The Elven refugees along with all the Priests and Wardens trudged down the mountain pass as quickly as they were able with baggage and children. They had arrived at the Greypeak Mountains, on the Dawn Pass Trail, where a biting icy wind chilled their bones and an overcast sky threatened rain. The Dawn Pass Trail ran between the settlement of Llork in the west and down to Weathercote Forest at the base of the mountains in the east, and beyond that was the Greycloak hills and Lonely Moor.
Light-Bringer, Cernan, had destroyed the portal behind them, and it had exploded in a flash of blue sparks. At the disappearance of the astral doorway leading home, Aviala was hit with the finality of it all. There was no turning back, no returning to aid their comrades, or help in the defense of the city. A terrible sinking feeling of failure and defeat was drowning into her heart.
Aviala walked alongside the refugees with Shianne beside her. Shianne, her long dark hair was swept across her mail by the cold wind, stated stoically, 'That's it then.'
Aviala couldn't even find words to express her intense feelings in response. Wiping her tears, she finally mumbled, 'I wonder if we will ever see it again…'
Shianne was quiet for some time. Eventually she replied, 'We will. Until we know the fate of all, we can only hope they will survive.'
The temperature was dropping and they needed to get lower on the pass before nightfall. The Dawn Pass was steep and in places narrow and rocky, and with the fear they might run into Orcs, or even Stone Giants, they had to remain vigilant as they negotiated the hazardous pathway. Fortunately, Scouts had already gone ahead, and reported a clear path, devoid of any monsters lying in wait for them. The traversal went unimpeded and the first of the refugees started arriving at the foothills of the mountain at the east end.
Exhausted they stopped to make a camp at the border of Weathercote Forest. Camp provisions were limited and for some it was enough to lay and rest on the ground. Some of the Wardens went out to scout while others went hunting, while others gathered to assess their situation. Commander Drynwyn and Neldor Helevorn Captain of the Priests as well as a number of nobles came together to discuss their options in the direction they were to travel.
Aviala stood nearby, half listening to the meeting, and wondering where they could go from here. Some of the nobles wanted to make the journey to the coast and take ships to the Elven land, Evermeet. It was a feasible desire, however the problem was they were currently too far from the coast to make that journey safely. They had to determine a closer and safer solution where they could recuperate and collect more suitable supplies.
After much debating back and forth, it was decided they would make for Evereska towards the east. The secluded Elven city was just past the Greycloak hills which made it the closest haven for them. Unfortunately it was not easy to find or even enter. They resolved to travel first to Halfway Village and send a message to the Vale Guards who patrolled the valley.
Aviala sat down with Shianne and Keledryn to eat. Keledryn, his dark hair was almost as long as Shianne's, and instead of elven mail, he wore blue mage robes, started, 'I've always wanted to go to Evereska.'
'It is the most magical and beautiful place in Faerun,' Shianne remarked, 'So they say.'
Aviala replied, somberly, 'I pray it does not suffer the same fate as our beloved home.' Her tone invoked the mournful feelings they had experienced over the last few days. The tragic loss of mythral and heavenly structures crafted over thousands of centuries, was nearly as heinous as the souls who had perished. The destruction of beauty so exquisite and dear to them, never to return, precious artifacts, gone forever, arcane knowledge never to be read again.
The blonde-haired child from earlier, the one who tried to fire her bow, crept over to the three.
'Hello, child,' Aviala greeted her with a sparkle in her eyes.
'Did your parents explain why you could not shoot your weapon?' Shianne questioned sternly.
'I don't have parents,' the girl lifted her chin, willfully, 'but I could have stepped out of the Dome to shoot.'
'No,' Aviala burst out, 'That would have been just as devastating.'
The girl scrunched up her eyes and pouted. 'I want to fight too.'
'I know,' Aviala smiled, kindly, remembering her own desire to fight at that age, 'And you will fight. But now, you must train and learn, not only how to fight, but you must gain wisdom. Wisdom will make you fight better.'
'That is right,' Shianne confirmed, 'The wiser you are, the stronger you will be.'
Keledryn said to the child, 'Or you could get very clever,' He opened his hand, and colored spheres hovered over his palm, 'if you want to use strong magic.'
The girl looked at him thoughtfully for some moments. Finally she replied, 'I'm going to be a Druid,' her small clenched fist hit her chest, 'Like my parents.'
'Your parents are gone, aren't they?' Aviala realized the child was putting on a brave face that was masking her grief.
'That's right,' her eyes glistened with tears, but she held them back, 'My mother's family took me in.' She pointed towards a group of well-dressed elves not far off. A male watched her and he nodded his head in greeting.
Aviala focused on the spark of joy in the girl's eyes. 'So you want to be a Druid? What animal do you want to be? Maybe a bear?'
'I want to be everything!' She sang.
The three laughed. Aviala remarked, 'If you could change right now, you would be a little cub.'
The girl crossed her arms defiantly.
'At Evereska,' Keledryn said, 'You could start learning and training properly to be a cub.'
'Mmm,' Aviala added, 'But to learn Druidic ways you will have to find an enclave which are typically in forests. '
'Isn't there a forest near Evereska?' Shianne queried. 'Perhaps there will be Druids there?'
'I can't wait to see the new city.' The child beamed and she bounced from one foot to another. 'I want to see the wild Fey magic in the air, and the beautiful blue-leaf trees.'
