The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Tethras Clan]

This is pretty good ale, but... "Never been one to turn down a listen about an opportunity," Varric replies after a moment. Pretty sure it was just a moment.

[GamesMaster]

"THERE IS AN IMBALANCE IN THE WORLD." The voice sounds faintly amused, almost surprised. Weird, how he can't quite make out a face. Weird, too, how he doesn't seem to care. "THERE ARE METHODS OF CORRECTING THAT IMBALANCE. ONE INVOLVES YOU, IF YOU ARE WILLING. IT IS NOT OBLIGATORY. YOU MAY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO YOUR DESTINATION UNHINDERED. BUT FOR THE SAKE OF ANOTHER, YOU MAY RETURN."

[Tethras Clan]

"...return where?" Varric asks slowly. Speaking of where... where is this? Wasn't I... out with... someone? We were... on a date? No, I don't do that. And it wasn't like that, it was... I was with Moonbeam. Right, I was with Moonbeam.

[GamesMaster]

"TO THE WORLD. TO YOUR DAUGHTER."

[Tethras Clan]

Daughter? "I never had- Moonbeam. Hawke," he breathes softly. Moonbeam is Hawke's girl. I was on an outing with my daughter's lover. Right. Because Hawke was with... Lady Lawful. And... someone else? "What about Hawke?"

[GamesMaster]

"THERE IS A CHANCE. BUT IT IS A DANGEROUS ONE. IF YOU TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY, YOU WILL EXPOSE YOUR SOUL TO RISK. AN UNCLAIMED SOUL IN THE MORTAL WORLD ATTRACTS THOSE WHO WOULD BEND IT TO THEIR WILL. YOU WOULD BE RISKING DAMNATION, SLAVERY, OR WORSE." The woman here pauses, as if to be sure he understands.

[Tethras Clan]

"Right, yeah, got it. What did you mean about Hawke?"

[GamesMaster]

"HAWKE HAS BEEN SEDUCED BY A SPELL THAT WAS NOT MEANT FOR HER. THE SPELL ACCOMPLISHED FAR MORE THAN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF ACCOMPLISHING. AS THE ARBITER OF BALANCE, IT IS WITHIN MY PURVIEW TO SEND A BALANCING AGENT TO TIP THE SCALES. SHOULD YOU AGREE, YOU WOULD BE CAPABLE OF INFLUENCING THE EVENTS THAT ARE IN PLAY."

There is a slight pause, and then: "DRINK YOUR ALE."

[Tethras Clan]

Don't mind if I do, Varric thinks automatically, sipping the very nice ale without hesitation.

[GamesMaster]

It comes back to him in a rush: Memento Mori. The prophecy. The dead rising. And, just as he was fading away, the stricken, terrified, dangerous look on his daughter's face. 

[NPCs]

"Ah... shit."

A pause. A soft cough.

"Sorry ma'am."

[GamesMaster]

"INDEED." At least she doesn't seem offended; there's a slight smile, a small feeling of goodwill.

[Tethras Clan]

"Okay. So. I, uh, I gather she... what, got eaten by that spell? The lichdom ritual?"

[GamesMaster]

"YES." The woman leans forward. "MORE THAN THAT I CANNOT SAY."

[Tethras Clan]

"About that part of things or about anything in regards to what happened or about Hawke?" Varric asks shrewdly.