Tav and Astarion left the house via the back entrance. Astarion, in the Drow armor, would keep to the shadows until they reached the first gate. He told Tav where they were headed, so at least she could walk on her own. However, the plan was, when they came to the nearest gate to the Lower city, Astarion would become unseen and follow her, making sure she wasn't followed. It was a precaution for both of them.
Eventually Tav arrived at their destination. Aware that Astarion was somewhere nearby, Tav stopped at Facemaker's Boutique. She walked up the stairs and pushed the door open, and left it open.
A young man was at the long counter, and gave a cheerful smile. 'Welcome, how may I help you?'
'I would like to buy some clothes,' she said while glancing around the shop.
'Wonderful, I'll show you some pieces.'
'Actually, I would rather speak to Figaro about them.' Arms on the counter, she leaned provocatively towards him and gave him a coy look.
The young man's face reddened and he became flustered, 'Uh… well… he doesn't see people unless he knows them very well…'
She smiled demurely. 'That's good because he does know me.'
He squinted his eyes at her appearance. 'It would appear you are not clientele from this store.'
She wore a red jacket with gold embroidery that was open over a black lace bodice revealing her cleavage. Her pants were leather that matched the bodice, and had embossing down the leg that matched the pattern on the jacket. Looking down at herself, she realized with remiss her clothes were not from Figaro, but she guessed it might be made by his sister. His rival in the clothing market.
'This…' she gestured her jacket, 'It's just something I get around in…' Tav commented distractedly.
'Master Figaro values loyalty. His wares are the finest in the city. He does not serve run-of-the-mil people—'
'Look, I am not just a normal person,' She raised her voice and moved towards the interior door.
The man came towards her. 'You can't just barge in---'
She opened the door, but turned towards him. 'He'll remember me. The one who saved him from Bhaal cultists when the whole shop ended up with Dopplegangers trying to kill people.'
His eye's bulged at her statement. 'Bhaal cultists and Dopplegangers? That is… I find it difficult to believe…'
'That's right. Bhaalists,' Tav nodded, seriously. 'His life might be in danger right now, and yours too.'
'Oh, my, Helm!' the man cried.
'You don't want to be slaughtered while you are trying to work, do you?' She started for the door.
'No!' He threw his hands in the air with a sudden expression of terror. 'Go and talk to him quickly.'
She went through the rooms in search of Figaro, and hoping he hadn't gone into hiding because he heard her words. Astarion appeared and closed the door behind him.
Figaro, a dark-skinned dwarf, stood waiting for them. Dressed in a beautifully designed cobalt suit, he pointed a short sword at Tav. On observing her a moment, he creased his brow in recognition.
Tav put her hands up, but smiled with a dramatic stance. 'Figaro, don't you remember me?'
Removing his mask, Astarion came to stand beside her, and gave him an obligatory smirk.
'Oh, it's you.' Not pleased at all, he pointed the sword at Astarion, and squinted, 'and … one of them.'
'Soo, you know who I am?' Astarion commented, 'That's encouraging.'
'Hmmph,' Figaro went on, 'My shop was left in a terrible mess from that day.'
'It was the only way to deal with them.' Astarion remarked, acerbically, 'Beside Bhaal spawn are not generally known for being clean killers.'
Figaro gave a tired nod. 'Right…' he lowered the sword, but still clutched it, '… well, I imagine you haven't come here to reminisce…'
'We have come about a different matter…' Tav said gravely.
'I see…' He remained tense. 'What is it then?'
Tav glanced at Astarion to gauge whether he wanted to do the talking. He nodded at her. 'We are searching for someone. We think you might know where he is.'
'You think so?' he lifted his eyebrows, 'I'll be the judge of that.'
'His name is Leon.' Astarion observed his face closely.
Figaro shifted uneasily, and his eyes flittered over Astarion. 'No. Never heard of him.'
Astarion stepped closer, his red eyes piercing the dwarf's evasion. 'Someone like me, from the palace on the wall. Do I have to speak slower? One of Cazador's spawn. Does that help?'
