt told you, I'm good at getting what I want."
It? Garrett tried not to grimace. "Indeed, ambassador." He cocked his head to the side. "I've arranged for an embassy, of course, and hope that'll you find it pleasant enough...for how long do you intend to stay? I'm guessing you have some kind of term?"
"Half a year should be sufficient to deal with some unfinished business here." Danarius offered a cool smirk. "That's not including our current deal though...I must say, I'm glad that I wrote to you, I was unsure if you'd be willing to deal with me. After all, I'd heard Fenris has been working for you." Finally, the man looked down at Fenris, cruel eyes lighting up in satisfaction. "Always need to be someone's dog, eh, Fenris?" He looked back to Garrett, chuckling. "Its instincts are right, but I feel I must discipline it a bit after all this running about and making me put up notes and such."
Behind him, Garrett felt the rest of his group tense at the man's words. He himself remained cool though, offering a curt smile. "You're free to do with your property as you wish, when it's your property." He shrugged. "As for dealing with you...you were quite right in your letter. In light of me bleeding money with trying to fix the city, a donation the size you offered would be...appreciated." He shot Fenris a glance. "I respect Fenris, I do, but your offer is worth more."
"Respect? Eugh, don't feed it that, dogs will lap it up and think themselves worth more than they are." Danarius grimaced. "Still, nothing that can't be beaten out of it, I'm sure...though, if you're saying you've made it more of a problem I guess we should negot-"
"The price remains what it is." Garrett cut in, making Danarius' nostrils flare in anger at being interrupted. "We made a deal, will you not honour it?"
For a moment, Danarius looked ready to lash out...but then he took a deep breath and threw another glance at Fenris. Still on his knees, the elf ignored the man's gaze, staring at the ground in silent fury. Smiling, Danarius nodded. "Very well, let it not be said that Danarius doesn't trade fairly. A hundred sovereigns for my lost slave, no?" A snap of his fingers, and two men dressed in rags appeared on the boat, their backs streaked red by lashes...and in their arms a thick chest of oak they had to struggle to lift onto the pier. Smiling, Danarius gestured at the coming chest. "To your satisfaction?"
"No."
"Excellent, then I shall...no?"
Danarius blinked and looked back to Garrett...and then to Fenris, the lanky elf suddenly on his feet, teal-coloured eyes glaring at the Magister. At the back, still leaning against the post, Isabela brought two fingers to her lips and gave voice to a loud whistle.
Behind Garrett, there was the sound of over a hundred armoured boots running across stone, a great rustling of armour and the unsheathing of swords.
Danarius' smile died, eyes wide as he looked to the left and right, then past Garrett.
The Viscount himself didn't look back though, he didn't have to.
He knew his nobles and their entourage, eager to serve after their earlier purging of the Coterie and the power they'd felt then, were doing just as instructed.
On the pier to his left and right, great numbers of men with crossbows now stood two lines deep, one kneeling, other standing, crossbows aimed at Danarius and his bewildered bodyguards on the pier between them.
Behind them, atop the stairs which Varric still sat on, there would now be a solid wall of noblemen and their warriors. Though hidden in the shadows of the surrounding buildings, there would be no mistaking their drawn weapons or the hundreds of eyes aimed at the small group on the pier.
No one spoke a word.
Letting the moment linger, Garrett shot Fenris a glance, noting the elf strain against his bonds, eyes full of satisfaction at the sight of his old master thrown into confusion, yet champing at the bit to kill the man.
Behind, Isabela approached, dagger ready to cut the elf free.
Garrett stopped her with a shake of his head, making her sheathe the blade with a confused look on her face.
Only then did Garrett turn to look to Danarius, noting the still lingering look of puzzlement on the mage's face. When he spoke, he did so loudly, letting all hear him. "No, we will not trade, or did you forget, Magister, that slavery is illegal here?"
"Wh...that's ridiculous...I..." Danarius' gaze was constantly moving, staring at the dozens of crossbows aimed at him, then the many soldiers at Garrett's back, then the pair of mages now glowing with power behind the noble...and a bead of sweat began to run down his forehead.
"We Kirkwallers are tired of your slavers mocking our laws and setting up bases near our coast. Our citizen are not to be preyed upon, least of all by foreigners not even deigning to declare war." Garrett spoke as much to his own men as he did to Danarius. "A new era is coming, one where Kirkwall stands free of outside influences...and in that era, your kind is not welcome here until they can behave like civilised people."
Danarius' eyes turned red, face contorting into a mask of rage, making his bodyguards draw their swords. "You dare to-"
At Garrett's gesture, the crossbowmen let loose, making the slavers at Danarius' back fall as one. The man looked back in shock...and then froze as Garrett's hand caught him by the collar, hoisting him closer. The eyes now looking into Garrett's were back to their usual grey...but the cruelty in them was gone, replaced by fear. "I dare, Magister. If there is one thing you'll bring back to the empire, it's the fact that I dare defy them, should they think they can threaten us."
