Chapter Text
Lucia was swirling her coffee cup nervously. Teia knew about this Lace Harding through old contacts with a now dissolved organization. Teia said they were putting a team together to stop someone trying to tear a hole in the Fade. That’s all the information Teia told her and Lucia didn’t like that. Harding was also coming with two friends, Varric Tethras and Neve Gallus.
“They’re coming,” Viago said as he walked back over to the couch. He hadn’t been the same since Mara had been kidnapped. None of them had been. Lucia wasn’t even living day to day, she was just existing. Lucia put the coffee cup down after draining it and stood next to Illario.
“This is all a waste of time,” he mumbled.
“So sorry to waste your time with such a trifling matter as the fate of the world, Illario,” Lucia scoffed, using all her strength to keep herself upright.
“They will make their case and then we will determine if Lucia’s services are needed,” Caterina declared.
“If it is what you wish,” Lucia nodded at her, looking down. She idly fidgeted with the locket around her neck, tracing her thumb across the edge of it.
Three hundred and fifty seven days. It had been three hundred and fifty seven days since she’d lost Mara. Just shy of a year. She got up, she got dressed, she did her job, and she took care of herself. But the light of the world was gone. The food Lucia ate tasted like ash, the coffee was nothing but a warm liquid, and inside she just felt cold. She almost hoped this mission would lead somewhere. Maybe then…
Either she’d feel something, or she’d find a way to join Mara in the afterlife.
Three people walked in, a dwarven man with a crossbow on his back, a dwarven woman with her hair in braids and the loudest armor Lucia had ever seen and lastly a human woman with a prosthetic who was dressed in Shadow Dragon leather.
“Everyone, this is Varric, Lace and Neve,” Teia introduced. “Lace and I were caught up in an alleyway against some Venatori.”
“Nice to meet you all, but please call me Harding,” she smiled.
“We understand you are looking to hire Lucia for a contract,” Caterina said politely.
“Yes,” Varric stepped forward. “I have a friend, Solas, he is looking to rip open the veil to fix the mistakes of his past and I am getting a team of the best together to stop him. Lucia would be my plan z: to kill Solas to stop him.”
“Is he a mage?” Lucia asked.
“He’s the most powerful mage of all: A god,” Varric said.
“All mages die,” Lucia shrugged.
“How dangerous is this Solas?” Caterina asked.
“Very. He is convinced the path he is on is the correct one,” Varric explained. “I believe that there is another way that he can do what he wants without flooding the world with demons. We have an expert on the veil and we are also trying to find a Fade expert.”
“Lucia Dellamorte is the best mage killer we have,” Caterina stated. “Lucia, I will give you this contact, but you cannot be reckless. You must come home afterwards.”
“Yes, Caterina,” Lucia nodded, turning her head towards the clients. “I accept this contract on behalf of my house. I will kill your mage.”
“Whats your pay?” Illario asked. Neve smirked walking over to Lucia, passing some papers over.
“Information from the Venatori. We understand that Crows sometimes work in pairs. My contacts found someone, ‘the perfect score’. Does the name ring a bell?” Neve asked. Lucia almost stumbled, the papers crinkling in your hands.
“The- The Perfect Score is dead,” Lucia croaked out, staring blankly at the sheets in front of her. “The Venatori captured and murdered her nearly a year ago.”
“According to my sources she’s alive as recently as three weeks ago. There was a shift change and the Dragons were looking into it. Any excuse to gain allies against the Venatori.”
Lucia could see Caterina speaking, and Neve answering, but she couldn’t hear anything past the ringing in her ears. Her chest felt tight, each breath was a labor to bring in.
“Lucia,” Viago said softly, touching her shoulder. “May I?”
“She- she’s alive- she’s alive and I never- I didn’t- I didn’t even-“ her mind was racing, so fast she could barely keep up with the thoughts. She grabbed Neve, yanking her close. “Get me to her, and I will kill your god for free. Maker, I’ll kill anyone you want for free. The Shadow’s need a magister or knight commander taken out, I’ll do it. Whatever it takes, just get me to her.”
“Promise?” Neve smirked. “I know where it is. The Ossuary. Varric, Harding, you two can head back, I’ll stay here with our mage killer and retrieve our Crow.”
“We’ll meet up with Bellara and wait for you back in Minrathus,” Varric said. “It was good meeting you all.”
“For me as well,” Lace said as both of them bowed out and were escorted out by a fledgling.
“Neve, Lucia, we have to discuss the details. Illario, get a boat together,” Caterina ordered. “Viago, Teia, you two can stay.”
Lucia held onto Viago’s arm, her world spinning. “Viago, I swear to you I will bring her home. No matter what it takes, I will return her to you,” she said softly.
“I know, cousin,” Viago said softly. “Just remember what it’s like to live again once you do.”
“I’m guessing the perfect score is more than just a valuable Crow?” Neve asked as she sat down in a small chair while Caterina pulled out a bottle and some glasses.
“She was to be my wife,” Lucia answered quietly. “She was given a contract for a high-ranking Venatori mage named Calivan. We knew he was the warden of a secret Venatori prison, but not of which one. Mara boarded a ship for Minrathous, and two days later, her body was sent back to us. She’s been alive this whole time,” Lucia hissed.
“I knew the body was wrong,” Caterina frowned, tapping her fingers against her cane. “The body reeked of blood magic. It had been altered to look like Mara, but it was not.”
“And you never told me?!” Lucia demanded.
“You were unstable,” Caterina snapped back. “I know you, Lucia. You are my granddaughter, I raised you. If you had a suspicion that she was alive, you would have stopped at nothing to find her. I needed you alive, and I needed this quiet.”
“Mara was sold out. You knew there was a spy, so you said nothing,” Viago said in understanding. Lucia inhaled sharply, forcing her anger down.
“A raven. A raven who wanted Mara out of the way for whatever reason.” Lucia swore she saw Teia’s eyes flicker to the door for a second.
