Lucanis walked closely to Rook as Harding led the way, asking Davrin for reassurance. He was the expert in the area after all. He wasn't quite sure why he was acting this way, and Spite didn't bother to mention anything either. He had noticed Rook's reaction to seeing the monster hunting warden come around the bend, and his heart squeezed with an emotion he didn't recognize. Perhaps one he didn't want to name.
Regardless, Rook let him hover around her as they navigated the new canyon. Luckily, it was a shorter canyon that took them to the other side of Lavendel. The griffon kept close to Davrin, keeping a curious eye on the two Crows and the scout. He was a curious creature, but he also seemed harmless towards them so far. Lucanis hoped it would stay that way. A griffon ally would be helpful in any tough situation.
They guided Davrin and Assan through the eluvian with some reassurance that it was safe. They made their way across the eluvian island towards the dock as Rook tried to explain how the Crossroads worked to their new colleague. Lucanis did his best not to roll his eyes, thinking that the warden was asking too many questions. He had simply gone with it, learning as he went. Surely, it didn't matter how the islands were floating. It was in the Fade. Magic was generally every answer Rook gave him.
Lucanis nearly pushed the warden onto the gondola when Davrin stared at the Caretaker. Rook introduced them, trying to ease the warden's concerns and worries about being in such a strange place. She was eventually able to convince him to ride the boat with them, and Assan bounded in happily after Davrin.
Rook did her best to distract Davrin from them floating over the nothingness as Lucanis watched the other floating objects pass them. Davrin sat across from the Crows, as Lucanis was quick to sit next to Rook before Davrin had a chance to decide. If Rook noticed his behavior, she made no indication. Harding sat next to Davrin, but she had her own questions directed at the Caretaker for the new island they had found the eluvians on. None that really interested Lucanis more than Rook's conversation.
Davrin entertained Rook's small talk, speaking about what his time as a warden and what that looked like. He also mentioned that he also wasn't in the First Warden's good graces, and Lucanis was glad that he wouldn't turn her in.
As they neared the beacon island, Lucanis was ready to make some coffee and call it a day. The Fade still made it look like the sun was shining, but the sunset in the Anderfels made him long to lay down and rest. However, that interest was short lived when he saw Bellara waiting for them on the dock, bouncing on her toes anxiously.
Rook noticed Bellara as well, standing up on the gondola when she saw the Veil Jumper. Bellara had been gone a few days, helping find displaced Jumpers due to malfunctioning artifacts. They hadn't been expecting her back for at least a few more days, and the look on her face said that she had rushed here with ill news.
"Bellara," Rook called out, vaulting off the gondola before it was properly docked. Lucanis followed with the other two as Rook rushed to the elf. "Are you okay? What's going on?"
"I'm fine, but Minrathous isn't. Neve sent word that Minrathous is being attacked by a blighted dragon, and the Venatori are surging. She thinks they are trying to take the throne," Bellara explained in a rush. Rook blanched as she froze. This wasn't the news anyone had expected.
"Did she say if it was the dragon from D'Meta's?" Rook wondered as Bellara grimaced, her brows pinched together.
"One of them is, at least," she answered as Rook tilted her head.
"One of them?" Harding asked as Bellara bit her lip.
"Viago also sent a message through. There's a second blighted dragon in Treviso, and the Antaam are causing damage there, too," Bellara continued. Rook immediately turned to Lucanis, who hardened his gaze immediately.
"We need to get to Treviso," he informed sternly before Harding stepped forward.
"What about Neve and the dragon in Minrathous? We can't just leave them there to deal with it, can we?" the scout wondered as Rook swallowed, turning her gaze to the ground as she thought. Lucanis clenched his jaw, understanding the decision that was before her. While it was plain to him, he wasn't the leader of the outfit.
"I need to be in Treviso," Lucanis informed as Rook turned to him. Her eyes were wide before she gave a slight nod.
Lucanis didn't wait another moment before he ran to the gondola towards the Trevisan eluvian. The Caretaker had mentioned that he could appear as multiple spirits, and he hoped that meant that he would appear with multiple boats as well. He couldn't wait for Rook to make a decision when he could help. He just got his home back, and he would be damned before a blighted dragon took it away without a fight.
