Lucanis perused the library with Spite as they looked for a book. It had been Rook's suggestion to read to Spite to create a more calming atmosphere, and he didn't have much to lose. She mentioned that Spite had asked her to read to him, even though Lucanis had fallen asleep. So, maybe sharing a story could help. With the book club already in full swing, he was already reading more than he had before.

Plus, they had some time before they needed to go to Lavendel. While they had planned to go that day, Davrin had wanted to make sure Assan was ready to go out into the field. So, they postponed for the next day.

Just as he pulled out a novel that looked interesting, he heard a crash from just up the stairs. He exchanged a quick glance at Spite before he heard quick quiet footsteps coming towards them. Lucanis stared as Rook vaulted over the railing and nearly landed on top of him. He stepped back, startled that she hadn't looked where she was going.

"What in-" Lucanis began before she grimaced, running towards the eluvian room. Rook had looked almost panicked. He frowned. She usually made sure that she kept her face neutral, even if the odds weren't in their favor.

"Miss de Riva!" Emmrich shouted as Lucanis straightened his posture. He felt like a schoolboy again as the professor stalked to the railing.

"Emmrich, what happened?" Lucanis asked, reminding himself that he was an adult. The professor huffed before walking down the stairs.

"I caught de Riva swinging from the balcony again. Manfred finds it entertaining, but he's going to get the wrong impression, swinging from ledges like an acrobat. He'll get hurt if he's not careful," the older man explained, shaking his head. "And then, when I caught her, she slipped and fell onto my embalming station! She fell right through the table, but she fled before I could tell if she was all right or scold her."

"How far did she fall?"

"At least fifteen feet from what I can tell. She likes to use the banister as a foothold. Iwasgoing to inform her that I had waxed the wood, but I didn't get the chance," the professor explained as Lucanis nearly dropped the book he was holding.

"She dropped fifteen feet into a table? Mierda," he cursed before running towards the lower level.

"So you did see her run!"

"You didn't ask where she went!"

Lucanis threw open the doors to find Rook lying on her back halfway between the doorway and the eluvian. Spite appeared at her side, checking for wounds. She held her head up for a moment before groaning.

"Luca," she whined. "You were supposed to lead Emmrich away from my hiding place."

"You fell fifteen feet onto a table?" Lucanis asked as he rushed to her. Rook sighed, making no effort to move.

"I didn't mean to break the table," she muttered, glancing up at the professor, who stayed at the door. "I'm sorry, professore. I'll replace it."

"Miss de Riva, I don't care about the table. Are you injured?" Emmrich asked, stepping closer. Rook grimaced before nodding.

"Adrenaline got me this far," she informed, reaching for Lucanis's hand. "It's mostly bruises I think, and the adjacent muscle pain. No broken bones. Just my broken pride. Crows don't usually get spooked or fall from high places."

"Most Crows don't get to let their guard down for so long," Emmrich added as Rook sighed.

"The cold floor is easing the pain," Rook mentioned, deflecting the conversation.

"Mierda, mujer," Lucanis hissed under his breath as she smirked.

"Manfred and I were having a ball before I fell, though. I think I missed my calling as a zia," Rook chuckled as Lucanis frowned.

"Did you hit your head?" he asked as Rook turned to Emmrich. She still needed to see a healer from her old concussion from the ritual, but she would take whatever the necromancer could give her at this point.

"I'm going to let the professore give the diagnosis. My honor is in shambles, so let's hear the rest," she insisted. Emmrich huffed, shaking his head before raising his hands. He cast his magic, checking her body.

"No fractured bones, as you said, and no internal bleeding other than the bruising on your back. It'll likely be stiff for the next few days," the necromancer informed with a sigh. "Hopefully, this will show you not to be so reckless."

"No promises, but thank you, professore. I'll stop swinging in your study," Rook reassured.

"I'd advise for you to keep your feet on the ground, but you Crows seem to hate that," Emmrich complained as she smiled.

"The streets are dangerous. Rooftops are safer from muggers and pickpockets. Lucanis knows," she added. Lucanis exhaled, but shrugged, unable to argue. "Now, since you couldn't leave me be, Dellamorte, would you please help me to my room?"

"Can you walk?" Lucanis asked. He helped her to her feet as she hissed in pain.

"Don't see another choice," she replied through her teeth.

Lucanis stared at her as she leaned on him, clearly sorer than she would admit. Spite stood at her side, watching her expressions helplessly before glaring at Lucanis. With a quick nod, Lucanis leaned to the side before sweeping Rook gently off her feet. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and knees, keeping his grip away from where she was hurt.