“All that matters is bringing Mara home. Then I will find this raven, and I will carve out their heart,” Lucia hissed. “We need to go now to this Ossuary. What do we know about it?”
“The Dragons have pinpointed it somewhere in Rialto bay,” Neve started. “Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time this has happened. They are known to kidnap high ranking officials or important organizational members and um-” she took a breath as she looked at everyone in the room. “There’s a possibility she may be an abomination now. Which means a death clock has started.”
Lucia did her best to keep it together. “I don’t care. I don’t care if she has a demon inside of her, we can fix that. All that matters is her. She is all that will ever matter. We need to find her.”
“Lucia will first find Mara, then the two of them will be contracted,” Caterina said as she poured three glasses. Teia stood up and passed them out to Lucia and Neve. She looked shocked and stunned and Viago looked the same. She went to sit down and leaned against her partner. Caterina held up her glass and drank hers. Lucia and Neve did the same.
“That’s amazing,” Neve complimented. Lucia nodded in agreement. For the first time in 357 days, she tasted something again. Sweet, and bitter, and thick. The taste of revenge.
“Lucia, make sure your leathers are good and bring Mara her daggers. She’ll need them as well as some clothes,” Caterina ordered.
“I’ll help you pack a bag,” Teia offered.
“Thank you, Teia. I still have all of her things where she left them, we can grab-“ Lucia set down the whiskey glass so nobody could see her shaking. “We’ll grab what she needs and meet you at the docks, Neve.”
“I’ll be waiting,” Neve nodded, getting up and Lucia could hear the sound of her walking away.
“She’s alive,” Lucia whispered again. Maker, Mara probably hated her by now. She’d let Mara suffer at the hands of the Venatori for a year. She didn’t look, she didn’t fight, she just gave up.
“Lucia, she is. You have the chance to save her,” Viago said. “You have to believe that if the roles were reversed that she would be hoping that she would be coming for you.”
“If the roles were reversed, she would’ve never left me down there this long. She would’ve found me.” I failed her. “We will bring her home. She will not suffer a day more. And I will kill every Venatori that gets in my way. I will bring her home,” she swore, looking at Viago and Teia.
“I know,” Teia nodded, clearing her throat. “She’ll need her things and I need- her townhome needs to be stocked. There’s nothing-”
“Here.” Lucia passed over her coin pouch. “Get everything. All of her favorites. Get- get me what I need to make chicken pastina. She loves chicken pastina. And fruit and veggies! And jamón, a whole leg. Whatever she could want, I want her to have it ready for her. There is no spending limit. If you need more money, just say the word. Or just take it from my room in the townhouse. It’s under a floorboard in the center of the room.”
Teia looked at the coin pouch, nodding, but Viago spoke up. “You two go first, we’ll take care of the rest. Rialto Bay is a little while away so we’ll have a few hours to get her home back in order.”
“Ester has been keeping it clean, at least. It should look as though she had only stepped out for a moment. Get flowers? I try to get new flowers every day. She deserves fresh flowers.” Lucia felt her voice crack. “We’ll go get her. Teia, can you still help me with the bag?”
“Absouetly, let’s go,” Teia agreed. “Viago can you- I was supposed to have help Joanie with… something.”
“Whatever you had, I have it,” Viago nodded. “You focus on this and I’ll take everything else.”
“Thank you,” Teia said softly, they held hands a moment before Teia started walking out of the Diamond. “Are you still staying in the Villa?”
“I was. I couldn’t- walking into the home we shared, it was like a dagger to the gut. Sometimes I would stay the night there, but Caterina asked me to move back in because she was worried about me. Once she is back, I will return home,” Lucia answered softly. “I swear if I had known… I would never have let them keep her away from us.”
“That’s why she didn’t tell you. Caterina knew you would be on the warpath, she needed you sane so you could find her and bring her home. And a raven,” Teia spat. “If the raven is behind this, I want to see it.”
“I will Blood Crow them in the center of the Cantori Diamond as a lesson,” Lucia spat. “Whoever betrayed her will pay with their life for taking her from us.”
“Good.” Teia said darkly. The two of them made their way to the townhome and Lucia felt the weight of it every time she stepped closer to it. Teia was also quiet as the two of them made their way through the streets. “Do you have her key?” Lucia just nodded, moving up to the door. She unlocked it and braced herself before opening the door. It still looked the same as it always did. The flowers Lucia put there this morning were on the coffee table, the lanterns were lit cheerfully, and there wasn’t a speck of dust on any of the surfaces.
“I had her clothes washed and pressed just a few days ago, they’re still fresh for her,” Lucia stated, stepping inside. Teia walked to their room, opening the door and Lucia felt the wind knock out of her. She hadn’t looked at it in months. “What um-” Teia cleared her throat as she pulled out a small bag. “What do you think she’ll like?”
“Her more comfortable clothes,” Lucia answered, snapping out of her daze and moving to the closet. She grabbed her silk button up, the blue one she always wore buttoned low, and the thin but comfortable cotton pants she favored. She grabbed Mara’s sash as well, and some boots. Her favorites, the worn leather ones that were soft and silent when she walked.
“What if it’s true about the abomination? I know it won’t change anything from her, but we’ve fought people who have turned into demons.”
“If it is true, then we will fix it,” Lucia answered, packing the bag carefully. She grabbed a change of underclothes and went to the bathroom to grab soap and a rag. “I have heard of ways to banish demons from a body. We could kill the demon in the Fade, or find a Templar ritual. We will not find her just to lose her again. I won’t allow it.”
“Maybe this fade expert your new team is gathering could help. This… god- mage- Varric seems confident that he can talk down his former acquaintance so you two may be able to come straight home.”
“Talked down or struck down, either way I will end this fast so I can bring her back here and help her heal. She’ll probably want to pick up book club again,” Lucia said with a rough laugh.
“I gotta find some books,” Teia wiped her face. “I still remember how excited she was for this contract. She fought all of the mage killers at once and won.”
