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Chapter Text

The aftermath of everything surrounding Elgar’nan’s defeat was all chatter and cheering. Many people wanted to thank the Veilguard for saving the world, their heroes. People who managed to kill the so-called elven gods and see to the Blight problem.

Of course they smiled, emerging victorious from said battle, even if they were worn from fighting.

It took them a moment to look around and find out one person was missing.

"Where's Rook?" Neve looked twice to make sure.

"I… I don't know" Emmrich stuttered, looking around too. "She was with us on the way down, wasn't she?"

"I saw her for a moment just a minute ago, I think" Bellara joined the brainstorm nervously.

"Mierda" Lucanis looked up, thinking where Rook might've gone.

Meanwhile

Rook hid behind one of the tentacles left after the battle. Her heart was in pieces, but she knew it was the best for her.

They did so many things, socialized without her. Just like people in her life did all the time. She was just a third wheel and nothing more. She was only a leader necessary for the task. Now the task was over and she was sure the group would scatter and never be together again. Not with her anyway.

That's what always happens, Rook thought, holding back tears. She had to see where her former friends were looking to avoid being spotted. Granted the tentacle was big enough to hide her small frame. There was little effort needed from her side, but she was still cautious.

Observing.

She was not needed in this story.

Nor in any of their lives.

Chapter Text

„So you say you might have a lead?” Lucanis said, sitting next to Neve’s chair where the detective put her notes together.

Loose pages were messy but for now they were their only evidence Rook survived.

„I might, indeed. The Threads are looking all over Minrathous, together with the remaining Shadow Dragons. Rook is one of them so she could consider getting back here to get her things if nothing else. But that hope is thin. She might’ve left everything behind. After all there was little to nothing for her to collect.” Neve said.

„Mierda. That makes things even worse for us. But you’re sure she survived?”

„She’s tough. I honestly think all she did was leave. And if there’s any sighting of her in here, we’ll know it.”

„I can imagine. I asked for the same from all of the Crows, even if we don’t owe each other anymore. It’s a personal favour from me” the First Talon said. „I don’t expect anything in return other than the knowledge she’s alive.”

„We both need that knowledge, don’t we?” she smiled faintly, looking through the pages. „Let’s see… someone spotted a person who looked like her, but that’s almost all we’ve got for now. That person wasn’t wearing the armor of the Dragons though…”

„Reasonable if you don’t want to be spotted. Maybe we can find that armor as a proof?”

„Syl wouldn’t leave it as far as I’m concerned. She knows us, Lucanis. Would not leave an easy lead.”

The room fell into silence as they both contemplated.

„LET. ME. LOOK FOR HER!” Spite urged, as he tried to take over.

„Not now, Spite. We’re not going out. We still got nothing!” he spoke to the demon angrily.

„All eager for action?” Neve sighed. „Let’s see what we can get.”

„You’re giving in so easily?”

„He’s been trying to take over every time you’ve been to Minrathous and after Rook went missing. I think it’s time we try” she shoved the notes to the left side of the desk.

„Mierda, fine. We’re going, you heard that, Spite?” he asked.

„YES. YES. YES!” he practically cheered, but didn’t try to take over this time. Lucanis felt his patience, a thing he didn’t consider Spite was capable of. But he was indeed, patient. Waiting for a moment to get his look at the things.

The streets were filled with people struggling after the battle. The city was still dealing with the aftermath of the battles fought on the streets and were full of people in need of a new home, healing or simply help. Dock Town welcomed them with that sight and a faint possibility of finding Rook.

„Wait. Are you sure you want to do it?” she looked at Lucanis worried. „I know I agreed with a demon but I shall consider your opinion too.” Her way of saying „I’m sorry” was always everything but that word.

Assasin sighed.

„He won’t let me know peace if we don’t do it. Let’s go.” He proceeded to walk.

„All right, let’s try Spite’s lead then” she followed her lover.

„We’re going to the bridge of that sighting, maybe he’ll catch something we can’t. There’s only one physical way out of the city. But there’s a chance she took the eluvian, too.”

„Is it possible though? It could have been destroyed” he spoke before seeing Spite next to him, sniffing aggresively.

„NO. NO. THAT. WAY” Spite said before walking in direction known only to him.

„All right. Spite got something.”

It must’ve been quite a sight – Minrathous detective and a famed Demon of Vyrantium following something, or someone only one of them could see. Few heads turned in their direction and a few weird glances were given, but Neve’s cold look sent them their way. After a bit of walking out of the Dock town and almost to the bridge Spite stopped.

