Love of an Assasin

Author's Note: Yes, it's me again. For right now I will be leaving this version up. I am going to work on clearing some issues with the story. So, please expect some major changes. Also, I haven't cleaned up the formatting, so please excuse the messiness of it. Hopefully once I am done, Kai's story will be the way he wants it to be. Updated 7/13/10

Love of an Assassin

New Destiny

“Kai, First Enchanter Irving wants to see you,” Jowan said. “I am so happy that you passed your Harrowing.”

Kai Amell grinned impishly. “Me too!” At the sudden sad look on Jowan's face he said, “Jowan, you'll get your chance to do your Harrowing soon. I'm sure of it!”

Jowan shrugged. “Don't worry about me, today is your special day.”

Kai laughed. “I'll go see the First Enchanter and when I'm done with that I come find you and we can spend some time together, okay?”

Jowan nodded. “Okay, see you later.”

Kai quickly made his way over the cold stone floor towards the First Enchanter's office, so lost in his thoughts about his Harrowing that he didn't see Cullen, a Templar, until he ran right smack into Cullen's chest.. “Oomph!” Kai dropped his embarrassed gaze to the floor. “Please, please excuse me. I wasn't watching were I was going.”

Cullen laughed. “There was no harm done. Let me congratulate you on passing your Harrowing.”

Kai's face was still as flaming hot as the cook's fire. “Thank you.” he mumbled.

Cullen paused, “Tell you what, when I get off duty later, maybe we could meet somewhere?”

Kai swallowed hard. Praying to the Maker that his voice wouldn't come out sounding like a frog's croak he said, “Yes, I would...really like that. I'll meet up with you later. Bye.”

Kai felt as if he were on top of the world. He was finally going to get a chance to talk with Cullen outside of training sessions. No one, not even his best friend Jowan knew that he had soft feelings for Cullen. It had started almost a year ago. Kai remembered that he had noticed Cullen watching him more than was necessary during his studies. It was almost like Cullen was specifically making sure that he was in whatever class Kai was in. It could be my imagination, but Kai didn't think so. The looks Cullen sent him caused his heart to beat faster, his palms get all sweaty, and a curious sensation in the pit of his stomach. By the Maker, sometimes he'd be semi aroused at the smoldering glances Cullen sent him. Plus, he was almost positive he'd seen him wink at him. Kai knew that various sexual trysts happened in the tower. Male and female, male and male, hell, he was pretty sure he'd heard two female apprentices going at it the other day judging from the sounds coming from the apprentice mage's quarters. Kai blew out his breath. His only problem was he didn't have any experience. He liked women, however, they just didn't excite him like Cullen did. Cullen's either interested or he thinks I am a dangerous mage which is very, very doubtful. No matter, right now I am so happy that I could burst. First he'd passed his Harrowing and now he had a chance to really get to know Cullen. Kai sighed in contentment. This day just couldn't get any better.

♥♥♥♥♥

Kai knocked briskly on the First Enchanter's door. “You wanted to see me sir?”

First Enchanter Irving smiled. “Come in, come in. Let me congratulate you on your success of passing your Harrowing. Here is your new staff, robe, and ring denoting your new status as a mage of the Circle. Kai, I would also like to introduce, Duncan, a Grey Warden.”

Kai yanked his gaze off of his new items and focused on Duncan. “Pleased to meet you Duncan.”

“It is good to meet you Kai.” Duncan's inquiring gaze met the First Enchanter's. “Is this...?”

First Enchanter Irving nodded. “Yes, this is he. Kai, the Knight Commander and I have some business to discuss, so would you please escort Duncan back to his quarters?”

Kai grinned. “It would be my pleasure First Enchanter!”

While Kai escorted Duncan to his room, he bombarded Duncan with questions. “What's the world like outside the tower? What are Darkspawn and what do they look like? What about the king's army?”

Duncan smiled at the enthusiasm and eagerness of the young mage. He proceeded to tell Kai of all the happenings in the world outside of the tower. He told him of the king's army and what the Darkspawn were and what they looked like. “You would be a welcome addition as a Grey Warden,” he said.