'Ahh –' Figaro backed up, and hit his back on the desk. 'Listen, I don't want trouble with him.'
'If you don't want any trouble,' Astarion reproached, 'then you will answer our questions.'
Tav tried to calm the overly nervous dwarf. 'Figaro, we don't want any trouble either. All we want is to know where we could find Leon.'
Astarion folded his arms. 'And his daughter.'
'His daughter?!' Whining with surprise, Figaro lowered his sword. 'I don't know about that—'
'It's in your best interests to help us.' Tav cast a quizzical glance at Astarion, that he would mention the child.
'She's in the palace,' Figaro answered shortly.
Astarion grinned slyly. 'Now if you know about the daughter, you can tell us about Leon.'
Figaro pulled out a fancy handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. 'Alright. But you tell no one of this. Leon was here.'
'He's been here on more than one occasion?' Astarion asked.
'Yes…last time was only about 5 days ago.'
Tav asked, off topic, 'How did you even know Leon?'
Figaro studied her a moment, and finally responded, 'I knew Leon before he was turned. Long time ago. Over a hundred years. All history now.'
Astarion's hard expression eased towards him. 'You smuggled his daughter out… then you and Leon replaced her with an orphan.'
'How did you know that—'
'You have the skills and resources to disguise someone. You are an intelligent dwarf,' Astarion commented, 'as far as dwarves go.'
'It was Leon's idea.' Figaro brushed him off.
Tav flicked a surprise glance at Astarion. 'Wait, that girl wasn't...?'
He looked at her astutely and answered, 'I believe the plan was so elaborate it fooled everyone at the palace. They put another child in Victoria's place. Leon even went so far as to contaminate her blood incase she was killed. So no-one can go near her body.'
Tav's eyes widened with shock at the revelation. 'That's terrible…'
Figaro looked away, fear on his face. 'I don't want Cazador knowing this…'
'No need to worry about that.'Astarion had lost his patience, 'But you can be concerned about me if you don't start talking.'
'I did help getting the girl out. Leon made use of some commotion at the palace.' Figaro told them in a flurry, waving his handkerchief in front of them. 'Said all the schedules were up in the air.'
Astarion said to Tav, 'I assume it was at the time I did not return. During that time, Spawn were out in day-light hours.' He turned back to Figaro, 'Go on.'
'Got her out. Then she was going outside the city.' Figaro said, 'A family in Rivington.'
'And who might they be?' Tav asked.
'Ahh, I think they were relatives of the girl's mother…' The dwarf rambled.
Astarion clenched his jaw and lowered his voice. 'The name of this family, and where they can be found.'
'Listen, I can't be expected to know everything Leon did. I was risking my life. If that vampire, Cazador found out… I'd be dead.' Figaro pleaded with Astarion, 'You should know!'
Astarion's searing gaze remained on him.
'Alright, it might have been Clauvern…' He paused, 'Think it was a farm outside Rivington, up the East Road and past Hocker Hill.'
'That's something at least,' Tav said, 'You think he went after his daughter?'
'No, he wouldn't.' Figaro glanced away in thought, 'He came and said he was being hunted. I assumed it was his master. But he said it wasn't Cazador chasing him. He was going to leave the city. I gave him some supplies, and some clothes.'
'Is it possible he's gone out to Elturel?' Astarion asked.
'Guess it is possible,' Figaro shrugged, 'He is from there originally.'
Tav said with surprise, 'And Elturel is in a terrible state right now.'
Astarion responded, 'Actually that means it could be a perfect place to lay low. There's also no pesky second sun hanging in the sky anymore.'
Tav turned back to Figaro. 'Now I want to give you a heads up. You better think twice about hiding Leon. Those hunting him are very determined to succeed. Mortals will not matter to them.'
'I'm not hiding him.' Figaro looked horrified by the mention of it and continued swatting his face with the kerchief.
Tav and Astarion exchanged unhappy glances.