Aviala smiled with growing warmth. She sensed life returning to her cold veins over the girl's enthusiasm. After such a dreadful tragedy, she couldn't deny, come what may, the next adventure was upon them.
~><~
Tav woke at the usual time, a couple of hours after sun-up. Astarion was still asleep beside her. She hadn't even sensed him come to bed during the night. She remained in the cosy cocoon of comfort replaying her memory-dreams of a young Jaheira, and old long-forgotten friends.
Realizing there was probably tasks she had to see to, as well, as preparing for their departure, she had to get up. Not wanting to disturb Astarion, she edged off the bed and ducked through the drapes. She threw a short white dress over her nakedness and went downstairs. Finding some food prepared, she ate while the cats gathered around her.
Selune started, 'Must you go, Mistress?'
Tav caressed her chin. 'I'm sorry… there's important things I must do… You will be safe here…'
Even Jergal was present, and wanting her affections. 'We will pine for you. We will miss you…'
'I will go with you.' Rascal sat staring at her menacingly.
For the first time, Tav wished she wasn't able to speak to these creatures. 'I wish with all my soul I could take you, all of you.'
'I can be useful to you,' Rascal exclaimed.
Tav tried to pet him, but he shifted his head away. She said, 'I know… but I'm not sure what we are heading into, or even what type of enemies we might have to face.'
Selune whined, 'Please, don't go! We need you.'
'Selune, my precious kitty. You have kittens to care for.' Tav held back her tears. 'Alfira and Arabella will care for you.'
Jergal said to Selune, 'Alfira has been kind to us. She's going to bring her own kittys here.'
Tav stirred at the mention of kittys. 'Oh, so there is more than one?'
'Yes, there are more,' Jergal answered.
'Oh, dear,' Tav sighed. 'Just don't tell the Master.'
'But, are you coming back?'
'Well, that's the plan,' Tav told her, 'This is our house…'
Jergal pushed into her hand, demanding scratches around his chin. 'Don't forget us.'
Rascal had turned his back to her and wouldn't accept any petting.
Tav said to them all, 'I would never forget you. You are my children. Even Rascal.'
She spent time petting and cuddling the cats, except Rascal who had dashed away. His aloof attitude concerned her, she feared he might run off after she had left.
Next, she went down to the basement to visit with Arabella. The child seemed to actually be living in the basement, instead of taking a room upstairs. Every day, and sometimes twice a day, Arabella had been taking a sample of Tav's blood. Tav remained incredulous that her blood was so appealing to people, and could be useful for something. First it had been that Drow Alchemist, and now Arabella. Everyone had their reasons, she guessed, but it was still odd.
Arabella stopped work at the chemist table, and faced Tav. 'When you are ready to leave, I've got potions and elixirs to give you. That's what I've been working on,' she boasted, 'I've got special ones for Astarion too.'
'You are a most diligent and clever Tiefling,' Tav smiled with fondness at her, 'and I thank you for all your hard work.'
'It was a lot of fun!'
'Arabella, can I ask you something in confidence?' Tav started guardedly, 'Do you think vampirism can be cured, as if it is a disease?'
Arabella rested her chin in her hand in consideration. 'Umm, I can't really say, only because I don't have enough information. It probably needs more research. If you can find a place that has lots of research information, you might be able to find something out.'
'Oh,' Tav was surprised by her tactful comment. 'Maybe like a big library, or school, something like that? Maybe Candlekeep?' That place was north along the coast, and it must have loads of information, but nowadays it was rundown, and some of it wasn't even in use.
'Yep.' Arabella grinned. 'A place with a lot of knowledge, like all the knowledge…'
'Right,' Tav nodded her head. 'That seems quite specific. I shall keep my eye out for such a place.'
'You might need to do some shopping for your trip?' Arabella abruptly said, 'You need me to come with you?'
She was most likely asking that because she knew Astarion didn't want her to walk around on her own. Maybe he even asked Arabella to say this.
'Actually, the only thing I would need is scrolls,' Tav replied with a sigh. 'Which I'm hoping I can get through Rolan. If you have potions that would be helpful.'
Back upstairs, Astarion was still asleep. She began packing supplies in one of the backpacks of Holding. At this rate it would have to hold nearly everything. This would include some clothes, and any extra weapons, plus varying pieces of armor. Scrolls were in their own pouch, the same with all the potions. Mostly all their possessions were still in their Holding pouches.
She gathered up the slender notebooks Astarion had found in the attic, including the notebook from the apartment near the waterfront. They were all written by Amanita Szarr. The name enough sent chills down her spine. One of the notebooks was different – it was more a technical essay written by a Lady Incognito. Tav finally deduced that Lady Incognito was actually Amanita Szarr.
The book was about vampire blood composition and the various types. Also varieties of mortal blood, and blood poisons, and diseases of the blood. Tav wondered how Amanita was able to gather all this information.
She picked up another one, and read. It was the story of Amanita and her traumatic experience of being turned into a vampire by her uncle, Cazador. The girl rejected the vampirism and was imprisoned for it in the attic. She existed in isolation for decades, with only servants to witness her torment. Starved and living in lonely misery, she even spent months in a torture rack. The descriptions of the years of suffering went on and on, and that was only one book. There could be half a dozen more.
Astarion pulled back the drapes, and lay on one elbow to view her. 'Good morning, beautiful.'
'Good morning, Sexy,' smiling lovingly, she pulled up her legs on the couch and kept the book open on her lap. 'Did your plans go smoothly last night?'
