Chapter 6

In the morning, Wyll, Shadowheart, Gale, Lae'zel and I went out to look for the devil Wyll was hunting. Lae'zel was not too pleased to hear that we were delaying our meeting with her kin and possibly a route to a creche, but Wyll and I reminded her that a powerful devil possibly getting our scent could have spelled disaster for that plan. So, she grudgingly agreed, muttering what I assumed were githyanki curse words under her breath the entire way out of camp. We passed by the grove's entrance and went to the left, down a path marked by shrubbery and small trees, until I spotted an injured short man accompanied by a human man and woman.

"You can't die. The Absolute needs you." The woman pleaded distraught

"Come on Ed please get up!" The man said trying to apply pressure to the short man's wounds.

"What happened?" I asked

The two humans jumped up at my voice and drew their weapons, I held my hands up in a calming gesture, "My friend here is a healer, maybe she can help your friend." I said pointing a finger at Shadowheart who had also drawn her weapon.

The two humans looked at each other and then nodded at us to approach. Before Shadowheart could get past me to look at the injured man the familiar pain of the worm split my skull, and I was suddenly inside the short man's mind. He was a True Soul of the Absolute's faithful; a dwarf and the two humans were his siblings and initiates. The dwarf looked at his siblings and croaked, "Mind him he is a True Soul." And with that, he drew his last breath.

As the two humans went to their dwarf brother's side, I tried to process what I'd just learnt. True Souls. That goblin prisoner called her high priest a True Soul. So that means all True Souls are people infected with the tadpole. Does that mean all True Souls and those below them are controlled by the tadpole? Furthermore, how have my companions and I avoided being put under the Absolute's spell? And if the members of this new cult were under the influence of some illithid god, did I have the right to kill them to get to Halsin and to Maggie? All questions would have to wait as the two humans got up and asked me for directions on what to do next.

"First things first, remind me what is the Absolute?" I asked trying to sound wise.

"Is this a test? The Absolute is our god. The one who will wipe away the filth of this world and remake it and put her faithful in charge. You foremost of course True Soul." The human woman said humbly

"You know our faith well sister. Now what happened to you?"

"We were looking for fugitives of the Absolute. We went into that cave over there when an owlbear attacked us and got Ed." The human male said pointing to the cave a few metres behind him.

"Who are these fugitives?" I asked, trying to keep my poker face nailed on as tight as possible

"They are runaways from the Absolute's voice. We were to find and bring them back to the goblin camp for re-education." The human man said

"Right… well you should go back to the camp. Me and my fellow True Souls will take it from here?"

The two humans looked confused but obeyed me, leaving their dead brother on the ground by my feet. The body suddenly started to twitch violently and as it did the tadpole forced my body to arch and extend my hand. The body rose at the tadpole's command and another tadpole wriggled out of the head of the dead dwarf. My tadpole then seemed to absorb the other as the one floating above the body disappeared and my head rushed with a feeling of satisfied hunger.

"What, the hell, was that?" I breathed feeling my body return to my control.

"It would seem that the tadpole in our heads have the ability to absorb the power of other tadpoles to extend their power. Fascinating" Gale said curious wonder coating his voice.

"It is an abomination! Do not allow the ghaik parasite any more power than it already possesses!" Lae'zel cursed.

I had to agree with Lae'zel. Power like what the tadpole could take would not come without price and it would be us who paid it.

"We need to investigate the cave the cultists came out of," Wyll said interrupting my musings.

"And why are we doing that? I don't think going into an already angry owlbear's territory would be especially wise." Shadowheart said

"Because that cave is too close to the grove and I won't allow the residents to be in danger of owlbear attack."

"Wyll's right if that creature goes for a stroll, it might get peckish or angry and attack the grove and there are children there," I said looking expectantly at the others. They all seemed to agree, Lae'zel a bit more grudgingly as always, but we all made our way into the cave.

It smelled like old blood and rotting meat, and there were tracks of dead goblins that led forward. But before I followed the bodies towards what I assumed was the owlbear, when there was a shine in the corner of my eye. To my left and down a short rock wall was a chest covered in a bright light. Like a moth to a flame, I moved down the rock wall to have a closer look at the chest. My companions followed me, and before I could touch the chest Shadowheart chimed in, "You should leave it. Or destroy it, if possible."

"And why would I do that, it could have some valuable loot in there."

"Because they are offerings to Selune. Do not trifle with that moon witch or her trinkets. Only trouble will follow." Shadowheart spat with more venom than someone with no personal tie to a random chest in a cave.