„HERE. BUT. FAINT. WE’RE LOSING HER.” He spoke, looking around almost nervously.

„We’re losing the lead. She must’ve been here but somehow she managed to cover her tracks…”

„She’s a rogue and a Shadow Dragon. I’m quite surprised she gave us any clues. Some like her could vanish into thin air. Almost like…”

„She wants to be found? Doesn’t sound like her” Lucanis shook his head as he walked around the location. It was crowded with people who chose to leave the city for good or people getting in for a better chance at life.

„Agreed. But let’s keep…” she stopped as she spotted something glimmering in the grass.

She kneeled and picked it up.

„Is that… her dagger?” the twisted blade was familiar and the black-red handle ensured it belonged to their dear friend.

„Seems Syldraine was in quite the hurry. She must have known someone’s watching. I’m sure she did. From now on it will only be harder to find her.”

„Where do you think she was headed?”

„I’m only sure where she was not headed. Nevarra, Treviso, Rivain, Arlathan…” she counted with her fingers. „All the places where she could jump into a familiar face. Given that she wanted to disappear…” „But why?” the gears were running hot in his head.

„She was always very secretive. Maybe that’s our why? Or was there something else?” she pondered, but at the moment nothing came to her mind.

Rook was always a good leader, and a caring person. She seemed to have enjoyed company of the team and always ready to help.

„I guess that’s all we’ve got for now. Let’s head back and contact the rest of the team. Wherever she went, we’ll find her. That’s our contract now.”

„If you say so, First Talon” she smiled, leading him back to her new apartment.

The night before

Darkness came sooner than expected but that was to her advantage, she knew it. With Solas’ dagger hidden in the inner part of her new jacket she walked the bridge, pulling the cape over her head until the point she could only see her shoes getting lost in both the darkness and the mud. She will clean that later, she thought to herself. Now it was the time to leave that cursed city and everyone else behind. The leather armor weighed her backpack down.

Blending into the crowds was her specialty, so she walked like everyone around her avoiding getting spotted. Or at least trying to.

When she lifted her eyes for a second she saw someone on the rooftop nearby. She couldn’t see much but she was more than sure that was either a Thread or the Shadow Dragon. Of course, Neve, of course, she thought, you send your people to track me to show me that you care. The last word tasted like venom, even if she didn’t say them aloud. The second she saw the same spot empty is when she got nervous. What if that someone was to lead her back to the Dragons? To the team? To Ashur? For a good second she felt dizzy from only thinking about it.

She really wanted to both blend in and run at the same time, but her mind didn’t like mixing the ideas, so when she walked a bit faster than the rest she almost tripped over the stone she didn’t see. Nerves took their toll. Syldraine swore under her breath but kept walking. No one’s getting her, not today, not tomorrow, not ever.

It was only after crossing the bridge she noticed lack of one of her daggers. Of course she had a spare one but the mere thought of someone finding it and noticing it’s hers made her sick to the stomach. Especially when she noticed the lost one was the one with the painted handle. No doubt someone will know in time. But she couldn’t go back for it. Another thing of the past left behind. Maybe it was a sign from the Maker, maybe pure fate.

But as dirt covered her boots up to the ankles, she kept walking.

Chapter Text

Arlathan forest seemed weird to come back to. After everything to just return felt not right. Especially after Rook went missing. Everyone speculated she died, but clues left in Minrathous showed she just left. Bellara only wondered why. Why would she leave them after leading them to victory? So many questions filled her head along with the grief and sadness.
But Bellara never gave up.

Studying for far too long after the nightfall she found out some artifacts could in fact be used in tracking either things of people. Right tuning was all it took and she was willing to find one. To try, if nothing else. If Rook was alive she at least wanted to know that. She never told Rook but she really thought of her as her sister, just like with Neve. After losing her last bit of family she really found that kind of comfort among the people she was with in the Lighthouse.

Everyone, despite their differences, were her new family. People she could rely on. And now one of them was gone. Like thin air. She knew Rook was – is – a rogue but never in her wildest dreams did she see that coming. It was like a blow to the face, especially when Neve found out Rook, or Syldraine how she was really called, is alive.

