Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The stench of brains and bodies filled the small area Lae’Zel was trapped in. It was a stench Lae’Zel was quite used to in a world of Githyanki vs Mindflayers. In which the scent of blood was more of a comfort than it should be. Her sword was her prized position followed closely by her bow. And with the sword and bow, she would escape this nautiloid, fell any enemy on board, and make her way to the nearest crèche. She was Githyanki; she would never be ghaik!

It didn’t take long for the Gith warrior to escape the pod and climb to high ground. She was not only trained in the ways of combat, but also strategy. “Get to higher ground,” her teachers would say. “Not only do you have the advantage on your enemies, you may get lucky and get a surprise round. So many istiks forget to look up. ”

Lae’Zel jumped as soon as she caught movement in the corner of her eye. “Ghaik abomination!” She shouted, pointing her sword at the creature. “This will be your end!”

That’s when the worm in her brain deceived her. She was looking at herself through the… the istik’s eyes. This istik was no ghaik! This istik was… was…

Was a child? Lae’Zel may not be familiar with istik standards of maturity, but this was a child. If she had to guess, this… half-elf was no older than twelve years of age. Their eyes were a deep purple and hair was a half shave of the same color. They wore a ratty sorcerer’s robe.

“Magic user,” Lae’Zel thought to herself.

The half-elf backed away from her pointed sword. “I’m not… I’m not a… a ghaik…” the child claimed, though they didn’t sound too sure of themselves. “Whatever a ghaik is…” was added on as if it was an after thought.

“My name is Tav. I’m ten years old from Baldurs Gate and I don’t know how I got here but-“

Lae’Zel raised her hand to stop this child’s rambling. There was no time for introductions in the middle of the battle field. A Gith child would know better! “If you want to escape, you must go to the helm. I’ll be making my way there now.”

The child - the annoying, stupid, half-elf - child, did not blindly follow Lae’Zel. Instead they were full of questions. “Why the helm?”

Lae’Zel rolled her eyes. “If you want to live,” she emphasized. “You will follow me and not ask questions!”

The child gave her a mock salute. “Aye Aye, Captain!” Once again, Lae’Zel rolled her eyes.

The child, Tav they said their name was, and Lae’Zel headed to the next room where another half-elf was trapped in one of the Mindflyer’s Pond. “Why are there so many half-elves ?” she wondered to herself.

“Will someone get me out of this thing!!” She screamed as she banged her fist on the device. Lae’Zel was content to ignore the cries of help. The child had other ideas.

“I’ll help you!” The young half-elf exclaimed. This vermin was going to give Lae’Zel a migraine.

“We don’t have time for stragglers, istik!” Lae’Zel claimed. “Forget about her and go to the helm!”

“It will only take a second!” The young half-elf protested. And true to their words, it only did take a second. The child had forced the pod open with their magic.

The older half-elf fell as the child helped her up. “Thank you,” the black-haired women smiled. “I thought I was gonna die in that thing.”

“Not on my watch,” the younger replied. “I’m Tav. You are?”

“Shadowheart. And forgive me for asking, but… you look quite young. How old are you?”

“Ten.”

“Ten?” Shadowheart exclaimed in disbelief. Lae’Zel groaned in impatience.

“We don’t have time for this!” She stomped. “We must go to the helm! And if you two want to live, you’ll do as I say!”

Shadowheart turned to Tav. In a half whisper said, “You keep dangerous company. I wouldn’t trust a githyanki.”

Tav sighed. “She may not be nice… but she’s good with a sword.”

Shadowheart gave the child a sad smile, “Lead the way then.”

Chaos filled the helm. A mindflayer was battling with a cambion and imps blocked their path.

“We’ll deal with the ghaik later!” Lae’Zel exclaimed. “We have to get to the transponder!”

Before the child could ask any of their annoying questions, they were swept into battle. Lae’Zel dashed to the transponder as the two half-elves used their magic against the imps. The older one used holy magic, perhaps she was a cleric of some kind? The younger… their magic was a mix of every spell type. The sorcerers robes didn’t lie.

After her sword was thrust through a few stray imps, she had finally made it to the transponder. Finally, they could escape the hells.

A portal opened to what was (hopefully) their home dimension. But the nautiloid was going to crash. They were falling. The child and the cleric, the imps, the mindflayers and intellect devourers. They were all falling.

Something (or someone) seemed to catch Lae’Zel right before she hit the ground.

And everything went black.

Chapter Text

The cleric could feel small hands on her shoulders, yet her eyes remained closed. She wasn’t exactly sure what was going on yet. No one in the House of Grief was that… young.

Shadowheart opened her eyes to see the purple-haired, purple-eyed, child sorcerer standing above her. “Miss Shadowheart!” The child beamed. “I’m glad you’re safe. I’m not sure where our friend went but—”

As the child rambled on, Shadowheart tried to piece together the missing pieces. The artifact! She glanced to her side to see it right next to her, seemingly untouched.

What happened? She had retrieved the artifact and… then she was in that pod! That horrifying pod where she was sure she would die. Or worse, become a Mindflayer. In death, she would be met with the loving embrace of her Goddess. After all, she would have died in service.

