Chapter 5
The Sacred Pool
The heart of the grove was beautiful in Hazel's eyes. Her mother encouraged her to find knowledge wherever she traveled. Being in the Emerald Grove was the perfect opportunity. She wanted to ask the other druids about their grove and their lives, but they were surrounding the Sacred Pool, concentrating on the Rite of Thorns. They were speaking in Druidic, and Hazel spotted the Idol of Silvanus on a tall rock in the middle of the pool. She remembered some rituals would take as long as a month. Back home, they've had to perform rituals for extra rain, and her fellow druids would rotate their chanting so people could take breaks.
"You there, hello!" A voice called out, pulling Hazel out of her thoughts. She turned to see a human man. He approached their group, waving enthusiastically. He wore a red and blue suit with a large, fluffy, blue hat. He was definitely not a druid…
He had a beard and kept his mustache perfectly coifed.
"Ah, my good friend!" The man approached Hazel.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Hazel asked.
"You may know of me!" The man said. "The Great Volothamp Geddarm! Famous writer?"
Hazel shook her head.
"But enough about me, I want to know about you!" Volo cheered. "You were at the gates just now, no? When the goblins came? You saw them up close? A few questions, if you don't mind? There's no overstating my interest!"
"Uh…sure, ask away."
"Glory, now then…" Volo pulled out a ledger and a feather quill. "How would you describe that particular batch of goblins? Size? Nature? Distinguishing qualities?"
"Common variety goblins." Ella answered. "Led by a lasher and flanked by booyahgs."
"Ah, a scholar after my own heart!" Volo said. "Spend much time around goblins?"
Ella hesitated. Hazel remembered her memory was still compromised.
"I'd rather not say." The drow said. "Are we done here?"
"Just a few more questions." Volo reassured. "And the dragon they had marching in the rear, was it of the brass or silver variety?"
"There is dragon blood in my veins…" Ella reached up to touch the scales on her cheek. "I think I would have noticed if there was a dragon."
"Witness…believes…herself…to be a…dragon…possibly…deluded…" Volo said, writing down as he spoke out loud.
"A myth-weaver! This man has no respect for truth!" Lae'zel spat.
"Last question, then you'll be quite free!" Volo said. "Did the goblins rally to the Absolute when they fell upon the gate?"
Ella exchanged a look with Hazel. "I think so…I was concentrating on not dying…"
"I heard it." Hazel added. "They called the name out like a war cry."
"They did, didn't they?" Volo replied, voice filled with interest. "Oh-ho curious…curious indeed." He put his ledger and feather quill away. "I've interrogated one, a captive in this very camp. She reports they've abandoned their god, Maglubiyet in favor of someone called 'the Absolute.' The scandal!"
The group stayed quiet, as though no one knew what to say.
"Never you mind!" Volo continued. "I'm on my way to their camo as we speak. I always knew my studies in Ghukliak would come to some use."
"Careful, goblins aren't known for mercy." Aiden said.
"Who needs mercy when you have a sharp tongue? And an invisibility potion in your back pocket?"
"Wait, one last thing…" Ella said. "About our conversation earlier…why the dragon?"
"My dear, every good story benefits from a dragon?" Volo answered. "Until we meet again!"
He turned back to a bear he had been talking to, pulling out his ledger again.
"I smell drama among these adventurers." He whispered to the bear. "What have you heard?"
The bear looked at Hazel, who waved at him politely.
"In a moment, this man is writing my story." The bear said. He turned to Volo. "I. Am. Far. From. Home." He spoke slowly, apparently frustrated when Volo didn't seem to understand him. She rolled her eyes and continued in the grove.
"I don't understand…" Yan'lu said. "Why is he making up his own story?"
"It seems he wants to make his story as exciting as possible." Aiden said.
"Don't mind him." Hazel said to the small Gith. "He thinks speaking in an older form of the common tongue makes him smarter."
"The truth is, Gale and I saw a red dragon by the nautiloid crash." Ella said. "It looked like it was looking for something."
"Do you suppose your people search for you?" Shadow asked Lae'zel.
"I doubt it." Lae'zel replied. "It is my responsibility to cleanse myself. I will not be a burden to my queen."