"Lucanis!" Rook exclaimed as she lifted into the air. She instinctively grabbed his neck, surprised by his forwardness.

"This way will be faster," he explained as Spite hissed behind her. It was true, but having Rook in his arms had its charms, too.

"Rest well, Miss de Riva," Emmrich added as Rook turned to him.

"We'll go to Nevarra in a few days to replace your embalming table," Rook informed over Lucanis's shoulder. Emmrich smiled.

"We can talk about it later," he replied as Lucanis walked out of the room.

Rook held onto his neck as Spite hovered near them both. He left the lighthouse building, walking towards the small floating cottage. He walked up the floating steps and pushed up the door, maybe a little more forcefully than he meant to.

"You're mad," Rook noted as he placed her on the couch near the door.

"I'm fine," he answered shortly. Rook leaned into the cushions as he folded his arms, standing in front of her.

"You are upset," Rook sighed, letting her head fall back.

"I should tell Viago," Lucanis countered as her head lifted immediately to face him.

"You wouldn't dare."

"It would get you to stop doing stupid things."

"It would also ensure that I don't leave Treviso until every bruise is gone all while he lectures me constantly about the image of de Riva Crows."

"Falling onto a table isn't Crow behavior."

"Well, ifyou'regoing to lecture me, then by all means, get Viago," Rook complained, leaning her head back again. Lucanis exhaled as he hung his head with his hands on his hips.

"I've noticed that you've been somewhat more reckless since the dragons attacked," he mentioned as Rook sighed. He could tell she was debating something in her mind before she met his gaze again.

"I've been in that dire of a situation before, Luca. I've been captured, poisoned, banished, and the like. Nothing prepared me for what I saw," Rook sighed before biting her lip in thought. "I got lucky Varric found me. If he hadn't, I don't know what would've happened with those dragons and the blight. It all seems so coincidental. I just happen to be here, and sometimes it feels like a fever dream. Everything we've accomplished seems like too much."

"What do you mean?" he asked, sitting next to her on the sofa.

"I mean, the odds of us all getting out of the Ossuary. Finding Bellara and her artifact archive. Finding me just in time to break me out before I'm shipped to a Grey Warden prison, finding Emmrich and Taash so quickly and having them join so willingly," she answered before sighing. "And I know Minrathous and Treviso could've been worse, but both suffered so much. We were lucky the dragons didn't do more. I have been lucky at every turn, and I'm waiting for that other shoe to drop."

"What makes you think that it will? And I think you are selling yourself short," Lucanis replied firmly as she groaned.

"Because I am not usually this lucky or this good. Plus, I've surrounded myself with people much more competent than me, so I've put myself on an even higher precipice to fall from."

"Now Viago would truly be angry. That's no way for a de Riva Crow to talk," he replied before smirking. "Do you remember the first time I took you to Café Pietra?"

"Of course, Illario wanted to meet up."

"And what did I say when you started to doubt yourself?" he continued as Rook stared at him.

"You would be here to tell me otherwise," she answered with a small laugh.

"You are more competent than you realize, Rook. Only you would think to hire an assassin, a warden, a dragon hunter, and a necromancer just to put them all together to live in the Fade."

"Now you're teasing me."

"And we're working together to find and kill the gods. You knew this would take a team of experts, and you drew these people together."

"You can tell Viago that I've added networking to my repertoire," she said sarcastically. "We are up against gods, though. My gods, as much as I would like to say they weren't. It's going to hard to win against them, and I'm worried about the consequences."

"Right now, worrying does nothing. Especially since you almost broke your back," Lucanis informed before he stood again. Rook frowned up at him. "And seeing that you can't walk around by yourself right now, it seems to me that I better bring dinner to you tonight."

"I do love it when you cook. Maybe an after-dinner coffee as well?" she wondered as she smiled. He chuckled and nodded. "What are the odds you think I'll be able to walk around Lavendel tomorrow?"

"You're going to Lavendel tomorrow because you are seeing a healer, now for both your head and your back. Even if I have to carry you," he informed, pointing at her. "Whether or not you can actually help the Wardens, we'll see. It depends on how many tables are under fifteen feet ledges."

"Oh, so funny," she grumbled with a sigh. "Fine, but you and Davrin better work well together. Harding and Taash are going on a mission to Rivain for Taash's mom, and Neve's helping Bellara in Arlathan. Although, we could ask what Emmrich is doing tomorrow. I had planned on asking him, but Manfred asked me to do my parlor trick."

