Chapter Text
A dozen voices sounded off at once; arguments Caterina had already considered. The curse of being First Talon; you’re ten steps ahead of people who think themselves smarter than you. The Antaam had been laying waste to Treviso and other cities of Antiva for nearly a year with no end in sight. It had been a swift and decisive victory for them. Treviso has no standing army, only the Crows, but even they can only do so much. Especially when the first sign of conflict and loss in their city has them at each other's necks rather than the enemy.
“Such an archaic move by the First Talon. Things are not that desperate that we need to-”
“Not that desperate? You alone have lost almost half of your house, Nero.” Teia, Seventh Talon, interrupted, standing beside where Caterina sat in her office. “And you, Fourth Talon, how many have you lost?”
The Fourth Talon, Kortez, lowered his head and grimaced.
Teia continued, “We spend half our time arguing with each other while Antaam crush our people. Our city. We are a weaker front than the Antaam now.” Teia said, swirling her wine in her glass.
The room erupted in voices once more before Caterina slammed her cane on to the floor, calling everyone to silence.
“Teia is right. And that is why I have made my decision. The people have no one to rally behind if the Crows are broken from the inside. So, we need to fix our foundation. An alliance.” Caterina stood from her chair, taking out a contract from a drawer at her desk and placing it on the table. The writing was small but the symbols of House Dellamorte and House de Riva were clear. “A marriage between the two most powerful houses. A united front, a contract sealed in blood. My grandson will be wed to Viago’s apprentice.”
For once, a hush fell. Everyone turned to Viago, who had been silently brooding by the door of the office. He looked up, making eye contact with Caterina. She and Teia had not blindsided him, he knew that House Dellamorte’s money and legacy with House de Riva’s tactical prowess and strength would be an unbreakable alliance. They had brought the matter to him a week ago, promising him a month to discuss the matter with his apprentice. Her approval, a dowry, the moving, the wedding; there was much that needed to be done. But their time was cut short when the Venatori were spotted in the city. A weak front during an occupation makes them all the more vulnerable to betrayal and death.
Viago left a note on his apprentice’s bedside table this morning. That was all the warning he was able to afford her. The contract was signed by Viago as house head, and Caterina.
“Your grandson?” Nero scoffed. “That fool is not fit to be tied to the de Riva name. Illario will embarrass himself, and all of you in turn.”
Viago kicked off the wall and made for Caterina, shouldering Nero as he passed. “Not Illario.” He said, eyeing the contract. “Lucanis.”
The room filled with whispers. Lucanis was no less controversial than his foppish cousin, Illario. He had been missing and presumed dead for a year, only to a return…different. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance and subsequent reappearance had been kept quiet by House Dellamorte, but rumors spread quicker in Treviso than at an Orlesian bathhouse. Everything from betrayal, murder, a secret lover, running away, a contract gone wrong; Caterina did not help matters by refusing to address it. However controversial the choice, Lucanis’ skill had only grown in his time away and it was clear that (if he lived to see it) he would inherit the title of First Talon.
“The matter is decided, the contract sealed. I tell you all as a courtesy, but I do not need your acceptance or permission. You may go.” Caterina said, walking over to sit by the fireplace in her office. With her final command, everyone leaves the room except for Viago, who lingered at the desk. His fingers touched the dry ink of the contract. Lucanis Dellamorte and Adelina de Riva.
“Viago.” Caterina said quietly. Viago turned to Caterina, fingers still on the paper. “Are you unhappy?”
“...No. It is a good plan.”
“Then why do you look like this?”
“Like what?”
“Like one of your precious pet snakes died.”
Viago smirked, walking towards the door to her office.
“I will face my apprentice’s wrath for this, and you, your grandsons. But we will become one, and Treviso will be free.”
“From your lips to the Maker’s ears.”
-
Caterina sent an underling to fetch Lucanis after the meeting had concluded. She needed to break the news to him as soon as possible. She held a small box in her hands, feeling a heaviness in her chest. She just gotten her grandson back, only to possibly lose his trust forever if he takes this poorly. A woman as hardened as Caterina can handle any pain, but not this. Not her boy.
“Caterina.”
The First Talon turned to face her grandson. His long black hair allowed the light of the fire to dance on his features. For the first time since he returned, Caterina noticed just how exhausted her grandson looked.
