Illario

I've found myself in Treviso for a few days due to certain circumstances. I'm sure you've heard. I know that gossip can spread like wildfire at the Diamond.

If you're still interested in catching up with an old friend, I would love to meet up for coffee. I could really use a friend right now. We'll have to be discreet since the Antaam still want my head, but I think Café Pietra would be a good place to meet. You can show me the wine place once things have quieted down again.

I hope this isn't asking too much of you.

Isabella

Illario stared at the note for a few minutes after it was handed to him. He had been away from Villa Dellamorte on business for a little over a week, and it seemed that he had arrived back in town at just the right time. Isabella had taken her time, but she had agreed to catch up with him. It had been a long time since he had a normal conversation with a person, and it would be nice to see what the Crow had been up to.

His own plans had already been set in motion, and they were coming along smoothly. He had earned a moment of celebration, and it would be all the sweeter if it included Isabella. Plus, he could figure out just what had happened that caused her to reach out. It would probably surprise her that he wasn't around the Diamond much these days, but his contracts were contracts, even if they were of his own making. She would understand that at least.

He walked over to the desk in the corner and drafted a response to send back. He would meet her the following morning at the café she designated, and he would make sure that the Crows he had in his employ watched the area. Isabella would be safe in Treviso if he had any say in it.

Isabella covered her face and head with her mask and hood, taking no chances with the Antaam, as she stalked the rooftops. She had warned Viago that she was going out for coffee, which he disagreed with, but he also had too much to do to keep her occupied. He also refused to give her any contracts for the few days that she was home. She needed rest and a moment to breathe after Weisshaupt, and it was nonnegotiable.

As she approached the market and the café, she saw more of the Dellamorte Crows watching over her. She guessed that since Caterina was gone and Lucanis was out of the picture for the time being, Illario was acting as the head of House Dellamorte until a firm decision could be made. Zara still lived after all. Once Zara was dead, then the Crows could decide how to move forward. Isabella wasn't sure about Illario as First Talon, as he never took his job very seriously, but she didn't have a say in the matter. She was a de Riva Crow acting under the Fifth Talon. Her opinion mattered very little in the grand scheme.

Isabella dropped down in front of the café door, pulling down her mask and hood before walking inside. Viago would've scolded her for her carelessness, but she knew that the café was owned by the Crows and that Illario was watching out for her. She could at least trust him to keep her safe, as he did when they worked together.

She stepped inside to find the café bustling with Crows only, and she guessed it was another plan of Illario's. If everyone inside was a Crow, then no one would alert the Antaam to her presence. Another safety precaution on her behalf. She breathed a sigh of relief before seeing Illario sitting at the same table he had met her at before when she brought Lucanis. It seemed like a lifetime ago when they were last at the café.

"Bella," Illario greeted kindly, standing from his seat. She smirked at the immediate politeness, wondering if her letter worried him. He walked over to her, and instead of kissing her hand as he usually did, he pulled her into a hug. She froze for a moment before returning the gesture.

"Illario?" Isabella whispered, surprised by his actions. He pulled away and held her upper arms to look at her.

"Your letter sounded very distraught. You didn't even call me an asshole," Illario reminded as she chuckled. He released her arms before gesturing for them to sit.

"Sorry, I suppose it was a strange letter," she replied, taking a seat. "The last few days have been… trying, I guess."

"Do you want to talk about it?" he offered as she raised an eyebrow.

"Do you want to hear about it?" she countered, making him laugh lightly. "I would've thought you would've heard by now. About Weisshaupt."

"You were there?"

"Unfortunately," Isabella chuckled under her breath before she continued.

She told Illario all about the failed plans and how hard she and the team tried. She described the horrors of the blight and the darkspawn railing against the Grey Wardens as they died around her. She even went into detail about the archdemon, and how scared she was to face it and Ghilan'nain.

