Chapter 8
We teleported to just outside the Emerald Grove and walked back through the wooden gate to where we first saw the blacksmiths. Zorru was back at his post, he looked at Lae'zel with a nervous look, and she scowled at him. I gave her a side glare and she looked elsewhere. We walked up to the blacksmith, a more human Caucasian shade of tiefling with horns that pointed straight upwards and a blonde man bun with a short ponytail. The tiefling smith sniffed the air and spoke with recognition, "Thought I smelled an infernal around here. But you aren't from Elturel. What's your story?"
"Spent a good bit of time in the Hells. Enlisted against my will by the archdevil Zariel. Same as you, I suppose, if you're from Elturel." Karlach responded
"Sorry to interrupt, but I keep hearing about this Elturel place. What's the story?" I asked hoping it wasn't common enough knowledge to blow my paper-thin cover.
"You don't know the story, strange. But I'm not one to deny a traveller's curiosity. A few months ago thanks to the machinations of our former High Overseer Thavius Kreeg our city, Elturel, was dragged into Avernus. Things, as you can imagine got rather horrible. It took months, but most of us got out and now we're heading on to Baldurs Gate. The jewel of Balduran will let us in and give us our lives back, or so is the hope." The tiefling explained scepticism and a weighty sadness hovering in his voice.
"Yeah, the devils were delighted when their city was swallowed up. I thought they had 'em for keeps. Glad you got out." Karlach continued directing the last statement at the blacksmith.
"Hells Bells, I'm so sorry," I said saddened at the tieflings experience and a little in awe of their ability to survive it.
"Ah, enough of that, we're all incredibly lucky to be here and that's enough to be happy about. I'm Dammon." The tiefling said slapping a smile on his face that made him seem a bit less weathered. "Now let's talk about the infernal machinery your large friend is carrying."
"A little gift from Zariel. Keeps me burning hot."
"Very hot, by the smell of it. Might be burning out a piston ring or leaking oil. Mind if I have a listen?"
"Be my guest. But don't get too close, or your eyes'll melt shut." Karlach said in a warning tone.
Dammon then carefully put his large, pointed ear to Karlach's chest. He stayed there for a moment listening intently before jumping back, cinders jumping from his ear. "Phew! You really are burning up. Whoever put that engine together tried to house metallurgised demono-valves inside a ra-gnax alloy casement. Very risky. I might be able to help, but I need infernal iron. And a prayer that my hammer'll survive the work."
"Will you be able to turn down the temperature a little? Worried I'm going go in for a handshake and singe someone's arm off one of these days."
"I'd worry about survival first. That thing isn't meant to operate outside Avernus. I'd give it about a week before it overloads and well, I think you get the picture."
Karlach did. She hid the fear well behind a big positive attitude, but she was scared. I could tell from the way her chest thumped a bit faster, and her hands clenched and unclenched. Wyll was also reacting to the news. A horrible combination of grief, sympathy and guilt washed over his face in an instant before he slapped on a mask of neutrality.
"Well then we're just gonna have to find some infernal iron. Any ideas on where to look?" I asked Dammon trying to up the confident cheer to reinforce Karlach's resolve.
"I've sensed some in my travels. It has a pull to it- absolutely magnetic, once you know what you're looking for. I can show you where I'd look." Dammon said pointing to an area inside the ruined village on our map.
"Look at that. It's even on the way to our destination, isn't that great Lae'zel" I said with great dignity and not a hint of sass whatsoever. Lae'zel rolled her eyes, but Karlach beamed so I felt good.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time dearies." I heard from across the dirt cave floor. The voice came from an old woman with grey hair tied in a bun, a wrinkled face lightly covered in dirt and a short-sleeved dress coloured grey and green.
We walked over to the old woman and I asked, "Yes ma'am, can I help you?"
"Why you already have dear. I just wanted to see the talk of the camp. Thank goodness you drove off those awful goblins, but there isn't a dash of colour in those cheeks petal. Are you hurt? Cold? Feverish? Auntie Ethal will sort you out, I got potions and lotions galore."