“She did. She was the best,” Lucia let out a wet laugh. “She was the best. I’m so sorry. I was supposed to keep her safe and make her happy. I promised you I would do this, and I failed. I will not fail again, Teia. I will bring her home to you.”
“You did not fail,” Teia said firmly. “Would you want Mara to blame herself if you were the one stuck on the boat?”
“No, but it’s different. It wasn’t some great evil that kept me away, it was my fucking cousin. My cousin and his idiot shit that I decided to handle before we left.” Lucia rubbed her face roughly. “Drunk and caught cheating at poker, making a scene when I tried to bail him out, I should have just left him there to embarrass himself.”
“You already Illario his piece at the funeral and he’s evened out since then. The gambling a little bit at least, but the whores have slowed down.”
“Do you think she’ll hate me?” Lucia asked. She didn’t look up as she spoke, she kept moving. Mara needed weapons. Some armor. Her arm guards. Maybe Lucia should grab her bow.
“No,” Teia said softly, passing Lucia Mara’s poison belt. “She’ll have a hard time adjusting, but she won’t hate you.”
“We will do whatever we must to help her. I may stop taking contracts for a while so I can stay with her. I cannot even imagine what she has been through.” Lucia zipped up the bag. “Okay. That is enough for now. I’ll be back in a few hours, and I will bring our Mara home.”
“Lucia,” Teia gently straightened out the dagger strapped to her chest. “Be careful and try to remember that no one blames you.”
Lucia tried not to laugh. She blamed herself, she’d been blaming herself every single second since that boat took off without her. But she could finally make up for it. “I’ll make sure we both get home safe.”
“Good,” Teia nodded. “Make sure your armor is clipped on and Neve was checking you out so don’t let her sit too close.” She patted Lucia’s shoulder as they both started to walk out of the room.
“Neve was what?” Lucia asked absentmindedly, checking the bindings on her leathers. “Mara is going to need new armor. I’ll get her some before we leave for the contract.”
“I would wait until she comes back… she might be thinner. She’ll need something more snug.”
“I know. We need to get her measurements, make sure everything fits. I don’t want her going out in ill-fitted armor.” Lucia tapped the handle of the bag. “Maybe we should not let her go. This could be too much for her. She should stay here with you and Viago.”
“If you keep a contract away from her that Caterina assigned? Then she’ll be mad,” Teia snorted as they locked up the townhome.
“She would put a blade in my throat,” Lucia agreed. “But if I can talk Caterina into dropping Mara from the contract… I just hate the idea of saving her from prison just to drag her into a mission.”
“You two are one in the same. She’ll want the work as a distraction, but only Mara can say. I think you’re going to go to the prison, find her a little roughed up, but otherwise alright,” Teia said optimistically. “I’m going to stock the kitchen, do you want me to walk with you to the docks?”
“No, I need time to clear my head, make sure it’s on straight,” Lucia sighed. “I need to focus on the mission. The walk will help me do this.”
“Alright. I’ll get you all set up for when you two get back. Have a safe trip,” Teia said, squeezing her shoulder before walking back towards the market. Lucia closed her eyes for a moment, breathing the air in deeply. It grounded her, kept her level as she started to walk to the meeting point.
Soon. Three hundred and fifty seven days had passed, and now soon Mara would be back in her arms.
☽𓅨☾
Lucia didn’t know what was worse: the fact that the Ossuary Mara was being held was only a two hour boat ride in the middle of Rialto Bay or that it was so deep underwater and it was this understaffed. There was no one protecting the entrance, no one even remotely close to the entrance.
“This is a lot of dead Venatori,” Neve chuckled as they made their way through the winding path. Lucia bent down to look at the wounds. There was a power behind them, but they weren’t very precise. Whoever did this was strong and knew where to hit, but lacked finesse.
“Keep an extra eye out. We’re dealing with someone who moves fast and knows what they’re doing,” Lucia warned.
“Don’t have to tell me twice.”
Lucia hated everything about the Ossuary. It invoked a claustrophobic feeling so strong that she felt she would collapse under it if she didn’t get out soon. Dread was good company down here, the kind of dread that made her feel sick knowing that this is where Mara had been for the last year. She couldn’t stand it.
“I think this is where they’re keeping her,” Neve said, looking around at the Venatori wards. Lucia had seen similar wards used when they used to infiltrate Venatori hideouts.
“If not, well, there’s someone in there that knows where she is.” Lucia nodded while she watched Neve break down the ward crystals. The two of them walked in to see too many Venatori around a pillar of ice.
“You will not continue forward! Lusacan! Dragon of-” one of the Venatori started shouting but was cut off by the ice breaking and shattering. A blue and black blur with wings started flying around, killing the Venatori one-by-one. As Lucia was taking in the blue she was knocked backwards, the air in her lungs stayed in the same place while she was being knocked to the ground.
“When will you learn you can’t use her against me!” Lucia’s heart stopped.
It was Mara.
A dagger was shoved against her neck. “Get me the hells out of here and I’ll let you live.”
“My Mara,” Lucia felt her voice crack. The year had hardened her, there were magical cracks along her skin where her and the demon morphed to work together. “For a thousand lifetimes, ‘till death will I find you.” The words came out of her easily, their code phrase to show that it was the right person.
Mara’s face softened, the magical lines disappearing. “Lucia?” Her voice cracked. “May we discover each other a thousand times more.” Lucia heard the dagger collapse to the floor. “It’s you? You’re really here?”
Lucia carefully propped herself up, resting her forehead against Mara’s. “I am here, mi amor. We came to rescue you, but I should’ve known you would’ve already started saving yourself.” Lucia could feel Mara’s tears against her face, Lucia quickly wiping them away.
“I did the easy part,” Mara leaned in to kiss Lucia. It felt like a small piece of her soul was slowly returning for a moment, Mara was alive.
“Get us. Out!” Lucia felt Mara scramble away, only feeling frightened for a second.