Illario listened to everything, to her surprise. She paused a few times to let him interject, but he seemed very interested in every detail she could give. Isabella continued, talking about how they made Ghilan'nain mortal, even if she still lived. She considered it a somewhat victory as they accomplished something, even if her team didn't completely agree.

Isabella faltered at the mention of her team before she sighed, realizing that Illario had ordered her a coffee. She wasn't sure when he had or when the waiter had come by to take their order or drop it off. She grabbed it and stared at the liquid as Illario leaned in.

"Bella?" he whispered, catching her attention. "What happened?"

She tilted her head before she looked back up at him. She held her tears at bay, shaking her head as she thinned her lips.

"Things were said, and my leadership was questioned. The thing is, I don't know if I disagree. I should've been able to come up with a solid plan before jumping in, but I decided to wing it. We didn't have a whole lot of time, but I should've thought of something to go from," Isabella sighed, tracing the rim of her cup with her finger.

"It sounds like you did everything in your power to."

"Would that make it worse? I did everything I could, and I still failed. Shouldn't they have a better leader then?"

"Caterina always said that a leader isn't someone who doesn't fail but someone that gets back up to keep going," Illario informed as Isabella stared at him in a few moments of silence.

"Who are you, and what have you done with Illario?" she laughed before tilting her head to the side. He rolled his eyes, fighting a smile. "You actually listened to Caterina?"

"My grandmother had wise words from time to time when she wasn't berating me," Illario answered with a shrug. "But she's right. You failed once, and now you've quit?"

"No, I'm clearing my head. Lucanis refused my resignation and fought with Viago," she replied with a wince. "I shouldn't have left in the first place. Crows never abandon a contract."

"I doubt you abandoned the contract. Viago wouldn't have let you stay in Treviso if you did that," he reassured before taking a sip of his drink. "It sounds like Weisshaupt was intense, however. I'm glad you were able to get out."

"As am I. I'm glad we were able to save as many as we did."

"That doesn't sound like a failure, either."

"You should come back to the lighthouse and tell everyone that. I think it would lift some spirits," she smiled sadly. "I'm not sure what I'm going to do or say when I get back. I'm not sure how many people know about my resignation. Do I just go back to acting like things are normal?"

"Are things back to normal?"

"No, I don't think so. Weisshaupt is gone, as are a majority of the Wardens. Ghilan'nain is mortal, but now I'm sure she's out for revenge. We've created a wounded animal of her now. She still has her two blighted dragons, too."

"And what are you going to do now? What do you think the next steps are?"

"Well, we need to know where the gods went. I wouldn't mind taking the blighted dragons off the board as well," Isabella sighed, shaking her head. "Plus, everyone on my team still has their own projects their focusing on as well. I hope they're at least working towards those goals while I'm gone."

"I'm sure they're still working," Illario reassured with a smirk. "You know, I never expected you to become a leader, even when I was training you. Probably should've seen it coming, though."

"What do you mean?"

"Very few Crows end up in leadership positions. I think most are happiest with completing contracts. You are thriving with your team, Bella, even with Weisshaupt. You were able to work together with them and get them out after killing an archdemon," he reminded before smirking. "Your contract rates are going to skyrocket when this is all over. When we were working together on your contract, you used to pull me to the job every time I tried to wander away, keeping me in line when it should've been the other way around."

"Ugh, you were such a pain back then. Viago and I would get so frustrated, you know. I felt like I had to tie a rope to your waist to mine just to make sure you stayed nearby," Isabella complained, rolling her eyes. "It's a miracle that contract got done."

"Hey, I was cooperative towards the end," he reminded with a laugh.

"Yeah, after I threatened to poison your wine."

"And now look at us? Having coffee as friends."

"True. A welcome outcome," Isabella smiled, bringing her coffee to her lips. "I do appreciate you listening to me rant about everything, though. With everything going on, sometimes it can feel like I'm drowning."

"Getting your letter was a pleasant surprise. I didn't think you would take me up on my offer. Usually, you wave me off," he teased as she rolled her eyes.

