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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
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The Duel

“Seriously? What did you just agree to?” Aveline asked when Jordan was done explaining to them about Isabela.
“Exactly what I told you,” said Jordan. “We're going to help Isabela with her problem, just as I helped you with yours and you're helping me with mine. Right?”
“No. This doesn't feel right to me. And I've seen her before. Even had to deal with some of the messes she's created. Isabela is not a woman you want to get yourself involved with.”
“Come on, Aveline!” Jordan pleaded. “I'm so bored! You got me doing drudge work. I want to have fun.”
“What you need,” Aveline glared. “Is some rest and to get yourself sober. You're drunk, Jordan. Do you really think you could help her if you needed to fight in the condition you're in now?”
“I won't be in this condition by midnight. In fact, after this last mug I'll stop for the night.” She lifted up the full mug she had bought at the counter and drank about half of it down.
“Maker's mercy,” Aveline breathed.
“Hey, I'm going no matter what,” Jordan said after wiping her mouth. “So you can either follow and make sure I don't get in trouble like you always do, or you can go back to the barracks.”
“You already know the answer to that,” Aveline snorted.
“Good, because I could really use you. I could really use all of you, actually.”
“I was really liking the thought of getting some sleep tonight,” said Bethany. “But you know I'm with you where ever you go, Sister.”
“This city is never dull, and you know you can't leave me out of this.” Varric held up his mug and he and Jordan clinked theirs together before they both finished them off.
“And you?” Jordan asked Anders as she placed down her empty mug. “You know you have to after ditching us the last time.”
Anders swirled around his still full mug before finally taking a drink and smiling up at her. “You're right, Jordan. It has been some time since I've had some fun. And this sounds like lots of fun.”
“Excellent. But first, before we go...” Jordan sat back in her seat and picked up her cards. “We need to finish this game. Aveline and I are not done yet.”
***
It was dark, and slightly cold for the time of year, which probably explained why there were barely any guards patrolling on the streets. Jordan and her companions crept through Hightown, having left the Hanged Man and gone across Lowtown just an hour after dusk. The square they were to meet Isabela in was directly in front of the Viscount's Keep, right before you entered the long walkway that would take you to the giant doors. It was wide open, and Jordan had to wonder why Isabela picked that location. Guards traveled that way all the time, but maybe she knew something that Jordan didn't. Once they reached the square, Jordan spotted Isabela leaning against one of the square garden fences. She was still, but Jordan could tell she was keeping an eye out.
“Ah, so you brought friends, did you?” Isabela said as Jordan and them went to her. “Good, because I can already sense something isn't right.”
“Really?” said Jordan. “It's not even midnight yet. Only five till. What time where you suppose to meet Hayder?”
“Same time as you, but since he's not here yet, that can only mean one thing.”
“He's a chicken, Isabela,” spoke Varric. “He already knows he can't beat you, so he's decided to run away.”
“I wish, but I know that's not the case.”
“I guess I don't have to introduce you two,” said Jordan. “Should've know, though, considering you occupy the same space.”
“Varric's the one who showed me how to find Athenril,” Isabela explained.
“If that's the case, then why didn't you just show her my way, Varric?” Jordan asked.
“Because she wasn't looking for you,” said Varric. “She was looking for Athenril. If instead, Rivaini had asked to find someone who could help her, then I would have introduced her to you.”
“Rivaini?”
“My nickname for Isabela. I have to have a nickname for everyone. You should know that by now, Hawke.”
“Yeah. So... do you have one for Anders yet?”
Varric smiled over at the mage. “Blondie.”
“Blondie?” Anders said a little surprised. “Well I guess that's better than what I've been called before. For a second there I thought you were going to call me 'sparklefingers.'”
“Why would I call you that?”
“That's what another dwarf used to call me. A fellow Warden.”
“Ah, you'll have to tell me about him later,” said Varric.