Being a Mindflayer would’ve been much worse. The processes of turning into such a creature was gruesome and painful. Teeth fall out to make way for tentacles as your hair falls out all at once and your head ruptures. The parasite consumes the host’s brain. You’re no longer yourself once you're a Mindflayer. You are an illithid slave.

But… someone saved her, right? The child! “Tav,” her name supplied. Tav opened her pod despite the githyanki’s protest that they didn’t have time and then continued to fight with her on the ship.

And then the ship crashed. And they were falling,

  falling,

    falling.

The fall should’ve killed them. But “You’re alive…” Shadowheart finally spoke. “I’m alive. How is this possible?”

Tav shrugged, “I’m not sure…” they replied. “But it doesn’t matter! I want this tadpole out of my head! I can feel it… squirming in there!”

Shadowheart shuddered at the thought. She may not have become a Mindflayer on the ship, but they weren’t out of the woods yet.

Shadowheart stood, pocketed the artifact, and brushed herself off. “Right. I suppose we need to find a healer.”

“Aren’t you a healer?” Tav asked with a frown. “I saw you fight on the ship, I’d recognize radiant magic anywhere!”

“I’m a cleric,” she confirmed. “But mindflayer tadpoles are a bit above my skill level. Perhaps there’s a healer nearby.”

“Are we near the city?” Tav wondered as they walked.

Shadowheart shook her head, “I have no idea where we are. But our chances of surviving until the end of the week are much better if we find some form of civilization.”

“Our?” Tav beamed. “You wanna team up?”

The cleric sighed. “No, not really,” she thought. But her heart wasn’t as dark as her name suggested. She was lawful neutral, not evil. And if she left the ten-year-old on the ravaged beach by themselves, she would surely feel evil.

“You’re… skilled with magic,” Shadowheart eventually replied. “And we might come across a giant rat or something. Best if we travel together for now.”

Tav beamed. Shadowheart internally sighed as the two half-elves continued to walk forward. The truth was, the cleric wasn’t particularly fond of children. She was an animal person. She liked cats, dogs, and rabbits. She loved mice. It was only wolves she had a distaste for.

But children? She didn’t know the first thing about them! And Tav seemed eager to travel with her. Would she have to become a parent? Disgusting! She was anxious to return to her work as a cleric back in the city and she did not want a child tagging along with her.

“I’ll just keep them alive,” Shadowheart decided. “Just keep them alive. No further responsibilities. How hard could it be?”

Up ahead, Tav waved. “Miss Shadowheart! I found a dying Mindflayer!”

Well crap.

“Tav, don’t touch it!” she scolded as the kid did… exactly what she said not to.

Instinct overtook her and she used her spear to close the ilithid’s eyes forever. She turned to Tav with a glare on her face. “I said not to touch it!”

“Sorry, Miss Shadowheart…” they looked down. “I didn’t hear you…”

“Let’s just keep going,” she sighed. So they made their way through the wreckage of the Nautiloid. If Shadowheart cared about the child any more than surface level, she would have been concerned at their lack of reaction to the bodies littering the beach.

But as Tav looted the bodies for gold, weapons, and food, Shadowheart had no concerns. She was impressed by the younger’s wisdom to loot the bodies for supplies.

By the time they met the next… victim… of the mindflayer’s ship, Tav had already collected about 30 gold.

In a nearby clearing, a pale elf with white hair stood in the distance. “Help!” he cried. “I have one of those… brain things cornered!”

Before she could react, Tav rushed to the man’s aid. “I’ll help you!” They exclaimed at the same time her cries of “Tav, wait!” fell on deaf ears.

That’s when the elf pulled out a dagger. “I’ve got you cornered now! Tell me what you and those freaks did to me!”

This whole “keep the child alive” thing was proving to be much harder than Shadowheart thought it would be. She prepared Guiding Bolt, just in case. “Lay a finger on them and I will kill you!”

Tav struggled to get away from the man as he continued to threaten them. But… something happened and the elf finally let up. “You… you were on the ship too. Trapped.”

Tav stood, “Do I look like a Mindflayer to you?” they glared.

“I apologize. Name’s Astarion. I was in Baldur’s Gate when I was snatched up.” The elf’s red eyes glanced between Shadowheart and Tav before he finally asked. “Are you two related?”

“No,” The two replied at the same time. Shadowheart’s voice contained a hint of disdain that Tav didn’t pick up on.

“Never mind then. Do you know where we are?”

“Not at all,” Shadowheart answered. “Want to join us?”

“Might as well. But I am not babysitting the kid!”

“Me?” Tav asked. “I’m not a kid! I’m ten! I can fend for myself.”

Astarion turned to Shadowheart. “This is gonna be a long journey isn’t it?” He whispered.

Shadowheart nodded slowly as Tav called out to them.

“Miss Shadowheart! Mister Astarion! I found this glowing thing in a rock!” A moment passed before they heard the child call out once more, “I’m gonna touch it!”

Yep… it was going to be a long journey indeed.

Chapter Text

Shadowheart watched with wide eyes as Tav began to meddle with the bright, purple portal in the side of the cliff. Astarion watched with a smirk of amusement.

