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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
- 32
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Home Sweet Home

“A demon, you mean.” Anders raised himself from the ground, holding his left shoulder which was bleeding. The arm connected to it dangled uselessly by his side. He staggered for a moment, Jordan catching him to help him with his balance. “I can feel the foulness in you.”
The rock wraith before them seemed to glower, its eyes flashing. “And I can feel that you are not all as you appear, but you don't need to fear me. I only wish to continue my feast with the profane. They are satisfying enough.”
Jordan steadied Anders, knowing he was in bad shape. She also needed to be wary of what was before them. Demons couldn't be trusted, even when they meant no harm. It could have been a ruse. She needed to know what this demon really wanted. “So what is it that you want from us?” she asked.
“I only wish for you to stop your slaughter of my meal. Yet... I sense your desire. You seek to leave this place, but in order to do so, you will need my aid.”
There is was, what Jordan was looking for. “And I suppose in order to receive your help in getting back to the Deep Roads, we have to do something for you? More so than just leaving the profane alone.”
The demon's eyes flashed again.
Anders groaned. “Don't do it,” he said, his voice sounding hard, almost as if Justice was fighting to get through. “Demons will trip you up every time.”
“But what other options do we have?” Varric shrugged.
Jordan thought for a moment. Anders was right, but Varric also brought up a good point. Could they really escape without the demon's aid? She needed to find out, and choose her words carefully. “Why is it that we need your aid in order to leave?” she said to the demon. “We've been doing good so far on our own.”
The demon chuckled. “I have actually been watching your progress ever since you entered this place. You have been going in circles.”
“Alright, but that still doesn't explain why we need your aid. Even if we had been going in circles, we made it here, didn't we?”
The demon was quiet for a moment. “There is another door that leads to the paths far above us,” it spoke. “That is what you seek. It has been sealed, however, and cannot be opened without a key. I know where the key is. Do as I ask, and I shall tell you.”
Jordan smirked. “I don't think so.”
Growling, the demon's eyes flashed red. “You will not escape! It is not within your capabilities.”
“Except I think it is.”
The demon went to rush her, but Jordan moved fast, gently letting go of Anders and rolling to grab Edge which was still on the ground. When she came back up, she pointed Edge straight at the demon's middle, where its strange, glowing nerves shimmered. The demon stopped short, its eyes focused on the tip of Jordan's dagger.
“You fear this, don't you?” Jordan said as she studied the reaction of the demon along with the other rock wraiths behind it who had also started to advance when the demon did. “Is it because I was able to kill one of your precious profane with it?”
The demon growled. “Leave this place,” it grumbled. “Leave now, and you will be left to your own destruction.” It began to back away, the others following it before their rock bodies began to shake. The glowing nerves blinked out and the rocks fell to the ground in piles. With the rock wraiths and the demon gone, Jordan lowered her dagger and sighed.
Anders pressed his back against the wall and sighed in relief as he began to heal his shoulder. Jordan went over to him, making sure he was okay. “How bad is it?”
“I'll be fine,” he said. “Was just caught off guard. Didn't know those rock wraiths were able to get past my magic.”
“If the legends are correct, they are dwarves,” said Varric. “Would make sense... in a way. Would really be the only thing that makes sense down here.”
“I would have to agree. And one thing that I'm stumbled about is your dagger, Jordan. What metal did you say it was made out of again?”
“Uh, blue steel,” said Jordan. “Remember, I told you it used to be the bottom part of my father's first staff.”
“Wait, did you say 'blue steel?'” Fenris asked. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Or at least that's what my father told me.”
Fenris stared at her then at Edge. “How is it that your father was able to get a hold of Qunari metal?”
“Qunari metal?” Jordan held Edge up to her face. “I just thought the material was rare.”
“It is rare. The Qunari make it that way. They control is just as they control the gaatlok. Blue steel is what they make their own swords out of. If the Arishok knew you had such a blade...”
“I'd be dead, wouldn't I?” Jordan frowned.
“I don't think he would kill you,” Fenris said shaking his head. “I believe he would more than likely force you to convert to the Qun. No basra are allowed to wield such blades.”
“Joy. Then I guess the Arishok won't find out.” Jordan placed Edge back in its sheath on her back.
“But still...” Fenris said as he stared at her. “How did your father get a hold of blue steel?”
