Lucanis kept a close eye on Rook and Bellara as they made their way back to the lighthouse. With the news that the Antaam had a wanted poster with Rook's likeness and name it, he felt more on edge than he had been since leaving the Ossuary. They had encountered Antaam in the Fade before, and he wondered how far they would be willing to go to retrieve her.

Bellara and Rook chatted about Minrathous and Arlathan. It had been a few days since Rook had spoken to the Veil Jumper, and it was nice to hear conversation that didn't involve the end of the world topics. Instead, Bellara talked about weird artifacts and strange portals showing up in the forest. She was even able to find a few missing Veil Jumpers that had been gone for over a week, which brought some levity to the camp when she returned.

Spite walked on the other side of Rook, carefully listening to her talk. Rook spoke of her time in Treviso as well, only speaking briefly. It wasn't as positive as Bellara's time away, so she let Bellara do most of the talking. A pang of guilt hit Lucanis as he wondered if he should have made more of an effort to let Rook have more of a break while they were in Treviso. They were there for a funeral, yes, but she hadn't known Caterina very well. She could've spent more time enjoying herself than hovering around him while he grieved in his own way.

When they returned to the lighthouse, Bellara excused herself to go write the letter to Professor Volkarin and explain their need for a Fade expert. Rook waved her off, standing in the lighthouse library. Lucanis hesitated, wondering if he should retreat to his spot in the pantry. His exhaustion was starting to hit him as he realized he had been on his feet nearly all day and night.

"It'll be nice to have a few more people here," Rook whispered, collapsing on the couch in the communal area. Lucanis glanced at the door before deciding to sit down at the other end of the sofa. "I feel like this place is too big for the six of us."

"How many do you think we'll need?"

"To take on the gods, or to fill the lighthouse?"

"To fill the lighthouse," Lucanis smirked as she sat up a little, laying across the couch. She lifted her knees, so her feet were a few inches from his thighs. She leaned forward, hugging her knees as she thought.

"It's a big space. Maybe twelve? Fifteen?"

"That's a big team."

"I think maybe eight will be enough for our strike team against the gods. Any bigger, and we'll need to get a drill sergeant," Rook chuckled, her chin resting on her forearms. Lucanis stared at her, realizing that this might be the most relaxed he had seen her. "We'll need a lot of allies to take on the gods, though. If they have the Antaam and Venatori at their backs, then the eight of us aren't going to be enough."

"Nine, if you count the griffon."

"Nine with Assan. Still can't take on two armies, even with a griffon. A baby griffon. Such a cutie. No, we'll need to find our own armies, I guess."

"That might be hard. We don't have access to that kind of power."

"We have to think of something. We could probably count on the Veil Jumpers for their help. They don't want the gods running rampant. The Crows will likely help, and the Shadow Dragons. After they both were attacked, it'll be easy to get them to rally against the gods. Still, none of them are armies or prepared for war," Rook sighed, shaking her head.

"Have you talked to Solas since the ritual?" Lucanis wondered as she smirked.

"Neve mention that to you? No, I haven't. He was an ass last time I spoke with him, so I'm not chomping at the bit to speak to him again. Besides, I'm not sure what the god of lies and treachery could offer," Rook answered. "He did take on the gods though. Let's see how far on our own we can get before we drag him in on this."

"Fair enough."

"How are you and Spite holding up? I know we bounced around a lot today."

"Exhausted is a good word," Lucanis laughed, shaking his head. "Nothing a few cups of coffee won't fix."

"Or a good night of sleep."

"Rook, you know I can't. Especially not right now."

"Luca, you are going to hurt yourself if you don't sleep. I know Spite is a concern, but we can take precautions," Rook offered as Lucanis closed his eyes. It was hard to argue with how tired he was and how sincere Rook sounded. However, thinking about Spite taking control of his body again filled him with dread.

"I'll be fine. I'll lay down and rest between cups," he offered with a grimace. Rook frowned, but she didn't argue. He could also see the bags forming under her eyes, so it was likely that she didn't have the energy to continue either.

"I need you at your best," she whispered, resting her chin on her arm as she stared at him. Her wide eyes made his heart skip a beat as Spite leaned against the back of the couch, hovering near her face. "Just think about it, all right? I need you on these recruitment missions. With Neve and Bellara in and out, and Harding practicing her stone magic still, you're the only one that I can count on."

"What about Davrin?" he countered before he could bite his tongue.

"I suppose I could invite Davrin, but I don't know Davrin. I would prefer taking Davrin and someone I trust if I take him anywhere. At least, until I can get the measure of him. He seems trustworthy enough, and Assan is as cute as a button," Rook thought aloud. Lucanis stared at his lap as Spite growled at him for suggesting Davrin. "Besides, I think Davrin is probably going to need to keep training Assan while he's here before we can take either of them out into the field. Those dragons were more than any of us can manage, and I think it shook Davrin a little."

"I think it shook everyone," Lucanis sighed as she nodded.

"True, everyone was on edge afterwards," Rook admitted, shifting a little. "Davrin also has Warden duties he has to address, like Neve and Bellara do with the Shadows and Jumpers. You and I are free until Viago calls on us."

