Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

Blood Promise	By : Hikari86 Category: +A through F > Dragon Age (all) > Dragon Age (all) Views: 4559 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything Dragon Age. I claim no ownership and make no money/profit.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
The Price of Admission

The trip to Kirkwall from Gwaren was long and tedious, lasting for nearly three weeks. Jordan and her family found they were not the only ones to be taken from the Blight. There were many other families, refugees, who were doing the same thing they were. All of them were forced in the cargo hold below deck, cramped with barely any room or privacy. The only time they were allowed on deck was for an hour a day, but the hour was always random, and sometimes not even an hour. Whenever the crew told them to go back in the cargo hold, they had to go without question. Otherwise there were consequences for not listening.
One day, the crew threw a man overboard for refusing to go back into the hold. He was old and tired, not wanting to go back in the cramped space. The man had held onto the ship's railing, screaming for them to let him stay a little longer. Two crew members went and pried him off before throwing him over the railing and into the sea. His wife and daughter watched in horror as he thrashed in the water, the waves crashing over him. They begged the crew to save him, but all they did was drag the wife and daughter back below deck, and throw them in the cargo hold.
Jordan and Aveline had watched, both wanting to do something, to intervene and save the old man, but neither of them could. If they had, Jordan's family would've been next to exit the ship. It left a bad taste in Jordan's mouth to think she was exposing her family to such treatment. They didn't deserve to be held like animals, squished and hungry. Food was also another problem. There was very little to go around, and most of the time, Jordan went without. But for all the hardships, neither Bethany nor Leandra complained about their situation. They merely saw it as an obstacle they needed to overcome in order to be free of the Blight. A price they had to pay in order to be safe. Jordan was glad, however, that they stayed ignorant to the real price.
The four nights she was suppose to pay to the captain did happen, but not as she wished. Jordan had hoped they would be the first four nights out at sea, but that was hoping too much. Instead, they were whenever the captain wanted her, which was just as random as the hour to be on deck. When the nights came, a crew member would go down in the hold to retrieve her and bring her to the captain's quarters. There the captain would be waiting, and most of the time, didn't hesitate to get things started.
Jordan had already decided that she wasn't going to make them pleasurable. Instead, she was just going to lie there like a cold fish and let him do whatever he wanted. The first night, the captain tried to have her do things, but seeing she wasn't going to cooperate, ceased and went on with his business. It went on like that, each night being shorter than the next, with the last night being the shortest and least exciting. All the captain did was climb on, do his thing, then climb off in less than five minutes. Jordan was relieved to finally have it over with, but when she was called to the captain's quarters for a fifth time, she wasn't sure what to expect and prepared herself for the worst. When she arrived in his room, she waited for the crew member to leave and shut the door before asking the captain what he wanted.
“What do you want? I'm done with you.”
“What? So is that how you're going to greet the man that's taking your family away from the Blight?” he said with a slight smile. “I could have easily said no, even with that delicious offer you made. I could have also ignored your requests and had my men go after your sister. They've been dying to get with her, you know. She is very beautiful... and very special.”
Jordan didn't like where this was going, especially not with how the captain was sounding. “I will ask again, then. What do you want?”
The captain, seeing Jordan wasn't playing around lowered his smile. “Our last night didn't end very well. I think you should make that up to me.”
“You have got to be kidding, right?” Jordan huffed. “I gave you four nights. You never specified how long they would be. I've paid my dues. Unless you're wanting me to pay for my dog.”
“Oh no, that hound of yours has actually been very useful. Practically paid for himself with all the rats he's killed. In fact, I'm thinking next time I stop in Ferelden, I might get myself a mabari just for that reason.”
“If that's the case, then leave me and my family alone.”
“Oh I will,” he said stroking his chin. “Except that sister of yours... she's more than what she seems, isn't she?”