“Hey, easy- it’s okay, Mara. That’s the demon I assume? I’m here to get you out, I swear it. They must have your blood?” Mara nodded, the cracks returning. “We’ll track it down and finish your contract.”
“I know where it is,” Mara shook her head, blinking a few times and the cracks fading again.
Lucia looked at Mara. There were magical cracks expanded where there was visible skin, as well as her eyes changing color when the demon would speak. Through a tear in her shirt she could see what looked like a cold brand on her chest, a large white scar. “I brought you a few knives and your casting dagger. When we get back to the ship, I brought you a change of clothes.” Lucia stepped closer, helping Mara clip the belt on her. Her hands finding her way to hold Mara’s face. “I can’t believe I found you. My Mara.”
“Whose this with you?” Mara asked after a few moments.
“Huh?” Lucia had almost forgotten she had brought Neve.
“Neve Gallus. Minrathous detective. Please to finally meet you, Perfect Score.”
“Neve provided us with the information on this place. The Shadow Dragons were the ones who discovered you were alive.” Lucia was hovering close to Mara, worried she was going to disappear again.
“I appreciate your intel, but if you are here that means you want something.” Mara noted.
“You’d be correct. We need mage killers for an elven mage who wants to tear apart the Veil. We came to the Crows for the best and that would be you two.” Neve nodded.
“But we’ll worry about that once you’re safe.” Lucia said quickly.
“Another contract. First things first: Callivan is here.” Lucia could hear the demon speaking alongside her before Mara turned to the side. “You cannot do that.” There was another moment. “This is my body.”
“Mara,” Lucia reached up to touch Mara’s cheek. “Are you alright to fight?”
“Yes. I’m fine. My blood is this way, follow me.” Mara pointed and started walking.
“Are you sure she’ll be able to come? We could probably just use you,” Neve asked once Mara was ahead.
“I am going to talk to her into staying with Viago in Treviso, but I cannot make the decision for her. Mara is strong willed. Independent. She always has been, I have to let her decide.”
“You whisper too loudly now,” Mara turned her head slightly as she signaled for her and Neve to move forward. “My blood is this way, past the experimentation chamber.”
I don’t like the sound of that. Lucia shoved her anger down. “Mierda. We will make them pay for what they’ve done here. I swear it.” Lucia looked around at the blood soaked tables and the chains so red they didn’t move.
Mara was standing next to a table, touching the edge of it before that hand came up to touch the lightning bolt shaped scar on her chest. “Zara will pay.”
“With every drop of blood in her body.” Lucia swore. She reached up to touch Mara’s shoulder. “We should keep moving. You have a hot bath waiting for you back home. I cannot wash away what happened, but I can help you feel comfortable again.”
As the two of them started moving, Lucia watched as Neve was taking papers and a few vials. “My blood is this way,” Mara said. As they made their way there were vials the size of wine barrels filled with so much blood it made Lucia’s eyes hurt. “Could one of you…?” Mara asked, gesturing at the largest one in the center of the room.
Lucia could hear her heart breaking as she moved forward, shattering the vessel before lighting her blood on fire to finish destroying it. “Let us see them try to salvage that. No one will ever use blood magic on you again,” Lucia swore.
“Gods I hope so,” Mara laughed, looking relieved as she cracked her neck. “Thank you.” Mara was quiet for a moment again. “It's not your turn yet.” Mara whispered, turning her head to the side before she cleared her throat. “His office is this way. Let’s finish this.”
“Agreed.” Lucia nodded as they made their way out of there.
The fight was harder than Lucia wanted to admit. Seeing someone like Callivan summon demons so casually was alarming, but nothing the two of them haven’t faced before. The two of them took a moment while Neve went to Callivan’s desk to collect more papers.
“So… I was gone a long time,” Mara said softly, not looking at Lucia.
“Three hundred and fifty seven days.” Lucia closed her eyes, letting out a small breath while she rested her hands on Mara’s hips. “I counted every second of it. I’m so sorry, mi amor. If I knew- I would’ve never left you down here.”
“It’s not your fault. I saw the body,” Mara rested against Lucia. “She was convincing. It’s okay if there was someone else.”
“According to Viago, I married myself to my contract book with how much work I did. There was no one. How could I have anyone when I already found the other half of my soul?”
“Because I was dead,” Mara let out a wet chuckle. “You are wasted alone. You’re too gorgeous to remain by yourself.”
“You are the only one I want, Mara. Wherever your soul is, mine is there as well. You will have me for all eternity,” Lucia held Mara’s face, savoring the feeling.
“You two ready?” Neve asked as she came around organizing the papers.
“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Mara chuckled. She was quiet again, this time looking more directly to her right. “No one wants out more than me.”
“Are you talking to the demon?” Neve asked after a moment.
“I was curious. Neither of you can see her?” Mara asked, gesturing to where the demon would be. Neve and Lucia shook their heads. “Interesting. Let’s get out of here.”
“This way,” Lucia led them. Just another hour and the two of them would be safe and sound in Treviso.
They made their way to the surface, the boat waiting for them. Lucia felt Mara hesitate, she went white as a sheet. “I need you to tell me new stuff.” Mara blurted out. “What happened while I was gone?” Lucia held onto Mara while they got on deck.
“Caterina celebrated her Crow anniversary by hosting a smaller party with just the Talons and immediate family. It was a huge surprise to everyone and Illario panicked trying to plan it. Viago and Teia got new leathers, finally. I’m happy to say you didn’t miss much. Still no new fledgling classes, and everything is just as you left it.” Lucia led Mara to a spot on the stairs where she could sit and Lucia could hold onto her. Lucia watched as Mara closed her eyes and leaned into the wind as the ship started to move. Mara was quiet for a few minutes before Lucia could hear her sniffing.
“Is there anything I can use to clean myself up with?” Mara chuckled nervously.