"Viago was sending consistent contracts before, I hardly had time to breathe. I think he wanted to hone my skills to move up in the hierarchy, but he never said. I got myself banished before he shared his master plan."

"He shouldn't have banished you like that."

"It all worked out in the end, though. Otherwise, who would've fought off the blighted dragon in Treviso? I can't imagine the destruction it could've caused. And who else would know and stand up to the gods?" Isabella reminded. Illario sighed, staring at his drink. "I understand what Viago did and why, even if I didn't agree with it at the time. I disobeyed orders, and I ruined the First Talon's operation. Crows have been killed for less."

"I wouldn't have let Caterina kill you," he informed, his tone exasperated.

"You know how Viago is. He'll only bet on a sure thing. He knew getting me out of Antiva was the best way to save my skin. And I'm here now."

"That you are."

"So, I think I've talked about myself enough," Isabella remarked, leaning back in her chair. "What have you been up to?"

"Managing the Dellamorte estate while completing contracts," Illario shrugged as she raised an eyebrow.

"You've been out on contracts this whole time?"

"For the most part. I've been trying to keep myself busy with everything going on, trying to keep everything somewhat normal. With Caterina gone, and Lucanis back from the dead, it's all been so strange. Lucanis doesn't really feel like he's really back, though. I barely see him as it is," Illario mentioned. Isabella frowned, glancing down at her coffee.

"You know you're welcome to visit in the Fade, right? I'm sure Lucanis would appreciate the familiar face now and then," she offered before he smiled.

"I appreciate that," he replied.

"I'll see if we can come visit as well, if you'd like. Or he can visit on his own."

"Your presence brightens every room. Lucanis, eh, not so much. I love my cousin, of course, but he tends to brood."

"I have experienced that, unfortunately," she sighed, turning her head down towards her cup again. Illario tapped on the table gently with his forefinger, curious about her reaction.

"What has Lucanis been up to? Other than failing to kill a goddess?"

"He cooks a lot when he's not brooding or drinking coffee. He's made sure that everyone is eating healthily at the lighthouse," Isabella answered with a shrug, meeting his eyes again. "We argue a lot, actually. I try to help him, but he fights me on it. He won't sleep most nights, even when I ask him to. He's going to get himself killed staying up all the time."

"Why doesn't he sleep?"

"The Ossuary did a number on him."

"I see," Illario whispered as she nodded.

"I thought it was getting better, but last we spoke, I don't think I was helping in the long run. I think he was humoring me," she added as Illario shook his head.

"Lucanis was never very good with words. Why do you think he was just humoring you?"

"He called me the Sentimental Crow for creating a sedative to use instead of poison for certain situations, and for other reasons, I'm sure. It had become an inside joke between us, and when I went to talk to him about Weisshaupt, he told me to cut the Sentimental Crow routine. He didn't need it," Isabella explained with a wince. "I did hire him for a job after all. He was just being polite to his contract holder."

"Lucanis is polite to everyone," Illario reminded as she sighed, slumping in her chair a little. "Is that why he calls you Rook?"

"No, he never asked for my real name, so I never gave it. I thought he would figure it out eventually, and then I thought it could be a game for me to see how long it would take. Now it just feels awkward to bring up," she groaned, covering her face with her hands before sliding them into her lap. Illario blinked at her, confused.

"He thinks Rook is your real name?"

"I think so. He never said otherwise, and I have everyone at the lighthouse use Rook."

"What about Viago and Teia? I've called you by your name. Hasn't he picked up on that?"

"Not sure. Although sometimes you saycorva bellaand then Bella, so maybe he assumed it was a pet name? Viago usually refers to me as his Crow or protégé, and Teia calls me her little sister. I think it's been pure coincidence that no one has said Isabella while he's around," she explained with a shrug. Illario pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment, wondering if Zara had stolen his cousin's brain in the Ossuary.

"Alright," Illario whispered after a moment, shaking his head. He needed to push that aside for now. He would reprimand Lucanis about that later. "Have you decided when you're going back to the lighthouse?"