"Calls on you," Lucanis teased as she rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to remember that comment. You enjoy going to Treviso as much as I do, and don't you dare deny it. We should send a letter to Illario asking if he's all right. Jacobus, too," Rook continued, leaning back on the arm of the couch.

"Any other Crows you want to reach out to?"

"Just those two. I still haven't heard from or seen Illario since the funeral, and I want to make sure that Jacobus is all right. That Fledgling has been through so much in the last few weeks."

"I'm sure they're both fine."

"Then more reason to send a message to them. You should send the letter to Illario."

"He'll think I'm an imposter. We've never exchanged letters," Lucanis informed as Rook frowned incredulously.

"Even when you were away? Even during my exile, I sent letters to Viago about my wellbeing. They weren't as consistent as they should have been, but at least he knew I was still alive," Rook informed with a shake of her head. "But fine, I'll send a brief note to Illario. I just want to make sure he's not dead."

"He'll likely blow it out of proportion."

"Undoubtedly, but it would make me feel better if I knew that he was breathing."

"Did Viago write you back during your exile?" Lucanis wondered. Rook tilted her head to the side.

"Of course. I have a few of the letters still. They kept me focused when we were tracking Solas," she explained before her shoulder drooped. "I thought that once that contract was done, I would get to go back home."

"You did finish the contract," he pointed out as she huffed.

"Viago pointed that out, too, when I made it back to Treviso. I had finished the contract that kept me away from home for almost a year. I stopped Solas from tearing down the Veil, which led two ancient, blighted mages to take his place in the world. I was one of a handful of people who witnessed it. If we didn't stand up against them, who would?" Rook asked as he frowned. "So, I extended the contract, hiring out to garner assistance against something I knew nothing about."

"Do you regret extending the contract?"

"Sometimes," she admitted with a shrug. "But I don't today. Today I was able to chase away two dragons with the help of my team, saving countless lives. How could I regret that? Can you imagine what would've happened if I hadn't extended the contract? I might have been able to help, but Ghilan'nain wouldn't have cared who I was. And Minrathous would have been left to burn."

"I probably would still be under the ocean," Lucanis added as she pursed her lips.

"I think Caterina would've found you eventually. She never gave up, you know. When I was tasked with finding you, Caterina had been tracking Venatori the whole time you were gone. She would've found you," Rook smiled. Lucanis swallowed, realizing that if that was the truth, then Zara would've targeted Caterina regardless. "She did it secretly, of course. Illario had no idea."

"She didn't tell him?" Lucanis repeated.

"She didn't tell a soul. She also believed it to be an inside job. I think she was afraid of who would be listening if she voiced her suspicions before she was ready to retrieve you. I just am good at my timing. Also, ruining Solas's ritual sent the Venatori scrambling, which allowed Caterina to find out about the Ossuary."

"Sounds like I still owe you my life," he teased as she waved her hand dismissively.

"Don't worry about it. You've already returned the favor by getting me out of Warden captivity."

"I don't think that's the same."

"I'm sure we'll save each other too many times to count by the time this ends, Dellamorte. Let's just not keep track and call it even," Rook suggested with a lopsided smile. Lucanis stared at her. Most people, particularly Crows, took debts very seriously. Especially when it involved saving lives. "Otherwise, I'm not sure where we'll end up in the end."

"I suppose," he replied slowly.

"Alright," she sighed before moving her legs over to the side of the couch. She stood up, stretching upwards before turning to him. "I am going to get some sleep, and hopefully Harding will be back with another update tomorrow. I doubt we'll have a lead on a dragon expert yet, but maybe she'll have more ideas."

"Bellara might have a response from that professor."

"True. We can follow up with her tomorrow as well. I'd wish you good night, but I'd hate to argue."

"Your interactions with Viago beg to differ."

"Don't pass out and hit your head, Dellamorte," Rook called out as she left the room, letting the door slam behind her.

Jacobus

I hope this letter finds you well, and that you are doing okay after the dragon attack. I didn't see you at the Diamond last time I visited, and I wanted to reach out. Things right now look bleak in Treviso, but I know that they can get better.

I hope you are keeping up with your training. Heir is a tough teacher, but she will teach you well. There are few Crow teachers that will guide you as well as she will.

If there is anything you need or want to talk about, please let me know. I understand what it's like to lose everything before becoming a Fledgling. I won't bore you with details if you don't want them. Just remember that you can always reach me through Teia or Viago.

Don't give up.

Isabella de Riva

Signore Illario Dellamorte

Where the hell did you go? I was going to talk to you at the Diamond during the funeral, but you disappeared. It's not like you to disappear like that.

I also didn't see you after the dragon attack either. You might be a pain in the ass, but I still worry. If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Reach out to Viago if you need to reach me, but don't give him an ulcer. I have enough to worry about.

Don't disappear on me, stronzo.

Isa

The next few days went by quickly from what Isabella could tell. The sun didn't really set in the Fade, so time was hard to keep without a reliable clock around. Davrin popped in and out with Assan, training with Remi and Lancet whenever they got the chance. Harding met with a few of her old contacts from the Inquisition, trying to find someone with information on a dragon expert. Bellara had left for a few days on Veil Jumper business but promised to be back before long in case Volkarin replied.