“Yes, I brought you a whole bag. Do you want a full bath when we land?” Lucia asked as they both got up.
“I do. A bath- a real bath,” Mara sighed, a small smile on her face. They approached the small bathroom on the ship and Mara froze. “WIll you- can- can you just stand here? Outside of the door?”
“Of course.” Lucia watched Mara open the door, taking a moment to breathe before she closed the door behind her. “Teia and Viago are also getting everything ready for you back home. Teia is going crazy with the shopping because I asked her too. I’m cooking tonight so you can’t say no. I told her to get her everything you could want to stock your place. I know you always decline, but you can always come stay with me in the Villa. Even if it’s just temporary.” Lucia was sure to talk loud enough for her voice to carry. “Viago doesn’t want to do another class of fledglings next year like he was originally thinking. He’s thinking about just taking some kids in and helping them get back on their feet. I told him to go for it.”
Mara came out of the bathroom looking unsure. “Do I look alright to see Caterina?”
Lucia tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “You look as beautiful as the day I lost you.” Mara quickly closed the gap, fitting into Lucia’s arms like a perfect puzzle piece. “You feel cold.” Lucia tried to take off her coat but Mara stopped her.
“I just want you pressed into me. Can we sit back near the railing again?”
“Of course, corazón. Anything you want.”
The rest of the ride was quiet. Mara made small comments about the sea life, the stars and moon. Anything to help her feel normal.
“I never thought I’d miss the rats or the smell of the canals,” Mara said, quickly wiping her face.
“We’re going to check in with Caterina first at the Diamond. We’ll get you home to eat and pack, then we’re on our way,” Lucia laid out.
“Speaking of food, I’m going to grab a bite myself,” Neve said as they all disembarked.
“Here-” Lucia quickly passed over a Dellamorte coin. “If you go down the main road, take a left, you’ll find a place; Casa De Sopa; they have amazing food. That coin will put your meal on my tab.”
“Thank you. I’ll meet up with you in a few hours?” Neve asked, admiring the coin.
“Yes, and I look forward to meeting the team. Thank you for your information to get me out of there,” Mara stuck out her hand, Neve took it and shook it.
“Of course. Couldn’t let a Crow sit in Venatori capture. I’ll be going over the paperwork and I’ll let you know if I find anything related to Zara.”
“That would be appreciated,” Lucia was grateful for someone else who was working against the Venatori. Neve started to make her way down the road. “Are you hungry, Mara? I can get you something, we can go home first? I know your stomach is sensitive, but you still need your strength.”
“I am, but I know Caterina. I know she has her opinions of me and this demon is only going to set me back. Maker knows what your cousin is going to say about all this,” Mara had a defeated look on her face as she looked at the city skyline.
“Illario,” Lucia scoffed. The anger from the memory of Mara’s funeral flared up. “I don’t care what he has to say. If he says anything at all, I’ll beat him until he remembers his place. And Caterina knows about the demon, she still made sure coming to get you was a priority. We will find a way to fix it, all that mattered to us was to have you home so we could try.”
“To the Diamond first.” Mara said softly. Lucia didn’t like the look on her face. She knew her lover and she knew when her lover was overthinking.
“Let’s go,” Lucia brought Mara’s hand to her lips, kissing her knuckles softly.
Treviso had changed since Mara was gone. Siege walls cut off the streets, and Lucia watched Mara looking around. The Antaam were moving around in pairs and groups as if they were patrolling, something old to Lucia but new to the lost Crow. Lucia was familiar enough with their paths that they avoided them entirely, but the evidence of occupation was all over. Even with that, the markets were vibrant and thriving, buskers sang and danced in plazas and along the canals, and the people of the city still moved around and lived. The air was warm and fresh, the smells of cooked foods and canal water drifting on the breeze as they always did. The two of them climbed up through the layers of the city, but before they could zip across to the Diamond, Lucia pulled Mara to a stop. She let out a breath, fidgeting with her cufflinks nervously.
“If I asked you to stay behind and not take this contract, would you?” Lucia asked.
“No, why? What’s wrong?” Mara asked softly.
“I just… worry. I just got you back, you have gone through hell. I do not want to drag you from one shit situation into another without giving you time to rest and recover.”
“It’s not going to be a shit situation because I finally have you again,” Mara reached out to hold her face. “I finally have you again and I’m out in the fresh air and that’s all that matters. So long as I have you, nothing I face can be that bad.”
“I will never leave your side again, not for anything,” Lucia promised. She pressed Mara’s hand more firmly to her face and savored the familiar touch, turning to kiss her palm. “Wherever you go, I will be next to you.”
“Then that’s all I need. Whatever this contract is, we will face it together.” Mara promised. Lucia couldn’t be soothed by words, but they were the only thing either of them had.
The Diamond was unusually quiet as they walked through. While some people noticed and gawked at Mara, others looked distracted.
“What the hell?” Lucia mumbled to herself as they walked into Teia’s office. The room was a mess, showing clear evidence of a scuffle. Teia was crying, Viago was comforting her and Illario was turned around, gripping the desk. The office was completely ransacked, furniture thrown everywhere. “What happened?”
“The Venatori! Zara Renata, that’s what!” Illario shouted.
Lucia looked around, trying to gather any clues. “I don’t understand. How did you people get this close?”
“We don’t know yet,” Viago said softly.
“Where’s Caterina?” Lucia was looking around, feeling her heart sink.
“She- she’s-” Teia’s voice cracked.
“The Venatori got her in the confusion.” Viago finished quietly. His words were soft but still felt like a canon just tore through Lucia.
“Revenge for breaking her out,” Illario spat, glaring at Mara.
“Hey! This is not her fault! Look at her like that again and I will make sure your jaw is too broken for you to speak,” Lucia spat angrily, moving in front of Mara protectively. “What I want to know is how they even figured it out? A coordinated attack at the exact moment we were going to strike? That requires far more planning than they could’ve had time for, and far more information than they should have had. Where did they get that information, Illario?”
