Chapter Text
They were arguing.
Veritas had eventually gone back to her tent, she eventually fell back into her meditations, her visions were nothing but black shapes that slowly turned and twisted into the shapes she hadn't seen since her childhood.
The two shapes were arguing, their faces were close as they spat insults at each other, the smaller shape pushed and shoved at the taller figure. Jabbing its finger into the taller one's chest, the taller one slapped the finger away and move to get closer and yelled even louder.
Veritas pressed her hands to her ears, as tears streamed down her face, the yelling was getting louder and louder.
They need to stop.
She wanted them to stop.
Veritas opened her eyes and sat up when she heard a particularly loud shout that was coming out of her tent.
Letting out a heavy sigh, she sat up and glance at the tent entrance, the voices sounded like Shadowheart and Lae'zel. The two were in a heated argument, Wyll's voice was amongst them, though his voice wasn't as loud. In the jumble of voices, Gale's voice was heard, though it was hard to pick out.
Sighing again, Veritas moved out of the tent to see four of her camp mates were in a shouting match. Each one trying to be the loudest among them, she spotted Astarion sipping from a goblet watching the adults argue with an amused grin. Veritas moved to stand beside him. Her eyes glance at the two strange markings on his neck, she moved her eyes up to him and stood beside him.
“How long have they've been at it?” She asked.
“Ten minutes,” The High Elf answered her, taking another sip.
“What are they arguing about?” Veritas said, moving to find her own cup and beverage.
“If we should help the Tieflings and the Druid, Lae'zel is completely against the idea.” Astarion replied taking another sip.
Veritas found a jug of milk, that was being preserved by magic to keep it cool, and a cup. She poured herself some milk and drank it. Her face grimace at the taste of her drink, she rubbed the roof of her mouth to remove the taste of the milk. “What do you think we should do?” She asked.
“I honestly could care less what happens to these people.” He said with an edge of disdain, Astarion turned his head to give the refugees a look of disgust, “If these people can't defend themselves then why should we intervene.” He gestured to his skull, “besides we have better things to worry about.” Veritas cringe when she felt the tadpole wiggle in her skull, hate filled in her gut, she down the milk in one go. Wiped her mouth and toss the cup aside, Astarion regard the small Drow with an inquisitive look. “What do you think we should do?”
Veritas remained silent; she glances at the Tieflings as they went about their day packing their belongings. She can sense an air of hopelessness and resentment from the people that was for the druids that were kicking them out after the attack from the goblins yesterday.
Veritas can hear the druids' chanting voices drifting up in the cave, echoing off the walls, they started the ritual to hide the grove from the world.
The sorceress noticed the Tieflings watching their group members arguing, and embarrassment washed over her. She quickly turns and grabbed a pan and a wooden spoon, then moved to her allies and banged the spoon on the pan loudly to get their attention.
The four adults stop their arguments to give her a puzzled look, Veritas set the pan and spoon down and crossed her arms. “That's enough, we have better things to worry about then fighting amongst ourselves.” She reasoned.
“I agree,” Lae'zel said. “We should head to the crèche now for purification while we still can.”
“I am not going anywhere to leave these people to die at the hands of goblins!” Wyll argued, the soldier glared at him.
“Then you can stay here and turn into a mindflayer!” Lae'zel hissed.
“You can go if you care about your 'purification' so much, Lae'zel.” Shadowheart pointed out, “our group will be better off without your help anyway.”
“Like you are better off without me.” Lae'zel spat.
The two women squared off each other, their gazes filled with hate for the other, Gale stepped between the two before they pulled out their blades. “Let's relax, we don't need to escalate things
with swords.” Gale said, his voice was calm, but Veritas could detect the wariness behind it.
“If our quarrel bothers you so much then leave!” Lae'zel snapped.
Veritas rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on, she didn't know if the tadpole was causing it or the stress of the argument.
An idea popped in her head, she glances at Lae'zel and said in a calm voice, “Zevlor had mention that these goblins are more organized than normal.”
“Your point?” Lae'zel asked.
“They could hinder you journey to purification, and by the time you manage to fight your way out. You'll probably undergo the ceremorphosis.” Veritas pointed out, watching the Gith carefully. Lea'zel's face was unreadable as she took in the half-Drow's words.
Veritas continued, “if we kill these goblins' leaders then the journey to the crèche will be easier to navigate.”
Lae'zel gave her a suspicious glare, “are you just trying to convince me to help you fight the goblins to save these cowards.” She gestured to the Tieflings, Veritas kept a cool face and gave her a shrug. “All I'm saying that if you think we can survive without your help then you're free to leave, my friend.” She suggested.
Lae'zel gave her a long, hard look, “Chk! Fine I will assist you with slaying the goblins' leaders, but I am not doing this to help the Teethlings.” She spoke.
“It's pronounced TIEFlings, my dear.” Astarion corrected with a smirk.
Lae'zel cursed at him before she moved to get dressed in her armor, Veritas let out a giggle, before turning to get herself ready. She entered her tent to see what remained of the wedding dress, she grabbed it and quickly sped walked to the blacksmiths to chuck it inside the fire.
Dammon looked at her then at the fire then back to her, “what did you throw in there?” He asked.
Veritas turned around and muttered. “What was left of my chains.”