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Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4559 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 9
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The Lyrium Conundrum

“I don't know how you talk me into these things, Jordan,” Aveline said as the group made their way through Lowtown after leaving the Hanged Man.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” Jordan stated not looking back at the warrior.
“Seriously, you don't? Did we not just have a conversation discussing doing work that was legal? This doesn't sound legal.”
“Oh come on, Aveline, don't start getting preachy on me now.” Jordan looked back at her with a frown. “You promised.”
Throughout their time being friends, Aveline had quickly become immune to Jordan's pleading. “I did promise, and that's the only reason why I'm here. This is just suspicious to me. Meeting with this dwarf in the middle of the night and going to retrieve something for him. No more details other than that. And don't even get me started on how you obtained this mission.”
Jordan had to smile, knowing Aveline's dislike of Athenril. Although the elf had helped Aveline along with Jordan and Bethany, the warrior with her honest streak, didn't like the thought of a smuggler out there that she owed. Even if Athenril would never ask anything from her, Aveline felt as if she owed something, which was why she didn't lead the guard to raid the smuggler's hidden hideout.
“Last mission I take from her, I promise,” said Jordan. “Besides, all we're doing right now is meeting with Anso. He'll hopefully give us the details we need and then we'll decide if it's worth it.”
“Knowing you, it'll be worth it no matter what he says.” Aveline shook her head. Jordan smiled at her, knowing no matter what, Aveline wasn't going to abandon her. They had been through too much together. She also took note at the fact Aveline seemed to refuse to wear her guard uniform. Like last night, she was again in the red leather jerkin she had been wearing when they first met in the Wilds. Probably to keep from being identified, but it was hard not to notice Aveline. Her ginger-red hair, and red headband she always wore were distinct identifiers. There was also the fact her sword was a regulatory guard sword, and her shield was the same shield she had been carrying for as long as Jordan knew her. Wesley's shield had added scratch marks to it along the templar design. Some of the flames on the right side of the sword fading.
As they made their way through the deserted Lowtown market, the night seeming darker than it did last night, they kept their eyes open for any trouble. Thugs liked to prowl the streets at night, taking advantage of workers getting off from work late and trying to make their way home. Or drunks stumbling from the Hanged Man who wouldn't be aware they were robbed until they woke up the next morning, laying in a gutter. Jordan also kept her eyes out for Anso. He was a dwarf, but that wasn't much to go on. There were many dwarves in Kirkwall, and with Varric as an exception, to Jordan at least, all dwarves looked the same. It wasn't until they reached the middle of the market did Jordan spot someone standing alone near a weapons stall. He was dwarf height with a distinct beard, and a twitchy stance that suggested he was looking around nervously. Jordan considered him. If this was Anso, then she needed to be careful. There were only two types of people who agreed to meet someone they never met before alone in a place like this. Either he was very crafty with men waiting in the shadows, awaiting the order to reveal themselves, or he was naïve, which would make him an easy target. Jordan couldn't be sure which one he was until she got closer.
“Excuse me, are you...?”
“Ahh!” The dwarf screamed when Jordan spoke, jumping higher than she had ever seen, or even thought, a dwarf could jump.
“Wow, wow, it's okay,” she said, backing a little away from him. “I'm not going to hurt you.” The dwarf had landed against several crates, knocking them down and making a bunch of noise. She hoped no one had heard that, otherwise things might get more complicated than they needed to be.
“Sweet mother of Partha!” the dwarf proclaimed. “You can't just run up on someone like that!”
“Sorry, but it's not like I did it on purpose.” Jordan stood before him, the others right behind her. She studied the dwarf for a moment. He was definitely naïve. “Are you Anso by chance?”
“That depends. Are you the human Athenril told me about?”
So he wasn't as naïve as he looked. “The name's Hawke, and I hear you have a job that you need done.”
“Uh, yes.” Anso shifted around nervously. “My apologies, human, but I haven't been on the surface for very long. I keep thinking I'll fall up into that sky any minute.” He seemed to refuse to look completely up into the sky, and Jordan couldn't blame him. Even though there were more clouds in the sky than there were last night, there were still clear patches that made it seem as if you were looking into infinity.
This made Varric laugh. “Bartrand used to be like that. Got jumpy every time he stepped outside.”
“But I digress!” Anso said, looking directly at Jordan. “You've come to help me, yes? I really need it, badly. Some product of mine has been... misplaced. The men who were suppose to deliver it decided not to. If you retrieve my property, then I could reward you handsomely.”
“Handsomely, you say?” Jordan smirked.
“Of course. If you can retrieve all of it.”
“What kind of property is it?”
Again, Anso started moving around nervously. “Well, it's uh... something that needs to be smuggled in. The men who did it for me seemed really nice at first. They looked trustworthy.”
“Yes, everyone who looks trustworthy really is,” said Aveline.