Ethel seemed a genuine kind grandmotherly figure, trying to help the residents of the grove with her potions. So why were my instincts screaming at me there was something amiss. Her posture was relaxed and friendly, but slightly off like someone doing a practised impression of relaxed and calm. Maybe she wasn't comfortable around the tieflings? If Aradin was any indication, maybe some humans held a discriminatory view of the race. But, then why would she willingly give out medicine to the refugees? This line of questioning was not going anywhere and I had other things to worry about, so I simply responded with, "No, ma'am I'm just fine. A little tired from the road and the fight."
'Nonese, take a sip of this, and you'll feel right as rain." She said in the same grandmotherly forceful tone.
I sipped cautiously and then felt the minor scraps and bruises that I had acquired on the road disappear. Healing potions then. Maybe she was just a bit a weird person then, not like I can judge on that score. So I used the gold we had acquired to buy some more potions and thanked Ethel for them.
After the shopping trip, I pointed to Gale. He nodded, raised his arms again and teleported us to the village. According to the directions, the infernal iron was in a forge just across the street from the spot we teleported to. In a rush of excitement and joy, Karlach bashed through large wooden doors of the old building with her shoulders and began ransacking the place.
"Woah, tornado woman, turn it down a notch I think I got a better way to find the iron," I said holding my hands as close to Karlach's shoulder as it was safe to.
"Oh, sorry soldier but I'm really jazzed up about getting my engine fixed. What's the idea?"
"Right, if the infernal iron in here is the same as the stuff in your chest, I might be able to use a tracking spell to find out which container it's in."
"But won't you have to be touching my engine to do that?"
"If the iron was on the other side of the canyon sure. But it's in this room somewhere so I'll just need to let my magic touch the engine, no flesh involved. Scouts honour." I said giving her a scout salute.
"Right… as long as you'll be safe. Let's do this then!" Karlach said with giddy excitement bordering on mania.
I motioned her to stand still, and I raised my left hand towards her glowing chest and grasped my pentacle amulet in my right. I focused my will and repeated "Duo Et Unum, Duo Et Unum, Duo Et Unum." Suddenly my amulet flung forward, and I followed it like a compass. It angled upwards at an old ladder, and we climbed up it to find an old chest with a strangely shaped lock on it. I nodded at Karlach to indicate it was the right one and she ran at it with full force. I tried to warn her, but it was too late, I just had enough time to put my shield up when the chest exploded. After the smoke cleared, I saw Karlach, completely unmarred bouncing a piece of black metal in her hands. It had a red glow to it where the metal dipped and curved, along with a sliver of magical power and the scent of brimstone. Infernal iron if I'd ever seen it.
"We got it soldier! Great work." Karlach said delighted, and then her smile faulted a bit as she said, "Oh sorry are you alright, I got too excited, and you nearly got hit with the backdraft."
"I'm fine. But how are you okay?" I asked with concerned confusion.
"Oh, that. Ever since Zariel put the engine in me, my natural tiefling resistance to fire became a straight-up immunity to all heat. So fire, explosions, even lava can't hurt old Karlach no more."
"That's amazing and very fascinating. Once we get your engine under control and we deal with the tadpoles, you must visit my tower in Waterdeep. I could run some tests. This could be a whole new field in evocation resistances." Gale started yammering after the reveal.
Lae'zel cut him off with her usual guile and said, "Wonderful the tiefling has her hunk of metal, now we must meet my kin. She has a least a week before the engine becomes a true threat and the tadpoles are a danger that could take us at any moment!"
Wyll looked like he was about to try and have another go at Lae'zel when Karlach raised her hand to stop him, "You're right Lae'zel. Thank you for helping me, I really do appreciate it. Now lead the way, I'm not fixing this tin can just to end up a squid."