“I don't know. He never told me.”
“I think the more important question right now is how her blade is able to kill the rock wraiths,” said Anders. “That's the reason why the demon showed itself. And the reason why he and the other wraiths left in a hurry.”
“Again, I don't know,” Jordan said a little harsh. “All I know is that it was my father's and he had an enchantment put on it that would disrupt the flow of magic from either mana or blood. More than that, he either never told me, or he didn't know himself.”
“Maybe you should have enchantment boy take a closer look at your dagger,” Varric suggested.
Jordan glared at him. “I'm not sure I want anyone touching Edge besides me! And Sandal taking a look at it can only happen if Bartrand didn't throw him and Bodahn on their asses like he did to us.”
“Right. Don't remind me.”
“Which is why we need to keep moving. If the demon was telling the truth, then our exit is right down this hall.”
Before leading them down the hall, Jordan made sure Anders was done fully healing his shoulder. He rounded it a few times then went about moving his fingers, touching each tip to his thumb a few times, back and forth before nodding to her he was ready.
As they made their way through the hall, everyone remained cautious. The demon may have fled, and even if he did fear Jordan's dagger, that didn't mean he couldn't have planned a sneak attack for later. There were so many things Jordan wanted to know. About the temple. About the rock wraiths. About the red crystals. About the idol. She couldn't help but to wonder if she hadn't scared the demon off, if he would have answered some of them for her. She had to shake off those thoughts. If she had, then she would have owed a demon, and her father taught her better than that.
“Wow,” Jordan breathed as she stopped after entering a new room. It was huge and appeared more as a natural cavern than made by dwarven hands. Even, natural-looking pillars stood to hold up the high ceiling. Like stalagmite and stalactite grew until they met each other in the middle. “What is this place?”
“I believe this is the vault,” said Varric as he looked around. He let out a low whistle. “If this temple has any valuables, then they should have been kept here. Let's go take a look, shall we?”
“Yes, I think we shall.” Jordan made her way into the vault, walking between the pillars to the center of the room. As soon as she reached it, something then began to shift in the air. It was that same feeling the rock wraiths gave off when they began to form. Only this time the feeling was stronger, more malicious and powerful. She could tell the others felt it too as they stood by her, eyes locked onto hers. A giant boulder that was in front of her then began to move, vibrating before it was yanked from the ground and hurtled above them. When they turned around, all of their eyes widened when they saw an assortment of large boulders coming together around a giant set of glowing nerves. When the body of the giant rock wraith was complete, dark red eyes flashed and the creature screeched at the intruders.
“Varric...?” Jordan spoke as everyone backed away slowly.
“Uh...” Varric swallowed. “I really hope I'm wrong, but that might be an ancient rock wraith.”
“And the difference is?”
“Not much. Just that it's much older and more powerful and... bigger.”
“Wonderful...”
The ancient rock wraith took only one step towards them, slamming down its foot and shaking the ground. Jordan and the others fell but quickly had to react when the rock wraith forced down one of its boulder-hands. It smashed the ground where they were, creating a large crater and showering the area in dust and debris. Jordan grabbed Edge and ran, getting away from the wraith as far as she could before turning around. It was nearly four times as big as the other rock wraiths were. Its body made out of boulders, and the nerves in the middle glowing a reddish-yellow. Jordan wasn't sure how she was going to do it, but she knew somehow she needed to kill it with Edge. Whether Edge would be able to do it or not, she wasn't sure. Killing one of the smaller ones appeared to take a lot. She wasn't sure what would happen with this one.
The ancient rock wraith moved forward, swinging its massive arms. Fenris was in the front, blocking each blow the best he could. The wraith was too strong, and eventually hit him in the side, sending him flying into one of the pillars. The wraith then went to grab him, but its hand froze before it could. Staring behind it, the wraith growled, then moved toward Anders. Anders fired different spells at the stone creature, each one hitting but appearing to have little to no effect. The ancient rock wraith picked up speed, going towards him with full fury. He then summoned a large ice ball in front of him and hurtled it toward the wraith. It hit the wraith square in the middle, exploding on impact. The nerves flickered and the wraith grew still for a moment, but soon shook off any ice still on its body and went to smash Anders into the ground. He moved just in time, the boulder-hand nearly missing his foot by inches.