“They smiled and it was nice!” Anso said, trying to defend himself. “But now that my product was taken, my client is beginning to become... fussy. The goods are valuable... and illegal. And they want them really badly. You know how these templars can be.”
Jordan's face fell when she heard this. “Templars? Are you saying this product of yours is lyrium?” Behind her, she could tell everyone was shifting nervously, and she already knew what Aveline was thinking.
“Maker's breath,” Varric breathed. “Between the Chantry, the Carta, and the Coterie...”
“Shh! By the Paragon's, not so loud!” Anso tucked his arms to the side of this body and shivered. “There are spies everywhere, you know.”
“I know.” Jordan looked down on Anso with a hard expression.
“Oh, I'm not cut out for this.” The dwarf looked like he was panicking as his eyes darted all over the market. “I should have taken that job sweeping stables like Mother insisted.”
“Right...” Jordan took in a deep breath. It wasn't exactly what she thought, and now she wished even more that Bethany wasn't with her, but money was money. “Do you happen to know where these smugglers are keeping your goods?”
“Yeah, in a little hovel in the alienage. If you are going to take the job, then it needs to be done tonight. Now. If you are able to retrieve all of my goods, then I will pay you ten sovereigns.”
Ten sovereigns? Jordan liked hearing that. If she could get ten sovereigns for this one job, then that would put her one-fifth the way to her goal.
“And just to show how much I appreciate you doing this, I'll go ahead and give you two sovereigns for just going.” Taking out two sovereigns from his pouch, Anso handed Jordan the coins. “You can keep those no matter what.”
No wonder he was shafted, Jordan thought as she stared at the coins. “Fair enough. We'll go retrieve your goods for ya.”
“Oh, thank you!” Anso beamed. “This is really going to help me out a lot. Just bring the lyrium back here when you have it. I'll be waiting.”
Pocketing the coins, Jordan lead everyone out of the market and headed toward the alienage. It was probably the dirtiest place in Lowtown, mostly due to the fact it was where almost all of Kirkwall's elf population lived. Not that elves were more dirty by nature, but the alienage was packed full of them, with more people living in one area than all of Lowtown.
“Should we add this to the things I'm accessory to?” Aveline asked as she made her way to Jordan's side.
“If you don't want to come with me, then don't, Aveline,” Jordan said without looking at her.
“No, I'm not going to abandon you. I just wish you would pick your jobs more carefully.”
“All we're doing is getting back product that was stolen. It's not like we're actually going to be delivering it. Unless...” It was an idea that came to her quick, making her smile. “If Anso is willing to pay us ten sovereigns just for getting his product back, then I wonder how much he'll pay to have it delivered?”
“Not fifty sovereigns worth, I can tell you that, Hawke,” said Varric.
“Maybe not, but I might be able to get another ten sovereigns from it. I'll be willing to sneak into the Gallows for that.”
“Sister...” Bethany frowned.
“But it would only be me,” Jordan said turning to Bethany. “You're not going, and neither are you, Aveline. If we're caught, that's something that could seriously ruin your chances at becoming captain.”
Aveline glared at Jordan. “So you really think we're going to let you go into the Gallows all by yourself?”
“No, Chance can come. And so can Varric, if he wishes.” There was also Anders, although Jordan wasn't sure how safe that would be. If all the sudden Justice decided to show up while they were in the Gallows, then there would be no way for them to escape.
“I'm not really into the whole lyrium smuggling thing,” said Varric. “But for you, Hawke, I'm willing to venture into the Gallows with you.”
“Excellent, we have a plan!” Jordan faced back forward. “Once we're done here, I'll mention it to Anso.”
When they reached the alienage, they found it to be completely empty. Not something to be surprised about, since the elves were usually the first to enter their homes before the sun went down. Due to them being basically second-class citizens, although no human would ever say it out loud, it made them easy prey for thugs. Guards also didn't patrol the alienage as much as they did the rest of the city. And slavers were always a problem for any elf caught unaware. Even though slavery was banned in almost all of Thedas, it was still practiced strongly in the Tevinter Imperium, and even if an elf was living in Kirkwall, it did not mean he or she was safe from becoming a slave. The slave trade was strong in Kirkwall, despite the laws against it. And not even humans were safe, as Bethany and Jordan could attest.
Coming to the middle of the deserted streets, Jordan and the others made their way around the Vhenadahl, a giant tree that was the only sign of nature in the area. The elves took really good care of it, as it was a symbol of their pride and cultural identity. Jordan had to stop and stare at is, seeing its high branches and the awful red and white pattern that had been painted all around its base. What that symbolized, she couldn't be sure, but it did anything but make the alienage more pleasurable to look at.
“Hey, do you think that's them?” said Bethany, bringing Jordan back to their current situation.
