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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
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Chapter List
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Distance

“Hawke. We need to talk.”
“Hello, Fenris,” Jordan said as she stared at the elf standing in the doorway of her uncle's house. “Looks like you made it out of the sewers okay.”
“I'm not some child who gets lost in the market.”
“Of course not.”
“Why did you let those mages go?” he asked as he came right through the door.
“Please, come on in,” Jordan gestured. She was surprised to see him, not because she thought he would get lost in the sewers, but because she didn't think he knew where she lived. “And is that the reason why you've decided to grace me with your wonderful company?”
“If you thought you weren't going to be able to catch them all, then you were wrong.” He stopped right in front of her and Jordan could see his green eyes burning. “I was able to catch and kill all of them.”
“Then maybe it's best you did go by yourself.” Jordan walked away from him to the table. She picked up her brush and began trying to get the tangles out of her hair.
“I shouldn't have needed to go,” Fenris continued.
Jordan rolled her eyes. It was too early in the morning for this. “Is this going to happen every time we do something together? You and your 'evil mages!' Is there ever a time when you can take a break from that?”
Fenris stared at her for a moment. “Maybe when Danarius's heart is beating in my hand will I relax a little.”
“Only a little?”
“It's not a guarantee.”
“I guess that's the best I can get from you.” Jordan continued to brush her hair before placing it in her usual messy ponytail. When she was done, she grabbed Edge and Ripper and turned to Fenris. “Ready to go?”
“Are we headed to the Gallows?”
“I don't have any other plans.”
“Then let us be off.”
“Jordan, do you think—Oh!” Leandra came out from the room she shared with her daughters. She stopped in the middle of the door when she looked up and spotted Fenris standing in the middle of the room. She had been startled by his presence, seeing a strange looking elf in her house. “Jordan?”
“Mother, this is Fenris,” Jordan said, introducing the two. “Fenris, this is my mother, Leandra. Mother, Fenris is one of my friends helping me to gather the money for the expedition.”
“Oh...” Leandra nodded toward Fenris. “It's a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is mine,” Fenris bowed deeply. “I am honored to meet the woman who could raise two fine daughters in such conditions.”
“And what conditions might those be?”
“He knows about Bethany, Mother,” said Jordan. “But there's no need to worry. He will keep her a secret. Isn't that right, Fenris?”
“Of course. I owe Hawke, and Bethany happens to be the only mage I respect.”
“Um...” Leandra stared at Fenris suspiciously before turning back to her daughter. “Jordan, are you leaving now?”
“I was about ready to head out, yes.”
“Do you think you could stop at the market on your way home and pick up a few things for me? That is if you plan on getting home at a descent time tonight.”
“I can't make any promises, Mother.”
“Try anyway, dear. I already made a list of what I need.” She handed Jordan a piece of paper that had upon it several items.
“Can't you pick these things up?” Jordan asked as she looked over the list.
“I would, expect I'll be busy today. I finally got a meeting with the viscount about our estate. Well... it's actually with the seneschal, but once I convince him the estate should be rightfully mine, then he should bring me before the viscount so I can plead my case.”
“Does that mean we'll be moving out of this house really soon?” Jordan asked, looking hopeful.
“There's really no guarantee,” Leandra said as she put on her cloak and checked in her bag to make sure she had the will and anything else she may need. “Many years have passed, and the seneschal or the viscount could deny me.” She looked at her daughter and smiled. “But your mother is going to do the very best she can.”
“I know you will, Mother. Good luck.” They both hugged before Leandra made her way out of the house. Jordan had Chance accompany her mother so she would be safe. Once they were gone, she and Fenris then made their way out of the house, leaving it empty.
At first, Jordan had wanted to go to the Gallows by herself. There was really no need to have anyone accompany her, but she would be lying if she said she didn't appreciate Fenris's company. Even if he was only going with her for his own needs.
“Why do you want to come with me, Fenris?” Jordan asked, breaking the silence as they made their way through Lowtown.
“To make sure you tell the templars what needs to be told,” he said.
“And what exactly would that be?”
Jordan stopped and turned around to the familiar voice following behind them. She wasn't exactly sure she was excited to see Anders. He proved better company than Fenris did, but if he also wished to go to the Gallows with her, then she knew there was going to be problems. Especially if Fenris was going with them. She remembered last time she had gone to the Gallows with the two, and didn't really want to repeat it.
Both Anders and Fenris eyed each other. “You know exactly what I mean, mage,” Fenris nearly growled.