Jordan had turned around to leave, but stopped short and stared back at the captain. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
“I know, you want to protect her, right? That's why you offered yourself instead of her. I can understand a big sister wanting to do that. So I think you should still act the big sister and protect her one more time. You see, one of my men happened to see her doing a bit of healing on one of the refugees with a nasty wound. You remember that woman, right? The one that was on deck crying about her husband being thrown overboard. Well, when she 'fell' into the cargo hold, she broke her arm. I know, I saw the arm for myself. Nasty piece of work with the bone coming through the skin. By all accounts, she should be dead by now from infection, but she's not. Instead, last time I saw her, her arm was healed, bone back in and all. Now, I do have a healer on this ship for my men, but he's no mage, and when he looked over that woman's arm, there was no doubt in his mind that it was magic which had done it. Far as I know, there are no mages on my ship. But if my man really did see what he thought he saw, there could be a problem. Am I right?”
Jordan turned fully back around, finally seeing where he was going. It made her blood boil, and her fingers twitched, wanting to grab the small knife she kept on her belt. “There isn't a problem.”
“Not right now, but who's to say there won't be when we land at the Gallows? I can't guarantee neither me or my men won't go running to the templars. After all, the Gallows aren't well known for their fair treatment of mages. Are they?”
Jordan scolded. “You would really do that? How dare you! What's stopping me right now from bleeding you dry?” Her hand inched closer to her knife, not ever feeling so angry before toward a single man.
“What's stopping you?” the captain smiled. “We are two days away from Kirkwall. My men know you are in here with me, alone. So now you have two choices. You can either take my offer, which will just be this one night, and afterwards, I promise to leave you and your family alone. Or, you can kill me. But just know, if you come out of this room, and I don't, my men won't hesitate to go after you. They will know you killed me, and will go after you, your mother, your sister, and your friend without anything holding them back. And I'm sure you could fight back, and maybe even kill all of my men, but can you steer a ship? Do you think two days out you could find Kirkwall Harbor? Or any harbor for that matter? I don't think so.”
Jordan's hand fell back to her side as she realized he was saying the truth. Even if she could kill everyone on the ship, there was still the fact she had no idea how to sail. They would be stuck out at sea, with no idea how to get back to land. She had no choice.
“I'm not doing anything you say. Just get it over with.”
“Not tonight,” the captain said slowly. “I let you lay there and do nothing the first four nights, but now I think you owe me. You will do what I say, and if you fight back or do anything I don't like, your sister will be the one to pay. Do you understand me, sweetheart?”
She really did want to murder him right then and there, but instead she cooperated. Never did she speak a word, only did what he said, but without any gusto. She made it bland, unexciting, and anything but enjoyable.
Jordan found herself hateful, but not at her sister. No, she could never be mad at her sister for doing what she did best. Helping that woman was the right thing, and Jordan knew if she were a mage, she would have probably done the same thing. It's what their father would have done. The captain had been right, Jordan had seen the arm too, and the woman would've been dead by now from either an infection or blood loss. Bethany just did what she always did, like with Wesley, like with Fergus. She couldn't stand to see people suffer. It was one of the reasons why Jordan kept what she was doing from her sister. But as Jordan thought about it, as she placed her teeth around him, she realized that incident had happened nearly a week and a half ago. In between that time, Jordan had been with the captain twice, which meant he had been waiting for this. He probably even deliberately made the last night short just to play with her, trick her into thinking it was over and done with. But he knew better.
It made her blood boil again, made her want to bite down and rip the pathetic thing he had right off. But if she did, it would be her sister who would pay for it. Her mother, Aveline. She couldn't do that to them. Jordan was used to sacrificing many things in order to protect her family, especially since she became the patriarch. This, what she was doing at the moment was bad, but she had done worse, and she would continue to do it to keep them safe, no matter the cost to her.
***
The day they arrived at the Gallows, the crew allowed the refugees to go on deck. Jordan was the first to arise from the darkness that was the cargo hold. After she had returned two nights ago, they had not been allowed on the deck since, instead forced to stay down in the cramped space for the remainder of the trip. As everyone emerged, shielding their eyes from the bright light and stretching their tired limbs, the view of Kirkwall Harbor began to come into focus.
Kirkwall was known as the city of chains, and it lived up to it. They knew its history, that the city once was the capital of the Imperium slave trade. Here was where most slaves were taken first, brought to the Gallows where they were kept, locked and chained until departing again. Now the Gallows served as the city's Circle tower, but from what they heard, it was still a prison.
