Tales of an Unlikely Mage

by CrimsonLance50

An eighteen year old high school graduate gets dropped in Thedas out of the Fade. Wakes up to find that he's a mage. Follow him as he tries to survive in a hostile world that hates him for what he is while he works to gain control of his newfound abilities. Partial SI. Eventual pairings. DA2 with mention of Origins. Rating for language and violence.

4. Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age. I only own my OC. I'm just letting him play around with Bioware's world.

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~4~

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Within moments of entering the home, I call both Bethany and Leandra to the small living room and I explain the situation as best as I can. I tell them that the battle at Ostagar has been lost and that scattered survivors are arriving in Lothering now. As far as I could tell, Garrett and Carver were not among them but I had news nonetheless.

I tell the women that Lothering is directly in the path of the oncoming Darkspawn horde and that we have to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. It is surprisingly hard to tell them this. Lothering had been their home for nearly ten years and to tell them that they simply have to abandon everything or die doesn't really sit well with me.

Unfortunately, I have to put my own personal reservations aside for the moment. Not only do they pale in comparison to what Leandra and Bethany must be feeling, but it simply has to be done. They have to be aware of the upcoming danger and they have to be ready for it. If nothing else, I will make sure that they're ready to go when the time comes.

As expected, both Hawke women nearly erupt into a full blown panic at the news. I think that they never truly thought the army would be defeated. Now that it had been, they aren't sure what to do without Garrett or Carver. Add in the fact that no word of them has come in with the Darkspawn closing in, and panic was sure to set in. I do my best to reassure them that both of their men are still alive and that we just have to wait for them.

They are definitely skeptical of how I know this, but I tell them to trust my word that this is true.

I haven't exactly told either of them about the video game as of yet so I couldn't tell them exactly how I know what I do. It never really came up and I want to keep that little tidbit of information quiet for now. Even to Bethany. I don't want to cause anyone to panic any more than they already are. Besides, I think the fewer people who know about the game, the easier I could probably change some of the more traumatic events for everyone's sake. Some things really need to be avoided.

Well, that's the plan anyway...

But back to the Hawkes, Bethany immediately stopped questioning me when I asked her to trust me. Leandra was still unsure but once she saw Bethany's unwavering trust in me, she stilled her tongue. Another little look passed her face but she was otherwise compliant and ready to move at my command. As always, I found myself very grateful for Bethany's silent support.

I find this to be my first chance to change something for the better as I've given the Hawke women some ample warning to what's coming and spur them to earlier action. In the game they had to leave with nothing but food and the odd bit of coin because they waited too long, but now we can prepare properly. If all goes well, there is a possibility that we'll have a better start when we get to Kirkwall than they had in the game.

Leandra and I spend the rest of the day collecting everything that could remotely be of value around the house. We try to be practical in what we take and only pack things valuable both in function and in monetary consideration if it needs to be sold, into several relatively light packs that can be carried by myself, Garrett, and Carver when they return. Bethany puts together her own pack full of the more magical elements that could never be replaced around the house. Leandra and I finish first so I go down to go check on Bethany in the home's self-dug basement where most of the magical items are kept.

In the basement, I find her kneeling amid a pile of practice staves in various conditions. Some are pristine and look to have been shaped recently while others are clearly old, frayed and splintered in areas. I recognize a fair amount of them from the staff combat lessons that Bethany and I have gone through in the last three months. For such a petite and well intentioned girl, Bethany packs a mean wallop with a staff.

Aside from those cheap practice staves, a few are propped up almost as if in they're in a place of honor. They are obviously made with much more care and I can almost feel the Lyrium humming beneath the surface of the tools.

"Hey, Bethany," I say softly. Her head turns to me and she greets me with a small smile.

"Hello Anthony." Bethany says, turning back to the magical equipment in front of her.