Lucanis dashed through the eluvian into the Cantori Diamond, quickly getting to Viago and Teia, who were strategizing with a few other Crows before they were dismissed. Viago was the first to see Lucanis before glancing behind him for the second de Riva.
"Lucanis, you got the message," Teia exhaled, feeling slightly better about the situation.
"Where's my Crow?" Viago asked. Lucanis swallowed before meeting his gaze.
"There's a second dragon in Minrathous that's blighted as well. It sounds like the gods are making their move. She's putting the team she has together, and she'll be here," Lucanis replied, hoping that he wasn't lying to the Talon right now.
"Maker. Minrathous is being targeted, too?" Teia exclaimed, shaking her head. "This just keeps getting better."
"Are you saying that she's splitting the team? Sending a few there and then coming here?" Viago asked to clarify. Lucanis stared at him, setting his jaw.
"Yes," he answered.
"Then she better get here quick," Viago grumbled as Teia walked over to the window. The Crows were doing what they could against the Antaam while the ice dragon flew overhead, ruining buildings and public areas.
"We might not have time to wait. We need to lure that dragon down to the ground before it does more damage," Teia informed, walking back to them.
"And what do we do once the dragon's down?" Viago wondered, folding his arms.
"Try to kill it? I know it's a long shot, but I'm not sure what else to do here," Teia countered with a hand on her hip. "We can't wait around for your sister to get here and come up with a plan. Lucanis, what do you know about the gods?"
"From what Rook has said, they're blighted and ancient. If they can blight dragons, then they are more powerful than we anticipated, especially if they are using the blight to control the dragons to attack the cities," he answered as she nodded.
"And any idea how to get the dragon to land?"
"Attacking it or finding something that it would want to lower it down to the ground," Lucanis offered as Viago nodded. "Is there anything specific that the Antaam are looking for?"
"Power and control, as they've always wanted. That hasn't changed," Teia scoffed as Lucanis furrowed his brow.
"Why attack Treviso, then? Minrathous is the capital of Tevinter, and a place the Venatori holds in high regard. The Antaam already hold Treviso. Why bring the dragon here?" Lucanis wondered as Viago shrugged.
"Maybe the Antaam made a deal with the gods to bring us down to our knees," Viago sighed. "The garrison should be empty, right? Maybe if we take enough Crows and try to take back their headquarters, maybe they will send the dragon to attack in the open yard. Then we can force it down."
"That might work," Teia agreed as Lucanis nodded.
"Alright, gather as many Crows as you can and I will scout out where we were able to break in last time," he offered.
"We'll send as many as we can to the garrison while you scout ahead," Viago agreed. Lucanis dipped his head before he headed for the ziplines.
He flew across the rooftops of Treviso, leaping from building to building, trying to get to the garrison as fast as he could. If he could clear a way for the Crows to get into the headquarters, then they could easily catch the Antaam's attention. Hopefully that would lead to the dragon to them as well.
The few Antaam Lucanis ran into were dispatched quickly and painfully, taking his anger out on his kills. He wished that he could be certain that Rook would arrive to help her home, but he couldn't be sure. Not with the Venatori vying for the throne. That was a huge threat as well. And he found that he was angry at that too. Angry that Rook didn't feel the anger he felt. He could still see her wide-eyed blank face, and he clenched his jaw when he thought of her.
Lucanis could nearly hear her thoughts torn in two when she stared at him for that moment. He had expected her to chase after him, to jump in the gondola with him and the Caretaker, and to save Treviso with her sibling figures by her side. With him by her side. Maybe that was what he was really upset with. She had an opportunity to save their home with him, and she froze. And then he lied to Viago, assuring him that she was on her way. There was a chance that she wasn't.
Rook is in Tevinter?
I don't know.
Is she coming?
I don't know.
We should get her. This is her home.
We don't have time.
Why isn't she here?
I don't know, Spite. Maybe she's on her way.
Lucanis took out the remaining Antaam and then crouched on the roof overlooking the garrison, waiting for Teia and Viago to catch up with their reinforcements. He passed a few injured Crows on the way as well, and he hoped that they could help them as well.