“Don't tell me you want to come as well?” Jordan sighed.
“I do,” said Anders. “I was hoping to catch you before you left your house, but apparently I was too late.”
“Don't you need to go and take care of patients in your clinic or something?”
“Bethany's there right now. She can handle it while I'm gone. Besides, I wanted to come to make sure you downplay the blood mage involvement.”
“You want her to downplay it?” Fenris said shocked.
“Yes. We don't need more fuel for the templars to start cracking down on the mages here in Kirkwall even more than they already are.”
“And you really think protecting blood mages will save you?” Fenris's eyes burned, and Jordan knew she needed to do something before the two could really start going at it.
“Okay, could you both keep your cool here, please,” Jordan said as she mostly went in front of Fenris. “We are in public, and there are children around.”
“Are you seriously going to do what this mage asks?” Fenris glowered.
“I'm going to do what I need. Obviously Ser Cullen will need to know it was blood magic that was holding Keran and it was blood mages who were kidnapping the recruits and putting demons inside them.”
“Jordan, if you do that, then the knight-commander is going to send every last templar under her command out into Kirkwall, knocking on every door, and taking every mage they find and possibly sentence them to either death or tranquility,” said Anders. “Do you want your sister found? Merrill? Me?”
“You really think the knight-commander would go that far?” Although Jordan had to admit it was a possibility. From what she had heard about the knight-commander, anything might be possible.
“I think if she could, she would have all apostates given the brand. It would be too risky for her not to.”
Jordan sighed. There really was no way around it. “I know what you fear, Anders, but it shouldn't be that bad. I'll be talking to the knight-captain, not the commander. You know him. Would he really do that? Especially if I told him that all the blood mages apart of that underground were killed.”
“We didn't kill them all. Some got away.”
“They thought they did,” Fenris said as he crossed his arms.
“You really think you got all of them?” Anders asked.
“I don't have to think, I know I did.”
“They're dead, Anders,” Jordan emphasized.
Anders had to take several breaths as he looked from Jordan to Fenris and back. “You're right, Cullen wouldn't do something like that. But he still needs to tell the knight-commander about what happened to the recruits.”
“Then let us go, and I will tell him,” said Jordan.
“Alright,” Anders sighed. “Lead the way.”
***
As they arrived at the Gallows, the Circle wasn't much different than last time Jordan was here. The only real difference Jordan noticed was there seemed to be an increase in the amount of templars in the courtyard. As she, Anders and Fenris walked about—the two of them slightly behind her and as far apart from each other as they could be—Jordan soon spotted Emeric pacing against the wall with the mural of the suffering slaves.
“Emeric, you look well,” said Jordan.
“Oh... Serah Hawke...” Emeric stopped his pacing. He seemed surprised to see her. “I did not expect you to return so soon. Did you find anything at the foundry? Or because you came back so fast, you found nothing.”
“A little bit of both.” Jordan reached in her pouch and pulled out the cloth she had the bones wrapped in. “There was very little in the foundry, but we did find these bones. Recognize your mage?”
Emeric took the cloth from Jordan and unwrapped it to stare at the bones. “These are... human bones. You think they belong to Mharen?”
“In truth, I don't know. They could be hers, but when we found them, there was also an Orlesian ring with them. It was recognized by Ghyslain as his wife's. Those bones could easily be Ninette's, but it's probably something we'll never know.”
“Then there's no hope,” Emeric sighed. “Mharen is more than likely dead. I would probably assume so are the other women. Did you happen to find anything else in the foundry?”
Jordan shook her head. “No, just the bones and the ring. Besides those, the foundry was completely empty besides a demon or two.”
“You encountered demons?”
“I accidentally set off an old trap,” Jordan shrugged. “Nothing big.”
“There were no traps when I was there,” Emeric mostly said to himself. “Hmm. Excuse me, Serah Hawke, but if you don't mind, I would like to take these bones.”
“Go right ahead, I'm not going to do anything with them.”
“I should be done with this,” Emeric continued to mutter. “But something just doesn't seem right. How could women just disappear like that? And what of these bones? And traps that seemed to have appeared over night? I need to continue this investigation. Thank you, Serah Hawke. If I find out anything more, I'll let you know.”
“That's quite all right,” said Jordan. “Ghyslain paid me, so I'm pretty much done with this whole women disappearing thing and possibly being murdered business. You keep having fun with it, though.”
Emeric then nodded before he re-wrapped the bones and made his way to the left of the tower where the templar quarters were. All the while, continuing to mutter quietly to himself.
