We finish our breakfast. Oats, made with love from a very unsettled wizard. The tension has relaxed but not entirely dissipated. Lae'zel's expression betrays a hint of shame, and Gale hovers around her like a butterfly circling the last blossom in the garden. His desire for her isn't subtle. I need to lead their minds out of the doom spiral I've put them in. I pull out the notes to Kagha, a few of my letters from Apikusis dropping out of my pocket along with them. I gather them and neatly tuck them back into my cloak. Our exchange has gotten personal, and quite frankly, a little out of hand. It elicits a wistful grin, though I try to stifle my amusement in front of my companions.
"Shadow Druids." I tap the letters against my palm. "What do we know of them? Power-hungry isolationists. Ready to use subterfuge to infiltrate a verdant grove. Violent toward outsiders. They are... distasteful."
I'm being careful with my words. The air is tender between the company and me. I am loath to be as callous as I was last night, but wearing a mask in the presence of death is pointless. The fact we're still alive is, by rights, impossible. Yet here we are.
Bex perks up with a glint of knowing. "The faction in Cloakwood is a militant bunch. They regularly ambush caravans for resources. I've heard stories about their guerrilla tactics."
So they fight against outsiders only to end up being dependent on them all the same, a major crack in their worldview. They're pampered and delusional.
"My father, luckily, never had to deal with them." She presses her lips together, quietly trying to pull any other details from the dregs of her mind.
I nod toward her, encouraging her. "That's exactly what we need to know." I lean back and glance at Lae'zel, giving her the moment. "Let's prepare ourselves for an ambush. What's going to be the best way to approach if it comes to a fight?"
She squares her shoulders. "We've already seen the layout of the druid's chamber. There aren't many places to hide if they are going to ambush us. They will either be coming from outside, or they are already hiding in plain sight. We will need a ranged fighter to sit as a lookout while we deal with Kagha directly." She looks at Bex who is utterly transfixed. "There will be sturdy vines leading up the wall on the right as you enter the druid's chamber. Use those to climb onto a stone arch. That will be the best vantage point of the arena. Strike at the first sign of dissonance."
Lae'zel is in her element, and I feel the tension finally begin to melt away.
Bex is focused on Lae'zel's instruction and I see the pulse in her neck quivering. She's feeling it already, the thrill of the hunt.
The corner of my mouth twitches with a subtle smirk. "Similar to the ambush in the Apothecary's basement, only now we have the privilege of anticipating the attack."
"That was an ambush, wasn't it? I hadn't thought of it that way." She looks at the others, self-assured. "I'll keep low and focused. I won't miss a beat if negotiations fall through. Quite frankly, I expect they will. I don't see the Shadow Druids entertaining a peaceful exit."
"I'm glad you see it too. It is unfortunate, but well..." I let the sentence die, no need to repeat my sanctimonious sermon.
The plan for the grove is set. Gods, I yearn to chew on that wretched bitch, Kagha. I bet she tastes like old bark and dry pussy. Her weakness as a leader forfeits any mercy... though such people often make loyal followers with the right guidance.
I glance toward the camp chest. "Bex, bring me Fezzerk's Axe." I turn my eyes to her with a slow grin. "Don't worry, we've cleaned most of the goblin off it."
She snorts with an uneasy smile but eagerly gets to her feet and obeys. I watch as she jogs to retrieve it, her tail bending awkwardly as if she's still getting used to her body. Adorable.
I look at the others. "Gale, Shadowheart, you two stay with the tieflings while Bex, Astarion, and Lae'zel come with me to face Kagha."
Gale looks at me, weary. "Why me? You haven't exactly put me in the thick of things since we've been traveling together."
A loaded question. Bex returns with the axe and I take it with a grateful smile before lashing it to my back. "Gale." I feel the weave give a pulse from him as I say his name. "I apologize for everything that happened. Truly. But I need you to stay behind." I drag my fingers through my hair, pushing it back into place. "Simply put, I can rely on you the most to defend my kin if the druids attack. You and Shadowheart more so than Lae'zel and Astarion."
Astarion grins and raises his hand. "Guilty as charged. I genuinely don't give a shit about them."
Lae'zel glances at me and scoffs. “T’chk. They need to take up arms and be ready for such an occasion. If they need to solely rely on us to protect them, then I question whether they are worth protecting to begin with.”
I look at Gale pointedly, gesturing at the two of them.
“Mmm… I concede your point.” He’s not happy with me, but at least I’ve given him something to do, and I can focus on the task at hand.
"Thank you, Gale. You're a good man."
We leave the camp with a sense of conviction. Our mission is a righteous one, and my company feels it. The moment we see the ivy gate, I feel a rush of excitement. Apikusis is standing at the parapets, dressed in a cloak, and mingling with the tiefling guards. The moment our eyes meet, she excuses herself and quickly makes her way to our private corner.
I turn to my party, admittedly distracted. "Go meet with Zevlor. I'll be along in a moment, there's some business I need to attend to before we head to the inner sanctum."