"You look very broody," Teia commented as she walked up to Lucanis.
"Waiting for you," he answered, standing up. "Where's Viago?"
"He's helping the Crows on the ground. We tried to round up as many as we could, but a lot are cornered in the streets. He's seeing if he can get them loose to get here," she replied with a sigh. "Otherwise, it's you and me until Vi or your reinforcements get here."
"We are not enough to take on a dragon," he remarked as Teia shrugged.
"We do what we must as Crows to keep Treviso afloat. Sometimes it's fighting a dragon with bad odds."
"Well, everyone dies someday, right?"
"One way to look at it. Come one," Teia urged before walking over to the ladder.
Lucanis followed her through the mansion the Antaam overtook, taking out any remining guards along the way. He tried to keep his emotions at bay with Teia at his side, but it was hard to stay calm. He was just glad that Spite wasn't trying to take over.
Lucanis and Teia made it down to the courtyard just inside the main gates where the Antaam usually gathered and trained. It was a large enough area to try and fight a dragon at least. He examined the area, wondering if they had gathered enough attention to draw the creature.
"Hermanita!" Teia exclaimed in relief as Lucanis turned around. Through the mansion, Rook ran towards them, vaulting the fence to get to them. "You are late."
"Had to sort some things out with the team, but I'm here," she exhaled, slightly out of breath. Lucanis stared at her, the anger vanishing.
"You came alone?" he asked, confused.
"If the Venatori in Minrathous take the throne, they are fucked. So, I sent Davrin, Bellara, and Harding to help Neve, and they took Solas's dagger with them. That should garner enough attention I should think to draw their dragon," she explained as he grimaced.
"And what's your plan now?" Teia wondered as Rook took a deep breath.
"Neve said that the dragon was there, but Ghilan'nain wasn't. If she's here in Treviso, then we might be able to bluff our way through with her thinking I have the dagger," she added. "That should focus the destruction on me rather than Treviso as a whole."
"How did you know we would be here?" Lucanis wondered as she shrugged.
"This was the biggest place to fight a dragon. I suppose we had the same idea," she smiled as Teia laughed.
"Alright, what's out first move?" Teia wondered, wielding her daggers.
"Let's get its attention and draw it down. Attack the wings and legs, and hopefully, we can ground the dragon. If we can, then we try and kill it," Rook strategized, pointing towards the open area beyond the gates.
"Then let's get moving," Lucanis suggested, letting Rook lead the charge.
Rook ran through the gates with her bow drawn with Teia and Lucanis hot on her heels. Even with more Crows on their way, there was a chance that this was going to be the end. If he could take a dragon with him, then it would be quite an end.
Above them, commanding the dragon, Ghilan'nain stood on one of the villa rooftops. Her tentacles gripped the edges and spires as she watched her pet destroy a city. Rook stepped towards her, gathering her courage.
"Despair. Ignorance. Mortal confusion," the goddess lamented when she noticed Rook, waving her hands around her. Rook stood her ground, her bow prepped to shoot an arrow with a moment's notice. "And yet, this city only offers nothing better than the Dread Wolf's pawn."
"Ghilan'nain!" Rook shouted, hoping to egg the goddess on. Lucanis felt Spite thrum with anticipation, waiting to sprout their wings.
"Your patron could not stand up against us in ages past. He will not help you know," she hissed before leaning forward towards Rook. "Give us the Dread Wolf's dagger!"
"If you want it, come and get it!" Rook yelled, taunting the goddess. Ghilan'nain scoffed shrilly before calling the dragon.
"Retrieve the dagger! And whatever else remains of the mortals," the goddess demanded as the ice dragon dropped in front of them.
Rook stood her ground as Lucanis listened. He could hear the confusion of the Antaam losing their dragon advantage beyond the walls, and he hoped it was enough for Viago and the rest of the Crows to push back against the invaders. However, there was a large problem in front of them now. Rook took aim at the dragon's wings, flying as many arrows as she could at them before quickly dodging out of the way of its swipe attacks.
