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Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights Commentary

Eight Little Talons by Courtney Woods

I decided to start this commentary series with Eight Little Talons, because it is my favourite without competition. So, without further adieu, lets get into it! (Very long post incoming...)

A unique start to this story is the dramatis personae outlining who the characters are, and what Antivan Crow Talon Rank they each hold. I think it also is a great way to setting the stage for this very theatrical murder story!

First Talon: Caterina Dellamorte Second Talon: Dante Balazar Third Talon: Lera Valisti Fourth Talon: Emil Kortez Fifth Talon: Viago de Riva Sixth Talon: Bolivar Nero Seventh Talon: Andarateia Cantori Eigth Talon: Giuli Arainai

The actual plot begins with Viago de Riva complaining about his carriage ride across Seleny, on his way to Lago di Novo. Caterina has called upon all of the eight talons to meet in person for five days, to prepare for a potential Qunari threat to Antiva, since Tevinter has already been invaded. They were instructed to come alone, with only a skeleton staff present for their meals and needs while on the island villa, the Verdant Isle. Viago is naturally paranoid that this will be disastrous, as he is paranoid about most things. But he knows better than to deny a request from the First Talon.

Before even crossing the lake, Viago encounters Teia, who immediately begins flirting with him. Viago is already deeply smitten, especially after he reflects on their time working contracts in Tevinter together, but reminds himself that she is an ally, no more.

I really like how Viago is instantly down so bad for Teia, and yet is so repressed about his feelings. It's so juicy to read...

With only one gondola remaining that isn't full of Teia's luggage, the two are forced to cross together - something Viago figures out Teia planned for.

The servant once again cleared his throat. “ere is one vessel remaining, if the two of you would be willing—” “Absolutely not,” Viago interrupted. Teia rolled her eyes. “Come now, Vi. What’s a gondola ride between friends?” “Gossip.” “Oh, the horror.” Viago glanced at the servant, then gently took Teia by the elbow and led her to the far end of the dock, where he was sure they were out of earshot. “We are not on holiday,” he hissed. “e other Talons will be judging our every move.” “Exactly,” Teia replied. “You and I know what the Qunari are capable of. If the others believe House Cantori and de Riva are united...” Viago filled in the blanks. “It will be easier to sway them into an alliance.” “I knew you’d catch on.” Then she added with a wink, “Eventually.” Viago felt his resolve crumble. “Fine.”

Viago gets bitchy to the gondolier after seeing Teia admire his big strong muscles, and prides himself in scaring the other man off.

When they arrive on the island, Viago offers his arm to Teia, and she notices he "felt like a sinewy ball of tension", remembering that Viago hates physical contact. She questions if this is because he is such a master poisoner, and hyper-aware of any and all substances that could be used against him.

He refused to eat, drink, or touch anything without testing it first. He claimed it a necessary precaution. Teia thought that was a polite term for paranoia.

Continuing to pick apart everything about Viago with a curiosity, Teia also wonders if he ever spent time at the Verdant Isle as a boy, with his mother. The villa is owned by the Crown, and is typically where the king stores his mistresses - one of whom was Viago's mother.

Viago being a bastard son of the Antivan King really adds so much to think about him as a character. Without getting ahead of myself, because more will come up on this later, let's just say his heritage is a bitter spot, and I adore pondering how that contributes to his entire outlook, you know?

Teia and Viago then greet Caterina.

Teia felt Viago flinch beside her and she pursed her lips to keep from giggling. One of the many reasons Teia loved and respected Caterina was her ability to make grown men—professional killers, at that—feel like children fresh from the nursery. To be fair to Vi, Teia conceded, Caterina’s cane is legendary. They had both witnessed the First Talon beat more than one unlucky fool to death with it.

Teia subsides Caterina's anger over all the luggage by calling her "Nonna," with a big smile and kiss on the cheek. Caterina initially rebuts that not even her actual grandchildren call her that, but she can't help but simmer down anyway.