He didn’t know what the portal did and frankly, he didn’t care. It could do nothing at all or it could blow up the entire Sword Coast. Either way, he’d be satisfied with the outcome. Living for so long as nothing more than a puppet to Cazadoor he found it difficult to adjust to his newfound free will.

Shadowheart jumped when a hand reached out of the portal. “A hand? Anyone?” a smooth, tenor voice asked. The pale elf was delighted when Tav slapped the hand with all their might - which wasn’t a lot considering their age and the fact that magic users weren’t typically known for their strength.

“Perhaps I should clarify. A helping hand, anyone?”

“Give me a second…” Tav replied. Astarion couldn’t tell what they were doing - something magical he presumed. He’d never bothered to learn the ways of the weave.

“Whatever you’re doing, it’s working wonders!” the mysterious person replied. “A gentle pull should do the trick.”

Tav tugged on the outstretched hand, but nothing happened. They glanced at Shadowheart with a questioning gaze.

The cleric stepped up, her walk slow as if she didn’t want to help. Nonetheless, both she and Tav pulled on the hand at the same time.

A man tumbled from the portal. His brown hair went to his shoulders and he rocked a goatee that was beginning to grow out. The purple robes he wore were a few shades lighter than Tav’s hair.

“Apologies,” he blushed. “My name is Gale of Waterdeep. I’m usually better at this.”

“At introductions?”

“At magic?”

“At not getting yourself stuck in portals?”

Although the trio spoke simultaneously, Gale turned to the youngest of the group. “Well… I don’t usually get myself stuck in portals, but your pale friend is correct in his assumption. I’m usually better at magic than this.”

“Not as good as me I bet!” Tav exclaimed. “I’m a powerful sorcerer!”

“I’m sure you are,” Gale smiled. Astarion could see the white lie for what it was. He was humoring them. “I’m also a powerful magical user. A wizard, actually! But… I was taken and I was on the receiving end of a rather unwelcoming insertion in the ocular region,” he explained as he gestured to his right eye. “Since then, my powers have been drained.”

“Were you three also subjected to this?”

Tav stared at him blankly. Astarion couldn’t translate for the young half-elf if he wanted to. Wizards and their pretentious words!

“Yes, that’s… one way to put it,” Shadowheart acknowledged and then turned to Tav. “He’s talking about the tadpole.”

“Oh!” Tav replied. “Well, why didn’t he just say that? No need to use fancy words like ocular! Yes, we have tadpoles. Miss Shadowheart and Mister Astarion and I are all trying to find a healer!”

“Ah! I take it none of you three know how to remove a Mindflayer’s parasite?”

Astarion shook his head as Shadowheart spoke up, “This goes beyond most clerics’ skill sets.”

“Oh!” Tav beamed. “You should travel with us, Mister Gale! And we can talk about magic. What’s your favorite spell? Do you have a favorite type of magic? Did you get to go to wizard school? What do wizards do at wizard school?”

Gale gave a hearty laugh. “I’ll answer all your questions in due time. But we should get walking. I’m sure your…” he glanced between Shadowheart and Astarion, “…um… your friends want to find a healer as soon as possible.”

“We’re not friends,” the two declared in unison.

Tav was indifferent to this statement. Only responding with a positive hum.

Astarion was content to let Gale keep the child entertained. And Gale didn’t seem to mind chatting about magic and the weave and other things the charlatan would never care to understand.

As he walked, he made quiet banter with Shadowheart. “How’d you get stuck with them?”

“The mindflayer’s ship… Tav found me trapped. They got me out. Technically, I owe them my life. The least I can do is keep them alive until we reach Baldur's Gate.”

Astarion cackled. “You were saved by a child?” he laughed, doubling over. “Hilarious!”

Shadowheart’s cheeks turned red. “Is it really that funny, Astarion?”

“It’s positively delightful, darling!” he chuckled. “The big, strong, cleric needing rescuing from a tiny child.”

“You know what they say about karma!” Shadowheart snapped. “You might find yourself needing Tav’s rescuing.”

“Oh please!” The elf stuck out his tongue in disgust. “I’d die before asking someone that clueless for a rescue.” And considering he was harder to kill than most, that was saying something. “I’ll rescue myself. I always have.”

No reply came from the cleric and Astarion was content to walk in silence so they did. Well, as silent as it could be as Gale and Tav chattered about firebolts and magic missiles and other spells he didn’t care about.

That’s when a groan from Shadowheart caught his attention. “It’s her…”

“Her?” Astarion asked and glanced ahead. Tav and Gale were approaching two tieflings and a large wooden cage.

“There was this… Gith on the Nautiloid with Tav and I. She was trying to convince Tav not to rescue me… “we don’t have time for stragglers” in her words.”

Astarion hummed. Having both this Githyanki and Shadowheart in the party would surely stir up some drama. “I think she could make a delightful addition to our party of tadpoles.”

“You’re mocking me.”

Astarion beamed. Yes. Yes he was.

As they approached the trapped Gith, his mind connected with hers. “Get rid of them!”

“I’ll free you,” And despite not opening their mouth, they could all hear the promise in Tav’s words.