We've come to something of an accord regarding my name. She knows what it really is but will call me as I've introduced myself at my request. For the duration of my time in Thedas, my name is Anthony David. It's mainly just for my psyche as it's a way of grounding myself to this new reality while I'm here.

It also helps in the fade.

Nonetheless, I move forward and take a seat on the dirt floor next to Bethany. She notices my presence and continues her sorting. For a short moment, we sit in a mostly companionable silence as she works and I...sit. I fidget a bit on my spot in the dirt as am itching to say something to her. She obviously doesn't look all that happy and seems forlorn.

Considering the situation and her expression, I feel like I should say something. I just don't know what. A sad look is marring her otherwise beautiful face as she packs and as always, her sadness makes me feel sad. I still haven't gotten used to that but I can't stand the sight of her as anything but smiling and happy. I have to say something.

"How are you holding up, Beth?" I ask hesitantly. "This can't be easy for you."

She looks over to me and frowns a little before giving a shrug of her shoulders. "It's hard having to flee but we're used to it."

Of course they are. Stupid question David.

"But this is the most warning we've ever had." Bethany says. "Thanks to you, we won't lose everything this time. We might even have a chance to make something of a new life wherever we end up. I don't know what we would have done had you not shown up."

Bethany's frown turns into a grateful smile that brings a similar one to my face. At least I got her looking at the positives instead of how everything has gone wrong. That's very much like her. As she finishes speaking, Bethany leans a little closer to me and I feel my face start to heat up.

I don't know why I feel nervous right now. I mean, we've been in a close proximity to each other a lot over the time I've been here. There's nothing new about Bethany being close to me but for some reason, I get the feeling that this time is different. As if her intentions are not quite the same as they normally are.

"I-It was nothing, really." I stammer out. "I actually should be thanking you to be honest."

Bethany just smiles and inches her way ever closer. "What for? So, I've taught you a bit of magic. You've helped us so much when the boys left. You didn't have to do as much as you did in the fields but you did it anyway. Mother and I will forever be grateful. Me especially."

Bethany pauses and looks off to the side as if conflicted about something. The self-consciousness doesn't last long as her gaze quickly fixes itself back to mine with a burning intensity. I find that I cannot help but be enraptured by the amber pools of light staring at me.

"But even more than that," she says with conviction. I'm starting to believe that determination must be a family trait. "You kept your promise to me. You've given me something that I've never had before: a friend. A real, honest to the Maker, friend."

She moves even closer to the point where I could count her eyelashes had I any desire to. Instead, I stay rooted to the spot with my gaze firmly locked onto Bethany's. I don't think I could move even if I wanted to.

"You could have just pretended to like me and use me for my magical knowledge but you didn't. I can tell...you like me. Don't think I haven't noticed the way you look at me when you think I'm not looking."

Shit...busted. It's not my fault I was checking her out! I'm a man and she's a beautiful woman who has been my only company. Damn right I'd be looking! I just thought I was a bit more discreet than that.

"You really made an effort for me," she continues. "I know it couldn't have been easy for you coming here the way that you did but you still found a way to be a good friend and really mean it."

"We could very well die soon if the rumors are true and this really is a Blight. It scares me." The sad look returns to her eyes but it doesn't stop her from speaking. This really means a lot to her, whatever it is.

"I don't want to die with regrets, especially ones that I could change. I can't change the fact I was born with magic. I can't change the fact that father is gone. There are a lot of things I wish I could change but you aren't one of Maker was surely looking down on us when he sent you to us. You are an amazing person, Anthony, and you've become...very special to me."

Wait a second...Is this really happening right now?

"This has been on my mind for a while and I think...I think I want more than just being friends Anthony." Bethany says before closing that last bit of distance between us and placing both of her hands against my jaw. She leans forward and hovers just above my face as if she were waiting for something. I can feel her breath softly whispering against me and I involuntarily shiver a bit.

"This is definitely something that I can change," Bethany says breathlessly. "But only if you want to as well."

