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Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4561 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 23
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The Blooming Rose

Jordan stood in the Hightown market, trying to keep her eyes from looking into the sun as they burned and ached due to the hangover she still had from last night. Bethany had denied her a cure, punishment, she said, for her own hangover. Bethany promptly healed herself, but was mad enough at Jordan about last night to keep her in agony. Jordan knew she probably deserved it for what she and Isabela made Bethany and Merrill do. They seemed to be having fun, especially after getting a few shots in them, but in the morning Bethany wasn't happy. Merrill was even worse, looking haggard and ill when they went to see her. She had opened the door and shied away from the light, her whole house being in complete darkness. Jordan tried to keep back her laughter when she saw the elf, knowing exactly how she was feeling. It was no surprise to her when Merrill said all she wanted to do was crawl back into bed and sleep for days.
Isabela didn't seem to be nearly as affected as Jordan, or any of the others were. She appeared as if she wasn't miserable at all, seeming happy and ready to go when Jordan and Bethany arrived at the Hanged Man. Jordan figured either Isabela was better at handling her liqueur even than her, or she knew a secret to the dreaded morning hangover.
Isabela and Varric were the only ones accompanying Jordan and Bethany as they walked through the market, making their way to the Blooming Rose. The others all had reasons or excuses. Merrill with her own hangover. Aveline had actually suggested she not go with Jordan to the Blooming Rose, saying she may actually be able to get more information from the workers if she wasn't present. Even if Aveline wasn't in her guard uniform, she still may get recognized considering she had visited the Rose several times to investigate disputes. She quickly made a reputation of being one of the more unpopular guards amongst the workers and Madame Lusine, since she was one of the few guards who couldn't be “bought.”
Fenris, when they went to his mansion, told them flatly no through his door, not even opening it or explaining why. Jordan wasn't sure, but she thought it might've had to do with what occurred last night at the tavern. At some point when the Chasind mead had ran out, and Jordan and Isabela had started dancing together to some lively fiddle and flute players, Fenris had somehow gotten in between them. She wasn't sure how it happened, but she was sure it had something to do with Isabela. Fenris had become embarrassed, pushed the two women away and stormed out of the tavern, making the two of them laugh.
“What got him all hot and bothered?” Jordan had asked.
“I think that's exactly what it was!” Isabela laughed.
Whatever the reason, for Jordan could barely remember anything after that, she knew she probably had to go and apologize to Fenris at some point. Whether it was her fault or not.
Then there was Anders. Jordan and Bethany had gone down to his clinic first thing, to find it closed and locked. Bethany had been the one to open it, having a key to the clinic and knowing how to get past the wards on the door, only to find it empty of Anders. She had been spending a lot of time in his clinic when he was there and not, helping where she could. It gave her a good outlet, a place where she could use her magic to help others and not feel threatened. From what Bethany told Jordan, none of the patients would turn either of them in. Not with all they did for them and charging no coin.
Jordan didn't like the fact Anders still wasn't back from Sundermount. She worried about him, hoping he was able to help Feynriel with the Dalish clan. She didn't want to think about what could have happened if they decided to not allow the two humans near the clan. Now, as they continued to walk through the market, Jordan absently searched the faces of the people going about, hoping to see him. She never did, and was only brought out of her daze when a man suddenly shouted. His angry outburst caught her attention and she and the others looked over to see a man arguing with two guards.
“What do you mean you can't help me?” he shouted.
“This is a domestic matter, serah,” said one of the guards. “If your wife has chosen to leave you, there's nothing we can do.”
“Ninette is my wife! She's legally bound to me. Bring her back!”
“We're done here,” the guard said, frustrated with the man. The two guards then left, leaving the man steaming as he cursed at them in Orlesian.
“Useless! Why are we still paying those sluggards?”
“Hawke,” Varric said, nudging Jordan in the hip. “I think that's the guy looking for his wife. He said Ninette, right?”
“Yeah, he did,” said Jordan.