Jordan went next to her sister and stared over at where Bethany was pointing. She, along with everyone else, used the tree for cover as they watched two men walk next to the buildings and disappear into a small hovel. They were humans, a rare sight to see in the alienage, which meant only one thing.
Sticking to the shadows, Jordan made her way to the hovel and ducked under the one window. Carefully she peered inside to see two small rooms with several humans inside. She counted at least ten, but estimated for there to be at least no more than fifteen. Alienage homes consisted of at least one or two rooms, and they weren't very big. The hovel looked to be packed with just the men she could see. There was also a large chest located in the back, almost all of the men not paying attention to it. It would have been easy enough to pick and take back the goods inside, but Jordan wouldn't be able to sneak into such a crowded room and not be noticed. They were going to need to fight these men, and somehow get them outside.
“How many?” Aveline asked as Jordan made her way back to the Vhenadahl.
“Ten to fifteen, I believe,” said Jordan. “I also think I see Anso's goods locked in a chest. I can get the chest open, easy, but we need to get those men away from it. Somehow we need to get them out here. It'll be easier to fight them. I'm just not sure how to get their attention.”
“You don't? Then allow me.” Without waiting for any type of answer, Aveline made her way from the giant tree and freely walked to the door of the hovel. She didn't care if anyone saw her as she grabbed both her shield and sword then kicked the door clean open. It must have startled most of the men within, as Jordan could easily hear chairs falling and scrapping and men yelling.
“You all are under arrest!” Aveline screamed into the room. “By order of the Guard!”
There was more yelling, and even though Jordan couldn't understand what they were saying, she could guess by the way Aveline was backing away from the door. Quickly she and the others made their way over before the smugglers could start pouring out of the hovel.
When they came it made for a perfect bottle-neck, as the smugglers could only file out one or two at a time. Jordan was able to stick a few with Edge before they even knew what hit them. Even more dropped dead right before they could get out the doorframe, a crossbow bolt sticking out of their foreheads. Others were also stopped by a freezing spell, then breaking apart after a large brown body smacked into them. There were two, however, that did get past. They ran after Aveline, who met both of them with a swift bash of her shield. One went flying to his back while the other stumbled, but regained his footing and charged right for her again. Not wasting much time, Aveline smacked the smuggler with her shield again, followed by a sweep of her sword, cutting the smuggler's abdomen clean open. He fell, soon being replaced by the second smuggler, but Aveline quickly disposed of him in the same fashion.
A pile of bodies blocked the doorway, and when Jordan saw no more men coming through, she made her way into the hovel. She had counted twelve so far, but just as she had expected, as soon as she went through the door she was attacked by one of the smugglers waiting behind the wall. His hammer fell down fast, but Jordan was quicker as she moved out of the way. As the hammer hit, splitting the wood in the floor, Jordan slide to the smuggler's front and planted Edge right between his ribs. Her other dagger made its way right to his back, going through more ribs. She then pulled them both out simultaneously and he fell to the floor.
A bolt then flew past her head, hitting the smuggler sneaking up on her right between the eyes. Jordan nodded to Varric as he made his way over the bodies. Together they searched the rest of the hovel, but found no more smugglers within. When everything was clear, Jordan went straight to the chest and right to work picking the lock.
“Are the goods in there?” Bethany asked as she and Aveline joined Varric.
“Just a sec... There we go.” With the lock off, Jordan quickly opened the chest to find... nothing. “What? It's empty!” Jordan proclaimed as she peered inside.
“Empty? You can't be serious?” said Aveline.
“Well, maybe...” Jordan stuck her hand inside and began feeling around, trying to find any hidden latches or seams. There was nothing, and even more nothing when she tipped the chest over.
“Bloody waste of time,” Varric mumbled.
“I can't believe this,” Jordan heaved as she stood. Now not only would she not get the rest of the ten sovereigns, but she also had lost the chance to make more.
“What now?” said Bethany as she stared at her sister.
Jordan was frustrated with the situation, but there wasn't anything either of them could do. All the smugglers were dead, so there was no way of asking any of them where the lyrium might actually be. “I guess we have no choice but to go back to Anso and tell him the bad news. Wonderful.”
“Hey, you may not have gotten what you wanted, but at least you got two sovereigns,” said Varric.
“You are right about that. But ten sovereigns would have been so... perfect.”
***
Before leaving, they searched the hovel top to bottom for Anso's lyrium. They found nothing, and Jordan finally gave in and had everyone follow her out and back into the alienage clearing. It then became more of a surprise to her as they crossed over the pile of bodies to find a whole wall of men surrounding the hovel.
“What the...?”
“That's not the elf!” a woman shouted. “Who is that?”
“It doesn't matter,” the man right next to her yelled. “We were told to kill whoever entered the house.” He then began shouting at the men around him in a foreign language Jordan had heard before but had never bothered learning where it was from.
“Shit, they're Tevinter slavers!” said Aveline as she grabbed her sword.