“This isn’t a good idea, Tav,” Shadowheart insisted. “She was ready to let me die on the ship, remember?”

Tav turned briefly to glare at Shadowheart before talking to the two tieflings. “You guys should probably leave. She’s really good with a bow.”

The tieflings glanced at each other. “We don’t want you to get hurt,” the male said. “Or anyone else.”

“I won’t get hurt!” Tav smiled. “I’m a powerful sorcerer!”

The tieflings paused as they considered Tav’s words. When it didn’t seem to be enough to convince the duo, Tav spoke up again. “I have my friends beside me and they won’t let me get hurt either!”

“Well… we should get going,” the female tiefling retreated, the male one in tow.

As soon as the pair was out of sight, Tav shot a bolt of fire at the bottom of the shoddy cage. The Githyanki warrior dropped out and Tav began to approach her.

“The tadpole hasn’t yet scrambled all your senses,” she sneered. “Auspicious. But the longer we wait, the more it consumes. My people posses the cure for this infection! I must find a crèche! You will join me!” It was not a request, but a demand.

A demand Tav was unmoved by. Instead the child replied with snark. “I know that you’re not from Faerûn, but here we say please and thank you.”

The Gith curled her lip. “You may as well suggest a wyvern bow to worms. The cure I offer will suffice as thanks.”

Tav shrugged, “It’s alright… we all learn at different paces I suppose.” Shadowheart stifled a snicker at the child’s insult and Astarion couldn’t hide his own cheeky smile. “Anyway, my name is Tav if you forgot. I don’t think I ever got yours?”

“Lae’Zel of Crèche K’lliir.”

“Okay Miss Lae’Zel!” Tav smiled. “Come on, Mr. Gale! I see a temple up ahead! Maybe there’s some cool magic things in there!”

“We really must find—“

But Lae’Zel was cut off before she could finish. “It’s just one quick detour!” Tav insisted.

“How many of these detours are we going to make?” The warrior grumbled to herself.

Astarion answered nonetheless, “I have a feeling a lot more than we’re comfortable with.”

Chapter Text

Gale Dekarios (also known as Gale of Waterdeep) was not familiar with children. Sure, he was keeping this ten-year-old entertained with stories of fireballs and ice storms and magical artifacts he no longer possessed due to his hubris. Nonetheless, magic was second nature to him. A second language he picked up with ease. It was something he could ramble about without difficulty no matter his peers’ age. If the child changed the topic… well, he’d be in hot water.

Perhaps he got lucky that it was a sorcerer who pulled him out of the portal. For Tav, magic may as well be the child’s first language. Gale had to study to learn the ways of the weave while Tav’s power was something the child was likely born with. From what he knew of sorcerers, their magical powers were as natural as breathing to them. They were able to manipulate the weave in ways Gale didn’t understand.

The wizard didn’t mind his peer’s reservations towards their young companion. If he were anyone else, he would have had his own concerns about a ten-year-old leading him into an ancient temple. But he knew what it was like to be blessed with Mystra’s gifts at a young age. “Follow the weave,” Elminster would tell him when he was still but a boy. “It will guide you to where you need to go.” And right now? The weave seemed to be guiding Tav forward.

At the entrance of the ruins, four bandits discussed the crashed Nautiloid. “Perhaps there’s treasure in there…” the second in command suggested.

That’s when Tav spoke up. “I wouldn’t go near it if I were you,” they warned, as much as a ten-year-old could. “There are monsters nearby! I’d leave while I can.”

The gnome leader laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s really scary for a little kid. Turn back now, this is our turf.”

Tav blinked. “No.”

“Then I have no choice,” the leader exclaimed and pulled out his long sword.

“Oh my Mystra we’re fighting!” Gale panicked. Of course, he knew that Tav was at least somewhat capable of handling themselves. Not only were they a sorcerer, but they had also survived the Nautiloid and the crash.

It was merely that Tav was a child that worried Gale. He was only indulging the young half-elf when he replied with agreement about them being a “powerful sorcerer.” And now they were fighting and what if Tav died? A child’s death was something he could do without witnessing.

The wizard was so caught up in his thoughts, he flinched when said child screamed out: “TORMENTUM!” Three missiles shot out from Tav’s staff and onto the leader of the bandits, nearly killing him.

Tav laughed and turned to Gale, “I love Magic Missile!”

Gale sucked in a breath. “Stop worrying,” he tried to calm himself. “They nearly killed that bandit in one hit.”

One arrow later, the gnome was lying dead on the ground.

The other bandits didn’t stand a chance. The pale elf, “Astarion,” his brain supplied, took out a bandit from behind as Shadowheart cast Firebolt.

As the last bandit hit the ground with a thump, Tav beamed. “Let’s loot the bodies!” They cheered.

Astarion walked over to Gale as Tav pillaged the bodies. “You know, I’m not particularly fond of most children,” he admitted. “But this one?” He smirked, looking back at the young sorcerer. “This one I like.”

Gale swallowed, something in the back of his mind telling him something was off about the situation. “Is it not concerning to you how… nonchalant Tav is with stealing from dead bodies?”

“Tch’k! Any Gith child would do the same! Is it not common knowledge for Faerun children to take what they can from their enemies?” Lae’Zel chided.