Several bolts flew through the air, hitting the wraith in the back. When the rock wraith turned around to see its new attacker, more bolts flew and struck its nerves. The wraith howled, but the bolts did no more than burn away once they touched the reddened nerves. The ancient rock wraith made its way over to Varric, eyes flashing anger. Varric aimed Bianca then fired several more bolts. They hit the wraiths eyes, making it stop in the middle of the room and put up its arms to deflect the projectiles. Its nerves then flashed again, this time glowing bright and getting brighter. Jordan could feel something was coming.
“Anders! Get Fenris!” she shouted, seeing the elf was still on the ground. Anders nodded towards her and ran to Fenris, grabbing and dragging him behind one of the pillars. He could sense something was coming as well.
Seeing the two were safe, Jordan then looked to Varric, but he wasn't moving out of the way. He stood, aiming Bianca at the ancient rock wraith again. The creature grew brighter and curled into a ball, the red of its nerves flashing out from between the boulders.
“Varric! Move!” Jordan ran out and pushed Varric behind one of the pillars just as the red light pulsed out from the ancient rock wraith. The light went all about the room, filling every space and destroying everything in its path. Only the areas behind the pillars were untouched, where everyone was with their backs to the stone. When the light died, Jordan peered around the pillar to see Anders and Fenris were all right, Fenris finally back on his feet.
“Andraste's tits!” Varric heaved. “What was that?”
“Something you don't want touching you,” said Jordan. “Now let's see—Ah!” The ancient rock wraith was still in a ball, but was now creating some type of vortex. Jordan was caught in the pull of the force as it dragged her toward the wraith. She fought it to keep from going forward, digging Edge into the ground to anchor herself. The boulders around the ball of the wraith's body then began to shift, and revealed to her the full glowing nerves and eyes. It stared at her, eyes flashing angrily as it tried to pull her in. Jordan could feel her grip on Edge loosening, its own grip on the ground loosening as well. Jordan wasn't sure how much longer she could hold on as she could feel the pull of the rock wraith getting stronger. An idea then came to her. Something that was crazy, but if she could pull it off, then it just might work. With the idea in her head, she then took Edge from the ground and let the force take her in.
Jordan screamed when something then grabbed her and yanked her from the rock wraith's force. She stared up to see Anders, with Justice's blue eyes staring down at her. “Why did you do that?” she yelled at him. “I was about ready to kill the thing!”
“You were about ready to die,” Justice growled. “I do not know what this thing is, but I do know Anders would not wish for you to die from it.”
“I know how to kill it,” Jordan said as she stood. “We just need to make it mad again. Then when it starts pulling things in, let it take me!”
“Why?” Fenris asked.
“Because it's the only way.” She flashed Edge before them. “I need to get close enough.”
“I think I understand.” Fenris then looked to the ancient rock wraith which was beginning to reform. “It shall be done, Hawke.” With a cry, he then ran out to it, hitting one of its boulders with his sword several times to get its attention.
“You are the most foolish mortal I have ever known,” said Justice as he glared at her.
“Of course it's a foolish idea,” she said. “But can you think of a better one?”
Justice sneered and said nothing more. He then charged out at the wraith, firing spells to also get its attention and to confuse it. Jordan soon joined them, followed by Varric once he realized what they were doing. Both he and Justice stood to the side, doing what they could to distract and annoy the ancient rock wraith. Fenris and Jordan danced around it, avoiding its hands and feet, keeping from getting crushed as they struck it with their swords. Fenris had it locked on him the most as Jordan went around, trying to find places she could stick Edge into and try to trigger another one of its attacks. Eventually the ancient rock wraith's nerves began to flash and glow a bright red again after Varric had repeated what he did before, along with help from Justice. Seeing what was about to happen, Jordan yelled at all of them to move behind one of the pillars just as the wraith curled and exploded out its red pulse.
Jordan had her back to the pillar, feeling the heat of the pulse as it passed by her on both sides. The heat and strength of it was immense, even more so than the first time the wraith had done it. Jordan wondered if eventually the pulse would be strong enough to destroy the pillars, and if they went, then so would she and her friends. This had to be done now, otherwise they may not get another chance.
