Idiot:

I hope you're reading this. If the trail really has led you to Tevinter, it'll be harder to get messages through. The Antaam in Antiva are prickly about anything to do with our neighboring kingdom.

Back home, things have cooled, but they are not forgotten. Killing all those Antaam may have felt righteous in the moment, but the Talons are still complaining that your actions ruined weeks of setting up a larger, more effective strike.

I am one of the Talons still complaining. While unconventional, I consider this contract with Varric valid and approved. Crows do not fail contracts, especially Crows from House de Riva who may need to improve their judgement. But there is more at stake than honor. Whatever this "Solas" is up to needs to be stopped. I've seen enough of his handiwork to know that.

Don't get careless out there. Don't fail. And don't get yourself killed, or I will come after you in the Fade myself.

Viago

Isabella reread the note again as she grounded herself. She had received the note about three months into Varric's contract after a Crow found them in a small town in Tevinter. She nearly stabbed the Crow for sneaking up on her, but she was glad to know that her Talon was reaching out. On the outside, it looked like a nagging letter from a superior about her ineptitude, and to some extent, it was. However, between the lines, she could feel regret and concern in his writing. If she pulled this off, there was a good chance she could squeeze an apology out of him.

However, she needed to complete this increasingly impossible contract first. In the beginning, she thought that it would be easy. Find the mage, tie him up, and deliver him to the authorities. At least, something along those lines, but this Solas was slipperier than she ever expected. He seemed to always be at least three steps ahead of them, but she prided herself that she never lost his trail. While they couldn't catch up, she didn't lose him.

Harding wondered if they should bring more people in, but Varric wanted to keep their operation tight and quick. Too many people would slow down their operation, would make it harder for Isabella to work. Plus, Varric and Harding had a hard time keeping up with the Crow at the best of times when she had found the trail.

Especially after receiving the note a few months ago, Isabella had doubled down on her efforts and adopted a one-track mind. She would eat and sleep, then her mind would return to finding the mage. She would not disappoint her Talon more than she already had, and she would find her way back home, even if it killed her. At least Viago would pull her out of the Fade if she did die trying.

It was only when the trail led to Minrathous did Isabella lose the scent. Cities made tracking easier for Crows, as it meant there were witnesses and transaction paper trails. However, no one had seen the Dread Wolf or anyone matching his description. She gave herself a three-day grace period before admitting that she had lost him in the city.

She had expected Varric to be disappointed or even angry with her for failing, but he simply suggested they find an expert in finding people within the city. Isabella tapped her finger on the table for a moment, trying to figure out the dwarf's angle.

"I thought that you didn't want anyone else on the team," she commented as Varric sighed. They had returned to the inn they were staying at near the center of the city. Harding had found it for its easy access to the major hubs throughout the urban area.

"I think we can add a fourth to our band of misfits, Rook. Especially if it means we can figure out what Solas is doing in Minrathous. I'll ask around and see what I can find while you get some rest," Varric insisted as Isabella scoffed.

"Wouldn't you rather have backup? I have the feeling that this place is dangerous to wander alone," she remarked as Varric nodded.

"I'll take Harding with me, but you need to take a break. You've done wonderfully so far, and I need you to keep it up. Which you can only do if you relax and get a decent night of sleep."

"I'll be fine, I can come with you."

"Rook, please, just take the afternoon off. We can get back to rushing around tomorrow once we have a lead," Varric assured as Isabella exhaled. "I promise, I'm not breaking our contract. And you haven't broken the contract either. This contract will be open until we stop Solas from tearing down the Veil."

"Alright," she groaned, sitting on the chair near the window. Varric stared at her for a moment as she practically melted into the chair. She had been rigid and tense since the beginning, hiding behind clever quips and word plays. Honestly, he wasn't sure if she had the capacity to relax at all.

"Harding and I will ask around a few places and then come back. Go ahead and relax, and we'll see you in the morning," Varric reassured before he grabbed his crossbow. Isabella nodded once, and he left.

She sat in the chair for a while yet, watching the busy streets out the window. The market was just a street over, and she guessed that the evening was the perfect time for the locals to buy their goods. She frowned, remembering the Treviso markets. It felt silly to be nostalgic and homesick over a couple of stalls and performers, but she couldn't fight the feeling.

In a moment of what Viago would most likely see as weakness, she grabbed a blank piece of parchment from the desk and began to draft a letter. Because of how hectic the last six months had been, she hadn't been able to write Viago back. She doubted he expected an update from her, but she thought to give one anyway. It would distract her enough from feeling homesick if she could remember the disappointment on his angry face.

She argued with herself over how formal she wanted the letter to be, but she decided to go with more formal just in case it was seen by someone other than Viago. She was already in a heap of trouble, she didn't need to add to it.

