"Please don't go…"
Astarion's trembling, whispered plea sent a fresh wave of anguish slicing through Ishta's heart. The emotional weight of his desperation tugged at her, but she knew that in order to save him, she first had to be ruthless. As she pulled away, she forced his hands from her arms, wincing as his nails dug into her skin, leaving behind red lines as he fought to keep his hold on her.
"No! Ishta! Please come back!"
Astarion's cries echoed off the damp, jagged walls of the cavern; each word struck like a knife in her chest, twisting with every shout as she ignored him and wriggled back out into the open. She turned and started to jog towards the cavern exit, her heart pounding fiercely against her ribcage. Just then, a final, piercing scream rang out from behind, freezing her in her tracks for a heart-stopping moment.
"ISHTA!"
The pure, unadulterated terror in Astarion's voice slammed into her like a physical blow, and it took every last ounce of willpower not to turn around and bolt back to his side. Steeling herself, Ishta carried on, closing her ears and heart to the cries behind her as she ran out of the cave system and into the wilds beyond. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but she blinked them away, focusing on the task at hand.
Fear gave her feet wings as she retraced her path. Each step felt like it could be her last, as if the earth itself was trying to hold her back. She called upon every last reserve of energy her body possessed, forcing more air into her lungs and strength into her legs as she sprinted towards the camp. The landscape around her blurred into a whirl of dark shapes and shadows, her only focus the path ahead. Cursing every stone and fallen stem that blocked her path, Ishta tore through the mushroom forest, leaping across crevices and flowing streams with reckless abandon. Her eyes burned with a wild frenzy, each obstacle a personal affront to her mission. "Stupid, stupid, reckless fool!" she cursed, giving vent to the roiling emotions in her head. Why hadn't he listened to her? And why was she so distraught over this…it's not like they all hadn't faced life threatening dangers before. She had always remained calm and focused in the face of overwhelming odds, and maintained her cool when members of her team were in danger or injured. So why was she filled with so much fear and desperation now? Astarion was alive, that's what mattered. Perhaps it was just residual emotions she had felt emanating from him via the tadpole connection…?
At last, she spied the familiar glow and felt the gentle hum of ethereal music that signalled the nearness of the Myconid colony. She forced herself to put on one last burst of speed, her muscles screaming in protest. Recognizing the two distinct limestone pillars that flanked the entrance to the grotto where the camp was located, Ishta focused her mind inward, her voice a breathless whisper as she called out, "Et Alibi!"
The air around her shimmered for a second, and pure darkness enveloped her as the spell took effect. In the time it took to blink, Ishta Misty Stepped her way the last 60 feet, crashing to a halt in front of a very startled Karlach.
"Holy fuck, Ishta! You nearly made me piss myself!" Karlach exclaimed, doubling over with laughter. Her mirth vanished as she straightened up and noticed Ishta's dishevelled and exhausted appearance. "What's wrong? What happened? Did you find him?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Ishta could only nod, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to steady her shaking body. She wanted to speak, to explain, but the words caught in her throat, blocked by a torrent of emotion. The urgency of their situation pressed down on her, a heavy weight of responsibility and fear. Her mind raced with the images of Astarion's terror-stricken face, the sound of his screams still echoing in her ears. Every muscle in her body felt like it was on fire, the frantic run having pushed her to her limits.
"We have to hurry," she finally managed to choke out, each word a struggle against the exhaustion threatening to overwhelm her. "Astarion... he's trapped. We need to go back. Now. Get Halsin and Gale."
Without waiting for any further explanation, the Tiefling woman turned and bolted into the grotto, yelling, "Everyone wake up! Ishta needs us right now!"
Ishta collapsed to her knees as confused shouting and the sound of rustling tent flaps and weapons being drawn reached her ears. She slowly inhaled and exhaled, trying to steady her racing heart and bring her breathing under control. She needed to focus on formulating a plan. Looking up, her heart swelled with gratitude at the sight of everyone running towards her, some blearily rubbing their eyes, but no less alert and ready to act. Gale, Halsin, and Karlach were at the forefront, with Wyll, Shadowheart, and Lae'zel closely following behind. Even Scratch was trotting alongside them, his tail low and his ears back as he sensed that something was wrong. Ishta silently thanked whatever fate or deity had chosen to send her such stalwart friends as she rose to her feet and gazed into their questioning and expectant eyes.