“And I certainly would like to get to know you better as well,” Isabela chimed in. Her eyes glittered in Anders's direction.
“How about right now we figure out what's going on first,” said Jordan, putting herself in front of Anders. Isabela caught on quickly and smiled sweetly at Jordan.
“Yes, about that.” Her smile disappeared as the situation they were in came back to the front of her mind. “Hayder still hasn't shown himself. I don't like this.”
“Neither do I,” said Aveline. “This is obviously a trap.”
“Well aren't you optimistic,” Isabela sneered. “Although I would have to agree with you.”
Aveline looked around. “I also don't like how there are no guards anywhere. Would you know something about that, Isabela?”
“Honestly, I don't know, but it's odd, isn't it?” Isabela said as she examined Aveline. “You know my name, but I don't know yours. I'll bet anything you have something to do with the guard, don't you?”
“I happen to be the pending guard-captain. And you are a trouble-maker. One that I will be keeping an eye on.”
“Like you keep an eye on me?” Jordan asked, cocking an eyebrow.
“In a way, yes,” Aveline answered. “But you're different. I know you better than her, and I also know that your intentions are noble to some degree.”
“Then get to know me, big girl,” said Isabela. “I don't bite... hard. Not unless you want me to.”
Aveline rolled her eyes, knowing she wasn't going to get anywhere with either of them.
“So what are we going to do?” Bethany asked. “Are we planning on waiting here until this man shows up?”
“We can, but--”
“There she is!” someone shouted behind them. Jordan quickly turned to see several thugs running right at them. “That's the wench we're looking for. Gut her!”
“Oh blast,” Isabela cursed as she unsheathed her daggers and went after the thugs. Jordan quickly joined her, speeding in and ahead of the others. There was a hesitant glance from the lead thug, the one that had spoken. They were startled to see that Isabela wasn't alone, even more so when they saw two mages with her.
They made quick work of the thugs. Anders and Bethany working well together as they split and went on the opposite sides of the group, corralling the thugs in with their spells. Aveline went right for the leader, taking out her sword arm fast and throwing her into another thug that was going after Varric. Jordan and Isabela, however, seemed to already know how to work as a team. They were both quick, running at the thugs and evading their blows. With similar fighting styles, they were able to work around each other, ducking while the other went in for the kill. Faking a left, only to have the other come from that side to throw the thug off balance. Before it had even begun, all the thugs were quickly dispatched and Jordan and Isabela stood together laughing.
“It's been some time since I've seen someone with your skill,” said Isabela.
“I don't think I've ever met anybody who was as fast as me,” Jordan breathed. “Or who had the same type of fighting style.”
“Maybe we should duel sometime.” Isabela smiled provocatively. “It would be quite entertaining, don't you think?”
Sure it would be, but Jordan also knew what other thing Isabela was talking about. For a moment, she actually thought about it, which somewhat surprised her. Never had she ever though of another woman in such away, but immediately afterwards, she knew it wasn't going to happen. Even though Isabela could be considered attractive, she wasn't necessarily Jordan's type. Anders on the other hand, every time she glanced over at him, and occasionally catching him staring at her, she knew that there was already something between them. All she needed to do was try and get it out. Easier said than done, though, as she was willing, but he apparently was reluctant.
“Dueling with daggers, nothing else,” Jordan said as she waved Edge.
“Ah, such a tease.” But Isabela became serious as she looked down at the dead thugs at her feet. “We need to check these bodies, see if we can find out where Hayder is. He obliviously sent them to finish me off. Fool. Did he really think that would work?”
“Could you have taken them by yourself?” Jordan asked.
“I don't know. I'm better at one-on-one, unless I have a partner. But this is the reason why I asked for your aid. I knew Hayder was going to pull something like this.” Together they all began searching the bodies before Isabela found what she was looking for. She held up a letter, and started to become more agitated as she read it. “Blighted bastard. He's hiding in the chantry. Does he really think he'll be safe in there?”
