Chapter Text
"Search for Master Halsin," said Nettie. "If anyone can help you, it'll be him."
The healer we’d sought out at the Emerald Grove had been our best hope against the tadpoles taking up residence in our brains. But despite giving a firm squeeze of my hand in assurance, Nettie didn't succeed at all in hiding the resignation on her face as she retreated back to her work. Hells, she wasn't fooling anyone.
My shoulders sagged with my deflated exhale, and I turned to my two companions to find dampened expressions mirrored on their faces as well. Thin as it was, I was pretty sure we'd all hung onto the glimmer of hope that our parasite problem might be nipped in the bud faster than I could even learn how to spell the word 'Ceremorphosis'. We now knew it would be a trickier prospect to contend with, and our best bet seemed to involve rescuing a kidnapped druid from the clutches of a goblin horde on the off-chance he might be able to heal us.
Wonderful news.
But Wyll, our newly recruited warlock, was quick to mask his disappointment and offer a boon to our morale. "Well then, we have a master healer to track down now, don't we?" he exclaimed cheerfully.
I beamed at his infectious smile. "That's the spirit. Let’s find the others and get cracking, eh?"
"What are you suggesting exactly?" Shadowheart sniped as she crossed her arms. "We just stroll into a camp swarming with goblins, ask nicely if we can make off with one of their prisoners—a likely decrepit old druid, I might add—and just head on our merry way?"
"Look at it this way,” I countered, “we either follow the trail on this druid, or we let Lae'zel cart us off in search of a githyanki creche. Which do you fancy?"
Immediate horror flickered across her face and she pressed her lips together petulantly. "Goblins it is, then."
"I knew you'd come around," said Wyll, landing a hearty clap to her shoulder.
I couldn't help my bubble of laughter as I watched her shrug him off with disdain like his hand was a soggy old rag, before she stalked away toward the refugee camp. Wyll didn't seem perturbed by her reaction in the slightest; as she left, he sent a wink and a cheeky grin my way behind her back. Oh, I liked this guy already. We were going to have great fun.
As the two of them disappeared around the corner, it dawned on me that we were a man down.
"Gale?" I ventured, peering my way around the tall stone shelves of the druid’s library in search of our wizard.
"Hmm?" His disembodied voice echoed from the next aisle over.
"Gale, what are you—put the book down!" I caught him red-handed, blithely leafing through a tome that looked older than my traceable family tree. "These druids are already on edge!” I hissed under my breath. “If they think you're nicking ancient texts, we'll have no chance getting out of here in one piece!"
"Tav, I was just taking a glance—" he began to protest, but he looked suitably chastised as I ripped the book from his hands to replace it on the shelf.
"Nope! Not hearing it! It's time to go!"
***
After tearing Gale from his perusing of dusty old books, we managed to regroup with Lae'zel before she completely terrorised a young tiefling named Zorru. Apparently, he had sighted her kin on the other side of the valley headed up toward the mountain pass, which had to be at least a week-long trek from here, if not longer. Maybe going after the archdruid at the goblin camp would be the best call after all. My boots had already seen enough, I didn't think they'd make it all the way through the valley without sacrificing one of my toes in the process.
Lae'zel and Shadowheart fought over our map as they bickered about the options for ridding us of our tadpoles. And Wyll, bless his heart, attempted to mediate as best he could, but despite his efforts, it soon seemed like they were on the brink of an eruption that would level the whole Grove.
"Hey, let's cool it off! We won't be going anywhere at this rate," I interjected, which I regretted immediately as both women snapped their heads round and refocused their ire in my direction. "How about we, erm…maybe we should stock up on supplies? Either way we have a decent trip ahead, so let's get our packs filled…do we think?"
"Darling, was that series of wavering questions supposed to be a call to action?" asked Astarion as he sidled up behind me, seemingly out of thin air.
"Gods, where the fuck did you come from?" I whirled towards him, nearly taking out one of his eyes as he dodged my long braid whipping past his face. "Hang on, where have you been? You promised to stay with Lae'zel and make sure she didn't, you know, go too far," I gritted through my teeth and jerked my head to gesture the cowering tiefling in our periphery.
"Oh darling, you act as if there is anything I could do when our dear gith was already on the warpath,” he dismissed lazily.
I expected to see Lae'zel's simmering rage burn more furiously at a comment like that, but no, her satisfied smirk suggested that would pass for a compliment among the githyanki. Huh, who'd have thought?