I feel Shadowheart's eyes on me, trying to measure what I might be up to. She touches me with a fleeting tadpole-caress before pulling away again. I give her nothing.
Bex sighs, "Hopefully I can get Danis somewhere safe without him making a fuss."
I nod with a pleasant and agreeable expression. I watch them head left down the path toward Zevlor before I slide right down the shaded path to meet Apikusis.
Relief washes over her when she sees me. "Today's the day, isn't it?"
Grinning, I grip her waist and pull her into me, dragging my teeth across her neck. A chill runs down my spine as the tugging desire to bite—rip—tear rushes through me. I can imagine the rush of blood flooding my mouth. Warm and savory. It's that ever-present whisper that has taken residence in my desires. She giggles and tries in vain to push me off. I laugh softly and kiss her neck, teasing myself, feeling her quickening pulse against my lips.
I need to fuck something.
She breathes, pressing against my shoulders. "Stooop."
My voice low and smooth, I pull back. "Oh, you wanted to talk business? Fine. Everything's in place. My team is ready, and we have the leverage we need to erode any lingering faith anyone might have in Kagha. Happy?"
She snorts. "Almost. What leverage do you have? What would be good enough to convince them to turn against her?"
I sigh dramatically and she hits my arm with a teasing grin. I reach into my cloak and hand her the notes. As she reads over them, her eyes go wide. "Gods... I had no idea." She looks at me with genuine fear. "Shadow druids."
How does she look so damned beautiful when she's afraid? I lean down and nibble on her ear before murmuring. "I want to devour you."
Her charming blush returns, and I pull her into a kiss. She surrenders and allows my hands to drag over her waist. Her soft blue tunic is pulled up just enough to slide my hand down the front of her trousers. I run my fingers over her and she moans, gripping my shoulders. I massage her with tender strokes. She gasps, shifting her hips as she clings to me for dear life. I swiftly pick her up and lay her on her back, pulling her trousers off and throwing her legs over my shoulders.
She giggles as I give her an insatiable smile, dragging my tongue across her, tasting her. Her scent saturates me entirely, she's unironically floral. A fantastic aperitif. She grips my horns and steers my indulgences to the spots that make her quiver and whimper with delight. I gently tease her before easing my fingers inside with long, slow strokes. It doesn't take long before she gasps, giving a soundless cry and sinking into a shuddering orgasm. She's gently tugging my horns, and after a few stolen breaths she finally sighs, pulsing with pleasure.
I let her enjoy her moment before pulling her under me. I swiftly undo my breeches, but she sits up and bids me to stand. I stand for her, politely obeying. She glows with confidence as she pulls me into her beautiful mouth. Her tongue flicks like a feather, tender but confident. She's skilled. Very skilled. She knows how to play with every inch of me and I—Gods! I quickly but gently push her back. I chuckle, low and languid, but fighting that tip over the edge. "Witchcraft. I thought you wanted... how did you put it? You wanted me to glaze your hole? What does that mean?"
She laughs and shakes her wrists at me. "Don't say it back to me! It sounds terrible out loud."
I give her a smug grin and push her down, playfully. "It sounded terrible on paper."
She can't stifle her little giggle, rolling onto her stomach and lifting herself into the air. I kneel, gripping her hips and sinking myself into her. She sighs wistfully and rocks with my motions as I begin to move inside her. I close my eyes and immediately imagine Bex. Her scent. Her tease. The look on her face as I strangle her.
I lean forward, dragging a hand across her neck before gripping her shoulders firmly. She sighs, bouncing herself off me. The sensations build until her breath loses its rhythm and she cries softly. "Oh-gods..." Another tremor of euphoria seizes her. As I feel her peak, the flash of Kagha's slaughtered body rips through my mind and I instantly cum—hard. Caught a little off guard, battered with pleasure, a shuddering mess.
We are gripped with the ecstasy shared between us. She slowly slumps forward with an exhale and finally rolls onto her back, flushed and smiling. She looks pleased with herself. Earned. I lie next to her as we take a moment to come down from our orgasm.
She grips my hand and closes her eyes with a sigh. A moment passes and she finally regains her composure. "I think we're ready for this." She looks over at me with her soft blue eyes, excitement shining over the hope she's been clinging to. "I'll gather the others."
I catch my breath and give her a half laugh. "Aye-aye." The moment settles into business once again as I sit up and buckle my pants. "Make sure to hold any that remain loyal to Kagha. We can afford them mercy for now." I grunt and get to my feet, dusting off my knees.
"Apikusis."
She glances up at me and takes the hand offered. Standing and looking for her pants.
I straighten my cloak and drag my hair back between my horns. "I want you to be ready for bloodshed. I know the grove is sacred, but sometimes we need to cure poison with poison. I apologize ahead of time."
She picks up her trousers and snaps the dust off before stepping into them. "I understand. If we can avoid it, that would be ideal, but I agree. After everything I've seen, I know culls are necessary to keep the flock healthy."