Jordan breathed out, glad to have that behind her now. She didn't really want to be involved in anything like that again. She hoped Emeric would forget about her, and maybe even forget about the women who disappeared.
“It's you! Oh Maker, thank you!” Jordan was attacked, arms wrapping themselves around her and squeezing hard as Macha ran to her. “You found him and brought him back! Thank you so much!” Macha let go of Jordan and stared at her with tear-filled eyes. “I don't know how to properly thank you.”
“That was... good enough,” Jordan said as she straightened her jerkin. “How is Keran doing?”
“He's a little shaken, but... he appears normal. He was concerned about me. More concerned than he was even for himself.”
“He's your brother and loves you. In fact, you were the first thing he was worried about when we rescued him.”
“Oh, Keran,” Macha choked. “I love him so much.”
“Where is he now?”
“With the knight-captain, I believe.”
“Can you take us to him?”
“I don't know. I've never been in the recruit barracks before. I don't even think they'll let us in.”
“They will if you're with me. Let's go see him.” Jordan had the others follow her as she lead them to the recruit barracks. She was planning on telling Anders to stay outside while she went in, but she knew he would protest with her. Plus there was the fact she wasn't sure she could leave him alone in the Gallows. Especially if she left him alone with Fenris. He may have to come in with her after all. Her decision was made for her, however, when the recruit barracks door burst open, and Keran came running out to greet his sister. Cullen was right behind him, going at a slower pace.
“Macha!” Keran cried as he embraced his sister. “I'm so glad you're still here.”
“I'm not going anywhere, Keran,” Macha sobbed. “Not until I know you're all right.” She then smiled into his eyes. “What's going on?”
“I don't know yet.”
“When will you?”
“When I figure out some things,” said Cullen. He focused himself on Jordan. “I believe you are Hawke, yes?”
“That is my name if you wish to call me it,” said Jordan.
“Yes... I need to ask you about what occurred. Keran is unable to tell me much since there is not a lot he remembers. He was able to tell me that apostates had captured him and the other recruits. What happened to the others? Was Keran all you could find?”
“Uh... no,” Jordan said slowly. “We also found others, but they weren't so lucky...”
Cullen eyed her. “What happened?”
Jordan hesitated.
“Blood magic happened,” Fenris said before Jordan could say anything. This caused her to turn and glower at him. “Did you expect me to say something else? You hesitated, I provided the true answer.”
“Blood magic?” Cullen questioned. He looked to Keran then back at Jordan. “That would make sense. How else would Wilmod become possessed by a demon.”
“Yes,” Jordan sighed. “There was a blood mage underground that was conspiring against the Circle. I say there was because we took care of them all. All the blood mages involved were killed. No need to send out a search party.”
“Yes, but if they were placing demons in the recruits and turning them into abominations--”
“D-Demons?” Macha stuttered. “Abominations? Keran, what are they talking about?”
“I didn't want to tell you, Macha,” Keran said, looking away from her. “It's not something you need to worry about. Those mages... like Serah Hawke said, are dead.”
“But does that mean you... might have a demon inside you?” Macha looked at her brother, horrified, but it was more as if she feared for his life, rather than feared him or what could be lurking inside of him.
“That is something that concerns me,” said Cullen as he studied Keran.
“He's fine,” Jordan stepped in. “We already had him checked. No demon.”
Macha looked relieved but Jordan could tell Cullen was still suspicious. “And how would you go about testing him and knowing there isn't one?” Cullen's eyes drifted slightly behind her, and Jordan knew he was looking at Anders.
“I have my ways, you can trust me. Besides, if he was possessed, don't you think there would have been signs by now? Maybe you should kick him around a bit and see.”
Cullen backed off a little. “You're right, he's been here a lot longer than Wilmod was and isn't acting strange. But I don't know if I can risk it.”
“Knight-Captain, please,” said Keran. “I swear to you, I didn't take anything they gave me. I resisted everything the best I could. I might not remember much, but I don't believe they possessed me with a demon.”
“I'm not kicking you out of the Order,” Cullen said, hearing Keran's plea. “But I can't grant you full knighthood. Not at least until you have shown no signs of possession for at least five years.”
“Five years? But... I can't wait that long. Macha and I won't be able to survive on what I'm paid now for the next five years.”
“It's okay, Keran,” said Macha. “We've gone with less for longer. We'll survive.”
“I know we can, but that doesn't mean we should. I came to the Order so we wouldn't have to. So I could pay you back for all the things you did for me when we were children. This just...” Keran sighed. “I will respect your decision, Knight-Captain.”