“Then I believe that would be Ghyslain de Carrac. You should go talk to him.”
“You can't be serious?” said Isabela, matching what Jordan was about to say. “You really think we should go and help that retched man, Varric?”
“He may not be the most loved noble, Rivaini, but I'm thinking more about his wife than him. What if something happened to her? Don't you think it would be good for Hawke to find her and make sure she's okay?”
Isabela snorted and looked away from him.
“I know how you feel, Isabela,” said Jordan. “I don't like helping this Ghyslain either, but I'll do it for Ninette. And the coin.”
“Yes, you can't forget about the coin now, Hawke.”
Jordan sighed as she made her way over to Ghyslain. “Excuse me, serah, but if you would prefer not to pay the guard, I would be more than happy for you to pay me.” She smiled at him as he stared at her.
“What? Oh, you mean you would help me find Ninette?” he asked, becoming anxious.
“Hawke, at your service,” Jordan bowed.
“If you can find her then I would gladly pay you. That foolish woman has caused me nothing but embarrassment. She needs to be dragged home. Her family is getting suspicious. They think I might have... done something to her. Even if—Well, I just want to make sure they know I didn't do it!”
“Do you think something happened to her?” Jordan asked.
“This isn't the first time she's run off. Yes, my wife runs off and goes gallivanting with men half her age. I know she sleeps around, and doesn't even care to conceal it from me. If she got into trouble, it's her own fault. But...” Ghyslain lowered his head, looking hurt. “I just want her back home. I want us to be like we used to.”
“I'd say it's no surprise why she ran away,” said Isabela. “She probably finally got her senses straight and ran away from you for good.”
“Isabela,” Jordan said, turning to her. “Please.”
“I'm just stating what is probably the truth.”
“I know,” Ghyslain sighed. “But you should know, we weren't always like this. Fighting all the time. Her cheating. And me trying to claim her back like she's my property. We used to be in love once. She even defied her parents to marry me. That's why her family is getting suspicious. They may believe I got rid of her to claim her inheritance. But I didn't! That's why I need you to help find her and bring Ninette home.”
Jordan stared at the man in front of her. She could see he was hurt, a man that used to be in love. A man that probably still was, but was no longer loved in return. Even if Jordan didn't like his attitude, she could understand where it was coming from. She would help him, if only to find out what Ninette was doing. She wasn't going to force the woman home, however, if Ninette refused.
“How long has your wife been missing?” she asked.
“For over a month now,” Ghyslain answered as he looked off in the distance. “Whenever she ran off before, she would always return within a few weeks or so. Never this long, which is why I began to worry.”
“I'll do my best to try and find her, but I need any information you might be able to give me. Such as where you think I might be able to start looking first.”
Ghyslain grunted as his eyes popped over to hers. They were filled with anger again. “The Blooming Rose is where you should start. Ninette liked to visit whores. There is an elf there by the name of Jethann, who was her favorite. Bah. If I had known she went to whores sooner, I would have ended our marriage long ago. Bringing that filth into our home. And he even has the nerve to send her a letter and flowers! White lilies. Her favorite.” He lowered his gaze once again.
“He sent your wife a letter and flowers?”
“Yes, it was around the time Ninette disappeared. The letter arrived first, I saw it myself, Jethann saying how much fun he had with her that one other time she ran off, and how much he would like to do it again. Then the flowers arrived a few days later with another letter, and Ninette was gone.”
“What did the second letter say?”
“I don't know. I believe Ninette might have taken it with her.”
“Smart girl,” Isabela murmured. “It probably had directions on it for where they would meet.”
“Which is why it would've been excellent if we had that second letter,” said Jordan. “Tell me, serah, did you go to the Blooming Rose at any point?”
“Of course I did,” Ghyslain said bluntly. “I went straight to Jethann and demanded he tell me where my wife was. He pretended to play ignorant and told me he had no idea where Ninette could be. I would have beaten it out of him, except I was thrown out before I could even lay a finger on the dirty knife-ear. But if I ever find that elf outside of the Rose, there won't be guards to hold me back.”