This is just great. Slavers again? Jordan already had her two daggers in hand and wasted no time as she sprinted toward the woman. Seeing her coming, the woman lifted her shield, but Jordan faked a left, throwing the woman off balance and Edge was able to find its way into her side. Jordan then tore Edge out, and using the woman's own shield as protection from her sword, she spun and planted her other dagger in the woman's back. She fell quickly, but Jordan had no time to recover as she immediately had to block an attack from the man, his greatsword nearly knocking Edge right out of her hand. He pressed down on her, but Jordan kicked him off. He backed away a few steps, but quickly renewed his attack. He swung but Jordan ducked it, rolling on her side and sticking Edge right between the plates of his armor. She then reached around and sliced the other dagger across the man's throat before he could turn on her. Her duels with Carver and his own greatsword had taught her how to handle a warrior who thought they owned the battlefield just because their weapon was bigger.
With both of them down, Jordan took a few seconds to scan the area. Aveline and Varric were holding out on their own against the slavers with Chance backing them up. She could feel an electrical charge in the air and saw Bethany summon a lightning strike at a man all the way on the other side of the clearing. The lightning hit but disbursed around a shield that was covering him. A foreign magical signature then crossed Jordan's senses as the man began to summon his own spell right at Bethany. Jordan knew Bethany could protect herself against magic, but she also remembered the words her father used to say to her during their training sessions.
Take out the enemy mages as fast as you can. Pay attention to their magic, feel what they're going to do next, and strike as fast as possible.
It was words Jordan lived by as she sprinted right for the enemy mage. The magic he was summoning felt primal, hot, ravenous. Fire. She picked up her pace just as the fireball began to form in his hands. She could feel Bethany summoning ice to counteract the fire, but she wouldn't need it if Jordan had her way.
The mage spotted Jordan when she was halfway to him. Seeing she was the bigger threat, he turned and the fireball went hurtling toward her. This was what she wanted as she slowed her pace, threw Edge and ducked just as the fireball flew past her head. Edge had cut right through it, killing its magic and making it harmless as it hit the ground. The blade then flew through the air, surprising the mage even more as it cut through his shield and landed right in his chest. Ice then froze his face in an expression of horror as he fell.
“Nice,” said Varric as he made his way to Jordan. “I thought that fireball was going to vaporize you.”
“Not a chance. Besides, not only was the fireball incomplete,” Jordan explained as she pulled Edge from the mage's chest. “But my dagger here also has a ruin in it that disrupts magic.” She cleaned off the blood and twirled Edge around.
“A ruin? How did you get that?”
“My father. He made the blade and placed the ruin inside. It actually used to be apart of a staff he made, but it broke during a time when we were fleeing the templars. He kept it, though, and when I became older, he took Edge off and reformed it into a dagger. Both the blade and ruin have proven to be very useful since not only does it disrupt spells formed by mana, but by blood magic as well.”
“I'll tell ya, Hawke, everyday I found out something more interesting and remarkable about you.” Jordan allowed him to look over Edge, seeing how fascinated he was with her dagger. She quickly snatched it back, however, when she heard hushed footsteps making their way down the steps that lead into the alienage. Seeing her go on the defense, everyone turned to the steps to see a man in heavy armor. He stopped at the bottom and gaped at the scene, all the dead bodies and Jordan and her companions standing there.
“What in the...?” He growled and marched his way to Jordan. “I don't know who you are, friend, but you've made a big mistake coming here.”
“No, I think you've made a bigger one if you think you're going to take us as slaves.” Jordan lifted Edge and pointed it at him. “I dare you to get close to me.”
The man growled at her again. “Foolish woman! Don't start thinking you can protect that blasted elf! I will cut through you and anyone else to get him!”
“What elf are you talking about?” Jordan scoffed. “Do any of the people behind me look like they have pointed ears?”
“You're hiding him, now hand him over!”
“Maker's breath, you just don't listen, do you?”
“Fine, if that's how you want it,” the man said pulling out his sword. “You're trapped in here and there's no way you can get out. Not with me and my men blocking the way. Lieutenant!” he yelled. “I want everyone in the clearing! Now!”
Jordan had no clue what this man was talking about, but she prepared herself for a fight nevertheless. Now she wondered what she had gotten herself into, and maybe thought it had been best to look into the report of the Tevinter mercenaries. Were these them? And if so, what did Anso have to do with all of this? It was probably a set-up of some sort, but who set the trap? By the way the slavers acted when Jordan and them had come out of the hovel, they were probably expecting it to be someone else. The elf maybe? But who was this elf? Jordan shook her head. It was so confusing, all the questions were starting to make one of her headaches come back.