"I found Astarion. He's trapped under a cave-in inside a cliff face just short of two miles from here. I need Halsin and Karlach to help me dig him out, and you, Shadowheart, to be on hand in case he's injured," she commanded, looking to each companion in turn. "Lae'zel and Wyll, I'll need you to stand guard while we work and make sure nothing interrupts us. Gale, if I provide you with a clear image of the surrounding area, do you think you can create a portal for us all?"
"It would have to be a very good image," Gale responded, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Teleporting blindly into an area I've not visited personally has a tendency to go somewhat awry, as our first meeting can attest to."
"Then we'll use the tadpole, link up with my mind, and I'll guide you," Ishta told him firmly.
As the companions prepared to set out, a flurry of activity erupted around the grotto. Halsin and Karlach quickly gathered together some tools, their faces set with determination, while Shadowheart checked her medical supplies and grabbed some healing potions. Lae'zel and Wyll quickly donned a few pieces of armour over their camp clothing and strapped on their weapons. Scratch paced anxiously, his ears perked up and eyes alert, ready to follow wherever Ishta led.
Gale moved closer to Ishta, his expression serious but reassuring. "Are you ready?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation.
Ishta nodded, closing her eyes for a moment to centre herself. She could feel the presence of the tadpole in her mind, a constant reminder of their shared connection. Mentally reaching out, she felt the familiar sensation of the tadpole's influence intensify. Images of the cave, the rubble, and Astarion's terrified face flashed through her mind. She focused on these images, pushing them towards Gale, adding her own memories of the sounds and sight of the humming insects, the smells of the mossy walls and dripping water and the taste of limestone dust and grit.
They both opened their eyes at the same moment, and Gale was silent as he absorbed the details. "My…that is an almost perfect recall you have there Ishta. I don't believe I've ever experienced an image quite so clear and precise as that during my studies of teleportation magics."
"Yes, yes I have a good memory. Can you use that image to get us there or not?" Ishta said impatiently, feeing slightly guilty at her shortness with the Wizard.
If Gale was offended by her tone he didn't show it. "Oh yes…and then some," he replied confidently.
Pulling out his Spellbook, Gale flipped through a few pages and quickly scanned the text in front of him. Ishta saw his lips move almost imperceptibly as he memorised the incantation needed.
"Everyone, gather around," he instructed, his voice calm but authoritative. The companions formed a tight circle, their faces a mix of determination and worry. "Hold on to each other. This might be a bit disorienting, and for anyone uninitiated in the ways of teleportation…try not to throw up until after we arrive.
"No promises," muttered Halsin with a slight smile in Ishta's direction.
Ishta gave him a sympathetic smile in return and then prepared herself as Gale raised his hands and began tracing out patterns in the air. Faint, shimmering threads of purple energy danced beneath his fingertips and began to shape themselves into a lattice of twisting glyphs and runes. Glancing over at Scratch, Ishta sent a mental command over to him. 'Stay here boy, and guard the camp and look after Talon while we're gone.' The dog whined slightly, but wagged his tail in acknowledgement and bounded back into the grotto.
"Movere Per Spatium!," Gales voice rang out in the silence.
Ishta felt a rush of air as the spell took effect, the world around them shimmering and dissolving into darkness. For a moment, there was nothing but the sensation of falling, and then, with a sudden jolt, they were standing in the cave.
The air was still thick with dust, the dim light from the glowing fungi and plants barely penetrated the oppressive gloom, casting eerie shadows that danced across the cavern walls. Despite the darkness, Ishta's eyes quickly adjusted, and she could immediately make out the chaotic pile of rubble under which Astarion was buried. The silence in the cave was unsettling, broken only by the faint, haunting echoes of water dripping onto stone. Lae'zel and Wyll strode purposefully away from the group, their eyes scanning the surroundings as they took up defensive positions, weapons drawn and at the ready.
"We'll guard the entrance. Nothing gets through," Lae'zel declared, her voice firm and resolute, a stark contrast to the uncertainty of their situation.
Ishta bowed her head in acknowledgment, her body humming with adrenaline. She beckoned the rest of the group to follow her to the pile of rubble. Every step felt heavy, burdened by the gravity of the task ahead. She gestured to the precariously balanced rocks and the narrow gap she had already excavated, her voice trembling only slightly as she addressed Halsin and Gale.
"He's lying prone about five feet past the hole, underneath that granite slab. The space is not much wider and higher than he is, and his legs are pinned underneath something. I couldn't tell what, though. Do either of you have any spells that can shift this without bringing it down on top of him?"