"But they did attack the ship, perhaps they were looking for you?"
"I still doubt it." Lae'zel said. "Githyanki and the ghaik have been enemies for a long time."
Hazel's attention was turned towards another druid, who was whispering to a blue jay.
"Find our master." The girl said. "Then return here. Report to me what you find. Tell only me, understand?"
Hazel approached the druid. She turned to Hazel as the bird flew away.
"Speak." She said.
"Well met, I'm Hazel Dawnlight of Firgrove."
"Apikusis." The druid replied.
"I'm looking for a healer. Do you think you could help narrow the search?" Hazel asked.
"Find Nettie in her room, through the carved door." Apikusis replied, she pointed toward a large, stone door with intricate carvings.
"Are you participating in the ritual?" Hazel asked.
"I'd…prefer not to." Apikusis replied. "But when Kagha gives the final order, the grove will be closed, and my voice will not matter."
Hazel and the rest of the group made their way to the large stone door, it lowered, revealing an underground living space for the druids. But they had gathered, two in particular were staring down a young Tiefling. A large snake was hissing at her.
"Please, I'm sorry!" The child pleaded.
"This is madness, Kagha, she's just a-" One of the druids began to reason with a red-headed wood elf.
"A what, Rath?!" The wood elf interrupted. This must have been Kagha. "A thief? A poison? A threat?" She glared down at the child, who was looking at the ground in shame. "I will imprison the devil, and I will cast out every stranger."
"Poison? Threat?" Hazel spoke up as she approached Kagha. "What's this girl's actual crime?"
"Girl?" Kagha turned to Hazel. "You mean parasite. She eats our food, drinks our water, then steals our most holy idol in thanks."
Hazel stiffened. She knew it was Kagha's actions that led the child to theft. But she also clenched her teeth at the parasite comment. If only she could tell Kagha a thing or two about parasites…
"Rath, lock her up, she remains here until the rite is complete." Kagha turned back to Rath, then looked down at the child. "And keep still, devil. Teela is restless."
The child looked towards the rock the snake was perched on. It hissed at her again, making the girl gasp and recoil.
"Come Kagha, we took back the idol. Surely-" Rath asked.
"Do it!" Kagha snapped.
"Jailing this girl will disrupt nature's balance." Hazel said. "You have the idol. You must release the child."
To Hazel's surprise, Kagha looked impressed. "The Oakfather's words…your circle taught you well…where are you from?"
"Firgrove." Hazel replied.
"And your name?"
"Hazel Dawnlight."
"Dawnlight…" Kagha repeated. "I've heard that name…You wouldn't happen to be related to Trisna Dawnlight, would you?"
"She is my grandmother."
The room went silent.
"I've heard many marvelous things about Trisna of Firgrove…" Kagha said. "She taught you well…it is as you say…" She turned to her snake. "Ssifsv, Teela, to me!"
The snake slithered past the Tiefling child, making her jump.
"Out, thief." Kagha said. "My grace has its limits."
"Ow, it hurts…" Shadow hissed under her breath, a strange violet light shining on her hand for a brief moment. Some of the group looked over in curiosity.
"Thank you, Kagha," Rath sighed in relief. "Master Haslin would-"
"Halsin isn't here." Kagha snapped. "Keep his name off your tongue, lest Teela pierce it!"
The snake had coiled around one of Kagha's feet, hissing at Rath.
Once the room had calmed, Shadow turned to Aiden.
"I know that look…" She said. "You're wonder why I was in pain before… Let's just clear the air about that now…it's just an old wound that hurts me from time to time. Nothing to be concerned about. It's nothing to do with the tadpoles, in case your imagination is getting away from you…it's just…something I have to live with."
"How much does it hurt?" Aiden asked.
"Quite a lot, if I'm being honest." Shadow replied. "But it always passes quickly."
"Well…thanks for telling us." Aiden said.
Hazel walked up to Kagha, Teela was still coiled around her foot, and a few rats were running around nearby.
The wood elf turned to Hazel. "Go on, say it. You think I'm a monster."
"Only a monster would threaten a child." Hazel replied quickly.