“Something tells me Jethann isn't going to be leaving the Rose anytime soon.”
“Just please, serah, find my wife and bring her back to me. This is where I live,” Ghyslain said as he handed Jordan a piece of paper with his address on it. “When you learn anything, come to me. Whatever you find, I will pay you. I just need to know. Now, if you would excuse me. Talking about this is giving me a headache.” Ghyslain nodded to them before he left, looking even more hurt and beaten than before.
“I guess it's a good thing we were heading to the Blooming Rose anyway, right?” said Bethany.
“Yeah, so now I guess we have two things we get to do there,” said Jordan.
“As much as I don't like that man,” Isabela stated. “If looking for his wife gets us to stay at the Rose longer, then I'm all for it.”
“We're only there for information, nothing more,” said Jordan. “Afterwards, if you want to go back and do whatever, go for it.”
“You mean you don't want to go back with me?” Isabela asked with a slight smile.
Jordan laughed. “Let's see what happens first, shall we? I have always been curious about whorehouses.”
***
“Mmm, the Blooming Rose. Can you just feel the greatness?” Isabela looked all around, happy as she peered and stared at the many half to nearly naked men and women running about, tending to clients.
“Keep yourself reined in, Isabela,” said Jordan. “We're not here to shop.”
“Speak for yourself. I say once we're done here I'm coming back and sampling some of the goods. Ooh, like that little redhead over there. Doesn't she look so delicious?” Isabela pointed to an elf in the far corner, wearing the skimpiest outfit Jordan had ever seen, and talking to a human male while she fluttered her brown eyes and occasionally fed him small pieces of cheese.
Jordan sighed as she looked away from the elf and started gazing about the place. She wasn't sure where to start or who would be the best to talk to. “Isabela, you don't know anyone in this place well enough to get information from, do you?”
“Not really,” she answered. “You would think, though, wouldn't you? But I do think I might be able to help you with Jethann. I was never with him, personally, but I believe his bedroom is on the second floor, to the left.”
“As good a place to start, I suppose.” Jordan made her way through the main room, trying to ignore some of the bizarre things she saw. A dwarf in drag, or at least that's what she thought. She couldn't tell if the dwarf was male or female. Another elf, with black hair, who she could clearly see was male, wearing make-up and a nice silk dress, leaning against the bar. A human female with large, colorful feathers coming off her smallclothes and breastband. She would take them off and use them to tickle the client she was with, a man with no shirt Jordan recognized as Hubert, the owner of the Bone Pit.
As she lead everyone up the stairs and took a left, Jordan noticed there were many rooms, some with their doors open, others closed with questionable noises coming from within. She made her way past these rooms quickly, looking to Isabela for guidance to Jethann's room. She hoped once they found it, his wouldn't be closed.
“I believe right here,” said Isabela, stopping Jordan in front of an open door.
Jordan peeked her head inside, careful so she wouldn't walk into something she didn't want to see. To her relief, the only occupant in the room was an elf who had his clothes fully on. Seeing her enter his room, the elf jumped from the bed and stared at her and the others. His appearance caught Jordan off guard a little, for the fact his clothing was normal, and his eyes were the brightest blue she had ever seen. So bright, in fact, she got caught in them, wondering if such a shade could really exist.
“Hello,” the elf said sensual. “Today's my rest day, but I'll make an exception for you. What can I say? Why work if you're not working hard?” he laughed.
“Ooh, I like him,” said Isabela as she made her way more into the room. “And his eyes...”
This got the elf to smile. “I'm willing to entertain the two of you. But you'll have to come back tomorrow if you want me to be with all four at once.”
“Oh, no...” Jordan said, shaking her head to clear it. “No, we're not here for that, no matter how hard my friend here might try and push me.” Jordan nudged Isabela back a little. “You are Jethann, yes?”