Halsin shook his head, his expression one of regret. "I'm afraid the powers of nature I wield are too unpredictable and chaotic for a task that requires precision like this."
Ishta's heart sank, but she quickly turned to Gale, her eyes pleading. "Gale, how about you? I know you can't use Teleport again so soon, but if you can crawl through there and touch him, would Dimension Door work?"
Gale's face softened with sympathy as he considered her question. "I would have suggested that, but if he's immobile, then the spell becomes a bit more tricky," he answered apologetically. "If I can't clearly see his entire body when I cast it, there is a risk I could end up only bringing half of him with me. On top of that, I need a direct line of sight to the intended destination."
Ishta clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she rubbed her temple. "Which you wouldn't have because of the narrowness of the gap," she sighed, her voice heavy with frustration.
Sensing her distress, Halsin put a consoling hand on her arm. "Do not worry, Ishta. I have no doubt we will think of something. I have the seeds of an idea, but I will need to discuss it with Gale and Karlach. Go and see to Astarion and let him know we are all here for him."
Ishta smiled gratefully at the druid as she knelt down, feeling the rough stones digging into her knees, and started to squeeze herself through the narrow gap in the rubble. Each scrape and bruise on her arms and shoulders through her shirt was a distant thought compared to the fear gnawing at her heart. She dreaded to think what state she might find Astarion in. As she broke through into the cramped space where he lay, the breath caught in her throat.
Astarion was frozen like a statue, his chest barely rising and falling. His eyes were closed, and his hands were pressed against the stone surface above him, as if he were trying to hold the world up. Blood trickled down his face from dozens of cuts and slashes on his hands. The sight of red smears covering the rock surfaces around him made Ishta's chest constrict. She rolled over onto her back, feeling the gravel grind into her despite the leather jerkin she wore, and shimmied over to lay beside him. Reaching up, she gently took Astarion's hands in her own. At first, he resisted, his muscles locked in place, but then he relaxed, his strength ebbing away. She brought his hands closer to her chest and whispered, "Te Curo."
The brilliant green light illuminated the confined space, casting a soothing glow over them both. Astarion drew in a sharp breath as the light filtered through his closed eyelids. Slowly, he opened his eyes and turned to look at Ishta. In the fading light of the healing spell, she could see the tear stains streaking his face through the layers of blood and dirt. The sight made tears start to well up in her eyes, but she fought them back. She smiled reassuringly and murmured softly, "See, I told you I'd be right back. I brought the others with me. They are right outside, working on a plan to get you out from under here."
Astarion glanced at his hands, and closed his fingers around hers, gripping them tightly. He let out a deep, shuddering breath. The sound of movement to her right caught her attention, and Halsin's voice came booming down the hole. "Ishta, I think we have a way to free Astarion."
Gale's voice chimed in, "It's risky and will require precise timing, but I am confident it has a good chance of success."
Ishta's eyes never left Astarion's as she called back to them, her voice unwavering. "I'm not leaving him alone again. Whatever your plan is, I trust you to make it work."
There was a pause, filled only by the distant sounds of shifting rubble and the soft, laboured breathing of Astarion. Then a scrabbling sound came from inside the narrow passage. Ishta turned her head and found herself staring into the black-and-white face of a badger. Despite the dire situation, she smiled at the creature and reached out with her mind to connect with it as it clambered over her body to stand between her and Astarion.
"Tell Astarion I'm here and let him know what is about to happen," Halsin's voice echoed in her head.
"And what is about to happen?" she telepathically asked the badger, who was intently surveying the cramped space they were in.
"Gale and I have determined that Astarion's legs are pinned under the tail end of the slab above him. If this single piece is raised high enough, he can be pulled to safety. So, I intend to Wild Shape into my bear form whilst standing over him. Judging by the size and shape of the stone, my strength should be sufficient to lift it off him as I do so. I will shield you both from any dislodged debris with my body, and Karlach will be on hand to lend support in steadying the slab. But you must be quick and drag him out the moment his legs are free."
Ishta's heart pounded in her chest, a relentless drumbeat of anxiety and determination. The plan was definitely risky, and a lot could go wrong with it. Her mind raced through all the possible outcomes, each one more dire than the last. But she knew Halsin would not have suggested it if he didn't believe it could work. She extracted one of her hands from Astarion's grip and gently placed it on his cheek. Her voice was firm and commanding as she instructed him. "Astarion, I need you to focus now. If you can hear and understand me, nod your head."
He silently stared at her, his eyes dull with pain and fatigue, then his lips opened. "Why is there a badger on my chest?" he asked croakily.
