"Wyll, look out!" Karlach's voice echoed in the Underdark cavern. Wyll barely dodged the charging Minotaur as it lowered its head to gore him. Gale quickly cast a thundering wave spell and the force of it blew the beast over the edge of the chasm. It's roar diminished as it fell till there was nothing, but silence. Evie sank to her knees. Exhaustion set in from the back to back fights. First the ambush by a beholder and then their group stumbling into the path of a couple of minotaurs.
"Is everyone alright?" Shadowheart flitted from companion to companion making sure no one needed healing. Evie tried to catch her breath as a shadow passed over her. She looked up and Lae'zel was standing over her with a look of pure anger in her eyes.
"Your leadership is going to get us all killed! We should be heading toward the c'reshe not stumbling around in the dark chasing a fairy tale." Evie opened her mouth to speak, but the gith hissed cutting her off. "You are no leader! I challenge you for the right to lead." Before Evie could react Lae'zel struck her across the jaw sending her reeling back. She barely missed being skewered by the gith's greatsword as she rolled to her feet. The others yelled for Lae'zel to stop, but she was on a mission. Nothing would stop her short of death. Evie readied herself for the next attack. Her blood thrummed in her ears. Lae'zel charged, swinging wildly keeping Evie on the defensive. Silver steel met dark iron over and over sending a shower of sparks. Evie's swings began to falter as exhaustion took it's toll. Lae'zel seemed to sense it and doubled her efforts. Her attacks came faster and harder knocking Evie to the ground. Lae'zel stood over her sword poised to strike. Evie stared up at her and suddenly the gith's form changed into a pale woman adorned in red. The woman cackled as she she licked the blood from her dagger.
"Poor little slaughterkin, no longer father's favorite. Don't worry I will see his vision realized." Evie's anger ignited and she rose quickly. Her one hand gripped the sword blade as her other gripped Lae'zel's hair. The cold metal bit into her skin, cutting it to the bone. The pain only furthered her rage. She headbutted the gith sending her crashing to the ground. Evie went down with her and began pummeling Lae'zel with her fists. The cries of her companions drowned out by the thunder of her own blood pounding in her head. All she could see was red and the laughing pale woman. She would silence that laughter once and for all. Her bloody hand reached for her belt. Before Evie could pull her blade and use on Lae'zel strong arms wrapped around her arms pinning them to her side. She felt her feet lift off the ground and she was pulled away. She writhed and tried to break the hold on her, but the arms didn't relent. She was carried away from the battle site and her rage began to ebb. The blood haze that had taken over dimishished as quickly as it appeared. She slumped into the person who had picked her up. Her gray eyes saw Shadowheart's healing magic light up the area and Lae'zel was helped into a sitting position. Blood was smeared over her greenish skin. Evie immediately felt remorse. Lae'zel was very rough around the edges, but Evie didn't want her dead.
"I will put you down now." Halsin's voice sounded behind her. Evie felt her feet touch the ground and she sank to her knees. She kept her eyes down, trying hard to fight the tears that threatened to break free. She was thankful her hair was down and it covered her face. Her hand throbbed and bled, but she didn't care. Pain was the least she deserved for what she almost did.
"Come on darling, let's get that hand healed" Astarion had been close by after Halsin had pulled her off Lae'zel, but he waited till she had calmed down to speak. He knelt down next to her now and wrapped an arm around her waist to help her to her feet. She numbly let him direct her to a nearby rock and sat her down. With gentle fingers he took her injured hand in his. He hissed seeing how deep the cut ran. Shrugging the pack off his shoulder he rummaged through till he found a few healing potions. The first one he poured over her hand so that the wound would start to close, the second one he brought to her lips. "Drink it please." When she didn't move he almost lovingly used his thumb to part her lips and began to let the liquid drip into her mouth. "She provoked you. Darling, you had every right to fight back."
"I almost killed her." He snorted and sat beside her.