Holy hell, Bethany...this was the last thing I expected to happen when I came down to check on her. At least this proves that I wasn't reading too much into things like I usually do with pretty girls who happen to be my friends. Being repeatedly friend-zoned is not a great feeling, let me tell you. Though it's an admittedly odd sensation to have your feelings reciprocated by someone you really and truly like.

I think I like it.

I place one hand against one of Bethany's smaller ones on the right side of my face before responding.

"You know what," I say never taking my eyes off of hers. "I think I want to change things too."

The next thing I know, I'm moving forward and capturing her lips with my own.

For a split second she remains frozen in shock. I was beginning to think that I had overstepped a little before Bethany suddenly comes to life, responding to the kiss with an intensity that I didn't know she possessed. One hand wraps itself around her waist and the other moves to tangle itself in her long black hair as we kiss. Bethany's hands slide to the back of my own head as both of us melt into the embrace. More than anything else I've ever done in my life, this just feels right.

Our inexperience quickly begins to show itself, though, as it becomes apparent that neither of us truly knows what we are doing. I had kissed a girl once before but it was kinda awkward. I didn't really like her all that much so there was very little...oomph...behind it. Not that this isn't a little awkward, but it's in a good way. Here, there's almost an over abundance of passion. This has been building since the first day I arrived in Thedas and we were in each other's minds. I was not passing up this opportunity for anything.

The experience was completely new and wonderful and I never wanted it to end. Her lips were so soft and they felt as if they were meant to be against my own. My senses were utterly invaded with the feel and taste of her. It was reminded me of when she had used her magic on me but his was purely physical, not magical. I'd like to think that this was its own type of magic cause it certainly put a spell on me, but I could feel that it wasn't. It was just two teenagers acting on their feelings.

Like normal people.

But that train of thought made me curious. Very carefully, I gather and pull a tiny sliver of magic out of my core and direct it down my left arm and to my fingertips. Thankfully, the strain is small enough for me to continue carrying on with Bethany but it definitely isn't easy to maintain this type of focus with a beautiful woman straddling my lap.

Wait...when did she get on my lap?

More importantly, why am I complaining?

Right, regaining my nearly lost concentration, I let the magic play across my fingers as tiny arcs of electricity that create a happy little buzz in my hands. It feels stable and I can hold this variation on one of the two spells I know for a little while, but most certainly not indefinitely. I reposition myself so that my right hand slips the hem of Bethany's shirt ever so slightly to give my left a clear shot at bare skin.

A small moment of indecision plagues me before I try to touch her with the magic hand. What if it's too strong or I didn't pull enough magic? I've never tried this variation of the Lightning spell before. What if I accidentally hurt her? I wouldn't be able to forgive myself, let alone ever hope that she'd forgive me.

But more importantly...what if she likes it? And asks me to do it again, elsewhere?

You know what...

Y.O.L.O.

I swallow my trepidation and reach over to gently caress the curve of Bethany's hip with the magic hand. Immediately, I can feel the sparks crackle and jump upon contact with her skin. More importantly, I feel Bethany break the kiss as her breath hitches and a low moan leaves her lips as I drag the hand across her bare skin. Her arms wrap tight around my shoulders and her breathing gets much heavier.

By George, I think she likes it!

Feeling bold, I dip one finger of the magic hand under the waistband of her breeches and move it towards her ass. Bethany's moans get a little louder as the sparks continue to jump she grips me even tighter. Yup, screw normalcy, it's overrated. This is awesome. Taking Bethany's reaction as encouragement, I start to venture a little lower, slipping two fingers past her pant-line. Then three, then fou-

"Bethany! Ser Anthony! Come quick!" Yells out the excited voice of one Leandra Hawke.

And of course, the sudden shriek shorts out my concentration and the magic hand goes dead. Leandra's voice seems to snap Bethany back to reality as well and she looks at me with a profound blush before realizing her position on top of me. She quickly hops back trying to create space between us lest we're caught by her mother. But in her haste, Bethany seems to have forgotten that my hand was down the back of her pants. When she jumps back, my hand just brings her back down to me.

