Char did her best to stay still as Astarion carried her out of the temple and into the forest. They were in the middle of the group just in case there was an ambush or something so Astarion had enough time to put her down. At least that's what she told herself. She didn't like to be the one needing protection, but she took it as gracefully as she could.
Gale was in front of them, and every once in a while, he would glance back nervously. Char would offer him a smile, trying to calm his nerves, but it only seemed to make them worse. She remembered that he had wanted to tell her something before they had attacked the place, but she had forgotten to talk to him before she fell. Now, she wasn't sure if she should bring it up with everyone around them. He certainly seemed nervous to bring it up as well.
Char almost offered to use the tadpole connection to have that private conversation, but that also seemed strange to have that while all seven of them were traveling together. It would probably have to wait until they reached the grove, at least. Unless they needed a break before then.
Astarion was holding strong, and Char wondered if he had snuck out of her tent at some point for a hunt. She was glad at least that Karlach offered to help carry Char's pack. Astarion was hesitant, thinking that he could carry everything, but Char had interjected and thanked the tiefling for her help. Astarion didn't need to carry her and her pack on top of his own things.
Without so much as a cracked twig to spook them, they made it back to the druids' grove. Char had hoped Astarion would let her down here, but she felt his grip tighten. She doubted that he would release her unless she pleaded with him, so she let him continue on for now. Maybe if he held her in front of Halsin, maybe he would start acting normally again.
As the gate rose, the large caravan of tiefling refugees had gathered on the other side. Halsin probably told them that the leaders had been vanquished and that it was safe for them to carry on again. When they walked in, the tieflings hardly noticed them, and Char felt a strange sense of relief. She was never one for a hero's welcome. Wyll was stopped by Zevlor, who spoke to him about the goblins and the party that they wanted to throw. Shadowheart gently touched Astarion's shoulder, reminding him that Char needed to see a more skilled healer.
Reluctantly, Astarion walked with Shadowheart further into the grove while the others stayed with Wyll. Karlach seemed a little torn on which group to go with until she saw Dammon with the group and went to talk with him. Char prayed that he would be able to fix her terrible engine.
The walk down was odd as no one was around, but the three of them could hear a loud scolding voice as they walked down. Shadowheart's steps faltered slightly at the voice, but she soldiered on when they recognized the voice as Halsin. He was talking to Kagha, and the pieces clicked into place. The Rite of Thorns wasn't something that he had given his consent to.
The three of them held back as Halsin finished his speech, reminding his second in command about the Treefather's words and teachings. She seemed receptive to it for the most part before she retreated, and Char wondered if that was one of adventures that occurred when they had split up. Halsin sighed and turned to see them approach.
"Ah, it's good to see you again," he greeted, looking at them each individually. His gaze did linger at Char, but it was more curious about her predicament rather than her person.
"We ran into some spider trouble after you left," Char informed, trying to explain herself.
"She fell twenty feet into the spider pit is what she means," Astarion corrected plainly. Char smacked his chest irritably.
"My foot fell through some rotted wood, and I fell, yes," she amended before Shadowheart stepped forward.
"If it's not too much trouble, I would like for someone to give her a once over. Just to make sure that she's fit for travel. I've done what I can, but I want to make sure that she's healed properly," the cleric explained. Halsin nodded once, gesturing towards the stone door into the inner chambers.
"Of course, right this way," he said, taking the lead.
Astarion continued to carry Char into the heart of the druids' grove as Shadowheart walked next to Halsin. They went into the room where they had met Nettie, who was still healing the animals and creatures harmed by the goblins and monsters in the area.
"Ah, Master Halsin," Nettie greeted, bowing slightly.
"Hello, Nettie. Might we use the space for a while?" Halsin asked, gesturing towards Char. Nettie nodded before she retreated to a quieter place, smiling towards the adventurers. She whispered a thank you towards Char as she carried the small squirrel out.
Reluctantly, Astarion placed Char on the stone slab as Halsin instructed before standing at her side. Shadowheart took a step back to give Halsin more room, hoping to learn something new about his healing techniques. Char carefully undid her robe so the fabric slid down her back, but she could still cover her chest. She brought her knees up to her chin, rounding out her back as Halsin's gaze hardened.
"You said you fell twenty feet onto your back?" the druid whispered. Char nodded, glancing over at him. Halsin met both Shadowheart's and Astarion's eyes for confirmation before shaking his head. "You are lucky to be alive, my friend. And you are lucky that your cleric is as skilled as she is."
Halsin grabbed a few herbs and bottles, handing one to Char to drink. He started to mix a few together, tilting his body so Shadowheart could also observe.
"If she had not gotten to you when she did, I don't think you would have made it out of that spider pit," Halsin informed gravely. "These bruises are dark and nasty. Probably the nastiest I've ever seen on a person."
