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It was just another typical day on the Rivaini coast. Warm sunny weather, the tranquil crash of waves, an unhealthy amount of blood on the sand. Yes, just a typical day for one of the best Lords of Fortune in Thedas, Rook Laidir. After saving the world from ancient elven gods, Rook had decided it was time for a much deserved vacation. She could think of no one better to spend her time with than her beloved Antivan Crow, First Talon, Lucanis Dellamorte.
It was almost Wintersend and they were on their way to Rook’s old home village to celebrate the holiday. It had been Lucanis’ idea to spend the revelry there ever since Rook had confided in him about her and her younger sister’s childhood there. She always mentioned a shabby cottage on that coast her and her sister would dream of owning one day. Afterall, Rook had joined the Lords to make the coin necessary to take care of her sister and eventually buy that cottage. Alas, things never go as planned as her sister passed away and the dream of purchasing the house along with her.
Those memories were from years past, now it was time to make new ones. The trip was going great, up until they were attacked by mercenaries. After the two lovebirds made quick work of the bandits, Rook noticed a familiar sigil tattooed on one of their arms. It couldn’t be, could it?
“Rook, what’s wrong?” Lucanis asked, observing Rook’s distressed countenance.
Snapping out of her reverie, Rook turned to Lucanis, “Sorry, I just… that sigil on his arm, it’s the same one I encountered with that Venatori cult a while back. The one I told you about, before I met Varric and had to step away from the Lords for a while.”
Lucanis acknowledged her story, remembering the details vividly as she had described them. A corrupt Rivaini noble working with a Venatori cult had betrayed Rook on a job and had left her for dead. They would have gotten away with it too had it been anyone but Rook. She was able to escape a collapsing ruin, turn the tables, and destroy the dangerous artifact the cult was after. That artifact had an engraved sigil on it, the same one tattooed on the dead man at her feet now. Why would this cult turn up now?
“I thought you had taken care of that noble and their cult,” Lucanis asked curiously. His eyes flashed violet, “IF NOT, WE WILL!” A helpful anecdote from Spite.
“I did,” Rook stated incredulously, “I killed that noble and that entire sect of the Venatori. Trust me, if I hadn’t I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Lucanis stepped closer towards her, cupping her cheek with the palm of his hand. “Hey, of course I trust you.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, noticing her slight unease. “What I don’t trust is whoever sent these goons for us. If it is Venatori then this won’t be much of a relaxing vacation. Mierda!”
Aware of his frustration, Rook turned on her charm like the flip of a switch, something she was always good at. Flashing him a daring smile and her best sultry eyes she smirked, “Oh, trust me, I’ll make sure this will be a vacation you’ll remember forever.”
With that sensual promise, the couple continued their journey to the small seaside village, completely oblivious of just how dangerously memorable this holiday would become.
***
As they finally made their way through Rook’s old village, they both had a great sense of despair. Many shops were closed and boarded up, the streets were dirty and run down, the overall feel of the space was sorrowful.
“Rook, I thought you wanted to go someplace bright and lively for our holiday, not a dead mausoleum. We could’ve bothered Vorgoth for that,” Lucanis quipped slyly.
Rook was on the edge of shock. What had happened here? It used to be full of life, with its bustling bazaar, savory smelling street food vendors, enchanting belly dancers and performers. Now it was a hollow husk of itself. She spotted the inn she planned on staying at and practically dragged Lucanis towards it. “There! We’ll get the answers we need there.” She was determined to get to the bottom of this.
Entering the inn she made her way straight to the innkeeper. Slamming her hands onto the bar’s countertop she exclaimed, “What the hell happened here?!”
Startled, the innkeeper dropped the mug they were cleaning. “Andraste’s tits, woman! Is that how you greet a stranger?”
Lucanis’ eyes gave off a flash of violet as Spite mischievously snickered at the scene unfolding.
Rook took a step back and calmed herself, “My apologies, I’m simply trying to seek some answers. My sister and I lived here many years ago. I remember it as a lively village filled with boisterous townsfolk and brilliant patrons. Now all that’s left are a few scraps of what it used to be.”
