Oliver

He hadn't expected to find anyone in the middle of the night as he walked down the steps into the foyer of his family home.

Yet he found his sister looking at him, arm crossed over her chest, over by the entrance.

"Sneaking out again?" She asked.

His heart pounded for a moment and he took a couple deep breaths to make sure his voice was as level as he could, "You know that the life of a magister is one of constant work. I have to work odd hours. I have to find time to enjoy myself when I can Tessia."

Without missing a beat his sister asked, "So, who is she?"

Oliver blinked at the apparent non sequitur, but then when he realized what she meant he had to fight down his laughter.

Still it wouldn't help it would raise more questions in the end if he didn't act somewhat to brand.

"Its not that serious. At least not yet sis...I don't want to draw too much attention to her until I am sure it'll last."

"So not someone who is entirely a noble?" She asked as if probing him.

What's that supposed to mean. "Do you care?"

"I just want what is best for you Ollie...and for our family. I've heard rumors about your time in the service. About some of the compromises you've made...I just want you to be careful."

He settled on pursing his lips. "OK. Can I go now?"

"Yes, enjoy your date."

It was a small lie of course which sent him into the Streets of Minrathous. He had no intention of meeting a random dalliance of all people, with the limited time he did have everything he did had to be in service to his overall objectives. He could rest after he had brought the Venatori to justice.

His path tonight led him to a small hole in the wall tavern on the edge of the docks. Despite its out of the way nature it was still had a respectable enough reputation for attracting a clientele that was more above board then seedy.

Somewhere a magister wouldn't even be entirely out of the place of.

Yet in his spare time he had tracked one person specifically, trying to learn his habits as the weeks turned into months.

As he entered the dining hall his eyes swept the room looking for the person he wanted to meet.

"Magister." A small Elf froze mid stride even carrying a silver tray filled to the brim with meets.

He tried to bring up a genuine smile but he did feel somewhat chagrinned about being recognized.

"How may we serve you?" A small balding Dwarf squeaked from behind the bar.

"Nothing thanks, I'm here to meet a friend." He bowed his head, wondering if it would pay to ask them to keep quiet, though that would just draw even more attention to him should it even get out in the first place.

The owner gave a respectful bow and let him pass through into the center of the dining room without any further harassment.

It took him a half moment to spy his target, even with his back turned towards the door the ears and skin color were a distinctive combination.

He took a few tentative steps forward, moving along the perimeter of the room, stalking ahead. Watching as the Elf stuffed a meaty sandwich in his mouth and then licked one of his fingers.

Mid lick he finally grew aware that he was being watched and his eyes met Oliver's blues across the room.

"Daggone." He brought up a warm smile.

"Magister." The Elf replied cooly.

"Please," he let the smile waver for a second, "we were friends once...can I join you?" Daggone leaned back in the chair and rubbed one considering hand over his mouth. After another minute he shrugged and gestured to the chair across from him.

Oliver took up the offer and sat down. The two of them stared across at one another for a second, sizing each other up.

"Look, Oliver. I hate being cold. We did serve together, fought together. But the situation has changed...our mutual situation. You have come into your inheritance...and me? Discharged from the military after the incident and forced to become a household guard. I still have some respect, my nominal freedom...but what about you?"

Oliver blinked at the question, then it dawned on him. "You think I've changed?"

"Until I'm sure...you have everything you could ever want, and I've seen what that kind of power can do to people."

Oliver felt a small smirk tug at the corners of his lips, "much like with the Venatori?"

"Something like that." Daggone allowed, his eyes narrowing as if he knew he was falling into a trap.

"After everything we saw in army on the front lines? It was a Venatori operation we stumbled across. A Venatori operation that infiltrated our chain of command and got us to smuggle Red Lyrium for them. It was a Vantori operation which framed our superior officer for the deed in the first place and had her arrested."

"That was never proven." Daggone said conversationally.

He barked a laugh, "Who else could it be?"

Daggone flinched, his eyes swiveled around to look at him for a minute, staring.

Oliver stared back unblinking, the waiter came with their food, and he tried to distract himself with burying himself in it.

Daggone watched the waiter leave out of the corner of his eye and then his eye swiveled back around like a Qunari canon.

He had a sneaking suspicion where it was going but he didn't want to push it and confirm it for him. Just trying to eat his meal, trying to find something to keep the conversation going.

"You're him aren't you?"

Oliver choked on his spoon but tried to hide it by taking a deep gulp and putting the spoon down.

"Who?"

Daggone gave him a look like he shouldn't kid a kidder. "That is probably what this was about anyways but you were just trying to work up to it?"

He still tried to play dumb.

"The Silver Rook that has been running around putting arrows in criminals," he chuckled, folding his hands over his chest, "I should've even known, you were known as the 'Rook' in the service."

Oliver's rolled his tongue over his mouth, his eyes darting to each side of the room, "keep it down."

He chuckled, "if I really wanted to expose you don't you think I would've shouted it to the entire room? You can't stop me, you aren't exactly armed."

He bowed to the inevitability of the logic, "in truth I was wondering how to even approach you...I wasn't even sure you'd accept."

"Well," the Elf sobered, rubbing a hand over his mouth, "this revelation certainly changes things."

"Does it?" Oliver tried to keep the hope flaring in his chest out of his voice.

"Yeah," he nodded, "you did the right thing when you were in the service. You didn't leave our CO behind, you rescued her despite what command wanted you to do...likely Venatori influenced command. Now I am uncomfortable with taking the law into your own hands, but then someone has to do something. I see it. You see it. The Venatori are doing something. Even if its the wrong thing in the end maybe, just maybe."

The waiter came by, they quickly changed gears.

"But I still know you wouldn't be doing this unless you thought it was the right thing to do."

"And honestly I want to hand it off to the authorities. Right now the Venatori have infiltrated us, the Imperium, if we can prove it to someone, then the authorities will act. I hope."

"Sounds like a plan, if not a hopeful one." Daggone smirked.

"So, you in?"

"I guess I got nothing better to do..."

"Well," Oliver got up, "I'll show you to my lair."

"You have a lair?" Daggone asked as he paid the bill.

In the short time he had been here his home away from home had come along somewhat nicely. He managed to get most of the floor clear of debris setting up archery butts and archery stands where he could.

And now Daggone was here running his hand along the rack, pressing a single hand on one of the tips and recoiling his hand, a thin film of blood.

"You know part of me thought you were just kidding, even still. But I must admit boss...this is impressive work. Have you really done all this by yourself?"

"Well...not all by myself." He folded his hands over his chest. "Though mostly the lair by myself. When you're a magister though people don't ask questions and you can ask for information discreetly."

"You've done well for yourself Oliver. You seem to have something started here."

"So I take it that is still a yes?"

Daggone nodded.

Oliver took it and the elder Elf grasped it with a firm shake.