A few days later, the meeting with the Shadow Dragons ended up with a chase through Docktown searching for a red lyrium relic. Not that Isabella was complaining. She took every opportunity to ruin a Venatori's day, plus it meant that the Shadow Dragons trusted her a little more as well. Neve gave the relic to the Viper, who promised to destroy it as he had with the others they had found. As the Viper left, Neve led Isabella and Lucanis to a more secluded part of the Shadows' hideout.

"So, any clue on how we're going to handle Bataris?" Isabella asked, hating the fact that the magister's son turned Venatori had just slipped through their fingers. Neve leaned against the wall and raised her shoulders.

"Rana said she would handle it, and I suppose we'll have to let her deal with it," the mage answered, hating the answer as much as Isabella did. "We don't have anything else on Albin, so there's nothing much we can do other than wait for him to slip up again."

"The Crows are always an option," Lucanis offered as Isabella smirked.

"As much as I would love to put a contract out on Albin, I would like to see what he can lead us to. Not to mention the smuggler at the scene. There's something else going on, but I can't quite put my finger on it," Neve complained, folding her arms.

"So, what now? The Viper said that he would watch for the gods and more relics," Isabella sighed, feeling a bit defeated. She had hoped that the relic would lead to more answers instead of a spoiled brat, but there were more leads out there.

"We could check back with Harding, I suppose," Neve replied. "Weren't you waiting to hear from her about the Grey Wardens?"

"She said that she reached out a couple of times but never heard anything back. I spoke with her a few days ago, but I suppose we could ask again," Isabella sighed before there was a knock on the wall behind them. Tarquin, the Viper's right-hand man, held a small letter in his hand with a bit of a scowl.

"It seems your popular, Rook. This just arrived at the shop for you," he informed as Isabella's eyes narrowed at the paper.

"From whom?" she asked, gingerly taking the letter.

"Beats me, but one of the Shadows dropped it off. Seems that someone is asking for you," Tarquin answered as Isabella broke the seal. She read over it, more confused than before.

Rook,

We haven't formally met, but I have heard whispers about you from the Shadow Dragons for the past few weeks. I hope that this letter doesn't alarm you too terribly.

I write to you because the First Warden is asking about your whereabouts around the Cobbled Swan in Docktown. It's a pub right off the pier. I would have brought the message in person, but I have been delayed due to some circumstances. The Venatori don't love that I'm back in the city and do enjoy making my life difficult.

Should you be interested and in town after your discussion with the First Warden, come back to the pawn shop, and we can meet in person. I would like to meet you and see who stopped the Dread Wolf's ritual.

Mae

Isabella turned back to Tarquin as she handed the letter over to Neve to look at it. When the Crow went to ask a few questions, Tarquin held up a hand to stop her.

"I know the signature of the letter too well to know who it is. If you trust the Viper or me, then you can trust her. Maker, if you trust Neve, you can trust Mae. I don't need to know what's written in the note either," Tarquin informed before taking his leave. Isabella nodded before bowing slightly as he left. She turned to Neve, who gave back the letter.

"He's right, Mae's trustworthy. I've met her a few times before. I didn't expect that the First Warden would be in town," Neve remarked as Isabella tucked away the note.

"I didn't either. Definitely not a coincidence, and I don't think it's related to Harding's letters either. Harding didn't anticipate that the meeting with the Shadow Dragons would occur today," Isabella pointed out with a frown.

"You think he came to seek you out?" Lucanis wondered.

"Maybe. If this Mae heard about me stopping the Dread Wolf, it's not outlandish to think that there are rumors about it. Maybe the First Warden came looking for answers. Harding, Varric, and I spent a long time in the area searching for the ritual site. It wouldn't be outlandish to start searching here for clues to learn more about it," Isabella mentioned before she sighed. "Not a good sign for him to be here instead of Arlathan, though. There's no blight here."

"My thoughts as well. Are you going to meet with him?" Neve asked.

"Little choice not to. We were hoping to have an audience with him anyway. No sense in avoiding him now. Although, I am nervous on why he was tracking me down," Isabella admitted with a shrug. Lucanis frowned and folded his arms in thought. "Usually, the instinct is to run when you hear someone is tracking you."

