Work Text:
Astarion found he couldn't move, and he started to panic. His body wouldn't obey his command to run. It was like he was frozen solid.
From behind him, a low, syrupy voice said, "I put a spell on you."
Astarion could move his eyes, and he tried to see who was there. They were right behind him, but then they drew closer on his left side, and he saw long red hair, a long red robe, and a face that could be handsome if it didn't wear such a smarmy, self-satisfied expression. Astarion cringed as the man put a hand on him, stroking his flank like one might to calm a nervous horse.
"You might know me," he said. "I am Lorroakan, the master of the very tower you're trying to rob. Speaking of which, I'll be taking this back." He lifted an amulet from around Astarion's neck and pocketed it in his robe. "And these." One by one, he removed the magic rings from Astarion's fingers, pocketing them as well. "I'm sure I'll find more in your pack." He divested Astarion of the pack in question. Astarion struggled to move, but the effort was fruitless.
Lorroakan paced around Astarion, studying him. With a wave of the wizard's hand, Astarion's armor fell away. His clothing, too. The vampire was livid, but he couldn't even snarl in rage. Another wave of a hand, and Astarion was dressed in a ridiculous white silk robe that split up to the thigh on either side and had a neckline with a low V cut. It was practically obscene. "You're a vampire spawn," Lorroakan said as he prepared Astarion to his liking. "I don't have one of those. You'll be an excellent addition to my collection. Especially since you are quite comely.
The wizard summoned an earth elemental to take hold of Astarion as the holding spell began to fade. Astarion fought like a wet cat in a trap, but the elemental's grasp on his wrist and waist was too strong. It was like struggling against a small, localized mountain. The big, lumbering thing pulled him toward a gilded cage. "You can't do this!" Astarion shrieked.
As Astarion was thrown into the cage, and the cage imbued with a magic lock, Lorroakan said, "Oh, you'll find that I can. Get comfortable. You'll be there for awhile."
The cage was nestled in between two large wooden bookshelves. The metal appeared to be gold, but it was stronger than steel when Astarion tested the bars. Under his bare feet was red carpeting, and within the cage there was a plush red chaise with a throw pillow. "Am I supposed to drape prettily for you?"
Lorroakan said, "That's the idea."
Astarion huffed, and he lay down on the chaise, and he curled up on his side unprettily.
Lorroakan said, "You'll get used to the way things are supposed to be around here, spawn. When you behave, you get fed."
Astarion turned his back to Lorrakan, facing the red velvet back of the chaise.
. . .
Gale of Waterdeep hated Lorroakan, but he loved Sorcerous Sundries, the magic shop Lorroakan owned. Every time Gale came to Baldur's Gate, he made a point to come look at the fascinating new items, books, and scrolls Lorroakan had for sale. Today, though, he passed by the would-be mages casting cantrips and sidestepped the people polymorphed into cats and rats, and he made his way up the winding staircase to the second floor, where a simulacrum of Lorroakan stood.
"What is your business with the wizard Lorroakan?" the simulacrum asked.
Gale leaned on his staff. He wasn't out of shape per se, but his knees ached. He wasn't getting any younger. He was otherwise fit, though, and he filled out his purple robe rather nicely, if he did say so himself. His chestnut hair was pulled back in a half-bun. His brown eyes were soft and kind. Most of the time. For Lorroakan, they were sharp and speculative. "I've come to talk to him about his obsession with the Nightsong."
A portal opened beside Gale. "Enter," the simulacrum said.
Gale walked up to the portal and stepped through. He was instantly transported to Lorroakan's tower in the Upper City. The red-haired wizard was sitting on a throne made of books. He looked ridiculous. "Lorroakan, my old friend," Gale said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "What a joy to see you again."
"Gale," Lorroakan said. "You have word of the Nightsong?"
Gale's gaze skimmed the interior of the tower. The man liked the color red, Gale would give him that. The carpet was read, the banners and tapestries on the walls were red. The bookcases -- and there were many -- were stained a deep, rich burgundy.
Then Gale's gaze fell upon the cage.
Inside, laying on his back on a red chaise, was an elf with silvery hair and ruby red eyes. He was dressed in a skimpy white robe, and he was almost as pale as it was. He was breathtakingly beautiful, even with his features pinched in a semi-permanent sneer. He stared at the ceiling, pretending to ignore the two wizards.
"What is this?" Gale asked, gesturing to the elf.
Lorroakan turned to look at the elf and said, with pride in his voice, "A vampire spawn. I captured it a few weeks ago. The menagerie is on another floor of the tower, but this one is so nice to look at, I decided to host it here in my study."
Banked fury lay writ all over the spawn's face.
Gale said, "Lorroakan, you can't enslave sentient species."
"Even if they're evil?" Lorroakan asked. "If it wasn't in this cage, it would be out killing people."
"You don't know that," Gale said. "You can't assume things like that."
Lorroakan sighed, and he stepped forward to clasp Gale's shoulder. Gale tensed, and he came close to shrugging the other wizard's hand away, but instead he held still. Lorroakan said, "I can and did. It's a spawn, Gale. It's not a person like you and me."
Gale looked at the elf again. "Let us agree to disagree."