Neve also came in and out of the lighthouse with new from the Minrathous rebuilding projects. The Shadow Dragons were working with the people who were displaced, but things were going smoothly from what she could tell. Neve even mentioned that Ashur, or the Viper, wanted to chat with Isabella once they had a dragon expert to see what could be done to prevent such an event from occurring again.

Viago had sent a short letter to keep her up to date on Treviso and the Crows. Nothing from either Jacobus or Illario specifically, but Viago did mention that Jacobus was hanging around the Diamond more often than before. Isabella wanted to watch over the young Fledgling, seeing a part of herself in him that she hadn't thought of in years. She wasn't surprised that he hadn't written back, but she was happy that he was still training.

However, there was no word on or from Illario. At least, nothing that Viago had sent through. Isabella decided it was probably best to drop it, letting Lucanis deal with his cousin if he wanted to. She had done all she could on her end to reach out to him. If Illario didn't want to talk to her, then so be it. She would move on to focus on her own team for now.

Isabella walked out of the lighthouse towards the dining hall after going through the missives. She was glad that the Caretaker was happy to play the part of the mail courier so she could send messages through the eluvians. She was sure they ended up just outside the mirrors, but she usually got answers back, so the system worked well enough.

She opened the door to the dining area to find it empty with the coffee percolator currently making coffee. Isabella smiled as she wandered over to the coffee maker, pulling a mug from the shelf nearby. Lucanis was probably nearby, but there was more than enough for her to steal a cup. She poured the coffee into the mug before she walked over to the small seating area in the corner to lounge on the chair.

Times like this were when she realized that she was spoiling herself. Before, downtime was for training and perfecting alchemy. She supposed that she could still be doing that as she still needed to work on her sedative, but something about a quiet moment with a cup of coffee in her hands felt magical. Isabella was sure she could melt into the chair if she weren't careful.

"I didn't take you for a coffee thief," Lucanis teased from across the room. Isabella glanced over at him as she wandered over to the percolator.

"Stop making coffee this good, and I'll stop stealing it," Isabella answered before sipping the hot drink. Lucanis laughed under his breath, walking over to join her. He sat next to her, unable to relax as she did. She stared at him. The bags under his eyes had grown deeper and his eyes were less alert than she had seen a few days before. He hadn't slept for a moment since the dragon attack. "Maybe I should steal all the coffee away."

"Now that would be mean," he smiled, leaning back into the chair.

"Maybe," she admitted, half serious about her threat. Taking the coffee would mean that he might actually fall asleep. Spite would likely take over, but maybe she could convince Spite to lay down while he was there.

"Anything new going on?"

"Same old same old. Treviso and Minrathous are rebuilding. Viago is cranky as always. Harding is still meeting with her contacts about a dragon expert. Davrin is in the Anderfels until tomorrow, and I think Bellara should be back today. There was a letter addressed to her, so I put it on her door for when she got back."

"You didn't read it?"

"It wasn't address to me, and I don't want to read more than what I'm supposed to. All these reports exhaust me," Isabella complained with a sigh. "I'm just glad it's been mostly good news so far."

"Sounds like we might be headed to Nevarra then?"

"I think so if that's who the letter is from. We'll ask Bellara when she gets back today. Up for a recruitment mission? Or are you going to be too tired?"

"I'll make another pot of coffee," Lucanis reassured as she frowned.

"I'm serious, Luca. If you aren't up for it, that's okay. I can just take Bellara if you need time to rest."

"It'll be fine."

"Will it? You look miserable, like you haven't slept in days, because you haven't. I know Spite torments you. Maker, I just wish I could help," Isabella exhaled frustratedly. Lucanis stared at her over the rim of the coffee cup, surprised by her words.

"You don't have to worry about Spite," he informed. Isabella could hear the unspoken part. He was telling her she didn't have to worry about him either.

"Well, it seems that I've turned into a worrier," she muttered, rubbing her face. She sipped her coffee, staring straight ahead. "And I'm afraid there's nothing for it. Viago's doing, I'm sure."

"That man does worry a lot."

"And I've taken after him. Nature verses nurture. I wish I could've taken more after Teia. At least she seems to have everything taken care of."

"I think you have more under control than you realize," Lucanis reassured as she hummed. She could've complained that if that were true, then he would listen to her more. At least when it came to his wellbeing, but she didn't have the energy to argue.

"Thanks for the coffee, Luca," she smiled, placing the coffee cup down on the small table before standing.

"You're leaving?" he asked. Usually, their conversations lasted longer than this.

"Not the lighthouse. I just need to stretch my legs, I think. Maybe climb something tall," she answered, swinging her arms to stretch the muscles out. He furrowed his brow. "I'll let you know if we're leaving for Nevarra soon."

"Don't fall," he replied while she turned away. Isabella shot him a glare as she left. He gave a smirk, glad that he was able to still garner a reaction. Shaking her head, she turned the corner, wondering if there was a way onto the dining hall's roof.