Danarius shook his head in disbelief, the man no doubt having never experienced such a situation at the hands of a non-mage. "The Tevinter imperium is vast and powerful and you-!"
"The Tevinter imperium is far away, locked in a war with the Qunari and Kirkwall's walls are one of the most impossing in the Free Marches." Garrett snorted. "I doubt you can sway them into declaring war, never mind make it anything but an empty gesture."
Behind him, Fenris' growl was low yet foreboding. "He's not going anywhere, Hawke..."
Danarius' panicked gaze turned to Fenris, but Garrett shook him, making him look back as Garrett continued. "And if you or any of your ilk thinks to infiltrate our city again, remember that our templars are many and eager with their swords." Nothing, emptiness, calm... "And if you think you can infiltrate us through the nobility..." Danarius recoiled at the sudden light in Garrett's eyes. "...think again."
Behind him, Fenris, as expected, snapped and rushed forward...only for Anders – the man having been surprisingly helpful in the last few months – to freeze the man in place with a glyph of paralysis. Sorry, Fenris, he's more valuable alive.
Grunting, Garrett shoved the mage, making Danarius stumble back and fall onto the pile of dead slavers he'd brought. His eyes wide, he stared at Garrett, mouth working, but no words coming. Garrett kept his tone calm, casually putting a foot on a dead slaver as he leant closer. "So, as their ambassador, I want you to go back to the hole you crawled out of and inform the Tevinters that Kirkwall's nobility and city is no longer for sale. If they wish, they may send another ambassador, but he will respect our citizens, and if he steps out of line but once..." Again, Garrett let his eyes begin to glow, making Danarius pull himself backwards. "...he'll regret it."
"Y-you'll live to regret this..." Danarius stammered, slowly coming to his senses as he struggled to his feet.
"A demon once told me that..." Garrett snorted, taking a step back. "...they're but empty words. Go now, before I change my mind."
Danarius, forgetting all about pride and dignity, turned and ran for his ship, shouting at the crew of slaves staring at the exchange from just over the railing to get a move on.
Garrett, meanwhile, stood still as a statue, waiting until the Tevinter ship had cast off and begun to sail out of the harbour.
Only then, did he turn around and raise a fist.
All around him, cheers rose, echoing across the docks as nobles and warriors alike cried out their victory. Garrett couldn't help but smile back, satisfied. And so we're bound yet closer together in fellowship...and another source of corruption in the city is purged as well, and at minimal cost, but perhaps some diplomatic repercussions with the Tevinters. Live to regret it? I'll live to enjoy the fruits of my labour, and none will stop that.
There was one thing missing though, looking away from the nobles for but a moment, Garrett frowned, observing the lack of Fenris.
Noticing his glance, Isabela shot him a sigh and an understanding look even as she turned, no doubt going to find the elf and calm him down.
Ah well, he'll calm down...he got what he wanted, freedom, he just doesn't realise it yet...
Shrugging, Garrett turned his attention back to the nobles and, unable to help himself, raised both his arms, making their cheers rise into a crescendo that made him smile.
Kirkwall, you're mine.
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Aveline felt uncomfortable in a dress, yet the situation called for it.
Standing with an arm hooked into Donnic's was nice though, and it was surprisingly pleasant to stand next to Isabela to her left too.
They were in one of the Hawke estate's gardens, a small, yet pretty one. Not surprising, Merrill picked it. Everywhere, butterflies gathered, if drawn to the occasion or the blossoming cherry-trees, Aveline couldn't tell. Rose-bushes lined the paths though opened into a small yard of grass in the centre, one now lined with tables at the edges while remaining open in the centre for the ceremony itself.
The guest-list, like the garden, was small, the selection of people allowed to attend carefully crafted by Garrett, no doubt.
There was no sign of the De Launcet family, despite their vehement support of the Hawkes. The reason for that was currently dabbing her eyes with a tissue, her grey hair elegantly arranged around a face that despite its age and sniffling, was still pretty.
Charles Reinhart was there though, as was his fat wife and beautiful baby girl. The daughter looked like she was about to squeal as she watched the ceremony. Charles was smiling warmly, his wife more politely.
Fenris wasn't there, the man had calmed, according to Isabela, but apparently hadn't cooled enough to come to the wedding.
Either that or Garrett had 'lost' his invitation.
Another one conspicuously missing was Carver. Not so strange, maybe, are those two even regarding themselves as brothers anymore?
Not to mention Bodahn and Sandal, the two dwarves having left a week ago...Aveline couldn't help but feel that to be a bad sign of things to come. Like rats abandoning ship...strange, feels like we're finally turning things around.
Yet Varric was there, as was Anders. One was all grins as he stood to the side, scratching a smiling Maric while watching the ceremony. The other was silent and brooding, yet clearly supporting of the union. Man's been strange as of late, going out of his way to help Garrett at every juncture...guess he sees a chance to undermine Meredith that way.