The harbor was surrounded by vast, vertical cliffs that formed a narrow passageway for boats to travel through, said to have been carved by magic. At the entrance were what was known as the twins: two statue's of slaves, hanging with their hands covering their faces, looking down. They faced each other, with more slave statues going down the passageway. Jordan stared up at the metal symbols, faces hidden by sadness and pain. Bodies shriveled and weak, clothing striped excepted for the tattered loin cloth wrapped around their hips. Back then they were used for intimidation and the breaking of wills. Today they were just relics of Kirkwall's dark past, but Jordan wondered if they were still used for the same purpose.
The cliff walls also had large open areas, like giant windows that revealed a whole undercity. She could see the tiny figures of people looking down at them, pointing and staring at the newcomers. Bridges and chains crossed the sky connecting the two sides. The passageway became more and more narrow, forcing ships to form single lines before finally making it into Kirkwall Harbor.
The harbor spread out wide in a massive area with the docks on one side and the Gallows on the other. The Gallows, a huge tower that blocked out the sun, stretching high with even more menacing and formidable statues of slaves and their masters. Jordan heard Bethany take in a breath as she looked up at the massive tower, at its grandness but also its intimidation. She could also feel Bethany's fear as their ship turned toward the Gallow's docks.
When the ship docked, the refugees were let off first, the ship's crew practically forcing them off. Jordan was happy to finally be off that ship, her feet touching the docks and knowing that now her family was safe.
“Not so fast, sweetheart.”
Jordan sighed heavily as she turned to see the captain behind her smiling. She said nothing.
“I'm not here to stop you,” he said. “Nor am I going to run off to the templars. I did make a promise, and even if I'm a scoundrel, at least I'm an honest one. Right, sweetheart?”
“Sure.”
“Look, I know you probably hate me, but I just wanted you to know I'm not planning on leaving Kirkwall for a few days. If you decide this city isn't for you, you can always come back on my ship. I won't charge you any coin. Just your lovely company.”
“Oh, really?” Jordan said smiling. “Because that would just be grand, knowing I have a ship waiting for me! And a captain that is willing to take me aboard.”
“Beautiful women are always welcome.”
“Ah, yes, especially beautiful women who would let you have your way with them.” Jordan got close to him, smiling sweetly and gazing into his eyes.
“That is always a plus,” the captain smiled back. “But they are allowed to have their way with me as well.”
“I'm sure there's some woman out there willing and wanting to have their way with your tiny dick and misconceptions on what a woman wants.”
The captain stared at her. “What?”
“You heard me.” Before the captain could back away, Jordan swiftly kneed him between the legs. He grunted and doubled over.
“You stupid bitch!” he cursed at her. “I'll have your sister in the Gallows for this!”
“But I thought you were an honest scoundrel? No? Well, then if that's the case, you can forget it. I'm never coming on your ship again.” She kicked him one more time, pushing him off the dock and into the water. He flared around, screaming for help while also continuing to curse her in between his head going under water. “Oh, did I forget sailors don't like to learn how to swim?” Jordan said staring down at him. “Oops.” Jordan smiled sweetly at him and waved before walking away. She heard behind her his men running down the dock to help their captain.
“Might I ask what that was all about?” Aveline asked as Jordan passed her.
“Oh, not much,” said Jordan. “Just a little tissle between me and the captain is all.”
“Jordan,” Aveline said crossing her arms. “I'm not stupid.” She stopped in the middle of the street and Jordan could sense it coming.
“I never said you were.”
“I know we've only known each other for a short time, but after what we went through, I already consider you a close friend. And those nights when you were taken by the crew, it wasn't to give them fighting lessons or tell stories of your time at Ostagar, was it?”
“Why couldn't it be? Some of the men did know who I was, after all. Just like you did.”
“Our short time together has also made it so I'm not readily able to believe your lies. I talked to some of the other refugees on the ship. Many of them had to pay a great deal in order to get on board. A lot more than you said we just had to pay. So tell me, Jordan... what was the real price?”
Aveline's intense gaze never left Jordan's even when she tried to look away. It was a futile attempt, as Jordan knew the warrior wasn't going to give up until she heard the truth.