They then meet Dante Balazar and Lera Valisti, who have been busy fencing. Teia is annoyed that at the sight of Dante, Viago unlaces his arm from hers. Dante flirts with Teia, and we get the hint that they have a past relationship - something that is later confirmed in more detail.

Everyone departs to prepare for dinner in their assigned rooms. For Viago, this means preparing antidotes for any potential poisons that could mix with the menu for the night, and taking his daily dose of diluted Adder's Kiss, in his attempts to develop an immunity to the deadly poison.

Teia enters his room, and Viago is taken by how beautiful she looks in her evening gown. He begins struggling with his cravat. Luckily, Teia is there to help him.

“It would help if you removed the gloves,” Teia remarked. “Surely your own cravats haven’t been tampered with.” “The valet touched them,” Viago grumbled. It was a weak defence, but a skilled poisoner knew that anything—even skin—could be laced with something deadly. “How rude,” Teia teased, coming up behind him. His chest tightened. Why are you here? he wanted to ask. It was a fair question. And yet, Viago knew if he brought attention to her impropriety, whatever this was between them would snap like a lute string midsong. And he wasn’t ready for the dance to end. So he fumbled with his cravat a fourth time. Teia cursed under her breath. “You’re ruining it.” She pushed on Viago’s back, urging him to turn around. Only inches apart, Viago looked everywhere but Teia’s face—the ceiling, his walking stick, the creepy fennec statues someone had placed around the room. Then, after second-guessing himself, he glanced down to find the damned woman laughing at him. Viago’s hands shot up to the crumpled cravat. “I don’t need—” “Hush.” Teia batted him away, her nimble fingers already smoothing out the wrinkles he had created. “This is why you have a reputation.” Viago blanched. At twenty-eight, Teia was the youngest Talon in history. Gossip and a string of admirers followed her wherever she went. Compared to her, he was practically a recluse. “I have a reputation?” “As a curmudgeon, yes.” Her full lips upturned slightly. “Well, that’s better than your reputation.” “Oh?” Teia blinked innocently up at him. “Care to elaborate?” “Not particularly.” Their eyes met. Restless energy charged through Viago’s veins that both dared him to move and held him in place.

At the dinner party, Bolivar Nero immediately establishes himself as jerk who doesn't care about the Qunari one bit. Viago reminds the table that a Qunari invasion would mean losing a lot of potential contracts, which disappoints Teia. She dislikes that when it comes to the other talons, it's always about money.

Emil Kortez reminds everyone that the Qunari have invaded Antiva before, and that in the north there are still traces of it from two hundred years ago. This sparks a short debate establishing that there is apparently competition between northern Antiva vs. southern Antiva.

The debate is cut short, when instead they start complaining about their meal not being served yet. Caterina ordered them to wait until Lera arrives at the table, which she has yet to do so.

Bolivar Nero has already begun drinking heavily, and becomes more and more agitated. Teia reflects on how she wishes she could have found more relation among her fellow elven talons, but with Bolivar being too snobbish and Giuli being in too tenuous a position to make friends - her house is in a tenuous position because of what Zevran did - she feels pretty alone.

When Lera still doesn't show but a note does urging them to ignore her absence, Giuli gets rather upset - something Teia notes is out of character for her. Teia also takes note that Dante is shaking and sweating, concluding that he is trying to quit his lyrium addiction again.

I think this story does a way better job at showing just how messy and difficult quitting an addiction is, than DAI does with Cullen. Dante is a fucking mess this entire story, physically and mentally. And he even relapses, which is unfortunately a common and realistic occurrence when someone tries to quit an addiction cold without even having any supports. More so, it shows how dangerous and harmful Dante is to others around him, too. He is not the only victim of his addiction struggles.

Caterina orders Viago and Teia to check on Lera. With the door locked and no answer, Viago shows off his impressive walking stick has a secret compartment for his "vials of death" as Teia puts it. He uses it to melt the doorknob and the two break in. What they find is Lera's corpse, with four steel blades protruding from her chest. They identify this as a reference to the famous assassination of Queen Madrigal. After investigating the corpse, they find lyrium under her fingernails - which leads Viago to suspect Dante is the killer. Teia defends him, however.

