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Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4559 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 35
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- 37
Courtesy

If there was one thing that had changed since Fenris settled himself into the mansion of his former master, it was that the place had actually become dirtier. Jordan stood in the middle of the main entrance as she looked around at the collection of junk still littered about the area. Fenris had cleaned up nothing, not even the broken glass under the windows. She couldn't be sure, but Jordan figured the mansion was even more dirtier than if no one was living in it. Secretly or not.
There was laughter coming from up the stairs. Jordan looked to the middle room to see light coming through the doorway from a fire burning. She snorted when she recognized the laughter. Isabela was up there, possibly doing what she did best. Jordan quickly made her way up the stairs and peered into the main bedroom that was Fenris's only living area.
“Are you sure you don't want to hear it?” Isabela teased. She was leaning over the couch Fenris was sitting on, casually flashing her teeth. “It really is a funny story. The look on the seneschal's face was priceless. Especially after he had learned what I did to his tax collector.”
“I'm sure it was,” Fenris said as he kept his eyes on the fire and not Isabela's cleavage dangling dangerously close to his face.
“Spoilsport,” Isabela said as she pinched his cheek. Fenris cringed away from her and she stood herself up straight. “I suppose if you don't want to hear it, then I'll leave you be. But you really do need to get out more. Why you want to squat up here in Hightown is beyond me.”
Fenris turned himself and saw Jordan standing in the doorframe. “I like the view.”
Isabela also turned to see Jordan. “Well, you know what,” she smiled. “So do I.”
“Thank you, Isabela,” Fenris said as he stood and began tending to the fire. “I appreciate what you did. You can go now.”
“Sure, sweet thing. If you need me for anything else, just ask. I'm always willing to help out a handsome elf. Especially one with your eyes.” Her smile was lethal before she made her leave, going past Jordan and winking at her. Jordan rolled her eyes as she passed. It was typical Isabela.
As Fenris tended to his fire, Jordan stared about the room, seeing that despite the horrible condition the rest of the mansion was in, this room actually looked habitable. There was a mattress in the far corner with a few blankets and pillows. The couch was new, or at least new to the room. The old one Fenris had thrown out, and found the new one somewhere and had dragged it in. The only thing Jordan noticed that hadn't seemed to change was the hole in the roof. She wasn't sure why Fenris hadn't fixed it or even covered it yet, but it was still there. Open to the sky with the morning sun shining down its rays.
“Was there something you wanted, Hawke?” Fenris asked.
Jordan took her gaze from the hole in the ceiling to see he was actually staring at her, his face neutral. “Do I always need something from you?” she asked with a smile. “Can it not just be me coming and seeing how my friend is doing?”
“With you?” he said, eyes narrowing. “No.”
It was true, she did need something from him, but she wasn't going to start with that. “I like what you've done with the place.”
Fenris grunted and turned back to the fire. “Is that suppose to be a joke?”
“You're not in a good mood this morning, are you?” Jordan said as she made her way over to the couch. “What happened? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the mattress?”
“No, it's just... I feel frustrated.”
“When have you not?”
Fenris glared at her, that familiar burning in his eyes evident. “Do you know how long it's been?”
Jordan blinked at him a few times. “How long it's been since... you've had my mother's peach pie?”
“No,” Fenris growled. “Since I came here. Since the last time Danarius sent hunters after me. It's been three years, Hawke. And no sign whatsoever!”
“Isn't that a good thing?” Jordan said confused. “Don't tell me you're disappointed!”
Fenris sighed as he sat himself down on a stool. “I just don't know what to do anymore. Running is all I ever knew. Whether Danarius is still after me or not, I'm not sure what I'm suppose to be doing right now. What do you do when you stop running?”
Jordan stared at him curiously. “Do you really not know?”
“My first memory is receiving these markings, the lyrium being branded into my flesh. The agony wiped away everything. Whatever life I had before I became a slave... it's lost. No,” he said as he stood and faced the fire once again. “I shouldn't trouble you with this. My problems are not yours.”
“Fenris,” Jordan said as she stood and went to him. “You're my friend, right? Whatever your problems are, they're mine as well.” She gave him her most genuine smile. It seemed to help as he glanced at her, his eyes softening. “Please tell me.”
“Did you know... Fenris isn't my real name.”