Lae'zel looked puzzled for a moment, then gave Karlach a respectful nod and walked through the broken entryway, beckoning us to follow. We once again walked to the path with the broken bridge, but at the crossroads, we went to the left. A few steps along the road I could smell smoke and began to pick up the pace until I saw a small settlement with a large central building. The building was on fire and there were soldiers in red armour and chainmail trying to break down the collapsed door.
"Move it men, Grand Duke Ravenguard could still be in there!" A soldier commanded
"Ravenguard?!" Wyll asked alarmed
"Yes, the Grand Duke might be in there, so don't dawdle and help us push!"
Wyll ran at the door with no hesitation and kicked the door with all his might. In combination with the soldiers pushing, it knocked the door inwards and we ran into the burning building. The heat inside the building was immense and despite my vast experience with burning buildings, that first lung full of smoke made me cough and splutter. But we were quickly moving up to the second floor, following the soldiers and listening for voices. We heard a woman's voice cry out for help in a commanding tone. It was hard to see through the smoke but I managed to pick up that the wall had collapsed and only the bearings were between us and the woman. I motioned to Lae'zel, she nodded, raised her sword and smashed the wooden barriers away. The woman came running out, "Come. I'm afraid a proper thanks must wait." And she ran down the stairs accompanied by the soldiers. We were about to join them when I heard another yell, a man this time. The scream came from behind a door on the other side of the second floor and was covered in flame, feeling the heat from here I knew whoever opened it would be blasted with a torrent of fire. I looked to Karlach, "Wanna test out that fire immunity you were bragging about."
She flashed a quick grin at me and told us to stand back, I put my shield up around the rest of us just in case and Karlach tore open the door. What I had forgotten in all the excitement was that fire and heat aren't the only issues when dealing with opening doors in burning buildings. The building pressure behind the door hit Karlach like a blast from a cannon and she went flying over us and over the railings to the ground floor. From the bottom of the I heard a laboured breath and then a strained "I'm OK, get the guy I'm gonna check on the lady." Karlach then quickly hobbled out of the building. We continued into the burning room and saw a blonde man with bowl-cut hair trapped under roof pillars.
"Help me please!" The man begged weakly; I moved to grab one of the pillars. I pulled up, feeling the winter mantles cold fill my veins as the pillar moved up enough for the man to wiggle his way out and get to his feet. I dropped the wooden beam with a grunt and turned to the man. He was standing, had a few bruises and was covered in soot. He'd be okay to run out with me.
"Follow me, we're getting out of here!" I coughed out feeling the smoke rise higher.
We all ran down the stairs and out to the building, where the team of soldiers and the lady were waiting for us. The man touched my shoulder, "Thank you, sir. I'd be dead if not for you, now I gotta look for my wife." I shook his hand and he ran off to another building. The lady came up to us, next to a limping Karlach. Now that I was out of the smoke I could make out the woman's features, She had dark chocolate skin, long pointed ears, lengthy black hair highlighted with silver and was wearing an elegant purple and gold dress. Shadowheart attended to Karlach's injuries while Wyll and I went over to the woman.
"Councillor Florrick- are you alright?" Wyll asked
"Wyll? If it wasn't for the circumstances, I'd say it's good to see you."
"Never mind that, are you hurt?"
"A scorched throat, a few hairs signed off. Nothing a bit of time and fresh air can't cure."
Florrick turned to the band of soldiers and commanded "Gauntlet, a new duty calls. Drow have taken Grand Duke Ulder Ravenguard- westward, if my eyes and ears can be believed."
Wyll's face turned from worried to distraught as he said, "No, it can't be. You mean, they've taken…"
"Yes, Wyll. The drow have your father." Florrick said finishing Wyll's thought.
"Oh god. Wyll, I'm so sorry. But who's Ulder Ravenguard to you councillor?" I asked
"Grand Duke Ulder Ravenguard is the great champion of the Council in Baldurs Gate, commander of the Flaming Fist, and the binding force holding the city together." Florrick declared proudly. "Without him, the city faces collapse. In fact, I fear that may have been the intention of those who abducted him."
