Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4599 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 20
- 21
- 22
The Gallows

“I see you've taken time to decorate the place.” Jordan stared around Fenris's mansion, noticing the new dents and holes in the walls, along with stains in patterns that suggested some type of liquid had been thrown against them. Aside from these new additions, nothing more had really changed about the mansion.
“What do you want, Hawke?” Fenris asked as he sat in front of the fire. He didn't even turn to her, only drinking down the last of his bottle before throwing the empty glass into the fire.
Jordan took herself out of the doorframe and went to sit next to him. She was alone, having come that way so she could try and get some answers. The last little meeting she had tried to have with him had been interrupted. Now there were more things she wanted to know, and was determined to have at least some of them answered before she headed off to gather the others and head to the Gallows.
“So how are you doing?” she asked. “Is Kirkwall treating you well?”
Fenris finally turned to her, his dark elven eyes showing contempt but also curiosity. “Why are you here?”
Jordan smiled at him. “To see how you're doing. You disappeared on me, then you come back with information that I didn't think you had. Care to explain?”
Fenris turned back to the fire and threw the leg of a chair into the hearth. “This is not easy for me,” he said.
“We're all alone this time, I swear. And you can trust me. I won't go blurting out your secrets.”
“That's not what I'm really talking about.” He faced back to her. “Staying in one place for a long time. I'm not used to it. Being on the run, that's what I'm used to.”
“So is that what you were doing?” Jordan asked. “Trying to find a way out of Kirkwall?”
“Maybe. I won't lie to you, Hawke. I know I said I would help you with your expedition, but I thought the hunters had found me again. That's why I left the mansion, and how I knew where the slavers were located.”
“Ah, I see.” Jordan kicked a pebble on the ground, sending it to the opposite side of the room. “So you caught wind of something foul in the air and thought it had to do with you?”
“What was I suppose to expect?” Fenris said a little harsh. “I've been on the run for a long time. Anything that I find suspicious is going to make me nervous. Especially when it comes to mages from Tevinter. Even if Danzig had no connections with Danarius, that really wouldn't have stopped him from trying to capture me. I was planning on going and dealing with the slavers myself, but then you connected them with the mage you were looking for and there was no need.”
“Yeah, and you didn't need to try and do it by yourself, anyway. You could've told me.” Fenris continued to face the fire. Jordan studied him, seeing his posture droop, his head fall forward, and his hands wring together. “I know you're used to being alone, Fenris, but you're not anymore. I'm here to help you.”
There was silence for a moment expect that of the crackling fire. Jordan sighed, wondering if she was ever going to get through to him.
“How do you do it, Hawke?” he finally said.
“Do what?”
“Don't you ever want to go back?” He sat up and stared at her, his face unreadable in the dull light. “Have you ever wanted to go back to Ferelden?”
“I... well, sometimes,” Jordan said, caught a little off guard by the question. “I have to admit, it's an attractive idea, but...”
“But not now,” Fenris finished.
“I'm not really sure. Kirkwall's sort of become my home now. I've been on the run a lot, too, Fenris. I guess you just get to a point where you can almost call anyplace home.”
“You are right about that.” She wasn't sure, but Jordan thought she saw a smile curve up his face. “But if you had the chance, would you?”
“You mean go back to Lothering? Go back to everything that I once knew?” This time Jordan had to look away. “That can't happen. Nothing can ever be what it once was. My father's dead. My brother. Lothering is gone.”
“Then you know how I feel.” Fenris stood and threw another piece of wood on the fire. “I will never be able to go back either. And not because of Danarius. But because I... don't remember what I would be going back to.”
“What do you mean?” Jordan inched a little closer to him.
Fenris brought up his hand and stared at it, flipping it in the firelight. The white markings upon his flesh glowed slightly in the light. “These markings are what Danarius gave me so I could become his weapon. I was everything for him as a slave. Bodyguard. Servant. You name it, I did it, and without question. That's the life of a slave, you never question what your master wants. You just nod your head and do it. I don't remember because the first thing that I can remember is the pain. The intense pain that was caused when these markings were burned into my flesh. They're made of lyrium, and the reason why I can phase my hand through solid objects.”