“I did not know that,” Jordan said, giving him her full attention. “You introduced yourself as Fenris, so that's what I assumed was your name.”
“In truth, I don't know what my real name is. Danarius named me Fenris, said the name suited me better. It means 'little wolf,' and that's what I was to him. Nothing more than a dog on a leash, waiting for him to release me and strike.” He grew quiet, and Jordan could feel the tension in him building again.
“What would you like to do, Fernis?” she asked. “Do you want to keep running? Something tells me you may not. Otherwise, you still wouldn't be here. Your obligation to me was paid when you went with me into the Deep Roads.”
“That's true, but... I guess I'm just trying to find purpose.” His eyes met hers, and she saw something in them she had never seen before. Something she didn't quite understand. “It's hard leaving you, Hawke. There's just something about you that's making me stay here.”
“So it's my fault you're still here?”
“Yes, I would have to say that's one of the main reasons.”
“Flatterer. You can't possible think I'll believe that, do you?”
He half-smiled. “You can believe what you will. I only speak the truth.”
“Alright, enough. You're going to make my head swell. And Varric does enough of that already.”
Fenris chuckled at her.
“So are you all right now?” Jordan asked. “Anything else you want to talk about that's been bothering you?”
“There's many things that bother me, but none I'm willing to discuss now. How about you go ahead and get to the point for why you really came here?” Fenris cocked one of his darker eyebrows up as he stared at her.
Jordan shifted her lower jaw. “Right. I suppose there's no use stalling any more. You know I went to the viscount today, yes?”
“I think I heard something like that from Varric.”
“He summoned me, said he received a message from the Arishok that said he wanted to speak with me. So at some point I'm suppose to go to the docks and have a nice little chat with his giantness.”
“Ah, and I suppose you want me to come with you so you don't make a fool of yourself. Is that it?”
“That's about the gist of it, yeah,” Jordan said as she looked up at the ceiling. “And I'm still trying to figure out if this is a bad or good thing. The Arishok, after all, sent out his men to find out who I was.”
“It could be either,” Fenris said as he thought. “To find out who you are, and to actually send out an Ashaad means you either impressed him, or you did something to insult him.”
“Which I believe I've done both.”
“True, but I think this might actually be a good thing,” Fenris said as he stood. “From what I saw last time we spoke with him, the Arishok was impressed by how many Tal'Vashoth you had disposed of.”
“But then afterwards I killed one of his karataam.”
“That is true.” Fenris stared at her as he thought some more. “I guess we'll just have to go and see. Were we going now?”
“I suppose,” Jordan frowned. “But not at the moment. I want to get more numbers before we go in. Just in case the Arishok does want to see me about killing his Qunari.”
“Again, I doubt that's the case, Hawke.”
“Let's hope you're right.”
***
Throughout the years, much of Lowtown had not changed. There were a few things that were repaired, while others became more dilapidated, but the one place that showed no sign of change at all was the Hanged Man. A tavern located right in the middle of Lowtown, it was the center point of anything important in that part of the city. Legal or underground. When one walked in the tavern they would see the same wooden walls, smell the same smoke and ale, hear the same patrons as they sat in their usual seats, drinking, playing, and laughing. As Jordan and Fenris made their way in, Jordan smiled to see the familiar sight of Varric, Isabela, and Merrill sitting in their usual table playing a game of Diamondback.
“Hawke! Elf! So glad you could make it!” said Varric as he saw the two of them make their way to the table. “Care to have a seat and join in?”
“Sounds tempting, Varric,” said Jordan. “What's the stakes?”
“Not much. At the moment, fifteen silvers, but if the two of you join, I'm sure it'll go up.”
Jordan was more than happy to join, but Fenris quickly cut her off.
“We can play later, Hawke,” he said. “Right now you have more important business.”
“More important than Diamondback?” Varric said, shocked by Fenris's words.
“For her, yes.”
“Fenris, you should really learn to relax more,” said Merrill. “Did I ever tell you how handsome you were?”
“What?” both he and Jordan said at once.
“Sure. Striking white hair, big green eyes, and... what else did you say, Isabela?”
“What is she doing?” Fenris asked Jordan.
“You're asking me?” Jordan said, just as surprised and confused as he was. She looked over at Merrill and saw her fluttering her eyes at Fernis.