Once the light died, Jordan wasted no time removing herself from behind the pillar and letting the pulling force of the rock wraith take her. She fell to the ground, but stabbed Edge in to stop herself. Again the boulders shifted to reveal the glowing nerves. Jordan waited, seeing as the eyes grew dark and the pull intensified. She then pulled Edge out from the ground and flew right in. Edge went first, going straight into the ancient rock wraith's middle. Jordan kept both her hands on Edge's hilt, feeling as her blade absorbed the power of the nerves. Both blade and nerves grew bright red, the light expanding. Pain began to shoot through Jordan, starting from her hands then going through her arms and into her body. Everything was numb, but painfully so. She screamed, wanting to let go, but couldn't. The light grew brighter, the pain intensified. There was an explosion and Jordan was pushed out. She went flying through the air, only getting a quick glimpse of the boulders that had been the ancient rock wraith's body collapse to the ground. The last thing she remembered was hearing her skull crack against the wall.
***
Jordan...! Jordan...!
Things were hazy, unfocused and confusing. Jordan thought she heard someone yelling her name, but she wasn't sure. Her eyes opened to reveal a spinning world, one that made her dizzy and sick. She closed them. Her body ached, protested against her as she tried to move. Everything burned, sharpness spiking through her nerves.
Jordan...!
Hawke...!
She opened her eyes again to see three figures running toward her. They scrambled to her side, careful with their touches as they moved her. She moaned from the movement, wanting to scream from the pain, but unable. Jordan looked to each one of them, but didn't recognize their faces. Each was blurry and distorted. She wanted to speak, but her throat felt thick and dry.
Hang on, Jordan. Stay with me.
One of them hovered his hands over her, a blue glow coming from his palms. His voice was distant and wavy, his face different as she could have sworn he had blue eyes, not brown. Things then began to focus, the faces coming into view and becoming more recognizable. Anders moved his hands down her body, everyplace they went, sending cooling comfort as they took away the pain.
“Hawke, are you with me?” A hand lightly slapped her checks, bringing Jordan back into full focus. She shook her head, staring up at Varric as he sighed with relief seeing her coming back. “Maker's breath! Don't scare us like that again.”
“Did it work?” Jordan asked, her voice warn.
“It was crazy and stupid,” said Fenris. “But yeah, it worked.”
“Good.” Jordan laid her head down and closed her eyes as Anders finished his work. When she felt he was done, she looked over at him, seeing he wasn't happy. “Sorry. But you knew it had to be done.”
“Couldn't you have just thrown Edge like you did the last time?” he said.
“I could have,” Jordan said as she sat up slowly, Varric helping her. “But then I wouldn't have the chance of having your hands all over me.” She smiled innocently at him.
Anders huffed. “Stay down. You're not ready to get up just yet.” Both he and Varric helped to place her sitting against the wall. Jordan sighed and laid her head back and closed her eyes, allowing her body to rest.
“Hawke.”
Jordan opened one eye to see Fenris staring down at her. He almost looked concerned. “Yes?”
“I...” he said. “I believe I might have seen something during the battle on the far side of the room. I'm going to investigate.”
“What do you think you saw?” she asked, fully staring at him.
“I don't know.”
“Alright, go ahead. Varric, go with him.”
The elf and dwarf nodded as they both went together to the other side of the room. Jordan placed her head again against the wall. She then looked up to see Anders standing over her, his eyes looking about the room.
“So... apparently you don't want me getting hurt?” she said.
He peered down at her. “None of us really want that.”
“I'm sure, but it's just the way Justice said it...”
There was a small groan in his sigh. “I don't like you getting hurt because when you do, it's big. You don't just get scratches. Healing you is a lot of work. I kind of wish you would be more careful.”
Jordan laughed. “You sound like my sister.”
“Then she knows how I feel.”
“It's okay, Anders,” Jordan smiled. “You're allowed to care about me.”
Anders stared at her for a moment. “I don't like it when the others get hurt either, you know.”
“I'm sure. But you always seem to rush to me first.”
He looked away from her.
“Hawke!” Varric cried from the other side of the room. “Hey, I think you should come take a look at this!”
“Coming!” Jordan yelled back. She pushed her back against the wall for leverage as she stood. Anders soon helped her and once she had her balance, they both went over to where Varric and Fenris were.