Florrick turned to Wyll and continued, "Wyll, you must hold little love for your father. But please, find him and return him to the city."
"Trust us to see it through councillor," Wyll responded with a nod of his head.
"We'll make sure he's returned home. You have my word." I said supportively to both Wyll and Florrick.
"Thank you. When the Grand Duke returns to the city, he'll hail his son and his allies as heroes of the city. Go, you should pick up the drow trail with ease. I will seek reinforcements and join you when I can." Florrick said before beckoning her soldiers to escort her out.
The rest of my party walked up to Wyll and I, "Shit. 'You can put distance between you and yesterday, but you'll never leave it fully behind.' Fathers words. It would seem your 'Robin Hood' comparison was bang on. Florrick spoke true, I'm a grand duke's son." Wyll said
"Not just any Grand Duke. The most famous and influential one in the city." Karlach said in awe.
"The councillor said you had no love for your father, what happened?" I asked
"My father and I were close once upon a time. Until he disowned me and cast me out of Baldurs Gate. I can't tell you anymore, certain agreements have sealed my lips." Wyll said with disdain.
"Those agreements with that source that sent you after Karlach?" I asked a bit of venom in my tone.
Wyll looked ashamed, "Yes. All will be revealed soon. I'm soon to be punished for my failure."
"Who is it Wyll? We can get ready and fight them together."
"A nice thought but not possible I'm afraid. You're not in any danger, but I will be in even further strife if you attempt to harm my source." Wyll said urgently.
I blew out a breath. Only one kind of arrangement I knew of could elicit this reaction from a man like Wyll. He's either sold his soul or loyalty to some supernatural being, it's probably put a lock on saying the terms of the deal or the circumstances of its necessity.
"Will you still help me find my father? He may have made me an exile, but I won't let my own flesh and blood suffer at his captor's hands."
"Of course Wyll I already gave my word. Why would these 'drow' want your father?"
"I've been asking myself the same question. What makes a Duke of Baldurs Gate so interesting to the drow? Even the houses of Menzoberranzan would have little use for my father. No, this is no drow plot. These Absolute nutters, these 'True Souls', are behind his abduction. His absence alone would sow chaos in the city. If they were to infect him, he could lead Baldurs Gate to ruin. The cult has captured the future of the Sword Coast."
Well, this is just amazing. Not only do I have my daughter to save, a parasite to get out of my head and a druid leader to rescue, it seems I have to save the whole state from minflayer infiltration. Sometimes I wonder if some higher power puts me in these situations for their own sick amusement. But of course, I was going to do it, there's no way in hell I'd leave this dimension defenceless to the mindflayers.
"We'll find him Wyll and we'll kick the Absolute threat in the teeth before it can harm anyone else." I declared with vigour.
"Fuck yeah, soldier. No slimy squid bastards are messing with my town." Karlach agreed.
Wyll smiled at both of us and was about to continue speaking when Lae'zel cut in, "This is all very interesting, but we still have to meet my kin. We're nearly there and I will accept no more distractions from it."
Wyll rolled his eyes at the gith but beckoned her to lead on. We followed Lae'zel further down the path to a bridge that overlooked a mountain pass, where a group of githyanki were arguing with some of the Flaming Fist soldiers. I couldn't quite hear what they were saying. I tried to focus on listening, when a great roar flooded my ears, nearly deafening me. The dragon had bright red scales, large horns on its head, and a frilled neck that glowed bright yellow as it breathed fire on the soldiers, clearing the path for the githyanki.
"A red dragon! I envy its knight- would that I rode such a steed. A creche must be near. Come-my kin awaits." Lae'zel said with the confidence of someone who didn't just see a dragon roast people in full plate armour alive.
"And we'll what? Sing the dragon a lullaby or something so it doesn't go all Sodom and Gomorrah on us." I asked fully flexing my sarcasm muscle.
"You are with me. So, unless you say something out of turn, we will remain unharmed. So let me do the talking." Lae'zel ordered and under the circumstances, I was more than willing to take that order.
