Work Text:
He probably should have asked sooner. He disliked asking though, he had grown accustomed to dealing with this issue on his own, albeit with Tara’s help. But those were lonelier times, a time he once in a while wished for, to not be a burden to the group of people he had the new found pleasure of calling friends. If he remembered correctly, his social circle before was no larger the a pin head. They were on the first full day of getting the lay of the land this desolate place. Gale hung at the back of the group as they walked through ruined paths, close enough to look as though he was keeping up and within the protective circle of the torch light, but just at the edge enough to hide the pain eeking into his body.
It always started the same, a tingling numbness in his fingers, something that in these cold lands he could overlook, and so could the others. Then an ache in the shoulders that slid down his back like a network of barbed wire, prickling pain, there in one moment, gone the next. More and more symptoms of Mystra's present would layer in until the the warnings became too much to bear. The moment he felt his heart was trying to beat through sludge and grit, he knew he had gone too long. The trials of getting to Moonrise were also sapping some of his energy, his purple robes accentuating the growing bruises under his eyes.
How long did he have to continue like this? Each time he found himself at his limit, he found that his remedy was becoming less and less effective. The wizard couldn't keep asking for item after item, his thoughts began to slow him down. At what point did he just give in, at what point does Mystra win. His heels slipped out of the warm circle of light first. Maybe I should just let her win, what use am I to this team… Gale felt a chill mist over him, weighing him down, making him slower, dragging him backwards. As the light pulled away from him, his voice seem to become lost too. No need to call out. The scope of his vision began to darken, his feet slowed to a stand still. Should I not just let the darkness take me, I could rid the world of myself and the shadowed lands… They'd be safe then... The world began to blur. Safe from me.
He felt his body grow heavy as he dropped to his knees, and sounds became nothing but muffled wind and a steady piercing sound that began to block out all others. A ghostly wail that filled his mind and senses. His body swayed forward as his world went black.
—-----------------------------------------------
Tav noticed moments too late that one of her party had strayed out of the torch's reach. “Hells below.” She said as she looked behind her, Gale was on his knees, shadow beings looming over him like angels of death come to collect. In which Gale looked the part, he looked like death gripped him. She shoved the her torch into Shadowhart’s hands and rushed back. "Damn it, Damn it!" Her hands were already conjuring up dancing lights, casting it around Gale in a weak attempt of a barrier. She slid towards him on her knees as he pitched forward, catching him with all of her being. He felt so small in her arms right now. She looked up at the beings who dared to try to take him. The shadows roiled around her and she clung to his unconscious form.
It didn’t take long for the group to follow suit, the stronger light pushing back the dark beings into the forest’s edge. The light also revealed the pale and cold sweat covered face of the wizard, as his breaths came in hard shudders. Tav's mind reeled as she tried to figure out the best plan, pressing his limp form into her body. Tav looked back the way they came.
“He can’t continue-” Shadowhart started as she kept eye out on their protective circle.
“Obviously!” Tav snapped and winced, not meaning to lash out. “Sorry. I just..... How far are we from Little Light?”
“Fifteen minutes, But I could make it in less if you can keep up, Soldier.” Karlach said as she eased down beside Tav. The druid stared forward a little longer before Karlach nudged her. “Let me carry him.” There was a small bit of hesitation, not for doubt in Karlach’s strength, but the reminder that it was only a day prior that no one could touch her. Tav relented and helped with shifting Gale into Karlach’s warm embrace.
Not a moment later they were off, not their normal trot but a sprint, keeping inside the circle of light while making sure to avoid areas they haven’t scouted yet. They could have made camp, but it was better to have more people on watch, wasn't it? And Halsin was there if she needed an extra hand. No one risked a look back, if the shadows kept their distance and the girls kept their pace. The Harpers met them at the gate with questions that Shadowhart stopped to updated them with, they had been on high alert since the attack from Moonrise. Jaheria had a space was made for them up stairs, in an area that was left mostly whole after the attack. For Tav, the whole trip from fallen Gale to a bed was a blur. Her mind a whirlwind of running scenarios on how she missed what was happening, could she have caught this sooner, and why wouldn’t he just keep the magical items she offered him even when he didn’t need it. Fury kept her running, before the fallout made her collapse into a chair beside him, there was talking in her vicinity, updates made to camp and crew before she finally got her mental footing again. Now was when her druid training came to light.