Jordan sat intensely as she listened to what Fenris was telling her. She found it interesting but also horrible. “So the pain really caused you to lose all your memories? Childhood? Family? You really don't remember anything?”
“Nothing beyond that point. I don't even remember what might have occurred before I received the markings. Was I always a slave? Did Danarius capture me and force the markings on me? Or did I volunteer? Not really knowing what I was getting into. Just doing what my master asked of me.” Fenris seemed to growl as he gripped the mantle above the fireplace, during his knuckles white.
“Okay, so you don't have your memories of your past,” said Jordan as she stood. Carefully she went and took his hand from the mantle. Fenris glared at her and ripped his hands away.
“Don't.”
“Alright, I'm sorry.” Jordan backed away a few steps. “I just don't want you hurting yourself. There's no need to do that. We'll figure this out.”
“And how do you plan on doing that?” Fenris sneered. “You have no clue what it's like to have no memories of your past. It drives at me, and the only thing I can think of that might bring them back is to kill Danarius!”
“Then kill him! Quit pussy-footing around, and kill him already!”
Fenris stared at her, puzzled by her statement.
“You really think killing him will get your memories back?” Jordan questioned. “Then go find him and do it already.”
“It's not that simple,” Fenris growled.
“It never is.”
The tension in the air started to loosen as Fenris turned his eyes back to the fire. Jordan saw that they were hard and cold, full of pain and misery. She wanted to help him, but she wasn't sure how.
“I'm sorry,” he finally said. “None of this is your fault.”
“There's no need for that. I can't fully understand how you feel or what you've been through, but I can at least show that I'm here for you. You do know that, right Fenris?”
He looked at her once more, curiosity now in his eyes.
“You don't have to be alone anymore,” Jordan smiled. “Nor do you have to face Danarius alone if he happens to come after you again.”
“That is... nice to hear for once.” He straightened himself and nodded to her. “So be it. Having you by my side wouldn't be so bad. If I knew I would find such a capable woman before hand, I might have tried to look sooner.”
“Flatterer,” Jordan mused. “You sound like you're about to ask for a loan.”
“Maybe I am,” Fenris smiled. Actually smiled. “This mansion could use some new furniture.”
“Or maybe you should practice more on your flattery.”
“That I shall do.”
“Right. I hope you remember that next time we argue. Now are you coming?” Jordan made to leave.
“You are wanting me to come with you?” Fenris questioned.
“I know how you feel about mages, Fenris, but that doesn't mean I don't need you. I just hope you can behave yourself while we're at the Gallows. If not...”
“No, I will be civil. As long as it stays civil with the rest of your companions.”
“It will.”
“Then I will come. I have been wanting to see these Gallows for some time, actually. It may be the Circle of Magi now, but long ago it was the first thing most slaves saw when they were forced into their new life.”
***
As Jordan stepped off the boat, her eyes immediately went to the ominous building that was the Gallows. It was a bright day, the sun shining with barely a cloud in the sky. The Gallows shimmered in the sunlight, an awe inspiring sight that also brought despair. Despite the occasional break-ins when Jordan and Aveline would smuggle lyrium to the templars within, this was the first time since arriving at Kirkwall had Jordan ventured back to the Gallows.
It was different now. No longer was the courtyard the storage area for refugees, but now contained mages as they walked about. Most mages wore the traditional robes of the Kirkwall Circle: blue cotton laced and embroidered with golden thread in designs that signified whether they were an apprentice, mage, or senior enchanter. There were also other mages in the courtyard, ones with gray, dull robes. Upon their brows was stamped a sunburst, indicating they were tranquil. Most of these could be seen either standing or sitting at one of the few stalls where certain goods were sold of magical quality. Robes, staffs, runestones, and all sorts of various potions and balms. There was also a stall that appeared to be selling weapons and armor that was run by a dwarf and a few humans. Jordan found it odd they were there. After all, mages preferred to fight with magic and their staffs, not swords or axes. They also usually never wore armor, the material too heavy, as well as cumbersome to their talents. There was, of course, the occasional mage who fought with armor on and with a weapon other than a staff, but Jordan had never met any. But it soon became evident why the dwarf may have his stall in the Gallows when she spotted the other occupants of the Gallows courtyard.