They had gone into an alcove located on the other side of the room from where they had entered. Next to it was a door that Jordan hoped was the one the demon told them about. As they got closer, she noticed the door was locked, and it wasn't going to be easy to open without the key. She only hoped the key was somewhere in the room, and they would be able to find it.
Once they reached the alcove entrance, Jordan looked in and her jaw dropped. It was deep, and in it was nothing but treasure. The floor was completely covered. There were many chests, some closed while most were open and overflowing. She saw gold coins, jewels and jewelry, and many other different types of valuable items. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. If they were able to get back to the surface, then this expedition wouldn't have been for nothing.
“Look at all this,” said Varric. “There's enough here to not only pay you back your fifty sovereigns, but probably also to buy your family mansion and have enough left over for whatever you want!”
“Yeah...” Jordan said as a smile curved up her face. “But don't forget the three of you should take what you want as well.”
“I don't really need much,” said Fenris.
“Nor do I, really,” said Anders.
“I'll just take enough to pay-off your portion of my tab, Hawke,” said Varric.
“You three,” Jordan said, shaking her head. “Don't make me look like the greedy one now.”
“This was your expedition, Jordan,” said Anders. “We just went along for the ride.”
“Alright,” Jordan sighed. “But I won't take everything. We'll also give something to the others, too. Now, go ahead and grab what you can. Even though I would like to, I know we won't be able to take it all. Also look for a key that would open the door. I'm hoping it'll be in here somewhere. Maybe in one of the closed chests. I'll get started opening them.”
Jordan went to one of the closed chests and began trying to pick the lock. The others went into the alcove and began scooping up whatever they could grab. They went after the coins and jewels, filling pouches, while also examining some of the larger items, seeing which ones might be more valuable and which ones they would be able to carry. Fenris emptied one chest before he went to another that was closed. He tried to open it but found it to be locked. Seeing Jordan was busy trying to open a second chest, he decided he would try something before calling her over. Taking his hand, he illuminated the markings upon it and gingerly phased it through the lock portion of the chest. It was strange feeling, considering he had never phased through anything other than flesh, but as he was about ready to pull his hand out, the lock clicked and the chest opened. When he looked inside, the chest was nearly empty except for one item.
“Hawke.”
“Huh?” Jordan looked up from the chest she had just opened to see Fenris staring at her, a dagger in his hands. “What do you have?”
“I believe I found your new dagger. If it is acceptable for you.” He handed it to her, and Jordan examined the interesting looking blade. It was in a brown leather sheath, the hilt a darker brown and curved. At the end, strapped in by the leather was a large ruby. When Jordan removed the sheath, the blade was also red, shiny, and curving the opposite direction of the hilt with the sharp side curved out. She peered at the blade, tested it in her hand along with Edge. The two contrasted each other, blue to red, but they seemed to work together.
“You don't think this is made out of that red crystal, do you?” Jordan asked as she let the others see it.
“No, that's just red steel,” said Anders. “I think you would know if it was the crystal or not.”
“Looks dwarven, too, but not really that old,” Varric said as he also examined it. “Or at least not as old as this thaig is.”
“A lot of the treasures in here don't look nearly as old as the thaig. I'm guessing the rock wraiths are probably collectors.”
“If so then they may not like us taking their stuff.”
“They won't harm us,” said Jordan. “Not as long as I have Edge. And now I have this.” Jordan held the red blade out in front of her. “Hmm, I think I'll call it Fury, due to the color. It looks like a mean blade.”
“I think it'll work,” Varric agreed.
“Thanks, Fenris,” Jordan said as she placed Fury on her back next to Edge. “That was a good find.”
“You are welcome.” Fenris nodded then went back to collecting things into his pack. They went about collecting and packing until their packs and any crevice they could find was near to bursting. After they were done, they then went about looking for the key, finally finding it amongst a pile of silver coins. It took some time, but eventually they were able to force the door open, showing them a pathway that lead them back to the Deep Roads. They all sighed in relief when they reached a familiar area, the place where Bartrand had them set up camp before betraying them. The camp was deserted now, with no one in sight.
“I'd say this is our way back,” said Varric.
“Thank the Maker,” Jordan sighed. “So how long do you think it'll take to get back?”
“If we're unlucky, maybe a week.”
“And if we're lucky?”
“We stumble over Bartrand's corpse on the way.”
“Oh that would be lovely,” Jordan mused. “So let's get started on our way back. I don't really want Mother and Bethany to be waiting any longer than they already have.”