“Bring up some water, a bowl and some clean cloth scraps please. And a spare sleeping set from anyone’s pack. He’s already soaked his clothing through with sweat.” Tav gave the orders.
“On it!” Karlach hopped to it, going down the stairs, and it wasn't long before she was back with the requested items. The rest of the crew was sent away to give the druid space. Karlach worked with her to clinically remove Gale from his damp clothing, and into something dry, before moving him under the covers partially. With that done she asked to be alone.
The muffled sounds from the bar below, the rustling of movement from outside the inn, and the wheezing of Gale’s pained breaths were all that filled the room now. Tav closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the door a moment before locking it. No interruptions. She turned to look at the pinched face of the wizard in the bed. The man that she’s spent nights talking magic with and listening to him drone on about his ex. Tav gave a soft laugh to herself. This dumb, kind, smart soul who didn’t know when to ask for help, or recognize help when it was being offered… almost put their whole party at risk. Get the sass out now, Tav. She told herself, the last thing he’d need upon waking is for her to berate him about the choice to come out with them in such a state. It only took a few steps to close the gap and sit on the side of the bed. Her hand pressed to his forehead, he was clammy and cool under her touch, his brows dipped in discomfort, a keening soft sound escaping his lips. Her warm fingers smoothed over his creased brow, a pained sigh was offered up in response, his head tried to lean toward that source of comfort. Her fingers trailed down the lightning shaped markings below his left eye and moved over his cheek, along his neck, a shudder in response, before she placed her hand over the bruised circle in his chest.
“You silly boy.” She murmured as she closed her own eyes and began to cast a rejuvenation spell, something to help settle and dispel some of the non-physical ailments. Her other hand found his and began to gently rub at his fingers. She hummed softly, letting the spell flow through her and into him, trying to imagine it chasing away the chill of the shadows, lighting the darkened corners of his mind and soul. There was a chance that the magical black hole in his chest was eating up some of her efforts, but it wouldn’t stop her from trying.
Her gaze moved to the ring on her hand, resting over his chest. It was something she kept, from their travels. Something he had commented on as looking pretty. Her thoughts turned again, she wished Tara was here. Maybe the tressym would know how to feed magic to an unconscious idiot, could she even do it. There had to be times when Gale, in his tower of solitude, let himself go for too long. Tav hadn’t even second guessed that this was the issue at hand today, though in her panic, she didn’t think about the repercussions of bringing a human bomb to a largely inhabited safe house. She slid off the ring and awkwardly placed it in the circle.
“Please work.” She whispered to the air more than anyone, or maybe in hopes that the goddess would let her help him in this way. Tav covered the ring with her hand and gave it a light press and closed her eyes. She scrunched her face as she tried to form that connection, a way to open the circle.
—-----------------------------------------------------------
The world was dark.
Had he died? Had he taken everyone with him?
The world was cold.
He had to be alone. Why would anyone be here?
The world was small.
Even in the vastness of nothing, he felt trapped in the smallest of spaces.
Then there was the barest of pressures, of warmth. It moved through his hands, then creeped up his arms, till it brushed at his core. He wasn’t as cold as he was before. Gale could feel some ease in the tension of his body. The darkness was now more gray, as if light was trying to break through a dense fog. Then the weight of the fog tried to bring him down once more. He would have let it too, if it was for an electric spark that made the place he was in light up in the brightest of lilacs.
Images flashed around him; Gale alone in his tower with Tara on his chest, Tav out in the open plains running along side fellow Elves and a unicorn, long nights and mountains of books, Tav placing protective wards around a forest, the Nautiloid, Tav slapping his hand as it stuck out from the portal, Tav and Gale sharing moments over the difference between druidic magic and the weave, Gale showing her the stars… Moments between him and this woman who had her suspicions at first but has grown to be a guiding star in his sky. Lastly is the image of Tav, sitting at a bedside, with him unconscious in it, pressing a ring to his chest. The room then flashes purple again. Pain cords through him, his arches up with a cry and a sob as the magic fills the need and settles into his bones.
