Under Darkness [AU]

[Tethras Clan]

"Evidently, there's an 'un' in front of that these days," Varric says sourly. "Shit had a necromancer geased to lich him or something soon after. So yeah. He- it- is back and is going to be an issue."

[Isabela]

"Great," says Isabela, and she does sound happy. "Gives me something to do to pass time. You said two groups?"

[Tethras Clan]

Varric nods a bit knowingly, having a pretty good idea where the next outing of her, Zevran, Hawke, Aveline and Beka will be heading. "I'll reach out and see if I can get some locations and such for you. But yeah, two groups. The other one is a merc group, mostly works the gap between Nyra and Glaley. From what the slaver said, they were doing a job in the area that overlapped in a way that allowed for mutual success. The Red Daisies- daft name honestly- were looking-" He breaks off, catching a reaction for a second time, this one unexpected.

[Isabela]

Isabela's expression hardens; she tries to cover by raising the glass to her lips, but upon hearing him break off, abandons all pretense. "I know why they were here." 

[Tethras Clan]

"...Maeve mentioned that Anso's bargain was that any captives were his- unless they were kids or mothers of young kids," Varric says slowly. "I had thought it was just that the Red Daisies were local and transporting young slaves is harder long distance so that was how they decided to split things up. It wasn't, was it?"

[Isabela]

"Kids," she snarls, turning her head away. "They must have mistaken-- bastards." She throws back her glass, then, drowning her feelings in several gulps of tequila before adding, "What they're after never existed." 

[Tethras Clan]

Varric's mind supplies 'Naishe' and he nods slightly. "Right. So. Two things to handle. I'll put feelers out on that as well, see if I can get some targets for a certain questing band to follow up on."

[Isabela]

"If they got any news back, we'll need to be careful. Whatever they saw that tipped them off," did they see me babysitting? How long have they been watching me? "we'll probably still get trouble. I may have to take a solo trip to settle things."

[Tethras Clan]

"I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that's either the tequila talking or you meant 'go ahead alone with backup' and didn't forget the entire Clan thing you've been soaking in for months now," Varric says blandly.

[Isabela]

"Where I'm after I won't need more than a few hired hands, and this isn't something Clan should be concerned with."

[Tethras Clan]

"Thought exercise- if that was Zevran saying that, saying how he wants to face his past, do something dangerous and painful alone, how would you react?"

[Isabela]

She looks away, uncomfortable. "It's not my business," she says, and despite her best efforts there's real pain in her voice.

[Tethras Clan]

"Uh-huh. Care to wager on if you could repeat that under a truthing?" Varric says after taking a sip.

[Isabela]

"I could." This time her tone is a bit flat, and she sighs, still not looking at him before adding, "I thought I'd never get a chance to repay him as it was. If he didn't want my help, I won't force him." 

[Tethras Clan]

"No debts, Bela girl," Varric reminds her. "Even if that still doesn't... sit entirely naturallike on you, Zevran adores the idea, embraces it. He won't ever accept that you might owe him a thing."