Talia's heart raced in her chest as she cast a sideways glance at Astarion, who wore a murderous expression and whose hands were balled into fists. Ulma's expression remained neutral as the elderly tribe leader kept the weapon firmly in hand.
"Astarion, talk to me," Talia said. "What's going on?"
Astarion unclenched his fists with a heavy sigh as he fully turned to face the drow.
"Let's say I know this tribe," he said through gritted teeth.
"And?" Talia prodded.
"I do not wish to reveal such private matters here," he replied, before closing his eyes and taking a deep, calming breath. When he opened them again, his expression was much calmer. "We should return to the colony before they strike again."
As Astarion made his way to the tent flap, Talia looked between her vampiric lover and Ulma. The Gur leader placed the weapon on her desk before she focused on Talia.
"Since our children are still members of your colony, we would be more than willing to aid you in taking down this rival tribe," Ulma said.
Out of the corner of her eye, Talia saw Astarion pause near the tent flap and turn to face her. Talia shifted her full focus on Ulma and nodded.
"Go on," said Talia.
Astarion walked up to and stood beside Talia once more, crossing his arms over his chest as he stared intently at Ulma.
"How often have these attacks been occurring?" Ulma asked.
Talia glanced at Astarion before she responded. "Once a week for the past two months but they have yet to strike at the colony itself, but we're fearful that may soon change at any point."
Ulma stood straighter as she folded her hands behind her back. "Of course. I will announce to the tribe and then we will join you in the Underdark." She nodded. "I will return shortly."
"Thank you," Talia replied.
"Of course," said Ulma. "It is only fair that we help you repel this threat to our children."
She walked beyond her desk and out of the tent, leaving Talia and Astarion alone.
Astarion released a heavy sigh as Ulma left and focused solely on Talia, as she did the same to him.
"Remember when I told you that I was attacked by the Gur and left for dead?" Astarion began and Talia nodded. "When I was still a magistrate, the last name of the woman brutally murdered in the city was Nita."
"Shit," Talia swore. "So, the woman of this Gur tribe is descended from her?"
"Not directly, but yes," Astarion replied, swallowing a newly formed lump in his throat.
Her expression softened as her hands reached for his, which he took. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze as she held his gaze.
"I'm so sorry, love," she whispered. "I promise, we will not allow them to continue endangering the colony."
Gods, even now, she's more concerned with my thoughts and feelings, Astarion thought as he nodded.
"Thank you. I know we will, but that does not make my heart any less heavy for the wounds I've inflicted on the colony."
"Hey, this is not your fault, that belongs to the Gur, understand?" she replied. "They are the ones endangering the colony, not you."
Talia leaned forward and gently kissed Astarion's lips and he responded in kind. Using his vampiric senses, Astarion heard Ulma's footsteps move closer to the tent and begrudgingly, he pulled himself away from his lover.
Both turned to the tent flap as Ulma reentered. "I have spoken with the others, and they have agreed to aid you. I will bring some of our warriors to the Underdark colony."
"We'll leave as soon as everyone is ready," Talia replied.
Great, more barbarians, thought Astarion as he watched Ulma leave the tent again. Why do I have a feeling this is going to end badly?
After Ulma left the tent, Talia and Astarion followed Ulma out of the tent and the pair waited near the edge of the camp. In her peripheral vision, Talia noticed how twitchy and irritated her lover had become since meeting with Ulma. She considered reaching out to reassure him that everything would be all right, but his gaze and mind were seemingly elsewhere.
Gods, if I could take away his pain right now I would, Talia thought as she watched him pace back and forth.
When he noticed she was watching, Astarion stopped and looked at her. "What?"
Talia shook her head. "Nothing, just thinking."
Astarion raised a brow. "Now who's the one keeping secrets?"
Talia sighed as she looked to the horizon beyond, and she felt restless and irritated much like her lover had been moments before. She closed her eyes and took several deep, breaths before opening them again. She cast a sideways glance at her lover, who wore a concerned expression.
"I'm just anxious to return to the colony," Talia replied.
"Aside from the Gur, is there any reason in particular?" Astarion asked.
Talia turned from the horizon to Astarion. "I just wish I could give you peace," she murmured.
A small smile spread across Astarion's face as he reached up and cradled her cheek with one hand. "You have given me peace, darling. Everything that's happened in the past two months has been infinitely better than the last two centuries."
"But the colony is being attacked by Gur, who seem hellbent on killing you and the other vampires of the colony," she replied. "That's not peaceful."
"No, you're right," he agreed, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "But we'll deal with them one way or another. Remember, this too shall pass."
Talia nodded, closed her eyes, and leaned her forehead against his. Astarion removed his hand from her cheek, reaching to gently take her hands into his own whilst his forehead met with hers, as the lovers took a brief moment to comfort one another before their return to the Underdark.
"I think the Gur are ready," Astarion whispered as he opened his eyes and released her hands.
Talia opened her eyes to find Ulma and a small group of warriors walking toward them.
"We're ready to leave whenever you are," Ulma said.
"Then we'd better get going, we don't have much time," Talia said.
She began walking with Astarion on her right and Ulma on her left, with the other Gur tribe warriors close behind as they left the Gur camp.
Gods, I hope this doesn't go horribly wrong, thought Talia in silent prayer.
While Astarion was still tense in the presence of the Gur, he found that he was more concerned with Talia's safety and well-being than his own. The presence of the Gur combined with the attacks on the colony meant anything could go wrong. However, he knew by the stormy expression on her face that she wouldn't talk about it right now so he didn't ask. Instead, he scanned their surroundings, thankful clouds were blocking out the sun.
Hopefully, her spell lasts long enough for us to reach the Underdark, Astarion thought.
Using his vampiric senses, he heard the rustling of bushes and tree branches as squirrels, chipmunks, and other small animals skittered across the forest. He wanted to put a hand on the hilt of his daggers as they grew closer to the Underdark, but he didn't want to make the other Gur nervous.
Gods, since when have I cared what these fuckers thought, thought Astarion. Since we allied with them, I suppose.
When Talia stopped walking and turned to Ulma, Astarion paused beside her. His eyes scanned the hill and the descent into the Underdark.
"The entrance to the Underdark is just up ahead," Talia said, projecting her voice past Ulma to the other Gur warriors. "Our colony is close to the surface but you'll need to wait outside the gates so we can inform the other vampires of the situation."
I wish we could do more than simply leave them at the gates, Astarion thought but didn't dare voice these thoughts aloud. He knew perfectly well why they needed the Gur, but that didn't mean he had to like it.
Ulma nodded. "We understand, lead the way."
Once Talia resumed walking, so did Astarion. He kept close to Talia as they walked downhill and entered the cave. Despite the dark clouds blotting out the sky, Astarion felt more comfortable inside the Underdark.
Perhaps because it's consistently dark here, he thought.
"Is there a reason for the closeness?" Talia asked low enough for him to hear.
I'm worried something will happen, thought Astarion but he didn't say it aloud.
"Just making sure there are no surprises," he answered.
The small group walked down the well-worn path as Astarion kept his head on a swivel. Roughly halfway to the colony, an arrow flew in their direction, and with lightning-quick reflexes, Astarion withdrew his daggers and sliced at the arrow.