The innkeeper’s face went despondent, “Yes, I’m afraid this sad turn of events started about a year ago when Monsieur Henri Potier moved here and started buying up all the businesses and properties in town. I’ve hardly been able to keep this place running because of the high rent.”
Rook and Lucanis exchanged a quizzical look with each other. Why was an Orlesian buying up land in Rivain?
“And don’t get me started on the disappearances!” The innkeeper continued.
“There’s been people missing?” Rook asked, even more concerned than before.
The innkeeper’s eyes shifted from side to side making sure no other ears could listen. “There’s rumors that a blood cult’s been behind all these goings on. Mark my words,” he warned them.
Lucanis stepped up to the bar countertop and dropped a generously heavy coin purse, “We’ll be needing a room until our work here is done.”
Graciously taking the coin purse the innkeeper inquired, “How long will that be?”
“As long as it takes,” Lucanis firmly stated as he and Rook headed up to their new base of operations.
***
Lost in thought, Rook paced back and forth in their homely accommodations, the french doors open to the balcony overlooking the serene turquoise sea, a pleasant breeze greeting them. Lucanis sat in a surprisingly comfortable chair nursing a cup of halfway decent coffee the innkeeper was able to brew up alongside a savory smelling stew.
“Rook, come, sit down and eat. You won’t get anywhere on an empty stomach.” Lucanis cooed, forever acting as a mother hen when it came to his love, his treasure, his tesoro.
Rook shot him a side eye glare, “How do you expect me to eat when we’ve been pursued by Venatori cultists from my past and stumbled onto the complete opposite of what I was expecting coming home. This was to be our Wintersend vacation and now it feels like work! Can’t I just have one week where things go right for a change?!”
Lucanis abruptly rose to his feet, his black and violet wings immediately spreading as he gently grabbed and tackled Rook onto the bed. He playfully pinned her to the mattress and made sure he had her full attention, staring into her bewitching honey colored eyes. “Listen mi tesoro, no one said we couldn't mix business with pleasure,” he kissed the criss cross scar that marked the spot across her cheek and nose, she giggled like a schoolgirl. “Think of it as… a contract,” he kissed her other cheek admiring her heavenly freckles, he let her wrap her arms around him. “We track down these cultists, let them lead us to their boss, all the while we enjoy our time together,” he kissed the tip of her nose, she scrunched her face at the gesture.
“And what about the village? I can’t just leave these people like this.” Her mind going back to how dreadful things currently were in town.
Lucanis reassured her, running his fingers through her wavy sandy blonde hair, “If there’s anything I’ve learned after all these years it’s that certain things are always connected. I’m sure this cult and this Monsieur Potier are two sides of the same coin. We can start looking into it tomorrow.” Rook nodded her head, satisfied with his answer. “Now, if you’re not going to eat, then I certainly am.” He nibbled her earlobe, she started giggling again. “And I’m starving…” he softly growled as he kissed his way down her neck.
***
The next morning, true to his word, Lucanis dragged Rook out of bed and they headed back to the docks near the beach where they had been ambushed. After asking around and greasing some palms they got the location of one of the dead bandit’s residence. They broke in and discovered more than they could have imagined. It could barely be called a home, it was more akin to a dank, dark cesspit. The one room apartment had scrawled markings on the walls written in who knows what. Ages old food and waste littered the floor. A small broken palette in the corner must have served as some sort of bedding. A misshapen cabinet rested in another corner. The worst of it was the smell, it was something that would linger in your nose for days. What the hell had they stumbled into?
Covering her nose and mouth best she could, Rook approached one of the walls, her eyes catching a familiar repetitious symbol. Scrawled all across the wall was that damn sigil that kept haunting her.
Lucanis kept his eyes sharp, darting from corners to door, hands on his weapons, making sure they wouldn’t encounter any surprises.