'Wonderfully well.' A proud glint was in his eyes. 'I wish you had been there. Let me tell you, the first one, I am dressed to impress as Cazador's representative of course, and they lapped it up. It's almost as if they need someone to order them around.'
Tav tittered pertly. 'You are having fun with it. All that influence and Cazador isn't even around anymore.'
'It is a matter of allurement, bewitching words, and a large part of conceitedness,' he reclined against the bed board and put his arm behind his head. 'Plus a modicum of intimidation, and a dose of bloodshed.'
'None of that a challenge for you.' Tav smiled with admiration. 'You are the master of them all, especially charm.'
'You are no stranger to charming others yourself.' His smile was bewitching. 'But thankyou sweetheart, I have been charming people for centuries.'
'And the other one?'
'Hmm,' a haughty look came over him, 'That one provided the night's amusement.'
She chuckled nervously. 'I wonder if you will miss it…'
'Perhaps,' He replied prudently, 'Although I'm more concerned with how this city will look on our return.'
'I'm worried too.' Tav chewed on her lip with unease.
'However, regarding the bloodletting, I believe we will find enough of that on our journey.' His eyes glimmered with excitement at the notion of it. 'Probably more than our fair share.'
'Really, I don't even want to think about that.' She flashed the open notebook she was holding, 'Listen, I've been reading this dreadful book.'
'I did warn you,' he remonstrated her. 'It only provides more confirmation what an evil monster he was.' He stared away, his red gaze recalling some poignant event. 'If you knew even half of what went on in that lair of evil…' he halted, 'Well, I prefer you didn't know.'
The sadness in his voice was tangible. She couldn't keep the melancholy from her words. 'She was trapped in the attic, it seems more than a hundred years.' Tav couldn't comprehend that length of time, but to also be imprisoned. The girl suffered a tragic fate.
'I was aware of someone in the attic,' Astarion replied, 'but I had no idea it was her. Jars of blood were taken up there on occasion.'
'Did you know her?' Tav couldn't resist her curiosity of learning more about Astarion's past.
'I saw her twice,' Astarion told her, 'She was a scared child and she entered into an extremely evil place.'
'It seems she didn't even know you were all vampires,' Tav said with amazement, 'And to think she might actually be alive at that place Almandine, her family home.'
'I'm not sure I would share your enthusiasm, darling,' Astarion creased his brow with reproach. 'Don't forget this is a Szarr we are discussing. That means we need to be very cautious how we approach this.'
Tav looked down at the notebook again. 'Of course, I'm getting carried away. It's impossible to predict how she has developed. We can only hope from these writings her opinions haven't altered that much.'
'My love, your optimism scares me at times,' he paused, 'it could be we are walking into the worst trap in existence.'
'Alright, let's hope it's not that.' She pouted at his reasoning.
He stretched his hand out invitingly, 'You are too far away. Come back to bed.'
She left the books and started pulling off her dress.
'Take your time…' his voice was hypnotic. 'I need to absorb this heady vision …'
Seductively, she slid the dress up, revealing her shaped thighs, and up past her silken mound. She approached the bed, the dress lifting past her hips, and her plump breasts burst out as the material came up. Stretching her arms up, she tossed the dress behind her and circled around, enticing him with rolling hips, and firm buttocks and golden white hair loosely plaited down her back.
'My love, you are a heavenly delight,' he beckoned her with his hand, and his red gaze was greedy for her. 'I must taste your delicious self.'
She knelt beside him on the bed and pulled the heavy drape across, shutting out the world. The aroma within their crimson love-nest was an alluring and erotic scent. There was silence except for their breath, and it felt like every word uttered needed to be intimate. Naked, he knelt up on the bed, and cupping her ample bosom in his hand, he massaged her in his hand. His lips met hers in a gentle caress, and she gasped with sudden elation.
'I'm going to miss this…' she felt tears forming in her eyes. How close she was to crying…
'I'm going to miss all of this…' Holding her near his body, he glanced around the bed, his sultry tone exuded sexiness, 'especially the scent of our love-making…' his hand continued feeling the soft flesh of her breast. His voice alone was enough to arouse her inner parts, making her vulva heavy with yearning and anticipation. His eyes smoldered, and he uttered, 'I want to taste your body…' Tenderly, his lips met hers.
Her breath caught in her throat and she opened her mouth wider for his searching tongue. Their mouths merged and their kisses became more intense, he cradled her in his arms and lowered her across the bed. Still rubbing her breast, his sensual kisses tracked down to her neck. Mouthing and licking the contours of her neck, he rolled her stiffened nipple with his fingers.
Tav was already stimulated, but the way he was arousing her body, her passage was throbbing. Her hands stroked his back, and warmed the curve of his waist, and she felt the scars on his back. He lowered himself, and his mouth trailed a line down to her other nipple. Amid a slow moan, her breathing deepened at the nipping of his teeth on her aureole.
His hands and body shifted down to her womanly sex, and he covered her with the warmth of his palm. Then wetting his fingers, he massaged them down between her slit, applying more pressure with each sound of her increased moaning. Using his tongue, he loved her vulva, and was wetting everything except her clit. His fingers entered her opening, and pressed her sweet spot inside.