“I'm sorry I have to do this, Keran,” said Cullen. “But it's the only way to be safe and to keep you in the Order. It's what's fair.”
“How is that fair?” said Jordan. “Keran is the victim. Why are you punishing him? I already told you he wasn't possessed!”
“It's a precaution,” Cullen said to her. “I don't like doing it, knowing Keran is the victim, but there's nothing else I can do. He's lucky I'm out here and not the knight-commander. She would have kicked him out of the Order no matter what.”
“I thank you again, Serah,” said Macha as she went to Jordan. “Even with what happened, you were still able to bring my brother back alive. I wish I could pay you for it, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can give you.” She looked down ashamed. Jordan wanted to say it was all right, that she didn't need to be paid, but in truth she really did. The deadline was coming up fast, and she still had a ways to go before collecting all that she needed.
“No need to feel horrible about that, miss,” said Cullen. “I can give Serah Hawke what she deserves. She did help the Templar Order, after all.”
“Oh, so I'm going to get compensated after all,” Jordan smiled. “Good to know the templars are spending their money wisely.”
“I wouldn't say it's wise, but it's something that should be done. Now if you would come with me, I'll make sure you get paid what is due. Keran, you can spend some more time with you sister, but when I get back, she will have to leave and you must return to the recruit barracks. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Knight-Captain,” Keran bowed. “And thank you.”
“I want you two to stay out here,” Jordan said to both Anders and Fenris. “And please, behave yourselves. Don't make me regret bringing the two of you here.”
“Don't worry, Jordan, I can actually control myself,” Anders said as he eyed Fenris.
Fenris eyed him back. “Says the mage who when he gets angry explodes-”
“Fenris, please not here,” Jordan cut him off. “This is what I mean. Do I have to put you two in separate corners?”
“Just go, Hawke,” said Fenris.
“Yes, we can last for a few minutes without you,” said Anders. “But don't be too long.”
“Otherwise the templars might happen to realize he's here,” Fenris gestured.
“I highly doubt that. I'm a mage, and I'm suppose to be here. Right?”
“Exactly.”
“Oh, Maker help me,” Jordan mumbled as she turned away from the two men still arguing with each other. “If I come out and the Gallows has fallen upon them, I swear the both of them will pay.”
***
Cullen was waiting for her by the door that lead back into the recruit barracks. Once they were inside, Jordan followed him through the halls and all the way to the back where his office was located. Cullen then shut the door behind him once they were within. “You risk a lot, you know,” he said to her.
“I risk many things,” said Jordan. “Care to clarify which one you're talking about?”
Cullen went and stood behind his desk. “You're hiding three mages. One of which I know is dangerous.”
Jordan stood where she was, staring at him. Was this the real reason why he brought her in here? “Are you threatening any of them?”
“You know I should. Mages need to be in the Circle, not only to protect everyone from them, but to also protect them from themselves.”
“I've heard that before. I think I've managed pretty well so far. And if you really wanted to capture one, Anders is right there in the courtyard. You have me in here. Unless that was your plan the entire time.”
Cullen kept his gaze on her for a moment. “No,” he finally said. “I know Anders. Bringing him to the Circle wouldn't help matters. He escaped from the Circle in Ferelden seven times before he was recruited by the Grey Wardens. Knowing him, I'm sure he would be able to find a way to escape, even from here. Plus there's the fact I don't really want the Grey Wardens coming down on us. I don't know what he's doing here in Kirkwall, but I would prefer not to take any chances.”
This surprised Jordan, hearing such a thing from a templar. “You're not like most templars, are you?” she said. “Any other templar would have jumped at the chance to force him or any other apostate into the Gallows.”
“Don't think I don't like it,” Cullen glared. “I could lose my position for it, but as long as he doesn't cause any problems, and stays out of our radar, then there shouldn't be a problem.”
Jordan continued to stare at him, still puzzled by his behavior. “So you really do love her, don't you?”
Cullen had been looking down at his desk before bringing his eyes back to her at her words. “He told you, didn't he?”
“I asked,” Jordan shrugged. “It's not everyday you hear a templar is in love with a mage.”
There was silence. Cullen and Jordan never faltered as they stared.
“She must be really special, then,” Jordan said, finally breaking the silence. “For you to risk your position and basically everything else that makes you a templar.”
“She is special,” he spoke. “And I'm a better templar because of her. I want the Circle to work. I want it to be a place where mages can come and be protected and learn how to use their abilities in a sensible way. She believes just the same.”