Astarion continued, "Anyway, I thought we were making a plan. Tav, if we leave you to manage our supplies, then meals will consist of six fish heads, two half eaten apples and a wheel of cheese. It sounds like we're barreling towards a goblin horde, so may I suggest a visit to the blacksmith? We're barely equipped to defend ourselves in a tavern brawl. I'd suggest some upgraded weaponry all round—"
"—Ah, but I'm sorted with my—"
"—and no, Tav, that new lute of yours is not a weapon. Not unless the intent is to make my ears bleed. Let's get you a couple of knives at least. Just try not to slice your own fingers off in the process, hmm?"
Affronted at the suggestion of my supposed incompetence, I spun away from him to face the rest of the group in hopes of receiving some back up.
"The elf finally provides some useful insight," said Lae'zel as she settled her stance, resting a hand upon the pommel of her longsword. "We shall upgrade weapons. Few of you have sufficient armour, we must discern if any istik-forged wares are passable for our needs."
"And we could do with some more rations, but he has a point about Tav's—" Gale began before halting with a cough of unease. "Maybe easier to leave that to me anyway. I'll just…"
He skulked off to a trader while Astarion trembled beside me in fits of suppressed laughter, that it appeared were becoming infectious among Shadowheart and Wyll too.
"Since when do you lot get along well enough to gang up on me?” I burst out in indignation. “Well, I'm going to haggle with the blacksmith then. Given that you all barely have any social skills to share between you."
I shot Astarion a dirty look and stomped off towards the makeshift smithy among the tiefling camp. But my spiteful mood was very soon lifted upon spying the handsome guy at the anvil. Where were all the smiths like this in Baldur's Gate?
"Hello there," I wandered over and offered a little wave, "I wondered might you have any wares to trade?"
The tiefling made a double take upon my approach and a small grin crept upon me as he blinked his way through a stilted greeting. "Hi, yes—I mean—how can I help? I have things—if you need anything…anything at all."
Gods, he was adorable.
If I had any talents in this world, learning someone's life story within four minutes flat was by far my forte. I couldn't help myself chatting away with this lovely smith, who was named Dammon and hailed from Elturel before the fall. He stumbled over his words somewhat in telling me about his time in the Hells and his passion for forging with infernal iron, but I was in my element. Oh, it felt good to flirt a little again. Had it really been such a short while since my life was completely up-ended by the abduction on the nautiloid? It felt like an age had passed already.
After long minutes, a pointed clearing-of-a-throat over my shoulder reminded me of the task at hand. I diverted our conversation to trade for the weapons and armour that Astarion and Lae'zel pointed out we required, and I left Dammon with a promise to return if we needed anything in future and a smile that made my cheeks ache as we trekked back to camp.
"My darling girl, he was absolutely mesmerised, wasn't he?” Astarion jibed as he strolled alongside me. “Well, I can't blame him. If you can turn that on with every trader we meet, we'll have a far easier time on our travels."
I nudged his shoulder with my own. "Fuck off, I didn't turn anything on. I was just enjoying his company."
"Hmm, perhaps. You do wear your emotions on your sleeve, maybe it wasn't fake," he mused lightly. "But whether you are aware or not, you were positively glowing for that blacksmith. Which could be a powerful tool if wielded correctly; the sunlit girl with hair of spun gold and a smile to fell a thousand souls."
I scoffed at his summation, but he very suddenly stopped in my path and tipped up my chin with his gloved fingertips, forcing me to meet his now serious gaze.
"Be mindful of who you shine your light on, sweet girl. Lest someone endeavour to dim it."
Just as quickly as he bestowed that warning, Astarion swung back to continue on our path. Leaving me completely non-plussed by the whole interaction, standing alone and puzzled in the dusty road.
***
As the sun set on our camp, I sat on a large log by the fire and swirled my spoon through my bowl of stew while contemplating Astarion's words from earlier that afternoon. He could be so changeable. It was difficult to get a grasp on if he was being earnest or simply playing games.
Was that meant to be actual advice? Don't be nice to people in case they 'dim your light'? He must be used to really shitty company if he sincerely felt that way. Besides, where had he been for the last hour or so? He kept disappearing like smoke on a breeze. Did he have appointments to keep out here in the wilderness or what?
I was so lost in my tangle of thoughts, I nearly jumped out of my skin when Wyll landed by my side.
"You seem troubled, my friend. Is Gale's cooking really that bad?" he joked.
"What? No, I'm just fire-gazing, as my Auntie would say— No, Gale's cooking is great! Apparently, it's mine you need to worry about. Honestly though, his meals are some of the best I've ever eaten." I caught the skepticism crossing his expression. "I mean it, truly! Not that I'm an authority on good cuisine or anything but seriously, the man can cook. Trust me, go on.”