Seeing an opportunity, I take the moment to place another soft kiss on Bethany's lips and hold her close. Something purrs contentedly within my chest at Bethany's close proximity. I assume it's my magic reacting to her presence. Or at least that's what my mind is telling me it feels like, cause I honestly have no idea what that was. During my time here, I've learned that magic is very much instinctual. Following those instincts is usually the wisest course of action to understanding some things and that's what I'm doing here. Being here with Bethany simply feels right.

"We'll talk more about this later," I say after breaking the kiss. "Right now, let's go see to Leandra."

Bethany simply nods, still halfway in shock over what just happened between us. Heh...shock.

To be honest, I'm still in shock too. As she gets up and heads out of the basement, I stay put for a moment pondering my good fortune.

I never thought that Bethany really liked me in that way. I mean, I'm not ugly or anything but I wasn't all that sure if I was her type. She's definitely my type, but I wasn't all too sure if she had one. If she did, I really had no clue that I fit it. I'm surely not complaining, but man was that unexpected.

I figure I do have a few things going for me though. If anything, I'm exotic here in Ferelden. My skin is a little darker than most of the people around here given my mixed African-American and Puerto Rican heritage. My skin tone tends to stray more on the side of Puerto Rican than the Black side even if, genetically, I'm more Black than anything else. My complexion usually runs to a more dark tan than a deep brown. Hell, even Isabella is darker than me, but she's supposed to be exotic too, so I don't know.

Bethany turns back to me at the short ladder that leads up to the house. "Anthony, are you coming?"

I look over to her and smile. "Yeah, give me a sec."

I stand and walk over to the ladder, gesturing for Bethany to go first. Once she goes, I follow right behind her. As she climbs, I can't help but look at her ass. It's almost as if my eyes are drawn to it now that I pretty much have permission to look. I mean, sure I've looked before but I always stopped myself from staring to avoid feeling like a creeper. She practically told me that she wanted me to look just now, so what's the harm in staring all I want?

Reaching the first floor of the house, my attention on her ass causes me to not notice Bethany's excited yell once her head rises above the landing. However, I do notice her quickened steps taking that wonderful ass further away from me. Before I could even wonder what has Bethany so animated, something very sharp and very cold places itself on my neck as soon as my head rises above the landing.

A slight twitch and I feel a few strands of the hair that inexplicably grows around my Adam's apple (and nowhere else much to my everlasting frustration) fall back down to the basement.

"Why are you here?" Growls a familiar voice I haven't heard in months as I feel my stomach drop out from underneath me.

Oh shit...

I immediately freeze as I slowly turn my eyes to see what the hell it is at my neck. I hope it's not what I think it is, but that would be probably be too good knowing my luck. My neck moves a bit while I try to look and the object bites into me, drawing a tiny trickle of blood.

Nope...it's a blade. Just like I thought.

Just as I come to that realization, another blade places itself none too gently against the other side of my neck. This one is much larger yet it doesn't waver in the slightest despite what I'm sure is an ungodly weight.

Well, this sucks. Why do people always go for the swords first around here?

"I said, why are you here?" Growls the voice again. "I thought I told you to leave, Mage. Do you want to die?"

Well, hi Garrett! Long time no see!

"Shall I give him a taste of my blade, brother?"

Oh, Carver too! It's a right family fucking reunion!

"Wait! What are you two doing?!" Bethany's voice rings out. I can't really see her since I'm trying my damnedest not to move considering the big pieces of metal at my throat.

"Bethany, go wait outside." Hawke says forcefully.

"We'll handle this, sister." Carver adds with just as much vigor. "Take mother and whatever you need and go. We'll meet you outside. The Darkspawn are coming and we need to leave now!"

Bethany is unamused. "I will not, brother! You let him go or so help me I will make you!"

