#like he already has no privacy while living with gamlen and now he has no privacy when he's by himself because apparently aveline's spying

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

So you know this party banter between Aveline and Carver?

Aveline: I don't like some of the people you've been associating with, Carver. Carver: Talk to my brother/sister. He/She's the one in charge.

If you're on the rivalry path with Aveline, she says:

Aveline: Who says I don't mean him/her too? This city's full of people who are dead set on ending badly. I don't want to see you end up the same way.

I just- Aveline, you- you're so- hhhhnnnngggggg

I always rival Aveline when I play a mage, and if you think Edgar Aristide Hawke, who practically raised Carver and Bethany after Malcolm died and Leandra became a distant mother in her grief, wouldn't stop dead in his tracks at Aveline heavily implying he's a bad influence on his brother and Carver shouldn't hang around him so much since apparently Ed's someone set on ending badly...? Absolutely not.

This is another case of me wishing Hawke had the option to jump in during party banter with different options, because Ed would've chewed Aveline out for that.

Oh, and then there's:

Carver: Would asking you to stop spying on me help in the least? Aveline: No.

Aveline...................stop it.

[galactic-atom]

Dragon Blood

CHAPTER 2

the darkness finally began fading. The horrible burning had been numbed as well,concentrated now mostly in her back and palms. Her eyes began flickering beneath her eyelids. I’m still alive She slowly opened her eyes, feeling fragile and vulnerable than ever. Painfully dragging herself up and feeling her chainmail vest creating unbearable friction with the wound on her back. yet.. there’s no blood When her sight cleared up, she noticed the witch sitting not too far from her, watching. She grabbed her dagger as fast as she could, considering the torture that every move caused her. She Pointed the blade towards the witch, trying to look fierce as possible when she was half-laid on the rocky ground. why is she smiling.. “Relax child, if I had wished to kill you I wouldn’t have saved you from the hoard” She lowered her dagger, relieved..the short sword was heavy on her bruised palm. She took her gauntlet off, looking closer on her fresh scar. A burn mark, creating a circle with strange-looking runes in its center, which she didn’t recognize. The scar looked old but touching it felt like peeling off her own skin, and the pain was already horrible enough,even without poking in her wounds. She now turned to face the witch, eager for answers. “What did you do to me?” Her voice cold and harsh. “Merely what we agreed on” the witch stood up. “That is nothing like we agreed on!” The witch took a step towards her, glancing over her scars. “Nothing your sister’s magic fingers couldn’t fix” Flemeth offered her hand to help her stand up. She raised herself on her own. “now come, you’ve rest enough, we should be on our way” Hawk grinded her teeth,trying to get used to the pain, and unwillingly followed the Flemeth back to their temporary camp.

“I was beginning to worry” Bethany stood up when they approached. I wonder how long I had been unconscious “It’s fine, sis, we were discussing the best route to follow” Hawk grind her teeth. ignore the pain. “Are you sure you are alright..?” Bethany asked skepticly . “Well what route is it?” Aveline said abruptly,saving hawk from lying to her little sister once more. “Flemeth will take us to the closest port to kirkwell, then we’ll sail from there” “before i take you anywhere,however, there is one more matter to settle” Flemeth stated and turned to face the suffering Templar on the ground. “NO.leave him alone!“Aveline quickly stood in front of him,protecting her dying husband. “What has been done to him is already in his blood” Flemeth stated the obvious . Wesley’s veins were painted black, contaminated with the curse. his breath shallow, his body fighting the inevitable . “She’s right..I can feel it..the corruption…Aveline please end this, don’t let me become one of them..”Wesley pleaded. “you cant ask me this!i wont!” Aveline kneeled beside him. ”the corruption is a slow death..” wesley convinced her.  “we’ll get you through this..please..”aveline turned to hawk “dont make me do this..” “This is your call, I won’t make you do anything” hawk provided her the only comfort possible in this situation . “Aveline…please..” Wesley put a knife in her hands and nodded.Hushed weeping came out of her as she took the knife and caressed her love’s face for the last time. “I love you Wesley..” And then the knife pierced through him. “Without an end… there is no peace”.