“Alright, alright,” said Jordan. “You can stop staring me down, I'll tell you. The captain took our four sovereigns as well as a few nights with me as payment.”
“A few nights with you? How many?”
“Four. One for each of us.”
“And you accepted without question?”
“It was either me or Bethany and I certainly wasn't going to let him touch her!”
“That's not... ugh!” Aveline slugged Jordan in the arm.
“Hey!”
“How dare you do that! Especially if it was payment for me! I already told you in Gwaren if I needed, I would go out on my own. You did not need to torture yourself on my behalf.”
“Well I did, and there's no going back. It's not like he took my virginity or anything. I gave that away a long time ago. So don't hit me again.”
“I should, just for you being stupid, but... I guess you're right.” Aveline sighed heavily. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I think the question is what am I going to do with you,” Jordan said flexing her arm. “You hit harder than my brother.”
“Four nights, huh?” Aveline asked. “Then why were you gone for five? As I recall.”
“Oh, that,” Jordan heaved. “Damn bastard blackmailed me, basically. One of his men caught Bethany healing that one woman's arm. I had to give him... one last night so they wouldn't take her straight to the Gallows.” Jordan looked down at the ground, her fists clenching as she remembered that night. It would for now ever be etched in her mind. The way he made her do things, the way he went slow, torturous and sadistic. All to make her hate it.
“So was kicking him into the water payback?”
“Yes, although I wish I could've done more. Unfortunately if I did, he would run to the templars anyway. He also had the nerve to say I was allowed back on his ship anytime I wanted. Blighted bastard. Course, now that Bethany's safe, if I happen to see him again and he tries anything, I'm free to cut off his balls. Right?”
“Of course you are,” said Aveline. “Just one thing when you go do that: I want to come with you.”
“Why? So you can make sure I don't hurt him too badly?”
“No, because I want to help. No one treats my friends that way and gets away with it.”
“Thanks, Aveline,” Jordan laughed. “I'll make sure we're both there to teach him a lesson.”
“Yes, and next time this happens,” Aveline said getting serious again. “Don't keep it from me. I want to be involved.”
“Alright, Aveline, next time we have to get on a ship and the only way we can pay is with sex, I'll make sure you're in the know!”
“Jordan, I'm serious.”
“Yes, yes. So serious! Alright, but can you at least do one thing for me?”
Aveline looked at Jordan curiously.
“Don't tell my mother or sister.”
“You shouldn't keep this from them.”
“Maybe, but if they knew the price I paid, it would hurt them more.”
“Alright, I won't tell them. But I think we should get going. Leandra and Bethany are waiting for us at the gates.”
Jordan and Aveline made their way through the crowd of refugees, all from different ships, all from Ferelden fleeing the Blight just like they were. It was packed, and when they found Leandra and Bethany at the gates, they realized why.
“They're not letting anyone into the city,” said Aveline.
“What?” Leandra cried. “That can't be! Why are they not letting us in?”
“Because there's too many of us. The city is probably full. We came too late.”
“What a perfect thing to happen right after that trip,” said Jordan as she surveyed the area. “From what it looks like, I'm surprised we were even able to dock.”
“We need to find Gamlen,” Leandra said. “Our family has always been highly regarded in Kirkwall. He can do something, I'm sure of it.”
“Let's hope he received your letter,” Bethany sighed.
“Hmm, I think all the guards are reporting to that man,” Aveline pointed. “He must be the captain of the guard. Maybe if we speak to him, we can find some type of answer.”
“Right.” Jordan began walking straight to the man Aveline had pointed out, Chance right at her heels and Bethany and Aveline at her back. He was located right at the end of the stairs which lead up to the front entrance of the Gallows. She tried to ignore the massive building looming over her, but it was an impossible task. Especially to try and ignore the carved wall lining the stairs. Elves, slaves being tortured by their masters, whips snapping and the look of agony all over the slave's faces and bodies. As they got closer, Jordan noticed the man was speaking with soldiers, Ferelden soldiers as she recognized the armor they wore.
“Let us through, you flaming blighter!” one of them yelled. “We're not staying in this pit!”
“Then get back to your ship and leave,” said the captain. “Kirkwall has no more room for refugees.”