“Indeed I am,” he bowed to her. “Are you sure you're not interested? If this is your first time, I am well known for making ones such as yourself more comfortable.”
“I can see why Ninette liked you. You're feisty.”
“Ninette,” Jethann said, seeming surprised by Jordan's mention of her. “Yes, she did love me, and I loved her. Sometimes twice a night,” he chuckled. “A refreshing change from the pale slug I married. I hear she finally left her worthless husband. Good for her. I just wish she'd said goodbye.”
“You mean she didn't run away from Ghyslain to be with you?”
“Oh, no!” Jethann raised his hands. “I'm a whore, sweetheart, simple as that, and I'm not ashamed. But part of the job is to not get too attached to my clients. I loved Ninette dearly, but not enough to run away with her. She was a treasured friend, and nothing more than the occasional fun fuck. Her ideas on games we played were some of the best.”
“I'm pretty sure,” said Jordan. “But tell me, why do you think she left her husband? I talked to Ghyslain, and he said she's run off before, but always came back.”
Jethann shook his head. “I know about those times, and Ninette always did go back, I just hoped this time she really did leave him for good. Ghyslain doesn't deserve her.”
“So you have no idea where she might be?”
“I haven't seen her in at least a month. Maybe longer. Where she went, I couldn't tell you. I just hope where ever she is, she's having fun. And hopefully sends me a letter or something so I know she's okay.”
“Do you think she might be hurt?”
Jethann widened his eyes at her. “If Ninette is hurt, it's Ghyslain who did it. No one else would hurt that darling woman.”
Jordan studied him for a moment. “You don't seem to like Ghyslain.”
“Of course I don't, not after what he tried to do to me. Ghyslain came here, yelled at me, called me a dirty knife-ear—among other things—and accused me of corrupting his wife! We had him thrown out.”
“He told me about that incident as well. Said he knew about you and Ninette from a letter you sent.”
“Yes, I sent her a letter. Felt I needed to thank her and make her feel good about herself for once. Every time she came to me, she would always tell me about how horrible it is being with her husband. How she wishes she could just leave him, but because her family won't take her back, there's no place for her to go. It's another reason why I don't like Ghyslain, and why I hope she did finally run away for good. Maybe she finally found a place to stay.”
“So you sent her letters and flowers,” Jordan said as she thought.
“No, I didn't send her flowers,” Jethann corrected. “I just sent her one letter. If I was caught sending a client flowers, I would be thrown out on the streets.”
“Okay, so if you didn't send her the white lilies, then who did?”
“I have no idea. Maybe one of Ninette's other suitors. She did have quite a few of them.”
Jordan rubbed her face, feeling as if she was at a dead end. “So there's nothing more you could tell us to help find Ninette's whereabouts?”
“Why do you want to know?” Jethann asked, looking at Jordan suspiciously. “Did her husband hire you to drag her back home?”
“No, Ghyslain hired me to find information. Nothing more. If I happen to find Ninette, I'm not going to force her back home if that's not what she wants.”
“Well, if that's all you want, then I might have something for you. There was someone else looking for Ninette who came to speak with me. A templar. I believe his name was Emeric. He wouldn't sleep with me, either. And his presence baffled me. I can't see why a templar would be interested in anyone who isn't a mage.”
“Could Ninette be a mage?” Jordan asked. It was something she hadn't even considered. If Ninette was a mage, then that might explain why she disappeared and hasn't returned.
“Well, she certainly cast a spell on me!” Jethann laughed. “Anyway, if Ninette was a mage, I think Emeric would have said so, and he didn't. Plus I think out of all the times I've been with her, I might have noticed something.”
“So what did this Emeric want with Ninette anyway?”
“I'm not really sure,” Jethann shrugged. “He wouldn't say much about it when I asked. Maybe you could ask him yourself. Emeric said he'd continue his investigation in Darktown. You could see if he's still there.”
“I think we'll do that. Thank you, Jethann.”
