The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Both would have their benefits," Zevran agrees. "Paladins are better to stand behind but are very obvious and often... inflexible. Clerics have more spells, but are less... durable. I would not turn down a druid. Really, anyone with healing would be welcome." But... perhaps not a shaman, please?

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has prepared more healing," offers Helene. "This one is not great against undead."

[Tethras Clan]

"Healing is very welcome indeed, Bright Helene," Zevran says. He glances down at the table, then forces his eyes back up. "I also owe you an apology. I was... less then civil yesterday, Brightness. I am sorry for that."

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene looks startled. "This one is-- this one is not, ah, this one did not expect an apology. This one has taken no offense."

[Tethras Clan]

"Well, I nevertheless gave it yesterday, so I now give an apology," Zevran says simply.

Well done, Isabela. I was afraid you wouldn't be able to reach him- or worse, that you'd pull back once you had, but... well done. ~We should get going. Hawke mentioned getting a bed for Zevran and finding him, which... does not bode well.~

[Carver Amell]

"Fuck," Carver agrees, which gets him looks from both Helene and Isabela. "She said she was getting a bed for Zevran," he repeats. 

[Tethras Clan]

"...I suspect the lich will not have the same degree of respect for consent ethics that Hawke had?" Zevran attempts to say lightly, but his eyes are tight and pained.

~I think not, no.~

[Carver Amell]

My sister had ethics? Ugh, don't say that, that's unfair. "We should get out of here before she thinks to check this place." Or -- it sounded like Varric was controlling them?

[Tethras Clan]

~She did, yes, thank you.~ Varric says cooly, though he does make note of Carver's observation.

"Right, let's," Zevran agrees. He gives Isabela's hand once last squeeze, then rises.

[Carver Amell]

Sorry. I know she was your -- ugh, this is so weird, this guy is my sister's father, what a crazy situation. And he's inside my head. Hearing all this. Shit. Sorry! Sorry. Think of something other than what a bitch your sister can be wait shit that's even worse. 

[Tethras Clan]

~Try not to think of your booze stash,~ Varric suggests. ~Or where you keep your emergency coin.~

[Carver Amell]

What emergency coin? Anything I've saved has gone to pay Gamlen's debts so he doesn't die in prison, he thinks bitterly as he stands. 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric is silent a long moment. ~Carver... Hawke paid those off,~ he says slowly. ~At least a year ago. And pulled in a favor or two to make sure he got a... half-decent cellmate.~ Well, okay, that last was more me than her, but I did it for her so... close enough.

[Carver Amell]

The next words Carver has aren't polite ones. Not by a long shot. 

I hope he rots in prison, he finally concludes. Let's fucking go.

[GamesMaster]

They spend the rest of the morning chasing down what help they can. The inner city has old walls, the gates through which have been firmly closed; as many people as possible are getting evacuated by the remnants of the guard, who are turning their best efforts now to keeping undead from escaping the city. Worse, the rain has not only continued, but turned to driving hail and sleet as temperatures continued to plummet overnight. The last, best refuge on this side of the quarantine lines is the Bazaar, where there are enough adventurers to hold out for some time. 

As they make their way toward Coalside, looking for the cleric Varric knows about, they come across a pair of zombies dressed as pallbearers. Aside from making note of how oddly morbid that is, they make quick work of the pair, continuing down the street. Not far along, however, they find something else: a coffin, dumped unceremoniously in the middle of the street. 

"Lovely," says Isabela, frowning at it.