Figaro added, 'You know, Leon, he's…' he hesitated, 'he wants to find a cure. For some reason… he thinks there could be a cure— as if he's got some sort of disease.'
'A noble endeavor,' Astarion remarked, 'However, I don't like his chances of that actually happening.'
'We will leave you now,' Tav said, 'Thanks Figaro, for your assistance.'
'Next time, just come for my beautiful clothes!' He raised his hand, his white cloth flicking like a flag. 'I can't take much more of this tension.'
Tav left the shop alone. Astarion had told her to meet him outside Wym's Crossing. Walking through the Lower City streets, she headed for the Basilisk Gate. All the while hoping Astarion was safe keeping to the shadows, and at least out of the way of people.
Once past the gate, she went through the Fortress. On the other side, and past most of the market and shops, she halted at a secluded spot. Under the shade of the building, Astarion walked up to her and she said, 'So far so good. The crowds will thin as we head out of Rivington. So do you think Leon might know who is hunting him down? And why Elturel?'
'Possibly, it wouldn't hurt to ask if we ever catch up with him,'Astarion replied, 'I had an idea Leon had links to Elturel, it seemed an obvious place for him to return too.'
'Mmm,' Tav had a thoughtful expression, 'Elturel could be suffering from a power vacuum right now. Could be a crazy place to visit.'
'That's right,' Astarion agreed, 'Dangerous for some, but maybe for others it offers a place to do whatever you want.'
'And what about the girl?' Tav grimaced, 'It's an awful story what they did…'
'It is, and I'm not convinced seeing the girl will help in any way.' Astarion gave a heavy sigh. 'Perhaps we should just leave them and not bother…'
Tav shook her head, ready to debate. 'You might be right, and I'll agree with you—'
'After the fact.' He gave a knowing smile. 'My love, you are always so determined. Even though we may be endangering her life and those with her.'
She grumbled, 'Curses, that's quite logical.'
He let out a tense sigh. 'But we will go and have a look if you really wish. It's still day, and I don't think anyone is following us.'
'And we have to get back before nightfall.' Tav pressed her lips together, not completely settled with the choice she was making.
They headed up the East Road, eventually coming to Hocker Hill. After some more walking, and wondering if they were lost, they spied a two-story stone farmhouse amongst a few trees. It had a barn area that held a cow and horse, and a pen was attached. For a farm there was no activity around the house or the adjoining field.
Tav gazed around at the quiet property with foreboding. 'I guess this is it?'
They both approached the house together. She knocked on the door. There was only silence. She and Astarion shared a suspicious gaze. Tav knocked again, louder. Eventually sounds came from within.
The door opened a crack and a short man looked them up and down with wariness. 'What do you want?' He barked at them, 'And who are you?'
Tav attempted de-escalating the man's obvious irritation. 'We don't mean you any harm, Mister Clauvern.' She smiled kindly, 'We wanted to visit with Victoria? You see, we,' she motioned to herself and Astarion, 'know her.'
The man cast his gaze to Astarion, who had removed his mask, and he frowned at his red eyes. 'Oh no. You're one of them from the palace!'
Astarion put his hands up in defense. 'I am, but, I'm not going to do anything to you,' he said with exasperation. 'We have come to talk, nothing more.'
'What about that vampire lord?' Whispering, he leaned through the gap of the door as if Cazador might be lurking outside.
'He will not find out anything about this,' Astarion insisted, 'We are operating on our own.'
A female voice inside the house yelled, 'Herman, what are you whispering about out there? Don't be talking to people out there in the open.'
Begrudgingly, Herman waved them in. 'Come on in then. I guess she don't mind.'
Tav and Astarion, now invited inside, walked into the front room. A fire was lit and it was quite cosy, although they had no desire to sit down.
'Can we see Victoria?' Tav asked.
A woman walked through the doorway, wiping her hands on a stained apron. She gazed at Tav and Astarion with a growing look of terror. She yelled at her husband, 'Herman, these are vampires! You let them in.'