“No problem. I'm always here to help beautiful women with whatever they need.”
Jordan smiled at him, ready to leave before she realized the other reason why they were there. “Actually, there is one other thing I would like to ask, if you don't mind.”
“I prefer to be on the bottom,” Jethann said. “Let the woman take control, but I'll do most of the work if that's what you prefer.”
“Oh, Jordan, can we please stay,” Isabela begged her.
“That's not what I was going to ask,” Jordan said, ignoring Isabela. “I wanted to ask if you knew anything about the templar recruits who come in here. The one I'm interested in is Keran.”
Jethann had been smiling, flirtatious and edging himself closer to their little group before he stopped and stared at her, almost horrified. “What makes you think we service templar recruits?”
“We're not here to shut the place down by telling the templars what you've been doing,” Jordan reassured. “Keran is another person who's gone missing that I'm trying to find. A lead told me he was last seen here, and I just want to ask if you know anything. That's all.”
Jethann stared at her before looking around. He then made his way past Jordan and the others and closed his door. “I don't know much,” he said. “But I do know something strange is going on around here. And I mean strange for this place.”
“Can you please tell us?” Jordan could tell Jethann was scared of something. She hoped he would tell her despite what it might be.
Jethann sighed as he made his way back to his bed. “The templar recruit you're looking for, along with many others, were all seen by Idunna.”
“Idunna?”
“The Exotic Wonder from the East! And she is pretty exotic, but... odd.” He went silent, and Jordan waited for him to go on. “You can't tell her I said anything.”
“My source will be anonymous,” said Jordan.
“Then... go to her. Ask what you want, although I'm sure she'll deny anything first. Her room is a few doors down, and it's her rest day as well. Be careful.”
“Thank you again, Jethann.”
“Of course,” Jethann smiled, getting back his sensual demeanor. “And if you ever come back, know I'll always have time for you.”
“Mmm, then I think I know who I'm going to come back for tomorrow,” Isabela cooed. “I do so love your eyes.”
“Yours aren't so bad yourself, my dear.”
“Alright, come on,” Jordan said, pushing Isabela back. Varric opened the door and Jordan forced Isabela through who continued to smile and wave at the bright, blue-eyed elf.
***
Jordan stood outside the room marked Exotic Wonder, staring into its empty darkness, wondering if Idunna was even within. The bed was apparently in a part of the room that couldn't be seen from the door.
“What's going on, Hawke?” Varric asked. “Are we going in?”
“Eventually,” Jordan said. “I don't want to be too hasty. Jethann didn't like her, after all.”
“Oh, that's just some rivalry they have going on,” Isabela waved off. “I'm sure he was just saying that to make her seem bad. Now let's go see if she's here.” Isabela went into the room before Jordan could stop her. Instantly, as soon as she crossed the threshold, the lights came on, and someone stirred in the corner of the room. A woman sat herself up on the corner of the bed and stared at them, curious, but also interested.
“Hello,” she purred.
“Hello to you too,” Jordan said as she walked into the room, not able to take her eyes away from the woman. She wasn't necessarily the prettiest woman Jordan had ever seen: her brown hair only slightly darker than Jordan's, with light green eyes that seemed to shine as they locked into Jordan's own hazel ones. “You must be the 'Exotic Wonder of the East.'”
“I am,” Idunna said, rubbing her silken sheets. “What brings such a wonderful group of individuals into my bedroom, hmm?”
“I was hoping you might be able to answer some questions for us.” Jordan stopped at the foot of the bed. There was a smell in the room from some type of incense she couldn't identify. It was making her mind woozy and jumbled. She had to take deep breaths to concentrate. “Do you remember 'entertaining' a templar recruit by the name of Wilmod? Or Keran?”
Idunna smiled as she looked away. She then stood from the bed and walked around Jordan and the others, swinging her hips and tracing her delicate fingers across the small of each of their backs. All four still kept their eyes on her, never once leaving or looking at anything else but her. “Wilmod? Wilmod?” she said cooling as she went to the door and shut it. “I'm afraid that name doesn't sound familiar.”