"She would have killed you. I'd say what you did will make her think twice about questioning your leadership again. From what I've gathered the Gith only know battle, they don't care if what they do is wrong or right. She was acting in her nature. If she had killed you, none of us would have followed her. She'd be lucky if we let her live." Evie sighed and leaned back, her head throbbed. She let her eyes slip closed and pressed the heel of her hand to them to try to relieve the pressure in her head.
"Is she alright?" Shadowheart's voice broke through the quiet. Evie felt Astarion's arm wrap around her and lift her back to a sitting position.
"Check her hand. I poured a potion on it and she drank one, but I'm not sure if it's all the way healed. The cut was to the bone." He handed her off to the cleric and rose to his feet. "I will take Wyll and scout out a place to camp. I think we all need a rest."
"Good idea, Lae'zel will need some more time for her cheekbone to knit." The half elf saw Evie wince. "After what she tried to do a broken cheek is the very least she deserves. Now let me look at that hand." Warm healing magic washed over her and Evie sighed as the dull ache in both her hand and head eased. Evie peered over at the gith seeing her sitting, shoulders slumped and hands shaking. Karlach was with her speaking softly. "Give her some time. I think she is realizing she made a big mistake, but is too proud to admit it yet."
"Am I making the right decisions?" Shadowheart let a gentle smile grace her lips.
"We all put a lot on your shoulders and from what I've seen you have taken it all in stride. You are fair, kind, but also give us hell when we act up." Evie rolled her eyes remembering having to talk Shadowheart out of slitting Lae'zel's throat not a day before. "We are all in this together and the only way we are going to survive is together. You are the leader we need."
"I just feel like we are running in circles and can't find any traction." The half elf gave her friend a sympathetic look. The weight of it all was written on the young human's face. A brilliant idea came to the cleric's mind. She leaned in with a wry grin on her face.
"So you never did tell me how the other night was?" Evie cocked her head to the side in confusion. Shadowheart's grin turned into a mischievous smirk. "With Astarion?" A bright blush bloomed on the human's cheeks and she wrung her hands nervously. "Details woman!" Evie blushed deeper and grinned remembering that night.
"It was...amazing. He was amazing." Shadowheart listened to her friend gush about their rogue vampire. As she talked the cleric noticed the weight of their mission lift away from Evie. The two talked for a while till the scouting party returned. Lae'zel kept her distance from Evie as the group made their way to set up camp. Wyll and Astarion found a secluded spot with luminous mushrooms lighting the area. It was a defensible spot where they could rest comfortably.
OoO
"So are we saving this Nere or leaving him to rot? I'm fine with either just don't expect me to help dig him out. I'm not ruining these nails for anyone." Evie let out a sound that was a mix of a laugh and a exacerbated sigh.
"Well we need to save the gnomes at the very least." Astarion let out a huff.
"Saving gnomes? Really?" He met his gaze with her pale eyes and saw the determination in them. He knew her well enough that once she made a choice it was getting done. "Well alright, we will save the...gnomes." The last word came out like a curse, but Evie gave him a grateful grin. Her smile was infectious and he gave her a cheeky smile back. "At least we've dealt with the duegar. Nere should be easy once we clear this cave in."
"Get everyone back. I'll use one of these smoke powder bombs. Can you shoot a fire arrow at it?"