Tav's hand curled through his hair and her other clenched the bed covers. With her foot resting on his shoulder, waves of bliss washed over her, and she writhed against him. Placing his hand on her lower abdomen, he held her still. Panting, desperate for his hungry embrace of her feminine part, she uttered breathlessly, 'You know…you're driving me crazy…'
Without stopping, his eyes looked at her flushed face, with an amorous glow. Amid obvious enjoyment, his tongue was lovingly consuming all of her with a devouring passion – except for that one spot. He encircled her love-button with a faster rhythm, and she couldn't contain her whimpers of delight.
When he finally kissed and started licking her pleasure nub, her groans were uncontrollable. Tensing her inner parts, she quivered and moaned at the euphoria hitting her sexual parts and coursing through her pelvic area. He continued licking her clit. Panting hard, she trembled at the pulses of unceasing pleasure.
Astarion came up, and laying between her legs and near to her body, he kissed her face. His voice was husky with lust. 'You taste divine, my love…' He leisurely slid his erection into her moist opening, and he groaned intensely.
Looking into his eyes shimmering with love, Tav moaned and shuddered at the sudden sensuous fullness of him. She clutched him closer. 'Kiss me…'
His lips were wet with her love-nectar, and their mouths and tongues merged with a greedy ardor. Rocking into her, he moved with intention, gently gyrating against her mound. Deep inside, she was bursting with pleasure, with every erogenous part of her, alive to the touch and presence of his body on her and in her.
His loving gaze enveloped her as his thrusting became fast and purposeful, and her raw moans escalated with yearning. Holding her close, he unleashed a throaty groan of release. His orgasmic palpitations overwhelmed her with ecstasy, and she matched his moans with her own cry of bliss. She trembled against him, and was breathless, 'I don't want to leave this…'
He kissed her mouth, and leisurely probed her mouth with his tongue. She didn't want to move from the passionate bliss, and with his hand rubbing the curve of her waist, she relaxed into him. Smiling enticingly, he whispered, 'what are you saying…. the honeymoon is over?' His shaft slid out and their love-juice wet her inner thigh.
She combed her fingers through his white curls and her eyes drooped coyly as she looked into his poignant gaze. 'What are you saying… I'm your wife?'
He was up on one elbow inches from her face, his eyes reddened with passion and there was a possessive tone in his voice. 'After all, you are mine.' His hand drew circles over her stomach, exhilarating her skin, and he kissed her. 'We won't be parted.'
Her cheeks brightened and she uttered breathlessly, 'You promise…?'
His frisky grin was reflected in his gleaming eyes dancing over her eyes and mouth. 'Yes, my love, you are my mate for life.'
'And you are mine…' she murmured, a smile playing on her face. 'but… gods, I don't want this heavenly time to end...' Everything they had experienced together over the last tenday was intoxicating and incredible. It was all going to change once they left, who knew what they were even headed into.
'Neither do I…' His tone became more assuring, and he cuddled her closer, 'But we will find a way to enjoy each other, wherever we go…'
~><~
Tav and Astarion had left their bed and were trying to decide whether they were going to leave that day or wait another. The decision would determine whether they wore travel gear, which meant armor, or if they were dressing for a regular day. Also, Tav, who had pulled her white dress back on, started shuffling through one of the chests that had some items still inside.
'You do realize you are stalling,' Astarion chided, 'because you don't want to leave.'
'That may be true,' She reasoned, 'but we still have to consider the right time to leave, considering we will arrive there instantly.'
He pulled on the pants of the Drow armor, and still bare chested, he stood with a grin playing on his face. 'My love, I had forgotten something important. I have a gift for you.' He went to one of the chests, and retrieved a 7.5 x 10inch box. 'You have had fun giving out gifts, I thought it time I had some fun giving you a gift in return.'
He held the black glossy box out to her. She smoothed her fingers over the red lettering on the top, there was also language around the edges. She tapped the insignia on the lid. 'This is…' Her mouth went agape in recollection. 'Infernal words… the marking is Avernus?'
'You can read it?'
'Maybe…' she attempted deciphering it.
He brushed his hand over the top of the box, probably seeing it was another distraction. 'It doesn't matter, I know what it does.' He opened the lid.
Inside was swirling with Weave, and so potent it nearly hit her in the face. 'Oh, my heavens.' A black portal was in the middle of the box. On the sides of the portal were directional arrows, pointing right and left. 'Where did you get this?' Her eyes swam with gleeful astonishment. She put her finger on an arrow and the black hole slid away, replaced by another portal, this one blue.
'Ah, let's say… I am a man of many secrets…' He had a roguish glint in his eyes. 'Alright, if you must know, I found it. That person wasn't using it, and it would be more beneficial in our possession.'
'Oh, I've heard this story before. You stole it?' Tav kept flicking through to other portals – a green, a yellow, a red… Her expression only went to varying degrees of amazement at the Astral Box of Containment. It was a collection of Holding Pockets into the Astral Plane. She could put all their bags or even boxes into each of the Pockets of Holding.
'You know me well, you could probably even guess where it came from,' he replied with self-satisfaction, 'I might have liberated it from a place where it was slowly becoming a dust museum.'
'Stop,' she put her hand up to him, 'Don't tell me who it was. But I'll say, I hope that person doesn't find out you took it.' The holes into the Astral plane were mesmerizing. 'But this is marvelous.'
'I knew you would like it,' he said warmly.
'Thank you, it's a wonder.' She kissed him, and said, 'this must be worth a small city.' She was concerned with the owner discovering it was taken. But at least they wouldn't be around to find that out.