For a moment the man stood there, he and Jordan's eyes locked, but neither of them moving. Something wasn't right as he slowly moved his eyes away from her to look back at the steps. There were no men coming down it. No slavers racing to come and kill or take the four that had apparently spoiled their plans. “What is going--?” he began to shout. He stopped when the dead body of one of his men fell down the steps and landed at the base of his feet. Looking at the top of the steps, Jordan's eyes widened as she saw who it had been who had thrown the body down.
There was no mistaking it, this had to be the elf they were talking about. He was lanky for an elf, tall with white hair that almost seemed to shine on its own in the moonlight. His armor was spiky, dark and foreign with delicate white designs that stretched all along his body, and a greatsword on his back. As was custom with elves in Kirkwall, he wore no shoes, and Jordan wondered about the white designs as he made his way down the steps. They seemed to extend past the armor and onto his skin. This became more apparent as he got closer, and she could see them more clearly. They were not only on his feet, but also on the parts of his arms that were exposed, and on his neck, going right below his chin. He was striking, actually. An elf Jordan had never seen before.
“Your men are dead,” he said to the man as he passed him. He did it very casual, as if he was no threat to him. “And your trap has failed. I suggest running back to your master while you still can.” His eyes looked into Jordan's, large and dark green. Nothing unusual about elf eyes, but Jordan did notice his eyebrows were jet black. A contrast to his shimmering white hair.
“I don't think so, slave,” the man said. “You're coming with me.” He inched forward and grabbed the elf by the shoulder.
Jordan wasn't actually sure what she saw next, but as soon as the man had his hand on the elf, the white designs upon his skin and armor began to glow. They shined brightly, and as the elf turned to face the man, he reached his hand out and planted it right in his chest. The man gasped from the sudden invasion. He looked down at the hand in his chest and acted as if he wanted to scream. There was a sound of bones breaking, and what could only be described as fruit being squished. The elf pulled out his hand and the man fell, his eyes rolling in the back of his head, yet there was no hole in his chest.
“I am no slave,” he muttered as he turned back to Jordan and the others, his eyes glowering and the white designs fading to their original shimmer.
Jordan kept her ready stance, not actually sure how dangerous this elf was. If he had just stuck his hand through armor, flesh and bone without creating a hole, then she wondered if he was able to keep weapons from entering him. Edge might have been useful against magic, but she had no idea what ability he had. There was no magic coming off him that she could feel.
“What do you want?” she asked, keeping her eyes focused on his. If she had to she would try and distract him long enough for Bethany to get away at least.
“To apologize,” he said. He stood calmly in front of her, not making any threatening moves or stances. In fact, he even appeared to smile at her.
“Apologize for what?” Jordan lowered her other dagger but still kept Edge at the ready.
“For putting you in such a predicament. When I asked Anso to provide a distraction for the hunters, I had no idea they'd be so... numerous.”
“We had no trouble,” Jordan mused. “I've had worse odds before.”
“It's... quite impressive,” he said as he stared over at the pile of bodies just outside the hovel. He also peered behind them to see the dead body of the mage. “And you apparently have no problem taking down mages.”
“I have my ways.”
“Perhaps proper introductions are in order, and I believe you might also want answers.”
“Answers would be nice,” said Varric.
“My name is Fenris. These men were Imperial bounty hunters seeking to recover a magister's lost property, namely myself. They were trying to lure me into the open. Crude as their methods were, I could not face them alone. Thankfully, Anos chose wisely.”
Jordan was taken by surprise. She lowered Edge and stared at him for a moment. “Wait... are you telling me there's no job? Was everything Anso told me a lie?”
“Not everything. Your employer was simply not who you believed. I needed Anso to find someone who could sneak into the hunters base and distract them so I could then finish them off. The 'goods' you were sent to retrieve was actually a trap set up for me.”
“Ah, I think I see it now.” Jordan looked down at the ground as she crossed her arms. “Well this is just perfect. And here I thought I was going to get paid decently for once.”
“You still can,” said Fenris. “I'm willing to give you the rest of what Anso promised if you help me with one other thing.”
“Really?” Jordan brought her gaze right back to him, her face lighting up at his words.
“Now hold on a second,” said Aveline as she took a place at Jordan's side. “You're not going to question him first? We don't even know who he is. I especially want to know about that fist-in-the-chest thing he did.” Aveline turned her glaring eyes over at Fenris. He didn't budge. “You're an escaped slave, aren't you?”
“Yes, I am.”
“And the tattoos? That thing you did to that man?”
“Yes, the markings...” Fenris looked at both of his arms. “I imagine I must look strange to you. I did not receive them by choice. They give me the ability to phase through solid objects. Don't ask me how. And even though receiving them was a nightmare I'd rather not talk about here, I have found them useful from time to time. Without them I would still be a slave.”
“Alright, are you satisfied, Aveline?” Jordan said taking back her position.
“Not really, but it'll do.” The warrior still eyed Fenris suspiciously, but allowed Jordan to continue.
“So what's this other thing you want us to do?”