Fifth Talon:

You'll be pleased to hear that we have tracked the mage known as Solas to Minrathous. He is holed up somewhere in the city, and we are narrowing in on him. He is within our grasp; I can feel it. I will not fail this contract; you have my word.

I am pleased to hear that things have started to cool in my absence, even if the Talons are still heated over my decisions. I understand that it has been a few months since you have written, so if those tempers have cooled further, please let me know. I miss Treviso dearly.

Also, please extend my deepest apologies to the Seventh Talon, Andarateia Cantori, for leaving so abruptly without saying goodbye. While there was little choice in the matter, I should have left a note or something similar. I hope that she is doing well as I expect her to be.

Next time we speak, I hope to have good news and a bottle of wine to celebrate. Otherwise, I fear that you will order to have my head on a pike instead. Let us hope it does not come to that.

From your faithful Rook,

Isabella de Riva

Isabella laughed inwardly at her sign off. She wasn't entirely sure what his thoughts were on the new nickname she had used, but she did see the face Viago made when they last spoke. It was a low blow, she knew, but it was an accurate one. She had stunned him with her words, which she rarely was able to do, which was a silver lining that night.

With a small smile, she walked back to the window and called for a crow. They were scarce outside of Antiva, but she knew that Viago had covertly been keeping an eye on the area. He wouldn't stoop so low to have her watched or followed, but Isabella knew that he would snatch any and every contract for a Tevinter mark. That is, if Teia didn't beat him to it. Isabella wondered what the First Talon would think if she caught wind of what they were doing.

As she guessed, a familiar bird appeared at the window, and Isabella tied the letter to the leg. She added instructions to where the letter needed to go before instructing the bird back to the Crow it was monitoring. The bird flew away and she fell back into her seat. Now she just needed to learn how to relax.

She changed into her jumpsuit instead of wearing the covert leathers Harding had suggested she wear. Isabella still carried her Crow armor and leathers, but she had to agree with the scout that she stuck out like a sore thumb. In certain circumstances, the Crow outfits were advantageous to hide in the dark and make quick getaways. However, it made her stand out when they were moving from town to town.

Isabella tapped her fingertips on the desktop as she stared out the window onto the streets. Relax. She needed to relax. Crows did not relax. Relaxing got you killed. Although, she wondered if she could now. There was no target staring back at her. There were no Antaam looking for examples. She wasn't chasing a mark that knew where she was, or that he was being pursued. No one even knew that she was a Crow, outside of Harding and Varric. She was as safe as she had ever been once she locked the window.

Seeing that there were no immediate threats waiting for her outside the inn, Isabella shut the window and locked it. She even placed a fragile bottle on the sill, in case someone managed to unlock it somehow. The shattering would wake her up before they even got in. She wished that she could also boobytrap the door in the same way, but Harding and Varric needed to return at some point. At least Varric had the key, so she could at least lock the door.

Grabbing a few daggers from her pack, she walked over to her bed and climbed in. She slid two blades under her pillow and another between the mattress and the frame. Her bow also leaned against the headboard, so she could grab that if things got terribly bad.

Generally, they took turns watching the camp during the night, but Isabella wasn't used to sleeping so vulnerably in a city she didn't recognize. There were several points of entry that could be foiled, but she pushed those thoughts from her mind. If she lingered on those, she would need to find a broom closet to curl up in to pass out.

~C~

Harding leaned next to the entrance of the bar, watching the patrons come in and out as Varric chatted and worked. She never had the same people skills he did. She was friendly, sure, but he could get people to talk about anything. He almost had gotten Rook to reveal her true name a few nights ago before Rook turned it into a joke. Harding knew it started out as codename because she didn't trust them, but now Harding believed that the name Rook was something she could hide behind now.

Still, Varric was the miracle worker, and Harding was the one who found the paths. She had found this bar down in Dock Town, which seemed to be helpful. The Cobbled Swan was a strange name for the pub, but it was a nice establishment by the water. It had a nice array of customers from sailors to dock hands to locals. If they could find someone to track Solas in the city, it was most likely going to be here.

A flash of green and white caught her attention when Varric walked towards her, this time with a person with him. It was a tall woman with dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. She had a half smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, but she did seem genuinely interested in whatever Varric was saying.

"And this is Scout Harding," Varric introduced once they were close enough to her. Harding smiled and held out her hand. The woman smiled and shook it.

"Neve Gallus," the woman introduced.

"Neve here has agreed to help us track down Solas. Story is that she's the best detective in Minrathous," Varric explained. Harding raised an eyebrow as Neve grimaced.

"I do what I can," Neve answered politely. "Come, sit down and we can chat about who this Solas is. You mentioned he was a mage."