“The ship's already gone! We paid good coin to get here!”
“You and half of Ferelden. There's nothing I can do! The city if full!”
“Surely it's a big city,” Jordan said strolling into the conversation. “I'm pretty sure you have some extra room. Maybe a nice little crevice we could squeeze into?”
“No, we don't,” the captain glared at her. “We've been letting you Fereldens in for months. You're too late. There's no more room!”
“But, we have family here,” said Bethany. “Doesn't that mean anything?”
“I've heard claims like that a thousand times already,” he said while rubbing his face. “Trust me. We'll find some ships to take you all back to Ferelden—eventually. Until then, you stay here.”
“Well, you know,” Jordan said seeing how stressed out he was. “Wouldn't you rather us not be here? I mean, with us here constantly bothering you about getting in, it'll just stress you out more than you are! But, if you go find our Uncle Gamlen Amell, you might just have a few less refugees bothering you. How does that sound, hmm?”
“It sounds... but wait, did you say Gamlen? I know that name...”
“He's a nobleman here in the city,” Bethany added. “Our family has an estate.”
“What, a nobleman?” the captain laughed. “The only Gamlen I know is a weasel who couldn't rub two coppers together. Course, if he is your uncle... it would be nice to have some peace and quiet. Alright, I'll go look for him, and if he comes back, I'll bring you to him. But I don't have time--”
“What? You're going to let them through?” the soldier from before yelled.
“I didn't say anything about—”
“We've been here for four days! They just got here!”
“I guess that's just tough love for ya,” Jordan shrugged.
“I'll give you tough love! That's it! We're carving our way out of here. Men!” The soldier pulled out his sword, his men following as they prepared to attack the captain. The captain stared at them, unsure what to do.
“Maker's breath!” Jordan scolded. “Must you be so stupid?” She removed Edge and placed herself in between the soldier and the captain.
“Get outta my way, woman! I'm sick of being here! We're getting into that city no matter what!” He took a step closer to her, but Jordan never budged.
“I wouldn't get so close to me, if I were you,” said Jordan. “Men who have usually regret it later.”
“I'll give you something to regret, wrench! I'll--” He took a step, only to have Jordan plunge Edge in the angle of his neck and shoulder. The blade went in and out quick, Jordan than sweeping the blade across the soldier's throat and kicking his body to the ground.
“Anyone want to try and get close to me as well?” Jordan asked the remaining soldiers. They all shook their heads, replacing their weapons and backing up slowly.
“Unbelievable!” the captain sighed.
“Captain Ewald! Captain! Are you all right?” yelled a guard as he ran through the retreating soldiers.
“I am, no thanks to you,” Ewald said. “Where is everyone? Go find them. I want this kept under control!”
“Yes, ser.” The guard bowed and followed the soldiers, gesturing for other guards to join him.
Captain Ewald rubbed his face as he breathed out slowly before turning his attention back on Jordan. “You have my thanks for that, but look... I can't get you into the city. It's not my decision, but I'll find your uncle and bring him here.”
“Right, just find him,” said Jordan. “The faster you do, the faster we'll be out of your hair.”
“Actually, if you can do that to all the trouble makers, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to keep you around.”
“Gee, thanks for giving me a reason to stick around. Maybe next time I'll just let them kill you.”
“Alright, I get it. Just give me some time. Kirkwall isn't a small place, and Gamlen isn't an easy man to find sometimes.”
***
Three days had passed since Captain Ewald had gone into the city to look for their uncle Gamlen. Three days they stayed in the Gallow's courtyard, watching ships dock, more refugees getting off while others were put back on. All the while, sleeping on the hard stone of the courtyard floor, worrying they would be next to be placed back on the ships. They also worried about templars coming down from the Gallows, which was something they had noticed the whole time they were there. No where did they see any mages or templars. Jordan had asked one of the guards who told her they were staying in the Gallows while they used the courtyard to sort out the refugees. Eventually, the mages would be let back out, but not at the moment. It was a moment they wondered when would come as they kept Bethany mostly to the shadows and close to her mother and Chance while Jordan and Aveline were on the look out for Gamlen.
