Chapter Text
All of Baldur's Gate was a party that night. The Netherbrain was dead, along with its mindflayer hivemind and though it had left much of the city in ruins, the people cared not. They celebrated their survival with raucous song and drink together, with the heroes who had saved them in their midst. After many hours of this, of being exalted and congratulated and serenaded to, Shadowheart had grown weary and found a quiet spot by a cargo crane down at the docks. Not far from the Blushing Mermaid where the rest of their group were still frolicking.
She was sat on a crate looking out to sea when Minthara found her, nursing a goblet of the best wine they had in the pub, which was still cheap swill, but it was on the house and the evening's mood forbade snobbery.
"I just needed a moment away from... everything," Shadowheart started by way of explanation.
Minthara waved her off. "No need to justify yourself, I quite understand."
She remained standing behind the crate and joined her daughter in silent contemplation for a while. The ships swaying lazily on the dark water, wood creaking rhythmically. The sickle moon providing pleasantly subtle illumination without disrupting the blanket of dark covering the marred yet enduring city. The distant sounds of lutes and drums and merrymaking.
"I do not abide the sun, but at night, there is some charm to this place," mused Minthara.
Shadowheart hummed in agreement.
They lapsed into silence again. Above them the crowd burst into laughter at some crude anecdote.
"When we were with the Netherbrain," Shadowheart picked up the thread, "I looked at you, I felt how much you wanted the Absolute's power and for a moment I was sure you would betray Tav and Orpheus. Why didn't you?"
"A fair question. Would you have preferred if I had?"
"I'm not sure... But it doesn't really matter, I would have stayed with you regardless."
Disappointment invaded Minthara. She silently drew a dagger from inside her top, keeping it hidden behind her back for the moment.
"So you would follow me into any future I chose to pursue?"
"Without question." Shadowheart's free hand sought Minthara's so she could place a reverent kiss on it.
"That is unfortunate." Minthara muttered.
Shadowheart froze.
"I don't understand."
Very slowly and gently, Minthara cupped the girl's chin and tilted her head back until its crown was touching her stomach and her eyes were looking straight up at her. Pliant, willingly exposing the column of her neck. Minthara gripped the dagger tighter.
"My love, what point is there in dominating your will if you have no will left? What strength will I test? What ambition will I nurture?"
Green irises hardened to emeralds.
"My will is unbroken and I have plenty of strength." Shadowheart replied with indomitable pride. True, steely pride, forged from crushed adversity and vanquished doubts.
Disappointment was replaced by relief, Minthara's worries eased.
Still she prodded. "And what of ambition?"
The girl's confidence wavered, but she caught herself.
"I will find my ambition and when I do I will stop at nothing to achieve it."
Minthara cracked her sharpest smile. "Nothing at all?" She challenged.
The cold flat of her blade slid across a perfect pale neck and Shadowheart shivered. Minthara's other hand let go of her chin to see if she would try to move away. She didn't.
"No..." the girl admitted, her previous bluster fading. "I still need you, Matron."
"Very good."
Minthara put the knife away and began to lightly knead Shadowheart's tense shoulders.
Shadowheart returned her gaze to the water, savoring the praise and attention.
"Would it please you to stay in this city for a while?" Minthara asked after a bit.
"Really?" The girl whipped around, radiant with excitement.
Minthara hummed affirmatively. "I know better than most what it is to miss home."
She grinned, "besides, this city is in dire need of new leadership and it can do better than the council of shriveled patriars it has suffered."
Shadowheart said nothing, only rested the side of her face against Minthara's forearm and smiled into her skin.