Work Text:
Date: 9:53 Dragon, 13 Drakonis
Item: Letter(unsent); author Illario Dellamorte, Master Assassin, House Dellamorte; recipient Lucanis Dellamorte, First Talon of the Crows.
Notes: [Replica] Original found among affects of Illario Dellamorte during a routine search of his quarters by fledgling J. Egrativi, replaced after examination. Incl. with other notes and transcripts for report on progress, what little there is.
13 drakonis, 953
Cousin —
We do not speak We have not spoken since the night at the Opera House, which is may likely be for the best. I still do not have words to treat with your demon, and I will presume that it feels much the same. That you and he have collected such a company around you as Thedas has never seen, even as you move to complete contracts no Crow would think to attempt, fills me with both fear and amazement.
You have often said that words and charm are things I possess that you do not, but as I sit alone in my failure room, with only scattered, worthless allies and death in my wake, perhaps neither of us has been very good at understanding one another over the years. We did once, but time and Caterina's training have made a mockery of what came to us naturally as children.
I lack the words to abase myself properly apologize, so instead I offer this in exchange: I have no more taste for the title you now carry, and I will not repeat the mistakes of misusing your trust again. Not that I possess that trust now, and may never again. But know that now, here, that is my ambition. That you will understand that in this loss, I see clearly what I hunger for, and which enticements were merely the folly of ambition.
May your knife strike true.
Perhaps one day I will wield mine again alongside yours.
I. Dellamorte
Illario