"Of course darling, shouldn't be a challenge for one such as me." She playfully pushed his shoulder. His ego knew no bounds, but she knew when it came to archery he was unmatched. He smirked and turned back to their companions and the gnomes. "Everyone kindly move back unless you want to lose some limbs." The gnomes froze for a moment and then scrambled back toward a bunch of crates many yards away from the cave in. He pulled his long bow from his back and waited for Evie to return to his side. "Everyone stay down!" Evie pulled her shield and readied it to protect them both once he loosed the arrow. The twang of the bow string echoed through the hot air around them. Evie stepped forward and brought her shield in front of them. Rock chips and flaming rocks bounced off her shield. Evie felt Astarion's breath on her cheek with how close they were. His lips brushed against hers as she turned her head to look at him. His voice a bare whisper above the sound of the explosion and crumbing rocks. "Ever my protector, thank you darling." Her pulse quickened and she almost forgot why they were there till the gnomes started yelling for their trapped companions. Their voices brought her back to the present. She straightened up and immediately missed his presence. Running forward she could see a tall figure moving through the smoke. The trapped gnomes ran out in front of the figure as Evie rushed forward. The smoke curled around the tall man as she coughed and stumbled out of the doorway. A female gnome coward as the man came into view. Grey skin, covered in sweat and dirt marked him as a drow. He sneered at the shaking gnome and his hands began to move. Magic pulsed around his outstretched hands.
"Useless slaves, making a fool of me." Evie stormed forward hoping to stop whatever dastardly thing he had planned for the poor woman. She felt her shield thrum with divine energy. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Shadowheart's hand raised and the spark of her magic flash then fade. The cleric had placed a shielding spell on her shield. Evie's attention went back to the drow as he placed herself between the gnome and Nere. Nere was too focused on his spell to notice her presence. "Nere does not fail!" The purple pulse slammed into the shield sending Evie sliding back a few feet, but she never lost her balance. Her free hand held tight on the gnome making sure she didn't go sailing off into the lava pit behind them. Evie growled and quickly pushed the woman back toward her friends.
"Try that shit again and I will gut you!" Nere sneered at her, but the sight of his hired muscle dead around the room made him pause. He held up his hands in momentary surrender.
"Tell me True Soul what possessed you to kill my guards?" Evie gave him a wicked grin. The shadow of something dark shown in her expression. She could feel a bit of panic from the drow and deep down it made her ecstatic. His fear was delicious. She shook her head to clear it, trying to dislodge the violent thoughts she had.
"All the pain you've caused to these prisoners, to the myconids demands vengeance. I will bring them that justice." Nere let out an evil chuckle.
"They are vermin, we are gods among them and you would waste your gift to bring them paltry justice. I will enjoy killing you." He readied another spell, but the light died as he cried out in pain. An arrow had struck his shoulder and the drow's gaze looked up at his attacker. Astarion glared at him, but a smirk graced his lips.
"Sorry darling, but I had to step in." Evie turned a little giving him a small smile as she pulled her hammer from her back.
"Anyone one else want a piece of him?" Karlach rushed to her side, greataxe raised and ready. Shadowheart stepped up her own shield and weapon ready. She nodded to Evie she was ready. Astarion notched another arrow and aimed.
"After you ladies." The three women moved together, slashing and slamming the drow with their weapons. Their rogue watched in awe of them. They moved in sync, using the connection the parasites gave them to know each other's moves. Nere reeled back trying to get off any kind of hit he could with his rapier. He landed a hit on Shadowheart finally and she screamed as the blade pierced her thigh. Astarion took this opening to loose his arrow. It sailed and embedded itself in Nere's eye. His body jerked before crumpling to the ground dead. Evie rushed to Shadowheart's side and cast a healing spell over the wound.
"Gods that hurt! What the fuck hit me?!" Astarion picked up the rapier and could feel an enchantment on the blade. He stepped back and gave the blade a few practice swings. As it cut through the air it sounded like a whispered scream.
"Well that's disturbing." He went back to the body and took the blade's scabbard off of Nere's belt. "Who wants the honors of taking this bastard's head? Karlach grinned, lifting her ax and cleanly severed the drow's head. Evie helped Shadowheart to her feet.
"We should camp. I think we could all do with a rest. I healed her wound, but it needs to set more." She turned to Astarion and he took Shadowheart from her letting the cleric use him to brace herself up. Evie went to talk to the gnomes finding one they had met in the Blighted Village. She invited Barcus to rest at their camp after finding he had no love for the fellow gnomes he was captured with. They would push on to find the hidden forge after a much needed rest.