Deciding to ignore the warrior’s mispronunciation of Faerûn for now, Gale sighed. “Most children don’t have enemies to loot from…”

“Mr. Astarion!” Tav beamed and ran over to the elf. “Look what I found for you!” They exclaimed as they handed the older elf two pairs of thieves’ tools.

Astarion returned an awkward smile. “Why, thank you, darling. I’ll put these to good use!”

Once Tav was out of earshot, the rogue smirked. “I believe you’re overreacting, darling. Now enough standing around, let’s go hurt someone!”

Gale exhaled a breath he was holding. It was an issue he was willing to drop for now. Besides, they had these overgrown ruins to explore.

Tav approached the door and was about to knock before Astarion placed his hand on the child’s shoulder. “Let me handle this, darling,” he said with a cheeky smirk.

The elf cleared his throat. In a voice that wasn’t his own, he cried out, “It’s me, Gimblebook! I was attacked! Let me in!”

A voice on the other side of the door replied. “Gimblebook?”

“Yes, I was attacked!” Astarion replies in the fake persona he had created. “Let me in. Now!”

“Alright, alright! We’ll let you in!”

Tav’s eyes widened. “Mr. Astarion! That was so cool! You didn’t even use magic to change your voice, it was all you!”

Astarion only returned the praise with a brief smile. “Oh… um, thanks.”

There was no further comment as the group entered and was swept up into more combat. This time, Gale found himself worrying about Tav’s abilities in battle less. “They took out the bandits at the door with ease,” he reminded himself. “They’ll be fine.”

And they were fine. The same couldn’t be said for the raiders, who were deceased on the ground. It was after this battle that Gale felt a tug on his robe from the child’s hand. “Yes, Tav?” He asked. “What do you need?”

“Um… is it okay if we take a short rest?” The sorcerer asked.

“Of course, Tav,” the wizard smiled. “I could use a break anyway.”

The hour-long break within the overgrown ruins was a much-needed reprieve to their adventurous day. Gale took the time to recover a couple of spell slots as he watched his companions take what loot they could off the bandits.

Meanwhile, Tav was interested in the books that filled the temple’s walls. “Anything good?” Gale wondered.

“Not really,” the child shrugged. “Be wary of vampires. Don’t trust Sharrans. Like - as if we’re ever gonna fight a vampire! And the Sharran thing just seems discriminatory.”

“I have to agree,” Shadowheart spoke up. “Shar tends to get a bad rap, even in modern times. An exaggerated bad rap, I should add.”

Gale glanced between the symbol on the cleric’s armor and her face. “Okay, Shadowheart,” he thought. “Real subtle there.”

It was Astarion who spoke next. “I wouldn’t dismiss the book’s advice about vampires,” he warned. “You never know when we might encounter one.”

“I have to agree with our pale friend,” Gale added. “I never thought I’d encounter a Mindflayer and here I am with an illithid’s parasite in my brain.”

Tav hummed. “We should keep going,” the sorcerer insisted. “I wanna see the rest of the temple!”

“The sooner we get done with this old, dusty, temple the sooner we can get information on the nearest crèche,” Lae’Zel said. “Lead the way.”

The group continued further into the ancient temple. Gale couldn’t see as clearly as his companions who had the natural ability to see in the dark. Tav was nice enough to use the sleeves of his robe to guide him.

“Mr. Gale?” Tav spoke up. “Um… does the name Jergal ring any bells?”

“Jergal?” Gale exclaimed with surprise. Jergal was a deity lost to time. The God willingly gave up his power to three mortals — Bane, Bhaal, and Myrkul. He was known as a record keeper of the dead. Gale relayed this information to Tav.

“I think we’re in a temple dedicated to Jergal, Tav replied. “All these books are dedicated to him…”

“This temple must be more than ancient!” Gale exclaimed. “I don’t think anyone worships Jergal still. I wonder if we’re the first ones to discover it. If only I had my journal with me to document this finding. Archaeologists could have a field day with this—” the wizard was content to ramble on about the historical site when he heard a door slide open and Shadowheart murmur “Oh shit,” under her breath.

“Tav,” he asked. “What happened?”

The sorcerer cast the light cantrip so he could finally see what they were all looking at: a big open room with five undead all coming right at them.

“Well, crap…”

“Thank Mystra I recovered those spell slots earlier,” Gale thought to himself as he cast his own Magic Missile. His companions fought with their own renewed energy. He watched in amazement as Tav casted Firebolt despite being silenced. A prime example of a sorcerer’s power to manipulate the weave to an extent wizards would never understand.

“Their better be treasure in this sarcophagus!” Tav exclaimed as they brushed off their robe. “I’m tired of all these enemies.” A young escaped their small body, “I’m tired in general!”

“It would be wise to set up camp for the night,” Shadowheart replied. “I’m getting tired myself.”

“As soon as we get inside this crypt!” Asatiron commented. “I want a share of the treasure inside!”

Tav looked back at their companions before opening the coffin. What was inside wasn’t treasure at all. It was… another undead?

The child pouted. “Do we have to fight you too?”

