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Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4556 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 16
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Black Sheep

Leandra sat in the front room, watching the door. A cold cup of tea was on the table right next to her, untouched. Bags were under her eyes, hair messily held back, and a thin robe was folded about her body. She sighed and closed her eyes, bowing her head and silently prayed to the Maker for their safe return home.
“Leandra? Are you still awake?” Gamlen stood in the doorway of his room, bare-chested with only a pair of dirty trousers. “By the Maker! Don't tell me those girls of yours haven't returned yet?”
“No, they haven't.” She opened her eyes and stared over at her brother, trying to blink away the few tears that had leaked through. “They said they'd be back by midnight, but it's at least two hours past.”
Gamlen grumbled as he ran his hand down his face. “Andraste's tits, could you stop worrying about those two for one night? How many times have they been out late or all night, but came back with only minor scratches?”
“They're my children, Gamlen! Of course I'm going to worry. I... I know they can take care of themselves, but I'm their mother, and I'm still going to worry. I hate this. I hate what they have to do in order to make sure we have food in this house. To make sure-”
“Not this again, Leandra.” Gamlen walked out of the doorway and to the fireplace at the back of the room. “It's a little late for you to start on that now.”
“I can't help it, Gamlen. It's the reason why Jordan thinks she needs to go on that expedition to the Deep Roads. If only there was another way.”
“Well your daughters are gonna have to keep doing it,” Gamlen said as he lit a fire. “Because... there's something I'm going to need from you.”
Leandra spun in her chair to stare at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Well...” Gamlen scratched the back of his head. “Look, Sister, I've let you and your two daughters stay here for over a year. Their friend was even here for some time before she became a guard. I just thought that maybe you should be... paying rent.”
Leandra wasn't sure she heard him right. She shook her head a few times as she tried to gather words. “Wha... Are you asking us to pay for staying here? We're your family, Gamlen!”
“I know, but I think it's only fair if maybe you paid... a monthly contribution of sorts.”
Leandra had to stand from her seat, nearly knocking her tea off the table. “You sold my children into servitude, and now you're asking us to pay rent?”
“Leandra, it wouldn't be that much. And only for as long as you stay here.”
“I... Wha... Gamlen, we already pay for food and clothing. Plus Jordan had to dip into her funds for the expedition in order to pay off those thugs who came here the other day looking for you. So now you want us to pay more? And... is this your way of trying to kick us out?”
“No,” he said going over to the table. “You can stay here as long as you like, but... those thugs were Coterie, and they will be back. I owe them a good amount of coin for something stupid. The rent is for... safety.”
“Gamlen...” Leandra had to back away from him, trying desperately to keep the tears from running down her face. Coming to Kirkwall was probably the worst mistake she had ever made. She only wished that Malcolm was still alive. Carver. That they were all back in Lothering as a family. That the Blight had never happened.
The door suddenly burst open, making both Leandra and Gamlen jump. Chance awoke with a startle, and started growling but stopped once he saw who was at the door. To Leandra's relief, Jordan and Bethany made their way inside.
“We found it, Mother!” Jordan shouted. She sprinted across the room to her mother and handed her several pieces of paper.
“You found what?” Leandra asked. She took the paper and read the title on the first page. “The Will and Testament of Lord Aristide Amell... But... that's my father.” Her eyes went wide as she stared at her eldest child. “Is this...?”
“Keep reading, Mother,” said Bethany.
Leandra nodded as she took the papers and sat back in her seat.
Gamlen was blinking at them from the fireplace, having grown extremely pale when he heard Leandra read the title. “How... H-How did you get that?”
“Wouldn't you like to know, Uncle,” Jordan smirked at him. “You better start explaining why you lied to Mother.”
“Lied to me?” Leandra said as she stared up from the will. “Jordan, what do you mean?”
“Keep reading, Mother, it's all there.”
“He forgave you, Mother,” said Bethany. “Grandfather forgave you for leaving and left you everything!”
“Are you sure?” Leandra asked as she looked between both of her daughters.
“Fifth page, I think. Go ahead, Mother.”
