The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Helene Dakesh]

"That can't be good."

Helene Dakesh had been an oracle for a very long time. Specifically, they had been an oracle four years shorter than they had been alive; it had taken three years to articulate their discomfort with being gendered, and a year after that to discover and enact a solution to the issue of titles. They had had countless visions during that time, all recorded for posterity in their diaries, waiting for the day they would be born again and long for that sense of connection, of family, that comes from reading their past writings and trying to remember who they were when they wrote them. Every vision was unique, hand-picked by their goddess -- the only goddess, Alydra, there was no choice for Helene -- to make an impact in the world. 

As a result, there were times when Helene had failed. When they had not understood the vision sent, or had acted too slowly, or in the incorrect manner. They had always tried, but allowances must be made for mortality after all. 

Never had they failed quite this badly.

Helene ran to Zevran's rooms, their robes in disarray. They clung to their new sketchbook tightly, letting out a low, keening hum as they ran. Upon reaching the tavern, they slowed to a rapid walk, trying to catch their breath. There was no point running, really; it was done, there was nothing left to go wrong. But they pounded on the door with some urgency anyway. 

[Isabela]

At the sound of the knock, Isabela stirs, just a little. It's been a long, hard day; she had come to Zevran seeking comfort, rather than sex. Not that they hadn't fucked, of course. But it was gentle, and slow, and she may have wept a little. Worn out, she'd fallen asleep in his bed, on her side, one hand curled gently against the pillow. She didn't want to talk about what had sent her here, but she'd found the comfort she sought in his arms, and she was in no hurry to wake. 

[Tethras Clan]

Groaning slightly, Zevran slips out of bed with a fond glance at the brown-skinned beauty in his bed. Busty beauty in his bountiful bed. Bootyful bed. Shaking his head at the random thoughts one has when too relaxed to sleep, he pads over to the door, uncaring that he's naked save for his tattoos.

"Yes?" He pauses upon seeing who it is, his bony tensing a little.

[Helene Dakesh]

They bowed, as was proper and polite in a situation like this; politeness costs little and helps greatly. Their bow is low and formal, subservient as always, but it's a tad rushed -- understandable given the circumstances.  "This one r-regrets to in-inform-- Th-that is to say, th-there is a situation--"

[Tethras Clan]

"Spit it out," Zevran says tightly, already knowing the words that- that.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene jumps, just a little, clinging to their sketchbook with both hands.  "Th-this one is-- This one was scrying upon the incident tonight. Th-- There was an incident tonight. The falcon, the stone. This one's prophecy, it came true but-- but in the worst way, and this one does not know what to do now." 

[Tethras Clan]

"What happened?" Zevran snaps, taking a step forward, hands tensing at his sides. "Where is Hawke?"

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene takes a step back, eyes wide, looking for all the world like a terrified little gi--child. "This one-- I-- The falcon was dashed. The stone was broken.  The winter prevailed. Hawke has-- has done something terrible."

[Tethras Clan]

A child. Zevran forces himself to take that step back, pull himself back. "Can you... be more clear? What happened?" he asks, forcing his voice even.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one... This one could not see all the details. This one was watching the battle. This one saw the Stone fall. The, the dwarf. This one saw the elf run to him, saw that nothing could be done, saw the Falcon-- Hawke -- saw Hawke break. Not-- not physically. This one saw..." They shake their head. 

[Tethras Clan]

The Ston- Varric? Varric is... dead? Oh fuck. Oh Hawke... "Where? Where did this happen?" he says urgently.

[Helene Dakesh]

"In the Temple claimed to belong to Mileen. The older one, the abandoned one." As they spot Zevran start to move, they step into his way. "You cannot go there!" they cry, urgently.

[Tethras Clan]

"Bright, you had best move out of the way very quickly," he says softly.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "I am not explaining well," they say rapidly. "The entire temple area is inundated with an infestation of the living dead. They are spreading from the locus point outward, emptying graveyards and attacking the living."

[Tethras Clan]

Oh. That does make it more diff- Hawke! "I have to get to Hawke," he snaps at her. Wait. Armour. 'bela. Spinning in place, he strides back into the room. "Isabela! Danger!"