Jordan kept her concentration, trying to focus, but she was finding it difficult for some reason. Things were starting to feel unnatural almost as soon as Idunna had closed her door. “Try and think,” Jordan said both to Idunna and somewhat to herself. “I know as someone in your profession, it might be hard remembering every client you've entertained, but I'm sure Wilmod or Keran were special.”
“I don't really know what you mean.” Idunna made her way back over to the bed, her movements fluid and sensual. She paused right in front of Isabela and looked her up and down. “Questions are boring. Why don't we have some real fun, hmm?”
“Yes, Jordan,” Isabela said as she studied Idunna like a hungry dragon. “Why don't we have some fun for once?”
“You should listen to your friend,” Idunna purred. She took a step closer and placed a lascivious kiss upon Isabela's lips while a hand dropped down and played with Varric's chest hair, making the dwarf hum. Jordan watched intently as Isabela intensified the kiss and Varric started rubbing his hands up and down Idunna's backside. She wanted to join in as she got closer to the erotic three.
“Jordan, don't,” Bethany said, snapping her out of a daze. Jordan squeezed her eyes tight and shook her head. It still felt cloudy, and the desire to join with Idunna was still there, but she could think a little clearer. She looked to her sister and saw she was scared. “Something's not right here.”
“Yeah...” Jordan breathed.
“Stop them.”
“I...” Jordan didn't want to stop them, she still wanted to join. But they had a mission. She needed to ask Idunna about Keran first, then maybe things could happen... “Isabela, Varric... stop.” It was harder for her to say the last word than she thought.
Isabela took herself away from Idunna's mouth and glared at Jordan. “Why?”
“This isn't right. Just stop and let me ask her questions first.”
“Questions are boring.”
“Just, please... stop.”
Both Isabela and Varric did, staring at both Bethany and Jordan before they shook their heads to clear them.
Idunna glowered at Jordan. “Are you uninterested in having fun?”
“As charming and relentless as you are, I'm here to investigate.”
“Alright.” Idunna made her way over to Jordan, standing fully in front of her. Part of her dress had been partly opened, revealing a large portion of her breasts that Jordan briefly stared at before fixing her eyes back into Idunna's. “If you must, then I have a question for you. Who told you about little old me?”
Jordan wanted to say she had heard about her from words on the street, but that's not what came out of her mouth when she opened it. Something came over her. Something that completely stopped her thinking. “It was... Jethann,” she said, struggling. Did I really just say that?
“Jethann?” Idunna looked away from Jordan. “That little sewer rat. He's always hated me. Jealous that I can tempt a client better than he can. I suppose I'll have to deal with him later.” She then brought her eyes back to Jordan, a clever little smile upon her face. “Thank you,” she cooed. “Now I just need you to do one more thing for me. Draw your blade, and bring it gently across your throat.”
It seemed a ridiculous request, but Jordan's hand seemed to move all on its own. It grabbed Edge's hilt, pulling the blade from its sheath as it then brought the blade to her throat. Once the cold metal touched her skin, something in Jordan's mind clicked. She could think clearly again, realizing what she was doing was wrong. She went to move Edge from her throat, but her hand wouldn't listen to her. She fought, trying to keep her own dagger from cutting her throat, but little by little the blade cut into her skin, her hand shaking with the effort. The whole time, Idunna staring at her, eyes narrowing.
Jordan didn't know what to do. She didn't understand what was going on. Not until she saw it. A slight gleam. A trace of red flashing in the corner of Idunna's eyes. Then she knew. “Bethany...” she struggled to say, fighting to push out every syllable. “Help...”
Bethany looked up at Jordan, still within her own daze, but soon seeing the situation and understanding. She focused everything she could grasp on Idunna, lifting her hands as magic crackled, releasing herself from Idunna's spell. “Let go of my sister!” she yelled, pushing her hands forward. Idunna went flying, slamming against the wall and falling on her nightstand, crashing to the floor.