"Why do you hate Selune?" I said flatly

"I don't… shit. I should have stayed quiet. You want the truth? Fine. I worship Shar, mistress of Night- Selune's twin and foe."

Alarm bells started going off in my head. Mistress of Night sounded a hell of a lot like a dark god to me, but best not to burn my bridges until I know for sure.

"Now that you know please don't make a big fuss over it," Shadowheart said exasperated

"I'll decide whether or not it's a fuss, I need to know more about Shar. The last thing we need is a dark god interfering in our troubles." I said trying to keep the panic out of my tone.

"We'll speak about this later, in less dangerous environs," Shadowheart said pointing out the cave we were in.

She was right. An owlbear cave was not a place for a religious interrogation. "Fine, I'll drop it for now, but we need to talk."

Shadowheart gave an agreeing look, and we all walked back up the bloody path. The path led to a large open space and then what can only be described as a large baritone squawk came from the darkness. The owlbear was as large as a bear on steroids. Brown feathered with white on its stomach, a large beak and two large owl-like eyes, one of which was blind and scared. The owlbear stared us down and squawked again a threat. That was a good sign, if it gave a warning it meant it was only protecting territory rather than on an angry rampage. Then behind it, I saw the reason it had attacked the cultists and why it may kill us all if we weren't carful. The creature was about the size of a large dog and was shaped and coloured the same as its mother owlbear. A baby, a cub.

Back on the farm when I was in my later training, Ebenezer told me that a mother protecting her cubs was the most dangerous animal to encounter, but often the most reasonable if you were smart enough to show her you weren't a threat. So, I put a staff my staff on the ground and put my hands up in a gesture of non-violence. The others followed my lead, and the owlbear mother looked puzzled for a moment and then stared at us hard again, a gesture of warning. The message was clear, leave or die. So, I picked up my staff and slowly left the cave never taking my eyes off the animal.

After we left the cave, Wyll came up to me irritated, "What was that? If we leave that creature there it will be a major risk for the people of the grove."

"The owlbear didn't attack us when we intruded on its territory. It gave us a chance to run, so as long as we tell the people of the grove to give it and the cave a wide birth, they'll be fine."

Wyll looked conflicted, but eventually gave me a begrudging but agreeing nod.

We walked back up to the path and Gale stopped me with a touch to my shoulder. "Harry, do you have a moment?"

"I suppose but we ought to make this quick, like you said tadpoles won't wait."

"Forgive me, but this is important. We haven't travelled for that long together but ever since you were kind enough to pull me from that stone, I've seen you demonstrate remarkable guile and courage. The way you defused the tension between Zevlor and Aradin. Saving Arabella and that tiefling boy. Staring down Kahga and convincing her to let us go before the violence started. In short: I've grown to trust you."

"That's nice to hear Gale. Rare that another wizard gives their trust so quickly."

"Indeed, our circles tend to be secretive and close guarded, and not without reason. Regardless, the reason I make a point of telling you this is that I've grown confident enough to tell you something I've yet to tell another living soul. Except for my cat. You see, I have this… condition. Very different from the parasite we share, but just as deadly."

"What kind of condition?" I asked concerned

"The details are rather personal but suffice to say that it is a malady I have learned to live with-though not without some effort," Gale said annoyance coating his voice

"What it comes down to is this: every so often I need to get my hands on a powerful magical item and absorb the Weave inside."

"You have a condition that needs raw magic to treat. I need details, Gale. That sort of power vacuum could be dangerous."

"I can say no more on the matter-not now anyway. Just trust me when I say it's all of vital importance."

"Saying you trust me but holding out on information. A trick many fellow wizards have pulled on me… and admittedly I've done a time or two. Fine, but if I'm to trust you I want your word that if this condition becomes too much of a danger to you or the group you tell me." I didn't know if the breaking of words and the consequences it had for wizards were the same for this universe's practitioners but I thought Gale was enough on the level to keep his, in this situation.

"You have it, now I've gathered a few artifacts on our journey and it's about time I satiated the beast as it were." Upon his word, he pulled out the spear Astarion gave him back at the temple. Closing his eyes the spear suddenly became a sphere of purple light and Gale thrust it into his chest, his tattoo glowing purple in response. "That hit the spot. I can feel it work. The magic is like a lullaby that sings to sleep the demon inside. A metaphorical demon I haste to point out. But no less deadly- and no less bound to wake up again to continue its ravages. Such is the nature of all monsters."

"Just remember to keep your word, Gale," I said staring at him hard.