Leandra flipped through the pages before she found the right one and skimmed before finally finding what they wanted her to read. “'To my daughter Leandra, and all children born of her... the estate in Hightown and all associated revenues...” She stared up from the will, trying to determine if what she had read was real.
Gamlen began to fidget as Leandra read. “Er, ah, I should... maybe...” He started making his way to his room before Jordan cut him off.
“Not so fast, Uncle. You're not going anywhere until you tell Mother what really happened to the money. Go on, Mother, there's more. Check out the part where Gamlen is left only a stipend—to be controlled by you.”
“I... I don't have to explain anything to you, girl!” Gamlen blurted as he glared at Jordan.
“Gamlen, how could you do this?” said Leandra. “Why would you lie to me like this?”
“You have no idea what it was like when you left!” Gamlen yelled at her. “Our parents were devastated when you left. They hated you at first for it, but during their last days, started to realize they wanted you at their bedside rather than me. Do you know what that feels like, Sister? To be taking care of them for so long, through three bouts of cholera, only to hear them say your name in their sleep?”
“Gamlen, I...” Leandra stared at him with sad eyes. “I didn't know. If I had, I would have come back.”
“No you wouldn't,” Gamlen scolded. “You didn't even come home for their funeral.”
“The twins were a week old! I couldn't travel with two newborns and a toddler.”
“I'm surprised you even knew considering how hard it was for me to find you. You were always on the move, never in the same place for very long.”
“You know the reason for that, Gamlen.”
“Of course I do! It's the same reason why you abandoned us.”
“Alright, Uncle, that's enough,” Jordan said, stepping in. She couldn't stand her mother getting yelled at like she was. “Whatever the reason why we didn't come, that doesn't explain why you took Mother's money. Were their ashes even cold when you did?”
Gamlen sneered over at her. “For your information, girl, I waited the appropriate time before taking the money. When Leandra didn't show up for the will reading, it went into the courts and sat there for two years. Within that time, if she came, then she could claim the inheritance for her own. But she didn't, so when the deadline came and went, it was then all handed off to me. She lost her rights to it.”
“So what...? Was blowing all their money your way of giving them the big middle finger?” Jordan matched her uncle's stare.
“I'll admit it, I spent a lot of the money on myself. I thought I deserved it for what I had to go through. But most of the money I invested. It was a bad investment, but I at least was trying.”
“Really? What did you invest in?”
“Qunari cheeses.”
“What?” Jordan blinked at him a few times. “Are you daft? Qunari cheeses!”
“It seemed like a good investment at the time. Qunari cheese is actually a high quality product, but the market for it here wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be. I lost everything, got into some bad deals with the Coterie, and then had to basically give the house away to Tevinter slavers. Don't think I wanted to, either. It was either the house or my life.”
“You should have given your life. Less burden on us.”
“Jordan!” Leandra shouted. “You should not speak like that to your uncle.”
“Well maybe he does deserve to be a slave for all he's done to us! He took your money and blew it on stupid cheeses! I say we make him pay every last bit back!”
Gamlen gaped at her. “If you think I'm giving anything back to you, then you can forget it! I got you into this city, gave you a roof to sleep under and a job! It might not have been glorious, but it was more than most Ferelden refugees could claim.”
“Don't start thinking you're the savior of this family,” Jordan growled. “I could have found a way into the city without you!”
“Maybe I should have left you in the Gallows to rot!”
“Gamlen, Jordan, please!” Leandra pleaded. “Stop this, right now. There is no need to fight.” She sighed as both Gamlen and Jordan relented. “Look, Gamlen, I'm sorry for what I left you to deal with, but I loved Malcolm, still do, and if I seriously did know, then I would've dragged my whole family back here. But that didn't happen. And you don't have to pay back the money...”
“But Mother!” Jordan shouted.
“No, Jordan,” Leandra said shaking her head. “That money was actually rightfully Gamlen's. After two years, if the designated heir does not come to claim what is hers, then it is passed on. I can't say that I'm happy with what he did with the money, but it was his to do as he wished. I'm just pleased to learn that Mother and Father didn't die angry. That's all I ever wanted. Gamlen,” she said turning back to him. “I forgive you. I just hope you can forgive me.”