At this I can feel the familiar tingle of Bethany's magic ignite the air. I imagine that her hands are glowing that angry shade of orange just before a fireball. She is deathly serious, I can tell. But to threaten her own brothers just for me...I don't know if I'm worth that much. She better know what she's doing.

"Bethany?! What are you doing? Those are your brothers!" Leandra yells, voice full of alarm. "You can't just attack them!"

Yeah, that's what I said...er, thought!

"Yes Bethany, what are you doing?" Garrett's voice grinds out with an extra shove of his dagger against my neck for good measure. Hard enough to hurt like hell and draw more blood, but not hard enough to outright kill me. "What foul magic has he employed to make you turn on your own family?"

Oh, come on! I don't even know how I could possibly do that. You sir, are not being fair! Bethany, to her credit, just glares at her brother but does not relent by letting the glow fade from her fingertips. I, on the other hand, am getting quite fed up with being the hostage.

"Excuse me, but don't I get a say in this?" I ask indignantly. "This blatant hostility is getting real old. If you would just let me talk and get the goddamn blades off my neck, I would gladly explain why I'm here and Bethany will not try to incinerate you."

"Why should we believe anything you say, Mage?" Carver says. "For all we know, you could be a demon or a blood Mage controlling our sister! Give us one good reason why we shouldn't kill you and maybe we'll let you talk."

"For the love of...fine! You want a reason, here's one!" I'm pissed now and I couldn't stop myself from talking if I tried.

"You two just came from Ostagar where the Darkspawn routed the King's army because Tyern Logahain quit the field. You deserted and rushed back here as fast as you could to get your mother and sister before fleeing the Blight somehow. You don't expect to be able to salvage much and plan on leaving everything behind to outrun the spawn. Am I right so far?"

Nobody says a word so I just take that as an invitation to keep talking.

"But what you assholes didn't know is that I've been here the entire time you were off chasing glory. I've been doing your jobs both in the fields for the business and in watching out for Bethany and your mother! I heard about the Darkspawn from people who made it to the village faster than you two and I've had us packing anything useful to take with us. We were waiting for you two to get here before we left, idiots! Don't you dare accuse me of doing anything but trying to help your fucking family, you ungrateful little shits!"

Whew, I'm out of breath after all of that. Everyone is looking at me funny after that outburst, but frankly, I don't care. It stung a bit to be treated so harshly after all I've done for them. Even if they didn't know about it.

I look over at Bethany and I find her looking back at me with an odd gleam in her eye. She doesn't look upset but seems kinda...bothered, for some reason? Not sure what that means, but I send a look her way that indicates that we need to talk later. As much as I appreciated the sentiment, threatening her family for anyone is a little strange and out of character for Bethany. I'm concerned.

The two dipshit brothers share a brief look before finally removing their swords from my neck. They give me a rough shove forward but keep their weapons at the ready.

"Alright. Talk, mage." Carver says with a glare and scowl. Hawke just stands there with that impassive look on his face. They seem to be allowing me to speak.

"Well, actually, I just told you most of the story while you were listening to me." I say while wiping blood off my neck. That shit stings. "That's about the gist of why I'm in the house right now."

"Ser Anthony has been working for us, asking for nothing but food since you two left to join the army." Leandra says to her sons. "He really has been a big help and everything he said about what he's done here was true."

What? Leandra is sticking up for me, now? Remind me to thank her later.

"I know you two are worried about his magic," she continues. "But he can barely light a flame in his hand. Bethany has been teaching him, I think, but that means she's more powerful than he is. Ser Anthony couldn't do anything to harm Bethnay even if he wanted to. Not that I think he does with all the time they spend together."

Leandra looks at me apologetically. "No offense, Anthony."

"None taken." I respond. She's right...even if it makes me sound like a chump. I'm still a little taken aback that she's sticking up for me like she is. And I didn't know she was paying so much attention to us. That's not even mentioning her logical inference about magic. I guess there's something to be said about marrying an apostate, huh?