Templars stood sentinel in corners watching the mages or talking amongst themselves. Their heavy plated armor shined brightly in the sunlight, sometimes blinding if it was caught just right. The color silver with a dark gray downward pointing sword surrounded by the holy flames upon their breastplates. A red sash wrapped about their waists, and covering their legs, the bottom portion of the Chantry robes that could be seen on priests. Jordan became aware of how many templars stood out in the courtyard and was glad she hadn't allowed either Bethany or Merrill to come with her. They were actually waiting together at Merrill's home for Jordan to be finished so they could head to the Wounded Coast after everything was settled here.
There was a long sigh next to Jordan and she realized she wasn't the only one noticing the templars. Aveline was right beside her, the warrior's green eyes searching about the courtyard. Jordan couldn't be sure, but she thought she saw hurt within them. “You going to be all right?” she asked.
“Huh? Oh...” Aveline looked to Jordan before staring at the ground. “Maker I thought I was over this. But I guess I'll never be, will I?”
“You mean... Wesley?” Jordan said softly. She was somewhat surprised by Aveline's reaction to coming to the Gallows. They had seen templars before this time together, but never had Jordan seen Aveline so distraught looking before. The warrior was very good at keeping her emotions in check.
“I don't know. It just... hit me all the sudden.” Aveline took a deep breath and stared back at Jordan with a somewhat forced smile. “Don't worry about me. I'll be all right. I'm a big girl and can handle this.”
Jordan wasn't all that convinced. “Have you even moaned for him at all?”
“Of course I have, but it's not something I'm going to do in front of you. I was just caught off guard. A reminder of a memory I thought I had lost.”
“Alright, just as long as I know you're not going to break down on me any time soon.”
“No, I won't. Besides, you're going to need me if those two start going berserk on you.” Aveline gestured to both Anders and Fenris, who stood behind the two women. They were one of the reasons why Aveline had decided to come with Jordan, and why Jordan was glad she had. Even though both Anders and Fenris had said they would behave themselves, Jordan was glad she at least had backup.
Anders was looking around the courtyard, occasionally staring up at the Gallows. She couldn't read his face and wondered what he was thinking. She also wondered what Justice might have been thinking, and whether or not the spirit was trying to burst through so he could slay every templar in sight. Anders didn't appear to be fighting him, but Jordan couldn't be sure. When Anders's wandering eyes fell upon Jordan's, he gave her a weak smile, telling her everything was all right. She didn't believe it.
Fenris, however, was not looking at the templars or the mages. Instead, his own eyes were fixed upon the statues lining the entrance to the courtyard. They were the ones of the slaves, used for intimidation and breaking of wills. Jordan tried to determine what he might have been thinking, but she couldn't read his face either.
“I have... heard of the Gallows and their reputation,” he said. “But never did I think I would see it for myself.”
“Is that what you wanted to see?” Jordan asked. “Why come to the Gallows? Those statues are all over Kirkwall.”
“I always wanted to know what a Circle was like outside of the Imperium.” He tore his eyes away from the statue and glared at her. “Are you sure it was wise to bring him along?”
Anders snorted as he faced Fenris.
“So what's another mage?” Jordan shrugged before Anders could say anything. “I highly doubt the templars would notice him with all the other mages about.”
“And maybe if you kept your mouth shut for once...” Anders sneered.
“Don't start tempting me, mage,” Fenris sneered back. “I'd be more than happy to go to the templars and tell them what you really are. Spirit or demon, an abomination is still an abomination.”
Jordan cleared her throat, getting the attention from both of them. “This is not being civil.”