“Leandra, I...” Gamlen stared at her, taken aback by her words.
“As for the estate,” Leandra continued without waiting for Gamlen to say anymore. “I think I might be able to claim it back. But it'll take some time.”
“You think you really can?” said Bethany.
“Yes. I just need to petition the viscount for rights to reclaim the estate. Maker willing, we'll be able to move out of Gamlen's house and into the Hightown estate within a few months.”
“Please,” Gamlen sneered. “You don't have the coin or the standing to even get an audience with the viscount. You've got to be someone in this city to live in that house again.”
“Then I'd better get started.” Leandra held up her head and straightened her back as she folded the will and began making her way back to her bedroom. Gamlen scolded before throwing up his hands and storming to his own bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
“That went well,” Jordan smiled.
“You think?” said Bethany. “I'm not so sure.”
“I think it did. Mother learned the truth, and Gamlen got what he deserved. Now all we have to do is go on this expedition and hopefully when we return, Mother will have a mansion waiting for us.”
***
It was early morning when Jordan awoke. She found she was alone in the bed she shared with her mother and Bethany. Dreariness still clung to her mind as she could tell she hadn't slept long. Not after last night.
“Oh, Bethany,” she spoke while sitting up and rubbing the last remnants of a sleep spell from her eyes. She hated that her sister did that sometimes, but Jordan may never have gotten any sleep if she hadn't. She remembered perfectly well that after she and Bethany had showed their mother the will and made Gamlen look a fool, she had wanted to go back out to celebrate. The Hanged Man, after all, was open 24/7, and either Isabela or Varric were probably still awake. Or if not, she would have then been more than happy to make her way back to Darktown to find Anders. He had returned back to his clinic when they went through the secret passage back to Darktown. But neither of that happened. In fact, Jordan couldn't really remember much after going into their room to change. She could thank her sister for that. What puzzled her the most, however, was that she was alone in the bed. Bethany and her mother were already awake. Something that was rare for them to be up before she was.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Leandra said as Jordan made her way into the front room. Jordan noticed she looked a lot happier as she went about making a rare breakfast of eggs and bacon. “Did you get a few hours of sleep, at least?”
“Yeah... Bethany?” Jordan eyed her sister who was helping their mother make breakfast.
“What?” Bethany said putting a plate in front of her. “You needed your sleep. And you don't need to worry, it's still early morning. We'll be able to go and do what you planned after we eat.”
“Right.” Jordan looked down at her food and began eating. Instantly as the eggs hit her tongue, she moaned. She couldn't remember the last time she had eaten eggs and bacon. “Where did this come from?” she asked with a full mouth. “We can't afford this.”
“I've been holding money back for emergencies and special occasions,” Leandra explained as she sat down. “I thought this counted as one of them. And swallow your food before speaking, dear.”
“Sorry.” Jordan swallowed. “This definitely is a special occasion. Make sure Gamlen doesn't get any of this.”
“Jordan,” Leandra frowned. “If your uncle would like some, then he can have some. Despite what he did, he is still apart of this family, and he is still the reason why we are in Kirkwall and living decent.”
“We're going to be living a lot better though, right?” Jordan asked. “As soon as you get the mansion, Bethany and I will be back with the treasure so we can live both decently and comfortably.”
Leandra didn't say anything as she stared down at the food on her plate.
“Mother?” Bethany asked. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not really,” Leandra smiled softly. “I'm grateful the two of you went to get the will for me. To see for myself my father didn't hate me when he died was... all I really wanted. Having the mansion back, money, going back to that life I ran from... it's not something that excites me that much, to be honest.”
“You've been a peasant's wife for so long, I guess you just got used to it,” said Jordan.
“I did. It was simple, and not as hectic as my life as a noble was. My life with Malcolm was perfect, even when we were running from the templars. I loved it, and sometimes wish I could go back, but... I know that will never happen.” Her face showed a sweet serenity, peaceful as she thought about the past.
“I know, Mother, I liked that life too, but... please don't tell me we're going to stay here with Uncle Gamlen.”