“Kitten, Kitten,” said Isabela. “I don't think Fenris is the right one you should be practicing on. He's too advanced for you.”
“I thought if I repeated what you said, then it would be fine,” Merrill said, looking saddened.
“If you really want to, sweet thing, then I'll take you out and we'll find some nice worker elves you can use that charm on.”
“What are you teaching her, Isabela?” Jordan asked.
“I'm teaching her the essentials a woman needs to know in order to bag a man,” Isabela said as she stared at Jordan. “The poor girl was severally lacking. I thought if I took her under my wing then she may not be so lonely in that hovel of hers on cold nights.”
“Sounds like exactly what she needs,” Jordan laughed.
“Whatever it is, make sure she doesn't try it on me again,” Fenris sneered.
“Don't worry, Fenris,” Isabela smiled. “She won't.”
Fenris grumbled. “Can we get back to the point for why we're here.” He glared over at Jordan.
“Yeah, Hawke. Tell us what's going on,” said Varric.
“Well,” Jordan began. “I'm sure you know I went to the viscount's office this morning.”
“Of course.”
“He called me there because the Arishok wants to see me personally.”
“Really? You mean the Qunari were looking for you? I wonder why my sources didn't pick up on that?”
“Are you saying you knew about this?”
“I heard something along the lines that the Qunari were looking for someone in the city. Never found out a name, though, and never did I think it would be you. So is that what you're here for? Need us to go with you to see the Arishok?”
“It would be nice. The three of you care to join us?”
“You know I'll be there, Hawke.”
“Ooh, so is something actually happening again?” Merrill asked, excited. “Another adventure?”
“Maybe,” said Jordan. “We could be starting an adventure, or we could be walking into our deaths.”
“How's that different from any other time?”
“I guess there isn't a difference.”
“Then count me in!”
“And you, Isabela?” Jordan asked. “Are you coming with us to the Qunari compound?”
“Actually...” Isabela said as she stood. “I just remembered I have something I need to do. Don't think I don't want to go with you, it's just this is something important that I need to get done. Maybe I'll join you later, right now I need to get going. Good Luck!” Isabela had been talking fast, making her way around the table and past Jordan. She then sped her way out of the tavern before Jordan could say anything.
“I guess that means it's just the four of us,” said Jordan as she turned to the others.
“Really wished she hadn't left so soon,” said Varric. “We were in the middle of a good game.”
“Don't see why we can't finish it.” Jordan took Isabela's seat and looked at her cards. “Oh yes. We should definitely finish it.”
“Hawke, we shouldn't keep the Arishok waiting,” said Fenris.
“Oh, relax, Fenris. You're just as bad as Aveline. Come on, sit down. Varric, deal him in. We'll finish this game then be on our way. The Arishok doesn't even know we're on our way. He can wait a little longer. Besides, a game like this, with fifteen silver on the line, should not be wasted.” She gave him a cocky smile.
Fenris eventually relented and sat himself across from her. Varric dealed him in and the stakes went up.
***
After several rounds of Diamondback, and after Fernis won twenty-five silver, the small group was finally on their way to the docks where the Qunari compound was located. Jordan lead the way, making her way down the long steps that lead from the lower part of Lowtown to the docks. When they finally reached the end, they only had to go a few feet to the left before they came to the compound that held the Qunari. Outside the gate stood a single sentry, the only thing on him that was moving were his eyes as they scanned the area and followed any who passed by until they were out of sight. As Jordan and the others approached, his eyes quickly snapped to her and stayed fixed.
“Uh... Greetings,” said Jordan. “My name is Jordan Hawke, and--”
“You have been expected, basra,” the Qunari said in his deep voice. “The Arishok awaits for you. You may enter.” He stepped aside and the gate behind him was opened by two other Qunari. Jordan straightened herself and walked right through, determined to show the Qunari no weakness.
The compound hadn't changed much either since the last time Jordan had entered. She did notice there was, perhaps, a few less Qunari, but that wouldn't prove much if they decided to attack her. She could feel each of the ashen-skinned giants' eyes on her and her friends who were right behind her. Their stares were fierce, penetrating, but Jordan kept her composure. Showing any kind of weakness to these powerful creatures would be a death sentence.