***
It was little over a week before they finally entered Kirkwall again. Jordan took in a deep breath, glad to be breathing in the rotten, Lowtown air. It was less stifling than the Deep Roads, and the smell wasn't as bad as Jordan remembered. But in comparison, nothing really smelled as bad as the Deep Roads, or felt as tight.
“Home, sweet home,” Varric said as he looked around and smiled. “Finally. I wonder if Bartrand came back to the city. You think I'd be that lucky?”
“If Bartrand came back to the city, then that should mean my uncle is dead,” said Jordan. “And I highly doubt both.”
“You never know. Gamlen does have a lot of enemies...”
“That would be lucky, wouldn't it? But luck really hasn't been our strong point so far.”
“I don't know about that. The treasure we found in that thaig far outstrips Bartrand's stupid idol. He'll be green with envy when he finds out. As soon as I get the chance, I'll look up my contacts to make sure we get the best price. Don't worry about a thing, Hawke. I'll make sure you get what you deserve, and more. The Amell mansion will be yours in no time.”
“I trust ya, Varric,” said Jordan. “If anyone can get the maximum for what we pulled out of the Deep Roads, then it would be you.”
“I'll go ahead and get started then. I'm sure you're wanting to get home and tell the family.”
Jordan stared down the street, happy to be home. “Indeed I am. Let them know I'm still alive and that I've just made us rich.” Jordan said good-bye to Varric, as well as to Fenris and Anders who were eager to get back to their own homes and rest. Jordan made her way through Lowtown, a smile on her face as she thought of all the things she would do with the money. Not only would she make sure she bought the mansion, if it was needed, but she was going to make sure her mother and sister had a life they deserved. They would become nobility, and in Hightown, Jordan wouldn't have to worry so much about them. They would also have enough money to buy off any who might go running to the templars if it was ever discovered Bethany was a mage.
As she came up to her uncle's house, Jordan stood out in front of it for a moment. Nothing about it had changed in the long time she'd been gone. She found that to be a good sign. Yet when she opened the door and saw the inside of the house, she noticed something had changed. It made her heart stop.
When the door opened, Leandra popped out of her seat and stared at Jordan. When she realized it was her daughter, Leandra brightened and rushed over to hug her. “Oh, Jordan! Thank the Maker you've returned to us safely. I was so worried.”
Jordan hugged her mother back, but her eyes were kept on the stranger who had been sitting at the table with Leandra. As Jordan peered, she noticed the man wasn't a stranger after all, but was Ser Cullen. “I'm glad to see you too, Mother,” Jordan said as she slowly pulled away from Leandra and stared Cullen down.
Cullen rose from his seat. He was dressed in full templar attire, even carrying his sword and shield. “It's good to see you back, Serah Hawke,” he greeted.
“I'm not exactly sure it's the same for you,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
“Jordan,” Leandra said softly.
Jordan ignored her mother, not liking the situation. Gamlen was in the background, next to the fire. He kept as far away from the situation as he possibly could. Chance was also next to the fire, his head fully down and his ears flat. He whined a little as his big, sad looking eyes gazed in Jordan's direction. The only one Jordan didn't see was Bethany. “Where's Bethany?”
“She's why I'm here,” Cullen stated.
“No,” Jordan growled. “She's not why you're here. So I suggest if you want to keep your life, you leave. Right now.”
“I'm afraid I can't do that.” Cullen stood his ground, even with Jordan staring him down. “Your sister is an apostate. She must come with me to the Circle.”
“She is not going anywhere! Especially not with you!”
“Jordan, don't.”
Jordan had went to grab Edge and Fury, but stopped when she heard her sister's voice. Standing in the doorway to their room, she saw Bethany wearing the robes of a Circle mage in Kirkwall. She almost couldn't believe what she was seeing. “Bethany, why are you wearing that?”
“Because it was my choice,” she said, coming into the main room and standing in front of Jordan. “I chose this. I went to Ser Cullen and told him I wanted to be placed in the Circle.”
“What?” Jordan said, her heart stopping for a second time. “H-How? Why?”
“Please don't do anything,” Bethany pleaded as she held her sister's shoulders. “Because I'm going willingly, Cullen won't punish our family. He also allowed for me to stay here until you arrived, so I could say good-bye. And... to release you.”