At my urging, Wyll filled his spoon and took a bite, and his face melted as he let out a hum of pleasure.
"Hmmm, alright then. So, Gale of Waterdeep is a chef extraordinaire?" He nodded in between enthusiastically scarfing down his dinner. "I think he missed his true calling. Why bother with the Weave at all when you can rustle up a meal like this from rations?"
I giggled at his appreciation. "Oh, you better watch that he doesn't take your words to heart. I think we'll need him wielding a Fire Bolt more than a wooden spoon before too long."
"Alas, the burden of our perilous journey." Wyll sighed dramatically. “The land shall weep for the loss of Chef Gale and his potential advancement of the culinary arts."
I let out a very unattractive snort, and turned my smile to the chef himself as he ambled over to take a seat on my other side.
"Thank you for dinner, love. It's delicious, you're really spoiling us," I said to Gale, and gave a warm pat to his knee.
A blush heated the tips of his ears and he grazed his hand over mine. "You are most welcome. Spoiling you is a pleasure."
The three of us sat in companiable quiet as we finished our food, just watching the fire crackle and spit as the twilight gave way to dusk.
Finally, we were able to enjoy a lull after what had been an inordinately chaotic time the last several days. Being abducted and infected by mindflayers, flying through multiple realms on a mythical ship like in the horror stories of my childhood, crash landing and meeting a gaggle of unlikely new friends. It had been a lot.
But now we had a clear direction for the quest ahead of us, and the hope for what we would find tomorrow gave us a little respite this evening.
It was a calm night.
Peaceful.
CRASH
"Stay out of my way, gith. I won't warn you again," snarled Shadowheart, leaning right into Lae'zel's space where they faced-off on the other side of camp.
"Warn me? Your pitiful threats shall not cower me, kainyank. You are no match for me and you know it."
I huffed a beleaguered sigh. "For the love of the sodding realms, what is it now?"
Next to me, amusement danced in Wyll's eyes at the sudden spectacle. But it was clear that both Gale and I were past the point of novelty, as this sort of thing was becoming an almost nightly occurrence for the two foes.
"Give me two ticks, guys. I'll go sort them out." I extricated myself from my seat and jogged across camp to face the ensuing stand-off head on. "Right then, what's happened?"
My question prompted both women to simultaneously launch into a tirade against the other. Unable to make a word out from either of them, their heated accusations boiled us all closer and closer to madness, at which point I snapped—
"Stop! Please, I'm begging both of you, this shit has to stop!" My sudden frustration shut them both up immediately. "We're all in the same boat, for fuck's sake. We have the exact same goal; getting shot of these tadpoles before it's too late,” I pleaded, standing firm as I planted my hands on my hips. “Seriously though, would you rather face all of this alone? Because at this point, that option is absolutely on the table."
Shadowheart opened her mouth then closed it as she thought better of her answer. In the wake of my unexpected ultimatum, a disgruntled quiet hung in the air between them.
Until Lae'zel shattered it, of course, with a muttered, "I could easily complete this journey alone to source a cure for my infection."
"I'm sure you could," I quickly agreed before Shadowheart had a chance to retort. "You're one of the most impressive warriors I've had the honour to know! If anyone could do it, it's you. And Shadowheart, I can barely wrap my head around the spells you're capable of. With all that magic, you're incredible! Both of you are so skilled. I know that if I'd been stuck trying to escape the nautiloid alone, without both of you there with me, there's no chance in the Nine Hells that I'd be standing here now. But if you'd rather that we part ways, well, I won't stop you leaving." I shrugged in resignation. "There'd be no hard feelings at all. But…if you choose to stay, I need you both to try being civil."
The two faces before me looked like I'd asked them to subdue a Beholder with no weapons other than a pair of chopsticks and a party hat.
"Just think what we could manage if we worked together. Like back on the ship, eh? Could you try it? For me?"
I had to admit, the long seconds of silence that followed did not look promising.
"I'll consider it," conceded Shadowheart. "For your sake, Tav. Not hers."
Thank fuck. This woman was nearly as frosty as she was beautiful, but I’d hoped I would be able to get to know her a little better in our time together. Maybe her deciding to stay meant she wanted that too?
"It's a start at least." I smiled with relief. "Thank you, Shads."
"Call me 'Shads' again and I will gut you in your sleep."
Shit.
"Of course. Sorry, Shadowheart."