"You would say so…I know of your circle…you see only villains and victims. A viper bares her fangs to defend her brood. You call her monster; I call her mother. No matter, I took back the idol, and the rite is resumed."
"This rite must be born of powerful magic." Astarion commented.
"The Rite of Thorns." Kagha replied. "It is the Oakfather's gift. Once the final prayer is spoken, thorns will spring up and surround the grove. We'll have safety. Sanctuary."
"Zevlor believes his people will perish if they leave." Hazel said.
"And mine perish if he stays." Kagha replied. "You showed great metal at the gate…a metal of a skilled sword for hire. I want you to offer your services to Zevlor. Offer to escort his people out to safety. I'm sure they'll reward you greatly."
"It looks like we best speak to Zevlor." Aiden said.
"You will do more than speak." Kagha said. "They are to be gone until final prayer. If they are not, the viper must strike."
"We still need to speak to Nettie." Asha said.
"She's in the next room." Kagha said. "See to your business, quickly."
The group began to make their way through the room, heading towards the next.
Hazel stood a moment, searching her memory. She knew something was wrong.
"You seem distracted." Astarion said. "What's going on in that head of yours?"
"Huh?" Hazel shook her head. "Sorry…I was just thinking…The Rite of Thorns is actually banned."
"Banned?" Astarion tilted his head, showing interest.
"The Rite of Thorns was used in darker times, in dire situations. That's why Arron called it drastic…but as time went on, many began to realize the dangers behind it…very few circles survive it. That's why it's banned." Hazel explained. "If this circle goes through with the Rite, they're doomed…they already seem to be split in half…they won't survive a year…"
"How long do you think we have before the Rite is complete?" Astarion asked.
"Could be a tenday…could be a month." Hazel replied. "Rituals like this take time. It might be on our side."
"And what about us?" Astarion reasoned.
"Well…hopefully, Nettie knows what to do." Hazel replied. "Let's catch up with the others…but before we leave, I'd like to look around…"
"Sneak around, you mean." Astarion grinned. "There might be a little rogue in you after all."
~jb~
Ella shuddered as she walked away from Kagha. She recognized the type of snake that hissed at the child. It was known as a Death Viper. A memory had flashed into her mind, and she remembered milking one for its venom. She had almost longed for the viper to strike the child, but she was also thankful the child was smart enough to not struggle. She was even more relieved to see the child escaped. But why was she disappointed?
She shivered and shook her head. She needed to be rid of the tadpole, then she would look for answers. In the next room, there was a dwarf woman with tanned skin and short, black hair. She was looking over an injured bluejay.
"I see you." She said, not looking away from the bird. "Just give me a moment."
Ella decided to wait patiently.
"Vis medicatrix." The dwarf recited a spell, a blue light glowing around the bird. "There, it's up her now, life or death." She turned to the group. "Now, what was it…" She looked at Ella hesitantly. "…you needed…?"
"I'm looking for Nettie." Ella replied. She knew she was still a drow, despite being of draconic blood, but she still couldn't remember if she was Loth-Sworn or Seldarine. He best bet was to be polite as possible.
"You found her." The dwarf said. "But I still don't know what she can do for you."
"Healing…as soon as possible." Ella replied.
"Come here, let's have a look at you." Nettie said. Ella bent slightly, letting Nettie examine her face.
"You seem healthy enough…a bit tired 'round the eyes, maybe…" Nettie mused.
"I have no way else to put this, but…I have a tadpole in my head." Ella said.
"A tadpole?!" Nettie gasped, her eyes widening. "A mind flayer tadpole?!"
"You know of them?" Ella asked. "Can you help me?"
"I'll…I'll do what I can." Nettie replied. "Follow me, I might be able to help." She led them to another room, filled with herbs and healing supplies. "We need to be quick, this way."
Ella looked around, noticing a dead drow, laid out on a nearby table.
"Don't mind him. I'm not in the habit of killing drow." Nettie reassured Ella. "This one had the same parasite as you. Attacked us in the woods with some goblins. Tadpole crawled out of his head soon after."
"So, we have the same tadpole?" Ella confirmed.