—------------------
Tav couldn’t believe it worked, she was in pain, but when wasn’t she, and it had worked . Draw back was the mental connection that meant sharing the intense pain but some memories she hadn't thought of in a while, but she’d do it again. His breathing was settled down, but he seemed more lively, though still not awake. She shook out her hands and combed them through her hair as she processed what to do next. The soft glow of her healing magic came back as she did a healing word or two to ease the pain she knew for sure he was feeling. Then, all she could do was make him comfortable. Then after so false starts she made a decision. It took some odd maneuvering, but she was able to sit against the headboard and lay his head in her lap. She took the rags, dipping them in water and began to gently wipe down his face. A song bubbled up in her, from a distant memory, probably dredged up from the seeing the memories flashing earlier. She began to hum the tune, a lullaby of sorts as she laid a cool damp cloth over his eyes. Her fingers gently rubbed at his temples then up to comb through his hair as words quietly slipped out in tune:
“You're okay
You're alright
I'll never, ever leave your side”
She felt him stirring slowly and she placed a hand on his chest to settle him, continuing the song.
“I will stay and I will fight
With you”
Tav hummed a small spot in the song as she heard him try to move. He sucked in a pained breath. “Hush hush, I’ve got you…” She said, feeling him trembling lightly, she leaned forward to pull the quilt there higher up, stretching one of her legs down his side as support and warmth.
“You're okay
You're alright
I'll stay here through the darkest night
All the way, I will fight
With you”
“Tav..” His voice croaked out, he raised an arm to pull the cloth from his eyes, it was slow but she let him do it himself. Gale stared up at her, he still looked rough, but a lot less like death. His eyes still seemed distant, uncertain. Her hands moved to cup his cheeks, brushing along his beard.
“I’m here, you idiot.” She felt him shift his head into one of her palms, his eyes squeezed tight for a moment.
“I….I thought that I possibly….” He trailed off, his eyes opening again taking in the room of the Little Light tavern. “I’m….”
“Alive? Sorry? Thankful?” Tav proffered as she moved her hands back to combing through his hair, she chided herself, she didn’t want to bully him tonight by any means. His face crumpled a little and he moved to sit. Tav wasn’t having that, the moment he was even half way up, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him back to lean on her. She buried her face into his neck and held him firmly. He froze for a moment before relaxing into her.
“I am sorry.” He finally said as he rested his hands on hers. He soaked in her warmth. “I don’t… I don’t fully remember what happened.”
“You fell behind… Then the shadows were coming for you. You.... you looked dead.” She said into his skin before lifting her head and resting it on his shoulder. “If I was a betting person, I’d say you didn’t speak up before the hunger got bad.” Her fingers laced with his. “I fed you that ring you like, I didn’t know if it would work…” She could see him frown out of the corner of her eye.
“The sapphire one?” He said, slightly saddened at the thought.
“I’d rather have you here than the ring. It was a no-brainer.” She sighed and was quiet for a moment before asking. “Was it enough?”
He was silent for a while before nodding his head. Whether it was true or not was another thing. Tav knew that each item was becoming less effective, but what else could they do. She felt him lean his cheek against hers and she smiled, she’d give him all she could, if it extended his time here with them.
“You could try… not waiting until the point of exhaustion to eat again, you know.” Gale said nothing, his thumb rubbed over hers in small circles, then she heard him begin to hum. It was her tune from earlier.
“What’s that song from…” He asked quietly. “I’ve read many a book, but I don’t recall those lyrics before.” Deflection, but she'd take it, for a moment of calm and normality.
“Old clan song…. We’d sing them to animals and children and the like in the south of Alaron.” Tav didn’t mention her past often, it lay in the far off parts of peoples maps. “I can take you there one day, have you meet a unicorn when all this is said and done, if I can still find one.”
“Alaron…” He hummed and swayed slightly in her arms as he thought for a moment, her arms kept him steady. “Isn’t that Moonshae? That’s a bit of a hike from here.”
“Bit of a boat ride, yes… or Nautiloid ride in my case.”
“I.. read about in a book about the history of the isles…. Kamerynn lives there?” He asked, though he didn’t wait for an answer as he closed his eyes and began to recant what he knew. She could correct his details later, right now, she just wanted both of them to rest, and him to focus on the living and the now. What waited for them in the future didn't seem bright, but one could only hold onto the happiness of the current moments. She'd hold onto this one, and keep looking into a way to save this idiot man from himself.
Later, someone had to lockpick the door to check on them, just to find them curled into each other, sleeping. It... didn't look comfortable, but they certainly looked happy enough.