Herman shrugged at Tav and Astarion. 'Gorda, I don't think they are going to kill us. They want to see Tory.'
'Yeah, but if they find out what happened…' She mumbled.
'Hold on,' Astarion started, 'Let's back up here, is Victoria, Tory?'
Gorda replied, 'That's right. We changed her name. Safer that way.'
'Very smart idea.' Tav gave a pleased grin.
'It was part of the plan with Leon,' Herman explained modestly.
Astarion stated, 'Actually, we know Leon.'
'Of course,' Gorda piped up, 'Well, Leon's not allowed round here, that's the deal. We don't want any attention from the vampires and that lord up there. We agreed to having Tory, but no interference.'
Astarion nodded his acceptance. 'That seems reasonable. The less that lord knows, the better for everyone. The façade worked - too a certain point.'
'So you haven't seen him around,' Tav offered hopefully. Even though Cazador had been dead some time now, she thought Leon might come and visit.
Herman scratched his head. 'No, I haven't seen him.'
'Last time he was here was before Tory came,' Gorda added.
'If he had come here, you probably would never have seen him,' Astarion told them.
'If that's the case, then we have no idea…' Herman shook his head.
Tav appealed to the two of them. 'Can we see Tory? Perhaps she knows something about her father?'
'Pfft,' the woman scoffed, 'He's not her real father. But no, you can't see her.'
Indignation rose in Tav's voice, 'Would it really hurt if we said hello?'
'She's not here.' The woman said crossly, 'She's gone.'
'She's run off with Leon?' Astarion suggested.
The woman's eyes went dark and her voice trembled with fear. 'She's a monster—'
Herman put his hand on his wife's arm. 'Hush now—'
'Something happened?' Tav's curiosity was now alerted.
Gorda burst out with a loud sob. 'She bit my elderly father. She drained him dry. He lives here with us. Now, he's dead—'
Herman butted in, 'She killed him. So we tied her up. We didn't know what to do with her…'
Aghast, Astarion blurted, 'I can't believe it, she's a vampire?'
'Leon said she wasn't,' the woman cried, 'She was as normal as any kid. She ate food, she walked in the sun. She was growing.' She threw her hands in the air in consternation. 'If we knew, we would never have taken her…'
Tav looked to Astarion with bewilderment.
'But she sucked our pappy to death. Not a bit, but all the way,' Herman said sadly.
'That's terrible,' Tav empathized, and said to Astarion, 'How can this be?'
'Such a thing…is not unheard of…' Astarion frowned and gazed away in thought, 'Which means… she must be what is known as a Dhampir.'
'Gods, I've heard that name before,' Tav exclaimed. 'I always thought it was a mythical term.'
'In all my years of life,' Astarion's eyes reflected wonder, 'I've seen it maybe twice before.'
Gorda and Herman looked between Tav and Astarion in astonishment, with no idea what they were talking about.
'I had always assumed Leon brought the girl to the palace simply because he liked her for some reason.' Astarion continued, 'None of us believed he was actually her real father. We went along with the 'story', because we were commanded to. But now, it's possible to presume Cazador might have been behind it…'
Tav asked the couple, 'Who was Tory's mother?'
'My sister,' the woman said quietly, 'Leon bit her a few times while she was pregnant. He said he loved her, and she even said she loved him in return.' She wiped tears from her eyes. 'Who knows.'
'She had the baby,' Herman continued, 'Then after when the baby was about two years, she was killed by a vampire.' He finished with sad dejection. 'Leon took the baby to the palace.'
Astarion turned to Tav to explain, 'It is highly likely Cazador commanded Leon do this, especially if he was aware of the child's origins.'
Tav responded sourly, 'There is no end to that man's depravity.'
'On light of the girl's condition, we can assume Cazador knew exactly what he was doing.' Astarion's eyes darkened with contempt. 'His attitude toward Victoria now makes more sense. It explains why he was against turning the child into a spawn. From his own writings, he had plans in regard to her.'