“It's been three days,” said Aveline, a little tense. “This waiting has to end.”
“I'm sure it won't be much longer,” Leandra said hopeful, even though she had said it every day several times. “Gamlen must still be looking for us.”
“And if he's not?”
“He is, I just know it.”
Jordan leaned herself against a pillar that held one of the slave statues, arms crossed and one foot propped. Bethany and Chance sat next to her, the hound curled up and asleep while her sister sat looking at the ground. Jordan had her eyes out across the courtyard, hoping to see someone out of place, a noble maybe, walking with Ewald. What she found, however, was not something she expected. She spotted Ewald coming across the courtyard with another man next to him, but he was no noble. Instead it was a man dressed in dirty clothes, gray hair slicked back, but somewhat messy. He looked old and beaten, nothing at all how she thought a noble should look.
“Don't look now, but I think that's our man.”
Ewald gestured to them in the corner and the man stopped to stare before seeing Leandra and raising his arms. “Leandra... is that really you?”
Their mother looked shocked as she stood to greet him. “Gamlen!”
“Damn, girl, the years haven't been kind to you,” he said as they hugged.
“Oh, Gamlen! I'm so glad you could find us.”
“Well it wasn't easy. Just as they're not letting you into the city, they're not really letting us into the Gallows. But... let me say up front, I wasn't expecting this. The Blight, your husband dead... I'd, ah, figured you'd pretty much be Ferelden for life.”
“I would have been,” said Leandra. “But things changed, though we came too late. My poor Carver didn't make it, Andraste guide him. But these are my daughters, Jordan and Bethany.”
Jordan and Bethany both nodded their heads to Gamlen who nodded back, an awkward moment for them all.
“Please Leandra, I really wish you hadn't've dropped this on me. I don't even know if I can help you get in.”
“I could try asking nicely again,” said Jordan. “Or would it help if I said you were my favorite uncle?”
“I highly doubt it,” Gamlen smirked. “But hearing you say that does make me feel better even if I'm your only uncle, but that's about it. I was hoping to grease some palms, but the knight-commander's been cracking down. We're gonna need more grease.”
“The knight-commander?” asked Bethany. “Why would the templars be the ones keeping people out?”
“That's just how it is,” said Gamlen.
“But... what about the estate?” Leandra questioned. “And our nobility. Doesn't that count for anything?”
“Right, about the estate...” Gamlen said nervous. “It's, uh, gone. To settle a debt. I've been meaning to write you...”
“What?” Leandra's eyes widened. “Gamlen... how?” She then shook her head and looked away from him before he could answer. “Never mind, I guess it doesn't matter now. There's no hope.”
“Not quite,” he said. “I know someone who might help... if you're not too delicate about the company you keep.”
Both Jordan and Bethany looked at each other puzzled.
“So there's no family fortune?” said Bethany.
“I don't get it,” Jordan followed. “Mother said our family was wealthy. You really can't help us?”
“I am blighted helping!” Gamlen nearly yelled. “I've got someone who is willing to help. She's got the coin to open the gates, all you have to do is work for her.”
“Work for who?” Jordan asked.
“A contact I have. It was one of the reasons why it took me so long to get here. She said she'd pay your way into the city. The catch is you and your sister have to work off the debt. For a year.”
“A year!” Leandra proclaimed.
“It's the best I can do,” said Gamlen. “Trust me when I say a bunch of refugees won't get a better option anywhere else.”
“That doesn't sound too bad, actually,” said Jordan. “What's a year? I'm sure we'll be free and clear before we know it.”
“See, you're looking at the bright side already. I managed to get her to come to the Gallows to meet you personally. Her name is Athenril... I guess you might call her a smuggler.”
“A smuggler?” Jordan questioned. “You know that actually doesn't surprise me. I thought maybe working for an honest merchant or something like that would be too much to hope for.”
“Did you really think it was going to be pretty work?” Gamlen said crossing his arms. “Athenril's a pretty small fish compared to some of the other thieves' guilds around here. But she's tough, she's fair and she never deals in slaves or flesh.”
“I guess that doesn't sound too bad,” Jordan said slowly. “What do you think, Bethany?”