Leandra chuckled at her daughter. “No. I'll still go in front of the viscount to get the estate back. Hopefully, since technically those slavers are living in it illegally we will be able to claim it back. It won't be easy, however, which means I'll have to start thinking about my argument.”
While sitting around the table, they talked. Leandra told her daughters stories of when she was little, growing up in Kirkwall high society. She explained how she had met their father, a story they already knew, but loved hearing about. She had met him at a mascaraed ball, he wearing a mask and being devilishly charming. She had immediately fallen in love that night. A part of the story they did not know however, Leandra revealed to them. That before that night, she had actually been promised to the Comte de Launcet. It was one of the many reasons why her parents forbid the affair with Malcolm. Not only was he a mage, but also a commoner, and trouble. The Comte could give her everything, while Malcolm could give her nothing. It didn't matter to her, though, because Malcolm could give her something the Comte couldn't. Something she wanted more than money or jewels. Love.
“Mother, was this... you?” Jordan asked as she pulled out the picture she had found.
Leandra looked at the picture closely. “Why yes, that was me. This... I believe this was right after the Comte proposed. The marriage was arranged, but it was still customary for the man to propose in order to establish the engagement.” She sighed as she stared at the picture.
“You were gorgeous, Mother,” said Jordan after a few silent moments.
This made Leandra smile. “I suppose I was, but your father wasn't really all that impressed with all... this.” She gestured at the picture. “He always told me I was the most beautiful when I was... simple. No gaudy outfits, no crazy hairstyles, no over-the-top make-up, no over-sized jewelry. Just a simple dress, my hair down, and my eyes sparkling with a natural beauty every time I smiled. He loved me for me, and not for a status I could give him.”
“Oh...” Bethany whimpered.
“At the ball, the reason why your father came up to me was because he noticed I was sad. It was strange to him, considering everyone else was having a good time. I, on the other hand, was not. He could tell, even with my mask that I was saddened by something. I didn't tell him what it was that night, but later I explained it had to due with the fact the Comte had proposed to me before the ball. I only accepted because I felt I had to. I was already promised to him, and it was what my parents were expecting. I was troubled by it, because that's not how I wanted my life to be. I'm not sure how I wanted my life to be before I met Malcolm, but that night, when he made me laugh for the first time and got me to smile, I knew I wanted it to be with him. And that's what got him to fall in love with me. My laugh.”
They all smiled at the story, remembering their father, and reminiscing about the past.
“That's so romantic, Mother,” said Bethany. “I wish I could find someone who will love me the same way Father loved you.”
“You will, darling,” Leandra said rubbing her younger daughter's arm. “The same with you, Jordan. There are special someones out there for the both of you.”
“And considering Bethany looks like you in this picture,” Jordan said as she took the picture back. “I know it's going to be hard keeping all of them at bay.”
“What are you talking about, Jordan,” Bethany blushed. “I'm not that pretty.”
“Are you kidding me? When I first saw this picture, I thought it was you! Here, look for yourself.”
Bethany took the picture from her sister and gazed over it. “Maker, that ring was huge! Mother, I can't believe you gave all that up for Father.”
“It's easy to give up things you never really wanted in the first place. And to give them up for something you love more than anything. Now, if you would excuse me, I'll go ahead and get the dishes done and make a plate for Gamlen.” Leandra collected her daughter's dishes and went about cleaning up the front room.
Bethany went back to looking at the picture. “I still can't believe she gave all that up. I mean, I know she told us all about it when we were younger, but now that I can actually see it... her love for Father really was great.”
“Yeah, but only Father could get her to smile for real,” said Jordan. “The one she has in this picture was a fake. Only to appease. Not genuine.”
“Jordan,” Leandra spoke, walking over to her daughter. “Do you think you could take this plate to your uncle?”
“What? Mother! I don't want to go in there.”
“Please, Jordan. Just go in there and make some type of amends. You don't have to love him, but he's still your uncle and my brother. Do it for me.” She handed Jordan the plate full of food and went back to cleaning before Jordan could say another word.