“Would I?” queried Kai.

“The First Enchanter told me of you. I believe you would make an excellent candidate for the Grey Wardens.”

“Mages aren't allowed outside of the tower. Oh, it would be wonderful to go on an adventure to see all the sights and sounds of the world beyond this tower!” “I wonder if the First Enchanter would let me join the Grey Wardens?” Kai said musingly.

“I can ask him later on to see if he would let you, if you would like.” Duncan said.

Kai almost started dancing with excitement just then. “Please do! I would be most interested in joining the Grey Wardens.”

“Thank you for escorting me to my quarters. I am sure you have other things to attend to.”

“Your welcome Duncan. Please let me know what the First Enchanter says about me joining the Grey Wardens.” Kai turned, went out the door and in his hurry, almost ran Jowan over.

Seeing the distress on Jowan's face, Kai asked, “Jowan is something wrong? You look...tense.”

Jowan's voice was strained. “Please follow me to the Chapel.”

Jowan introduced Lily, an initiate, whom he'd mentioned to Kai before. “She's the love of my life and I will do anything for her. Lily says that they are going to make me Tranquil and if that happens I will lose all my emotions, my love for Lily, everything! I can't let that happen. Please, please help us to escape from the tower.” Jowan's voice started to crack under his emotion.

Kai saw that tears that were threatening to spill down Lily's cheeks and how Jowan's eyes were pleading with him silently. Jowan had Lily's hand in his and was gently rubbing his thumb back and forth on Lily's hand.

Kai's soft sigh broke the tension in the room. “You two really do love each other don't you?” Lily and Jowan nodded in unison. “All right, I will try to help you.”

In hushed tones, Lily and Jowan outlined their plan. “We will break into the repository, destroy my phylactery, and then we will leave the tower. There will be no way that the Templars can track us.”

Kai's muscles froze at the mention of destroying Jowan's phylactery. This is absolutely forbidden. It was the Templar's only means of tracking down an apostate mage. Kai's shoulders slumped in despair. There must be some way of getting out of this mess. For now he would have to make it seem as if he knew what he was doing. “I will see about getting a fire rod so that we can break into the repository. You two stay here out of sight. It will attract less attention.”

With an ache in his heart, Kai slowly walked out of the Chapel and into the hallway. He knew what he was going to have to do. Jowan is my friend, but, I will not betray the Circle. The Circle is my home, my family. With slow moving feet, Kai headed towards the First Enchanter's office.


Kai heaved a great sigh of relief. He'd found the First Enchanter alone in his office and the whole sorry story came gushing out of him like a dam had broken. The First Enchanter listened intently as Kai gave the details of the plan for Jowan and Lily to escape the tower.

“Be at ease Kai. I knew that they were having relations. I didn't make First Enchanter by keeping my eyes and ears closed. You have their trust, correct?” Kai nodded. “Then you will continue with the plan as they have outlined it and when you come out of the repository, I will have a contingent of templars with me. We will catch them in the act.”

Kai bowed his head. “I feel so bad for betraying them, but the Circle is my home, my family. There is no way I could betray the Circle.”

The First Enchanter's sombre voice washed over Kai. “You will learn in time that there are some sacrifices that have to be made. Life decisions are not always easy. Some will be very, very hard.” First Enchanter Irving patted Kai on the back. “Go, proceed with the plan and I will be waiting when you come out of the repository. Just make sure that they don't suspect anything.”

Kai squared his shoulders. “Thank you First Enchanter. I appreciate your advice.”


♥♥♥♥♥

Kai returned quickly to Jowan and Lily in the Chapel with the much needed fire rod. “Finally, I got the rod. Sorry it took so long. I had to do somethings before Owain would release the rod.”

Jowan smiled. “I was beginning to worry, but I knew that you would come through for us.”

Kai peeked out of the Chapel. “The coast is clear, let's hurry before anyone catches us.”

