The Winter's Queen [Magus AU]

[Tethras Clan]

~Tell Flirts to lay off with the japes, we're working,~ Varric comments.

"The Adrift? A humorless bunch but they are good in a fight," Zevran says thoughtfully.

[NPCs]

"Anything else of note in your scry, Helene?" Lelldorin asks softly, not wanting to interrupt the planning if the answers a negative.

[Helene Dakesh]

Helene shakes their head. "Aside from being in a bedroom this time, it does not appear the lich leaves." 

[Carver Amell]

"Let's see if we can buy or barter for their help." 

[NPCs]

As it turns out, the payment the Adrift want is the chance to kill the undead fuckers responsible for killing a full score of their troops. So that was actually pretty easy to set up. Leiferung Rocromm and Himmfuast Chadra inform the group that they'll be joining the strike force, while a full platoon of Adrift with a handful of adventurers will be assaulting the temple in the open as cover. They'll deliberately go slow and conservative, aiming to chew up undead rather than gain ground.

[Carver Amell]

If it comes down to it, I'll make sure he gets out, Carver promises Varric, watching Zevran scout ahead. Someone has to get back to Isabela, get her to safety. 

[Tethras Clan]

~I'd prefer you manage to get yourself out too,~ Varric says soberly. Why is everyone, well, okay, everyone but Flirty, already preparing their 'I must die, so you may live!' speech? Was everyone this martyrish and I never noticed before or what?

"So... other than summoning a few modest creatures and such... you have no real combat utility?" Zevran remarks to Helene.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one has prepared healing today." Helene replies, neutrally, the look in their eyes stubborn. 

[Carver Amell]

I mean, I would too, one hundred percent. But I've seen plays like this before. They don't end well for the protagonist.

[Tethras Clan]

~Don't think we're in that kind of play. You're clearly the new made hero, complete with wise mentor who will fade away after his proving quest,~ Varric counters. ~You can't die, that would ruin the ending.~

"And healing is great, but doesn't stop an zombie from ripping your throat out," Zevran says bluntly.

[Carver Amell]

I just don't want the mentor's son to die to teach me learn a valuable lesson about friendship.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is not afraid of death. It is part of life." 

[Tethras Clan]

"True, but undeath is not," Zervan says firmly.

~Fair. Selfish, but I'm hoping that if anyone dies, it'll be one of the two Adrift folks. Preferably the older one, he's had more time already,~ Varric says soberly.

[Helene Dakesh]

"This one is unsure, but... as long as this one's body is raised in a way that does not entrap this one's soul, this one suspects it will not interfere with this one's reincarnation cycle. This one is unafraid." 

[Carver Amell]

Me too. It seems like you all have gone through more than enough already. Losing more people is... that would be horrible.