OoO
Astarion watched Evie help Shadowheart to her tent. Even with the painful wound the cleric and paladin were chatting and laughing. He could not hear what they were discussing, but he envied the cleric at that moment. Their friendship seem effortless and it made him realize he never had that kind of relationship in his long life. Evie was kind to all of them, even Lae'zel, who had tried to kill her about two days ago. Though the tension between the two women was still there, Evie still tried to make sure Lae'zel got dinner when they camped. He marveled at the young human's compassion. Almost all thoughts of the bard Evie had killed had flitted from his mind. His eyes drifted to the campfire. The flames danced in the heated air of Grymforge, mesmerizing him and clearing his mind. He was so enthralled he didn't hear Evie approach.
"You keep scrunching your face like that and you'll wrinkle." His head snapped up and he gave her a mock glare.
"Please darling, vampires don't wrinkle. It's physically impossible." She laughed and gently placed her hand on his arm.
"I was kidding." The warmth of her touch spread through him like wildfire. When others would touch him he would flinch or try to not let his skin crawl at the intrusion. Her touch though he welcomed and it vexed him to no end. Her eyes met his and he shook his head a little to clear it. "You looked deep in thought. Everything alright?"
"Just worn out my dear. It feels like we haven't had a moments peace since coming down here."
"The Underdark certainly has thrown a lot at us. Tomorrow we look for that forge and then I promise we will go topside again."
"Ah yes, to a shadow cursed wasteland. I swear the gods don't want me to enjoy the sun while I can." She saw his frown and her heart ached a bit. He noticed the pity in her eyes and sighed. "Don't mind me my dear I am just being dramatic."
"We will all feel better after some much needed rest. You can feed on me tonight if you'd like?" He smirked and licked his lips.
"I was just wondering when you'd invite me back for a bite." Evie chuckled and shook her head. "What? Your blood is divine, you can't hold that against me."
"I'll be in my tent whenever your ready. Goodnight Astarion."
"Goodnight darling, sleep tight." He watched her leave and a small part of him wanted to stop her. He tamped it down and picked up the tome they had found in the abandoned village. He needed something to keep him from thinking about her for a while.
OoO
"That fucking metal monstrosity won't go down!" Astarion lobed another arrow at the giant metal protector of the forge. It had crawled out of the lava tube right after they had activated the forge. Once the lava receded their attacks stopped working. The arrow bounced harmlessly off its chest and it clattered to the ground. "Fuck!" Evie and Karlach were going toe to toe with the creature. Their blows bounced harmlessly off it's armor. Gale's spells were even less effective. The large automaton stomped and the ground shook violently. The two women were thrown back and landed hard on the ground. Both scrambled to their feet before the thing could crush them under it's foot. "This isn't working!" Evie back peddled and barely dodged the fist of the metal monstrosity. Panic set in as Astarion watched her avoid strike after strike. His eyes scanned the platform and his focus landed on the lava activation wheel. He shouted over his shoulder to Gale who was standing closest to it. "Gale when I tell you turn that wheel!" He saw the wizard nod and run to the wheel. "Evie, Karlach get out of the trenches and stay as far away from that thing as possible!" Both women shared a confused look, but complied and split to the opposite sides of the platform. Karlach landed closest to the lever for the forge hammer. Astarion notched another arrow and ran to the center of the the forge. He stood on the raised, smooth platform. Letting the arrow fly at the guardian's head he yelled to Gale. "Now!" Gale quickly spun the wheel and lava began to flow through the trenches surrounding the middle of the forge. The heated liquid made the guardian's armor glow brightly as it heated up once again, The metal beast spun around, it's focus now on Astarion solely. He quickly pulled another arrow and let it loose. This time it seemed to have at least some effect. He looked up and noticed the enormous hammer above his head. An idea came to him, though if it was timed wrong it could mean his end. He looked to his companions, They looked exhausted, if the battle went on much longer he knew they would all end up dead. He had to take the chance. "Karlach when he gets on this platform pull the lever!"