They both grunted and turned away from each other.
“That's better. Now, Anders, do try and keep a low profile, at least.”
“Yes, I'll try to look sufficiently meek and oppressed.,” he said.
“You're not helping,” Jordan frowned.
“This isn't all that oppressive,” said Fenris. “It's not as free as the Circle in the Imperium, but it's not nearly as oppressive as you make it out to be.”
“Oh?” Jordan said, cutting Anders off. “And how is the Imperium Circle any different?”
“Once upon a time it was as it is here. The Chantry watched the magisters closely for any signs of corruption or weakness. Then it changed. The magisters were permitted to watch over their own, and templars kept only to enforce the law. What happened next was inevitable. The magisters rule again, as powerful as they ever were.”
“So the Chantry doesn't watch over the Circle anymore? Why did they stop?”
“You must remember that the attitude towards magic is different in Tevinter,” Fenris explained. “Magisters came from wealthy families, bloodlines that had nurtured magical talent for countless generations. The Chantry was not trying to control poor peasants but the scions of the greatest houses in the Imperium.”
“If that's the case, then I wonder why Father took us to Ferelden instead of Tevinter?” Jordan muttered, mostly to herself. “Hmm, Bethany might actually have been a magister by now.”
“I highly doubt that,” Fenris heaved. “Bethany would never survive in the Imperial Court.”
“Are you calling my sister weak?”
“No, I'm actually saying she has more brains than many mages I've dealt with. She, I hope, would never give herself to a demon. Never use blood magic. Which is something necessary if you want to make it as a magister in Tevinter.”
“They all use blood magic, really?” Jordan asked, not really believing what Fenris was telling her.
“There might be some good men within the courts, but if there are, they don't stay there for long. Either they're surpassed by one's willing to make deals with a demon, or they finally fall to temptation themselves. Blood magic is everywhere in Tevinter, from the lowliest apprentice up to the archon himself.”
“Alright, so maybe that's why Father didn't take us there,” Jordan sighed. “Blood magic I don't condone, but what are you trying to say? Are you thinking that might happen here? That the Gallows could be made into another Imperium Circle?”
“That is exactly what I'm saying,” said Fenris. “If mages were permitted to be their own watchers, then it would be too easy for a mage to resort to blood magic if they feel the need is great enough.”
“As easy as it is to resort to a sword?” Anders put in. He stared Fenris down. “You were created as a living weapon. Should you not be trusted with your freedom?”
“Anders,” Jordan said harsh, seeing where this might be going.
“My powers are not controlled by a demon,” Fenris growled. “A mage can desire power, justice, revenge, protection... any cause will do, and then they are lost.”
“Not all mages desire that, and not all mages will resort straight to blood magic,” Anders defended. “If they were free, they wouldn't have to.”
“You have not seen what I've seen, mage. In Tevinter mages are free, and they resort to blood magic and demons all the time to get the power they believe they deserve. The Circle is what is needed, and it needs to be enforced even more than it already is. All mages need to be brought to it and locked away.”
“Excuse me, but no they do not,” Jordan said, starting to get a little heated from Fenris's words. “You can't say that about every mage. You just said a moment ago that my sister was not weak and she actually had brains. Should she be locked in the Circle forever?”
“Yes,” Fenris said, not backing down. “In the Circle she will be protected, and her innocents kept safe from corruption. Bethany is strong for a mage, but I've seen even the strongest willed of mages fall prey to temptation when everything else failed. Look, all I am saying is the Imperium offers no answer. All that Andraste did long ago to end the tyranny of magic has been undone.”
“She ended the tyranny of magic and replaced it with an entirely new one,” said Anders.
“Considering all that magic has done to my homeland and my race I weep for your predicament,” Fenris snapped at him. “Power corrupts, as they say, and mages have power enough already.”
“I still say oppressing mages is wrong,” said Jordan. “To treat every mage like a criminal is not the solution. There has to be a better way.” This got a different reaction from both of them. Anders smiling happily at her, while Fenris glowered.