'But now, she's run away.' Tav said to Herman, 'You tied her up though?'
'We had too!' Gorda yelled, 'We didn't know what to do with her. She might have killed us.'
'She bit through the cords, and broke out---' Herman confirmed.
'When was that?' Astarion asked.
'About five days ago…' Herman replied.
Tav questioned with surprise, 'But where would she go?'
'We don't think she'd go back to the palace,' Herman said, 'She didn't like living there…'
'She talked about a place that Leon told her about,' Gorda seemed to be searching her memory, 'And amidst all the screaming she said it again when we had to tie her down.'
Astarion asked, sullenly, 'I'll take a stab at the name of this place, is it Almandine?'
'That's right!' Gorda cried, 'Leon told her, that's where vampires might get healed.'
'Leon filled her head with nonsense,' Herman's tone soured.
Tav cast a curious look to Astarion. 'Why would Leon think that?'
'Somehow, he has come across some journals, and it seems he has gotten it in his head it can be done,' Astarion concluded, 'It might be likely the two of them, either separate, or together have decided to find this place.'
'If she thinks she's a vampire now, I guess it makes sense,' Herman nodded his head, 'What can a vampire child do?'
Tav shook her head, having no idea, except the child would need some sort of guidance.
As if reading her mind, Astarion said, 'My dear, it is possible Leon has found her. There's nothing we can do about her or even Leon right now. They are both gone.'
'You're right,' she sighed with a sense of failure. To the couple, she said, 'We'll be off now. Thank you for your help.'
'Swear you won't tell anyone about the girl or us,' Herman demanded.
Astarion assured them, 'Your secret will be safe with us.'
~><~
Back on the East Road, they walked together towards Rivington and Wym's Crossing. The sun was low in the sky on their right side and the gate would be closed soon.
Astarion walked on her right, so he could keep his eyes from the setting sun. 'It will be night soon, we need to get back into the city.'
Quickening her pace, Tav asked him, 'What do you think of all this?'
'It's extremely intriguing,' he took his time answering, 'I had no idea the situation with Leon would be this convoluted. After those years living amidst the child, I am astounded to discover she would actually turn. It's appallingly clear the reasons why Cazador was so tolerant of her presence in the palace. Perhaps that is why Dalyria was so interested in her too.'
'He knew she was going to change?'
'Rather, he hoped she would,' Astarion replied, 'Although, knowing his diabolical mind, he might have even planned it from the start. It wouldn't be beyond him.'
'Dhampirs are really that special?' Tav only knew some stories of them, nothing solid.
'The more I consider this,' he reasoned, 'the more I ascertain, Cazador must have been behind it all. How else would Leon have the power to resist the thrall to such a degree he was able to break the rules – and on more than one occasion.'
Realization hit Tav as well, and she said, 'He fed on a thinking being.'
'Until we ask Leon himself,' he remarked, 'We could assume he was given permission to feed on thinking beings, or one in particular at least.' He continued, 'To answer your question – Dhampirs are rare and extraordinarily special. They have the appearance and traits of a mortal, yet they also have characteristics of a vampire. Although that appears later in the life of a Dhampir, and is not necessarily evident at birth.'
'Hell!' Tav pondered the condition for a moment, 'So Cazador's end plan… He takes ultimate power, all the spawn are dead, along with thousands of them, and he is left with an extraordinary vampire child and some sycophant servants and mindless undead.'
'You really know how to articulate it in such a grim and horrid way, my sweet.' He chortled, mirthlessly, 'I highly doubt it would have been his "end" plan.'
'I'm sorry, it did sound gruesome,' she hugged his arm. 'What I am trying to say, he had plans for Victoria, and they probably weren't for her welfare.'
He gripped her hand and leaned closer. 'Victoria would have been a valuable servant for him with the capabilities of a mortal alongside those of a vampire.'
They had arrived in sight of the gate.
'At least we might have an idea where Leon has gone,' said Tav, 'if he wasn't taken that is.'
