Chapter 7
The True Soul
Eleasis 22, 1492 DR
Day Three
"So…the bard's dead. Slaughtered, even."
Ella stood in the camp, facing Astarion and Gale. Both men looked at her, each a different expression. Gale looked horrified, while Astarion had glared at her, and took charge in the interrogation. Ella thought he was lying about being a magistrate, but given how well he was handling the situation, it seemed like he actually went to Law School…
Astarion was the one who kept the camp calm, the one to allow Ella to explain herself, even though she felt like she had lost her voice. He had stood with her and Gale, while the others cleaned the camp.
Astarion had been patient with Ella, waiting for her to answer, but the way he was speaking to her now, as the morning sun was getting higher, he was losing his patience.
"And it was your lovely voice that woke me up this morning." Astarion continued his observations. He indeed was the first to break from his trance when he heard Ella's sobs. "And I can't help but notice you're positively drenched in blood, so…it's time to start talking." Astarion sang at her before his eyes darkened. His patience had officially waned. "What did you do?!"
Ella cleared her throat, finally working the strength to speak. "I…I think I killed her." Ella said.
"Yes dear, I can see that you killed her on account of all the blood." Astarion replied. "But why did you kill her?!"
"I…I don't know…" Ella admitted. "I can't remember…"
"Maybe it was the parasite?" Gale spoke up, though he still seemed a little nervous.
"Maybe…" Ella said.
"Even if the parasite caused your little…episode, it had better not happen again. People can't just be murdered in camp." Astarion said. "Some of us are important."
"I'll be keeping my eye on you." Gale warned.
After the interrogation, more of the party had given her the same warning. An uneasy feeling lingered in the air, and Ella was left alone with a familiar headache…
She found herself walking alone with her head down, as the team began to get ready for the day. There was a rush, as the inquisition had delayed their morning. Ella nearly ran into Astarion. The pale elf lowered his voice, and it was as though his patience had returned.
"Just so you know, I don't judge you for what happened to that bard, Quil. But the look of guilt on your face was priceless."
"Really?" Ella raised an eyebrow. "You sounded like you cared…"
"I don't care, really." Astarion admitted. "But you could've been more subtle about it. What I do care about is keeping this camp together. This should be a place of safety."
"I do appreciate the way you kept everyone calm." Ella said. "I feel…terrible…maybe I should stay behind today." She pressed a hand to her head; the pounding wouldn't cease.
To Ella's surprise and Astarion's, Hazel approached them with a cup of tea.
"Here, for your headache." Hazel said.
"How did you know?" Ella asked, taking the cup of tea.
"My mother gets headaches often." Hazel said. "This will get rid of the pain."
"Um…thanks…" Ella said. The tea tasted as good as it smelled.
"By the way…I believe you." Hazel stated.
"What?" Ella and Astarion asked at the same time. Ella nearly choked on her tea.
"I believe you…I don't think you meant to kill Quil." Hazel repeated. "I don't know if it's the tadpole or not…but I can sense there is something else amiss here…and you can't even remember your past. We'll have to find answers when we take care of this parasite."
Hazel turned and walked away.
"She's unbearably naïve." Astarion grumbled.
"She said what I needed to hear." Ella stated, taking another sip of tea.
~jb~
The team had finally gotten their day started. They left the druid's grove and made their way west. Hazel looked at her map, seeing where the swamp docs were, while Aiden kept looking for the temple where the goblins had gathered, and Lae'zel kept pointing out the mountain pass, urging to go to the creche.
Hazel heard shouting up the trail. She looked up to see two humans standing over a dwarf.
"People up ahead." She announced. "Something is wrong." She rushed up to the group. There was a man and a woman.
"You're a True Soul, you can't die! Stay with us!" The woman cried out. She had messy, red hair, and green, light armor.
"I don't think he's conscious." The man said. "Can you hear us, Ed?" He had balding, blond hair, and chainmail of a cleric.
"You, not a step closer!" The woman snapped at Hazel.
"His wounds look deep." Hazel said calmly. "Maybe I can help."
"An owlbear got him, badly." The man said. "Please, if there's anything you can do!"
"I'm watching you." The woman said.
Hazel knelt down to examine the dwarf. He was conscious, but he was in a lot of pain. Before Hazel could do anything, the tadpole seemed to lurch…the dwarf was infected too…his name was Edowin, and he saw the man and the woman as his siblings; Andrick and Brynna. New recruits…his to shepherd.
Protect them… Hazel heard his voice in her head. She answered.
Your wounds are deep. Let me help you.
No…protect them…
The dwarf waved her off, turning to his siblings. "She…is a True Soul…mind her…she will…she…she…" With that, the dwarf sighed his last breath.
"Edowin…" Andrick said. "Ed!" He knelt down, calling the dwarf's name.
"He's with the Absolute now." Brynna said. "You…you're a True Soul…Edowin, our brother- he was chosen…like you."