'Honestly, I don't believe it is that rare.' He remarked, 'I think those in the Hell Planes rely on this type of device.'
'I guess that's true,' she said, 'It's an upgraded Bag of Holding. But it's still the best gift I've received…'
'There is something else,' he started, 'I had a peculiar encounter with our Mind Flayer acquaintance.'
'The Emperor? I guess he is living in the city somewhere…' Tav was putting bags into the new Astral Box, 'What did he want? Did he know anything useful?'
'One of his concerns was with the Crimson Palace,' he said with annoyance, 'According to him, he is aware of my activities, however, he swore he would tell no one the truth of Cazador's fate.'
Tav jerked her head up. 'Was he threatening you?'
'That Illithid seems to have his tentacles in everyone's business in this city.' Astarion lamented. 'No, he seemed pleased. I think the pompous squid quite enjoys seeing events unfold.'
'Why would he even approach you, if he's just watching?' She shook her head dubiously.
'He's a tentacled enigma,' Astarion remarked, 'Has he ever been upfront with us? I don't think he's going to start making sense now.' He came over and caught Tav's hand, making her stand up to face him. 'Then out of nowhere, he informed me of something important…'
Tav gave him her full attention. 'Yes…'
'He informed me that he can only conceal our address for a limited time,' He stressed his words, 'We need to leave soon. In other words, we should be leaving, now.'
'He said that?' Tav gasped. 'That's ominous.'
'To put it plainly, we need to leave before we get discovered here.'
All of a sudden a noise came from downstairs, and what sounded like a man's voice. It was followed by a door slamming.
Astarion picked up a blade and gave Tav a concerned look. 'Someone's here.' He started downstairs with Tav following behind him.
On the way down Arabella yelled from the kitchen. 'Aha! I got you!' she laughed wildly.
A man cried, 'Let me out of this! I'm no thief.'
Astarion and Tav entered the kitchen. Not far from the back door, a bearded Halfling male was struggling against magical vines that held his legs and arms fast. He was unarmed and wore no armor, and he was bright red in the face at the child laughing at him.
'Now,' Astarion spun his dagger in his hand, 'This is interesting.'
Arabella turned to Astarion and Tav. 'He set off my trap.' To Astarion, she said proudly, 'I've been making them like you said. It's awesome to see it work.'
'Good girl, Arabella,' Astarion nodded his approval. 'This is very well done. A powerful trap indeed.'
'Traps?' Tav looked between them, having no idea about it. 'Are there traps around the house?'
'Yes, dearest,' Astarion gave her a teasing smile, 'If we were to live in this house, it is wise to have some traps. You really didn't notice, did you?'
Tav sensed her face reddened.
The halfling continued fighting the moving vines. 'Listen, can you stop with the chat. I've come with a message.'
'Who are you?' Tav asked with suspicion, 'Where are you from?'
Arabella pointed at him. 'I can't release you till I know you are safe.'
'He is unarmed,' Astarion looked him up and down, 'He is most likely harmless.'
'That's because I'm just a messenger.' He let out an annoyed grumble, 'I'm from Nine Fingers Guild. I've got a message from the boss.'
'Keenes?' Tav exclaimed. She looked to Astarion and raised her brows. 'We probably need to receive this.'
'Should I even be surprised they know where we live?' Astarion gazed over to Tav, his brows furrowed, 'It seems the Emperor didn't conceal it from everyone…'
'I never told her!' Tav pouted. 'It's like everything with them. They know what's going on. Arabella.'
Arabella released the spell, and the Halfling stumbled forward. The halfling brushed himself off and adjusted his clothing. From his pouch he brought out a sealed letter. 'It comes through a five prong code.'
Tav took it from his outstretched hand. She broke the blank seal and unfolded the letter. She read it, while Astarion read over her shoulder.
Visitors from Elturel have come to us seeking you. They have not disclosed why they want you, or who is giving them orders, except they have mentioned an underground temple in Elturgard, maybe in the east. We have had to show them the best of our hospitality, and we are doing this with no argument, as we had no real choice. To save ourselves we are working with them to find you. So far we don't know where you live, but we have discovered you have left the city. It's in your best interests to not prove me a liar. Can you inform the messenger in which direction you went. That way we have something to offer them and they should leave the city.
'This does not bode well, for them and for us,' Astarion frowned darkly at the letter. 'Keenes' is making it clear. We need to leave Baldur's Gate. Yesterday.'
'It's graver than I imagined,' Tav agreed. 'These visitors seem to know about this city, to go after Nine Fingers like that…'
'They know who runs the underground network of this city,' Astarion finished for her.
Tav turned to the halfling. 'Are these men from Elturel still here?'
'I know you want to ask me questions, but I don't know anything. I don't even know what's in that letter.' He put his hand up. 'No. I don't even want to know.'
Astarion spoke to Tav. 'He's only a messenger. If it is a code relay – five prong, you say?' he asked the Halfling.
He nodded. 'Five code points, means five messengers involved all in random places to pass the letter.'
'I imagine not one of them knows what is going on,' Astarion informed her, 'Very impressive system.'
'Boss only uses it when it's high stakes,' the halfling stated.
Arabella eyed the man. 'So they really have to leave the city. Now.'
Tav exhaled slowly and gave Astarion a look of resignation. 'We need to go before they find us.'
He leaned close to her. 'That was always the plan. To save this,' he indicated the house, 'We need to leave this.'
