The Silver Queen [AU]

[Carver Amell]

"Can do."

And he does, though not without fumbling his way through it. He ends up asking the second guard which way to the bathrooms, doing a not horrible impression of a pee-pee dance as he sees Zevran sneak up behind the guy, though he blushes faintly as he straightens. 

"Right. Let's go." The sooner we find the place, the sooner we get Isabela out.

[Tethras Clan]

Thankfully, Zevran is too focused on the task at hand to tease Carver. The merikos drow is not overly skilled at finding traps or secret mechanisms, but he has good eyes and patience, so he manages. Carver, having moved the guards into the pantry- and stealing all the wine as he's been trained- only has to stand there for a few moments before there's a faint click from underneath the wall hanging. "Ready Carver?"

[Carver Amell]

"Ready!" 

They head down the narrow, rickety stairs, into the small chamber below. At the bottom of the spiral staircase there's a door, leading to a room with four cots -- and one pissed-off guard, who had just been getting to the good part in his book when these fools came barging in.

They make quick work of him and journey beyond, into the back room. The chamber abuts the cliff, with doors that roll to the side so it can be mucked out, much like a stable; this is unsurprising, as the floors are covered in straw, just like a stable might be. Inside are two large cages, one along either wall, the iron bars stopping just shy of the floor, allowing water and brooms to get underneath to rake out the straw when the room is empty.

As it is now, thankfully. There are manacles hung on the wall, but no prisoners. It's clear what would be kept here, however. No horse could be coaxed up and down those stairs. There is, however, a smaller cage stuffed into the large one. Inside is what appears to be a perfectly ordinary cat. A black cat, one with grey stripes, violet eyes, and a white tuft of fur on its belly. It's sleek but not overly thin, tail curled tightly around itself, huddled in a pose universal to humans and animals alike. Around its neck is a collar, one that shimmers with red and black runes, clearly maintaining some magical effect.

"...that's not his wife transformed, is it?" asks Carver, hesitantly.

[Tethras Clan]

"..." Zevran gives Carver a shrug, then glances down at the mabari. "Ah, does she- he, whatever- smell like..." Hunter snuffs softly, moving closer to the cell- though not too close- to get a better sniff.

[GamesMaster]

The cat arches its back, taking a few steps back from the dog, but instead of hissing, a cultured, elegant male voice calls out in Draconic, "Stay away from me, I'm warning you!" His voice sounds strained, though whether it's from fear or screaming is hard to tell. 

[Tethras Clan]

"Huh. Is that... draconic? Do you happen to speak common? Or elven? Auran?" Zevran asks with great aplomb. 

[GamesMaster]

"Bollocks. Yes, yes, now call off your dogs, I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"

[Carver Amell]

"Oh! We're not -- we're actually rescuers, believe it or not."

[Tethras Clan]

"And they're mabari, not dogs," Zevran says automatically, his heart panging slightly, almost absently, at the reminder of how Merrill would correct people about Silence. Hunter wuffs softly, mildly insulted, and ambles back over to Carver for pats. "I am Zevran, the one is Silence and they are Hunter and Carver, four and two legged respectively."

[GamesMaster]

"I see," says the feline, and it's weird how the sounds don't quite match up with the meaning. "My deepest apologies. I have not heard of your kind before, Hunter and Silence."

[Tethras Clan]

Hunter studies the feline for a moment, then bobs his head agreeably. 

Looking amused, Zevran grins. "You're very polite. Might I ask who- and what- you are? I do not mean to be rude either, I am simply ignorant of our nature."

[GamesMaster]

"I am a Silvanshee; your people also call us the Cait Sith. My name is His-paws-are-silent-but-his-growl-is-fierce-in-defense-of-the-righteous. You may nickname me if you prefer." He eyes them warily, this little speech coming out like one well rehearsed.

[Tethras Clan]

"That would take a bit to say regularly," Zevran allows. "Thank you for the consideration. Would... Vigilant Prowler suffice?"

[Carver Amell]

"Too long," grunts Carver. "Vi-ga-lent-prow-ler. Five syllables. We get into a rough spot, we won't be able to shout for him to run."

[GamesMaster]

"I assure you, I am more capable than you think. Only remove this collar and I can demonstrate," he says, voice a little prickly.