“There has to be something here,” Rook uttered resolutely. She started walking around, carefully avoiding to step in the refuse on the floor. The cabinet in the corner was slightly opened. As she reached out to open it further she heard a shuffle coming from inside it. She stopped dead in her tracks and grabbed her daggers, Lucanis was suddenly at her side, weapons primed. They looked at each other acknowledging they were both ready to attack the person hiding in the cabinet. Lucanis quickly swung the door open, Rook set to use her abilities… on the small pink nug shivering in the cabinet. It gave a loud squeak and rushed passed them out the apartment door.
Rook let out an exasperated yell.
“ROOK DOESN’T LIKE THE LITTLE NUGGET,” Spite stated the obvious in a confused manner.
“No Spite,” Rook resigned to explain, “I’m sure the little nug is a sweet little guy with a loving family who gets to go on holidays and never be bothered with any crazy Venatori nonsense!” She paused, and asked collectedly, “Why can’t I be a nug?”
“At least you’re as cute as one,” Lucanis smirked.
Rook scowled and softly punched him in his arm, he chuckled. She looked back at the cabinet and spotted a crumpled up parchment. She picked it up and opened it, the image looked familiar. “I think it’s a map of the village.” She couldn’t help but notice in the dead center of the map was the haunting sigil marked in a deep rusty red. Is that blood?
“Then we have our next lead,” Lucanis stated determinedly. They didn’t waste another second leaving that hell hole.
***
As any seasoned treasure hunter would know, X always marks the spot when it comes to following a map. Although, what does one do when the X is replaced with an ominous blood soaked sigil? In the case of Rook and Lucanis they headed straight towards the center of town. The sigil on the map led them to the village plaza where a bubbling fountain flowed freely, with not many people in sight. The two promising sleuths walked around the plaza, scanning from every angle trying to find their next clue. After searching high and low with no results in sight they decided to take a break and sit at the edge of the welcoming fountain. Rook scooped a handful of water and poured it over her face, letting it drip down her neck and chest, it was a scorcher out that day. Lucanis couldn’t help but stare as the rivulets slowly made their way down her chest, slightly exposed by her V neck top.
“See something you like?” Rook asked amusedly, catching him staring at her.
Lucanis’ eyes shot back up to meet hers, “I’m… just… enjoying the view,” he innocently stated as he waved his hand out across the plaza.
“HE LOVES ROOK. WE LOVE ROOK.” Spite blurted out of Lucanis’ lips. He shook his head, his sudden violet eyes turning back to their natural deep brown. He gave Rook a mortified look.
Rook simply beamed with delight. She already knew Lucanis loved her, but to hear it from Spite made it all the sweeter. She leaned in and happily kissed him, reassuring him there was nothing to be embarrassed about. When she pulled away they were both lost in each other’s eyes, not a care in the world.
“BLOOD. ROT. DEATH.” Spite took control of Lucanis’ body again, violet eyes blazing.
Rook crossed her arms and agitatedly grumbled under her breath, “Well, I didn’t think it was that bad of a kiss.”
“NO.” Spite leapt up to his feet, sniffing deeply into the air. “SMELLS LIKE MURDER.” He pointed down towards the sewer grates near the fountain.
Rook remembered, X marks the spot. She shot up from seat, grabbed the man by his shirt collar and kissed him again. “Spite! You’re the best!”
Spite delightedly grinned, then Lucanis gained control of his body again, “So what we seek is underneath the village? Oh, this won’t be fun.”
Rook had a disgusted look on her face, “I know, but we’ve got to find out what’s going on.”
Together they lifted the metal sewer grate open. The sudden smell of death and decay wafted to their senses. They looked at each other, a sudden wave of nausea coming over them both.
Lucanis looked down the tunnel making sure it was a safe drop. “Ladies first.” Lucanis begrudgingly urged.
Rook gave him an indignant glare, squared her shoulders, and hopped down the hole.
***
Much to Rook’s luck the fall wasn’t too far down to impact her knees much, Lucanis quickly followed after her.