Hazel stood on her feet.
"Do you have orders for us?" Brynna asked. "We were reporting to Edowin."
"What are you doing out in the Wilds?" Hazel asked. "It's dangerous."
"We know that all too well, ma'am, but the Absolute sent us here." Brynna replied.
"We're looking for fugitives, survivors of the crash east of here." Andrick explained.
The group went silent, but Hazel thought quickly.
"Maybe you can help us. We're looking for a druid named Halsin." She said.
"I don't know any druids, except for you, of course." Brynna replied.
"Well, I think you should get out of the Wilds, so go." Hazel ordered.
"What? And just leave Ed?" Andrick asked. "I…I guess he'd what us to go on…find a way to honor him."
"May the Absolute guide us." Brynna said. With that, the two humans took off. Hazel approached the dead dwarf again; a strange sensation came over her. Her arms began to move of their own accord, and an unseen force lifted the body off the ground. The tadpole in his head was still alive…there was a strange urgency radiating from it. Why let the host's memories go to waste? It could nourish and strengthen her… Hazel wondered if the tadpole was influencing her, but she was curious as to what would happen if she let her body guide her. She clenched one of her fists, and the dwarf's head turned. A tadpole floated out of his eye and into Hazel's open hand. The body dropped as the tadpole dropped in her hand.
"Here," Aiden stepped forward with an empty potion bottle, storing the tadpole inside.
"So, these tadpoles abandon their hosts the moment they don't have use for them." Hazel mused. "Vile creatures."
"All the more reason to get these things out of our heads." Aiden agreed.
Hazel turned to the corpse again, deciding to use the Amulet of Lost voices. The body was lifted again.
"Who are you?" Hazel asked.
"Edowin…" The corpse answered hoarsely. "A True Soul…a Chosen…"
"Who chose you?" Hazel asked.
"The Absolute… the almighty goddess…"
"What can you tell me about the Absolute?"
"Do not…fight her…power…such power…"
"Why were you out here?"
"Looking…for her weapon…"
"What do you know about this weapon?"
"Fallen…from the sky…taken…by infidels."
The spell's power waned; Hazel couldn't ask any more questions.
"He mentioned the Absolute…just like that goblin, Sazza…" Hazel said.
"Sounds like a popular little deity, whoever they are." Astarion mused.
They continued through the forest, when Hazel and Asha spotted owlbear tracks. They led to a nearby cave. Hazel wondered if it was the owlbear who attacked Edowin and his team. Her suspicions were confirmed when Asha pointed out the blood drops in the dirt.
Curiosity got the better of Hazel and she made her way into the cave. To her surprise, the group followed.
"That stench…dead owlbear prey, no doubt." Asha said. The cave had a few skylights, giving it a nice lighting.
But Hazel heard it before she saw it; an owlbear, looming out of the darkness. Hazel, having casted Speak with Animals earlier, heard the owlbear's voice.
"What's this? Something soft…something tender…I won't even have to shew you up to feed you to my son." She said in a low, exhausted voice. There was a cub, standing behind her. But there was also a large stick in her feathers.
"Wait…" Hazel said softly. "There's something stuck in your feathers…is it causing you pain?"
"I don't feel pain!" The owlbear snapped.
"You're bleeding, and your hurt…please, let me help you." Hazel soothed.
"Are you one of those…druids?" The owlbear asked.
"Of sorts." Hazel said. "Please, for your son's sake, let me heal you."
The owlbear shifted on her feet. "Fine." Hazel stepped forward and began to use magic on the owlbear. The stick came out and revealed itself to be a spear. Edowin must have tried to stab the owlbear before she killed him. Hazel began to cast healing words on the open wound.
~jb~
"Ow…it hurts…" Shadow hissed under her breath. The strange wound glowed on her hand. Aiden was glad she had explained what it was yesterday. He would have many questions.
He decided to explore the cave while Hazel continued to heal the owlbear.
"You can have that hide over there." The beast said, gesturing to her nest. "The last druid that came here tried to kill me."
"Oh…uh…thank you." Hazel said.
"And the egg." The owlbear continued. "It's the only one that hasn't hatched yet…I think it's a dud."
"An owlbear egg?" Asha asked. "Dud or not, these are supposed to be worth a fortune."
Aiden smiled, surprised to see his companions befriending an owlbear and her cub. The little guy was nuzzling at Hazel as she continued to heal his mother. The others were exploring the cave as well, looking for treasure.
Aiden's attention was pulled to a small, clean pool, shining under another skylight. There was a statue of his patron: Selune.
He approached the statue, spotting an offering to Selune; a pile of incense sticks and a bowl- the real offering. From his faction in Baldur's Gate, Selunites would leave offerings, along with random items that other travelers could use. He recited a prayer to his goddess, and then the small chest was opened. He found two potions of healing, a glass chalice, a scroll of Detect Thoughts, gold pieces, a lapis lazuli, and a small idol of Selune. He even found a few books, one titled; 'The War Between Selune and Shar,' the other; 'The Genesis of Selune and Shar.'