“Confront my former master.” Fenris's eyes became suddenly dark. “I know he's here. I know he accompanied these men to the city. I must get to him before he flees. But I'll need your help to do it.”
“Confront him? Looks to me like you intend to do more than talk.”
A snarl curved up his lip. “Danarius wants to strip the flesh from my bones and has sent so many hunters that I've lost count. And before that, he kept me on a leash like a Qunari mage, a personal pet to mock Qunari custom. So, yes, I intend to do more than talk.”
“Wow, hang on a second,” Jordan said, seeing what he was getting at. “You said he was a Tevinter Magister?”
“Yes...”
“So you want me to help you kill a Tevinter Magister?”
“The fact that he's a mage shouldn't scare you,” said Fenris. “You killed that one just fine and I'm sure you've killed hundreds of others.”
“You think so? But that one was weak. And the fact he's a mage doesn't scare me, although being a magister from Tevinter proves he is powerful, but that's just it. He's a magister. From Tevinter. You don't just go killing foreign diplomats for fun.”
“It's not for fun!” Fenris said coldly. “Although I won't deny I'll get some type of satisfaction out of it. But I gave you the reasons why.”
“Yes, the markings.” Jordan studied over them again. She then looked back at her companions, seeing their opinion without having to ask. Aveline obviously disapproved, killing a foreign magister wasn't going to look good on her resume. Bethany looked scared, but she wasn't going to let her sister do it alone. And Varric seemed interested, although he was probably just as hesitant as she was. Neither one of them would abandon her, however, no matter what she decided to do. “You said you would give me the remaining eight sovereigns if I did this?” she asked, turning back to Fenris.
“I will give you what Anso promised,” he answered.
“Alright, I'll take it, but if you want me to kill a Tevinter Magister, then I want more.”
Fenris scolded. “I don't really have more to give you.”
“Eight sovereigns isn't enough. He's a Tevinter Magister!”
He glared at Jordan for a time. “I can give you two more.”
“Two more? Are you serious?”
“Two more sovereigns and I'll let you raid his mansion once he's dead. Danarius is a magister, after all, which means he's very wealthy. You can have anything you can carry.”
“Hmm.” Jordan pondered. It was a good deal. Not only would she get a total of twelve sovereigns for the whole deal, but also first choice of anything valuable in the mansion. Selling anything from a magister in either the Hightown or Lowtown market could be risky, though. She would have to do it in the undercity where the prices might not be as high. But it was still a good deal. “Alright, we'll do it.”
“Thank you,” Fernis breathed, almost seeming relieved that she had chosen to help him. “His mansion is in Hightown, on the upper level. Meet me there.”
“Why can't we just go together? Show us the way.”
“I need to collect something first. Just meet me there as soon as you can. We need to enter before morning.” Before Jordan could ask him anything else, Fenris took off up the steps and left them in the alienage.
“Well... that was interesting,” Varric remarked.
“Yes, very...” Jordan stared at the spot Fenris had just been standing, now regretting her decision.
***
“I don't like this,” Bethany whispered as they made their way through Hightown. “And I especially don't like Fenris.”
“That's kind of cruel, coming from you,” said Jordan.
“I know, but there was just something about him that didn't settle well with me.” Jordan could see her sister was troubled. It was making her wish even more she had told Fenris no. “I believe he hates mages.”
“He was a slave to one. Can you blame him?”
“I can understand why, but what's going to happen if he finds out I'm a mage? Will he try to kill me? Or do something worse? Like throw me to the templars.”
“If he tries to do anything to you, I'll kill him first,” Jordan said stern. “I don't care if he's able to phase through things. I'm quick and can probably get to him before he can stop me.”
“I sure hope so.”
“Would you prefer to go home?” Jordan asked her. “It's probably going to be another long night for us, and if you're scared...”
“Of course I'm scared, but if you think I'm leaving you to fight a Tevinter Magister, then you're wrong. I know how good you are at fighting mages thanks to Father and me, but a magister is different. Even if Fenris tries something against me, he probably won't until we're done. So you're going to need my help.”
“Yeah, I know.” But I'd rather it be Anders. Jordan didn't like placing her sister in danger like this, but there was little choice. Even if Anders was with them, Bethany still probably wouldn't abandon her. She would be too worried.
Unlike in Darktown or Lowtown at night, in Hightown they did need to sneak around in order to get to the mansions on the upper level. Bandits and thugs were just as popular here as anywhere else in Kirkwall, but guards patrolled the streets of Hightown a lot better than either of the other locations. If they were caught, a guard would stop and question them, asking where they were headed and why. As neither of them were dressed like a noble, there was no way they could bluff and get away from the guard. Not even Aveline would be able to keep the guard from either taking them away or following them. It was best to stick to the shadows, and avoid the guards all together.