“I'll help Mother in here,” said Bethany. “Good luck with Gamlen.”
“Yeah...” Jordan breathed out before she finally turned to her uncle's door. It was shut but not locked. She opened the door to find her uncle was actually awake, sitting on the bed with his back to the door. “Hello, Uncle. May I come in?”
“Have you come to gloat?” Gamlen said without turning to her. “Gamlen's the idiot. Gamlen's the fool who can't hold his money when it's given in a bloody silver basket.”
Jordan sighed as she entered the room, closed the door and placed the plate of food on an end table. She then sat on the other end of the bed. “You're not an idiot, Uncle. Well... maybe a fool, perhaps.”
“What is it that you really want, girl?” Gamlen finally looked over at her, his eyes hard.
“I came to offer you breakfast,” she said gesturing to the plate.
“I don't want it. You can take it back and give it to the dog for all I care.”
Jordan was beginning to get upset with him. She really was trying to be nice, but he wasn't making it easy. “Look, Uncle, I can't say I'm happy with what you did, but Mother forgives you for it. So I guess that means I have to as well.”
“You forgive me? For what? Getting you into the city?”
“No. For what you did to Mother.”
“She did it to herself, leaving and never coming back when she could've had everything still given to her on a silver plate.” Gamlen groaned. “Leandra was always the favorite. She was the beauty, the scholar, the light of their lives. We're only a year apart, but that was enough time for her to have our parents wrapped around her little finger. As far as they were concerned, they should have stopped there. I was nothing to them.”
“You really think you were nothing?”
“I was! Even after Leandra left, they still treated me like nothing. At first I was actually happy, thinking Leandra was finally getting what she deserved, then I would get what I finally deserved. But it never came. They became distraught by her absence, getting sick, then me having to take care of them. Again, I thought I might get recognized as a good son, but Leandra was still all they could talk about. 'Where is Leandra?' 'Have you sent word to Leandra yet?' 'Has Leandra sent word back?' They whispered her name in their sleep, and Father's last word before he died was 'Leandra.'” Gamlen placed his hands on his face and leaned his elbows on his knees.
Jordan was actually beginning to feel sorry for him. She saw something familiar in him. He reminded her of Carver. “I don't really know what to say, Uncle. Is that why you lied to Mother? Was it some type of revenge to make her think and believe her parents still hated her when they died? If that was the case, why didn't you just leave us in the Gallows?”
“It wasn't like that,” Gamlen said, taking his hands from his face. “I don't hate your mother, and what I did... lying to her about our parents wasn't intentional. It wasn't what I first thought when I got her letter explaining you all were on your way. Or when I got word that you were waiting for me in the Gallows. It just happened. I guess, because... I was jealous.”
“Jealous?”
“Jealous because I saw Leandra wasn't suffering the way I thought she would be living on the run. Instead, she actually looked somewhat happy. She had a family, a husband that loved her, children that protected her. All the while having little to no money. While me, I have nothing. No money, no home, barely, and no family I could say loved me the way Leandra's loves her. Even as a peasant she was still leading a better life than I was.”
Jordan stayed silent, listening to her uncle's rants, thinking as he went on. It was true. Her mother did seem to have everything while he still had nothing, even if he did get the money from their parents. He had lost even that in the end.
“Are you seriously telling me you had no one who loved you before?” she asked.
“Well there was... Mara,” Gamlen spoke softly. “But she doesn't matter anymore.”
“Why?”
“She left me, when everything was starting to go south.”
“I'm sorry to hear that, Uncle.” More silence passed between them. “Look, I don't really know why Grandfather and Grandmother left you out of the will even after you took care of them, but maybe they had a reason. I mean, look what happened when you did get the money. You invested it in Qunari cheeses! Who does that?”
Gamlen chuckled a little. “Yeah, who does that?” He looked over into her eyes, but then looked away. “I really hate your eyes, you know that?”
“Because they're Grandfather's, right?”
“Yeah, and you also have that same stare he used to give me when he was disappointed. I used to see it all the time. Now I'll be getting it from you.”