It was clear that the threat was not an empty one, but I also clocked a slight mischief glinting in the pretty cleric's eyes before she strutted away to her tent, so who could be sure, really?
In the wake of her departure, Lae'zel eyed me speculatively. "I do not believe your flattery will keep the half-elf at bay for long. But you are in fact correct, I am a most exceptional warrior."
With that declaration, she also retreated to her tent on the other side of camp, and set to resume her earlier task of honing each of our newly acquired blades.
"Artfully done," said Gale.
He appeared beside me to rub a comforting hand along my shoulder blades and I instinctively turned into him to rest my forehead on his chest, letting out a huff of annoyance.
"So. Much. Drama. Where do they get the energy for it?"
"That's a mystery for the ages," he chuckled and gave a soft stroke of my hair. "Anyway, time to get you to your bedroll. It's been a long day."
I tilted my head up to meet his eyes and enjoyed basking in his warmth for a moment more. I caught myself realising I would much prefer to lean in for a proper cuddle…but no, that wouldn't be appropriate. Not yet anyway. So, I veered back away from him into safer territory.
"Actually, I'm a bit restless after that. I might just go for a little stroll to walk it off."
"Ah. Yes, of course." He nodded. "Take care, and don't stray too far. I'll—we'll all be here when you return."
***
Wandering away from camp and stepping into a nearby clearing, I was halted by the rustling of a struggle, then the final cries of a dying animal. A boar maybe? Astarion was huddled over the creature with blood dripping from his bared teeth—
And the pieces of the picture slotted into place almost in slow motion. By the time my brain had made sense of the image before me and answered for itself the question hanging on my lips, Astarion became aware of my presence and froze like a rabbit in the torchlight.
"Shit. It—it's not what it looks like."
I blinked out of my daze and gulped through a mix of fear and disbelief. "Oh. See, I would've said it looked li-like you were a va—a vampire. But if—if it's n-not what it looks like, then—"
"Tav, please let me explain. I couldn't risk telling any of you," he implored quietly, his shame palpable in the rasp of his voice. "This tadpole, while not entirely welcome, has allowed me to walk in the sun for the first time in two centuries. It's almost enough for me to forget what I am. But I still need to feed. I've been slipping away from camp to hunt, to find creatures I can drink from that will sustain me. I've managed on less before now but our adventures are taking their toll."
He eased his way towards me as he spoke, as if I were the creature, the prey, in question. No sudden moves or I might bolt.
"I assure you no harm will come to you or our companions. I won't allow that to happen," he said with a steely resolve lacing his hushed words. "You can trust me."
Could I? His eyes pleaded with me and I remembered his warning about being careful who to show yourself to, who to be warm with. Maybe I shouldn't trust him. But I wanted to give him a shot, a chance at proving me right in my leap of faith. He deserved a shot.
"If—if you wanted to hurt us—or to feed—then you would've done so on the first night," I said, sounding out the threadbare logic that I was grasping to.
Relief lit up Astarion's expression like a whizzbang through the sky. But he was quick to shutter it with a mask of indifference and that smirk I'd come to expect from him. "Exactly, darling. If I planned for any of you to be on the menu, I would've started with that delectable neck of yours." He ran his gaze along the length of my throat as his smirk stretched and, for some reason, my heart rate sputtered and raced anew.
"You disappear to hunt, well, a lot. Is it enough, um, feeding like—like this?"
"It's…well, it's enough for now.” He shrugged as he mulled it over. “I don't feel strong like I expect I would from something more fulfilling. But I swear, my teeth won't go near any of you. Not without your explicit consent."
Teeth.
Delectable neck.
Why did the idea of it, his bite, itch at me like something I yearned for?
"But if I—um, if one of us did consent, then you'd…?" By the Nine Hells, I could feel a blush creeping up my chest.
Astarion took a sharp inhale and quirked an eyebrow. "Are you offering something, sweet girl?"
"You—you can bite me.” I nodded jerkily. “Just a little—just if it would help."
"That's very generous of you, darling," he softly crooned. Something about his eyes sparkled in the moonlight. "It would help immensely. I'd only take a drop, I promise."
He leaned in and traced his nose against my thundering pulse. My breath left me in short pants, and he must've realised I was close to buckling as he wrapped a steadying hand around my elbow.
“You're quite sure?” he whispered. “If you wish to stop, just say the word. I will release you immediately."
“I'm sure.”
"Oh, my darling. What a gift you are."
Astarion braced his jaw around the slope of my neck and bit down hard.
If I had time to think, I would've expected shocking pain or crippling fear.
But no.
All I felt was heat.