Ishta almost sobbed with relief, her breath hitching in her throat. She choked out a soft laugh, "That's Halsin. He's here to help. He's going to Wild Shape into a cave bear and lift up the stone above you. As he does, I need you to tell me the moment you feel the pressure on your legs ease up, and then I'll pull you to safety. See if you can twist your body around towards me so I can grab you under the shoulders."
Astarion nodded weakly, his grip tightening on her hand for a moment before he let go and started to shift his body around as she had asked. Ishta rolled onto her side, every movement sending jolts of pain through her bruised body, and backed away from him before pushing herself up onto all fours. The stone ceiling scraped against her back as she knelt and hooked her arms underneath Astarion's shoulders, wrapping them around his torso. She nodded at the badger and braced herself, every muscle in her body tensed with anticipation.
The small creature's form started to warp and shift, growing in size as dark green and golden-colored energy swirled around it. In the space of a heartbeat, the roiling mass expanded and the stone above them rose with it, as the form of a huge brown bear filled the space, standing over them with massive paws on either side of Astarion. Ishta heard him gasp and cry out, "Now!"
Without hesitating for a second, Ishta dragged Astarion backward, her muscles straining with the effort and cramped position she was in, but felt his body slide along the floor without any resistance. The stone above them creaked and groaned ominously, but the bear braced itself and heaved upward, straining with its massive shoulders to keep the slab from falling back down. Ishta suddenly felt a pair of strong hands grip her ankles and almost yelped in surprise as she was yanked backwards, hearing Karlach's voice shouting, "I got you, soldier! Hang onto him."
Holding on tightly to Astarion, she gritted her teeth as her body was roughly dragged out from under the rocks. As they were both pulled out into the open by Karlach, Ishta saw the giant slab of rock tilting away from them as Halsin shrugged it off his shoulders and leapt forward, just as a wave of jagged, rocky spires thrust up from the ground behind him. The Wall of Stones spell cast by Gale pinned the slab in place against a cavern wall, and Ishta held her breath as the whole pile of rubble collapsed onto the space they had just vacated.
There was a collective sigh of relief as the dust settled and silence fell over the scene. Ishta let go of Astarion's shoulders and leaned over him worriedly, her hands trembling as she brushed the hair from his face. "Astarion, are you ok?" she asked, her voice thick with emotion.
He lay still for a moment, too exhausted and shocked to move, staring up at the high ceiling of the cavern, the faint light of bioluminescent mosses and fungi casting a pale yellow glow on his face. Then abruptly, he rolled over onto his side and struggled to rise, his hands slipping on the damp moss that carpeted the cavern floor. Ishta put her arm under his shoulder and helped him into a kneeling position. Facing her, his eyes were wide and full of emotion—fear, relief, desperation, and a deep, aching need.
"Astarion," she murmured, her voice low and soothing, "it's okay. You're safe now."
Ishta barely had time to react as he suddenly lunged forward, his arms fully wrapping around her and squeezing tightly. For a moment, she froze in confusion and alarm, but then wonder and amazement crept over her face as she realized Astarion was... hugging her!
His arms had moved of their own accord, driven by an overwhelming need to connect with another being, as soon as Astarion fully realized he was out from under the rubble. Encircling Ishta's shoulders in a tight embrace, he held her as if his very existence depended on not letting go. His body shook with silent sobs, the trauma of the past few hours and the relief of his rescue merging into an overwhelming flood of emotion. The touch, the warmth, the simple act of holding someone for no other reason than for comfort—it was something he had yearned for after being released from his first entombment all those centuries before; and something he had been callously denied.
In this embrace, Astarion felt the barriers he had built around his heart begin to crack. The fear of abandonment, the pain of past betrayals, and the agony of being used and discarded—these emotions swirled within him, mixing with the overwhelming guilt at the way he had treat Ishta. His breath came in ragged gasps as he clung to her, his grip a silent plea for connection and understanding. The sensation of her warmth against his cold skin was both alien and comforting, a stark contrast to the numbness he had grown accustomed to.
A small, distant part of Astarion's mind looked on in horrified dismay at the spectacle he must be making of himself, but he couldn't stop. He clung with a desperation born of centuries of suffering, his fingers digging into her clothing as if he were drowning and she were his only lifeline in a stormy sea. Memories of cruelty and isolation flashed through his mind: the cold eyes of his tormentor, the endless nights of loneliness, the physical and emotional starvation that had become his existence. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination or not, but Astarion thought he felt the slight pressure of Ishta's arms circling round his back, and sobbed even deeper.
