The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[GamesMaster]

A soft, benevolent chuckle. "SO CLEVER." It feels like a compliment, like she's admiring a fine piece of art. "I CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED AFTER YOU CAME TO VISIT. IT IS NOT YOURS TO KNOW, UNLESS YOU ACCEPT THIS OPPORTUNITY."

[Tethras Clan]

"Alright, can you explain what I was there for but perhaps can't recall? Dying's something of a shock, even with your fine ale," Varric replies glibly.

[GamesMaster]

Another benevolent chuckle. "VERY WELL. YOUR DAUGHTER UNDERSTOOD WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO YOU. AT THE PRECISE MOMENT YOU LEFT THE MORTAL REALMS, SHE HAD TAKEN CONTROL OF THE RITUAL ENERGY GATHERED IN THE ROOM. THE OUTCOME OF THAT MANEUVER IS WHAT IS CURRENTLY IN NEED OF BALANCING."

[Tethras Clan]

"...wait, what?" Varric says flatly. "Are you saying she turned my body into a zombie? Is that where this is going?"

[GamesMaster]

He gets an enigmatic smile back, a smile that informs him very clearly that if any such thing happened, it had to have been after he left his body, and thus, was not present. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Okay, was what she was doing a thing that could lead to that outcome? What kind of odds? No yes or no, just... toss me a spread on it," Varric presses, slightly panicking a bit.

[GamesMaster]

"SHE HAD IT IN MIND TO RESURRECT YOU USING THE SPELL ENERGY."

[Tethras Clan]

"With the necromancy energy," Varric says flatly. Fucking A wonderful. "Right, so that's bad. Okay. What else?"

[GamesMaster]

"AS I SAID. I CAN SEND YOU BACK TO AID HER, OR YOU CAN CONTINUE ON. THOSE ARE YOUR OPTIONS."

[Tethras Clan]

"Send me back how? For how long? In what form? Where? To do what? When will I return?"

[GamesMaster]

"YOU WOULD BE CONFINED TO THE FORM YOU ARE IN NOW: THE FORM OF A SPIRIT, UNATTACHED TO PHYSICAL FLESH. THERE WOULD ONLY ONE REFUGE: THE BLOOD OF THE KINDRED OF THE CONTROLLER OF THE SPELL CAN SHIELD YOU FROM THE WORST OF ITS EFFECTS. YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN UNLESS YOU ARE LAID TO REST OR THE NECROTIC ENERGY HAS DISSIPATED."

[Tethras Clan]

"...wait. What do you mean refuge?" Varric asks urgently, then drains a few mouthfuls of ale, praying to- err, awkward... Anyway, hoping he's wrong.

[GamesMaster]

"YOUR SPIRIT FORM WOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK REFUGE INSIDE A PHYSICAL FORM THAT HAS A BLOOD TIE TO THE NECROMANCER CONTROLLING THE SPELL."

[Tethras Clan]

"Inside," he repeats. "Inside... Carver." Varric swallows more ale. "Carver."

[GamesMaster]

"DO YOU WISH TO ACCEPT THE OFFER?"