“I think it's the only option we have,” she said. “I just don't want to go back to Ferelden or wait here any longer.”
“And you, Aveline?”
“So you're actually going to let me have a say this time?” Aveline asked. “I don't like it, and I will not allow others to incur debts on my behalf.”
“I hope you don't think you're going to leave us,” said Leandra. “But I guess it's your choice.”
Aveline half smiled at Leandra before looking at Jordan. “Like I said, I don't like it, but I don't have any real option. This time I will be paying for my own way.”
“Glad to hear it,” Jordan smiled. “So Gamlen, you said Athenril is in the Gallows? We'll go find her and have a nice little talk, then.”
“You go do that,” said Gamlen. “She should be somewhere around.”
Jordan nodded and she and her sister, Aveline and Chance went to go look for the smuggler.
“Oh Gamlen, I don't like this,” Leandra said lowering her head again.
“It's a lot of coin, Leandra,” said Gamlen. “Don't go expecting our name to carry the kind of weight it used to.”
Jordan didn't like hearing her mother sound so sad, and she still had to wonder how Gamlen had lost so much money. It was things she would have to discover with time. As for now, her main goal was finding this Athenril and convincing her to pay their way into the city. Working for a smuggler actually didn't sound so bad, but that all depended on who they worked for.
“I think that's her,” said Aveline as she pointed to a couple of people hiding in the shadows of a corner.
“Let's go check this out.” Jordan took the lead, walking up slowly to the group but also assertive. “Are you Athenril?”
The woman who Jordan thought looked to be in charge turned and smiled at her. She was an elf, shorter than Jordan by a foot with long pointy ears and a skinny body. Her eyes, being elven, were much larger, the iris filling almost the entire eye socket and glittering a dark green.
“You must be Gamlen's niece. Interesting,” she said looking Jordan up and down. “I don't know what he told you about us, but he certainly told us a great deal about you.”
“Really? Then I hope I don't disappoint you. From what I can tell, my uncle doesn't seem like the most honest type.”
“He's not, but I'm willing to believe him this time.”
“So could you tell us a little about yourself?” Jordan asked. “I'd like to know more about what we'd be doing for you.”
“Certainly,” Athenril smiled. “I can be honest. We don't compete with the thieves' guild, but we keep our fingers in a lot of pots. That said, we're not killers or slavers. Anything short of that, however, is fair game.”
“Sounds fishy to me,” whispered Aveline.
“Of course it does, they're smugglers,” said Jordan. “But it's the only choice we have.”
“I suppose. But this price of admission is starting to get way too high.”
“That is true,” Jordan said turning back to Athenril. “You're offering a lot for us. I hear getting us into the city isn't cheap.”
“If you're as good as your uncle claims, we're hoping you'll be worth it,” said Athenril. “One of my boys actually did witness your little kill three days ago. And it's not every day we're offered an apostate's services.”
Jordan say Athenril's eyes move toward Bethany. “You know?”
“It appears our uncle likes to talk,” said Bethany.
Athenril smiled reassuringly at both of them. “The templars in Kirkwall like to think they have all the mages properly leashed, but when has that ever been true? We can keep them from taking notice while you're with us. Wouldn't be the first time.”
Jordan found it a relief to hear that. Joining with Athenril was looking better and better. Not only would they get into the city, but Bethany would be kept safe as well. “Alright, I like hearing that,” she said. “But there is one other thing I would like to know. How do you know my uncle?”
This made Athenril laugh. “Who doesn't know Gamlen in the undercity? He owes us after that last 'big idea'. If you turn out, though, we'll consider things even.”
Jordan looked at both her sister and Aveline, seeing they both were unsure about this, but also knowing they couldn't be choosy. She also looked down at Chance, seeing the hound stare up at her with his large tongue hanging out. He barked and licked her hand, giving his approval.
“Alright,” she said to Athenril. “Tell me what we need to do.”
Athenril looked around first before getting closer to Jordan, pulling the others toward her as she whispered. “There's a merchant named Cavril. Friend of the templars, so they let him set up his little shop here in the Gallows. We supplied him in return for a piece of the take, but now he won't pay up. We can't get near him without him screaming for the guard—but you can. Get our money from him and you're in.”