"Manfred can't talk, Rook," Lucanis reminded.

"You can tell in his body language. Not everything is said verbally. Anyway, we can bring Emmrich along if you think it'll help you two work together."

"I'll see if he's available at least. He might still be upset with you."

"Undoubtedly. I broke his embalming table. Not sure why he has one here, but it's still broken. I crashed right through it," Rook groaned, leaning back. "Maker, than hurt, too."

"I'm shocked you didn't hurt yourself worse."

"I'm glad I didn't. I'm sure with a few stretches and supplements, I'll be right as rain."

"Supplements?"

"Some poisons in the right dosages can help reduce pain and inflammation. It will help me walk around tomorrow, at least to get to Lavendel to be seen by the healer," she informed. Lucanis's jaw dropped as he stared at her.

"You can't poison yourself, especially if it's going to numb your body. That's dangerous," he insisted. She shrugged gently with a smirk.

"I've been poisoning myself daily, Luca. You know that. This is just a little extra to help with the pain. It's not dangerous. It's a recipe Viago taught me when I was a Fledgling, something I've been doing for years."

"Still not comforting."

"It's better than the elfroot that Harding is always taking whenever she gets injured. I swear that stuff is addicting," Rook countered. Lucanis ran a hand through his hair, wondering what he was going to do with her.

"Just be careful," he replied exasperatedly. "I don't want to come back here in an hour to find you dead on the floor."

"I'll be here, right where you left me," Rook reassured with a crooked smile. Lucanis nodded before he excused himself.

Lucanis made his way down to the kitchen to start an early dinner. He wanted to let Rook get to bed early so she could sleep longer. Hopefully, the rest would help heal her back faster. It would at least keep her off her feet until it was time to leave for Lavendel.

He decided to cook a simple pasta dish from western Antivan cuisine to offer some home comforts for Rook. He made sure to make a meatless red sauce on the side for Emmrich as well, since the necromancer preferred to remain vegetarian. Lucanis didn't quite understand the lifestyle, but to each their own.

"Lucanis! I thought I heard some one cooking in here," Emmrich greeted as he entered the dining hall. Lucanis glanced up as he stirred the sauces while the pasta boiled. "How's our patient?"

"Resting in her room right now. She's going to try to concoct a pain killer so we can get her to Lavendel to see a healer," Lucanis answered. Maybe if he couldn't get to her, the professor could. Emmrich turned towards the door, concern etched on his face.

"Pain killer? Like an herb tincture?"

"Possibly, I didn't get the details. She said her Talon gave her a concoction that is essentially a watered-down poison that will numb her back."

"Watered-down poison? We have a full infirmary in the lighthouse that has medicinal herbs for a reason. Why didn't you bring her there?" Emmrich asked as Lucanis paused.

"We have a what?"

"An infirmary. It's the room between Taash's room and the meditation room. Surely you've seen that hallway."

"I didn't know it led to an infirmary," Lucanis admitted.

"I wouldn't bring Rook there," Neve informed, entering the dining hall. Lucanis turned at her voice as Emmrich spun in place. "Ah, I don't think we've met. I'm Neve Gallus."

"Professor Emmrich Volkarin, but Emmrich is fine," he replied. "And why wouldn't you bring Rook to the infirmary? It seemed like a fine area last I checked."

"It was the first place she woke up after the ritual. Harding said that she heard Rook talking to someone that wasn't there when she first woke up," Neve explained, placing her hands on her hips. She glanced between the two men before sighing. "What do you two know about Varric?"

"Only what Rook has told me. I know that he hired her to find Solas after she was banished, and that Solas stabbed him at the ritual site," Lucanis answered with a shrug.

"I'm afraid I know less than Lucanis does," Emmrich admitted. Neve nodded, taking a deep breath.

"And she hasn't talked about his death at all?" Neve wondered, staring at Lucanis. He shook his head, keeping an eye on the pots on the stove.

"She told me only yesterday that Varric was stabbed. I assumed he didn't make it since he's not around, but I wasn't positive. She mentioned that she was close to him, but she hasn't mentioned that he died," he answered. Neve grimaced as she stared at the table in thought. "Why?"

"She won't talk to anyone about it, and I haven't seen her grieve at all," Neve informed, crossing her arms. "I thought it might just be stress from everything, and she was just pushing her feelings down. Now, I don't think that's the case. Either she's a sociopath that feels nothing, or she doesn't believe Varric died."

"Did she see Varric get stabbed?" Emmrich countered as Neve nodded.