"Yes, about that," Varric replied with a sigh. Neve sat at a table in the corner of the bar as Harding and Varric sat across from her. She sat up straight, leaning forward slightly to hear their tale. "He is a mage, yes, but an ancient one. My guess is that he's several thousand years old, and was known as the Dread Wolf, or Fen'harel."

"Uh huh," Neve answered slowly. She didn't believe the whole ancient mage thing, but Varric seemed quite serious about the matter, so she continued to listen.

"He is planning to do a ritual to tear down the Veil, and we need to find and stop him," Varric informed. Neve paused, unsure if she had heard him correctly.

"He wants to tear down the Veil? Why?"

"He believes that it's a mistake that he needs to correct. He's willing to risk the world to fix it and flood the world with demons if we can't get to him fast enough."

"Alright, you have my attention. I will help you find this Solas. What should I be looking for?" Neve asked, pulling out her notepad.

Harding glanced around at the bar, watching for potential problems as Varric gave more information to Neve. He explained what he looked like, what his magic felt like to him, and similar details. He also explained that there was another person on the team that was helping, but she couldn't make it to the first meeting. Neve hummed at that, barely interested in that tidbit. Harding bit back a snort, thinking Varric nearly had to chain Rook to the desk to get her to stay.

Eventually, the meeting came to an end, and Harding went back outside to make sure that the coast was clear. A part of her wondered if Rook's paranoia had rubbed off on her, but she still didn't know the city well enough to keep watch properly.

Neve bade them a good night before she walked into the darkness. Varric waved her off as Harding glanced around, making sure that this wasn't a setup. Once she was content, she turned back to Varric, who was smirking.

"What?" Harding wondered.

"Rook really has you this paranoid?"

"She's constantly looking over her shoulder like a demon is going to materialize with a knife and kill her. It's hard not to be on guard after nearly a year of that."

"I can't argue there. That woman needs to calm down," Varric sighed, shaking his head. "I've worked with a few Crows before, but I've never seen one so worked up."

"Do you think she has a contract out on her?"

"Well, she said her superiors weren't happy about her little stunt with the Antaam. She's also only received one letter from her home since we've left. I suppose it's not completely out of the question."

"And what do we do if a Crow does come to collect?"

"She will have to finish out her contract with us first, I believe. Otherwise, the Crow that kills her will adopt the contract. At least, that's how I think it works," Varric answered with a sigh. "Both of you need to take a deep breath. The Crows will be the least of our worries if we can't find Solas before he finishes the ritual."

"You're right," Harding relented as she slung her bow on her back. It would be a long walk back to the inn, and hopefully Rook would be asleep by the time they got there.

~C~

Viago stared out his office window, clenching his jaw. He had just shouted at a group of his Crows for sloppily completing a contract. At least Isabella could finish a contract cleanly, even if she disobeyed his orders from time to time. These Crows could learn from her.

Maker, his throat hurt.

And where was Teia in all of this? A few of the Crows were from House Cantori, why was he overseeing them? Of course, he wouldn't yell at Teia about her Crows. She would filet him and send him to the First Talon in pieces.

He ran a hand down his face, staring at the city lights. The sun had set not that long ago as he watched the stars start to shine through. The next batch of Tevinter and Nevarra reports would arrive soon, and he would look them over before he retired to bed. As if on cue, a Crow walked in and handed him the reports before excusing himself, not letting the Talon get a word in.

Viago watched as the Crow walked away before turning to the reports. Most were completed contracts and notices that his Crows would be returning to Antiva. He flipped through them, gathering information about the two neighboring kingdoms, when he saw the letter addressed to him, the Fifth Talon.

He pulled it from the reports and read it carefully. Reports and notes weren't addressed to him, but rather to the House de Riva or the de Riva estate. As he read it, he felt his mood lighten slightly, especially due to the formality of the letter. It must have killed her to write it as if she were writing to the First Talon.

Still, Viago placed the reports on the desk as he sat down in his chair, going over the letter. To hear that she had grown homesick in the past nine months did hit him a little hard. He hadn't expected this contract to go on this long, but from what he had gathered on Solas, he wasn't surprised either. And for her to mention Teia also hit him hard, but in a different way. He would need to show the letter to Teia as well. She would not take the 'head on the pike' wording well.

Although, the Talon almost laughed out loud when he read her signature. His faithful rook. Indeed, that would sum her up in a cruel way. He should have argued with her further that night, and he would tell her that she was more of a Crow than he had seen in the past nine months. At least, in his own way.

With a sigh, he grabbed his cape and clasped it on. Even though it was late, he knew that Teia would still be at the Diamond. She rarely left the casino nowadays, especially since Isabella wasn't at the de Riva estate. With the letter in hand, he stalked out of his office and made his way towards the Cantori Diamond.