“Cousin, you are thinking irrationally,” Illario responded. “You are right, this is not Mara’s fault. I am sorry. Mara, I am glad you are safe. It is good to see you home.”
“It’s still good to see you too,” Mara said softly. “It’s good to see all of you.” Lucia watched as Mara walked over to Teia and Viago, the two of them grabbing her and pulling her into a tight hug. “We’ll find out what happened to her.”
“I’m so happy you’re home. We’ve missed you more than we could ever say.” Teia whispered against Mara’s head.
“You get to be an idiot all you want now,” Viago added, voice thick. “I won’t even say anything about it. I don’t care how stupid you act so long as you’re here. I’ll even let you complain about contracts again. Just so long as you’re home.”
“I missed you two, so much. I’m so glad you’re both okay.” Mara didn’t move too far from either one of them.
“You can’t go on this mission now,” Illario bartered.
“Yes, I can, and I must. It was the last contract Caterina assigned and I will not be voiding it,” Lucia argued. “Mara and I will both take care of it and come home.”
“If you find Zara Renata while you are traveling, you cut her heart out,” Teia hissed angrily. “She came into my house. She took Caterina from my house. You two find her, and you make her suffer for this. Vi and I will hold down the fort here.”
“We will leave tomorrow,” Lucia nodded. “We need to pack and rest one night in a nice bed before hitting the road.”
Mara chimed in. “I’ll check in once a week, maybe twice. It depends on where we are. I still haven’t gotten debriefed on what we’re doing, all I know is that it involves killing a mage and that’s what I’m here for.”
“I’ll fill you in while we pack,” Lucia promised, touching the desk. “They say this job will not take long, then we can come home, hold her funeral, and then… then we go after Zara Renata and make her pay. For you and for Caterina.”
“I’m guessing there is nothing we can say to get you to stay?” Teia asked Mara.
“Nope.”
“Obstinada.” Teia gently pinched her cheek.
“Our stubborn idiot. Come back to us,” Viago said softly. “We just lost you. Do not make us go through this again.”
“It won’t happen again because I’ll tie my back up to me. Actually I’ll chain her.” Mara laughed.
“I’m going to bind her to me with pitch, actually. A chain is too much space,” Lucia replied. “I swear. No matter what, she will come home.”
“You too. Do not continue your recklessness,” Viago warned her.
“We’ll both come home. This is just what I need to get back into my old routine. But once a week, I’ll write or come home to check in. I’ll let you know when we’re leaving.” Mara said.
Teia hugged her tightly. “Your house is stocked and I got you some fresh coffee and tea.”
“Thank you. Make sure Viago keeps his head on straight.”
“I will.”
Viago gave Mara one last hug before Luicia hovered around her as they left the Diamond. Lucia carefully tucked her lover into her side before they made their way home.
“Hopefully this contract won’t take long, I want to come home and try to deal with all this change,” Mara said after a few minutes of them walking.
“They seemed to believe it would not. This mage we hunt is named Solas, and he is an old acquaintance of our client. The client believes he can talk his friend down, but we are there to move in in case he cannot. The mage fashions himself a god, and he wishes to tear down the Veil between our world and the Fade.”
“Oh no that’s really not good. Target: someone who is either a god, or someone so powerful he mimics a god or his powers are so ancient he is a god. Regardless, the psychology profile is the same: arrogant, in the right, he is correct about his purpose more than likely but his approach to the solution is wrong. What magic does he use? I know I’m Dalish but between me and Teia we can only name half of the seven gods in the pantheon.”
Lucia gave her a sheepish smile. “I… did not ask. Illario asked about pay, and they said they had information on your whereabouts to offer, and at that point I would have agreed to anything they said or wanted in exchange. But we can ask the clients tomorrow. Varric and Lace, I believe their names were. Neve was hired by them a while back, and they mentioned a few other people they wanted to recruit as well.”
“A full team. That’ll be a big change for us. If anything happens at least I’ll have you.”
“Always,” Lucia promised. “I will never leave your side again. If I had been with you… at least we would have been down there together if nothing else.”
“No. I know exactly what would’ve happened,” Mara leaned against her as they were making their way back. “You would’ve immediately shoved me forward as hard as you could so I could escape the Venatori and while you were getting attacked I would’ve found as many shadow dragons as I could and gotten you out of there.”
“We would have killed them all,” Lucia smiled sadly. “I have all of the ingredients to make your favorite, chicken pastina? I also have what I need for a very nice garden salad.”
“Salad sounds great. I’m okay with whatever you want to make. Just no bread… and no soups for a while.”
“I can do that,” she nodded. “A light pasta dish and salad it is. Something nice and fresh for you.” Lucia unlocked the door and let them inside their townhome.
Lucia watched Mara look around and take it all in. “It smells good, like marigolds.” Mara said softly, moving to touch the flower petals. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
“I always made sure you had your favorite flowers, that wasn’t going to stop because you were dead.” Lucia could only admire her while she looked at everything, the unchanged living room, the books she added for Mara. Finishing her loop at the trinket shelf she started.
“Sometimes I worry I took being a Crow too literally. I missed my trinkets. When things got bad, I would come back here. Force myself to remember what I had. After a while it got too fuzzy and I couldn’t remember my trinkets, except for this one.” She picked up the glass blown trinket of a crow on a nest. “The one that started it all.”
“I bought one every time I thought of you. Things I thought you would love, that I could see you putting somewhere in here. It helped.”
“It’s all so beautiful. I love the additions."
Lucia walked over to her, wrapping her arms around Mara’s waist. She needed to be close. Needed to feel Mara’s voice when she spoke so she knew this was real. “Tell me of the crow again, amor. I miss hearing your voice when you would talk about your trinkets.”
“I was shopping for dinner when I got completely distracted by his little blue reactions over the fruit stands. He was just so cute in the window and he was all alone. I couldn’t just leave her there. I can’t believe I blew the daily shopping budget on him, it was the only time I was fine with asking you for more money.”