As she approached the Arishok, the largest and possibly the most powerful Qunari of them all, she began to phrase the words she would say in her mind that Fenris had told her to say as they made their way here. She hoped she would be able to pronounce them correctly, but she had been having trouble. The language of the Qun was not an easy one to learn.
Jordan went to make the gesture of the Qunari greeting, but was interrupted before she could even move her hand or speak a word.
“Serah Hawke,” said the Arishok, his voice deep and gravely.
“Yes?” Jordan said, completely forgetting everything Fenris had told her. She couldn't see it, but she could tell he was glaring at her.
“You have come. Good.” The Arishok looked down at her from his high seat. His eyes dark and unreadable. His face completely devoid of any emotion, as was the sound of his voice. “Last we met, I did not know your name. Did not care to. You have changed your fortune over the years. The Qunari have not. I offer a courtesy, Hawke. Someone has stolen what he thinks is the formula for gaatlok. You will want to hunt him.”
“Hmm? Gaatlok?”
“The Qunari explosive powder,” Fenris whispered to her.
“Oh!” Jordan said, realizing what the Arishok was talking about. “I see. So is that why you asked for me? Because you want me to find this thief.”
“You already know who he is,” said the Arishok.
“I do? Oh, I guess... You're thinking it was the merchant, Javaris?”
“He was the only one who kept trying to obtain what was not his to claim. But it was not the gaatlok he stole. The stolen formula was a decoy. Saar-qamek—a poison gas, not explosives. A small amount is dangerous enough to your kind. But if made in quantity...”
Jordan's eyes went wide. “Then he could pretty much threaten the whole city.”
“A courtesy, Hawke. You will want to hunt him.”
Jordan had to think for a moment. This was serious news, especially if this poisonous gas was made and distributed by mistake. Although she couldn't quite picture Javaris pulling off the theft. It was possible he might have done it, but she hadn't heard from him for years. “Something doesn't seem right,” she said out loud. “Was Javaris actually spotted stealing the formula? It took him long enough to come up with this.”
“Others have asked for the gaatlok, but only he chose to delude himself beyond 'no,'” the Arishok gestured. “Is three years so long to a hateful fool? I have no way of understanding such weakness. His crime seems obvious. Further evidence could be the deaths of many. I wouldn't wait.”
“And the effects of the gas? What does it do, exactly?”
“It is not a threat to Qunari. For your kind, it is as dangerous as those who breathe it.”
“No riddles, please.”
“The gas kills, but first it turns allies against their own in blind rage. So, the greater the skill of those sent against us, the more dangerous they become to their own people.”
“And you thought using that as a decoy was better than letting them get a hold of the gaatlok?”
“The gaatlok must be protected at all costs,” the Arishok said, still with no emotion. “The Qun demands every Qunari must protect it with their lives. It is not so with the saar-gamek. But it is no longer our problem. That is why I asked for you. You are capable, but I have yet to decide if you are capable of understanding. Save your streets from this fool dwarf. Then we will talk. Panahedan, Hawke. It will be interesting to see if you die.” The Arishok then lend back and gestured for them to leave. Jordan bowed before she quickly made her way out of the compound.
“This is interesting,” she said outside of the gate as the sentry Qunari closed it. “What in Thedas could Javaris be thinking?”
“I don't think he was,” said Varric. “He doesn't seem the type to think.”
“You don't happen to know where we might find him, do you?”
“No, I haven't been keeping track of him,” Varric heaved. “Kind of wish I had now. Wait, I did hear about a merchant sell off. Not sure if it was him, but that normally doesn't happen unless someone is in a hurry to leave. Maybe if we checked with the Coterie, we might be able to find out where he went.”
“Right. You think you can get on that, Varric?”
“Sure. I'll just need to head back to the Hanged Man to speak with some of my contacts.”
“Alright. Fenris, Merrill,” Jordan said as she looked at the two elves. “Go with him. I know this is something that's important, and we need to find Javaris before he decides to use the formula, but there's something more important I need to do first.”
“You need to go see your mother, don't you?” Merrill asked.
“Yeah, I do. Otherwise, something worse may happen than the whole city going crazy and everyone tries to kill each other. Oh wait, doesn't that already happen on a daily basis?”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
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Blood Promise