“So that's why you love her. Because she's a mage that won't defy you.”
“That's not the reason,” Cullen said, sounding stern. “Sure that might make it easier. I don't have to hide things that she may be doing that might be conflicting with what I should be doing as a templar. But in truth...” He sighed, his eyes losing their hardness. “I don't see her as a mage. I see her as... Esumi. Who she really is underneath. And that's what I love. Maker... I can't believe I just told you that.” Cullen went about his desk, searching through the drawers before coming around and handing Jordan a few gold coins. “Here.”
Jordan had also been wondering the same thing. Why had he told her all that? Did she look trustworthy? Or was it because she already knew about the relationship? It wasn't like she could do anything with the information. The mage he loved, Esumi, was all the way in Ferelden. But it still might affect him, no matter if she were here or not. Jordan knew she would keep their relationship a secret. Just as she would keep Thrask and his daughter, Olivia, a secret.
At that moment, Jordan no longer saw Cullen as a templar. No longer the knight-captain. He was a man now. A man in pain because he could no longer be with the woman he loved. She was far away, and they may never be able to see each other again.
“I can understand your pain,” she said as she looked at the coins in her hand. “I can understand how you feel about her. It's the same way I see my sister. She isn't a mage. She's Bethany, a girl who cares too much. And that's the reason why I love her. Why I would do anything and everything I could to keep her safe.” Jordan had to look away from him, trying to figure out why she had just said that to a templar.
“You should do what's best for her,” Cullen spoke softly. “You want to keep her safe. The best way to do that would be to bring her to a Circle.”
“The safest place for her to be is by my side. Don't you think that about Esumi?”
“I used to think that. But after coming here...”
“You wouldn't want her here so the two of you could be together again?”
“No,” Cullen sighed, hanging his head. “She's better off in Ferelden. There she's actually needed, appreciated. In Ferelden she can use her gifts for good, and not be condemned by them.” He looked off, longingly out the small window slit.
“You obviously still miss her.”
“Of course I do. Coming here wasn't my choice. The knight-commander here asked for experienced templars to come and help train the recruits. Greagior chose me, said I would be good, that I needed to get out of that tower after what happened with Uldred. That might have been true, but I think it also had to do with Esumi as well. He knew about us, but we were so good at keeping it a secret, he never did anything about it.”
“Until now.”
“Yeah.” Cullen lowered his head again. “I left her with a burden I shouldn't have. But there's nothing I can do about it. She understands. They both do.”
Jordan pocketed the coins. “So if you don't want Esumi to come here, why should I bring my sister?”
Cullen looked back up at her, his eyes empty of any hate or anger, now filled with sadness. “You have your coin, so you are free to leave. Get Anders out of here before any of the other templars notice him. If they do, then I'll have no choice but to help them apprehend him. Is that understood?”
“It is. Just know that all I said about my sister also applies to him. I will do whatever it takes. Is that understood?”
Cullen's expression didn't change. “You play a dangerous game, Hawke. Now please, just go.”
Jordan nodded and bowed to him in the traditional Ferelden fashion by crossing her arms over her chest. Cullen did the same before sitting at his desk as Jordan made her way back out into the barracks and towards the exit. On the way, she thought, thinking about all they had discussed. It was interesting seeing a templar let a mage go when he knew he should capture him. It had also been the same for Thrask. Jordan had also not seen him as a templar either. Both of them were good men, only trying to make the Circle better. But what made Jordan wonder the most was what Cullen had said about her sister and taking her to a Circle. He said a Circle, not this Circle. Did that mean something? He didn't want Esumi to come here. Maybe that meant something. Maybe the rumors about the Gallows and the knight-commander were true. Jordan had always believed them, but in truth, she had also always thought they might have been over exaggerated. Maybe they weren't.
When she made it back out into the courtyard, she noticed it was still the same. Nothing destroyed, no templars grouped together fighting a single mage, or in a pile of dead bodies. When she finally spotted both Anders and Fenris, they were separate, standing on the opposite side of a pillar. Going to them, they looked relieved to see her.
“Good, you two can behave yourselves when I'm gone.”
“How much did he give you?” Anders asked.
“Enough to get me closer but not enough to put me where I need to be.” Jordan sighed as she counted in her head. “This is going to be tough. I think I need only ten more sovereigns, but I can't be sure. The deadline to turn them in to Bartrand is getting close, and since I've completed all the tasks I've accepted, I now need to find more work. But I'm not sure where to look.”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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Blood Promise