“Not every mage deserves the benefit of the doubt,” he said.
“And you should be the one who decides?” Anders asked.
“Not I, specifically, but there obviously will be someone who makes that decision. But enough of this. I can see no end to this argument if we kept going. And didn't we actually come here for a reason?”
“Yes, we did,” Jordan smiled. She was glad he was ending the argument. She didn't want to know what might have occurred if they kept going. Anders was looking heated already just from coming here. But she knew the real reason why Fenris was ending it. With both Anders and her against him, there was no way he could win. Aveline might have agreed with him, but she was staying neutral. Which Jordan found to be a smart thing. Getting in between Anders and Fenris during one of their arguments was really something only Jordan could do. “Alright, now what to do first.” She looked back out into the courtyard, trying to determine which task was priority.
***
Jordan searched the Gallows, attempting to not stare at any one templar for too long. As well as trying to ignore the templars' own stares as her small group made their way through the courtyard. It wasn't an uncommon thing to have visitors in the courtyard, but that didn't mean they couldn't be stopped and asked what their business was. Especially if one of the templars happened to catch something odd about one of her companions. Jordan finally relaxed a little when she spotted Thrask standing alone in a somewhat secluded corner, overlooking the area. She casually walked over to where he was. When he spotted her, he looked suspicious to what she might be doing.
“Ser Thrask?”
“Yes...” he said slowly. “Was there something you wanted of me, Serah?”
“There is, or I actually have something to give you, but I'm not sure it's wise to talk of it out here.”
“Just tell it to me,” Thrask heaved.
“It concerns your daughter.”
The templar went ridged, his eyes slightly widening before he focused them fully on Jordan. “You have word from her?” Jordan nodded and Thrask gestured for them to go fully into the corner where no one could see or hear them. “Please, tell me of my Olivia. What has become of her?”
“I...” Jordan hesitated a little. Thrask was no longer a templar to her, but had suddenly transformed into a concerned father. He had both hope and fear in his eyes, and she suddenly hated the position she was in. “Olivia, she's... I'm sorry to say...”
“She's dead,” said Anders with a sad expression. “There was nothing we could do for her.”
“She... is?” He was stricken now, falling against the wall and looking as if he couldn't believe it. “How?”
Jordan wasn't sure she wanted to tell him the exact truth. How do you tell a father something like that? Especially one who's a templar.
“She died becoming an abomination because of your weakness,” Fenris finally said after much silence from all of them. Jordan wanted to hit him for saying it so harshly.
Thrask sighed deeply and closed his eyes. A few tears ran down his cheeks.
“I'm sorry we had to tell you like this,” said Jordan. “We found this letter addressed to you. We thought you might want to have it.” Jordan took the letter from Anders and handed it to Thrask. It took him some time, more tears running down his face, before he finally opened the letter and read it. More tears flowed, but he soon wiped them away and recomposed himself.
“Thank you, Serah. I'm... I'm really grateful you brought this to me. Oh, Olivia. I should have forced her to come to the Circle, but I was afraid for her just as she was. She pleaded me to let her go, and I did. I suppose I was hoping she may join another Circle in a different country. One that had a better reputation than this one. It really was my own weakness that destroyed her.”
“Yes, it was,” said Fenris. “You're an idiot for letting your daughter influence you against what you stand for.”
“Fenris, please!” Jordan scolded.
“No, he's right,” Thrask sighed. “I should have known better. Perhaps it would have been best if I accompanied her to another Circle. She might have been more willing.”
“I'm sorry for your loss, ser knight,” said Aveline. “Hopefully this is an experience one can learn from.”
“I will learn from it, thank you. But, uh... I don't believe I got your names. Might I ask it, Serah?” he spoke to Jordan.
“It's Hawke,” she said. “And you don't need to fear. We'll keep your secret.”
“I thank you for that, too. Olivia's name does not need to be smeared more than it already is. Hopefully she can be at peace now. But might I ask, Serah Hawke, I do believe I recognize you. Did I see you speak with an elven woman in the alienage? Her name Arianni.”