The small group quickly walked towards the stairs. Kai just couldn't resist. He pulled his robes up a bit and straddled the railing. Sliding down the railing with his legs out in front of him, he whooped, “Wheeeeee!” Slowing himself to a stop near the end he hopped off the railing. His eyes sparkled from the thrill of the ride. “That was fun!”

Jowan shook his head at Kai's antics. “Are you ever going to act like an adult? You are 18 you know.”

Kai snorted. “I know how old I am! Having fun keeps me from being bored! One can only study and train so much.”

So as not to attract anymore attention than they may have already, the group quickly headed for the basement door to where the repository was. Lily and Kai did the necessary ritual to open up the door so they could get into the repository. Once they were safely inside they headed towards the door to where the phylacteries were kept. Everything they tried wouldn't open the phylactery door.


“Let's try that door there.” suggested Jowan. “I am not giving up. We've come to far.”

Kai used the fire rod on the door that Jowan had spotted. Under the stream of magic fire, the lock on the door gave out.

“Success!” cheered Jowan.

Kai wasn't prepared for the Sentinels and Guardians that started coming after them the moment they stepped through the door. Sure, he'd battled some spiders, but that was a far cry from these magical beings that they were fighting. After the first three guardians had been dispatched, he asked, “What are those things?”

Lily answered, “I don't know but there will probably be more. We will have to be on our guard. This place also gives me the creeps.”

After battling several more groups of guardians and sentinels they finally reached the room that held the phylacteries. It took the small group a few more minutes of searching before finally finding locating Jowan's phylactery.

Jowan snatched up the tiny vial and immediately smashed it on the ground. Kai couldn't watch as Jowan committed this atrocity.

“Let's get out of here,” suggested Lily. “This place scares me.”

Kai silently prayed to the Maker that the First Enchanter would be waiting for them when they came out of the basement. This wonderful day that had started out great had quickly gone sour. His day couldn't get any worse. He couldn't stand this deception anymore. The small group finally reached the basement door and proceeded to climb out of the basement.

True to his word, First Enchanter Irving was there with some Templars and Knight Commander Greagoir.

Jowan saw the guilty look on Kai's face. “You didn't!” he cried.

“I had to Jowan.” Kai said sadly. “You are my friend and I know that you love Lily, but you were asking me to betray the Circle. I just couldn't do it.”

The Knight Commander immediately ordered the Templars to imprison Lily.

Jowan then exposed his true magical power through the use of blood magic. Kai felt all the blood drain out of his face. He'd been wrong. His day had gotten even worse. “Jowan, how...what...a blood mage?”

Lily backed away from Jowan, tears pouring down her cheeks. “I...I can't believe this! You are evil! You use blood magic!

Jowan, seeing that Lily is horrified at his use of blood magic, killed some Templars and raced out of the tower. Lily left quietly with some Templars to be imprisoned for her crimes. The Knight Commander and First Enchanter start arguing over what to do with Kai.

“He was acting on my orders,” shouted First Enchanter Irving.

“It doesn't matter! He was still involved in the plot. He may be dangerous! We can't afford to take the risk of him becoming an apostate or worse a maleficar!” Knight Commander Greagoir yelled back.



Duncan's commanding voice broke through all the yelling and shouting. “Gentlemen, if I may make a suggestion, why not let Kai join the Grey Wardens?”

“Excellent idea Duncan!” said the First Enchanter. “What do you say Kai? It would be an honor for you and the Circle if you were to join the Grey Wardens.”

Knight Commander Greagoir sputtered, “But...but...we have to decide what to do with him!”

Duncan and the First Enchanter just ignored the Knight Commander and watched Kai intently. Kai lowered his gaze to the floor so that he would have a few minutes to collect his thoughts before responding to Duncan and the First Enchanter.

Well, Kai mused, it would at least let me get out of the tower and see a bit of the world. His face fell at the thought that he wouldn't be able to meet Cullen. Maybe it's better this way anyway. Cullen, being a Templar wouldn't want to have anything to do with me after being involved with a maleficar. The Circle will always be my home no matter where I am. Kai's swallowed his fear at leaving the only home he'd ever known. “Duncan, I would be honored to join the Grey Wardens if they will have me.”


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