Lorroakan shrugged and stepped away from Gale. "Let us speak of the Nightsong."
Gale said, "I had come to talk you out of this madness, but now, I think I have an offer for you."
Lorroakan arched a brow. "I'm listening."
Gale said, "I will tell you what I know of the Nightsong, and you'll give me the spawn."
Lorroakan laughed. "I'm not letting it go that easily."
Gale said, "Don't be obstinate, Lorroakan. I can tell you where she is."
Lorroakan said, "I want more."
Gale bit the inside of his lip and considered his options. He noticed the elf was looking at him, and he tried to offer a comforting smile. It caused the elf to look away. Gale needed to convince Lorroakan to let him go. But the bartering chip he had was dangerous. With a sigh, he took it out of his pack. It was as silver wand, inornate but with a lovely curve to it. It felt heavy in his hand, and it hummed with magic. As soon as he held it up, Lorroakan's gaze fixed upon it with a hunger in his hazel eyes. Gale said, "I see you know what this is. It will hold her in the prison of your creation. So long as the wand is in your possession, the prison will hold."
Lorroakan said, "An acceptable offer. The spawn is yours. Now, tell me where she is."
Gale shook his head. "You get one or the other, not both. Her location or the wand."
"I'll take the wand," Lorroakan said. "I'll find out where she is one way or another."
Gale offered the wand over and said, "Free the spawn."
Lorroakan snatched up the wand, then looked bored as he waved a hand to undo the arcane lock. For a moment, the spawn just lay there, looking confused. Then Lorroakan said, "Get up and get out. Go to your new master."
The spawn sat up, then he got to his feet and made his way with uncertain steps to Gale's side. He made a point not to touch him.
Gale said gently, "I'm not your master. You're free."
The elf said quietly, "It's daylight."
Gale nodded. He understood. The sun would burn the poor creature to a crisp. "If our business is concluded, Lorroakan..."
The redhead waved a hand and said, "Yes, yes, go. Leave me."
Gale nodded for the spawn to follow him. They left through the portal and appeared in the store. Gale chose a path that kept them well away from the windows letting in sunlight. Then he took the spawn to a side door that led down some stairs into the basement. From there, a rickety wooden door led into the sewers.
"There we are," Gale said. He faced the spawn. "I'm Gale of Waterdeep. Who might you be?"
. . .
"I will tell you what I know of the Nightsong, and you'll give me the spawn."
That caught Astarion's attention. He laid still and listened to the wizards barter and bicker over him. When he stole a glance at the purple-robed stranger, he saw a man with olive skin and brown hair. He wasn't all that old, but he wasn't young, either. There were strands of gray at his temples, and he was quite handsome. He would be Astarion's type if Astarion had a type. He was the kind of man Astarion would ignore in a pub because he wouldn't want to bring him back to Cazador, his master. The wizard made eye contact with Astarion, and Astarion looked away. That look he gave, its reassurance gave Astarion a sliver of hope. The wizard was a bleeding heart who couldn't stand to see a sentient creature imprisoned. Astarion could use that.
When he was freed, the daylight was a problem, though. At least the wizard seemed to understand that. He led him down to the sewers. It was so easy. From here, he could get back to Cazador's palace and face whatever punishment awaited him after being gone so long.
Then Gale introduced himself so easily, like they were meeting at a pub. "I'm Gale of Waterdeep. Who might you be?"
Astarion forced a smile and said, "Astarion. And I believe I owe you for my freedom." The sewers wasn't an ideal place to do the deed, but it wasn't like Astarion hadn't done it there before. And Gale was handsome. Kind. Astarion might not even hate doing it so much. He slipped a hand over Gale's shoulder, then pulled him in for a kiss.
The wizard started in surprise, then he melted, and they kissed sweetly there amidst the refuse and questionable sluice. The wizard laid a hand on Astarion's chest. Then he tensed up, and he pushed Astarion away gently. "No, you don't owe me anything. It was the right thing to do. You deserve to be free."
Astarion laughed and said, "Free? Darling, I'll never be free. My master will be furious I've been away."
Gale's features fell, and he said, "Oh, Astarion, I'm so sorry."
Astarion said, "Don't worry about it, my dear. You did me a real favor. The longer I'm away, the more trouble I'm in when I get home. You've spared me untold torture. So I owe you my thanks. Are you sure you won't take me up on that?"
Gale said, "Goodness, no. Don't get me wrong, you are a rare beauty, but you don't have to do that if you don't want to. Not with me."
Astarion hesitated. He wasn't sure what to do with a man who wanted him but wouldn't take him. He squared his shoulders, lifted his chin, and he said, "Haven't you just doomed this 'Nightsong' person into slavery to set me free?"
Gale smiled as he said, "He has to find her first, and if he does? She'll tear him to pieces. I only hope that I can be there to watch."
Astarion giggled. "You're a bad one," he says, "I like it."
Gale's cheeks colored, and he bowed his head. "I have my moments."
Astarion murmured, "I bet you do. I should go. Have a good life, Gale of Waterdeep."
Gale said, "You as well, Astarion. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime."
Astarion replied, "Pray they don't." Then he walked into the shadows and disappeared, leaving the wizard looking somewhat baffled.