Tav said to the messenger, 'Shall I write a message for Keene's?'
'No need. All you got to do is tell me where you went.'
Astarion stepped forward and looked down at the halfling. 'Tell them we have gone to Waterdeep.'
He replied, 'And that's where they will find you.'
'That's correct,' Astarion answered.
'Will our house be safe? And Arabella and Afira?' Tav also considered all the Nine Fingers members who might know where they were living.
Halfling shrugged. 'Who knows?'
Tav frowned at him with umbrage.
Astarion responded, 'I suspect if they can be convinced of where we are travelling to, they would have no reason to continue searching the city.'
Halfling said, 'That could be what the boss is trying to do.'
Arabella punched her fist into her palm. 'Even if they come here, I'll be ready.'
'Gods, Arabella,' Tav cried, 'You don't know what they are like.'
'Arabella is clever,' Astarion said in reassurance, 'She will know what to do. Besides, that musty old bag of bones is probably watching everything she does.'
'Alright,' Tav said, 'I'll trust in that.'
'After all, the Emperor did warn us. It is better they find an empty house,' Astarion consoled her, 'then to find us in it.'
'Is that it then?' The halfling said.
Tav looked to Astarion in confirmation. He said, 'Let's not tell them anymore than they need to know.'
'I'll be off then,' the halfling disappeared before their eyes and they watched the back door open and close.
Tav turned back to Arabella. 'I don't want to be worried about you, because I think you're smart enough. I'm more concerned with Alfira…'
'Too true,' Astarion added, 'She can be frighteningly naïve at times.'
Arabella nodded in agreement. 'I won't tell her anything and I'll make sure she behaves.'
Tav blurted, 'I have already told her these things, but in case… she needs to be reminded not to invite anyone into the house. No-one. Not even animals. No parties. No-one sleeping in our bed.' She rubbed her forehead in sudden exasperation at the thought.
'My darling, I doubt she would go into our bed,' Astarion admonished. 'She wouldn't dare,' his tone became more threatening. 'Because I will find out.'
Tav felt the same indignation. 'And as much as I love the cats, they are not to be sleeping on the bed.'
Arabella gave a jovial belly laugh at the two of them. 'You two are hilarious! Why don't you just put an Arcane Lock on your door?' Her laughing continued.
'Dearest, she really is extremely clever,' Astarion nodded his support. 'If only we could take her with us.'
Tav threw her hands in the air. 'That makes perfect sense!'
'When you are ready to go, I'll give you those potions.' Arabella informed them. 'Who knows… maybe you might see me out there one day.'
Back upstairs, Tav changed into her favourite piece of armor. It was Infernal gear, which she named Unwanted Scale, and it had scraps of infernal metal, and narrow shoulder straps. Despite its odd appearance, it was comfortable, and it was enchanted, making her extremely dexterous and stealthy, plus it has Avernus Fire Resistance. She put on one of her headpieces, and over that an magical cowl which she lowered to around her neck.
She continued sorting the bags and setting them into the Containment Portal, the bags would shrink and disappear. For the items she would need immediately she kept in pouches on her belt. That was potions, scrolls, some magic arrows. They had so much gear and she wanted to pack it all.
She set all her weapons on the desk, her rapiers, and two favourite handbows, all ready to go. She was undecided regarding where and how her shield should be stored.
'Sweetheart, remember, we are only packing for two, not twenty,' Astarion stood across the room observing her flustering around, 'Why don't we wait until we come across something and then make those decisions.'
'You're right of course.' She stared at him, all ready to go. He had all his items in pouches, and he had one bow at his back, and blades at his hip. In her palm were an assortment of numerous rings. She went through them, selecting a handful which she handed to Astarion. 'You can wear these ones.'
'Ah, already getting back into "ordering" me around.' Laughing, he took them and observed them closely. 'You really sure, this one?' He took the one with a sapphire gem.
Smirking, she teased, 'Only when I really need to.' She checked the amulet he was wearing. 'Oh, that Drow armor came with a magical emblem.'
'Very beneficial having Invisibility equipped.' He touched the House of Baerne emblem. 'It is fortunate you can be organized like this.'
'I guess I try,' She glanced around at what was left, 'Actually, I think I hold on to too many things…'
'Mm, that is absolutely true. I believe all you need is some stabbing implement…' Astarion touched on one is daggers, 'You are distracting yourself,' He said resolutely, 'Everything is packed, even books I noticed.'
'I wasn't going to leave behind that Infernal book,' She shut the Astral Box, 'and the ones written by Amanita.' She shoved the box into another Pouch of Holding on her other hip. It fit snugly and the feel of the pouches was bringing back memories of the time they were travelling. She would get used of it again, soon enough.
She turned to survey the whole room, and her throat constricted with sobs wanting to burst out. Tears came anyway, and she blew a kiss to the room, in the direction of the bed. 'You have been a magical place of lovely things, and I will never forget you.'
Astarion hugged her from behind and she gave a spontaneous sob while holding his arms. He declared, 'You never cease to amaze me. Any one would think we will never see this room again. If we could take the bed in the box, you know we would do it. Although, suddenly having a four poster bed in the middle of nowhere might be too extravagant even for me…'
She knew it was too large to fit, but the sentiment made her smile. 'Very indulgent. I like it.'
'My love, what we have is not about the bed, or anything here.' He swept his hand around the room. 'Do you remember the first night we made love?'