We walked down to the mountain pass and faced the group of githyanki. They were all wearing similar armour to Lae'zel but their skin colours ranged from green to grey and cream. The dragon landed and another githyanki jumped off its back. The gith looked male, had the same green skin and silver armour as Lae'zel, and had spiked hair which led down to a circlet on his head with a triangle-shaped red gem in the centre.
Lae'zel walked up to the gith and spoke, "Rider-my time is short. Lead me to…"
"Sh-sh-shh. Such a familiar tone. Were I not merciful, I would slice the skin clean from your meat. Yet you are not bleeding. For I am nothing if not merciful. Your name, child." The gith dragon-rider interrupted menacingly.
I nodded to Lae'zel to do the talking because while mouthing off the rude gith was a temptation, fighting the dragon would have probably been a losing cause. See, I can hold my tongue when I need to.
"Lae'zel" My companion said with deference I had yet to hear from her.
"Lae'zel. Proud, regal even. You will call me Jhe'still Kith'rak." The gith rider said.
"Voss, Knight Supreme. The queen's silver, the queen's sword."
"I am who you say. A ghiak vessel has fallen from the sky Lae'zel. Thieves aboard have taken a weapon most precious. It is polyhedric in shape and inscribed with the sacred runes of our people."
I suddenly feel a strange anxiety take hold. Not my own, but Shadowheart's. Voss is describing the artifact she carries.
"Take word to your creche. You are to join our search. Speak up child affirm your mandate." Voss said beckoning Lae'zel.
I thought furiously. Shadowheart was probably sent by Shar to get that artifact, and Shar was my best suspect as to who Nicodemus threw Maggie to. And if the object is githyanki in origin it likely was connected to their fight with the mindflayers, it could be what protects us from the Absolute. I connected with Lae'zel urging her to play along and not reveal the connection between us and his description. I got a hesitant but affirmative reply from Lae'zel before she said-
"You honour me with this duty, Kith'rak. I shall alert my caretaker at once."
Voss nodded and said, "You serve your queen well, child. Take your slaves, and hunt those who escaped the ghaik vessel. They must carry the weapon. I fly now to Vlaakith, or Undying Queen. She will see your faith rewarded in this plane and ours." With that, Voss got on his dragon and flew away. The other githyanki ran further down and left in the mountain pass, presumably towards their creche.
"Dammit all! You did well to intervene, vexed as I am to admit it. The Jhe'stil Kith'rak would have flayed our skin and left our carcasses to burn in the sun, all for the sake of the artifact we carry. The creche is near this much we know. We follow the path forward and into the valley." Lae'zel commanded.
"We still need to get Halsin out from goblins and figure out how they're connected to the mindflayers." I argued.
"The druid is unimportant, and the goblins are clearly being controlled by the ghaik parasites in the Ture Souls."
"One: the druid is not unimportant, we need him if we're going to stop the ritual Kahga is starting up, plus he might know enough about the parasites to help us without heading to a creche. Two: We only guessed that the goblins are controlled by True Souls with parasites because we can. A good theory but it can't be confirmed until we meet another True Soul."
"Nonsense! The only cure is purification through rituals in a gith creche, which I have tried to explain to you idiotic ishticks on multiple occasions." Lae'zel screamed in pure frustration.
My voice didn't get any louder, but it did grow harder when I said, "You're welcome to go find the creche alone, but I'm not abandoning the grove or the Absolute until I find answers. Anyone else that wants to follow her is welcome to, but I'm staying."
None of my other companions moved towards Lae'zel. The woman herself stared daggers at me breathing hard. I'm guessing she was contemplating attacking me, before letting out a frustrated yell and saying in a slightly calmer voice, "Fine. We'll rescue the druid but if he doesn't provide good enough answers, we will head to the creche with no arguments. I want your word Dresden."
"You have it Lae'zel of K'iler." I said with due respect and held out my hand.
She shook it affirming the mandate and sealing my word. God help us if I have to go through on it