"Shadowheart said that I broke three ribs," Char whispered, resting her chin on her knee. The cleric nodded, waiting for Halsin's confirmation. He held his hand over her as it glowed.
"Yes, it looks like three broken ribs and a broken femur, but they have healed well enough," Halsin mentioned with a smile. "And from what I can see, you've only suffered from internal injuries from this spider pit?"
"Astarion was able to get help before the spiders got to me," Char replied as the vampire's jaw clenched. Truthfully, he was the reason that she fell, but he didn't want to admit that to the druid. Halsin seemed like the type of person to get revenge viscerally.
"It seems that you have quite an efficient group of people," Halsin grinned before he turned to Shadowheart, giving her the healing herbs and potions. He explained what each did and how it would help Char over the next few days. "Once the bruising is gone, you'll be fine. From what I can tell, it's not exactly traditional bruising, however. It's what's left over from an internal bleed. Shadowheart was able to stop it quickly, from what I can tell when she first reached you, but it will likely be there for the next few days. For now, it will make for a good indicator on your healing progress. As for your traveling, as long as you take it easy, you should be fine. I'm not worried about you rebreaking your leg or anything."
"That's good news," Char grinned with a sigh, putting her robe back on properly.
"I agree," Halsin chuckled. "And speaking of traveling, I would like to join you on your journey to Moonrise Towers. I would like to see this cult put down for good, but there is also a personal matter I must see to in that area."
"I think you joining our camp would be a great idea," Shadowheart answered with a grin. Astarion frowned, glancing at Char. He had no real reason to refuse, but he still didn't like the idea that Halsin would be in their camp all the time.
"It would be good to make sure that I'm healing correctly," Char mentioned, trying to both be pragmatic and to convince the vampire that Halsin would be an asset. The druid could feel the tension between the two of them, and he smiled.
"Wonderful! I will make the arrangements, and I will see you tonight," Halsin replied, clasping his hands together. Astarion snapped his attention to the druid, immediately displeased. "I heard that the tieflings were putting together a sending off party for you lot as a thank you."
"Oh, right, Wyll was talking to Zevlor about that," Char added. "I suppose that could be fun. I haven't been to a party in ages."
"I don't know if a gaggle of refugees getting drunk in the forest could be called a party, darling," Astarion remarked, trying to keep the venom out of his voice. Char narrowed his eyes at him, not appreciating the tone.
"Whatever they have planned, I'm sure it'll be fun," she reassured before turning back to Halsin. "And thank you for looking me over. I'm glad to be on the mend."
"As am I. I will see you at your camp later," he informed with a bow before taking his leave. Shadowheart stepped back, letting the man retreat. Astarion watched him until he turned the corner and was out of eyesight. Char smacked Astarion's arm lightly.
"What the hells was that?" she hissed as Shadowheart immediately started to leave the room. Astarion turned to her with his eyes wide.
"What?" he asked.
"You know what. He was trying to help," Char answered harshly. "And he wants to help get rid of these tadpoles. The ones that also infest your skull too."
"I am just not sure he will mesh with our group," he replied stubbornly. Char gritted her teeth before she took a deep breath.
"I don't care if he meshes well or not. Our group barely meshes as is. Shadowheart and Laezel are constantly at each other's throats. We had to practically beg Wyll not to behead Karlach. And you definitely don't get along with Gale," Char reminded as Astarion put a hand to his chest.
"I get along with Gale just fine."
"My point is we'll be fine. Halsin is offering help, and we would be stupid to turn it down."
"I'll defer to you, oh de facto leader," Astarion sarcastically replied.
"Don't start," Char warned as she started to stand. Astarion went to help when she held her hand up. "You heard him, I'm on the mend."
"He didn't say you were fully healed."
"Oh, so now you are listening to the druid."
"Shadowheart said it as well," Astarion countered. Char seethed at him before she threw her hands up in the air.
"I can at least walk on my own, Astarion. You don't need to carry me everywhere."
"I just want to make sure that your leg doesn't rebreak."
"And it won't, you heard both of them say so."
"You were using Karlach's axe as a crutch this morning," Astarion reminded as Char pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I will admit it's still a bit sore, but my legs will atrophy if I stop using them. And I can at least limp around the grove and the refugees."
"I'd rather you just limp around camp."
"I'd rather not limp at all," Char groaned with a humorless chuckle. She rubbed the side of her face, weighing her options. While she wanted to get up and walk around, Astarion did have a point. She was slow with her sore leg, and she didn't want to spend more time in the grove than they had to. Besides they had a party to get to. With a sigh, she relented as she raised her hands, reaching for him. "Alright, fine."
"Besides, it can't be that terrible to be held close by a beautiful vampire, can it?" Astarion teased as he gingerly lifted her from the stone bed. She smiled, threading her arms around his neck.
