Illario & Caterina Confrontation This scene takes place after the First Talon drama has been resolved, leaving Illario alone in a cell for his crimes. His solitude doesn’t last long, though. I hadn’t planned on sharing this initially, but I had too much fun writing Illario as the venomous, bitter little shit that he is to let it stay buried. Update: Thank you for engaging with my writing—it means a lot! I’m still getting used to sharing my work, so any input boosts my confidence and keeps me motivated!
(The sound of a guard’s footsteps echoes down the corridor, followed by the low scrape of an ornate chair being placed outside his cell. Illario leans back against the cold stone wall, his glare sharp as Caterina steps into view. She lowers herself into the chair with practiced grace, smoothing her gloves as if she had all the time in the world.)
Caterina: (cold) "You’ve left me in quite the position, Illario."
Illario: (mocking) "Poor Nonna. Did I shatter your perfect little empire?"
(She doesn’t respond right away. Instead, she leans back in her chair, looking as if his words barely register.)
Caterina: (ignoring his jab) "The Crows won’t take you back—not after this."
Illario: "So. Exile it is then. To a swamp, maybe? No—" (he presses a hand to his chest, his tone feigned with mock theatrics) "—the Anderfels. Nothing says exile like dying of boredom in a blighted wasteland."
(His expression shifts, as though struck by sudden inspiration.)
Illario: "No, wait—you’re sending me to Kirkwall, aren’t you?" (he lets out a low, biting laugh.) "You really are a monster."
(Caterina’s lips curl into a faint grimace, just enough to acknowledge something in his words. His laughter falters, the mocking edge slipping as his suspicions solidify.)
Caterina: "Your death will be staged, of course. A quick knife to the ribs from one of the guards." (She pauses, her eyes finally shifting to meet his) "Then a small funeral—just enough to keep up appearances."
(He rise from his seat, pacing the cramped cell before stepping closer to the bars.)
Illario: "And you think I’d go along with this? That I’d play the obedient grandson one last time?"
(Caterina’s gaze hardens, her disdain barely concealed.)
Caterina: (A single, dry scoff escapes her) "Obedience? From you? But fine, if you’d really waste away in here to prove a point—go ahead."
(Her words hang in the air, offering no room for further argument yet Illario persists.)
Illario: (mocking) "Ah, how generous. Rot in here, or rot somewhere else: What a choice."
(Illario pushes off the bars, and crosses the small cell. The bedframe groans under his weight as he drops onto it.) Illario: (voice low, biting) "Before I decide anything, tell me, Nonna—has your little King of Crows finally warmed up to the throne?"
(He tilts his head, watching her closely)
Illario: "Then again, I suppose he hasn’t had much time to sit on it—still away, running those errands. Funny, how easily he’s taken to playing the hero.” (He leans back slightly) "The First Talon; off saving the world instead of running the House."
(Caterina’s cane taps once against the stone floor, the sound sharp and precise, breaking the brief silence.)
Caterina: “Enough. I chose Lucanis because he has what you don’t. Strength. Discipline. And the will to put this House first.”
(For a moment, something vunerable flickers across his face, but it’s buried quickly under his usual grin.)
Caterina: (cold) "Spare me, Illario. You’ve never been hard to read."
Illario: (pausing, watching her carefully) “You say that, but I fooled you all for an entire year.”
Illario: "But maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m not cut out for it."
(He looks at her, his eyes burning with hate.)
Illario: "Then again—how’s your perfect choice working out for you, Nonna?" (He gestures broadly to the cell around him) "You’ve got me here, rotting away, while the ‘Demon of Vyrantium’ is slowly slipping through your fingers."
(Caterina's expression doesn’t seem to change, but he catches it—the faintest tension in her jaw. It’s enough.)
Illario: "I see it in you." (His grin sharpens) "You keep telling yourself it’s the contract that is keeping him away. But no, Caterina—he left you behind the day you made him First Talon.
(For a moment, Caterina doesn’t move. She sits perfectly still, her grip tight around her cane. Then she rises slowly. Without a word, she turns her back to him and begin to walk away. He calls out to her, one final time, almost desperate.)
Illario: "I used to curse myself for sparing you."
(It works. She stops abruptly mid-step, but doesn’t turn. He straightens slightly, his voice quieter but no less sharp.)
Illario: "I thought it the worst mistake of my life... but watching the empire you built collapse under its own weight? It’s satisfying. Very satisfying.” (He leans back.) "Even from in here."
Caterina: "Enjoy it while it lasts." (Without a glance back, she adjusts her grip on the cane and resumes walking)