Bolivar wants to torture the servant that delivered the note saying Lera would be absent, but Caterina denies his wishes as she believes it is unnecessary. Giuli is extremely distraught by the entire ordeal, accusing Dante of being the killer. But Caterina suggests that whoever killed Lera must be working for the Qunari, rather than one of the Talons themselves. Caterina encourages everyone to retire to their quarters, where in the morning they will conduct a search of the island for any signs of an intruder.

The next morning, Viago wakes Teia up and takes her downstairs to see that all of the servants have been murdered, again recreating an infamous crow assassination from history.

I do think it says a lot about Teia, how much compassion she has for the dead servants, compared to everyone else - including Viago. But being a Crow has not stolen Teia's empathy one bit.

However, a murder mystery is not enough to put a damper on just how horny these two are for each other. Teia starts thinking about how nice it would be to kiss Viago, which prompts him to ask why she is staring. Then they start bickering about how Teia should be more afraid of Viago being the killer. It's without question one of my favourite little banters of theirs in this entire story...

“Are you all right?” Viago’s forehead creased with worry. “Was it the coffee? I tested for Maferath’s Embrace, but there could’ve been other—” “I’m ﬁne,” Teia said with a reassuring smile. “Just admiring your good looks.” Most people would’ve been thrilled by the compliment. Viago only scowled and turned tail. Teia couldn’t understand it. They’d joke and tease, but whenever she tried to speak of the obvious attraction between them, he’d clam up. Well, not this time. She chased after him. “What?” “Nothing,” he growled and continued stomping toward the guest wing. “Do you not think you’re attractive?” Viago turned on her, his ears pink. “Ten people are dead.” She didn’t back down. “And whoever’s responsible will pay, but that has no bearing on this conversation.” “It could be me.” Covering her mouth with both hands, Teia doubled over, laughter spilling from her lips. “It’s not you.” He looked as if she’d slapped him. “I’m more than capable of killing everyone here.” “Don’t tell me you’re offended!” “It is offensive,” Viago protested. “Professionally.” Teia leaned closer to see if he was being serious. His tight jaw and furrowed brow bore all the signs of a bruised ego. “I know it’s not you because we were together when Lera was murdered,” she explained. “Remember? I tied your cravat.” The flush creeped from Viago’s ears to his cheeks. “Yes, well, of course I didn’t do it. It’s just the principle of the matter.” “You’re ridiculous.”

They head to Giuli's room, where they examine her corpse, too. Like Lera and the servants, her death is displayed like an infamous historical Crow job.

“Poor Giuli,” Teia whispered as she neared the body. “I didn’t know you were friends.” “Really, Vi,” Teia muttered. “You don’t have to be friends with someone to feel sympathy.” “If you say so.”

After all the remaining Talons regroup, Emil and Dante reveal that in their search around the island, they found that the emergency gondolas were destroyed, meaning there is no way off the island except for signalling the mainland to come retrieve them - something Caterina refuses to do.

Bolivar blames Dante for killing Lera and Giuli, and blames Viago for killing the servants. Teia offers to lie on Viago's behalf to give him a false alibi, but he refuses.

In the heat of their discussion, Emil reveals that he knows Bolivar sold his House's pearl diving business to Dante, which prompts Dante to accuse Bolivar of setting him up.

Viago scoffed. Bolivar didn’t have the brains—or the stomach—to pull off something like this. “This isn’t just about you. My head’s on the chopping block as well.” “Your daddy will protect you,” Dante sneered. Viago choked his walking stick and counted ten poisons that would leave Dante’s face unrecognizable.

I love love love the implication that Viago's kingly father has either had some kind of influence in Viago's rise to power here, or in the very least, the other Talons assume it. Just like Dante assumes he will be protected. Yet Viago's reaction is one of anger, suggesting that whether it be true or a rumour that his father has helped him out, it's not something he actually wants.