'We can talk on it later, but first, I'll see you on the other side of the Upper city gate.' He let go of her hand and disappeared.
Tav hurried through the gate before it closed. The day crowds had thinned out and the streets were becoming long cold shadows in the new night. Amidst so many things to ruminate over, she was lost in her thoughts as she neared the upper gate. One of the more disturbing of it all was that a child had killed her family member and run away, maybe straight into the forest. Perhaps in search of a mysterious place, Tav had never heard of. Tav realized she needed to read those notebooks to understand what it was all about.
From out of the shadows, a hooded man approached her. His face was deep in the shade of the hood, but she could see the glow of his red eyes. Despite seeing him, she still wasn't prepared for the abrupt tugging on her arm. He clamped down, and stepped closer, his voice lowered, 'You're the mortal who freed us. You must come with me—'
'Hey,' Tav vaguely recognized him, 'You're—'
Astarion was already behind him, probably a knife discretely pointed into the vampire's back. 'Kindly remove your hands, or I shall remove them myself.'
The vampire dropped his hands and turned to Astarion. Despite Astarion having his face covered, the spawn said, 'Astarion, I have news.' The spawn's face came into a clearer view and the runes on his skin were now visible. He was one of the seven thousand.
'What is it?' Astarion demanded.
His voice rose in panic, he replied, 'we were attacked in the Underdark and they took Aurelia. She needs help.'
'Who was it and where did they take her?' Astarion observed the street with a wary interest.
'Magic users and vampires plus their worgs,' the hooded vampire explained, 'They took her north from where we were at the Bay of Malice. I can show you the way in the Underdark.'
Tav watched Astarion's eyes to gauge his thoughts. She commented, 'A way through the Underdark…?'
Astarion said to her, 'It would seem our new enemy knows there are spawn down there.' Back to the vampire, he said, 'What about the other spawn, where are they?'
'Dalyria and Petras and those with them have gone into hiding,' he said, 'The others I don't know. I follow Aurelia.'
'What is your name?' Tav asked him.
'Malkus.' He dipped his head at her.
'How did you find us?' Astarion's tone was distrustful.
'Luck. I've been waiting near the Upper City gate. Aurelia said we can trust you.'
Astarion studied his face. 'But you feel you can't trust the other spawn?'
Malkus shrugged with indifference. 'It's the way it is. We all must be cautious around other vampires.'
Tav and Astarion shared a discerning glance. Tav turned back to Malkus, 'Is there anything that might indicate who took her or anything helpful?'
Malkus shook his head but appeared thoughtful.
'What about these wizards or sorcerors,' Tav pleaded, 'what were their robes or style of armour?'
'They did wear blue robes with gold and black panels across the chest…' He tried to recall, 'both of them, the same.'
Tav couldn't remember anything that matched that description off the top of her head, but at least it was some lead. 'It's small, but the fact they wear the same robes, could mean something.'
'At this time, we can't travel to the Underdark. With this going on, it is more dangerous than usual. Such a journey would require more than the two of us,' he indicated Tav as he spoke. 'Besides, our priority right now is to leave the city. But if we come across any news of Aurelia or find out her location, we could send word to the Underdark.'
Malkus nodded at them. 'Where should we find you?'
'We will find you,' Astarion frowned with mistrust. 'Now go.'
The vampire walked away and quickly disappeared within the shadows. Astarion watched him leave, making sure it had gone from their proximity.
'So they have already taken one of the seven spawn?' Tav's eyes revealed her dismay. 'We have to be more careful.'
'We need to get out of this city,' Astarion's gaze swept over the street and nearby ally, searching for anything untoward, 'I feel like we are sitting targets.'
~><~
Tav and Astarion entered the manor by the back door. Astarion was taking off his cowl and mask as they went through the kitchen. As he did, Tav noticed his eyes were a brighter red and he was abnormally quiet.
Faint noise was coming through the basement door.
Astarion commented, 'We seem to have visitors downstairs.'