"I told Viago a few days. This is my second day back, so maybe the day after tomorrow? I don't want to be gone too long. I don't want to miss anything in case someone needs something," Isabella replied as Illario frowned.

"And what about what you need? Has anyone come to check on you?"

"Viago said that Lucanis stormed into the Diamond a few hours after I got here. I guess he caused a scene and pissed Viago off. Other than that, I think it's been quiet. I think Lucanis probably told the others I'd be back in a few days, so I doubt we'll see anyone else come through the eluvian."

"Lucanis certainly has a lot of nerve if he just started demanding to know where you were to Viago," Illario commented, bewildered at his cousin. Viago had a short temper as it was. If Isabella was involved, that temper was at least three times as explosive.

"From what I heard, it didn't go very well. I was going to ask Teia about it later. Viago wouldn't give me any details other than Lucanis was there and pissing him off."

"Lucanis better hope Viago doesn't poison him."

"Viago already tried that a few weeks ago," she grumbled before exhaling. "I asked Viago not to do it again."

"What did he do to warrant that?"

"He implied to Viago, at least once, that we were sleeping together in the de Riva estate," Isabella replied as Illario did a spit take. He grabbed a napkin before staring at her. "We weren't and aren't, but you said it. Lucanis doesn't have a great way with words. So, Viago tried to poison him for giving him that impression."

"Your Talon is insane," Illario informed as he cleaned himself up. Isabella sighed as she raised her shoulders in defeat.

"You learn to roll with the punches eventually. I'm just glad I was able to prevent Lucanis from experiencing the brunt of it."

"You didn't prevent the poisoning."

"It was a poison with a trigger. Without the trigger, at most, you get an upset stomach. With this particular poison, the trigger would cause you to experience repeated panic attacks during poison-induced sleep paralysis. I prevented him from consuming the trigger," Isabella clarified with a grimace. "I would've preferred not to have to deal with it at all, but he was fine."

"And you?"

"I've built up an immunity to most poisons, including that one. What kind of poisoner protégé would I be if I could be poisoned so easily?"

"Of course," Illario exhaled, deciding not to question it. He had heard the Viago was paranoid and overly cautious, but he hadn't expected the Talon to extend it that far to his protégé. Although Isabella was sometimes just as paranoid as her Talon was, so it didn't surprise him too much in the end.

"Are you currently on a contract?" she wondered, changing the subject. He hummed before shaking his head.

"Not at the moment. I just returned from one yesterday, which is good timing considering. I'll probably stay in Treviso for a few days before I find another contract to complete. I would like to keep busy for a little while longer before the dust settles again."

"Any trace of Zara since we last spoke?"

"Nothing yet, but I'm sure we'll find her soon. There are only so many places a Venatori witch can hide in Antiva," Illario reassured as she relaxed a little.

"The sooner we can find her, the better. I don't like the idea that anyone can take out a Talon so swiftly and just walk away without consequence," Isabella lamented, taking a deep breath. "I can't imagine how you must be feeling, though."

"It's been hard, I won't lie," he replied, staring over the water just beyond the café. Isabella nodded before she stood.

"I should get going before Viago sends a search party. With the Antaam actively searching for Rook, it's dangerous for me to be out and about like this, even in Café Pietra," Isabella informed, catching his attention again. He stood from his seat as she smiled at him gently. "Thank you again for this. It was nice to sit and chat with a friend."

"It was my pleasure, Bella. Maybe we can do it another time when everything calms down again," he suggested.

"I would like that. Maybe drag your cousin's ass down here for some socialization."

"I certainly would like to straighten some things out with him," Illario chuckled before grabbing her hand. However, instead of kissing it, he pulled her into another embrace briefly before releasing her. "If you need anything, just send a letter to House Dellamorte. They'll get it to me, and I'll do what I can."

"Stay safe, Illario," Isabella replied before waving at him. She pulled up her hood and mask before scaling the wall, disappearing back onto the rooftops.