With Viago confined to his room, it doesn't take long for Teia to break in. They discuss the facts, trying to figure out what they're missing, and decide that Dante knows something they don't. But before that, they have another little moment that makes my heart-rate go up...

Viago paused, unsure if he was making something out of nothing. “I noticed you didn’t come to his defence.” Teia glanced at the floor. “I’ve defended him long enough.” It was the same tone she’d used last night when she asked if he kept lyrium in his case. “There are things that don’t add up—beyond the lyrium,” he said. “You mean how he didn’t look half dead today?” “That, and that there was something going on between him, Lera, and Giuli. The way they were acting… Is he, I mean, was he…” Viago cleared the embarrassment from his throat. “Was he the faithful sort?” “The faithful sort?” Teia stalked toward him, a mischievous grin on her face. “You know when you were…” “When we were…?” Viago frowned. She’s going to make me say it. “You two have a history.” Teia continued her advance. “I have history with a lot of people.” “I’m well aware.” The words came out harsher than he intended. Teia’s brows rose. “Does that bother you?” It was a leading question. Viago knew he should laugh it oﬀ, but he couldn’t help himself. “Only if I’m a footnote.” Teia stopped cold. Doubt curdled in Viago’s stomach. He opened his mouth to backtrack, when she reached out to brush the line of his jaw. It was only a whisper of flesh against flesh, but to Viago, it might as well have been a punch to the gut. It had been so long since he had allowed someone to touch him. To get close. He was breathless. “That’s entirely up to you.” Teia’s hand dropped, but her phantom touch lingered on his skin.

I want to scream I want to scream I want to scream!!! And we haven't even gotten to the most blue-ballsy part yet!!! But we're about to...

Viago pulls out a serum called 'Pillow Talk' that he tells Teia will influence Dante into telling the truth. They agree that the best way to administer it to Dante is to apply it to Teia's lips, for her to then kiss him with it. The only thing Viago notes is that she needs to be careful about is it turning green under candlelight.

So, Viago begins applying a protective film on Teia's lips so she herself doesn't fall under the serum's influence. Then the serum itself. And oh my god. This entire fucking scene... This entire scene is just something else. But I especially, especially love this part:

It would be so easy to kiss her—to finally discover if her mouth was as soft as he had imagined. Because, of course, he had imagined. So many times. In so many ways. And he hated himself for it. When it came to Teia, he was as weak as any other mark—a lamb to slaughter. As if she could feel the sudden rush of shame within him, Teia brought her hands up to rest on Viago’s hips, holding him in place. His thumb stilled as he realized her breath was short. Her pupils dilated. Before he could stop himself, Viago nuzzled his forehead against hers, his nose brushing her cheek. Teia’s hands snaked up his chest to run through his hair. She tugged him forward. He braced himself on one arm, while the other curled around the small of her back.

"And he hated himself for it." Viago is so fucking repressed he hates himself for having feelings. And yet this man is about to explode just from Teia's touch.

AND TEIA IS NO BETTER OFF AFTER THIS, IS THE THING.

Standing outside her ex-lover’s room, Teia tried to quell the violent drumming within her. Normally, she didn’t need to come down from a physical encounter. Seduction—like any form of manipulation—was about control. She could enjoy herself, but Teia always made sure to hold the upper hand. Viago had shattered that control without so much as a kiss.

Teia was likely taught that seduction is only a matter of manipulation and a tactic for control. She doesn't know how to deal with this genuine lust anymore than Viago does! AAAHHH!!!

But the main plot must go on, and Teia pays Dante a visit. She immediately kisses him, and uses both the serum and her own charm to bring out the truth: Dante and Lera were engaged in a political marriage to strengthen both their houses. Part of the agreement was that Dante had to give up lyrium, and Lera had to stop dating Giuli.