After that everyone frantically looked for her, checked every corner and under every debris. But it was all for naught. Then they came back to their homes and remained in touch in order to find Syldraine. Neve and Lucanis had ears and eyes in Minrathous and Treviso, Emmrich said he asked spirits for help, Taash asked Rivani seers and Lords for help, Davrin gave every griffon in Arlathan piece of Syldraine’s clothing so they could find her, but so far no results came back.
„Damn it, Rook!” she complained aloud looking around the woods. „Where are you?”

Normally a part of her would adore the floating stones and magic vibrating in the air. But that part had to be focused on something else. Instead, Bellara focused all of her magic on seeking the thing she needed.

Leaves crunched under her feet, a sign of incoming fall. She was afraid Rook won’t survive the winter and they had to find her quickly. That was stated by Emmrich in his letter. He was a bit more open with her as they exchanged letters before, so knowing he has feeling for Syldraine didn’t even come as obvious „I love her”. It was the care in his words towards Rook, him worrying more than the rest of the team, and when they occasionally met every once in a while, his facial expression, his body language and tone of voice said it all. The necromancer was the most determined to find out what happened and where Rook is. She felt that professor’s sleep schedule was a mess at the very best right now as he seemed to develop dark circles under his eyes. Poor soul, she thought, as she poked around the ruins, determined.

One single artifact had to be found quickly. It could be tuned to the piece of a thing owned by someone and track them down. If it doesn’t explode first, she thought.
She felt Rook probably does not want to be found, but for the sanity of the group they had to find out she’s at very least alive.

What kind of life is that? That was for Rook to decide, she rightfully deserved it.
One of the buildings held something like that or at least she heard it did. Few stones were on the ground, loose. But beneath them something was shining.
"Could that be you? I hope so" she spoke to herself, moving the stones away.

After a closer look she saw something that looked like a slot inside of the artifact.
"No way" she gasped.
Could she be this lucky?The artfiact looked like it was what she searched for and didn’t wipe Arlathan from the surface of Thedas.
She had to test it.
And ask Davrin for some pieces of Rook’s clothing from his tracking training they once had.
One more chance at finding their leader.
Their best advisor.
Their friend.
The one they loved and respected greatly.
They just needed to know she was okay.

Chapter Text

The Grand Necropolis seemed lonely.
Even the undead around doing their work or the fellow Watchers didn’t make up for the person he had lost.
They were not her.
For a year he had tried to understand her actions, praying she was still alive. With each time he had noticed his hair became whiter it came to him that he does not possess infinite time to find her. Time was fleeting and so were his given years when he chose mortality and Manfred over lichdom. Emmrich knew that all too well, his body occasionally reminding him of that, even if he still did his morning routines.

He also did mourning routines. As much he’d love that to be a joke Bellara would love he truly mourned what could have been. He loved her but there was never enough time to say it out loud or even act on it. There were two blighted gods to be defeated and Syldraine seemed to be very focused on that. Staying true to his gentleman nature he did not dare interrupt. Even if his mind drifted away at the sight of her to the less gentleman part of his mind. He blushed at the memory and tried to shake it off, no matter how his body yearned.
At least he didn’t have to explain this to Manfred.
Skeleton seemed to notice the shift of the mood over the past year. Manfred tried his best to understand, Emmrich knew that.
But there was only so much he actually could explain.
Then it hit him.
He could not believe such blunt answer hid from him for so long. After discussing it with friends from the Veilguard and long nights above books and notes he forgot he had a helper like that. Manfred was practically self-taught at this point.
- Manfred! – his ward’s attention switched to Emmrich – you wandered the Fade and I need you to focus. Rook have once been there too, even if it was a prison Solas created. Is there any way you could try and track her down? Or even her trail? – he swore he could see Manfred’s eyes glow with excitement. Emmrich knew Lighthouse was in the Fade too but prison Solas created was different.
- Rook! – he hissed happily.
- I take it as a yes. Try and focus your own magic on finding her – just like she did when they brought him back from the Fade. It felt almost right to repay the favor.
Manfred took off to his study, hissing with utter enthusiasm. He loved learning and now he could help? It was the best deal he could ask for.

It bounced every now and then that she did not want to be found, even if Shadow Dragons seemed to claim otherwise. She left her dagger behind, be it an accident or not they had something. And a tracking artefact from Arlathan already having piece of Syldraine’s clothing in it.
He only feared it was not enough.
That, if they deduced well, she hid somewhere and laid low they’ll never find her.
He looked in the mirror, seeing face only becoming older, hair only becoming whiter.
His heart ached at the mere thought of never seeing her again.
He was not to leave this world without telling her how he felt.