"What do you mean, 'all the time they spend together,' mother?" Hawke asks with a dangerous glint to his eyes.

Uh-oh, big brother alert! Lie! Lie, now!

"W-well, your mom just said that Bethany has been teaching me magic," I say quickly. "We naturally have to spend time together. Nothing untoward about it at all, right Bethany?"

It's not a lie but I'm feeling a little guilty over what happened in the basement. Not to mention a little fearful for my life. I know combat is inevitable if I'm going to be tagging along with this family, but I'm not ready to take on someone of Hawke's calibur yet. Maybe not ever.

"Yes, that is true." Bethany says testily. She still seems to be angry at her brothers' treatment of me. I silently plead for her to calm down. She doesn't seem to receive the message. "But we've spent time together for more than just magic, brother. He's my friend and I enjoy his company."

What is she doing? That is Garrett fucking Hawke! If he gets wind that I'm interested in his sister - and she's interested as well - I'm toast!

"Bethany..." I practically whine. Why did she pick now of all times to become so assertive? I mean, it's a good change and all, but my life might very well be on the line!

"No Anthony!" Bethany says eyes full of righteous fury. "I get what you're trying to do but I don't want to have to hide what we have. We have to hide so much, let us have at least this one thing."

Every eye on the room turns on me. Good thing I'm good at public speaking. Otherwise the pressure would be stifling.

Garrett's eyes are the most oppressive. "What exactly is she talking about, Mage..." He speaks very slowly as if daring me to give the answer he thinks I'm going to give.

I truly am scared right now. I've never been on this side of the big brother scrutiny before and I find that I don't exactly enjoy the feeling. I look to Bethany for some kind of help. She still looks a little aggravated but she meets my eyes readily. Once she notices my fearful look, her face softens and she walks over to me with purpose.

She reaches my side quickly and gently takes my hand in hers. I find myself bolstered somehow with her physical presence. Almost as if I could take on anything as long as she's here next to me. With interlaced fingers we turn to look at a bewildered Carver, an impassive Hawke and...a smug Leandra? What's that about?

Bethany speaks first. "Anthony is very important to me, brother. You will not harm him in any way, not while I draw breath, I swear it."

I look again to Bethany and I see the trademark Hawke family determination shining through her beautiful face. She means every word she says. Her confidence inspires me and boosts my own. Suddenly, I'm not so scared anymore. I stand straighter and look Garrett dead in his eyes before speaking.

"To tell the truth, I never left," I say. "Bethany let me stay in the barn's hayloft since you kicked me out. I told you everything I knew back then and I know no more now. I really had no clue how to control my magic nor do I know how I got here or why I'm here. I still don't know. But what i did know was that I was easy prey for demons with my lack of magical training. Not anymore." I pause for a moment remembering the terror that only demons could bring. It is one thing to talk about demons when they were purely fictional, but something else entirely when the danger of possession is very real.

I look over to Bethany and I see her smile as she squeezes my hand a little in support. It gives me the confidence to continue speaking to her older brother.

"I wanted to do something to show how much her help means to me so I volunteered to help out around here in any way I could. That and our magic lessons brought us together. Your sister has helped me in more ways than I think you could understand and she...means a lot to me."

Bethany leans a little closer to me and is practically glowing at my words. I'm a bit embarrassed saying this out loud but a combination of fear of Hawke and an unnatural confidence from Bethany's support overrides any feeling of embarrassment I might have. I well and truly meant what I said; I'm just not sure if I would have said it aloud without this kind of pressure.

Looking at the rest of the Hawke family, I gauge their reactions. Carver looks torn between being skeptical and confused while Leandra is beaming almost as much as Bethany. At least she seems happy for us. But theirs is not the reactions I'm most worried about. Garrett still has that same impassive look on his face just with narrowed eyes.