“No,” Jordan said as she shook Bethany off. “You are not going!”
“She has too,” said Cullen.
“Over my dead body!” Jordan yelled.
“Jordan, please,” Bethany said as she kept her sister from advancing on the templar. “This is what's best for all of us.”
“What's best?” Jordan said, staring into Bethany's eyes. “This is not what's best! You staying with us is what's best. I found our fortune in the Deep Roads, Bethany. We have enough money now to leave this dump and move into Hightown.”
“You and Mother will, but not me.” Bethany dropped her arms to her side. “You knew that eventually this would happen. I'd be found out and sent to the Circle. At least this way it's happening on my own terms. Maybe they won't immediately kill me because of it.”
“They aren't going to do anything because you're not going.”
“Jordan, this is what needs to be done. The Circle is where I belong. And you won't have to suffer because of me any longer.”
Jordan stared at her sister with wide eyes. “I do not suffer because of you!”
“You think I don't know what you do for me, but I actually do. All the sacrifices you've made, all the torment you've put yourself through just to keep me safe. I know what you did with that captain to get us here, and to keep him from taking me straight to the Gallows. I don't want to be responsible for putting you through something like that anymore.”
“Bethany,” Jordan said as she then grabbed her sister's shoulders. “Those were my choices. I made them because I love you and would do anything to protect you. Remember? I made that promise a long time ago.” She held up her right index finger, and Bethany stared at it sadly.
“That was a promise you should have never made, Jordan.”
“No-”
“And it's the reason why I wanted to wait for you to return home. I'm releasing you from it so you won't have to suffer anymore. You're free now, Jordan. Do with your life what you wish. You won't have me as a burden anymore.”
“But you're not a burden!” Jordan screamed.
“I only wish that was true. Cullen,” Bethany said as she looked away from Jordan. “We can go now.”
Cullen nodded. “As you wish.”
Bethany hugged her sister then kissed her mother on the cheek before making her way out of the house. Jordan was too shocked to know what to say or even to move. She stared off at her sister as she stood outside, looking downcast.
“I'm sorry,” Cullen said to Leandra as he passed by her. “But this is the right thing to do. You know this.”
“I know you're only doing what you must, ser knight,” Leandra said, tears running down her cheeks. “But she's my daughter, and I can only think the best place for her to be is with me.”
“Eventually they all must leave the nest. At least this way she's not being forced and dragged out in chains. With me, your daughter will be safe. I promise you that, if it'll give you any comfort.”
Leandra closed her eyes and nodded as more tears rolled down from her eyes.
Cullen bowed to her, then looked to Jordan. They stared at each other for a moment before he finally went through the door and closed it, he and Bethany departing.
Once the door closed, Leandra collapsed, her cries and tears intensifying. “Oh Bethany! No... no...”
“Mother,” Jordan said as she went to her. “I...”
“I can't believe this. I can't believe she's really gone.” Leandra stood and with Jordan's help sat at the table. Her face was streaked red.
“How did this happen?” Jordan asked. “Why did you let her do this?”
“I didn't know,” Leandra sighed. “She didn't tell me until Ser Cullen was right at our doorstep.”
“Damn it!” Jordan heaved. She spun to the door, staring at it hard. She began looking about the room, trying to think of something, anything. “Why did I not take her with me? If she had come with me to the Deep Roads, then this wouldn't have happened!” Jordan began to pace, her mind whirling.
“It's not your fault, Jordan,” Leandra said as she wiped away some tears.
“But it is. I'm her big sister! I'm suppose to protect her!” Jordan stopped and stared at the door again. “I need to get out of here.”
“Jordan, no!” Leandra cried. “Please don't go. I can't lose you too.”
“You won't lose me, Mother.”
“Then stay.”
“I... I just can't be here right now. I need to think.” Without looking at either her mother or uncle, Jordan walked out of the house, not knowing what she was going to do.
***
Darktown seemed very quiet, or at least it did to Anders when he woke the morning after returning from the Deep Roads. Everything seemed quieter. The consent whispering of the darkspawn down in the depths was almost maddening. It was one of the many reasons why he didn't like going down in the Deep Roads. The whispers were impossible to get away from. But now there was blissful silence, nothing to insult his senses as he walked through his clinic and to the entrance. There, the bright orange light of a rising sun shined through the giant windows next to his clinic, lighting everything brilliantly. Even the hunched over figure right on his doorstep.