“It was also the first time you actually asked,” Lucia chuckled quietly. “Let’s go get you cleaned up, my love. I have all your soaps and hair care products ready for you, and I’m sure you’d like to feel completely clean again.”
“My hair is a mess, don't look at it too closely.” Mara said as the two of them made their way to the bathroom.
“It is, but that’s alright, nothing we can’t fix and nothing Teia wasn’t prepared for.” Lucia said easily.
Lucia gave Mara some privacy with her back turned to the tub while she got a few things ready to help her and set out an outfit as well. When she came back in, Mara was attempting to detangle her hair.
“Maybe I should just cut it,” Mara said softly.
“Only if you want, but I think I can save this.” Lucia offered.
“I- sure- okay,” Mara agreed.
“Would you like me to get in with you?” Lucia asked gently. She held both of Mara’s hands in her own.
“No you don’t have to. I’m disgusting.”
“You could be covered head to toe in the muck of a pig’s pen and I would still hold you if you asked. All that matters to me is that you feel secure.”
“I almost forgot what it was like to have you around. No one in the Ossuary to make sure my bath isn’t too hot.”
Lucia watched Mara get a far away look in her eye. “Hey, don’t go anywhere. Stay here with me. And if it is the demon, tell her she must stay here too. Don’t go back there.”
“Sorry, it’s very loud up here now,” Mara rubbed her forehead. “Twice the thoughts.”
“How did you survive it?” Lucia gently touched the edge of Mara’s new scar.
“I didn’t think I did at first. Normally spirits just live within you until they take over. I was so full of grief that I think I was supposed to be an easy one. I didn’t even realize that you were keeping me alive. I thought of you every second I could. It gave me hope that you were alive at least. I pictured us together. I pictured you moving on. As first Talon. All of it. She was supposed to turn me, but when she realized that I wouldn’t yield she told me she knew the same of the woman who imprisoned me. We started talking about how we were both ripped from our homes. We swore we would work together to find Zara and break her. Make her hurt, make her grieve the life she was supposed to have. She was just a spirit… a wisp. I turned her into a demon. A void of despair."
“It was not your fault. You were forced, and so was she. Zara turned her into a demon, not you.”
“She would’ve been just another wisp if it wasn’t for that place. I wanna hear all about what you did though. Your contracts, everything I missed.”
“I…” Lucia trailed off, taking a moment to start on detailing her hair. “I took a few interesting ones. Mostly Venatori and political figures in Tevinter. I was waiting for another shot at Calivan, but it never came. I did take out a few of his associates, though. But I spent most of the time here helping Caterina manage the Estate and fighting Antaam.”
“I can imagine with the invasion it took most of your time.”
“We’ve been working with the Lords of Fortune in Rivain to see if we can help each other. Even if it is only to push the Antaam into Tevinter instead. We all grow tired of their company,” Lucia scoffed in annoyance. “We have unfortunately found that they are resistant to even the worst poisons Viago can concoct.”
“Send me in. It’s why the Crows hire elves in the first place.”
“No, not yet. Not until we have a plan,” Lucia laughed. “We kill their men in the streets, more men appear the next day. We need to find our traitor, and we need a plan that can actually take them out at the knees.”
“Good plan.”
Mara was quiet again. Lucia didn’t know what could comfort her so she just kept filling her in. “Viago and Teia broke up while you were gone, then got back together again, then possibly broke up and got together again? So, you know, they have not changed. It had nothing to do with you. Frankly I think they just like to do this because they are passionate and dramatic.”
“The only reason we can’t do this is because we can’t make a scene. Viago loves that woman. She’s the only one she’ll hold hands with without his gloves on. That could’ve been you.”
“No. I could have never kept up with Viago. He needed someone like Teia. Besides, I have already found the perfect woman, why would I ever want anyone else?”
“Many reasons. Mostly because other women don’t have their uncles crashing dates when you first start dating.”
“He stopped eventually. He was just worried about you,” Lucia smiled. “Don’t you know? I’m the big, bad Demon of Vyrantium. I’m dangerous company to keep.”
“What did you have in common with a twenty-two year old anyways?” Mara said teasingly.
Lucia stammered before laughing, rubbing the back of her neck. “You know, you are not the first to ask me that. But… I do not know. When we are together, age didn’t seem to matter. You were smart, funny, capable, so beautiful it made me ache. You still are. But Viago was right about it looking weird, so I can understand why you would ask.”
“I didn't know how old you were either. I didn’t care. It’s not your fault, perfect scores normally graduate early too, like you did. I was still trying to get into bed all the same. It still worked out for me.”
“I know it was in a smuggling hold of a dingy boat that smelled like fish, but I wouldn’t trade our first time for anything. I wouldn’t trade you for anything.” She gently stroked Mara’s cheek.
“Did it smell like fish? I honestly don’t remember.”
“It did. Very, very strongly,” Lucia laughed. Her smile was warm and fond, a soft look in her eye as she watched Mara. “But you were there, so it was perfect. I hope you like being stuck with me forever, because I am never letting you go again.”
“Are you sure about that? I can be quite annoying,” Mara laughed. Her face went still, looking behind Lucia. “I know we’re not.”
“You’re not what?” Lucia asked curiously.
Mara went a little pale. “Sorry, ignore me. It’s just Void talking.”
“That is okay. If talking to her helps maintain control, then you do what you must. The client mentioned having a Fade expert on the team. Perhaps we can see if they can do anything to help you two.”
“That would be good to look into,” Mara agreed. “In the meantime…” the two of them went back to combing out her hair. After a few more minutes, it was completely detangled.
“Alright, you’re all clean, and we managed to get all the knots out. A little patience and love, and the hair was fine,” Lucia smiled.
“Do you think you could make me some coffee? I’ll get dressed and meet you downstairs?”
“I can definitely do that. Do you need any help with your hair?”
“No, I can do this part myself.”