"True, but this is the First Warden, and you're not darkspawn," Neve reminded.

"Neve, you know this Mae person. What are your thoughts on this message?" Isabella asked as the detective took a breath.

"Mae is a smart and rational person who doesn't take unnecessary risks. She wouldn't reach out to you just to make idle contact. If she wanted you to know that the First Warden was looking for you, there was probably a good reason for it. While I don't think that the Wardens are looking to harm you in any way, it is strange to find them in Minrathous at all. I think she wanted to warn you so you could approach this with caution and awareness. There's a missing variable that I think that we're missing that Mae doesn't even know about that is the reason why the First Warden is here in the first place," Neve explained. Isabella nodded, rubbing her cheek in thought.

"Alright then. Sounds like then we should pay the First Warden a visit," she sighed.

"Are you sure? It sounds like he's searching for just you, and that can't be a good sign," Lucanis reminded, catching Isabella's attention.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You mentioned that Harding and Varric were with you when you arrived in Minrathous the first time, yet the letter mentioned that the First Warden is only looking for you. Why is he only looking for you?" Lucanis wondered as Isabella frowned. "Do you pose a threat where the others did not?"

"I nearly started a bar fight the last time I was here, but I was able to smooth that over with the bar owner," Isabella reassured before shaking her head. "I'm not sure why he would single me out."

"Do you think someone saw us running through the city when we were hunting for the relic?" Neve asked as Lucanis shrugged.

"It's a possibility. Rook is a common denominator in the two circumstances. Plus, maybe he did get Harding's notices and has been on the lookout. It's not like he has access to the Fade," Lucanis added. "I'm not sure that this isn't a trap."

"I suppose we should at least find out. We can't handle the blight on our own. We need the Wardens on that front," Isabella argued. Lucanis grimaced, realizing that she had a point there. None of them had any chance fighting the blight head on without support. "I'm just saying that we have a conversation, and we can go from there."

"Fine," Lucanis groaned as Neve nodded.

"I can show you where the Cobbled Swan is," the detective offered as Isabella nodded.

As the letter described, the pub was located next to the pier in Docktown, and it wasn't terribly far from the Shadow Dragons' hideout. Isabella kept her guard up as they walked towards the area, careful of any surprises or ambushes instore. She also felt Lucanis stay on edge as well while Neve tried to relax. Surely the First Warden just had questions about the blighted village, and he just happened to be in the same place as they were around the same time.

When Neve pointed out the Cobbled Swan, Isabella brought both of them to the side near an alleyway. She wasn't sure if bringing them inside was going to be the best plan. After all, the First Warden wasn't expecting the Crow known as Rook to appear, let alone with an entourage.

"Going in alone isn't a good idea," Lucanis argued as Isabella shook her head.

"If it does go south, then I need you two to get in and get me out. If we're all captured, then it puts us at a disadvantage. Do whatever you need to if it makes you feel better, but I am entering that pub alone. Besides, the Wardens aren't expecting me to show up. Imagine the panic if I show up with two well-armed people," Isabella countered.

"Let's say it does go south. What do you want us to do? I don't think we can just attack a group of Grey Wardens," Neve reminded as the Crow sighed.

"We'll improvise, but like I said, we're just covering our bases. I doubt anything will happen. I'll be fine. I'll go in, explain the blight, and meet you for some of the fried fish you mentioned," Isabella answered with a half-smile. Neve exhaled but nodded. Then Isabella turned to Lucanis. "Can't Spite follow me in?"

"He can't do anything when he's in his spirit form. No one else can see him either," Lucanis reminded as she shrugged.

"Yes, but he can keep an eye on me. It would make both of you feel better," Isabella suggested as he frowned. She did her best to keep a neutral face before he shook his head.

"Spite agrees with you. Sometimes I wonder if the two of you secretly conspire against me," Lucanis groaned. Isabella shrugged as she smirked.

"Just being pragmatic with all the assets at my disposal, plus it'll make you feel better," she informed as Neve hid a grin. "Alright, so you two stay close, and I'll go see if I can convince the First Warden to help us against the gods."

"Good luck," Neve replied.