"I think some would find it mighty intimidating. You're so close to my neck now," she countered, barely touching the hollow of her throat. He smirked and shook his head. "Hey, since I'm feeling better, do you want to have a bite tonight?"
"Tempting, but I think it might need to wait, darling. You're still healing."
"I'm basically healed, I just need some rest now. And Shadowheart taught you the restoration spell."
"She also said no more healing magic, so you might get me in trouble with that one. She also would stake me for even looking at your neck."
"I suppose you're right. I guess you'll have to look at other necks," Char sighed as she brought the back of her hand to her forehead in a mock faint. "What's a girl to do?"
"Since most of those necks are bears and deer, I'm sure she'll be just fine resting in her tent," Astarion replied with a laugh. Char smiled before leaning against his chest as they walked back into the sunlight. "I didn't realize how eager you were for me to bite your neck again, darling."
Char had gone quiet as she looked up at him. It took a moment before he met her gaze, unable to read her expression.
"You always enjoyed it, and it's not unpleasant. It always makes you twice the fighter you were before," she explained before Astarion had to break eye contact to keep walking. "You seemed more yourself after you had my blood, so I was happy to give it."
"More myself?"
"You always were more energetic and more interactive with the others even. I don't know, it seemed like you were enjoying everything more after you drank from me."
"That's because your blood is the sweetest wine I've ever tasted," Astarion informed with a flirtatious smirk. Char playfully rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"I'm sure that mine isn't any different to any other person's blood but thank you. I think, at least. Anyway, once I'm healed up again, we can go back to normal again."
"Normal does sound nice. Don't think I've ever experienced normal."
"You know what I mean, you ass. I'm excited for when I can walk around on my own, and maybe we can play another tracking game or something," Char suggested with a smile. Astarion glanced down at her with a raised brow.
"You mean the game where I nearly ripped out your throat?"
"Yes, but without that last part. Now I know what you are, and you know what to expect, I think it would go a lot smoother the second time."
"Maybe we should find a less dangerous way to pass the time. Maybe something that doesn't encourage one of us to knife the other?" Astarion suggested. Char shrugged.
"My father and I would play another hunting game. I think most surface children would call it tag, but there was a hiding aspect first. I would hide somewhere in the forest, and I would have to hide and outrun my father for a certain amount of time before I could win," Char informed as Astarion blinked down at her.
"That doesn't sound like a fun game."
"Sometimes it was. It was more fun when I got older, and I started to win. When he caught me, it often turned into a lecture about how he found me and how to not be next time. I didn't know it until later, but he was making sure that I could hide and outrun my mother if she sent people after us."
"I suppose there isn't much else to do in the middle of the forest," Astarion exhaled.
"Could be fun," Char said in a sing song voice. He glanced down at her with a frown.
"You want me to hunt you?"
"In this state, yes, but once I'm healed, I could go either way."
"It might be a little too easy to find you like this, darling."
"We could make another little wager," Char suggested smugly. Astarion stopped in his tracks, staring down at her.
"You really think you could hide and outrun me, a vampire spawn, while you have a sore leg that you can barely put any weight on?"
"No, but I think I can outwit you. I'm not asking you to do something crazy or anything. I just want to see if my skills are still there. My father would be so disappointed in me if a broken leg was all it took to get me caught."
"Your father seems like a real piece of work," Astarion grumbled as he started again, nearly reaching the tieflings caravan. "But fine, once we get back to camp, we can talk about the logistics of this little game, but no wager. You still haven't cashed in your favor."
"Oh, that's right. I still have that," Char replied before nodding. "Still not sure what to have you do, though."
"As long as it isn't humiliating or life threatening," Astarion warned as she nodded.
"Agreed. Like I said, it won't be anything big like that. And I promise it won't be anything embarrassing either. I wouldn't want to chase you off."
"That's good to hear," Astarion smiled. They had made it through the grove back to the refugee caravan when Gale walked up to them, looking rather frazzled. Char turned to him as much as she could as Astarion stopped in front of the wizard.
"Gale? Are you alright?" she wondered.
"No, and I need to speak with you urgently. It's about the incident with the necklace yesterday," the wizard informed. Char nodded as Astarion patiently waited for a further explanation.
"You had mentioned that the magic had no effect. Have you tried another item?" Char wondered and Gale shook his head.
"It would do no good, I'm afraid. I think I should be honest with you and tell you the truth," the wizard answered, glancing at the vampire. Char wondered if he expected her to send Astarion away, but she wasn't even sure if he would listen if she did. So, she just waited for Gale to tell his story.
"You're among friends, Gale. You can tell us what you need to," Char reassured, reaching out to grab his free hand as he gripped his quarterstaff. The wizard laughed under his breath.
"What I'm about to say might change that."