“Alright, I just want to offer.” Lucia kissed the back of Mara’s hand before walking out.
Lucia was trying to keep her hands from shaking as she made her way down the hall and into the kitchen. Coffee and a caprese salad was easy. Mara needed something easy before they went head first into a contract. While in the midst of slicing a few things Lucia tore off when she heard Mara shouting in the room. She rushed in to find Mara holding her bleeding nose.
“What happened? I heard shouting.” Lucia said, coming over with a handkerchief.
She just throws a tantrum when she doesn’t get her way. She wants to go after Zara now is all. I’m fine. She’ll get bored soon and go away.”
“She hurt you? How many times has she done this to you?”
“It's fine. It’s normal. Getting punched hurts more than this. I’ll be down in a moment?”
“If you’re sure,” Lucia said softly. “And if it is safe for you to be alone.”
“It’s alright, I’m alright. It’ll just be another minute. Unless you’d rather stay up here?” Lucia couldn’t help but look at Mara in a way she missed. The thought of feeling close to her, tasting her, holding her tight was at the forefront of her mind.
“Amor, there is more than enough time for that later. First, you need food and coffee. If I am going to worship your body again, I need to make sure you have the energy to burn.”
“If you insist,” Mara walked past her, slipping on a shirt, not tucking it in and only buttoning the bottom three buttons. Mara held out a hand for Lucia. She took it and pulled Mara into her, pressing close.
“I just need to feel you,” she said softly. “It has been three hundred and fifty seven days since I felt your body against mine, I crave you in a way no drug could ever imitate. But also, I have just finished prepping the caprese and I feel you would be upset to find it gone to waste.”
“You did that on purpose.”
“Make the caprese? Yes, it was very intentional,” she smiled. “The coffee is almost ready, and I have plenty of snacks set out for you while I cook dinner. Lemon chicken pasta with a side of a nice, crisp salad.”
“Do you know how long it’s been since I had a vegetable that crunched?. What if I said I’m considering your offer of living in the villa?”
“I would say that I would love you to move into the villa with me. I could have us moved in in a day,” she responded.
“I just don’t want people to think that I’m just gold digging again… and now that I’m back from the dead and Caterina… I don’t want you to feel like there’s too many opinions on you. Especially now that you’ll be First Talon.”
“I don’t care about what they think. All I care about is having you at my side for as long as I can keep you.”
“I know you’ve never cared about where I came from. I just… I understand if I was just fun. I don’t want to hold you to anything.”
“My love, it was never just fun. It was supposed to be forever,” Lucia held my face. “You could never be anything less than the most important person in my life.”
“Is this because I stabbed you first?” Mara asked with a wet laugh.
“Yes. You stabbed me then you knocked my ego down a peg, and I have been hopeless ever since.”
“You never got Caterina’s blessing though. It’s scandalous,”
“Things are different now, you got kidnapped and survived,” Lucia commented. Mara didn’t need to know yet that Caterina had already given her the permission to propose to Mara. She was a good match, the pride of house De Riva and now someone who had survived a year in a torture chamber. “Besides… All that matters is that I have you back. You’re really here again. The color came back to my life.”
“Do you want to talk about it at all?”
“I’d rather feed you,” Lucia passed everything over, starting with her coffee. “How is it?”
Mara savored a few sips. “Perfect.”
“You deserve nothing but the best.” Lucia cupped her face before going back to making sure Mara could have everything she wanted.
Lucia finished catching up Mara on everything, they spoke more of the contact as they ate. Lucia bullied Mara into sitting down while she cleaned and they just enjoyed each other’s company. Going back to Mara’s room, the both looked over her equipment.
“My armor is too large now. I’m going to be squeaking all over Theadas,” Mara commented as she put on what she could.
“I was hoping to take you to Fletcher to get sized for new armor and then adjusting it as you gained your muscle back.”
“It’ll be okay, I can deal with it. No point in wasting money when gaining weight is easy. Just need a lot of carbs.”
“You’ll get back to where you were,” Lucia promised. “I’ve already got a full meal plan ready”
“Illario better enjoy it while it lasts. He was telling me how much I needed to lose weight and if he says anything I’m going to hold it over his head.” Mara seemed like she was trying to joke, but Lucia knew that Illario was trying to push her out of the picture. She felt herself shoving down a year of comments.
“If he opens his mouth I’ll break his jaw again,” Lucia muttered angrily. “I will not tolerate any disrespect towards you. Least of all from him.”
“He wasn’t that bad while I was gone was he?”
“Illario and I actually have not spoken much since you were taken,” Lucia answered plainly. “I blamed him, and he made a comment that really pissed me off after your funeral. Viago and Chance had to pull me off of him, but not before I dislocated his jaw. We had five weeks in which he could not speak. It was very peaceful.”
Mara took Lucia’s hand. “What did he say?”
“He told me that maybe now I could find someone worthwhile,” Lucia spat. “As if you were nothing. As if I had not just buried the love of my life. He apologized later, but the damage has been done. I only see him when Caterina makes me now.”
“I’m so sorry Lucia. I never wanted to come between you or cause the wedge to go in further. If you want to reconcile, or if there’s anything I can do to help, will you let me know?”
“My Mara, it was not you. Do not blame yourself for this, please. Yes it was you I loved and you I lost, but what fractured me and Illario was Illario. He said that to me and it was like I was suddenly looking at a stranger. The man I thought I grew up with, he would’ve never said something like that. I was mourning a lost love, someone who I cared about so deeply that she had become woven into the very essence that makes me. And he said something so cruel and heinous- no. He ruined our relationship all on his own by showing me the type of man he really was.”
“This explains his behavior earlier at least. I’m still sorry that he said that to you. It’s unforgivable.”
“It was. If I am to be First Talon, I may finally cut him off. He needs to learn some humility. But that is a decision for after we kill a god.”
“You’re right. One thing at a time.”
First things first: they had a god to kill.