Anders peered at the figure, seeing it curled in a fetal position, messy brown hair covering its face. Hair that was very recognizable, a leather jerkin that he knew only one person wore. “Jordan? What... what's going on?” He went to her, crouching down and seeing her hands holding her head. When she looked up at him slowly, her eyes were bloodshot, empty. She looked horrible.
“Hi...” was all she could muster to say.
“Jordan?” Anders tried to pry her hands from her head, but her fingers tangled in her hair, making it even worse than it was. “Please, Jordan, tell me what's wrong.”
He didn't like seeing her like this. It wasn't right nor was it her. He also didn't understand. Why was she like this? He thought she would be happy after their success in the Deep Roads. Even with Bartrand's betrayal, they had all still gotten out unscathed and with enough treasure to ensure Jordan getting back her family's estate.
When she didn't answer, Anders began trying to check her. He wondered if he had missed something. The thought she had contracted the taint raced through his mind. He had checked her thoroughly before coming back to Kirkwall. Then, and even now, he could not feel any taint in her, which he breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Hey,” he said finally being able to get her to fully look at him. “Can you tell me what happened? This isn't like you.”
“She's gone,” Jordan whispered. “They took her.... I couldn't stop them.”
“Who?”
“Bethany... they took her, the templars. Oh, Maker! I can't believe she's gone.”
Hearing this, seeing how she was, seeing her eyes trying to cry dry tears made Justice begin to stir within him. Anders had to fight hard to keep him from exploding forth, running to the Gallows and rescuing Bethany from the nightmare she was in now. He had to fight hard to keep himself from doing the same thing.
“When?”
“Last night, when I returned. They were waiting in the house for me to return. She didn't want to leave without saying good-bye.”
“What? When has any templar let that happen?”
“Cullen just did. She went willingly. I tried... I tried to stop them, but... Maker, I failed.” Jordan's head fell to her knees, new sobs shaking her body.
Anders didn't know what to do. Why would Bethany go willingly? Did she even know what she had done to her sister? At that moment he wasn't sure if he still wanted to go rescue Bethany or wanted to hate her from making Jordan feel horrible. He caught a whiff of the ale surrounding Jordan, realizing she had probably been out all night drinking.
“Come on,” he said softly as he pulled her to her feet. “Come inside. You need to sober up, then we can talk.”
“What's there to talk about?” Jordan sobbed, following Anders. “I failed, end of story! I should be dead!”
“No you shouldn't, now sit here.” Anders placed her down on one of the cots before going over to the back room where he kept most of his potions. Finding what he was looking for, he brought it out to her. “Drink this.”
“Will it bring Bethany back?”
“No.”
“Then why should I?”
“It'll make you feel better.”
“I don't want to feel better. I want to feel miserable.”
“Please drink it.” He held the potion in her face, forcing Jordan to take it. She looked down at the contents, seeing the yellow liquid within.
“Why did I have to leave her behind?” Jordan whispered. “She would've been with me, fine, safe. Nothing to worry about.”
“I wouldn't say that,” Anders said sitting next to her. It hurt him to see her like this. Hurt even more to keep Justice from bursting out of him. But he knew he needed to be there for Jordan. “You never know what could've happened in the Deep Roads. She might've caught blight.”
“Would that have been better than being in the Gallows?”
This made Anders laugh. “You know, I'm not sure. When I became a Grey Warden, I thought it was a much better alternative to being forced back in the Circle. But now... I would have to say no.”
Jordan stared off at the other side of the room, still holding the potion. “I don't know what to do anymore.”
“How about you start by drinking that, then we'll take it from there,” said Anders.
Jordan looked down at the contents again before taking a deep breath and drinking them down. She could immediately feel the affects as the potion spread through her body, calming her, warming her. She had felt so cold before.
Gently Anders helped to lay her on the cot as she began to drift away. He grabbed a blanket and draped it over her, seeing as the potion worked to put her to sleep. He stood and stared at her for a moment. He didn't even know what to do himself. Everything seemed so chaotic now when he thought all was fine. Now, Jordan was distraught, Bethany was in the Gallows, and he felt there was nothing he could do for any of them.

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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