The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

She shrugs. "I'm scrappy."

[Tethras Clan]

"So it seems. Are you self-taught? I do not mean to pry unduly, i simply wish to know a bit about the people I'm almost certainly about to fight alongside in deadly combat," Zevran explains.

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

"I'm no coward, I fight well, I don't expect any help." She shrugs. "That's what you need to know, isn't it? My dogs have my back."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran tilts his head. "Isn't that one a wolf?" he asks curiously. What, he pays attention to Merrill sometimes. At least enough to tell the difference between a doggo and a wolfy, those being the technical terms as he understands them according to his expert.

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

"Of course not," she lies boldly. "Wolves require exotic pet licenses."

[Tethras Clan]

"Aaah, of course, I understand completely. He's-" The wolf growls softly. "...she's?" The wolf huffs. "She's a very fine dog," Zevran finishes with a bow.

[NPCs]

Lelldorin returns then with a handful of items. "I'm afraid I've only the one Junon symbol, but it's reforged battle steel and oak wood at least," he says as he holds out the holy icons.

[Carver Amell]

Carver takes the Junon symbol, draping the chain around his neck. "Thanks."

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

"Great, let's go," says T, before Isabela can get a word in edgewise. 

[NPCs]

"T, wait-" Lelldorin says, reaching for his belt once his hands are free. "Only very basic enchants, I'm afraid, but they're blessed silver and cold iron," he explains, pulling out a pair of blades. The silver one is a cutlass the same as her own- rather telling, given the rareness of that type in Nyra- but the cold iron one is a regular shortsword.

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

T takes them, belting them on before looking up at him. "...You didn't have to do that," she says, her stance shifting a little.

[NPCs]

"It suited me to do," the priest says simply, keeping to the same tone as T. "May your gods keep you safe, all of you," Lelldorin adds, casting his gaze over the group, lingering on Helene, to whom he also offers a nod and a smile.

[GamesMaster]

The closer they get to Preacher's Way, the colder it gets. It's still pouring down sleet as far away as Coalside, but when they get close enough to the barrier the lich has erected, it turns to genuine snow. The guard station offers some choices for Zevran and some Alchemist's Fire and potions, though nothing better than Carver's or T's weapons; it's been abandoned, as it's too close to ground zero for the guard to hold, but thankfully the heavy padlock has kept the mindless undead at bay and the intelligent ones haven't bothered. 

Dog seems to be the best among them for fighting the undead, though T holds her own and Loup makes a valiant effort. She's not as experienced or specialized as Zevran, but she's a much more skilled two-weapon fighter than Carver would have given her credit for given her youth and surliness. 

[Tethras Clan]

"You cheat," Zevran informs Dog after watching the foo dog simply shoulder check a zombie to the ground, then walk on its head to kill it.  Dog merely looks amused.

~Alright, I think that's worked the kinks out, we need to start focusing on avoiding fights now,~ Varric instructs Carver. ~Trying to win a war of attrition would be a fool's game. Ask the Seeker to put their head together with Zevran and Isabela to find us a discreet way to the Temple. Strange thought, but the sewers might be safer than the streets.~

[Carver Amell]

Carver nods. "Seeker, Zevran, Isabela, get us a way into the temple. Maybe through the sewers? Seems safer than the street level."