He wasn't sure how much time passed while knelt there, holding her while his body shook violently. He was vaguely aware of movement and low voices followed by a silence that stretched on, punctuated only by the occasional drip of water against stone. The world outside their embrace seemed distant and inconsequential. Slowly, as his breathing slowed and reason and clarity started to filter through his brain, Astarion became acutely aware of just exactly what he was doing. A burning heat filled his cheeks, and he hastily pulled away from Ishta with a look of startled mortification on his face.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Ishta interrupted his embarrassed apology with a warm smile. "No, it's okay. I didn't mind. I'm just glad you are alright."
Her voice was gentle, filled with genuine concern and compassion. The softness of her words washed over him, soothing the raw edges of his panic. Astarion looked around the cavern and noticed it was empty, save for him and Ishta. The bioluminescent glow of the moss cast an eerie, ethereal light, making the space feel otherworldly and almost serene. The insect swarm had settled down somewhat, with only a small number of them still darting around, curiously investigating the kneeling figures.
"Where are the others?" he questioned, his voice still shaky.
"I told them to head back to camp without us. Shadowheart gave you a quick once-over and said there was no major damage a couple of healing potions couldn't fix, so I didn't see any point in them hanging around," Ishta replied.
He looked at her in surprise. "When did she do that?" he asked, his mind struggling to piece together the recent past.
"Well, you have been hugging me for the past eight minutes..."
Astarion felt the imaginary heat rising in his cheeks again and quickly looked down to avoid the bemused gleam in Ishta's eyes. He silently cursed himself for allowing everyone to see him like that. He hadn't been able to help it though; the sight of Ishta looking at him with so much concern on her face had triggered an overwhelming urge to find comfort in her arms. His weakness disgusted him, but at the same time, he was grateful that she hadn't rebuffed him. The conflicting emotions churned within him, leaving him feeling vulnerable and exposed. He just hoped that his actions hadn't crossed some kind of line with her, that she would forgive his momentary lapse.
Ishta reached out and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Like I said, I didn't mind at all. To be honest, I'd say it was a perfectly normal reaction to being rescued from something like that," she earnestly assured him, gesturing at the pile of rocks and earth and grimacing.
Her touch was reassuring, grounding him in the present. He looked into her eyes and saw only kindness and understanding, no hint of judgment or discomfort. The tension in his body began to ease, replaced by a tentative sense of safety, but also confused wonder. How could this fierce and terrifying warrior, who had - by her own admission - so ruthlessly cut down hundreds of his kind, be capable of so much sincere kindness? Especially towards him; a being that represented the monsters she had every reason to despise? To learn let go of her hatred for him was one thing, but to actually care about what happened to him was another thing entirely.
As Ishta helped him shakily get to his feet and started to lead him out of the cave, Astarion found himself going back over the words in his mind, that she had said to him when she had first discovered him trapped. "You're my friend. I would never leave you behind." 'Is that how she truly sees me?' he wondered, glancing at her as they both emerged from the cave mouth and headed out into the mushroom forest, 'as a friend?'
Astarion had lost count of how many lovers he'd had over the past two centuries, an endless parade of fawning, shallow creatures that only ever saw his beauty and lusted after him. To be sure, some had shown kindness and maybe even at times, love towards him, but only as long as they felt they were getting something in return. In all that time, he couldn't remember ever having a single friend, at least not one that wouldn't abandon him at the drop of a hat when the coin ran dry or when questions were raised.
Ishta had accepted him into her group and defended him at every turn, despite what he was and what he represented to her. All this time she had put up with his temper, stubbornness and flippant disregard for rules, and though she often called him out on his behaviour and reprimanded him, she had never displayed a single streak of cruelty towards him or tried to enforce her will on him. Even that night when he had disastrously outed himself as a Vampire to the rest of the group, Ishta had saved his life without asking for anything in return. She could have forced him to make a deal, the same way Cazador had all those years ago when he had been in a similar state, bleeding out and on the verge of death. Instead, she had offered him her blood and continued protection. Was this what it meant to have a friend - a true friend? Someone who accepts you for who you are and stands by you no matter what?
The concept was foreign to him, almost unfathomable. Astarion's life had been a series of manipulations, betrayals, and shallow relationships where affection was a currency, traded for favours and survival. Genuine friendship, selfless and unwavering, was something he had only ever heard referred to by drunken patrons in taverns or read about in old, dusty tomes. To experience it first-hand was something else.