“My boy.” Lucanis approached his grandmother, kissing each cheek and bowing his head slightly out of respect. “Sit, we have something to discuss.”
“A new contract?”
“...Yes.”
“I accept.”
Caterina scoffed. “You do not know what I ask of you.”
“I will take any work. I need it. It…” Lucanis paused, wincing. “...keeps my mind clear.”
“Lucanis, please. Let us talk.”
Lucanis did as he was told, as he always did when it came to Caterina.
“A meeting was held. Between myself, Viago, and some of the other talons.”
“Is it the Antaam? Are we making a move? Or the blood cult-”
“It is you, Lucanis.”
A chill seemed to fill the air as Lucanis went stiff in his seat. “Me?”
“The Crows are a mess. We point daggers at each other, vying for power, while outsiders destroy our city. Something has to change.”
Lucanis wanted to ask questions, but he couldn’t find his voice.
“A contract dictating an alliance has been made. Between our house and House de Riva. A marriage.” Caterina’s grip on the small box tightened as she tried to read Lucanis’ reaction.
“A… marriage?”
“An old tradition. Our houses are the ones with the most power, and with the Antaam and the Venatori at our doorsteps, we need to remain strong. For nearly a year now we have been divided and easily conquered. No more. We will be a united front that the other houses and the citizens of Treviso can rally behind.” Caterina approached her grandson and held out the box. “You will be wed to Viago’s apprentice. Adelina de Riva.”
Lucanis took the box, opening it. He felt his heart drop as he saw his mother’s ring. A silver band with one large diamond in the middle, a marquis cut if he remembered correctly, between two smaller amethysts and inlaid with small wing details. Caterina stood in front of him, watching as he touched the ring as though it would crumble to dust at any moment.
Lucanis closed the box before looking up at his grandmother. “This is the best course of action?”
“As I see it.”
“...Then I accept the contract.”
-
“VIAGO!”
Adelina came crashing into Viago’s office the second he was home, face red with seething anger.
“Ah, you got my note.” Viago said, sitting stiffly at his desk. His office was dark, full of medical equipment for brewing poisons, covered nearly wall to wall with old Antivan weaponry and insignia. But nothing made his blood run colder than his apprentice when angry. She was like a wild animal that had been cornered; you were better off putting yourself out of your own misery than going toe-to-toe with her.
“What the fuck is this?” She asked, throwing the crumpled up note at him. “How dare you!?”
“Sit, Adela.”
“Do not call me that.”
Viago stood, leaning over his desk. He could stare daggers at her, but in this state, it would have no effect. So he settled for the brotherly approach; something far harder and more uncomfortable for him than simple threats of bodily harm. “I did not want to do this. I did not want you to find out in this way. But circumstances-”
“Circumstances? ‘Find out’? You have signed my life and body away and you only feel remorse for how I got the news?”
“If you’ll let me talk.” Viago said firmly. Adelina stared at him, left eye twitching. “The Crows have been in disarray. Backstabbing and clawing for power to see who will be the bastards to take down the Antaam. And while they do, the Antaam’s control only grows. They’ve been seen having dealings with the Venatori.”
At the mention of the blood cult, Adelina’s body tightened. It may seem foolish as an assassin to fear anything, but there was something about the evil of the Venatori that made her skin crawl.
“The First Talon, Teia, and myself devised this plan. A united front, they called it. We seem weak now, but the Crows, the people of Treviso, even the Antaam leadership know who the more powerful houses are. With a marriage, ours would be a bond made in blood. Unbreakable.”
“And none of you thought to tell me?”
“If it makes you feel any better,” Viago started, sitting back down. “Your groom did not know either.”
“Thanks, Viago. That really helps.” Adelina said sarcastically, pacing the room.
“I was supposed to have more time. I could’ve done more. But with the Venatori being seen here….”
“I know.” She said, finally ceasing her pacing and slumping unceremoniously onto Viago’s red velvet sofa.
“You do?”
“I am not a fool, Viago. It’s a decent plan. I just…truth be told, I hate you right now. And Caterina, Teia, and…” She stopped for a moment, making eye contact with Viago. An unspoken question.
“Lucanis. Caterina’s grandson.”
Adelina did not know much about Lucanis outside of his reputation. He was a feared assassin, one of the best in the business. But she had also heard of his disappearance a while ago and assumed him dead.