Gale gave me a grave nod and we continued down the path.

We came to the entrance of the wrecked town the goblin creature mentioned. Just off the path, we saw Aradin and the remainder of his band. "Thought you was busy with the foulbloods in Halsin's grove," Aradin said with deflated venom.

"Thought you were busy getting said druid master captured. Which way did you go? I plan on fixing your mess."

"Have at it. The contract wasn't worth this shite. Didn't mention the goblins. If it had I could have prepped my lads and got better weapons, maybe that druid might still be chewing hay in that grove of his!" Aradin said renewed fire sparking in his tone.

Despite the racism and general lack of manners, I felt bad for the guy. He's lost most of his crew and I knew what it's like to walk into a situation blind because of bad information. "I'm sorry about your crew. What was the contract?" I said trying to watch my tone.

Aradin looked like he was about to yell again but just breathed out a defeated breath and spoke, "A wizard in Baldurs Gate wanted some relic called the Nightsong. It's under the temple, me, my lads and the druid went out to get it and we got smashed. Druid got carted away and most of my crew got killed or taken."

"You got a map of this temple?"

"Nope, goblins took it along with my mates, but if you feel like dying here's the contract. Tell Lorroakin he still owes me money though, my lads got families that need compensating." With that Aradin pushed a flyer made of parchment in my hands and left.

Looking at the parchment it read: Great rewards for any who bring information on or precure the relic known as the Nightsong. To be delivered to Sorcerers Sundries in Baldurs Gate.

Singed Lorroakin. Master of Ramazith's Tower.

"Hey Gale, got any info on this Lorroakin guy?"

"Some. Rumours and gossip mostly. He's the master of Ramazith's Tower and owner of Sorcerers Sundries, the best magic shop on the Sword Coast. His exploits as a wizard outside of this are not widely known, and those that are known are often considered exaggerations."

"Any clue what this Nightsong could be?"

"Not the foggiest. But I'm guessing it either has something to so with the temple's previous god or the Absolute."

"Curious, we'll have to keep an eye out. It might be important to the cult and anything important to them is something we should be looking at."

As the group collectively nodded in agreement, I looked at Shadowheart and spoke to her telepathically, "Is the artifact you got the Nightsong? Is it connected to the cult?"

"No, I got it far away from this place, and if I thought it was connected to the cult or our parasites, I'd tell you. I'm in as much shit as everyone if we don't find a cure." Shadowheart responded, her annoyance hitting my brain like a quick slap to the face.

I believed her. I guessed it was Shar who bid her to grab the artefact, and she wasn't any use to her god as a mindflayer. With that out of the way we continued through to the town and my instincts shouted a warning. On the roof of one of the old buildings was a goblin preparing a bow and signalling some others that appeared on the building across the street.

"I can see you. Why don't you and your other gremlin buddies come out and we can discuss things face-to-face." I said directing my voice to what looked like the female goblin archer.

She spoke with a similar ratty cockney accent as the other goblins I'd met, "Looks like we got found out. Oh well, it's no fun roasted a bird that don't know it's cooked anyhow." The goblin woman said with hunger in her small bloodshot eyes.

"The only thing getting roasted is you and your buddies if you don't let us pass," I said lighting the runes on my blasting rod.

The goblins all cackled in unison. It was like nails on a chalkboard made of wet slime. "We aren't afraid of your little play-band. We outnumber you ten to one, and we have backup just waiting to add your ass to the feast."

The goblin's laughed again and I began to prepare a strike that would catch them off-guard when a rune suddenly glowed on the goblin archer's face and a feeling in the parasite told me I could convince her to let us go, "Let us pass. In the name of the Absolute." I bellowed in a modulated voice.

The goblin shivered and said quickly, "Of course True Soul, why didn't you just say you were on the way to the party? Come on you scrugwats we got other things to do." With that, the goblin band left.

I looked at my party with confused concern on my face, "Well that was weird."

"It would seem the parasite can grant us influence over members of the cult. That could come in handy." Gale said wonder and curiosity brightening his features

"Agreed, a handy power to have in a pinch," Wyll said

"Chk, any power given by illithids is to be avoided at all costs," Lae'zel warned

"We should try and understand our situation before using the powers the worms gave us. But it would be foolish to pass up on a clear advantage." Shadowheart cut in.

"I'm with Shadowheart on this, we find out more about the worms, but we also don't give up an edge. Use the power sparingly and avoid gathering more worms to consume. The more power the worm has, the more it likely takes hold of our decisions." I said addressing my party in a mock general's tone.