“Apparently the chantry isn't as much of a safe house as people think,” said Jordan. “So are we going there again? Planning on leaving another blood bath for the priests to clean up in the morning. You'd think they'd wonder about that.”
“Not really,” Aveline spoke, making Jordan look at her funny. “You'd be surprised to hear how many times the priests would wake to find dead bodies in the chantry. It was thought they should lock the doors at night, but the grand cleric wouldn't allow it. She said that the chantry should be open at all times for any who wish to seek the Maker. So the priests just put up with it. Grab the buckets and the brushes and start washing.”
“Seriously?” Jordan said confounded. “Why wouldn't they just post guards at the front door or something?”
“Do you really think a guard is going to stop anyone from entering the chantry so they can 'pray'?” Aveline asked her.
“I... guess not.”
“Then what would be the point?”
“Got it.”
“If you do, then may we proceed?” Isabela said irritated. “I want to arrive before Hayder realizes something's not right. He may be a fool, but he does have good senses.”
“Let's go, then.” Jordan gestured for Isabela to lead the way. She took off, Jordan close behind her with the others on their heels. When they reached the chantry, Isabela didn't stop until she was at the large doors and waited for everyone else to catch up. When they were all there, she burst the doors open, startling the two thugs who were leaning against the doors on the other side. She stepped on one as she made her way in.
“Hello there, Hayder,” she purred as she made her way to the open area of the chantry. There, just below the tall dais was a group of thugs. The man in the middle stared at her with heated eyes.
“Isabela,” he softly growled. “Should've known you'd find me here.”
“Tell your men to burn the letters next time,” she said in a more serious voice.
“It wouldn't have mattered. I knew you were going to pull some type of foul trick.”
“And you don't think this is a foul trick?” Isabela gestured to the men standing behind him, and also to the building they were standing in. “Dear Hayder, hiding in a chantry. Really?”
Hayder smiled at her. “I assumed you would burst into flames after crossing the threshold.”
“I assumed that too, but I guess not. So how do we play this, Hayder? Like we agreed on before, or would you rather continue to play dirty?” Jordan noticed that Isabela seemed to wish he would choose to still play dirty.
“How about we talk about how you nearly broke Castillon's heart. He heard about the shipwreck. You should've let him know you survived.”
“Must have slipped my mind,” Isabela shrugged.
“I'm sure.” Hayder then narrowed his eyes. “Now where's the relic?”
“How many times do I have to tell you I lost it?” Isabela said, losing her seductive demeanor. “Castillon's just going to have to do without.”
“You lost it?” Hayder growled. “Unlikely. You probably 'lost' it the same way you 'lost' a ship of valuable cargo!”
“They weren't cargo, Hadyer, they were people!” Isabela nearly yelled.
“Those slaves were worth a hundred sovereigns a head, and you let them scurry off into the wilds. And now the relic's gone, too. Castillon won't be happy to hear that, I promise you.”
“Wait, what are you talking about?” Jordan said, becoming confused. “Isabela?”
“Things from my past,” Isabela explained, not looking at Jordan. “If you don't mind, I can explain them to you later.”
“You haven't told her?” said Hayder. “Actually, that's not all that surprising. You never were the honest sort. Always lying to meet your own needs.”
“It's a cutthroat business, what we do. Can you really look me in the eye and say you're honest, Hayder?” His gaze wavered a little, which gave Isabela her answer. “And I told her enough. Just what she needed to know. I said I arranged a duel, which I did. I also said you wouldn't play fair, which you didn't. Anything else doesn't matter right now.”
“I'd have to agree with Isabela,” said Jordan. “I don't really need to know more than that, but later..” Jordan gave Isabela a stern gaze. “We will talk.”
“Thank you,” Isabela nodded toward Jordan. “This will make things a lot easier now.”