Isabella held her head high as she walked into the Cobbled Swan. She had expected it to be bustling with business, but it seemed that it had been temporarily taken over by the Wardens. As she stepped through the doors, what little chatter there was slowed to a silence. She scanned the room before a bald older man walked forward.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice calmer than she anticipated. Isabella stood a little straighter before she bowed with her right fist over her heart.

"Rook de Riva of the Crows," she informed before she stood to her full height again. She was a good head shorter than the Warden, and he used it to intimidate her further. "I heard the First Warden was looking for me."

"Indeed," the Warden grumbled before clearing his throat. "I am First Warden Jowin Glastrum of the Grey Wardens."

"A pleasure," Isabella replied. "May I ask why you were looking for me? I don't often find people wanting to find me."

"Yes, we received your team's messages about the unusual blight in D'Meta's Crossing as well as the mayor there," the First Warden explained as he placed his hands behind his back. "As we investigated and asked around, we learned that the blight was unleashed during a ritual that took place in Arlathan Forest. A ritual that you took part in."

"I stopped that ritual. I did not take part in it," Isabella argued plainly.

"Regardless, your involvement in the ritual is what caused the blight to be unleashed. At least, that is what the letters and the witnesses we spoke to have said," he continued as she narrowed her eyes.

"If I hadn't stopped that ritual, the whole world would be overrun by rampaging demons," she countered. He ignored her.

"I have also heard tales of blighted gods as the cause. Let me guess: you blame them for the blight as well."

"They are the ones controlling the blight, yes. They are ancient elven mages, known as the gods Ghilan'nain and Elgar'nan. They are going to continue what they started at D'Meta's if we don't work together and stop the blight."

"Let me tell you something. The blight has always been evil, implacable, and predictable. In over a thousand years, it has never changed, and it never will," the First Warden explained as Isabella frowned. "The Grey Wardens will take care of the blight, as we always have. And we will not listen to the ravings of a deluded girl."

"Excuse me?" Isabella argued before he shook his head.

"It's clear to me that the blight has messed up your already weak mind," he informed before he raised his arm. Suddenly, Isabella was flanked as two large guards grabbed her by her upper arms. "You are hereby under arrest for unleashing the blight, and you shall only be released once the blight has been dealt with."

"First Warden, you are making a mistake," Isabella informed as she tried to shake off the guards. She only hoped that Spite had already left to get Lucanis and Neve. What they were going to do, she hadn't a clue.

"We will take you back to Weisshaupt for imprisonment until the time of your release. We will also notify your next of kin of your relocation," the First Warden informed before waving her away. The guards started to drag her towards the back of the pub as she struggled.

"First Warden! I am not making this up! I am not blighted or crazy! Youneedto release me!" Isabella shouted before the guards brought her down to the wine cellar, shutting the door behind them. The First Warden exhaled, shaking his head as he went to the map on the table to plan the trip to Weisshaupt.

~C~

Lucanis waited as he was told to in the alley as Neve watched from a nearby rooftop. It wasn't ideal, but he had to admit that Rook was probably right. It was most likely a meetup regarding the letters Harding sent about the blighted town, and how they could help with the next steps. He wondered how the Wardens would take the news about the gods. For now, all he could do was wait for her and Spite to return. What he hadn't expected was Spite to come flying around the corner.

"Warden is taking Rook," Spite shouted as Lucanis froze for a split second.

"Mierda," he cursed under his breath before signaling to Neve. "What do you mean they're taking her?"

"He knows. About the town. He thinks. Rook did it. He blames! Rook! Now he takes Rook!" Spite explained as Lucanis followed Spite towards the pub. "Warden said to arrest her. Take her to Weisshaupt. Until the blight is gone."

"Where is she now?" Lucanis hissed, now at the front corner of the building. Spite paced in front of him, wanting to burst into the tavern immediately.

"They took her. In the Cellar. Must be quick. Secrets in the Cellar," Spite urged as Lucanis peered through the window near him.

"What's in the cellar?" Lucanis whispered as Spite frowned, trying to find the words.

"Paths. Caves," Spite answered slowly as if he was concentrating. Lucanis saw Neve approach from the alley before he turned back to the demon.

"There are caves down there?" he asked.