The undead kneeled down to talk with the child. “Peace, child. I mean you no harm. I have but one question for you: what is the worth of a single mortal’s life?”

“What?”

“I ask again… what is the worth of a single mortal’s life?”

“Um…” Tav paused. “I mean… I guess it depends on what you do with the life you’re given.”

“I am satisfied. We will meet again.” Then the undead disappeared into thin air.

Astarion groaned, “All that for a cryptic undead? And no treasure? What a rip off!”

“Oh! Look!” Tav exclaimed. “A necklace that allows you to speak with the dead!” The child beamed, holding up the amulet.

Astarion reached forward, “Oh, don’t mind if I-“

“I’m gonna give it to Miss Shadowheart!” Tav exclaimed before the pale elf could get his hands on it. “Because she’s a cleric.”

“Right,” Astarion sighed. “It’s the most… logical choice.”

Shadowheart smiled at the gift. “Thank you, Tav. You’re so generous!”

“Yes, we all appreciate Tav, they’re such a sweetheart,” he pouted. “Let’s set up camp for the night! I’m starving and exhausted!”

Chapter Text

The camp set up wasn’t ideal. Astarion was content to set up his tent away from everyone, but especially the child. He did not need an annoying ten-year-old by him and he did not need that same ten-year-old to wonder why his upper canines were longer and sharper than they should be.

The elf watched as Lae’Zel and Shadowheart set up their own canopies as far away from each other as they could, yet directly across from each other. The rivalry he teased the latter with earlier in the day seemed to be coming to fruition. It was a conflict Astarion was thirsty to see.

Gale arranged his tent near the middle of the camp. “Suits him,” Astarion thought to himself. He didn’t know Gale, nor any of his companions, well enough to know anything comprehensive about them. However, he took what he could glean from watching the wizard interact with Tav. He seemed to be a go-with-the-flow kind of guy. Whatever happens, happens.

That - and the fact that the wizard from Waterdeep was the only one who indulged Tav in their childish ramblings. Perhaps Gale was the only one here who truly cared about the child. He might’ve approved when the young half-elf looted the bandits’ corpses earlier, but caring about Tav? Please! He only cared about himself!

Caring for others would only lead to more pain in the long run.

“Mr. Astarion!” Tav called from across the camp. “Mr. Gale made dinner! Come join us!”

Astarion pouted under his breath as he walked towards the fire burning in the center of their camp. Food wouldn’t sedate his hunger but it would look suspicious if he claimed he wasn’t hungry.

“I’ll sneak off when no one’s looking,” he promised himself. “Nobody needs to know.”

“Look at all this food!” Tav exclaimed, sitting right next to Astarion. “Great,” he internally sighed. “Why do I have to be the one dealing with them?”

Tav was content to ramble on about the cured meats and the dried fruit and the bread that Gale had prepared for their long rest. The chattering agitated the pale elf’s brain.

“Honesty, Tav!” He scolded. “You act as if you’ve never seen food before! Have a little decorum, will you?”

The young sorcerer’s cheeks heated up. “I… I do?” At Astarion’s nod, they continued. “I’m sorry, Mr. Astarion. I got excited is all…”

“No one is upset with you, Tav,” Gale soothed. “It’s been a long day, even for us adults. I’m quite excited for dinner myself. And to close my eyes. I will admit, I’ve never camped out before. Still, I think after the events of today I won’t be finding any difficulty in falling asleep.”

“I camp out all the time,” Tav replied. “I like looking at the stars, the constellations. Something about them makes me feel… comforted.”

“Perhaps you could teach us some,” Gale suggested. He then turned to the others. “What about you three? Any constellations you can name?”

Astarion had to pause and think about his question. He didn’t know anything about the stars in the sky, not anymore.

But he wondered if he would’ve had a different answer 200 years ago. When he was still a magistrate back in the city and could remain topside without the sun withering his skin away. Did he like stargazing?

It was something about himself he couldn’t remember. Chiseled away from the years of Cazador’s abuse.

“No,” he finally answered. If he sounded somber, none of his companions mentioned it.

“Chk! Gith don’t just know the constellations, we are from them. My own crèche, Crèche K’llir, is located within the Tears of Selûne.”

“I’d prefer if we don’t talk about Selûne,” Shadowheart scolded.

“Of course, you would have criticism about my place of hatching.”

“I have criticisms about anything with Selûne’s name attached! It’s not all about you, you know.”

Gale stood and clasped his hands together. “Well, it’s been a long day, has it not? I believe it’s best if we all retire for the night.”

“Agreed,” Both Lae’Zel and Shadowheart spoke in unison as they glared daggers at each other.

“I’ll keep watch!” Astarion quickly offered as he tried to hide his excited smirk. “After all, I’m an elf. I only need a few hours of rest to regain all my energy.”

Gale smiled at the pale elf’s offer. A smile so sincere and trusting that it almost made him feel bad about the lie. Almost.

“Thank you for volunteering, Astarion,” he replied. “You’re under no obligation to, but we appreciate it.”

“You are most welcome.”

Astarion waited and kept watch. As soon as he was sure everyone was asleep, he would sneak off and finally quell his hunger that had tormented him for centuries. Perhaps he would find something large like a boar or bear or even a kobold to feast upon. The thought made his mouth water.