“Fine, if this is what you want, Isabela, then let's have at it!” Hayder didn't let Isabela react, leaping at her, bringing out his greatsword and swinging it wildly. Jordan would have taken that as a cue to attack, but the thugs behind him didn't bring out their weapons. Instead, they backed away, forming a half circle. She, along with the others, did the same thing to give the two room.
Isabela, even with the lack of being ready, was still able to evade Hayder's swing. She ducked, and in the same movement, grabbed her daggers and flanked his right side. Although his weapon was larger than her two, it was a disadvantage since it made him slower. One of the daggers stuck in his side, going right between the plates before he could bring his sword around to block her. He grunted and brought the greatsword around. Isabela countered it with both her daggers, making her stumble just a little. Hayder saw this and tried to take advantage, but Isabela was too quick and moved out of the way right before the greatsword could take off her head. Her other dagger also found its way into Hayder's left side.
Jordan watched intently, studying Isabela's fighting style, along with checking out her weapons. They were twin daggers, dainty looking weapons with what looked to be gold handles, and a slightly curved blade. One would think they were for mere decoration, not really anything lethal, but in Isabela's hands, they were potent. An extension of her arms that gracefully attacked Hayder from all sides. It was fascinating to watch, making Jordan wonder what it would be like if she and Isabela should happen to duel each other. They were both quick and both went right for their opponent's weak points. But Jordan also needed to stay focused as she took her eyes away from the fight to examine the thugs standing on the other side of the circle. She needed to watch them more, make sure they didn't try anything while Isabela and Hayder fought. She knew there had to be some type of signal, some type of hint that the thugs were looking for so they could attack and end the duel before Isabela could win. Which she clearly was. Hayder was much slower now, blood coating parts of his armor while Isabela was only coated in a thin layer of sweat.
Jordan checked the balconies and the dais, looking for anything that might be out of place. An assassin, maybe, hiding behind the rails, waiting for Isabela to stop moving or slow down long enough for him to shoot her down. Then she saw it, a glint from the torch light. It was small, one not knowing what to look for might have thought it came from the railing itself, but Jordan knew better. She knew it had to be the glint from the tip of a bolt loaded in a crossbow, ready to fire.
“Isabela! Finish him off now!” Jordan yelled. “The balcony!”
Neither of them needed to know what Jordan was talking about to act. In the span of a few seconds, Isabela knocked Hayder to his back with a sweep of her foot. The assassin popping up from behind the railing, Jordan's other dagger embedding itself in his skull while his bolt went flying off course, missing its target. Chaos ensued next as the thugs on their side of the circle plowed forward, stopping Isabela before she could finish Hayder off. She had to defend herself as one fell upon her, allowing Hayder to scramble to his feet and run toward the exit.
Isabela growled as he escaped her. She quickly dispatched her attacker and turned to chase Hayder down. “Come back here, you coward!” she yelled as she ran after him.
Jordan ran about the chaos, slicing and stabbing thugs with just Edge where ever she could. She didn't want to get in a full one-on-one, not with just one dagger. Even though she was fully capable of defending herself with just Edge, she still preferred to have two daggers. Having only one made her feel vulnerable. Stopping briefly so she could survey the area, she saw Varric take out more assassins who were perched on the balcony and the dais. With Bianca, the crossbow that was able to reload itself, Varric was easily able to take out several assassins before they could reload themselves. Jordan also spotted Bethany to a far side, just below the balcony and safe from any assassin bolt. She was taking out several thugs with ice, freezing then shattering them with her staff. More towards the middle was Anders and Aveline. They weren't close to each other, however, and Jordan could see they were both in some type of trouble. Aveline, although trying her best, was being surrounded by thugs brave enough to take her on. She was having to defend herself from several at once, and even though it appeared she was doing well, Jordan knew she wouldn't be able to hold all of them off forever. But then there was also Anders, who even with his strong magic, was also starting to get surrounded. He was occupied with two thugs at his front who were able to defend themselves from his magic with their shields. Two others were creeping behind him, ready to sink their daggers into his exposed back.