“THERE. THAT WAY.” Spite pointed further into the passage and started ahead of Rook, eyes glowing violet.
Could Spite see in the dark or was Lucanis’ senses just that good? The lighting in the subterranean enclosure dimmed at this level, compelling Rook to dig into one of her pouches and pull out a glowstone amulet and slip it over her head. The enclosure lit up and they noticed just how cavernous it truly was, a combination of stalactites and stalagmites paved their way further into a sprawling cave system. There was a distinct man-made pathway leading further inward, closer towards the reeking smell of sour decomposition.
Rook noticed a smeared blood trail on the floor, “Keep your guard up, looks like someone might be ahead of us down here.” She warned as she readied her bow and nocked an arrow.
Lucanis primed his swords, prepared to make a move in an instant. The team of two made their way down into the deep, not knowing what horrors awaited them. As the unpleasant smell grew stronger and the cacophony of divergent dripping almost drew them to the verge of insanity, they finally came upon what they sought. The blood strewn path led ahead to a massive cave opening out to the sea. At the base of the opening was a large flattened, almost altar-like circular platform with an unfathomable amount of blood and entrails positioned in the shape of the unforgettable sigil.
“Mierda…” Lucanis sighed uneasily, taking in the grotesque surroundings.
Rook was taken aback by the sight. She looked around the cave mouth and discerned some interesting drawings all around. One depicted what seemed to look like a blood moon, another a figure standing on what looked like that very altar in the cave they were in, and yet another portrayed the likeness of a gargantuan squid-like creature. “Oh, no.” She murmured.
Lucanis looked over at her, “I get the feeling you know exactly what’s going on here, Rook.”
Several thoughts were running through Rook’s mind. The legends, the village's history, her professional associates, the resources at her disposal. Her synapses firing to make the connections as fast as possible in order to bring a plan into fruition. Finally she turned to face her lover, troubled she stressed, “We need to get back to the inn, we need to have gotten word out yesterday.”
***
“Rook, just tell me what’s going on so I can help!” Lucanis pleaded as he watched Rook on her knees throwing an assortment of garments up in the air behind her while digging to the bottom of her pack. They had bolted back to the inn without hardly a word between them. Rook was turning their room upside down in desperate search for something.
“There you are!” Rook exclaimed as she held up a burgundy palm sized stone. She turned to Lucanis standing over her, “You remember Dorian right?”
“That handsome Tevinter mage who became Archon? How could I forget such a pretty face?” He teased Rook, but admitted his memory of the dashing man.
Rook glared, but continued to explain, “After we defeated Elgar’nan, Dorian gave me this.” She handed him the stone, “It’s a sending crystal, it’s an easy way to communicate across long distances.”
Lucanis handled the stone with care, then raised an eyebrow. “So what do you plan to discuss with your little Archon boyfriend?” He questioned as he handed her the stone back.
Was that a hint of jealousy? Rook stifled a laugh. She focused back to the situation at hand. “Those cave drawings we saw, they tell the tale of the fabled Kraken that haunts the waters off the coast of Rivain. The legends say that if one is powerful enough they could gain control of the monstrous beast during a blood moon. The next blood moon is tomorrow night! Wintersend!”
“Mierda…” was all Lucanis could say. It all started making sense. The disappearances, the blood cult, the attack at the beach. The only piece missing was how Potier was involved, and he had a feeling he knew exactly how.
Rook clutched the sending crystal with both her hands. “I’m going to contact Dorian and have him send allies. With what we saw down in the cave I’m sure the ritual is already in the works. It’s going to take more than just two of us to take down this cult.” A small flash of anxiety crossed her face, “And I’m worried we may be too late.”
Lucanis dropped to his knees facing her and covered her hands with his. “Rook, it’s never too late. You are the smartest, not to mention most beautiful, woman I know.” He gave her that irresistible smoldering grin and continued, “If anyone can stop this cult, it’s you. You’re already putting a plan into motion and if we can’t damn well stop them, then we’ll hold them off as long as we can until the cavalry arrives.” He closed his eyes and brought her hands up to his lips and kissed them, almost like invoking a prayer.