"Seems so." Nettie replied. "Gave Master Halsin a right start." She turned to a desk, where a vile sat, with a tadpole swimming around it. She looked through her supplies, picking up a branch with thorns on it. She turned back to the group and Ella could sense Hazel stiffen.
"That's why he went with the other adventures. To find out what was happening…a pity you got me instead of him. He understands these things, studied them. Still, we have options." Nettie took a deep breath. "Okay, let's see what we can do."
"Thank you." Ella said. "I'll take anything that can help."
"Of course," Nettie nodded. "Now, tell me what's been happening. Any symptoms?"
"I can merge my mind with others." Ella said.
"Victims can identify each other?" Nettie asked. "Not that the others know that they're victims of course. How'd you pick up the parasite? Master Halsin and I were tracking to find out where all this was happening."
"On a mind flayer ship. We were all abducted and infected." Ella answered.
"A mind flayer ship?!" Nettie gasped. "But Master Halsin was sure…" She paused, thinking for a moment. "Look, you've been straight with me, so I'll be straight with you. You're dangerous. If you transform here, we're all dead. But you seem like a good soul. You deserve a chance to save yourself." She placed the branch of thorns in her back pocket then pulled out a bottle. "This is a vile of wyvern poison. Swear to me that you'll swallow it if you feel any symptoms."
"I thought you could cure me." Ella said. "What about that branch of yours?"
"It's a toxic thorn." Hazel spoke up.
"It was in case I couldn't trust you." Nettie said. "Now, please…swear to me."
The group hesitated, until Hazel spoke up again. "I swear."
"By my Lady of Silver, I swear it." Aiden added.
"I swear." Ella said. Most of the group spoke up, swearing to drink the poison if things took a dark turn. Nettie handed the bottle to Hazel.
"You know, I've been treating folks for years, and never saw one mind flayer infection. Then suddenly, there's dozens of you- maybe more…but you should all be changing, or at least be showing symptoms. Weird powers aside, you seem perfectly normal…" Nettie said.
"Should be?" Ella asked.
"Mind flayers reproduce by infecting others with the parasite. After several gruesome days, your body changes, and a mind flayer is born." Nettie explained.
"That's stupid." Tom groaned. "Sounds like a design flaw on their part."
"Do you think it's only a matter of time?" Hazel asked Nettie.
"Could be." Nettie replied. "But there's a lot we don't know. Infected folks like you have been gathering in a temple west of here. When Halsin heard the adventures were heading that way, he saw an opportunity for answers, joined on the spot. Whatever he found there…he didn't make it back."
"What do you need us to do?" Hazel asked.
"The thing is, I've sent birds to find him, but none of us can even get close without getting goblin arrows." Nettie said. "You however, you're one of them- technically speaking of course. If you can find Master Halsin and get him out of there, he might be able to save your life. How does that sound?"
"All right…we'll find Halsin." Hazel declared.
"Thank you. It would mean everything to the grove. To me." Nettie said. "And remember, if things start to go wrong, remember the vile. Remember your oath."
After the group bid farewell, Hazel put the vile into her pack.
"A pretty bottle." Astarion mused. "But I wouldn't take wyvern poison even if we do begin to turn."
"Better a quick draft than ceremorphosis, nonetheless." Hazel replied.
"Then by all means, I encourage you to take it. I'm sure it'll be entertaining for the rest of us." Astarion giggled.
Hazel rolled her eyes. "You go ahead, we'll catch up." She said to the group. "I want to check out the library."
"Very well." Aiden said.
~jb~
Hazel and Astarion made their way to the druid's library. There were books, but also slates of stone with stories written in Druidic. Hazel began to examine the spines and slates laid out on stone tables. She didn't notice Astarion disappearing behind one of the shelves, finding a small cave. He reappeared and tapped her shoulder.
"I found something." He whispered. "Let's go outside."
The group had gathered by the pool, surprised to watch Astarion and Hazel rush past them. They walked towards a clearing, away from the pool, following the pair.
"I found a chest with this." He handed her a parchment. Hazel read it carefully.
Kagha,
Swamp-docks. Tree. Meet me. Alone.
Olodan
"I also found this." Astarion said, handing her a book. "Does it mean anything to you?" Hazel flipped through the pages.