This is a serious revelation, but I can't help but laugh at how much X-Men levels of inter-relationship drama these Talons have going on. Teia and Dante used to date, except he was prone to abusive rages so she left him. Lera and Giuli were having yuri parties in secret, until Dante and Lera decided to get married so they could overrule Caterina. And then Teia and Viago are pining so hard they are leaking brain cells.

Anyway, Dante then reveals that a lyrium kit was mysteriously left in his room, and he took it - thus why he's no longer shaking. But said lyrium also made him black out; something he never experienced before. Teia knocks him out, having gotten what she needed from him, and steals the kit to bring back to Viago, who all this time has been pacing in his room freaking out like he's in a danger zone.

From the architecture to the food, Antivan culture was a celebration of romance and the freedom of expression. The typical Antivan craved passion—spontaneity. Viago was not a typical Antivan. He liked facts—checklists, numbers, precise measurements. Heart palpitations, clammy hands, tight pants—Viago did not like these things. In fact, he would go so far as to say he hated them. Mild curiosity was his favourite mood. What Teia had elicited in him was akin to an internal natural disaster.

But with Teia's return, Viago is able to test the lyrium kit, and finds it was poisoned, but because it was mixed with lyrium, diluted enough to not kill him. The two begin debating who could be responsible for all the murders, if not Dante. Teia gets very defensive when Viago suggests Caterina is responsible. She doesn't want to believe Caterina would do such a thing, but Viago insists she would without hesitation. Teia remains upset, and things start to get tense between her and Viago.

“You always think the worst of people,” Teia whispered. “And I’m usually right,” Viago spat. “You should know how people are. You grew up in the dirt.” He regretted the words immediately. Teia’s eyes glossed over with disgust. “I guess the dirt treated me better than your gilded cage.” Viago’s own temper flared. “Don’t—” She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. Viago flinched from the contact. “See, unlike you, I’m not ashamed of where I came from.” She stepped back toward the door. “And I don’t let it define me.”

At dinner, Teia contemplates Viago's words about Caterina. Eventually, she and Emil head back upstairs to bring food to the still confined Dante and Viago. On the way, Emil and Teia have a cute moment where notes that she is everyone's favourite. Then, Emil begins reciting how the Antivan Crows began as a group.

“Do you know how the Crows began?” Emil asked. “Before the masks and the tattoos and the houses?” Teia thought back to her lessons as a girl. “They were monks—near Treviso? They poisoned a duke who was terrorizing their village.” He nodded approvingly. “They were a group of individuals who did what needed to be done to protect the Antivan people. Over the years, we lost sight of that. Now, it’s all about family. Blood. Instead of a claw working as one, we fight over scraps. Eventually, we’ll all starve.”

Then, Emil and Teia find Dante's dead body.

While that happens, Viago sulks in his room about Teia's final words to him before departing for dinner. He is bitter that she is right.

Viago was hardly Antiva’s only royal bastard. His father had taken many a mistress before and after his mother. To protect the line of succession, the illegitimate children were given a choice: live a life of luxury in exile or join the Crows. Viago was simply the only one who had chosen the latter. Rising to the rank of Talon should’ve been enough. With a small army of assassins at his beck and call, Viago was more powerful than the king. But the harder he worked, the more resentful he became of his half-siblings, who knew nothing of ruling or tactics. The knowledge that, if given a chance, he could restore strength to the Crown dogged him—leaving a hole that no contract or coin could fill.

But when Viago goes to get a change of clothes from the dresser, he is bitten by a venomous adder.

Luckily, Teia realizes that Viago must be in danger if Dante is dead, because his killing matches a famous double assassination. She is able to find an antidote just in time among Viago's ridiculously named vials of puns.

When Viago wakes up, Teia fills him in on Dante's death. It occurs to Viago that he has a way of telling who the killer is, because of this, and the remaining Talons all gather near the villa's fireplace. Because Dante was first suffocated, but the killer didn't know he had the Pillow Talk serum on his lips, Viago reveals that whoever killed him would have a green glow to their gloves under the light. But before they actually conduct the test, Emil admits himself to be the killer.