When they finally made it to the upper level of the Hightown mansions, Jordan looked around for any sign of Fenris. She wasn't sure which mansion belonged to Danarius or where Fenris would be. She hoped he would find them, or make himself known as she did not want to stand out in the open waiting for him. Not only would guards be able to spot them, but so would other bandits. She was beginning to feel antsy as time went by before she finally spotted him coming from a garden in between two buildings.
“It's about time,” she said meeting him halfway. “Did you get what you needed?”
“Yes, but I've actually been here for quite some time, waiting for you,” he said. “I've been scouting around, and have seen no one enter or leave the mansion. I've heard nothing within, either, but I'm sure Danarius knows we're here. I wouldn't put it past him.” His head turned in the direction of a particular door that was wedged in between two other distinct mansions. This was a servant door, one that would lead, Jordan assumed, right into Danarius's mansion.
“Yes, of course, the front door's way too obvious,” Jordan mused as she followed his gaze.
“He'll have traps to protect himself, so we must not be reckless.”
“No, of course not.” Jordan breathed out. “Shall we?”
Fenris took the lead as they headed toward the servant door. Instead of joining next to Fenris, Jordan waited back and walked along side Aveline.
“Aveline, if things should turn bad in there, I want you to get Bethany out. You'll make sure she's safe, yes?”
“Sure, I'll get her out,” Aveline confirmed. “But then I'm coming back for you.”
“If you insist. Just make sure she doesn't follow you. She may do that, not wanting to leave me behind.”
When Fenris reached the door, he didn't even bother trying the knob. Instead, he simply kicked, the door splintering and swinging open violently. “I'm not afraid of you, Danarius!” he shouted, making his way in. “Show yourself!”
“You make quite an entrance, don't you?” Jordan said following him in. “Just pop right in and make yourself known. No sneaking, no being quiet. Just shout and kill, right?”
“We don't have time for sneaking around.” Fenris had gone into some type of mode, one of brooding hatred that had probably been smoldering for a very long time. Jordan wasn't sure if she liked him like this. Was he like that all the time? Or was it just because he was hoping to kill a man that had apparently tortured him? Jordan hoped it was the latter.
They had entered into a larder, but it seemed very empty for someone living here, even if it was just one man. Jordan looked around, wondering where all the food was. If he was a magister, he would obviously have servants or slaves with him, at least. Which meant there needed to be food in the kitchen, but everything she saw was either moldy or empty. She was beginning to feel that something was wrong.
“Fenris, hang on a second!” Jordan picked up her pace to catch up to him. He was ahead of her, marching his way through the larder and to the empty doorway that would lead to the kitchen. It happened quicker than even she could react.
“Jordan, no!” Bethany cried, but not even her warning was fast enough to keep them from crossing the threshold.
It happened fast, heat intensifying and a massive wall of flame suddenly descending down upon them. Jordan wasn't sure how she got on the floor, but she found her face being pressed against the dirt covered stone. The heat was excruciating, burning right through her leathers. The light blinding, even with her eyes tightly closed. Her whole field of vision yellow. But as soon as it began, it was over. Feeling the heat of the fire no longer, Jordan opened her eyes to find she and Fenris were on the floor together, he was actually over her, protecting her. There was also a shimmering purplish sphere surrounding them. When she looked around the room, she saw Bethany standing pale, her eyes glazed and sweat running down her face. She fell to her knees and Jordan quickly removed herself from under Fenris to catch her before she fell even further.
“Maker, Bethany!” said Jordan. “Come on, talk to me.”
“That was... close,” Bethany breathed.
“Yeah, and nearly took everything out of you, didn't it?”
“Almost, but I'll be fine.” Jordan could tell she was lying, as she was the only thing keeping Bethany from fulling laying on the floor.
It had been a magical trap, something set up to keep thieves from raiding the mansion. Or to keep Fenris away. Either way, Jordan stared over at him as she held Bethany. He was standing, his eyes piercing as he glared over at her and Bethany. If he was finally realizing what she was Jordan hoped he would take into consideration that she had just saved his life. He was so eager to get at this Danarius, he walked right into a trap. Now Jordan had to be more cautious. Not only because Bethany had been weakened to protect her and Fenris, but also because he may be the type of person that didn't care about anything except that she was a mage. Jordan also glared at him, narrowing her eyes and placing herself in front of Bethany. To her surprise, however, his gaze relented.
“Is she all right?” he asked.
“She'll be fine,” Jordan said still staying in her protective position. “And you?”
“Don't worry about me. But that trap proves he's trying to keep us away. We need to keep moving no matter what.” Without blinking, he turned back and entered the kitchen, shouting out Danarius's name, grabbing on to his sword as he swung it to break down the next door.
“Bloody idiot,” Aveline cursed as she followed him. Varric was right at her heels, although he stopped first to see how the sisters were.