“You might have. I did speak with her after you left. I'm helping her find her son, Feynriel.”
“I've been searching for him as well. Mostly because I want to help Arianni, and I don't want her to make the same mistake I did with Olivia. If Feynriel could be brought to the Circle and trained properly, then he would have a better chance than on his own.”
Jordan could agree with the part about Feynriel needing guidance, but not when it came to coming to the Circle. She could feel Anders shifting behind her, probably wanting to say something, which meant she needed to say something fast in order to keep them from having another argument. “We're looking for Feynriel just to bring him back to his mother. Whether he comes to the Circle or not is really none of my business.”
“Of course,” said Thrask.
“But there is something else I would like to ask you if I could. I'm also looking for a templar recruit by the name of Keran. His sister hasn't heard from him in a long time and she worries. Don't know if there's any merit to her worries, but I told her I would investigate nevertheless.”
“Keran? No, I don't believe I know that recruit. I don't really deal with the recruits. Knight-Captain Cullen is the one who is in charge of their training. If you want to know about Keran, I would ask him, but he's not here at the moment.”
“Okay,” Jordan frowned. “Is there anyone else we might be able to talk to? It would be a lot better if I could go back to Macha with some type of information.”
“Maybe the other recruits,” said Thrask, although a little hesitate. “I actually shouldn't be doing this, but since you tried to help my daughter and brought the news of her death to me, I'll let you into the recruit barracks and let you speak with them. Although I'm not sure how much help they'll be either.”
“Do you think something foul is going on?”
“I've heard rumors about recruits disappearing, but they mostly come from the recruits themselves. And any rumor that comes from them is usually nothing. These ones, however... I don't know. I'll take you there, but only you, Serah Hawke. The others have to stay out here.”
She could tell the others didn't like it, but Jordan focused on them to see they understood. She then nodded to Thrask and he lead her out of the corner and across the courtyard. When they reached the entrance to the recruit barracks, Thrask let her in but didn't follow. “I'll send your friends this way. I'm sorry I couldn't do more for you, but I'm probably doing too much already.”
“I understand Thrask, and thank you.”
The templar nodded to her before exiting.
Once Jordan was in the barracks, she looked around to see it was very similar to the guard barracks at the Viscount's Keep. There were also many recruits running about. Most of them ignored her, while others stared, more than likely wondering who she was and why she was there. She wasn't sure who would be the best to talk to, but her eye caught a group of three standing off to the side. They were staring at her before averting their eyes when they noticed she spotted them.
“Excuse me,” she said going to them. “Might I speak to you three on a certain matter?”
“That all depend on what you want to speak with us about,” replied the woman. She eyed Jordan suspiciously, as did her two male companions.
Jordan knew she had to tread carefully. “I would like to know about a recruit. His name's Keran. Any idea where he might be?”
“Keran?” said the one with the mustache, surprised.
“We cannot speak to you, messere,” the woman replied.
“Really? And why can't you?” Jordan asked, lowering her voice. “I'm not trying to learn templar secrets. I just want to know where he is.”
“We cannot speak to you, messere,” the woman said more harshly.
“No, to the Void with that!” the other man nearly shouted. He took a step forward and glared at his two companions. “Keran and the others are missing.”
“But our orders!” the first man scared.
“I don't care. The knights aren't doing anything to find them. Maybe it's time to ask for outside help.”
“Missing?” Jordan inquired. “You're saying he's missing? I wasn't even sure he was. And there might be others missing as well?”
The second man shifted his eyes around the barracks before drawing Jordan in closer. “The first ones disappeared weeks ago. There's been at least half a dozen. Wilmod and Keran were the most recent.”
“Okay. So templar recruits go missing, and you have to keep quiet about it? Why?”
“You obviously aren't a templar, messere,” the mustached man said as he looked nervously around.
“Paxley, hold yourself together,” the other man scolded. “Seriously, how you've made it this far, I will never know.”