This time I do not look to Bethany for support. I know that she would readily give it, but there are times where a man must stand on his own. This is one of them. I stand my ground and look the future Champion of Kirkwall right in the eye, almost daring him to challenge my worthiness to court his sister. I've laid all of my cards on the table and this is where we figure out whether or not he pursues a friendship or rivalry with me.

Heh...game reference.

Before Hawke could open his mouth to speak, an ungodly screech echoes throughout the air. It has to be one of the worst things that I have ever heard in my life. Hawke and Carver immediately tense up at the sound and they grip their respective blades tighter. The rest of us flinch terribly in fright but I think I know what the sound is. The only question is, am I ready for it?

The next thing I know, there is a heavy pounding and scratching at the door accompanied by a guttural grunting and snarling. Very quickly, the door starts to splinter and I can see a pale grey hand that's bone thin and tipped with vicious looking claws at the end of each finger peeking through with each slash.

As if on some kind of instinct, Bethany lets go of my hand and I can feel her reach out into the Fade. Seconds later, there is a shimmering blue field around the door barring whatever it was that was trying to get in. It isn't very strong though. I can feel its energy continuously draining as the beast keeps trying to get through.

"Darkspawn." Carver says hatefully before turning to his brother. "We have to leave. Now!"

"I put a barrier in front of the door," Bethany says quickly. "It won't last long so I suggest we hurry."

"Agreed," says Hawke decisively before looking towards me. "You said that you had everybody packed and ready to leave before we got here?"

"Yes, we were just waiting for you," I respond.

"Then grab what you can and let's go," says Hawke with an air of urgency. "We can talk about everything else once we get away from the Darkspawn."

I nod and head back to the basement to grab the magical items. Bethany is already making her way down the ladder.

"We're getting some mage stuff from the basement," I call over my shoulder, already halfway down the ladder myself. "Leandra knows where everything else is."

"Okay, just be quick about it," Hawke yells back.

"Got it." I say up to the hole representing the first floor.

I make it down the ladder without incident, but the moment my feet touch the ground I find myself grabbed and pressed up against the nearest wall. Before I could say anything in protest, I feel a warm pair of lips crash against my own. Slightly dazed, I close my eyes and respond to the kiss as enthusiastically as I am able to given the circumstances. All too soon, the kiss is broken.

I open my eyes to find Bethany staring at me with a shit-eating grin on her face that I can't help but return. She has been so aggressive and confident today! What's gotten into her?!

"Thank you for telling him," she says softly while tracing some unidentifiable pattern on my chest. "I know it had to have been hard on you to confront my family like that. I appreciate you making the effort for me."

"It was no problem," I say with the grin never leaving my face. Then I remember our current situation and it slides off my face. "As much as I'd like to continue this, we really have to get going. That barrier of yours was weakening fast. I could feel it."

At my words, Bethany's face turns more serious though there is a spark within her amber eyes that I've never seen before. But it doesn't seem to be a bad thing. If anything, it makes her seem more collected. In control. As the young people would say, her swag is on a hundred right now. Every step she takes is infused with a purpose and a newfound energy that simply wasn't there yesterday.

I like it.

"Right," she says walking over to the pile of staves and deftly grabbing her own personal staff out of the pile. "But first I have something to give you."

"Really?" I ask with an arched brow. "Is this the time to be giving gifts with Darkspawn knocking on the front door?"

"For this particular gift, definitely." Bethany says with a small laugh before tossing something my way. "Here, catch."

Out of pure reflex, I reach my right hand out and snatch the object out of the air. The moment it touches my fingers, I can feel the gentle hum of magic flowing through it. It's a staff. Looking at it, I can see that it's long, thick and made out of a polished dark brown wood. There are no special adornments or additives on it. It actually looks like a Bo-staff used for martial arts as it is simply a solid stick of polished wood.

This is unexpected. If Bethany were going to get me a staff, I'd have expected her to tirelessly decorate it or something like that. Hell, I wouldn't have been surprised of she had given me one of her father's old staves. She's sentimental like that sometimes. Instead, she gave me a glorified stick.

