The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[GamesMaster]

She smiles, then, and departs, leaving him alone with his thoughts and a creepy, empty room.

It doesn't take long. Mere moments later he hears footsteps in the hall outside, the shouts. Then a click -- a lock engaging from the outside. Then Isabela's voice: "You want me? Come get me."

[Tethras Clan]

Zevran takes a moment, far too long a moment, to come out of his doze. What is- wait. No. No. Isabela! Moving quietly not out of intent but simple habit, the assassin hauls himself upright.

[GamesMaster]

The sounds of a scuffle. Then her voice again: "Too -- uh! -- Too slow! You'll never catch me! I am Isabela, and I stand alone!"

It's a good attempt. She even manages to sound triumphant. But she can't quite disguise the pain in her voice, the strain. And the way she fights, if she's that hurt, this isn't a victory boast but a defiant last stand.

[Tethras Clan]

Ignoring the ache in his ankle, Zevran rushes over to the door, a shout tearing from his throat. He doesn't even notice that it makes no noise, just as his strikes against the door are utterly quiet. All he can hear is Isabela fighting, Isabela gaping in pain, Isabela going silent.

[GamesMaster]

And then he hears something else: a voice he can never forget, a voice that rends his heart. Her voice, hesitant, confused, hopeful yet unsure. "... Isabela?" 

Then Her voice, the Lich, regal and sure: "Release her at once. Isabela is my guest, not my enemy."

Isabela's voice, thick -- a fat lip?  A missing tooth? Blood loss? -- but sure, and alive: "Yeah? That mean I'm free to go?"

"Is that... What you want?" Marian again, nervous, unsure. Hurting.

[Tethras Clan]

NonononononononononononoNONO Zevran lets out a gasp, sinking to his knees, forehead pressed against the door. Please... Isabela... I can't... I can't lose... please. Please...

[GamesMaster]

"No," says Isabela, trying to sound gay through the pain and fear.

"Then... You really did come back for me? You.. even though I look like this now?"

"Sure," says Isabela. 

"Oh, Isabela..."  Marian sounds tearful, relieved.

"Uh, hey, maybe not--"

"Don't be shy. I know how much you love contact."

[Tethras Clan]

That's it, be clever. Just- just long enough to- I'll find you, ma'bela. I will. I can't lose another- I won't. Come death or damnation, I will not lose any more of my loved ones. Just be clever a little while, string it along, play pretend. Oh stay safe, ma'bela, please.

[GamesMaster]

There's a soft moan, Hawke's moan of delight. There's no matching sound from Isabela. A moment later, Hawke pulls back. "Come with me," she purrs.

Footsteps away, up the stairs.

[Carver Amell]

Dog leads them back toward where they were: in to the sewers, under the catacombs, into the basement. He stops where they had been ambushed: the scattered pieces of the undead that stopped them, the splashes of blood across the floor. 

Is she dead? Captured? Wonders Carver, with a frown.

[Tethras Clan]

~Dog doesn't look sad- more worried. Take a look around. I can see in the dark but my vantage point as to start from you. Still can't look through things either, which would have been kind of neat.~

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

Something moves near some racks that once held wine caskets; as Caver gets closer, peering around, the girl launches herself at him from the top of another rack, knives at the ready. Thankfully, she recognizes the dogs before she stabs him, so he's only tackled painfully to the stone ground, knelt on, and humiliated. 

[Tethras Clan]

~She's good,~ Varric notes with a wince. ~Might have noticed her on my own body but damn. See why she lived. You alright?~

[Carver Amell]

Ow. Yeah, he's fine. As she lets him up, he struggles to get his breath back. 

[Theta "T" Roidmet]

T's already moving on, throwing her arms around Dog. "Good boy," is all she says, gruffly, but he can smell the tears she hides in his fur.