His mind grappled with the weight of this realization as they walked back to the camp in silence. It was a vulnerability he was not accustomed to, a crack in his carefully constructed armour and a complication he hadn't foreseen coming. The idea that Ishta saw him not as a monster, not as a tool to be used, but as a friend, filled him with a confusing mix of emotions. Gratitude swelled in his chest, battling against the deep-seated fear that this too, like sunlight and freedom, could be ripped away from him at any moment. A deeper fear lurked below though, one that Astarion refused to acknowledge; the fear that - for him at least - a mere friendship with Ishta, no matter how close, was not enough…
Whilst Ishta led Astarion back to the camp, she found herself constantly glancing at him, her heart aching with every look. His haggard appearance, the gauntness of his features, and the slow, exhausted pace at which he walked beside her were heart-breaking to see. His once-vibrant eyes were now dull and hollow, reflecting a mind that had retreated deep within itself, lost in a labyrinth of pain and fear.
Ishta looked down at his hands, remembering the raw and bloodied state they had been in, the flesh torn and bruised. She wondered what had caused him to react so extremely. She had seen Astarion afraid before, but this was on a whole other level. The pure terror in his voice as he had screamed her name still sent shivers through her, echoing in her mind like a banshee's wail.
As they drew closer to the Myconid colony, her thoughts drifted to the moment he had embraced her. He had clung to her like a drowning man might cling to a rope, holding her so tightly that she thought she might suffocate. The desperation in his grip, the way his body trembled against hers, was something she would never forget. He had been so lost in that moment, so consumed by fear and relief, that he hadn't even noticed when Shadowheart had cast Prayer of Healing on him. The Cleric had sealed up all the cuts and scrapes on his body, mending the broken ribs and severe contusions on his legs that she had sensed with her powers. But Astarion's mind had been elsewhere, locked in whatever battle he was fighting inside.
Ishta reflected on the kind of emotions that would drive him to abandon his aloof nature and distaste for physical contact. In that moment, they must have been so overpowering that they had managed to cut through every wall he had ever put up to survive. That she had been the one he had reached for filled her heart with a strange warmth, a mix of tenderness and sorrow. Though his reaction probably had more to do with the fact that she was the closest person within reach at the time, it still felt significant. He could just as easily have hugged Gale or Karlach—or tried to at least. Still, Ishta couldn't help but be glad it had been her.
She glanced back at Astarion as she heard him stumble slightly, his exhausted body struggling to keep up. His breath was laboured, each step a testament to his sheer willpower. The sight made her heart twist with a fierce protectiveness. 'Halsin was right' she thought, 'we do share a bond. I just wish I knew what that meant.'
As they entered the grotto together, Ishta noticed the others start to move towards them both, but she made a discreet motion with her hands, warning them to stay back. Halsin, now back to his usual self, acknowledged her sign and spoke quietly to the rest of the companions. Ishta couldn't hear what he was saying from where she was, but the effect of his words was gratifying to see as they each nodded to her and slowly filtered back into their own tents.
Ishta guided Astarion to his tent, her movements gentle yet firm, like one might handle a wounded bird. She eased him down onto the cot bed, his body collapsing with a weary sigh. As she turned to leave, Astarion's hand shot out and grabbed hers, and she looked down in surprise. He was staring at the floor of his tent, his eyes unfocused and his breathing heavy. Yet in that simple gesture, Ishta felt the weight of his trust, the depth of his need for someone to hold onto. Closing her fingers around his hand, she stood in silence and waited while his body shook in the dark. She wasn't sure how long it was before she felt the trembling in his hand slow and finally stop, but she didn't care; the only thing that was important right now was being there for him, the same way he had been there for her all those nights ago when she had laid bare her soul and revealed her past to him.
"Thank you."
Astarion's eyes were still fixed on the floor, but the words he whispered to her were full of raw emotion. Ishta swallowed back another wave of tears that threatened to break and squeezed his hand. He returned the gesture and then released her hand, turning away and lying on the cot with his back to her. Ishta exited his tent and untied the door flap, rolling it down and closing him off from the outside world. She walked slowly over to the campfire, now just a pile of smouldering embers in the dark, and sat down in front of it. Bowing her head and hugging herself, Ishta's shoulders shook as silent tears fell from her eyes, watering the ground with all her released tension and fear. Overhead, brightly coloured spores gently floated in a serene dance as the music of ancient harmonies drifted through the Underdark, a twilight realm forever shrouded in darkness.