The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Tethras Clan]

~Oye, WAKE THE FUCK UP PANSY BOY,~ Varric sends as loudly as he can. ~Or are you going to give up again, like you always do?~

[Carver Amell]

Carver grunts. Fuck you, he musters weakly, resuming climbing. Not... giving up. Never.

[Tethras Clan]

~Tch. I'll believe it when I see, pansy boy,~ Varric says lazily.

[Carver Amell]

Knew you were... a cunt...

It's only a moment beyond then when his feet broach the top of the incline, wiggling in the air above him. It surprises him into stopping, for a moment, and he starts to slide back a little. 

[Tethras Clan]

~Pay attention! See, almost there, just go for it! Little bit more,~ Varric goads him.

[Carver Amell]

Carver doesn't answer, other than a mild feeling of resentment. He somehow, painfully, drags himself up the ledge, rolling to his side on the dirt just as his vision swims into unconsciousness. He lies still, the room around them significantly larger than the one he found himself in earlier.

The area is packed earth, some kind of sub-basement; there's no door, instead a rope ladder descending from a trapdoor in the ceiling.

[Tethras Clan]

Varric pokes the 'inside' of Carver's head. Then again. Finally, he tries to take over, wanting to sit up.

[Carver Amell]

When he gets control, his head swims immediately, throbbing with pain -- it seems the air in here isn't much better than it was down below, and Carver's poor lungs are deprived of oxygen after the exertion and the climb. He's going to need a bit to recover, and more air would help. 

There is, however, a soft sound, seeming muted and far away over the rush of blood pounding in his head: a soft clicking noise.

[Tethras Clan]

Fuck. Varric takes a few deep breaths, pushing past the pain in his lungs, then forces himself to pull the greatsword out of the hole before struggling to his feet. Good air rises, he thinks muzzlely. And then there's whatever made that noise...

[Carver Amell]

He hears it again, a few times in a row. Almost like something tapping on the floor, maybe? Soft, though, not much weight to it, not like a cane or a club. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varrver takes a few more deep breathes. Not getting much better in here... need to keep moving. But... first He stares a few seconds, then carefully begins to requipe Carver's armour. Harder to climb in, sure, but easier than having it tied to his leg. Our leg? Whatever. And then sword goes on... the back and... rope time. Fun. Awesome. Fucking oversized limbs...

[Carver Amell]

He almost blacks out -- twice -- but manages to get the armor on. The clicking is definitely coming from above him; it's moving, back and forth across the floor. 

[Tethras Clan]

Skeleton walking back and forth? Varric hazzards. Just going to have to burst up the opening- out the opening- as fast as I can, get to my feet and deal with things. Or... Varric considers, just for a moment, popping out to peek but decides against it. Too far, this close to the temple. Besides, the body might shut down without... without me moving it around. Fuck....

Moving as rapidly as he can, Varrver pushes himself to get up the rope. It's going to be dicey as fuck once he gets to the top but... them's the breaks.

[GamesMaster]

As he starts up the rope, the clicking stops. As he gets near the top, he can hear sounds of... breathing? Like a large creature breathing deeply, or maybe trying to sniff?

[Tethras Clan]

Fucking wonderful, he thinks even as he tries to slam open and trapdoor and burst through before whatever's up there gets a real bead on him. Already going to be a real disadvantage...