Jordan breathed out hard as whatever was holding her lifted, Edge moving away from her throat with only a few drops of blood. Everything was coming to her now as she regained her senses. She glared down at Idunna, anger starting to pulse through her as she realized what Idunna was and that she had been unable to sense it until now. Before Idunna could recover, she took Edge and jammed it into her side, pinning the blood mage down.
Idunna screamed from the pain before looking into Jordan's angry yellow eyes. “How did you...?”
“We're not all as easily affected by your tricks,” Jordan said as she flinched her blade. “Don't even think about trying that again. Or anything! Now what was that?”
Idunna's demeanor had changed drastically, going to utter fear as she looked from Jordan to the dagger in her side. “It was... an equal measure of blood and desire. An art I learned from... elsewhere.”
“Blood magic, then? Is that what you used on Wilmod and Keran? The other templar recruits?”
Idunna nodded her head hastily. “Yes, messere. Please, don't kill me.”
“I haven't decided your fate yet, so you better answer all my questions fully. What are you doing to the recruits?”
“I... I don't know what happens to them afterwards, but I prep them. They come to me and I put them in a trance for Tarohne and the others to take them.”
“Who's Tarohne?”
“The leader of a group of blood mages trying to overthrow the Circle. She's the one who taught me the spell I used on you. She also put me here, helped me when all I used to be was a gutter whore in Darktown, trying to just get by.”
“What are they doing to the recruits?”
“I don't know what happens to them once they leave these walls. All I know is that Tarohne says what she is doing will teach the templars they can no longer think to contain us. We will be free. We will recreate the ancient Imperium. The templars will be unable to hold against us if we stand and fight.”
Jordan could tell Idunna really believed what she was saying. What Tarohne had told her. “You sicken me. Do you really think using blood magic is going to bring people to your cause? I agree that mages need to be free, but not like this. Now tell me, where did they take Keran?”
Idunna swallowed hard and was silent before Jordan reminded her of Edge in her side. “The base is located in Darktown. Three Spear Alley. Both Wilmod and Keran went there a few weeks ago. Now, please, will you let me go? I promise I'll leave Kirkwall. Never to return again.”
Jordan considered her. Knew she was afraid and probably meant what she was saying. But what Idunna had done to her, Bethany, and her friends didn't settle well with Jordan. “No,” she said. “You're too dangerous to live.”
“No! Please!” Idunna pleaded.
Jordan didn't listen as she ripped Edge out and jammed it back in Idunna's throat. The mage coughed as she struggled, blood gurgling from her mouth as she fell fulling to the floor. Once dead, Jordan reclaimed Edge and stared down at Idunna's body.
“Hang on a second,” Varric said, rubbing his face. “What just happened?”
“We were placed under a spell,” Jordan answered as she turned to the others, a hardness in her eyes.
“Really? But I'm a dwarf. And that felt... strong.”
“Doesn't matter. She's dead now, and we have to go and find this blood mage underground and stop them before they do anymore damage.”
“One would think you would support a mage underground,” said Isabela.
“I would, but not one that uses blood magic. And especially not after one of their members does that to me and my friends. I don't take kindly to things like that.”
“That would explain this new aggressiveness I see in you,” said Varric.
Jordan smiled at him, realizing a side of her she rarely let out was still showing. “Right, sorry, Varric, don't want you to start writing how much of a bitch I am now. Gotta keep that charming side of me showing. Right?”
Varric laughed. “I don't think it matters how you react to situations, Hawke. I'll make you sound good no matter what.”
“Right,” Jordan chuckled. “Now, let's see here... It looks like we're gonna have to go into Darktown next. Might want to wait, though. I would prefer to have a few more numbers with us before we go to destroy a blood mage underground. Oh Maker, what do I get myself into sometimes?”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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Blood Promise