A night she would never forget. The stars were a canvas of vibrant lights and dancing colors. Fresh scents of wild flowers and a warm breeze on cool naked flesh was exhilarating. On vine-laden ground cover, they lay, and he was there, all over her, making her feel loved, like she had never felt before. 'It was beautiful.' At the time, she assumed he wasn't genuine with his feelings, but she didn't care. She wanted to touch him for herself, she wanted him more than he wanted her.
'You charmed me,' He kissed her neck above her cowl. 'My sweet delicious lover.'
Tav breathed deep his words and held his arms closer. 'I think you were doing all the charming.'
'True, I did charm you. I didn't think you would come back to me if I didn't,' he gave her a kiss behind her ear, a playful half smile was on his mouth. 'Shall we depart?'
'Now you know I would have…' She said as he grabbed her hand and led her out of the room. Once the door was shut, he cast Arcane Lock on it. It glowed blue and was sealed.
Downstairs, they met with Arabella. She gave Tav a set of new potions, which she put in a Holding pouch. She hooked it alongside the others on her belt.
Arabella then handed a folded up surgery pouch to Astarion. Inside, 10 vials, the width of half a finger were all individually slotted in. They appeared to contain a crimson substance. He took one out and examined it. 'This is…' his red eyes flittered wide in recognition.
'Yep,' Arabella answered, 'It's a compound concoction using Tav's blood.'
'My blood?' Tav took a vial and studied it for herself. 'So this is what you have been up to with my blood.'
'Well, I think to get the most power out of it, it has to match Astarion's own blood in some way.'
'Hold on,' He raised one brow at her. 'How would you know that?'
Arabella shrugged casually. 'Vampires have to bite people right? I'm guessing you probably bite Tav.'
Tav nodded at her astutely. 'And what does it do?'
'Ah, well, Astarion will find out.' She looked around with a vague expression. 'Only use it when you really have to.'
'Is it possible to be any more ambiguous than that?' Astarion returned the vial to the slot. 'These ones appear different.' He pointed at two vials at the end.
'Oh, right, those are my blood.' She tapped on the vial. 'They won't be as potent, but I'm interested to see how they work. I only had so much time to get Tav's blood… so I had to improvise with mine.'
'Why do I have the sense you don't know what these actually do?' Astarion folded the flat pouch up and let it fall into his Pouch of Holding. 'Thank you all the same, I think.'
She gave him a cheeky grin. 'You'll have to let me know what happens.'
'We don't know when we will be back,' Tav bent down and hugged Arabella without thinking whether she would like being hugged. 'Thank you for everything. You stay safe till we see you again.'
Arabella hugged her back. 'Maybe I'll even see you out in the world.'
'Now that would be quite extraordinary,' Astarion's expression softened as he looked at the child. 'If it weren't for you I doubt we would be going anywhere.'
Tav turned to all the cats sitting and watching them leave. She gave each of them a cuddle, even Rascal, and told them how grateful she was for their presence, and much she loved them. 'Please cat family look after the house, and Arabella and Alfira. Also you must be very careful, and look after each other.'
'Time to go,' Astarion told her.
She sighed heavily, and walked through the portal, followed by Astarion. They came out into a cold windowless room with slate stones underfoot, and book and scroll shelves lining the walls. A single door lead through to another room where they could hear voices talking.
Walking through, they came to another similar room, except it was larger and circular. Around the room were portals, and Rolan and Lia, talking. Tav's attention was taken up with the portals, she gasped with surprise at the number of them, 'Rolan, this is incredible.'
Rolan and Lia turned to the two of them. Lia gushed, 'Can't believe you're here, and ready to go!'
Astarion responded, 'Yes, we are actually here. It might not be our choice, but the time has come when we must get out of the city.'
'Well, you have come to the right place,' Rolan said proudly.
'How did you make all these?' Tav eyed the nearest portal with fascination.
'Ahhh….' Rolan's eyes shone with passion, 'Shall I explain?'
Lia grumbled, 'That's not a question. He's going to tell you all about it now.'
'I wonder, do we really have the time for this?' Astarion's shoulders seemed to sag.
Rolan ignored them and focused on Tav's inquisitive expression. 'Over our travels, at key points, I created astral spaces, or you could say, markers. A space that leads no-where in particular, and was also an interface of a future event, or destination.'
'Oh. I see.' Tav tilted her head, in her attempt to understand.
'Now, I've created the space in very safe places, well, a place that can't easily be moved, for instance, a permanent object.'
'Uh, huh?' Tav was beginning to feel lost.
'The opening is attached to matter—'
'Oh, Gods,' Astarion exclaimed impatiently.
'Yeah,' Lia added, 'When we got here, he opened them all up.'
'Well, not exactly, but,' Rolan answered gruffly, 'I drew them all together and made an anchor doorway.'
'And…' Tav started, 'We can take one of these portals?'
'Yes, but,' Rolan replied with some reservation, 'You can take a portal, but you must realize if you use the portal on the other side, you return via the anchor point.'
'Right,' Tav said, 'That doesn't seem too bad.' After all it was only in the other room.
'Hold on,' Astarion asked uneasily, 'That anchor portal is actually connected to the portal in our house.'
Rolan nodded. 'That is because I didn't go there, but Lia set up a straight pathway.'
'It's helpful I guess for getting around,' Tav shrugged. She understood the concern. It meant the astral plane was going to be open and used anytime someone was using the anchor portal, that meant there was a type of open door to their house. Not that anyone would be using the anchor portal except Rolan and those connected with him.