“You shouldn't be so willing to give out secrets to strangers, Hugh,” Paxley glared. “We don't even know who she is.”
Hugh matched his fellow's gaze. “I don't care. If it means saving Keran and Wilmod, and keeps any more of us from going missing, then I'll shout it to the world.” He turned back to Jordan. “I'm not sure why they want to keep it secret, but that's just what they said our orders were. A knight-lieutenant gives you an order and you obey. Without question. They told us not to breathe a word about Keran and the others.”
“There's got to be a reason for it,” said the woman.
“And will that be a great comfort to you if you go missing, Ruvena?”
Ruvena turned away from Hugh and crossed her arms.
“You're already defying orders to talk to me,” said Jordan. “Might as well share the good stuff.”
Paxley sighed before leaning over and whispering in Jordan's ear. “I hear that Knight-Commander Meredith has some new initiation you have to go through. If you're not strong enough or fervent enough in belief, you don't make it out alive.”
“You honestly believe that?” Ruvena blurted.
“Shh!” Paxley shushed. “Not so loud!”
“And you don't think it's a possibility?” Hugh asked her. “All the recruits who went missing haven't returned.”
“Wilmod came back,” Ruvena said, surprising both of them.
“What?” they both said at the same time.
“He did. I saw him this morning.”
“And you didn't think to tell us this?” Hugh asked, getting a little angry.
“I couldn't,” Ruvena said, matching him. “I had strict orders not to say a word about it.”
“And who gave you that order?”
“Knight-Captain Cullen.”
“So the knight-captain's in on it now?” Paxley asked.
Ruvena sighed, annoyed with the two. “Might as well say it, I've defied the order already. And for one, I don't believe that rubbish rumor anyway. But when I did see Wilmod he was acting... strange. Not really himself. When I asked him what was wrong, he told me he just needed to go for a walk. 'Clear his head,' he said. I didn't really question further. That's when the knight-captain ordered me to stay silent, then he followed Wilmod to the Wounded Coast. It just happened this morning, too.”
Jordan thought as she listened. If she could somehow find this Wilmod and speak with him, he may be able to help her locate Keran. If he was actually missing and the templars were keeping it secret they were losing recruits, then it was something she needed to investigate further.
Anders is going to love this. “You say they went down the Wounded Coast?” she asked.
“Yeah,” Ruvena answered.
“Well I'm headed there next, anyway. Might as well see if I can find them. If I could speak with Wilmod, then he might provide some information on finding Keran and the others.”
“That's probably what the knight-captain with thinking, too.”
“Right. Thanks, you three. I'll make sure not to give away who my informants were.” Jordan nodded to them before she started making her way out, back to the courtyard. The three templar recruits watched her leave, whispering amongst themselves.
***
“Find anything useful?” Aveline asked as Jordan made her way out of the barracks.
“Apparently templar recruits are going missing, and they're trying to cover it up,” Jordan answered.
“Why would they do that?”
“To not give the Order a bad name,” said Anders. “To keep potential recruits from rethinking about joining.” He rolled his eyes. “It's just typical.”
“Well, I got word that there might be a recruit who went missing, but has returned,” Jordan continued. “He took a walk down the Wounded Coast, and since we're already heading there, might as well try and find him to hopefully get some answers.”
“Then we need to start heading there right now,” said Fenris.
“Don't worry, we're going. We just have to cross over the channel again then pick up Bethany and Merrill. Aveline, are you sure you can't come?”
“Sorry, Jordan. You know I would come with you, but the seneschal would prefer I stay in the city. Most of the paperwork has been put through, which means I may have the title of guard-captain here soon.”
“Does that mean you won't be able to go with me into the Deep Roads?” Jordan frowned.
“It would probably be best if I did go with you, but I don't see it happening.”
“Damn it,” Jordan breathed. “And I was really hoping I'd have you, at least. Ah well. Anyway, let's get going. We've already spent enough daylight. I'd like to save Feynriel before nightfall.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
- 20
- 21
- 22
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Blood Promise