Jordan needed to help both of them, but at the moment Anders was her priority. He was closer to her and if the thugs got to him first, then he would be taken out. Deftly she sprang forward, colliding into one with her shoulder. It brought both of them to the ground, and Jordan wrestled with him as she tried to yank one of the thug's daggers out of his hand. She was successful, but only after letting go and stabbing him in the throat with Edge. With the thug's dagger, she threw it at the second. It landed right in his back before he could stab Anders. The thug screamed, making Anders turn and strike the thug's side, sending him flying away.
“Watch your back!” Jordan yelled as she got to her feet, the thug's other dagger in her hand. Anders nodded and turned to the other two thugs he was fighting, sending at them a large stone that struck one right in the chest. He had his shield down, quickly advancing on the mage as his back was turned. The thug fell, the other one falling as well when his foot got caught on his companions shoulder. Anders was then able to take both of them out with a lightning bolt that passed from one to the other.
Seeing he was fine now, Jordan quickly ran past him and straight to where Aveline was still struggling with the thugs surrounding her. She stabbed one right in the back, twisting Edge and snapping his spine. She then turned, sinking the other dagger in another thug's neck and feeling his trachea split open. With those two out, Aveline then brought Wesley's shield up to her chest and she plowed forward, knocking two thugs down and stabbing a third through the gut with her sword. The two thugs on the ground were then quickly dispersed, one by an ice spell, and the other by a bolt to the temple. Anders, Varric, and Bethany joined Jordan and Aveline just as on the other side of the chantry, Hayder screamed. Isabela over him, sinking both her daggers into his chest and finally ending the duel.
***
“It's done, at last,” Isabela breathed as she ripped her twin daggers from Hayder's chest. “Hayder is dead, and I'm safe... for the moment.”
“Yes, about that...” Jordan spoke as she and the others made their way over to Isabela. Isabela stared over at Jordan, obviously not really in the mood to discuss her situation at the moment, but Jordan wasn't going to let her get away without an explanation first. “You owe me something, Isabela.”
“Yes, I do. So take this.” Isabela tossed Jordan a small pouch that she had taken from Hayder's belt. Jordan caught it and looked inside, seeing that it was full of coins. She didn't have time to count them, but she did notice most of them were gold in color. She estimated there to be at least ten sovereigns in the pouch, if not more.
“Thanks,” she said holing up the pouch. “But you know you owe me more than just money.”
“Yes,” Aveline agreed. “Give me a good reason why I shouldn't lock you up for smuggling?”
“Relax, big girl,” said Isabela. “Do you really think I've been smuggling?”
“Taking slaves across the sea. Doesn't matter how much you want to justify it, that's still smuggling.”
“Alright, fine,” Isabela said looking away. “What do you want to know? I'll try and explain the best I can.”
Jordan waited for Aveline to ask, but when she noticed the warrior staring at her, she knew Aveline was waiting on her. “I guess the first would be who's Castillon?” Jordan asked.
Isabela sighed. “He's a powerful merchant based in Antiva. I used to work for him. The jobs mostly involved, yes, smuggling. I would smuggle lyrium, jewels, or the occasional criminal acquaintance. He paid well.”
“And slaves?”
“I would smuggle almost anything anywhere, but that's where I draw the line. Castillon told me the cargo ship I was to accompany was full of spices. I believed him at first, but once we were out at sea, something didn't feel right to me. The ship was way too big to just be hauling spices, and I also wondered why he didn't just put them on my ship like he usually did. So halfway to Tevinter—which was another thing that made me suspicious—I boarded the ship to find slaves in the cargo hold. Nearly two hundred—elves, humans... children even. It was sickening. I found out they had paid Castillon to take them away from the Blight. He then took their money and sold them into slavery. Even I know that's wrong. So I hope you can see, Guardswoman, I do have some sense of moral.”