"You should leave it." Shadowheart spoke up. "Or even destroy it, if possible."
"What?" Aiden looked at her in surprise. "Why?"
"This rubbish is an offering to Selune. At best, it's worthless, as worst, who knows? Could be cursed. Do not trifle with that moon witch, or her trinkets. Only trouble will follow." Shadow answered.
"That 'moon witch' is my Goddess, Selune." Aiden answered, feeling offended. "Besides, why do you care so much?"
"I should have stayed quiet…" Shadow muttered. "You want the truth? Fine. I worship Shar, Selune's twin and foe. Now that the truth's out, please don't make a big deal out of it."
"I don't care who you worship." Aiden said. "We have bigger problems- like these parasites."
"That is true…maybe I would've admitted it if I had known you'd react so pragmatically…" Shadow mused.
"Thank you for telling me at least." Aiden said.
"Don't thank me." Shadow insisted. "I'm breaking Shar's teachings just by doing so…but sometimes you have to be practical… but…why do you take your lady's offerings?"
"It's part of the rite." Aiden explained. "We leave the incense as an offering to Selune, but leave other things for other travelers." He placed an antidote he had bought previously into the chest, and sealed it with another prayer. "I don't know why I believe it…but it's nice to help other Selunites, or others who open the chest." He had also found a Selunite scroll, explaining another rite.
"When a youngster comes of age- usually sixteen, but sometimes younger- they are left to fend for themselves in the wilds. There, they show the skills they've learned- survival, navigation, and self-reliance- as well as their determination to return to the Moonmaiden's silvery glow. Once they find their way back to their people, their faith and standing as a follower of Selune would be beyond any doubt."
"A coming-of-age rite?" Shadow mused. "Sounds barbaric…"
"Maiden of Silver, grant me patience." Aiden took a deep breath. "I went on this rite when I was ten years old, and fought a blood hawk. How do you think I got these scars?" Aiden pointed to his right eye and his chin. "Besides, my father was watching me without my knowledge. He would've stepped in had I not killed the beast myself. And when I returned to Baldur's Gate, my mother was so proud… she cooked me my favorite meal. It may seem barbaric from the outside, but Selune understands the worry of parents, and permits them to watch their children…" Aiden tucked the rite away into his pack. "Forget it. I don't want to talk about this anymore…"
He walked away from Shadow, who stood and looked at the statue for a moment before following.
~jb~
The owlbear and her cub were now resting. The group left with their treasures, Aiden gave Hazel the lapis lazuli he had found, and she had also found a kyanite. They made their way out of the tunnel, and back into the wilds. They walked across a bridge, spotting dead goblins and dead travelers.
"Do you think they were heading to the grove?" Ella asked.
"They could have been part of Aradin's party…" Hazel guessed. They found more provisions on the goblins and adventures.
That's when Hazel spotted it.
A dead boar, lying on the ground nearby.
"Odd…" Hazel mused, walking towards the boar. "It looks perfectly healthy, but it's stone dead…" Indeed, the boar was clearly not part of the battle, as it seemed the goblins and travelers had practically slaughtered each other.
"Who cares about some pig? Let's keep moving." Astarion insisted. But Hazel didn't move, she was examining the dead animal. "The pig's dead, my friend. Staring at it won't bring it back. Come on now, we'll never get these brain worms out of our head if you stop and gawk at every piece of carrion you find."
Hazel still didn't move, instead, she found two distinct puncture wounds in the boar's neck.
"And? Is it dead enough for you?" Astarion asked.
"Do you know anything about this?" Hazel asked, after she explained the wounds she had spotted.
"I…" Astarion hesitated. "Yes…it has puncture wounds in it's neck…it's been killed by a vampire…I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want you to worry. They are ferocious creatures. But don't you worry, I'll keep watch tonight. Now let's go." He practically insisted.
The day had felt shorter, after the morning delay. Ella's headache was gone, at least.
They set up camp, ready to settle in.
~jb~
Aiden approached Shadow.
"I'm sorry for what I've said earlier." She said. "And thanks again for…understanding…"
"Of course…Can we talk about your Shar worship?" Aiden replied.
"I'm sure you want to…" Shadow said. "But it's not something I can just openly talk about."
"I understand." Aiden nodded. "But…maybe we have a chance to understand one another. Just because our goddesses are enemies, doesn't mean we have to be."
"Is that right?" Shadow raised an eyebrow, seeming amused. "Maybe we can…just not…tonight."
"Of course." Aiden nodded. "Um…rest well."
AN: Some of my headcannons for Selune worshipers. And finally learning more about Aiden's backstory! Also, I wasn't really feeling this chapter, but I am proud of myself for finishing it. Hopefully next chapter will be worth the wait!