"The way of the Shadow Druids?" Hazel mused.
"Shadow Druids?" Aiden asked.
"A group of druids that twist the Oakfather's words for their own benefit." Hazel replied grimly. "My grandmother always warned me to stay away from them."
"Oh, and I also found this!" Astarion said, handing Hazel a piece of iron pyrite.
"Was this in the chest?" Hazel asked.
"Yes, I figured you would like some gold." Astarion said.
"Um…" Hazel hesitated. "This isn't gold…it's iron pyrite."
"What?" Astarion asked.
"It's fool's gold…" Hazel said.
"Ha!" Ella burst out laughing. "You got fooled by fool's gold!"
"Oh, very funny." Astarion rolled his eyes, but smirked.
"But it is my favorite mineral." Hazel reassured. "But why exactly did you steal it?"
"Because it was there, and you appreciate more than Kagha. In fact, she probably thought it was gold too." Astarion waved her off, but Ella gently elbowed his side.
The group fell silent when they heard a growl of frustration. They walked towards the sound and spotted another Tiefling. She was sitting on a rock with a lute, singing to herself.
"Dance upon the stars tonight, smile and pain will fade away…words of mine will change…no…become…ugh!"
"What's that tune you're singing?" Hazel asked.
"More like butchering…don't know why I bother." The Tiefling grumbled. "Sorry, I'm Alfira."
"Are you all right, Alfira?" Hazel asked.
"No, I'm moments away from a grizzly death." Alfira said. "At the hands of this bloody song! I just…nothing fits! You know?"
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Hazel asked.
"I…it can't hurt." Alfira shrugged. "I have her…I have an extra lute…if you want…"
"First things first, what's the song about?" Hazel asked.
"It's about my teacher, Lihala. She loved dancing…had two left feet, mind you. But thinking about it now…my heart hurts, and my words seem to crumble…like ash…wait…" Alfira paused before singing again. "Words of mine will turn to ash…that's perfect!"
Hazel smiled and nodded, encouraging her to continue.
"When you…when you call the last light down…" Alfira paused again before her glowing eyes lit up like fire. "Yes, yes!" She stood and sang a few verses of her song. Her tail swung happily, and her black and violet hair glistened in the sun. Her mood had definitely changed.
When the song was over, she sat down, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry…"
"That song was beautiful." Hazel said. "Worthy of a few tears."
"Thank you." Alfira said. "It's been a long time since I've played…not sense Lihala died…she was playing her lute. We…we didn't hear the gnolls coming. There was so much blood…I…I can still smell it…"
"Oh," Hazel gasped. "I'm sorry."
"It was awful." Alfira cried. "I couldn't look at her lute without hearing her screaming…I forgot what it was like. That itch to perfect a song…The Weeping Dawn will be my tribute to her. I still have a long way to go but, thank you…I needed this." Alfira went back to practicing. The group decided to explore the new area, leaving the bard to her singing.
But another voice had picked up on the wind. There were no lyrics, only gentle notes.
"Is someone…singing?" Hazel asked.
"It's beautiful." Astarion said. They walked down the trail and came across another beach. It seemed like a peaceful sight, including the humming that drifted in the breeze. But something was off. There was a young, Tiefling child standing at the shore. He had red skin and tight, curly hair. He didn't seem to notice the group approaching until Hazel cleared her throat.
"Shh…listen." The boy whispered.
Hazel listened to the music for a moment. It was nice, but her gut was still telling her something was off. "Maybe you shouldn't be so close to the shore."
"Can't you hear it?" The boy said, as though he didn't hear Hazel. "It's so peaceful…"
"I mean it, come back to dry land, now." Hazel said sternly.
"No, it's just a bit of water. I only want to listen…just a little closer…" He began to walk into the shallow water. On the nearby rocks, Hazel finally spotted her. A Harpy.
She stretched out her wings and continued singing.
Astarion was the first one to act, after seeing Wyll begin to walk in the water as well. The pale elf pulled out on of his fire arrows and shot the singing harpy. Her song turned into screams when she began to burn to death. Wyll shook his head and the boy looked around in panic.
"What happened?" He cried.