'Arabella?' Tav queried.
'She's has company then.' He headed to the basement door cautiously.
They went down the stairs carefully, unsure what exactly was occurring in the basement. As they neared, Tav discerned female voices, chatting and laughing. Eventually they came to Arabella's chemistry set-up, along with Arabella. Also with her was Alfira and another Tiefling, Lia, Rolan's sister.
'What a surprise,' Astarion exclaimed, 'It's a regular Tiefling Get-together, in our basement.'
Tav felt just as stunned, and oddly annoyed. With all that was going on with strangers after them, it didn't sit well in her stomach. 'We didn't know you were coming…'
Astarion remarked, facetiously, 'all we need is Rolan and Dammon and we can all pair up for a good time.'
'Dammon… is he… umm coming here?' Stuttering, Lia blushed at the mention of Dammon, 'I didn't know…'
'It can be arranged,' Astarion said, mischievously. 'Wouldn't want him to think he's missing out. I didn't realize we knew so many Tieflings.'
'I'm sorry Tav and Astarion,' Alfira sang, 'we weren't sure what was happening here---'
Lia replied gruffly, 'It's Rolan. He insisted, he wanted me to set up this portal.'
Then Tav saw it. A glowing blue-black portal on the other side of the room. Stupefied, she gasped, 'A portal?'
'Oh joy,' Astarion commented caustically, 'We now have a doorway that leads straight into our house.' He studied it a moment, then remarked with derision, 'oh, I see, on Rolan's insistence. Don't tell me, it goes right through to his Mage Tower.'
'Right!' Lia cried, 'Rolan asked me to set it up on this side.'
Tav stared at it, her lips pressed together dumbfounded.
As if noticing her expression, Lia continued, 'It's sooo that if you have any hassles, you can get to the tower straight away.'
Astarion, hand on his hips, gestured to the portal. 'Actually, this would have been extremely convenient a few days ago.'
'I suppose it is quite amazing,' Tav admitted.
Arabella chimed in, 'I'm going to make use of this! I'll be able to get around easier.'
'Come to think of it, I could also find this very helpful,' Astarion added flippantly, 'Perhaps Rolan will come to regret this.'
'Ahem,' Lia shook her head with alarm. 'It's meant for emergencies, not for just shopping or touring the city. But, well—'
Alfira stated, 'Rolan crafted it in case us girls need any help – while you two are away.' She hesitated, 'You are going away, right?'
'Fortunately for you, we are,' Astarion said with amusement, 'We haven't even left yet and the guests have moved in. I suppose it is nice to see everyone making themselves at home.'
'At least the house will be looked after, and especially the most important things,' Tav added bluntly, as if in warning, 'the cats.'
'You know I love cats,' Alfira gushed, 'I'll look after them and my own kitty will be here too.'
'Lia, are you going to stay here as well,' Tav asked her.
'Can do,' she replied.
Tav gave Astarion an uncertain look.
He shrugged in surrender. 'The more the merrier, but if there is any fighting, please don't burn the house down.' He said with more abrasion, 'I would like to return to a whole house at some point. In particular, I may reach my limit of tolerance if we come home to a cat hostel.'
'No.' Alfira frantically waved her hands in front of him. 'It won't be like that at all. We will take care of everything, don't worry. I will look after the cats and Arabella—'
'No!' Arabella barked fiercely, 'There's no need. I will take care of myself!'
Tav nodded her agreement. 'That's right. We have discussed this. Arabella does not need to be looked after.'
Alfira eyed the girl with fascination. 'Oh, well, actually, that's probably for the best anyway.'
Tav cringed inside, wondering what was going to take place in their house.
Astarion gave a hefty sigh beside her, and said under his breath, 'Perhaps Arabella should be the one doing the supervising…'
Tav giggled. After a moment, an idea occurred to her, and she said to Lia, 'Do you think Rolan can make more portals?'
With some humour, Astarion asked, 'Darling, do you think we really need more portals?'