The journey passed quite fine, with occasional complaints from mother, and having Aveline staring at the distance most of it, the group finally reached Gwaren- a small port city. “Thank you,Flemeth. You saved our lives” “I was only fulfilling my part in our deal” Flemeth nodded ,accepting Marian’s kind words. Flemeth took a few steps back but then had an urge to continue the conversation. “How do you feel?” Marian thought for a moment, knew that she meant her scars. The pain did not fade, but she grew used to it. I might look ungrateful.. “I…am better” Flemeth looked unconvinced, but let it pass with a nod. “It does not get easier..” She turned to walk away. “Your struggles has just begun”. And with that, she transformed back to a vicious dragon,and took off towards the horizon . this woman sure likes to keep everyone around her guessing .. Hawk turned back to her family, Flemeth’s words echoing in her head.

Their next step was taking a ship to kirkwell. Luckily they did not wait for long, and got on one without spending many nights in Gwaren. The sail itself was a curse of its own-being huddled with many other refugees, sharing the little food they had between the four, and occasionally have it stolen by another hungry refugee, never having privacy, and not to mention the horrible heat during the days…the sail itself seemed endless, and hawk’s pain made it seem to her like the maker himself sent her to hell. Late at night, if there was no one awake, Bethany would use magic to heal her sister, little by little..and after the two weeks of the sail, Hawk felt brand new. Aveline eventually talked to the Hawk family once more..after dealing with her grief ..or perhaps repressing it. Since she had no family left, Aveline treated the Hawks as hers, and took a vow to herself to help them, what ever the cost. She liked the younger sister’s enthusiasm ,and positive thinking, but Marian was her favorite. Over the time on the ship, they got to know each other better,and deep in her heart Aveline admired Hawk for her dedication and strong will, but also feared her reckless soul,knowing that it will give her many troubles one day. Hawk herself cherished Aveline’s company, if only just for the fact that it gave her an excuse to stay away from the unending complaining that her mother kept shooting in the air, no matter if someone listened or not. It even pushed her little daughter Bethany away from her,although it was only for a few days until they reached the city. The first thing they saw when they came near it was the huge statues, the signature of kirkwell,the city of chains. Seeing the huge weeping slaves, although carved in stone ,made Marian cringe. But she tried to let that thought pass on, and focusing on their new beginning ,and their new life.

“they’re not letting anyone into the city” Aveline ran back to them as soon as possible. “What? It can’t be!” Leandra,being the always-right mother she is, denied. “It’s true,look” Marian pointed over the crowed gathering near the city gates. and the “we’ll starve!” Shouts heard from there made it clear that they were not happy. “They’re Ferelden,just like us..fleeing for their lives..” Bethany spoke with pity in her eyes. “And they would throw us all back to the wolves..unbelievable ..” Aveline said. “We’re getting into the city. One way or another.” Hawk stated and stepped forward. “We need to find Gamlen. Our family has always been highly regarded in kirkwell, he can help us, I’m sure of it” Leandra suggested . it’s worth a shot.. “I only hope he received your letter” “The guards seem to report to that man over there, perhaps we could speak to him” Aveline suggested. Hawk quickly moved and finally got back to the armored soldier who yelled back at the crowd. “Get back! Trying to bully your way through won’t get you to kirkwell any faster!” I guess he is not happy with his guarding duty “Is there someone in charge here I can talk to?” Hawk carefully chose her words. “You want to talk? Go see captain Yewld. I’m just here to keep you refugees from climbing up the walls.”