Most of the group nodded, agreeing on this point, while Lae'zel spat, "Foolish ishticks!" and walked ahead of us. We followed her lead forward through the old town which was covered in old broken buildings and overgrown weed and shrubbery. We took a right and went through a gate that led to a path that had a broken bridge at its end. In the second I took to check the bridge to see if I could jump it a puff of smoke appeared in front of me and the familiar smell of brimstone accompanied it.

Out of the smoke a man appeared, tanned skin, medium height, brown hair with a hint of grey and brown eyes that seemed to be both inviting and deadly. He was wearing a blue and yellow tunic accented by a ruffled collar when he approached me with the smile someone gets when admiring their new car and said in a higher-class British droll, "My, my, what manner of place is this? A path to redemption, or the road to damnation? Hard to say, for your journey is just beginning. What would suit the occasion? The words to a lullaby, perhaps? The mouse smiled brightly: he outfoxed the cat! Then down came the claw, and that, love, was that."

"Clearly the mouse's name wasn't Jerry," I said smiling at the hellish stranger's pompous monologue.

"What?" The stranger said, confusion cracking his smile.

"Never mind, I have a lullaby for you. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord to tell me what the obvious demon wants and then tell said demon I'm not interested, and he can go home now."

The demon laughed with genuine amusement, "Haha, I knew you were a sharp one. How'd you guess it?"

"Brimstone in your dramatic entrance, dead giveaway."

"Quite the nose you have little mouse. Though, then again, you'd know what hellfire smells like by now Harry Dresden." The demon said, smile growing wider.

"How do you know my name?" I said panic setting into my tone.

"Yes, of course. I should introduce myself. I am Raphael. Very much at your service."

"Well met, demon Rapheal. How do know my name and what do you want?"

"In due time, our conversation requires some more privacy and refinement. This is decidedly too middle of nowhere for my tastes." Raphael snapped his finger and suddenly we were in a lavish dining room lit by candlelight. The decorating was devil themed the stone walls were covered in paintings of hell and suffering, sculptures of snarling monsters, a grand table in the middle of the room covered with food and behind Rapheal, a painting of a devil who looked similar to Rapheal and wearing his clothes.

"There, middle of somewhere," Rapheal said with delight.

I looked around the place again, "Nice décor. I guess you didn't see the need to make it a little less obvious."

"No, I feel it is very me. Welcome to the House of Hope. Where the tired come to rest, and the famished come to feed-lavishly. Go on enjoy your supper- it might just be your last."

"Is that a threat? That's not very hospitable my good host. What would daddy Lucifer think?" I said in a mocking tone, but I was hoping the rights of guest and host were the same in this universe, because if not we'd all be dead before my next quip.

Raphael laughed again, "My father, I assure you is not at all interested in my hospitality skills. And that is not a threat Mr. Dresden, merely the facts of your current situation." Rapheal suddenly burst into flames and out of the ashes stood the devil in the painting. He was at least two feet taller, red-skinned, had horns that were thick and pointed upwards and to the side, and his eyes were now pure black aside from burning yellow pupils.

"What's better than a devil you don't know? A devil you do. Am I a friend? Potentially. An adversary? Conceivably. But a saviour? That's for certain." Raphael said, pointing at me to accentuate very point like a fancy used car salesman.

"What makes you think I need saving? And you haven't answered how you know me." I said irritation griping my voice and blocking off the fear of being in a devil's home.

"Come now. A handsome stranger comes to new lands and immediately gets picked up and thrown into the hells and is tadpoled by the mindflayers to boot. How could a curious and philanthropic devil supposed to not take interest?" Rapheal said, almost sounding concerned.

"One skull, two tenants, and no solution in sight. I could fix it all like that." Raphael said snapping his fingers causing fire to burst from them.

"And the only thing it would cost is my soul, or firstborn, or something else that would make the deal scaled entirely in your favour. Do I look crazy to you?"

"What is madness but a denial of reality? Still, I have a feeling you'll change your mind. Before it's changed for you. Try to cure yourself. Shop around-beg, borrow and steal. Exhaust every possibility until none are left. And when hope has been whittled down to the very marrow of despair-that's when you'll come knocking on my door. Hope- Hahaha such a tease."

"If your done monologuing at me I have places to be. Send us back, now."

"Very well but allow me one more thought. All those pretty little symptoms- sundering skin, dissolving guts-they haven't manifested yet, have they? Some would say you are the very paragon of luck. I'll be there when luck runs out."

With the final word, Raphael snapped his fingers again and we left the House of Hope.