'Well, yes,' Lia answered, 'He's been working on portals lately. It's his latest obsession.' She went on with more excitement, 'He said he's set them up from where we have been since Elturel. He's finalizing the set up,' He paused, 'Or I think he said they had to be activated by something… or maybe it's that he has to craft the Anchor portal…'
'Oh… what?' Tav looked at her with confusion.
'Yeah, I'm not sure I really understand how it all works…' Lia tapped her chin.
With sudden interest, Astarion inquired, 'In that case, would he happen to have one from your travels to Baldur's Gate?'
'Probably, yes,' Lia answered, 'I'm sure that's exactly what these portals are from.'
Astarion looked to Tav, his gaze disclosing his thoughts on it. 'We might be able to use this…'
'Instead of…?' Tav cogitated the idea of the different direction. 'We go to that place?'
He said, 'One thing is certain, it would be a quicker journey if we can use a portal.'
Tav turned back to Lia. 'Can you ask Rolan if we could use his portals in the next couple of days?'
'I'll ask tonight,' Lia responded, 'I'm going through now. You want to come with me?'
'No,' Tav cast a guarded look to Astarion, 'Not now. We can talk more tomorrow.'
'Alright,' Lia agreed, 'We'll speak tomorrow.'
Lia and Alfira left through the portal. After leaving Arabella to her own devices, Tav and Astarion went back upstairs to the top floor. On the way up, Tav took Astarion's hand and led him up the stairs.
Inside the bedroom, she shut the door behind them. 'I know you are hungry…' Tav started.
He stepped in close and took her face in his hand. 'Oh, you know, do you?' he smiled before kissing her deeply.
'Mmuh,' she mumbled through her kiss.
'You know, I'm hungry for you, my love?'
Her words were a bare whisper, 'I don't want you to be hungry…'
Stepping away from her, he took off his chest piece. 'I know…' He kissed her while removing her jacket.
She wiggled out of it and he bent down to pull down her pants, and kissed her through her panties. His hands on either side of her knickers he slid them down, and kissed her again in the same spot. With her pants and knickers around her ankles, she stepped out of them. He lifted her onto his hips, with her legs around his waist and he carried her to the bed. While laying her down, they continued kissing. Enjoying their mouths and tongues merging, Tav relaxed in the tender intimacy. She could have remained like that for moments unending. He stripped off his own pants, and lay across her and his kisses caressed her face down to her neck.
Her hand stroked his hair while his hand traveled down her body, feeling his way. With her other hand, she ran her hand along his waist and back, feeling his scars. 'I wish I could go with you tonight…'
'I wish so too. But you can't help where I'm going…' he murmured through his kisses, 'I've got a particular target that needs taking care of. He's one of the last…'
He usually always worked better on his own, because of his mastery of the shadows. She also knew the code word of target. It referred to a person typically connected with Cazador, who would have been his stooge, or some sycophant. At the worst that person was a partner with Cazador in bringing suffering and torment to others. Although he only mentioned it briefly, she was aware Astarion had been systematically eradicating all those who willingly condoned or participated in Cazador's heinous lifestyle. In most instances, it was a case of bloody revenge that was a long-time coming. It also mitigated any suspicion regarding Cazador's absence from his usual mortal havens. For anyone else with ties to Cazador these 'disappearances' served as a warning that the 'Vampire Lord' was watching them.
'You need to be careful…' she whispered, and gave a short cry as he bit into her skin. She sensed him smiling against her skin, but he felt no need to answer. With a sensitive touch, his fingers crept down her abdomen and lower, finding her sweet spot. She spread her legs enough for him to feel all of her. Moaning rapidly, she stroked his hair and neck. He fed on her life-essence and she fought the sleepiness while tensing with the pleasure. She mumbled, 'This… I don't want to leave this …' He was taking so much of her this night, she had to fight against sleep. 'I want you… to come back…'
He kept her body still as he continued suckling from her neck. Shudders of pleasure hit her, and her body ached for him to enter her and finish what he started.