As Fenris made his way through the mansion, Jordan could hear him crashing through wood, along with popping sounds as other magical traps were triggered. Jordan knew she needed to get up so she could go and help them as a powerful magical signature began to fill the air. It was strong, reminding her of how Anders felt when he became Justice, but it was also very different. More evil with pure rage. But she didn't want to leave Bethany.
“Jordan, go,” Bethany spoke, knowing what her sister was thinking. “They need your help.”
“What about you?”
“I'll be fine, I swear.”
Jordan could tell Bethany was getting stronger, but she still didn't like leaving her, especially with what might be going on. The feeling was dark, the magic strong, and the shouting of her companions becoming more distant. “Fine, but you don't let anything happen to you, all right?”
“And don't you dare let anything happen to you, either,” Bethany said stern.
“Of course.” Jordan smiled down at her as she sprang to her feet and ran through the kitchen. She listened for the yelling and made her way through the broken doors before she finally found them in what would have served as the front entrance to the mansion. In the large area in front of the double staircase was Fenris with Aveline and Varric on either side of him. Chance was barking wildly as they each stared down their own opponent. To Jordan's horror, what she saw standing before them were demons.
It was the first time Jordan had ever seen a demon in real life. She had seen pictures in books, and paintings in chantries, but neither could prepare her for what she saw standing before her. They were huge, towering over everyone. Sharp claws were at the ends of stretched out hands, hoods covered their faces, concealing them in darkness, and dark robes clad their deformed bodies. The air was thick with their evil magic, and Jordan knew they had sprang from the magical traps Fenris had set off.
“Don't let them intimidate you!” Aveline shouted. “In this form they can be taken down just like any other creature. Cut them enough and they'll go down. Then cut them some more to make sure.”
It was enough encouragement to have everyone move at once. Jordan sprang toward the one Chance had launched himself at. Edge found its way right into the demon's chest. Black blood squirted from the wound as Jordan pulled it out and rolled to the demon's back. The demon went to grab her, but Chance clamped his teeth around the demon's hand, pulling it down and yanking. It wasn't long before the demon was taken down, Edge being plunged into its back and severing its spine. Jordan was glad it had been so easy, as she had hoped the ruin in Edge's blade would be effective against demon's just as it was against mages.
Once her demon was down, she ran to help Varric who was being backed into a corner. Several bolts stuck out of the demon's front, but neither of them seemed to slow it down. Its black blood oozed down its robes from the bolt wounds, but also from several cuts along its front and arms. Varric was forced to use Bianca as a battering ram, a sharp blade sticking out from her front with demon blood dripping off. Jordan slammed herself into the demon's side, getting it away from Varric. They both stumbled to the ground, Jordan striking her other dagger into the demon's back. A bolt then made its way into the demon's hood, disappearing in the shadows. It was enough, and the demon stilled under Jordan.
The two rogues nodded to each other, grateful for the others help. As Jordan made it to her feet, she saw Aveline take out her own demon by slamming it into the wall and cutting off its head. Fenris, however, was still fighting his. They had gone up one side of the staircase, his demon screeching and clawing at him. Fenris used his sword as a shield then swung it hard to knock the demon in the side. He then did it once more, completely severing the demon in two. Its upper half fell off the staircase and collapsed on the floor below with a thud.
“Now you're mine, Danarius!” Fenris yelled as he bounded up the remainder of the staircase and to the door in the middle of the balcony.
“No, don't open that door!” Aveline cried at him.
It didn't matter, Fenris was determined to get through. To get to the mage who had set all the traps. He raised up his blade to strike it upon the door, but when he brought it down, it froze. Ice coated his blade, a bridge connecting it to the door that was also covered. He stared at it, confused. Everyone was until Jordan looked back at the way she had entered to see Bethany standing there, the purple aura of her magic swirling around her hands.
“He's not in there,” she said. “In fact, he's not here at all.”
“And how do you know?” Fenris growled.
“Because I just do.” Bethany made her way up the staircase and to the door. Waving her hand over it, the ice melted away and Fenris's sword hit the ground with a clunk. “These traps were set on purpose,” Bethany explained as she stared at him. “And they're only set to go off by you.” To prove her point, Bethany opened the door herself and walked right into the room. Nothing happened. “Do you see? There's nothing, or nobody in here. And if you give me time, I can deactivate the trap so you can really see for yourself.”
Fenris didn't pass through the doorway, but he did look in the room past Bethany to see she was correct. “Vishante kaffas,” he cursed. He then made his way down the staircase and stood in the middle of the room. “I had really hoped...” he began.
“You'll get him next time,” Jordan said, not really sure what was the right thing to say.
His eyes flickered in her direction. “It doesn't matter. Go ahead and take whatever you want, like I promised. I need some air.” Replacing his sword, Fenris took himself from the room, going back to the servant entrance. Jordan watched him go, only relaxing her grip on Edge once he was completely gone.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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Blood Promise