"Caves? Are you talking about the catacombs?" Neve wondered as Spite brightened for a moment.

"Yes! Catacombs. Cellar leads to those," Spite finished as Lucanis grit his teeth together.

"Lucanis? What about the catacombs?" Neve asked again, waving her hand between him and Spite. Lucanis turned to her, shaking his head.

"Rook was arrested by the Wardens, and she was taken down to the cellar. Spite was trying to explain was down in the cellar, and he mentioned caves," Lucanis explained while Neve narrowed her eyes at the pub.

"Then she's down in the catacombs," she finished. "That's worse than I thought. Those paths run all through the city. If we don't get down there soon, we won't find her until they get her out of here. I'm assuming their taking her to Weisshaupt."

"According to Spite, yes," Lucanis answered.

"Any chance Spite can give us a boost? Searching through those tunnels will take days if we do it with just the two of us without any supernatural help. I'm good at finding people, but not like that," the mage informed. Lucanis glanced at the demon since the question was really geared toward Spite. The demon thought for a moment before nodding.

"Can smell Rook. Follow the scent," Spite answered proudly as Lucanis grimaced.

"He can find Rook's scent," Lucanis groaned.

"What? Like a hound dog?" Neve asked as the Crow shrugged.

"I guess we'll find out. It's worth the try at least," he relented as Spite stepped into his body. He knew what Spite meant by following her scent, as they had done something similar to find his vial of blood in the Ossuary. He just hadn't anticipated doing it to find their leader.

Before Neve showed Lucanis down to the catacombs, she sent a quick note through the Shadow Dragons to be sent through the eluvian. Not ideal, due to the issues in Treviso a few days prior, but they didn't have time for an in-person meeting.

Luckily, one of the entrances to the catacombs Neve knew about was close by, and they were able to get there quickly. They hoped that they could at least get to where Rook was being held before the ship bound for Weisshaupt loaded her up. Once the ship left, then they would have to figure out a whole new plan. There was a chance that there was an eluvian in the Anderfels, where Weisshaupt was located, but a prisonbreak in the Thedas's most guarded and largest fortresses wasn't high on their bucket lists.

Once they were in, Lucanis led the charge, letting Spite dictate where the scent was the strongest. It was strange, working with Spite so closely like this. Had it been under other circumstances, Lucanis wasn't sure he would've let him participate this much. However, Neve said that no one really knew how to navigate the catacombs fully, so finding an expert on the area would take too much time. So, he would need to trust the demon to find their leader.

Eventually, Spite was able to navigate the hallways and the passages enough to find a Warden presence. They slowed down and kept out of sight as the wardens talked amongst themselves, a few mentioning the city and the night life. Lucanis motioned for Neve to stay as he grew closer, listening to the wardens in case they got too close.

"What do you think about her?" one of the wardens asked with a gruff voice.

"Hmm, she's easy on the eyes, but I think the First Warden might right. Ancient gods unleashing the blight is a little far-fetched," another warden replied, his voice a little higher. Lucanis froze, realizing that they were talking about Rook. Spite growled at the casual mention of her appearance.

"I dunno, I've heard of weirder stuff going down in the south," the gruff warden argued as the second groaned exasperatedly.

"You just don't want her to be crazy so you can have a chance with her."

"So what if I do? She didn't sound crazy otherwise. She sounds educated and smart. She just talks about blighted gods a lot."

"Which iscrazy. Doesn't matter which bolt is loose if the whole thing falls apart," the second warden countered. Lucanis rolled his eyes as Spite started to yell in the back of his mind. Carefully, he snuck around the arguing wardens towards the adjacent room where he found Rook's things. Only no Rook.

With a hope and a prayer, he grabbed some of her poisoned gear and blew two darts at the arguing wardens. Both complained about the pain before both slumped over. Dead or drugged, Lucanis didn't know which. Once Rook was out, she could address them and let him know.

Scent is stale.

What do you mean?

Rook is not here.

Then she's been moved?

Yes, but still close by.

Then let's find her.

Lucanis back tracked with Rook's gear and motioned for Neve to follow him. With the two wardens down, they could at least keep moving. With a quick glance, he could see that the two were at least breathing. So that meant that they had a time limit to get Rook and get out.