After half an hour, the pale elf snuck off into the dark forest looking forward to a fresh meal.

He didn’t notice the purple eyes watching him from behind.

Chapter Text

As the five adventurers continued their journey to find a cure for the tadpole writhing around in their skulls, frantic yelling stopped them in their tracks.

“OPEN THE BLOODY GATES!”

Before Shadowheart could stop them, Tav ran forward. “We have to go help them!” The sorcerer exclaimed. “Come on!”

Lae’Zel groaned. “We cannot stop for every little problem in Faerun! We must find a crèche!” Although Shadowheart hated the Gith with a burning passion, that was something she could agree with. For entirely her own reasons, of course. While the warrior was set on receiving the Gith’s cure for Mindflayer parasites (which she didn’t trust), Shadowheart had her own objective. It was imperative she return the artifact to her Sharran cloister.

“We might as well help these people while we’re here,” Gale spoke up. “It won’t take long. We’re all skilled enough with our weapons and magic to take down a few stray goblins.”

“Chk! If I must help, I will. But I will not be happy about it.”

Gale gave the group an awkward smile. “I wouldn’t expect you to!”

When the adults caught up with Tav, they were met with a pack of goblins, worgs, and bugbears. The worgs bared their teeth as the goblins and bugbears shot arrows at the druids at the gate and the tiefling who were standing on a bridge above said gate.

Shadowheart prepared firebolt when something, no someone, caught her attention. A man with dark skin and a rapier came out of no where and casted what looked to be… a necrotic spell on one of the goblins.

“Damnable roach!” He exclaimed. “Provoke the blade!” He stabbed the goblin through the chest with his rapier. “And suffer the sting!”

“Woah!” Tav exclaimed out loud. “That was sick as hell!”

The man glanced up. His eye (he only had one) widened. Shadowheart didn’t need to be next to him to see what he murmured under his breath. “A child?”

But there was no time for the mysterious man to dwell on the young sorcerer’s age. They were being ambushed and they were out numbered. It was all hands on deck.

Shadowheart knew Tav was capable of taking care of themselves in a combat setting. What she didn’t realize was the ten-year-old’s intelligence. “Let’s get to high ground,” she over heard the sorcerer suggest to Astarion. “We’ll have the upper hand.”

The pale elf stumbled over his words. “I… well… I’m fine here…”

“Don’t want to follow the commands of a child, istik?” Lae’Zel raised a brow as she shot her bow. “I do not care for istiks or children and I especially do not care for istik children. But you would be wise to follow their advice.”

“Mr. Astarion!” Tav waved from high ground. Shadowheart didn’t even see them move. “Misty Step,” she realized. “Come on, we can see better from up here.” The child exclaimed as they casted their own bolt of fire on a worg, instantly killing it.

“Oh fine,” The elf reluctantly agreed and dashed next to Tav. Shadowheart could see the slight smirk and surprise when the arrow critically wounded a goblin.

Once the small goblin army was deceased, the gate was opened. Druids ran inside as Tav began to loot the bodies. “Let’s see if they have anything good!”

Lae’Zel stomped her foot. “We don’t have time for this! Every moment we stop to help someone, stop to loot a body, stop to rest, is a moment the parasite inside us is consuming our brains. I assure you, you do not want to become ghaik! First your bones will pop and your flesh will-“

“I believe Tav gets the point!” Gale exclaimed. “There’s no need for graphic descriptions to scare the child.”

“I am not intending to scare them,” Lae’Zel argued. “I only tell the truth. At this age, any Gith child would know the dangers of ghaik parasites!”

Tav’s face paled for a brief moment. “It’s okay Mr. Gale…” they murmured. “There wasn’t anything good on the bodies anyway… let’s just go.”

As they continued through the gate, Shadowheart caught a brief glimpse of Gale placing his hand on Tav’s shoulder. He whispered something that the cleric couldn’t hear, but whatever it was, it seemed to calm their young companion’s fear.

The first thing through the gate was an argument between a tiefling and one of the druids outside the gate. “If you stalled any longer, I would’ve been dead next to the goblins you foul-blooded creature!”

“WOAH!” Tav exclaimed. “That’s a little racist, don’t you think?”

The two arguing parties glanced at the child. “Gods help me… tell me why a child has more manners than you, Aradin?”

The druid, Aradin, huffed and walked off. That’s when the tiefling turned to the group. “Forgive me for that display of hostility. And thank you, for your help out that. More of my people might have been killed if not for you. I’m Zevlor.”

“I’m Tav!” The child exclaimed with the joy and energy only a ten-year-old could.

“Well met. I should warn you visitors are no longer welcome in this grove. Even children, unfortunately. Whatever your business is, I’d see to it quickly. The druids are forcing everyone out. This attack will only strengthen their resolve.”

“Why are the druids forcing everyone out?” Tav asked. “That’s not very nice. Is it just because you’re tieflings? That’s racist.”

Zevlor burst out laughing at the child’s observation.

“Forgive me for interrupting my young companion, Zevlor,” Gale gave the tiefling a polite smile. “But we’re in desperate need of a healer.”