Rook would never admit it, but she was on the verge of tears. Not from fear, but perhaps more from joy? This man showed her just how strong and resilient she can be. Together they took down gods and saved the world. What was a small Venatori cult in comparison? She stood up armed with a fresh new resolve. “You’re right. We can do this. Go have the innkeeper brew up a fresh pot of coffee. We’ve got work to do.”
***
After getting in touch with Dorian and ironing out the details of their plan, the pieces were getting into place for their final move. There was just one last fragment of the puzzle they needed to address. Monsieur Henri Potier.
After a very busy evening, Rook decided the best way to solve this part of their problem was how one solves any problem, with gold. In this case, by following the gold that bought out more than half her hometown. Potier was by all accounts a foreigner to these parts and though it wasn’t unheard of for people like him to make small investments abroad, it was certainly atypical for one to make such a large purchase as he had.
Thus, under the midday sun the two expert rogues stealthily infiltrated the Potier Estate seeking to follow the coin trail. To no one's surprise the property was devoid of people. They found Potier’s office, an unflattering portrait of the man looming over his large desk. Searching for incriminating evidence they were able to find a series of ledgers, legal documents, and a journal with Potier’s musings. Looking at a particular document, Rook came across an interesting connection.
“Here! I knew we’d find something!” Rook exclaimed, pointing at a very familiar Rivaini noble’s name.
Lucanis rushed over to her, “What did you find?”
“Remember that Rivaini noble that double crossed me? They’re listed as a beneficiary on one of Potier’s investments. It’s old, but it’s here, plain as day. There’s our connection.” Rook affirmed with a satisfied grin.
“Perfecto. Were they business partners? Family? Lovers? All three?” He raised an eyebrow questioningly.
She shrugged, “Doesn’t matter. With this evidence we’ve got him dead to rights.”
He handed her the open journal he had just been reading, “I found something disturbing too. Turns out our little friend Potier doesn’t want to control a Kraken, he wants to become one.”
Rook gave him a repulsed look, then composed herself, “I think it’s time we pay Monsieur Potier a visit.”
Lucanis’ eyes flashed violet, “YES! A VISIT! A PAINFUL VISIT!” He narrowed his now natural brown eyes, “And we know exactly where he’ll be tonight.”
Rook laughed at Spite’s small outburst, he always did like it when pain and murder were on the agenda.
The clock was ticking, come dusk and the blood moon would take to the sky. It was all out of their hands at this point. They had to have faith in Dorian and the ingenuity of their plan. One way or another this turmoil would end tonight.
***
Sunsets were usually romantic, but it was hard to set that mood when one is fighting a large group of deranged cultists set on summoning a deep sea horror. When Rook and Lucanis snuck back into the underground ritual site the rite was already under way. Lit torches enclosed the circular sigil floor, a prominent figure standing at the center, while hooded cultists chanted some esoteric spell.
Lucanis turned to Rook, pulling out his swords, “Are you ready?”
Rook faced him, nocking an arrow on her bow, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
The two paramours silently rushed their attack. Lucanis used Spite’s winged abilities to swoop in and run a cultist through with his blades. Rook let loose an arrow pinning another through their skull. When she got close enough she reached into her pouch and threw down her collapsible mechanical turret towards the center of the group. The turret spurred to life and started shooting their enemies. The cultists kept up their chanting even as they realized the interruption. A lot of them made their way to the center of the circle, protecting the main figure. Rook and Lucanis kept up the assault, picking away at each cult member. The central figure still had their hood up, hands in the air chanting loudly. The last lackey went down, Lucanis grabbed the remaining leader from behind pulling back their hood, Rook leapt into the air, bidding her arrow to strike true. As her arrow went through Monsieur Potier’s eye, a wide smile bloomed on his devilish face, and a maniacal laugh bellowed out of his throat. The laugh morphed into a monstrous cackle. Rook shot him twice more, Lucanis stabbed him repeatedly, but the man would not stop. An invisible wave of power pushed the two partners away from the abomination. Potier began to levitate and glow, and then, he was gone.