“let us through,you flaming blighter! We’re not staying in this pit!” An armored and armed man yelled on who seems to be Captain Yewld. The man was accompanied with five more men ,who were armed as well with daggers and swords ,and probably annoyed too. The guards were obviously doing their dictated duty-protecting who lives in the city, and helping as much as they can to the outsiders. Marian understood it well, yet hoped for a different fate for her beloved family . “Then get back on your ship and leave. Kirkwell has no more room for refugees!” The Captain shot back,clearly annoyed. “The ship’s already gone!! We paid good coin to get here!!” Another man from the group spoke, and a heated argument followed. “You and half of Ferelden! There’s nothing I can do!! THE CITY IS FULL!!” it’s now or never I guess… “You must be letting some people in..” Marian joined the conversation with a sly hint. “That’s right!we’ve seen you let lots of people through!” The group’s leader spoke and crossed his hands, demanding . “Citizens,and merchants that make it worth our while.” The captain spoke. bribe. The captain turned to Marian now “I assume that you don’t have more coin than these gentlemen?” He did not wait for an answer.“we’ve been letting you Fereldens for months now. you’re too late. there’s no more room.” “But we have a family here” Bethany pleaded “doesn’t that mean anything?” “I’ve heard claims like that for a thousand times already ,trust me” the Captain replied coldly,and turned to face the men as well “we’ll find ships and take you all back to ferelden-eventually. Until then you have to stay here”. “Our uncle is Gamlen Amell, he knows we’re coming .surely someone can find him.” Marian tried her luck. “Gamlen? I know that name..” “He’s a nobleman here in the city!” Bethany used the opportunity,“our family has an estate ” “A nobleman?the only Gamlen I know is a weasel who couldn’t rob two coppers together” and then he noticed Bethany’s pleading eyes and sighed. “If he comes back, I’ll bring you to him. But I don’t have time to-” “What?? You’re going to let them through?!” The men yelled in disbelief . “I didn’t say anything about-” “We’ve been here for four days! They just got here!” Captain Yewld open his mouth to speak but the men stopped him. “THAT’S IT!men, we’re carving our way in!” The men yelled and drew out his sword. Captain Yewld drew his as well, with a stressed look in his eyes. Backup was no where in sight. It was only him and a young looking soldier ,against the six armed bullies, who looked experienced in battle . this isn’t fair Marian took out her daggers and ordered her mother and sister to stay back. Aveline joined her with her sword and shield . A thug charge towards them and Marian smoothly evaded his slash. Adrenaline flowed in her veins and her heart raced. The thug charged again, and Marian used the clumsiness of his attack to avoid it and land a wounding stab between his ribs. The man fell with a groan and clenched his side . Aveline was in sight, fighting back to back with the guard captain. Another thug ran towards her, and Marian felt heat spreading inside of her. It was not the usual adrenal rush she experienced every fight. It resembled more the feeling she woke up with on ferelden ,after the shady deal she made with Flemeth. Yet, it did not hurt as it used to. She just fell…invincible . Her reflexes were fast as lightning , and none of the blows the thugs tried to land on her hit. She did manage to kick one of them in the knee, and heard a sickening snap ,followed by his cries of pain. She never had this feeling before. Yes,she was skilled with her knives, and her small and agile figure did help her avoiding getting hurt during battle, but it was only appropriate since she never wore heavy armor, or carried a shield with her. And now, with Flemeth’s blessing, she could beat almost anyone ,including the now-injured-or-dead group of thugs laying in the Gallows’ yard. The Captain rolled his eyes “unbelievable”. “Captain!!” A guardsman came running,a few minutes too late.“are you alright??” “I am,not thanks to you. Where is everyone? Go call them! I want this kept under control!” He wiped the blood on his face with his sleeve “You have my thanks” the Captain told Marian “look…I can’t get you into the city,it’s not my decision .but I’ll find your uncle and bring him here”

“it’s been three days..this waiting has to end” Aveline sighed. “I’m sure it won’t be longer..Gamlen must been still looking for us!” Leandra tried to defend her remaining family. “And if he’s not?“Aveline got annoyed. "someone’s coming” Marian ,who leaned on a wall in the shadows, said briefly. “Leandra! Damn girl, the years haven’t been kind to you” a grey haired man with a foxy face ,and that carries the stench of liquor on his breath, came towards them. “Gamlen!” Her Mother spread her arms and embraced her brother with a huge hug. His expression changed in an instant “let me say this upfront …I wasn’t expecting this…your husband’s death..the blight…I was sure you’ll be ferelden for life” Leandra opened her mouth to speak, or more precisely,to complain and weep, according to her expression. Gamlen noticed it too. “Maker’s breath…Leandra don’t drop this on me..not here…I’m not even sure I can get you in the city” “There must be a way to get in” Marian spoke from a distance,her head still low. “I was hoping to grease some palms. But the night commander is pressing , we’re going to need more grease.” “What about the estate ? Surely father left something after he died” Leandra said in disbelief . how typical.. “Yes..about the estate..it’s gone,to settle a debt..I was meaning to write you..” “Then there’s no hope…” Leandra caved in. “I know some people who can help..if you’re not too delicate about the people you keep company with” Gamlen told Marian. never bothered me before.. “What are the options?” “I talked to my contacts ,and there might be people who will pay your way into the city.the catch is you and your sister have to work off the debt.for a year…it’s the best I could do! A bunch of refugees won’t get any better option ” “So what’s a year?” Marian shrugged her shoulders and smiled. “Mearan...hes a mercenary working for the red iron, he’s here in the gallows ,so you could talk to him personally” “Well,” Marian turned on her heels and raised her chin “let’s find him”