Jordan nodded, understanding, and lead Bethany and Aveline back into the courtyard. She knew just the merchant Athenril was talking about. He was a little weasel, a merchant set in the Gallows to buy and sell things from the refugees. His prices were outrages, buying their goods for less than what they were worth. Many of the refugees were forced to sell their precious things to him for very little money. Aveline had been keeping her eye on him, and Jordan could tell she had wanted to do something, but was unable.
Now she could.
As they came to Cavril's bazaar, they found him arguing with another refugee over the price he was offering. Again, he refused to give her anymore and his guards had to escort her away when Cavril grew tired of her. Jordan knew this wasn't going to be easy, but it was something she was going to enjoy nonetheless.
“This is growing wearisome,” Cavril sighed shaking his head. “All this dog-land junk is worthless. I don't think I'm ever going to get back all my money for it.”
“Excuse me, my good ser,” said Jordan as she strolled over to his bazaar. “Are you the merchant Cavril, by chance?”
Cavril stared at her annoyed, but smiled and quickly changed his demeanor. “I am, my dear lady. How may I help you today? Do you have anything of interest you would like to sell to me?”
“Actually, I don't.”
“Oh...” He frowned. “Then I'm afraid I don't have any business with you.”
“No, I think you do,” Jordan smiled. “I'm here on behalf of your business partner.”
“What? Wait, you mean Athenril. Well, you can tell that bitch I'm going straight to the guard again! I owe her nothing!” He gestured and one of his guards pressed himself on Jordan.
“Back away now, friend,” he said. “I wouldn't want things to get messy.”
Jordan raised an eyebrow, not moving. “No?” She then turned to Aveline. “Care to step in here?”
“Only because this toad deserves it,” she said. Aveline made her way to Cavril, pulling out her knife and placing it to his throat before any of his other guards could react. “You have a choice,” she said to him. “Pay or I beat it out of you and your men.”
The guards went to move but Cavril, seeing Aveline was serious told them to stay back. “Alright, fine. That knife-ear can have it. Just... take what's in the chest. Take it all!” He handed Aveline the key and she brought her knife down. “Now, if you don't mind, I'm getting out of here. Let those guards find someone else to buy dog-land junk!”
Aveline allowed them to leave the bazaar before tossing Jordan the key. Jordan caught it and nodded her thanks before going and opening the chest. Within she found enough money to make two sovereigns. Collecting it all, they made their way back to Athenril.
“You could have given us something more challenging,” Jordan smirked as she handed Athenril the coins.
The elf looked at them, slight shock on her face. “Will you look at that. Not only did you get the money but you also brought it to me. I think this may work.”
“So does that mean we're in?”
“Tell your uncle we'll make the arrangements. Welcome to Kirkwall, my friend. You're going to love it here.”
Jordan was pleased, glad that she was finally able to get her family out of the Gallows and into the city. Now they were truly safe and with Athenril's protection, Bethany wouldn't have to worry about the templars for a year.
A year, it sounded long, but Jordan knew it would probably fly by. Hopefully working as a smuggler would get her some connections. She would be able to save money, and they would be able to have something when it was all done and their debt paid off.
“Any luck?” Gamlen asked when Jordan, Bethany, and Aveline rejoined him and Leandra.
“Was there ever any doubt?” said Jordan. “Athenril is making the arrangements as we speak. We should be able to enter the city before nightfall.”
“Good,” Gamlen said sounding relieved, but Jordan could also tell there was also regret.
Bethany stood and looked up at the Gallows. “We made it,” she sighed. “The voyage is over.”
“Yes, and let's not do that again,” said Jordan, wrapping her arm around her sister's shoulder. “No more running for our lives unless we really have to.”
“Right,” Bethany smiled at her.
Leandra joined her daughters, a small smile on her face as well. “I'm glad we'll be all right, but I do wish Carver was here with us.”
“And Wesley,” Aveline added.
“I know,” said Jordan. “But I think I can safely say they wouldn't want us staying in this pit for the rest of our lives. Carver I know would have hated it. So right now we're off to a fantastic start! Let's see what this city has in store, shall we?”

Paraphrasing from Dragon Age 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Blood Promise