Bastile was also there, in the background. The man in the full ceremonial armour of a chevalier, an honour guard of twenty soldiers at his back, ready to escort the bride and groom later on.
At the centre, Garrett dressed in black but also a long red cloak, looked every inch a noble, imposing like some statue of black marble even when kneeling. In contrast Merrill, dressed in a white dress as long as the man's cloak, looked as thin and frail as glass compared to the man she was marrying. They do look beautiful together...at least that's something.
Aveline personally had some doubts about them though. It felt like the marriage hadn't evolved into being despite everything they'd been through, but because of it. The two had always seemed best together when in the heat of the moment, when pushed. But marriage was more than about surviving crisis's and heated moments...Aveline knew that well. Smiling at him, she squeezed Donnic's arm. The everyday must work too... Her smile faltered as she looked to the couple. ...do they have that though?
Ahead, the priestess hired to perform the ceremony was droning on. The Chant was lovely, Aveline had to admit, but the priestess was clearly trying to impress the others with how many verses she had memorized. I'm sure Merrill's and Garrett's knees appreciate that... Leaning to her left, she shot Isabela a whisper. "I'm surprised Merrill's okay with a Chantry wedding?"
"There's another one, even more private..." Isabela shot Charles and his family a nod as she whispered back. "...later on." She snickered. "Merrill's been teaching Orana to play the role as Keeper...poor girl will be petrified despite how few we'll be."
"We'll be nice though." Aveline replied, giving the pirate a warning look that made the Rivainin smirk back. "Besides, not so fun why she has to teach the servant that instead of sending for the actual Keeper..."
Isabela grimaced. "Tell me about it, Merrill's been a mess about it. That Keeper might act all wise and mighty, you know, but she's a bit of a jerk...she outright refused when she was over here. All she did was spout some bull about her respecting Merrill's decision but that her duties as a Keeper meant she could not bless a union with a shemlen...and yes, she did use that term, to his face to boot."
"Oh yes, forgot that you've been here a lot as of late." Aveline shot Isabela's bandages, visible under the usual tunic she wore, despite the occasion, a glance. "Looks like you're wearing less of that now though, soon you can take them all off." She smirked, unable to help herself. "Must be strange, not being the woman with the largest breasts in the area."
Isabela guffawed. "Hey, big girl, I'm just trying to be nice to you and let you feel a little better of yourself!"
Before Aveline could respond to the taunt, Donnic sighed with a blush. "Could you two stop discussing breasts right now...?" He looked away, shrugging. "Besides, Leandra is also here."
What!? Aveline stared at the man in shock even as Isabela tittered. "Ohhh...nice one, Donnic! Not getting any for a month or two now, but nice one!" She jabbed Aveline's elbow. "Hey, big girl, he's just trying to play along, no way he'd want any but yours." At the words, Donnic looked back, offering Aveline a sheepish look verging on a smile.
Sighing, Aveline shook her head and shot him an exasperated smile, then Isabela another one. "You two allying? My nightmare is coming true."
Ahead, the priestess was finally reaching the end of her babbling. "Now, does anyone, under the Maker's gaze, have any objection to this union?"
Maker...
Aveline looked about herself, expecting someone to burst forth with a protest, or one of the guests to do so.
Yet there was only silence.
Smiling, a look of serene bliss on her face, the priestess looked down on the couple. "Then I, by the power granted to me by the light of the Maker, pronounce you husband and wife."
Above, atop the roof of the estate, the flag carrying the Hawke heraldry unfurled, a cloud of white doves escaping a turret next to it.
Beyond, there was a distant, yet powerful, cheer, the massive crowd gathered outside the estate giving voice to the approval of their idol and Champion marrying, despite to whom he was tying the knot.
The woman in question was glowing though, as if every cheer was aimed at her, as if the light of the sun shining down on them was for the two of them alone. When she turned, it was to instantly kiss the smiling man, then to pull away with a blush and a look at the others in the garden...and then to kiss him again, this time with more passion.
Slowly, Garrett's arms wound around the elf, shattering the illusion that she was frail as he squeezed her tight and lifted her off the ground as he rose, kissing her back.
Ahead, Leandra was turning her head, pressing her face into Charles' shoulder and crying.
Varric was muttering some teasing joke at Maric, who wisely ignored the dwarf and instead barked out his support.
Anders was applauding, a slow but steady clapping of gloved hands.
Next to Aveline, Isabela let loose a whistle of approval even as she joined in the clapping.
Aveline, unable to help herself, added her own hands to the applause with Donnic following suit, then caught herself moving a hand up to the corner of her eye, brushing aside a tear.
They do look beautiful together...
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Thanks to Abydos Jackson, for the thousands upon thousands of little gems that make writing so much easier and more fun.