Regaining their senses, Rook and Lucanis scanned the surrounding cave, but could find no sight of the monstrosity. An instant later, the ground began to shake, off in the distance through the cave opening the sea started to bubble.
“Mierda!” Both Lucanis and Rook shouted in unison as giant tentacles sprouted from the water.
“What’s the plan Rook?” Lucanis asked urgently.
She was out of options, she tried to stop the ritual, but was too late. She had hoped her call for aid from Dorian would’ve made a difference, but that too seemed to have fallen through. If she was to go down now, she was going to go in a blaze of fury. She turned to Lucanis, “We need a way over the water to get to the Kraken, can Spite summon a platform of some kind?”
His eyes flared violet, “ON IT!” Spite eagerly smiled as his hands reached out and a series of violet tinged ship wreckage materialized over the water creating a bridge out towards the sea creature. They started their swan song trek over the fade summoned wreckage ready to strike, when out from around the corner cliffs came a sight they did not expect.
“Time to send you to the Maker, you spineless wretch!” Raiders of the Waking Sea Admiral, Queen of the Eastern Seas, Leader of the Lords of Fortune, Isabela shouted at the raging Kraken from the wheel of her glorious ship, the Dragon’s Jewels. She steered the ship to sail around the massive beast.
Rook and Lucanis’ spirits lifted at seeing the welcome support. In the bright blood moonlight they noticed other familiar faces on the ship’s deck as it passed by.
“Stay out of the waters, you two!” Rowan the Rivaini Seer forewarned as she conjured lightning down from the skies striking the Kraken dead on.
“On three!” Seventh Talon, Andarateia Cantori yelled, manning a poisoned bolt ballista. “One, two-”
“I know how to count, Teia!” Fifth Talon, Viago de Riva yelled back, manning a second ballista. “Three!”
The two Antivan Crows fired their ballistas in tandem, piercing the leviathan in its weak spots for massive damage.
This was their chance, Rook, Lucanis, and Spite could take this colossus down once and for all. Together they made their way up the Kraken. Lucanis took flight swooping down and slashing at the creature, while Rook fired arrows as she climbed up the fade touched ship wreckage Spite summoned for her. The Kraken’s tentacles started to waver, it was almost dead. Rook reached for another arrow, but was out!
“Shit!” She cried furiously. Suddenly, a violet hued fade touched arrow appeared in her hand. She smiled at Spite’s gift. She nocked the arrow, lined up her shot, and directed it straight through the Kraken’s partly slitted eye. The arrow entered and exited with a loud, squishy, popping sound. The beast suddenly stopped splashing and laid dead in the water.
Rook could hardly believe what they had all just pulled off. Before she could process everything, Lucanis swept her up in his arms and flew them to the deck of Isabela’s ship.
“Cutting it a little close there, Viago.” Lucanis complained at his fellow Crow.
The Fifth Talon started to protest, but Teia cut him off, “Don’t blame him, Lucanis. We weren’t given much time to act.”
Rook ran up to Teia and Viago and gave them a solid embrace. They returned the tender action and smiled. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you all!” Rook confessed.
Rowan came up to the group, “Greetings, my friends. It is a happy sight to have you all in one piece.”
“You as well, Seer.” Lucanis respectfully addressed her.
Rook went up to Rowan and they hugged as well.
“Now where’s my warm reception? Don’t I get a hug and a kiss too?” Isabela smirked, coming down to meet them.
“Oh, Isabela!” Rook sprinted towards her and almost tackled her with a hug, planting a wet kiss on her cheek. Lucanis rolled his eyes.
“Alright, already. Stop before I start having a feeling.” Isabela muttered, brushing Rook off.
“I can’t believe you all made it! When I spoke to Dorian and came up with this plan it was mostly a last ditch hope.” Rook admitted.
“Well it’s a good thing the Dragon’s Jewels is the fastest ship in the Eastern Seas.” Isabela divulged with pride.