"What did she say when she talked about the stabbing?" she asked Lucanis. He furrowed his brow, recalling her words.

"She was talking about how Harding got hurt and needed stitches. She also mentioned that she hit her head when the ritual's energy surged. She had tried to reach Varric before it pushed her back, but her mind was fuzzy after the impact. She couldn't remember what was going on," Lucanis answered calmly. "Where was he stabbed?"

"In the upper chest on the left side," Neve explained, pointing to her own chest where the dagger had entered. Emmrich shook his head, shuddering at the thought.

"Without a healer, Varric wouldn't have survived. Rook would've known that. She even said that she couldn't see a healer for her injuries because of the circumstances," the assassin added as Neve nodded.

"Unless something told her otherwise," Neve continued as Lucanis narrowed his eyes. "Solas is the master manipulator."

"With Solas in her head through blood magic, he would be able to manipulate what she perceived," Emmrich whispered, drawing his brows together in concern. "Do you think she thinks Varric is in the infirmary then?"

"It's the only thing that matches in my mind. She isn't grieving, which means that she thinks Varric is alive. Harding heard her talking to someone who isn't there in the infirmary right after she wakes up from the ritual. Sometimes she sneaks into the infirmary when no one is watching. Bellara saw her go in once or twice, then heard her talk to no one," Neve elaborated, counting on her fingers as she went over her evidence.

"Why, though? Why go through this?" Lucanis asked, still not understanding Solas's reasoning.

"Varric and Solas worked together for years in the Inquisition. Varric said that they were friends once. Maybe Solas wants to keep his friend alive in some sick and twisted way that also lets him control Rook. Rook trusted Varric way before she trusted any of us, and I think he was the first outsider she ever trusted. Solas probably picked up on that. If I were him, I would research my enemies as much as possible before they reached me," Neve added, shaking her head. "If he can use Varric's voice to offer advice in his place, Solas could plant any idea in Rook's head."

"She's smarter than that," Lucanis scoffed, doing his best not to stir the sauce out of the pot. Neve exhaled, her shoulders falling a little.

"Solas is in it for the long game. It's already been several weeks, and who knows how much she's already revealed to Varric. I know that Rook doesn't want to talk to Solas, but she might already be," Neve insisted. "Where is Rook anyway?"

"She's in her room on couch rest until tomorrow," Lucanis informed, removing the sauces from the heat.

"She fell off the banister in my office onto my station. It was about a fifteen feet drop," Emmrich added as Neve covered her mouth in surprise. "She's fine, thankfully. Just bruises and a damaged ego."

"What do you want to do about Varric?" Lucanis asked, returning to the subject. Spite started hissing in his mind, angry at the idea that something was toying with Rook. Although, the demon wasn't alone in that sentiment.

"Right now, nothing. I think if we confront her about it, it'll be worse. If it is Solas, we don't know how ingrained the blood magic is. He could hurt her," Neve sighed, shaking her head. "I've been doing some research with Tarquin in Minrathous about Solas and this Fade prison that Rook mentioned. There are a few records, but I'm hoping the Veil Jumpers might have some more information. I also tried to find more information on the blood magic he used to infiltrate her dream state. It's old magic, but it's not unheard of. Some of the Shadow Dragons are working on finding out more."

"So that's what you've been doing while you've been gone?" Lucanis asked, draining the pasta.

"Exactly. Solas has been on my mind for a while, and the more I find, the more upset I am about the situation. However, until we can figure out how to sever whatever bond Solas has over Rook, we can't let either of them know we are aware of the situation," Neve explained before turning to Emmrich. "And I'm sorry for dumping this on you on our first meeting."

"Think nothing of it. Things can get hectic around here," Emmrich reassured as she smiled.

"Anyway, I'm going to talk to Harding and Bellara about this as well," Neve mentioned as Lucanis turned towards her.

"We have a dragon expert around to. Their name is Taash. They're hard to miss," Lucanis added as Neve nodded, waving before she left the dining hall. Lucanis exhaled, shaking his head.

"Are you going to tell Rook?" Emmrich wondered.

"No, I'm going to take this to her, make sure she didn't overdose on her poison, and then make some coffee," Lucanis answered as he picked up two ready plates. "Afterwards, I'll see what can be done about keeping her out of the infirmary covertly. Also, the far one on the right is yours. Mushroom only red sauce pasta."

"Very considerate of you, Lucanis," Emmrich grinned as he let the assassin pass.

"Don't mention it. Have a good night, Emmrich," Lucanis smiled, pushing open the dining hall door to leave.