“He’s alive?”
“Well, it would be a very strange wedding if he was dead.”
“Viago.”
“Yes, he is alive and well. I have seen him.”
Adelina stared in silence, picking at her nails, an old habit Viago failed to whip out of her.
“...What?” Viago asked.
“Is he handsome?”
He laughed, “Ugly as an ogre.”
“I refuse him.”
“He is Antivan, Adela.” Viago sighed, rubbing his temple, “We are all handsome.”
Adelina stood from the couch walking over to Viago, sitting on his desk. “You are absolutely sure that this is the best course of action?”
“Yes. As is Caterina.” Adelina looked away for a moment. “You, and should you decide to have any, your children, will forever be under the protection and employment of houses De Riva and Dellamorte. That is a privilege unlike any other. You are skilled, but you need to think, Adela. The Crows rule Antiva, but we are at an absolute disadvantage right now. This union changes things.” Adelina looked at Viago, her eyes misty. “No more backstabbing and back-alley deals. The two strongest houses joined as one.”
“Unbreakable alliance.” Adelina whispered. “If he doesn’t like me, or tries to kill me? What then?”
“Well, you are hard to like. I would not blame him for that.” Viago chuckled. Adelina held herself back from smacking him. “But he will not do anything. He is, as I have seen, a gentleman.”
“A gentleman assassin?”
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“I’ve never encountered one. Only oafs.”
“You wound me, Adela.”
“I should wound you further.”
A pause allowed silence to fill the air. Viago watched Adelina, seated on his desk, thinking. She was so skilled, a blade honed to perfection. But with matters of emotion, she could not be trusted to act rationally without a guiding hand. Out in the field, he often called her Rook. A powerful piece on the board, but one that tends to think in straight lines. When he had taken her in as an orphaned child, he never expected the feelings he’d develop. She was the sister he never quite wanted; but Maker, was he ever grateful for her.
“I accept. Under some conditions.”
“Name them.”
“A marriage does not make me less of a Crow. I will remain employed.”
“You will be given time to settle, as is tradition. But yes, you will remain a Crow. And a de Riva.”
“Where will I live?”
“There.”
“Is it-”
“Very big.” Viago interrupted. Adelina nodded. She grew up an orphan but she did not intend to live out her days as one. A trait Viago almost admired; her hard-headedness. “Anything else?”
“You’ll be the first to hear if I can think of more.”
“Then let us discuss the details. Starting with a dowry.” Adelina came from nothing, her only possession was the de Riva name that Viago gave her when he brought her here. “House Dellamorte has given you a sum of money, along with your own wing of the home. Your belongings, what little you have, will come with you. Other things will be gifted to you by them. Clothes, weapons, what have you. You are originally from Rivain, do you wish to adhere to any of your customs?”
“I have no memories of my life before that day. I am Antivan.”
“Very well. The wedding will not be as grand as usual due to the occupation, but there will still be a celebration. We have one week to prepare. You will join me tomorrow for coffee at Caterina’s home to meet Lucanis.”
Adelina felt her heart jump into her throat. Lucanis. Her husband-to-be. It felt weird, wrong. She had dedicated her life to House de Riva and Viago. She never imagined leaving. If she did think of love, it was the love in her novels. A princess and her knight, or a templar and mage’s forbidden love. She imagined romance would stumble upon her like it does in books. But this…this is different. Contracts, meetings, occupation, war.
Lucanis. What would they become? Could they even become friends under these circumstances?
“Are you listening?”
“Oh, right. Yes. I’ll be there.”
“Good. Go, take some time. Rest, bathe, prepare. We leave in the morning.”
Adelina hopped off of Viago’s desk. Before she could leave, he called her name. Turning around, she saw his right hand over his heart; their version of a shoulder squeeze, a held hand, maybe even a hug. Viago is completely touch-averse, this is the best they could do. Adelina returned the gesture, placing her hand over her heart. Viago nodded, and she left.
Her life had changed drastically in the last few hours, and would continue to do so in the next week. She repeated Viago’s words in her head; that this is the best course of action, Lucanis is a good man, this would be a change but she would still be a de Riva, still be his Rook.
In 24 hours she would be meeting her groom and she had nothing to wear but leathers and daggers. Maker, she was not prepared for whatever comes next.