"Fangs, what the fuck are you doing?!" He didn't answer as he shot at the guardian once again. It lumbered toward him, ignoring the others completely.
"Come on you ugly fucker, come and get me!" It climbed up on the hammer platform and he backed up as much as he could. The heat rising up from the lava scorched his back, but he ignored it. His eyes remained on the creature. "Karlach, now!" She hesitated a moment then pulled the level. Her eyes never leaving the platform. A loud metallic whine echoed in the chamber as the hammer came slamming down. Astarion closed his eyes, knowing this was the end of him. Either the hammer crushed him to paste or it would send him flying into the lava to burn to death. He felt something hit him and he flew backwards. The pain he expected never came, instead he landed hard on something solid. The air had left his lungs from the impact and his eyes flew open. He was yards away from the platform and something was on top of him. A low groan left his lips and it was echoed by the body on top of him. He rose up as much as he could to look over the body covering him and saw the metal guardian crushed under the hammer. Sparks arched through it making it twitch before it went still. A few more arches of energy ran through before dissipating. The hammer retracted back to it's original position high above the forge. The rogue's focus turned to the body on top of him. Dark hair, messy and sweat soaked came into his view. The person raised their head and he smiled. Evie, her face soot streaked, but smiling up at him was a beautiful sight. "Well hello, darling."
"Are you alright?" He groaned as he sat up and pulled her up with him. He now saw where they landed. They were on top of the mold housing a few yards away from the hammer. There wasn't much room between them and the flowing lava, but they were safe. He gave her a grateful smile and chuckled.
"There are worse ways to be rescued. It is not ever day a beautiful woman, tackles me and saves me from my own stupidity." Evie blushed and shook her head. She laughed and sagged against him. The lava retreated and the others made their way to the two of them. Gale stopped to look over the remains of the guardian while Karlach ran to help them off the mold platform.
"That was bloody brilliant! You are smarter than you let on Fangs." She smacked his back and he almost fell forward if Evie had not still been holding on to him. He groaned as his sore muscles protested the barbarian's friendly hit. Her fiery touch made him hiss, but he didn't complain. They were alive against all odds. Gale finally joined them, looking as weary as the rest of them.
"I say this victory calls for a much needed drink. We should make our way back to camp before this place throws anything else at us. All my spells are spent." Karlach ran ahead like an excited child and shouted back to the other three over her shoulder.
"Last one to the camp is a rotten toadstool!" The three chuckled at her energy and slowly made their way back to the button that raised the forge back up to the broken stairway. Gale walked ahead of Evie and Astarion. Evie had her arm still wrapped around his waist. His arm was draped over her shoulder letting her help guide him back to camp. She could see he was exhausted, dark circles under his eyes and bruises bloomed on his face.
"You need to feed." He quirked his eyebrow at her.
"Are you offering darling?" She gave him a gentle smirk.
"Well you did just try to sacrifice yourself to save us, so it's the least I can do." His lips curved in a lecherous smile.
"I can think of a few other things we could do for you to show your gratitude." He loved the crimson bloom on her cheeks more than he would ever admit. "You will come to my bed tonight, won't you?"
"I...yes, I'd love to."
"Good, it's been far too long since we've enjoyed each other. I've been quite distracted thinking about our first time together."
"Careful Astarion, a girl might think you are getting attached." Her voice was full of mirth and he gave her a dramatic hurt look.
"Darling, you cut me to the quiche, don't you know you are already mine?" She stopped walking and looked up at him. Her eyes bright and warm. She rose on her toes and kissed his cheek not caring that it was covered in sweat and dust.
"I know, but it's nice to hear you say it."