Aveline snorted, shaking her head slightly, but saying nothing.
“Okay,” said Jordan. “So that would explain why Castillon is mad at you. You cost him a lot of money. So now the question is what is this relic?”
“It was an item I was suppose to retrieve and bring to him to get back in his good graces. I don't really know what it is, except that it's old and worth my weight in gold. When I crashed on the reef, it became lost.”
“And that's what you were having Lucky find information on?”
“Yes. He insisted he knew everything there was going on in Kikrwall. He lied, of course. Damn boy probably doesn't even know what's going on in his pants.”
“What took you so long to find Varric, then?” Jordan laughed. “He really does know everything that's going on in Kirkwall.”
“I'm not exactly sure,” Isabela smiled. “Handsome dwarf like him, he should have been the first one I went to.”
“Maybe it's because I don't have a beard,” said Varric. “That tends to throw people off sometimes.”
“Not me,” Isabela cooed. “I like it. And that chest hair. Mm.”
“That too. I have yet to find a lady who could resist it.”
“So what happens now?” Jordan asked, getting back Isabela's attention. “I assume Castillon's not going to let this go.”
“No, he won't,” said Isabela. “In order to keep Castillon from killing me, I need the relic. The only problem is, I still don't have it or any good information on where it might be. I have time to look now, with Hayder dead, but that won't last for long. Castillon will eventually find me, and demand the relic. So please, do you think you might be able to help me with that now? Any information I find about the relic, I'll share with you.”
“Do you think you'd be willing to help me?” Jordan countered.
“You also have a problem?”
“I'm trying to gather money to go on an expedition into the Deep Roads. I have help, but I could always use some more.”
“I don't see why now,” Isabela shrugged. “It's not like I'm going anywhere. I have no ship, and no crew. I'm stuck in this city until both of those things are rectified.”
“Then it's agreed. I'll help you find the relic, and you help me get the money so Bethany and I can go into the Deep Roads. Deal?”
“You got it,” Isabela winked. “And thanks for helping me with Hayder. It's nice to know I have someone watching my back for a change. And if you ever need me, I'll be at the Hanged Man. For whatever you desire... help... company.” Isabela winked again, showing off her sensual smile.
“Right, same place I'll find Varric,” said Jordan. “Where his company involves ale and Diamondback.”
“Oh Jordan. You really are a tease. Just know that my offer for a duel still stands. In however fashion you prefer.”
***
They left the chantry, Jordan keeping the thug's dagger since it was actually a lot better than the one she previously had. She decided to name it Ripper, due to the serrated tip. The handle was black leather, a little worn, but still in good condition. Once Jordan got back to her home, she would oil it, making it look better.
They went down the chantry steps, saying good-night to Aveline as she made her way to the Viscount's Keep. It was up a ways, while a shortcut to Lowtown was located right next to the chantry. Isabela and Varric had already headed that way, talking and laughing with each other, obviously getting along pretty well. Jordan stood in the middle of the area in front of the chanter's board. She wasn't tired, and wasn't really willing to head home just yet. A thought then came to her, and she looked over at the area that lead to the noble mansions.
“Anders, can you make sure Bethany gets home, please,” she said without looking at the two mages.
“I can,” said Anders. “But what are you doing?”
“Yes, Jordan, what are you doing?” Bethany asked, not liking the way her sister was looking.
“I just need to go do something real quick. Something that I've been putting off for some time.”
“Then I'll go with you.”
“No, I'd rather you not.”
“Jordan,” Bethany said stern. “Then can't this wait until the morning?”
Jordan stared over at her, her yellow eyes hard. “Just go home, Bethany. Anders, please make sure nothing happens to her.” She then took off, not wanting to argue with her sister anymore. She didn't know why she felt the urge to go see him all the sudden, but Jordan knew now was probably the perfect time. Fenris hopefully wouldn't see her visit so late at night as a threat, though.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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Blood Promise