“And that we were able to arm her with our powerful ballistas in time.” Viago chimed in.
“Good thing we did too. We needed the extra firepower.” Teia confessed.
“All things came to pass as they should have.” Rowan counselled.
Rook looked around at everyone, these were her friends, no, her family. She couldn’t stop from smiling. Lucanis approached her and took her hands into his.
“So, this isn’t exactly how I’d envisioned our Wintersend to pan out. I had… other plans.” Lucanis started to explain, he was debating something in his mind. Was he arguing with Spite? “Rook, we’ve been through so much together. We never know what tomorrow may bring. But what I do know is I don’t want to spend another day without you by my side.” He reached into one of his hidden pockets, and got down on one knee. Rook’s face went blank. Was he? No, he couldn’t be! Lucanis raised his hand, holding up an opal ring.
Rook knew exactly who’s ring that was, it belonged to Lucanis’ mother, the one she received from his grandmother Catarina.
Lucanis continued, “Rook, would you do me the honor of-”
“Yes!” She gleefully cut him off.
Lucanis smiled wide and stood up to kiss her. She let him slip the ring on her finger and they kissed again.
Everyone cheered at the merry sight. Teia jested, “So when’s the wedding going to be?”
Lovestruck Rook revealed, “I don’t really want to wait.”
Lucanis eyed the Pirate Queen, “Isabela, you’re a captain aren’t you?”
“Admiral,” Isabela corrected, “but I see where you’re going with this…” she slyly approved.
“Then will you do it? Will you marry us?” Lucanis beseeched.
Isabela beamed, “It would be my pleasure.”
Rook excitedly turned to Teia and Viago, “Will you two be our witnesses?”
“Oh course!” Teia exclaimed. Viago gave a curt nod.
Rowan interjected, “And I’ll bless this union, in the eyes of all past, present, and future.” She waved her arm in the air and the night sky lit up with a colorful aurora borealis.
Rook and Lucanis held hands, admiring the beautiful night sky.
Isabela straightened her hat and proceeded, “Lucanis, do you promise to you know…?”
Lucanis only had eyes for Rook, “I swear.”
The Admiral carried on, “Rook, do you?”
Rook had no doubts about her answer, “I swear.”
Isabela wrapped up the ceremony, “Then I now pronounce you-” Lucanis leaned into Rook and kissed her before Isabela could finish. “Well, you get the idea,” she conceded.
Still kissing her, Lucanis wrapped his arms around Rook, spread his wings around her and dipped her backwards. Rook was lost in the moment, wishing it would never end. Everyone cheered once more. What had started as a dreadful day, ended as a wonderfully pleasant one.
***
Some time later, Rook and Lucanis laid on the sunny beach near their recently renovated cottage. Lucanis had bought the shabby old place dirt cheap after the Kraken attack. Turns out, most people didn’t like living in close proximity to eldritch horrors. Though for these two smitten love fools, life was good.
Rook turned to her husband, “You know, I just realized, I never got you anything for your Wintersend gift. I’m sorry, love.”
Lucanis faced his wife, “Don’t apologize, mi tesoro. Of course you got me something.”
Rook was genuinely confused. In all the crazy commotion that holiday, she hadn’t had the chance to get him a gift. What was he talking about?
Lucanis saw the perplexed look on her face and smiled, “Rook, you gave me the best gift of all,” he reached for her hand and squeezed it, “you.”
Rook rolled her eyes, Lucanis started laughing. “Why did I marry you again?” She griped.
“Well I could list the reasons,” he gave her a seductive look, “or I can show you…” he began to crawl on top of her.
“Oh no you don’t!” She maneuvered her way out from under him and started running up the hill towards their cottage. “I’m going to make you work for it after that cheesy line!”
Chuckling, Lucanis ran after her up the hill. They both passed by the lovingly built shrine looking over the ocean that honored Rook’s sister. Like Lucanis had said that Wintersend night, they didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but today they had each other, and that was enough.