Yet another great thing about this story is the reincorporation of little pieces, woven into the story seamlessly. The way Viago's sidenote on taking a daily dose of Adder's Kiss ends up helping to keep him alive, and now, the way the serum glows green under candlelight solves the murder mystery.

Emil attacks, but Caterina whacks him over the head with her cane hard enough to send him to the ground. She accuses him of just wanting money out of this, but Emil insists he did it out of patriotism.

“Why?” Bolivar asked. “Why would you do this?” “Money,” Caterina stated plainly. “It’s always money with Emil.” He choked out a pained laugh. “It’s always money with all of us. That’s the problem. In the beginning, we were protectors. We fought for Antiva—for the people. Then somewhere along the way we chose profit over patriotism.” “So, what? You’re killing us pro bono?” Viago sneered. “Not exactly,” Emil confessed. “The Qunari are coming. I was approached and presented a contract—an opportunity—for a peaceful invasion. In exchange for seven deaths, we could keep our way of life. They wouldn’t make us submit to the Qun.” “And you believed them,” Teia scoffed. Emil squared his shoulders. “The Qunari are many things—brutal, rigid, merciless warriors—but they are also honourable.” “There was no honor in Ventus,” Viago growled. “They pulled magisters from their homes. Clapped them in irons, destroyed their minds with poison, and paraded them through the streets.” “It would be different here,” Emil whispered, his conviction diminishing. “That’s why I made the deal.” Caterina hissed, “You made the deal so that you would be the only house left. No more sharing of contracts. No more territory disputes. The Kortez family would be the only family.” “Under one Talon, we might actually get something done.” Even Bolivar laughed at this. “The assassins of House Balazar, Valisti, and Arainai would never submit to you. You killed their Talons.” “Every life is worth a price. And I have the coin to pay it. We’re nothing but a glorified guild of mercenaries now.”

Then, each Talon takes their turn at stabbing Emil to death.

The following morning, they signal the mainland and Bolivar is the first to leave. Teia, Viago, and Caterina remain to discuss steps to prepare for the invasion.

As they prepare to leave themselves, Viago remarks that this is probably the end of Emil's entire house.

Teia sighed. “I only hope the real Emil acted alone. I’d hate to add more bodies to the pyre.” Viago grunted. “House Kortez is dead. Caterina will see to that.” “She’ll be fair,” Teia challenged. “She’ll be ruthless. Just like House Gaspari.” “Who?” “Exactly.” Viago smirked. “Mark my words—she’ll bring her demon of a grandson back from Tevinter to do the job personally.” A shiver passed through them both. “What did you call my grandson?” a voice behind them asked. Viago let out a nervous laugh.

This makes me wonder: How many times has Caterina ordered Lucanis to take out an entire Crow House, in order to maintain control? Because... damn.

Viago says he is headed to Antiva City to talk to his father about the incoming invasion, and Teia asks him if he needs a place to stay. It's a very cute way of ending the story:

“Are you going straight home to Salle?” He sighed and shook his head. “Antiva City.” “To brief His Royal Fatherliness?” She balanced the stick on the tip of her boot. He reached for it. “Why are you asking?” With a kick, she flung the stick onto her other foot. “To see if you had a place to stay.” She held him with a brazen smile. He remembered the feel of her cheek under his fingers, of her hips against his. “Is that an invitation?” “Is that a yes?” He reached out again. This time, she let him have the walking stick, but held on to the end. Viago drew her close, until they were a breath apart. “It’s a definite maybe,” he murmured. Teia beamed up at him. “My favourite answer.”

All in all, it's really hard to actually put to words how much I adore Eight Little Talons. I consider it to be the best of the best not just from the entire Tevinter Nights collection, but among Dragon Age fiction in general. It reminds me of why I find the Antivan Crows so fascinating as a faction, and also managed to make me care for an M/F ship like I have never before. It really is something special.

#many many thanks from someone without access to Tevinter Nights but is also writing fics that use TN lore #dragon age

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