Astarion and Talia rolled out of the way just in time to avoid both Minotaurs. Astarion twirled his daggers while Talia raised her staff.
"I have an idea," she said.
"The old one-two punch?" Astarion answered with a mischievous grin.
"Exactly," said Talia.
"Lead the way, darling," he said.
Astarion watched as the two Minotaurs turned around and charged at them once more. Talia sent a lightning bolt at both Minotaurs, who mooed in pain as they flew backward. Astarion sped toward the one on the right while Talia focused on the Minotaur on the left.
Before the Minotaur he was facing could react, Astarion slashed at the creature's knees and blood gushed from the wound. The Minotaur cried out in pain and swung one of its meaty fists at Astarion. He sidestepped out of the way and sliced its hand clean off. As blood streamed everywhere the beast roared and swiped at him with the other fist, which Astarion removed. As the Minotaur leaned down to show his horns and charge, Astarion stabbed him twice in between the horns in quick succession.
Astarion stepped back and watched the Minotaur topple to the ground in an increasing puddle of blood.
"Sweat dreams, and all that," he said. He bent down, wiped his daggers on the Minotur's leather armor, and sheathed his daggers. "Gods, I hate those things."
He glanced over at Talia, who stood triumphantly near her dead Minotaur. He noticed the steam rising from the creature's body as the scent reminiscent of burning beef meat drifted through the air and toward his nose.
"Show off," he teased.
"Being a former Bhaalspawn has to have some benefits," she remarked. "Are you all right?"
"I am," he nodded. "And ready to continue whenever you are."
"Let's hit the road," Talia said.
As the pair resumed walking, Astarion felt a slight breeze waft toward them and his anxiety rose.
We're getting closer to the surface, he thought as a tiny ray of sunlight pierced the Underdark. Which means we're getting closer to the Gur.
"Copper for your thoughts," said Talia from beside him.
Slowly, Astarion stopped and turned to his lover with a somber expression, and Talia mirrored his actions.
"You remember how I told you when I was a magistrate the Gur attacked me and left me for dead, which is when Cazador offered to transform me into a vampire?" he began and Talia nodded. "The reason for the attack was because of a ruling I'd made as a magistrate; there was a Gur woman who'd come to the city for supplies and had been killed, however, the man who had been accused of perpetrating this crime was not the perpetrator. I ruled that he was innocent and the Gur disapproved of my judgment, so they attacked me."
Talia's eyes moved to the rocky ground and while her expression remained neutral, Astarion knew she was pondering the weight of each word of his story. When she looked at him again, he felt the understanding in her gaze.
"Thank you for sharing, I know how much courage to tell me that story," Talia said. "My promise remains the same; I will find a peaceful solution to this problem."
"I know," he agreed with a nod. "I just thought you should know what you're getting into if we're ever going to get to the bottom of all this."
"I understand, and I'll keep that in mind."
She reached out one hand and Astarion took it, gripping it in both of his hands. He moved closer to Talia, as both rested their foreheads against one another.
"I promise you, I will not allow the vampire colony to wither and die before it has had a chance to live," she murmured.
"I know you will, darling," he replied and he meant it. Talia was nothing if not determined and it was one of the many qualities he found attractive about her. But Astarion couldn't help the tiny voice in his head that warned him this could all go wrong in a flash.
After their head huddle, Talia and Astarion walked closer together as they approached the surface. The tension had dissipated now and even Talia's chest felt lighter as they emerged into the warm, early afternoon.
"Gods, is it too much to ask for the sun not to shine every once in a while?" Astarion grumbled.
A small smile spread across Talia's face as she searched the surrounding trees and brushes with her eyes before leaving the Underdark. "It looks like there are plenty of trees to provide shade, love."
"For now," he said.
Talia walked onto the surface while Astarion rushed to the shade as fast as possible. Glancing up at the sun's position in the sky, Talia lifted her staff and soon, dark clouds blocked out the sun.
"Better?" she asked.
Astarion looked up at the sky as a cool breeze rustled through the tree branches and his hair. He looked back at her and nodded. "Yes, thank you."