My confusion must've shown on my face again as Bethany speaks up. "It's blank on purpose, Anthony. I figured that you'd want to personalize your staff yourself since I see you drawing all the time."

She's right. I do draw a lot of random pictures in the dirt or on the walls of my hayloft when I get bored. I'm no master artist or anything, but I like to make things.

"I thought you would enjoy being able to make it completely yours and no one else's," she finishes with a smile.

Wow...now that she says so, I think I like her idea. I look at the staff in a new light now. Instead of seeing it as a really big stick, I see it as a blank canvas to fill. A mage's staff is a reflection on the mage, Bethany taught me, and she's giving me the chance to choose what about myself I want reflected. It's a thoughtful gift and one that shows that she knows me better than I thought she did.

"Thank you, Bethany," I say with genuine sincerity. "Now let's get the hell out of here."

Snatching up the packs designated to go with us, we head back up the ladder as fast as we can. I go first this time. Once up on the landing, we find the rest of the family standing there waiting for us, similar packs on their shoulders. A quick glance to the door shows that Bethany's barrier is still holding but is obviously on its last legs. The sound of the Darkspawn clawing at it is starting to get louder.

I grip my staff harder and its magic almost hums in response, reassuring me immensely. I feel better having an actual weapon in my hands in this moment.

"Bethany, on the count of three I want you to take down the barrier," Hawke orders. He's in full battle mode. "Anthony, I want you to throw a fireball in there as soon as it's down. Everyone else, run through on my signal."

His voice is commanding and makes me want to snap to attention despite the fact that I've never served in any type of army. I can see how he'll be able to command respect in Kirkwall.

He spares me another look. "You do know how to throw a fireball, right?"

I huff indignantly, "Of course I know how to throw a fireball! What kind of mage would I be otherwise?"

Hawke just nods and says, "Alright, on my signal."

I grip my staff and settle back into the ready position Bethany taught me as I wait for his signal.

"One."

Granted, it was a valid question. Didn't I just tell him that I had no idea how to control my magic when he met me?

"Two."

I guess I'm still a little annoyed with him. I mean, he did just have his dagger at my throat not that long ago. That would breed some hostility, wouldn't it?

"THREE!"

Bethany dispels the barrier and the Darkspawn waste no time in busting down the door. I don't wait to get a good look at them and I launch a respectable fireball into the doorway. It hits a vaguely humanoid figure and explodes on impact in a shower of heat and fire. A last terrible screech signals the end of the Darkspawn there and the smell of burning flesh starts assaulting my nostrils. If there were any other Darkspawn on the other side of the door, they were gone now.

Looking at the flames flicker against the sides of the doorway I feel a small surge of pride. I just conjured a fireball and it worked perfectly. Even better, I barely felt the drain on my mana. Normally, I'd need a few seconds to compose myself after one of those but not now. Why, though?

Almost in response, my staff pulses in my hand. Oh...that's why. That's useful!

"Anthony what are you doing?" Bethany's voice startles me out of my thoughts. I see her gesturing frantically to me on the other side of the door. "Let's go!"

"Right!" I yell back while moving out of the house. "I'm on it!"

And with that, the flight from Lothering has begun.

-o0o-

A/N: You know, I had initially thought to split this into two chapters but then I thought, 'what the hell' and just put them together. If it seems like the thing with Bethany is moving too fast, then you're right. It is partially on purpose, but it did take three months if you really think about it. Besides, it's not as if I wrote a Lemon or anything…just a little Lime. No need for a rating change, is it? Whatevs. Thanks again for all of the continued support, especially to Wyolake for the repeated plugs in his story, Middle of Nowhere. See that? It's a shameless plug! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon though I'm going to be moving first into a new house and then into my college dorm. I'll be busy for awhile but I typically write on my iPod anyway. So…yeah, fave it, alert it, and review!