“Well you won't need to stare into these eyes much longer, Uncle, if I can do anything about it. Mother's still going to petition the viscount to get the estate back, and Bethany and I are still going into the Deep Roads to hopefully come back with arms and bags full of treasure. We'll be out of your house, and out of your hair. Now please eat. Mother really wanted you to have some.” Jordan stood from the bed and went to exit the room but was stopped when Gamlen caught her arm.
“Jordan, I... I'm sorry,” he said. “I know I'm the black sheep of this family, and I've been acting like it. I'll try and be more hospitable from now on. I really do enjoy the three of you here. Even that damn dog of yours. So please, do forgive me. And again... I'm sorry.”
Jordan nodded. “It's all right, Uncle. Just make sure you tell Mother that. She's the one you really need to say sorry to. But thank you.”
“And thank you for the food.”
Jordan nodded once more as she exited the room. She then sighed, feeling better and happy that there was hopefully going to be no more fighting. “Bethany, are you ready?” she asked, seeing her sister sitting at the table.
“Whenever you are, Sister.” She stood and followed her sister to the front door.
“Wait, where are you two going this early?” Leandra asked.
“We still have things to do, Mother,” said Jordan. “Fifty sovereigns isn't going to just materialize in front of me, no matter how hard I wish.”
“Alright,” Leandra sighed. “Just be careful.”
“You know we always are.” Jordan and Bethany then made their way out the door.
“I know you are, my loves, but that doesn't mean I can stop worrying. It's what a mother does.”
***
Jordan and Bethany made their way through the alienage, finding their way to Merrill's house who, finding them to be on the other side of the door, opened it excitedly. “Oh, I'm so glad you two came back! Do you know how exciting this city is? I've seen so much just this morning! Right outside I saw a mugging. It was fascinating! Everything happens here all at once! How does anyone keep it all straight?
“Uh, I'm not sure, Merrill,” Jordan said as she tried to take in all Merrill had spoken. “I guess a lot of practice.”
“If not, I suppose you end up like me: walking into walls and signposts, utterly distracted. It's so busy here. So many things just get... lost.”
“You won't get lost, Merrill. Not when you're following me.”
“Oh, no, of course not! Plus, Varric gave me a ball of string so I could tie it to my home and always find my way back.”
“And to drive all the inhabitants of Lowtown completely nuts.” Isabela smiled over at the three as she joined in their conversation.
“Isabela,” Jordan smirked seeing her. “You look... interesting.” She was still in her original white tunic from last night, bandana out of her hair, with it being all over the place.
“Yes, I suppose I do look a wreck, don't I? But I guess that's what I get for crashing in a place I wasn't prepared for.” She ran her fingers through her hair and tied her bandana in to make it look somewhat more decent.
“You stayed with Merrill last night?”
“I decided to take her home, considering how drunk we got her, then figured it would be good to stay the night with her so she didn't freak out. First night away from home in a scary place is always the worst. She did pretty good, though.” Isabela wrapped her arm around Merrill's shoulders and gave her a big squeeze.
“Yeah, Isabela's been great,” said Merrill. “You all really have.”
“Well, we did come here to make sure you survived the night,” said Jordan. “And to also collect you for our next mission. We're going to need you too, Isabela. Remember, we're going after Flint Company this morning. Got anymore insight?”
“Actually, I do. Their leader is a man named Mervus, who is a big lover of carnal pleasures.” She winked at Jordan.
“And how do you know this?” Jordan asked.
“I might have run into him a few times at the Blooming Rose. Don't start thinking I had dealings with him, though. I do have standards, and that man is nothing I would let touch me.” Isabela shivered just from the thought.
“But he still gets touched by some, right?”
“Of course, cause they get payed good money, so I hear. And I heard he may have some skills in the bedroom that might be considered pleasurable.”
“Hmm, you know what? I think I have an idea on how we might get these mercenaries. We're going to need more bodies, though. Such as our third mage, a warrior or two, and of course, our lovable dwarf.”
“You aren't going to leave us out of the idea, are you?” Isabela asked, looking sad.
“Of course not. It will involve you and me, after all.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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Blood Promise