'Rolan is so crazy for these things,' Lia went on, 'He's even got plans to get Cal travelling, so he can set up more.'
Astarion walked to the first portal, and a small plaque on a stand. 'This is to Elturel.'
'That one…' Lia looked to Rolan with a guarded expression.
'I made that when the city was in Avernus.' Rolan stared into the portal. It had flicks of red and black, and was unlike the other portals. 'This hole has gone to Avernus and back.' He paused. 'I'm not even certain where it currently is.'
'You haven't gone through it?' Astarion asked.
Rolan sighed heavily. 'Correct.'
'You haven't been through any of these, have you?'Astarion reproached.
'Nope,' Lia chirped.
'What?' Tav snapped.
'Look, I understand your concern. Aside from the Elturel portal,' Rolan clarified, 'the others should be fine. You will have to trust me on this.'
Astarion put his head in his hands. 'We are the ones sent to test these doorways. Of course.'
'Rolan, we trust you,' Tav nudged Astarion's arm. 'I'm sure it will be alright. If Gale can make these things, you can do it too.'
'It was Gale who gave me some instruction on creating the anchor portal,' Rolan replied. 'Although I did have some rudimentary knowledge on the topic.'
'Regardless, we have no choice in the matter,' Astarion read the second plaque. 'The Grove,' another plaque read, 'Last Light Inn,' another read, 'Risen Road.'
'So Elturel is too dangerous?' Tav asked.
'Currently it is,' Rolan replied, 'I can't predict what it looks like on the other side. As you can determine by the portal's appearance.'
'Someone needs to go to the actual place and restore it,' Lia said.
'It is a shame we can't travel to Elturel,' Tav remarked, 'It would be convenient.'
'Truthfully no,' Astarion said to her, 'If we were to arrive directly into what could potentially be the enemies lair, it would pose a range of hazards. Where is this portal?'
'The basement of our house,' Rolan explained. He went on to detail where they lived. 'We don't know what condition the basement is in, and considering the portal is fragmented, I can see the damage.'
She glanced at Astarion. 'It seems Emerald Grove is the best location.'
Rolan said, 'I also made space at Ang Veld, but so far I haven't been able to find it.'
Lia said, 'That place was disrupted by Avernus. Half of it returned, but parts are still missing…'
'I'm going to keep trying though…' Rolan stated.
'In that case,' Astarion said to Rolan, 'Have you heard of a place, Almandine. It's outside Elturel.'
'I've heard of it.' Rolan looked away in recollection. 'Never been there. It was not a place people went to.'
'You don't know anything about it?' Tav asked.
'Oh…' Rolan studied her eager expression. 'Are you going there?'
Tav replied, vaguely, 'Ummm…'
'No, I seem to recall it as another place around that area,' Astarion said curtly. 'It's good strategy to be aware of the surroundings we are headed into.'
'You are right.' Rolan rubbed his chin. 'Almandine was the gated estate of some eccentric and enigmatic wealthy family. There was a village near it, Westhollow, although people rarely visited it. There were stories of people who would disappear--'
Lia butted in, 'But they always seem to be rumours—'
'That is because those people were travelers—'
'No one would miss travelers and those passing through,' Astarion said knowingly.
'Well, I don't know much more of the place,' Rolan said, 'To get there, and anywhere on the way to Elturel you go east on the Risen Road, if it is no longer blocked that is. You might need to find a way through.'
'Those at the Grove will give clearer directions on how to get to Elturel,' Lia said.
'The city is south east from the half ruin of Ang Veld,' Rolan explained.
'We won't tell anyone where you are going,' Lia said confidently.
'What if the worst happens,' Tav started, 'and someone enters here through the portal in our house?'
Rolan eyed her seriously. 'Is this the level of how extreme your trouble is?'
'We can't say for sure if someone would enter here,' Astarion said, 'But, I would advise, you be prepared for any contingency. That means an adversary entering into your Tower through that portal.'
Rolan exhaled loudly. 'If that is how it is… I'll take some precautionary measures. To make you feel some ease,' He assured them, 'I'll put more protections in place.'
'The one to their house is different?' Lia asked him.
'In a way. It was more open. I wanted those in the house to enter here without any hindrance. I can see that will be detrimental going forward.'
'Can that be altered?' Astarion asked him.
'Possibly,' he scratched his chin. 'Once those living in your house have been here… maybe… I'll have to give it some thought… But it is most likely doable.'
'Alright,' Tav looked to Astarion, 'I think we are ready…'
Lia ruffled around on a shelving unit and handed Tav a bunch of scrolls. 'Here take these.'
Tav grabbed them all and stuffed them with the others in her scroll pouch.
Astarion put the black Drow hood on his head, and his mask. 'I don't think we can be any more ready.' He looked at Tav with a sparkle in his red eyes.
Tav could see how eager he was to do this, and to get going. 'Alright then,' she said slowly, 'Thanks for everything… we'll see you—'
Astarion grabbed her hand, and while she was talking, he walked through the "The Grove" portal, taking her with him. They disappeared inside.
'I wonder they didn't ask exactly where the portal would come out?' Rolan remarked.
'Shouldn't you have maybe mentioned something like that?' Lia cried.
'Mmm…' Rolan considered her. 'It shouldn't matter. They are resourceful. They will work it out.'
'Rolan!' Lia grumbled, 'You're maddening.'