Lucanis rushed forward with Spite's assistance as Teia followed behind, slicing and stabbing at the legs. The dragon roared and shrieked, dancing to get away from the Crows. It spat ice magic towards them as Rook continued to shoot at the wings.
However, it was becoming apparent that the dragon hardly cared if it had arrows sticking out of the wings, even if they stuck when they flapped. With a grunt, Rook turned her attention to the dragon's maw, waiting for an opportune moment instead. She let the other two Crows draw the dragon's attention away as it left an opening. She drew her bow and shot an arrow straight through the dragon's eye.
The arrow wasn't long enough to kill the dragon, but it screeched as the arrow entered the eye socket, blinding it on its left side. Rook prepped another arrow before the dragon shook its head, blood flying from its face to the ground. They had wounded it, which was something, even if it made it more unpredictable.
Ghilan'nain noticed the damage to her creation, and she screamed in frustration before turning away from the site. It was almost like she had been distracted by something in the distance. With a flick of her wrist, the dragon lifted off the ground with difficulty to the nearby wall. Rook took aim, hoping for another chance to injure it.
"That is enough!" the goddess shouted as the dragon reached her. "This isn't over!"
"Come back and fight, Ghilan'nain!" Rook shouted, flying the arrow she had ready. It hit the dragon in the leg, bouncing off the scales. The goddess snarled before she mounted the dragon and took to the skies.
Within seconds, the goddess and the blighted dragon were gone over the mountains to the west. Rook cursed under her breath before she placed her bow on her back again. Lucanis walked up next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he asked as she rolled her eyes.
"I'd be better if we killed the damn thing! We blinded it at least," she admitted as Teia wrapped her arm around her.
"Don't be so negative! The blighted dragon is gone, and Treviso could've gone through worse. Sure, some damage done, but there's no blight running rampant because of the dragon," Teia reminded as Rook nodded.
"That's true. It's good that it stopped attacking the city," she amended with a sigh.
"Every person with a home still standing will agree," Teia mentioned as Rook frowned. "We'll see what we can do with those who were displaced."
"It'll be hard to kill next time we see it," Lucanis added.
"Maybe we need to start recruiting again," Rook chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. "If Ghilan'nain has a minimum of two blighted dragons at her command, then we are going to need to find a dragon expert. I'm not sure Davrin knows much about dragons."
"We'll put out feelers for a dragon expert then," Lucanis agreed with a smirk. "We should go and see how Minrathous faired. I hope they were able to chase off the dragon."
"If they were able to lure it with the dagger, then maybe that could've helped," Rook reminded.
"What possessed you to give them the dagger?" Lucanis wondered as Rook shrugged.
"It's the one thing the gods want that we have. You heard Ghilan'nain before she fought. That was why she sent her dragon after us. I knew that they were looking for the dagger, and with Neve's information saying that Ghilan'nain wasn't in Tevinter, I was hoping to be able to bluff my way through here," Rook answered with her usual hand gestures. "I hope it was enough for them to turn the tide."
"So, you gambled?" Lucanis surmised. Rook hummed noncommittally before tilting her head back and forth.
"I think that's a reduction of what I did. I would say I made more of an educated guess and then made a risky call based on that guess," she corrected as Lucanis's shoulders dropped.
"You gambled with the dagger," he countered. Technically, she gambled with the lives of Treviso and Minrathous in the balance, but he wasn't about to bring that up.
"Go find out about Minrathous and then come back to check in with Vi afterwards. I know it's a lot of magic mirror hopping, but I think he needs to know that you are okay as well," Teia reminded as Rook nodded her head.
"I will, if just for a moment. I want to make sure that he's alright as well," Rook added before drawing Teia in for a hug. "Not sure we would've been able to pull this off without you."
"Just doing my part. Now you two get going and see what can be done for Minrathous," the Talon urged as they started to turn away.
Lucanis ran alongside Rook as they made their way back to the Diamond and through the eluvian. It still surprised him that she had risked so much to give each city the best chance that it could get. All on chance and luck. It seemed that luck was on their side, at least for now. He just hoped that luck extended to their team in Minrathous with the Shadow Dragons.