Chapter Text
She was alive!
By Shar's mercy, she was alive!
Shadowheart did not understand how, from falling from such a great height, but either way. She was thankful to be alive. Then she remembered, the Drow that saved her from the pod on the Nautiloid. Did she make it?
What was her name again?
Tav?
No.
It started with a V, she thinks.
Veritas! That was it!
Was she still alive? Or did she perish in the crash?
Shadowheart stood up and began her search up the beach side. She noted the water source, that means there's a settlement nearby. Shadowheart will have to remember that after the search for the young Drow.
There!
Shadowheart spotted the small figure, sprawled out in the sun, she was unconscious. She crouched down beside the body and pressed her fingers on the woman's neck. There was a pulse. Good, she survived the crash also. Shadowheart stared at the Elf.
Veritas was small, maybe 5ft or 4'9 ft, with a willowy figure. A round, child-like face, her white hair was tied in a ponytail and on her right finger, was a ring. The ring was silver with a large star shape jewel surrounded by smaller stars. A family ring, perhaps?
She wore a black cloak and a white corset with a white skirt to match. A wedding dress, or what remained of one. Was she going to be wed only for a Mindflayer ship to snatch her up?
It didn't matter, really.
What matter was that Shadowheart has a potential ally. A preferable one than the Githyanki.
Turning away, Shadowheart headed back to where she first lay unconscious. She wanted to test Veritas. To see if she was someone Shadowheart could trust on this journey.
She sat down pulling out the artefact. Shadowheart saw Veritas eyeing the artefact when she broke Shadowheart free, and the Cleric wanted to see what the Drow will do.
Lying down in the sand, she let the device lay in her open hand and waited.
The summer breeze rustled the leaves of the forest behind her. The waves of the lake crashed on the shores, birds sang in the trees going about their day like there wasn't a crashed ship in their forest home. It was so peaceful.
Shadowheart had to fight back the urge to fall asleep to the sounds of the outdoors, she needed to be aware of her surroundings in case Veritas or some other stranger shows up.
Finally.
Shadowheart heard the sound of footsteps approaching her, drawing closer and closer, the sand crunch underneath the feet of the person in question. The footsteps stopped next to her, and she heard a voice whisper, "Oh gods." The voice Shadowheart recognizes the voice belonging to Veritas, her tone sounded worried.
Shadowheart listened as the dark Elf knelt next to her. The Cleric ready herself and waited for the Elf to reach for the device. She had to suppress the urge to jolt when she felt small hands grab her shoulders and gave her a hard shake.
Shadowheart gave a show of suddenly waking up to see Veritas, the look of concern on her face changed to one of relief to see Shadowheart was still alive. "I'm glad to see you're still alive." Veritas said with a smile.
As the two Elves stood up to talk, Shadowheart couldn't help feeling conflicted with herself. While she was relieved to see that Veritas didn't make an attempt to grab the artefact or try to kill her even. At the same time though, she wondered why Veritas didn't even try.
Shadowheart watched her, looking for any sign of deceit, but Veritas looked genuinely happy to see Shadowheart was okay and wanted to travel with her. She even expressed concern for the Githyanki, Shar knows why?
The two headed off, following a path to the wreck and the wilderness, they needed find shelter and supplies. Veritas definitely needed a change in wardrobe.
Shadowheart wasn't entirely sure about her new companion but, nevertheless, she was grateful to the small woman. For saving Shadowheart from the pod instead of leaving her to her fate.
Shadowheart will remember that.