He hummed in thought. “The first druid, Halsin, is a renowned healer. But he didn’t come back with the rest of the druids.”

“Does that mean we’re out of luck?” Tav exclaimed. “But Mr. Gale promised he wouldn’t let me turn into a-“

Shadowheart cleared her throat. “What Tav means to say, is there any other healers within the grove?”

“Well… if it’s not too serious, you could try Halsin’s apprentice Nettie. The druids are located within the inner grove. They’ve started a ritual to cut the grove off from the outside world,” he said with distain. “We can’t stay… but we’ll be slaughtered if we’re forced to leave. We’re no fighters.”

“I’ll talk to them!” Tav offered. If Zevlor saw the party’s huffs and eye rolls (save for Gale) he didn’t say anything.

“I’m not sure how much luck you’ll have… their new first druid, Kagha, won’t even see me. But… she does owe you for saving this place. I know it’s not your business, but-“

“Don’t even worry about it!” Tav gave the tiefling a mock salute. Zevlor returned the child’s smile and walked away.

Lae’Zel groaned in annoyance. “What did I say earlier, istik?”

“Lae’Zel,” Gale reprimanded. “Let’s just calm down.”

“Calm down?” She exclaimed. “There is a ghaik parasite eating away our brains and you expect me to be calm about it? We must find a crèche!”

Shadowheart couldn’t bear to hear the githyanki complain about finding this stupid crèche one more time! “Let’s split up,” she suggested. “You and Astarion can work on finding the crèche. Me and Gale will go with Tav.”

“It’s… it’s Gale and I,” The wizard commented.

“What?”

“Gale and I. That’s the correct grammar.”

“Do you want to be sacrificed to my Goddess, wizard?” The cleric snapped.

“Nevermind…”

“I for one would be delighted to split up!” Astarion smirked.

“We should meet back at the inner grove,” Tav suggested. “Then we can all see Nettie together. And… and maybe we’ll get lucky and we’ll be cured right then and there!”

Shadowheart was content to follow Gale and Tav around the druid’s grove. The first person they talked to happened to be a vendor. “What are you selling?” Tav wondered.

“Just some bits and bobs I no longer need.”

The young sorcerer hummed as they browsed the vendor’s contents. “Hmm… tools for Mr. Astarion… oh! A shield! You could use this Miss Shadowheart! And… oh wow! Look at all this food!”

“I didn’t want to comment on it last night…” Gale began. “But our pale friend is correct that some of your… mannerisms are concerning, Tav. Is everything okay at home?”

Tav hummed. “You know how poverty is, Mr. Gale.”

“Perhaps Tav could join my church back in the city,” Shadowheart suggested. She didn’t care for Tav like Gale did. She was only determined to keep the child alive and it was no more than a superficial goal.

But she did care about her Goddess’ approval. Converting a young child to the Lady of Loss would surely earn her Shar’s favor. “We have rations there.”

“Rations?” Gale raised a brow. “Were these… good rations?”

Shadowheart searched her mind for an answer but found none. In fact, she couldn’t even remember what the rations were or if they were good portions. But before she could think too much about it, her wound began to ache.

“Ack! It hurts!”

“Miss Shadowheart!” Tav exclaimed. “Are you okay? What’s wrong? What hurts?”

“It’s nothing,” she replied. “Just an old wound that flares up from time to time. I’ve had it for longer than I can remember. Nothing to worry about.”

“Okay Miss Shadowheart…” Tav replied. “As long as you’re okay.”

The child’s naive trust in her made her heart sink in a way she couldn’t discern why. This is what she wanted! To dedicated her life to the Lady of Loss and Darkness and to bring other’s suffering to Shar.

The trio continued to see the man from earlier training a tiefling child. “I can’t do it…” the child whined. “I’m not like you…”

“Umi, I don’t need you to be like me,” The man comforted. “I just need you to be able to buy enough time to run. I believe in you, you can do this.”

The tiefling child, Umi, picked up the blade with a new determination. But as Tav stepped closer, their minds all connected to the mysterious man.

They saw him chasing a one-horned tiefling further and deeper into Avernus. However, he lost his sight on her when he was captured by Mindflayer’s.

“Who was that?” Tav beamed. “She looks badass!”

“That,” he spat out, “was Karlach. A name no child should know.”

Tav whined. “What? I already saw her!” They exclaimed. “And you’re gonna adventure with us, right? You’re infected too. We’re all trying to find a cure!”

“I suppose it would be better to travel with company,” the man with one eye relented. “My name is Wyll. But you must understand I have to kill Karlach first and foremost. I’m oathbound to end her.”

“What did she do?”

Wyll sighed, “You are but a child so I’m reluctant to tell you. But I saw how you fought at the gate. You possess a natural talent for magic that a warlock like me can’t help but be envious of. Power like that could surely end Karlach for good.”

“Karlach is an archdevil’s shoulder. She’s out their now, praying on the innocent. If we don’t kill her, she’ll leave nothing behind but a trail of corpses.”

“Okay, Mr. Wyll!” Tav agreed. “We’ll help you kill Karlach. I still think she looks badass though!”