Before anyone could answer, the group spotted three more harpies flying around the shore. Lae'zel shot an acid arrow, hitting one of the harpies and destroying one of her wings, while Tom shot a bullet into the other wing. Another gunshot went off, but missed the harpy.
Another harpy flew closer and began to sing. Yan'lu, thinking quickly, began to throw punches and kicks at the harpy. While landing painful blows, the harpy still sang. Now Gale was walking into the water, lured by the song. Asha shot a fire arrow at the singing harpy, but missed, and the fire dissolved in the water. Another harpy flew towards Yan'lu, scratching at her. Another harpy flew towards Astarion, swinging her claws, but the rogue dodged. Aiden swung his mace at the flying harpy, ripping into her feathers. Hazel watched as Wyll, Shadow, and Ella stood still, listening to the music. Hazel changed into her badger shape, standing in front of her lured friends and growling at any harpy that came close. Astarion stood beside her, dagger at the ready. Lae'zel swung her great sword, hitting the flying harpy and leaving a gash in her wing. The harpy wildly slashed her claws, hitting Tom and scratching his face.
Yan'lu swung her staff at the harpy that was still singing. Though she hit the harpy quite hard, the creature continued to sing. Asha swung her short sword at the flying harpy, stabbing her in the chest, finally finishing her off. Aiden and Shadow exchanged a look and nodded. The two clerics used their guiding bolts, hitting the two remaining harpies and finishing them both off.
"Are…are they gone?" The child was crouching in the water.
"They're gone, are you all right?" Aiden replied as Hazel changed back into her normal form.
"Yes…no…I don't know…" The child cried.
"Take a deep breath, nice and slow." Aiden said gently. "You're safe now."
"That's what the voice said." The child replied. "I almost got to the nest, but the singing…I have to get back! Mol will be so mad…" The boy turned to run back to the grove, but then he paused. "Wait…you should meet Mol. She'll be grateful you all helped me. Find a boy called Doni. He doesn't talk, but he'll help you. Tell him you want to see the dragon's lair." The child whispered before taking off back towards the grove.
"The nest…" Hazel said. The group began to explore the beach until Hazel spotted what looked like a giant bird's nest.
"Let's see what those harpies were hoarding." Hazel mused, looking through the nest. She had found gold pieces, a note, a journal, a ring, a supply pack with food that was still good, and jade stone.
"Perfect!" She said, pocketing the stone. She met back with the group, who also found their own treasures. Asha had found a light cross-bow and insisted Tom take it for when he would inevitably run out of bullets. They split the gold they found among the group.
"We should head back to the grove." Aiden said.
As the group walked, Hazel looked through the note and then the journal. Both were written by weary travelers, not knowing they were to be victims of harpies.
"Arabella, your mother was a heartbeat away from fighting a bear!" Hazel heard Locke's voice. She looked up to see him scolding the child they had rescued from Kagha.
"Isn't that how mum usually is?" Arabella asked.
"Quiet, you pup!" Komira scolded. "You ever scare me like that again, and…I'll…feed you to a gnoll!"
"Mum, I'm fine. Stop it." Arabella sighed.
Locke looked up at Hazel. "Our little hellion told us everything. Thank you. Don't know what we'd do without her."
"Of course," Hazel smiled. "No more light-fingered antics, right Arabella?"
"Uh…yes. Thank you for helping me." Arabella nodded.
"Here." Komira stepped forward and handed Hazel a locket. "It's not much, but it's all we have."
"Are you sure?" Hazel asked.
"We owe you for saving our daughter." Komira said. "Please, keep it. It can cast dancing lights."
Hazel smiled and nodded.
As the group made their way back to the hollow, Hazel spotted another Tiefling boy, humming to himself. Maybe this was Doni… As she approached him, he hummed. He stared past her, as if she were invisible, or boring. But Hazel could sense it hurt for him to look at her eyes. She smiled and nodded.
"Doni, is it? I'd like to see the dragon's lair." Hazel said.
Doni hummed in response and lifted a hatch, revealing a secret entrance.
"Thank you." Hazel nodded.
Doni hummed in response.
AN: This chapter was getting too long, so I guess I'm gonna have to split it. Hope you enjoyed!