"You're welcome, love."
Astarion moved to her side and reached for Talia's hand, which she took. The pair walked unimpeded by the sunshine through the forest and toward the Gur camp near Rivington. Talia gently squeezed Astarion's hand as they reached the hustle and bustle of the ever-expanding Rivington.
"You can stay here if you want," Talia murmured.
"And let you confront the Gur alone?" Astarion replied with a raised brow. "No, we do this together."
His expression hardened and Talia nodded, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"All right."
The couple continued walking hand-in-hand, weaving their way through the groups of people and children.
"This place has certainly changed," Talia remarked.
"Indeed," said Astarion. "A bit smellier and busier now, but changed nonetheless."
Talia lightly bumped the vampire's shoulder, and with a grin, he did the same to her. Talia chuckled and bumped his shoulder again and Astarion responded in kind. Talia laughed but her expression sobered, as they climbed uphill toward the Gur camp. She paused and turned to him.
"Ready?" she said.
Astarion sighed. "No, but let's make this fast."
Talia nodded, reluctantly dropping his hand as both approached the camp. Gandral was the first to turn toward them.
"Where's Ulma? We wish to speak with her," she said to Gandral.
"Here," Ulma replied, emerging from one of the larger tents.
Astarion kept a neutral expression as they stood inside the Gur camp, despite the horrendous mixture of scents that threatened to overwhelm him. He folded his arms and watched as Ulma approached the pair, eying him with suspicion.
Stare at me all you like, he thought. I'm not the one attempting to kill my own children.
"What is it you wish from us?" Ulma asked.
"It would be better if we discussed this in private," Talia replied.
The elderly Gur leader nodded. "Of course. Right this way."
Astarion and Talia followed Ulma through the camp and Astarion caught several glares from the other Gur tribe members. If Talia hadn't been there, he wouldn't have hesitated to show them his teeth. However, he reminded himself that they were on a diplomatic mission and thus, playing the good little vampire was a necessity. Instead, he held their gazes, and more often than not, they looked away.
Good, that will teach you, thought Astarion as they approached a large tent in the center of camp.
Ulma led them inside, where a giant table sat in the center. There were maps and various other papers on said table and Ulma quickly shuffled the maps beneath the other papers.
Interesting, I wonder what she doesn't want us to know, Astarion thought.
Ulma stood upright as she faced the pair. "Now, what is so urgent?"
"For the past two months, our vampire spawn colony has been repeatedly attacked. After the last assault, we found a weapon that belonged to a Gur tribe," Talia said, reaching into her knapsack and removing the axe. She handed it to Ulma, who held it in her hands and studied it carefully.
"Overall, we were surprised that you would attack your own children," Astarion added.
Talia cast him a sideways glance while Ulma finally looked up from the weapon.
"Gods, we would never," she said, carefully handing the axe back to Talia. "If that were ours, I would hunt down the idiots who attacked you and have them banished. Unfortunately, that weapon doesn't belong to our tribe."
"Then which tribe does it belong to?" Astarion inquired.
Talia looked at Ulma with a pleading expression. "Can you excuse us for a moment, please?"
"Certainly," Ulma answered with a nod.
Talia led Astarion to the edge of the tent, turned to face him, and lowered her voice as she spoke.
"Look, I know you're pissed and so I am, but we have to push our emotions aside to help the colony."
She held his gaze as his red eyes darted around the room, brought her hand to his cheek, and brushed her fingers against it.
"I don't like being here anymore than you, but this is important."
Astarion brought one hand up to hers, took it, and pressed it to her lips.
"I promise to behave myself from now on," he murmured.
Talia nodded before reluctantly dropping her hand and both turned and walked back to Ulma. In her peripheral vision, Talia noticed how close Astarion stood to her.
"If your tribe isn't responsible for these attacks, can you at least point us in the right direction?" Talia asked.
"Yes, this weapon belongs to Cami Nita," Ulma replied.
"Godsdamnit," Astarion swore.