I sigh and my shoulders relax. "You know, it's so refreshing to find someone who truly understands the nature of things." I take her hands in mine, and look deep into her eyes. "Good luck."
She smiles and squeezes my hands before letting go, throwing her cloak over her shoulders. She heads back to the inner sanctum, and I make my way to Zevlor's chambers to rejoin my party. Hopefully the notes will have turned a few more by the time I arrive. Let's make this quick.
True to our plan, Gale and Shadowheart have stayed behind with Zevlor. Astarion, Lae'zel, and Bex follow me as we approach the guarded arches. I glance at Bex. "It seems Danis agreed to stay put."
She nods, though she's distracted. "Yes, he was shockingly reserved about the whole thing. Almost resigned to the inevitability of what's to come. He had been really struggling the past few days, but he seems to have gotten over whatever had been bothering him. He still won't tell me what it was."
I nod along as I catch the collective sigh coming from the guards as they see me. They're on edge, inconspicuously so, but I smell the fear on them.
We still hear the chanting of the Rite of Thorns. Thick vines have started to break through the soil. Signs of the Rite's power, yet their growth is slow. I look for a vantage point, and a guard subtly nods to a heavily shaded archway to their right, overlooking the inner sanctum.
I am pulled out of focus by a tugging on my sleeve. I hate being interrupted. I close my eyes, taking a breath to calm my tiny spark of agitation, tail giving a telling flick. I finally turn to see the tiefling mother with the girl I rescued from Kagha's belligerence. I've forgotten the mother's name; I had forgotten about them entirely. All I remember is that shallow mantra - Out of the good of my heart.
"Vash! I wanted to thank you for saving my daughter!" The mother's eyes are bright and grateful, and her voice is too loud right now. The little girl is wrapped around her waist like a scared bear cub.
My lip twitches and I muster a smile. "Of course. Where there is injustice, I will always be there to balance the scales."
Astarion snorts, quietly repeating my words in a stupid voice.
I deserve that, it’s a canned line.
Bex smiles at the mother, putting a hand on my arm. "Heros seem to be scarce where injustice thrives. We're lucky to have him, Komira." Her tail gives a mocking tap against mine. A tease for my previous sanctimonious speech.
Komira... that's her damned name.
I look down at the girl. “Are you alright? I must have given you a fright when I confronted Kagha.”
She almost gives me a scoff though it's stifled by a hint of bashfulness. “I’m okay. Thank you. You didn’t scare me, you snatched that snake like it was nothing! I was telling the others about it. You were amazing!”
“Others?” I notice the gaggle of tiefling children huddled by a small makeshift merchant’s counter. “I see." I kneel to get on her level. “What’s your name?”
She’s fiddling with her fingers. “Arabella.”
Komira puts a hand on her back and gives her a proud, encouraging smile.
“Arabella. How did you steal the idol from the druids?”
She glances at her parents and then back at me. “The druids were distracted. They were worried about Master Halsin leaving with the adventurers. They didn’t see me, maybe didn’t expect me to slip in and nab it.” She pauses and her eyes shift to the ground. “The moment I touched the idol, it made me feel strange, like my head was bobbing around in water. It caught me off guard, and the druids got me when I froze.”
One of the children approaches. She’s the eldest of them, but still no more than 13. She's wearing an eyepatch and has the swagger of someone who’s seen far too much for her age. She puts a protective arm across Arabella's shoulder. "Those druids have gone crazy. Kagha shouldn’t have been able to get away with treating Arabella like that!"
Arabella leans into the girl. "Thank you, Mol. At least it was me and not one of the others."
The tip of my tail twitches as I look at the young girl. "She won’t be getting away with anything."
The girl with the eyepatch, Mol, looks at me, brazen and self-assured. "I’ve heard about you." She looks around and lowers her voice. "You’re going to get’em today, aren't you?" Her face twists with disdain. “Do one thing for me. Make’em suffer.” Her scowl is vindictive. Such big emotions for such a small body.
I stand and she doesn’t break eye contact. What a broken child. I bet she has some amazing stories to tell. “Get yourselves to safety. Don’t come out until we say so.”
She taps her nose, “We’ve got a spot, don’t worry about us, Mister.”
I look back at Arabella’s parents. "I wish you and your family well." I give a cordial nod and turn to leave, but she grabs my arm, stopping me once again. I close my eyes and bite my lip, then slowly turn back to her.
"I wanted to give you this, as thanks." She holds up a locket with magical properties. "It casts a soft magical light. It's precious to me, but it's nothing compared to the life of my daughter. Please, take it."
I look at the tarnished, useless trinket. Instinct tells me to let Bex have it, but I can't have her getting sentimental about trash. A distraction at best, a symbol of hope at worst. I take the necklace and quickly pocket it. "You have my thanks. I'm sure it will help us on the journey ahead."
Bex smiles at her, taking her hand. "We're going to speak with them again now. Hopefully they'll see sense. Take care of yourself, Komira. Go find Zevlor. I don't want you, Locke, and Arabella getting caught up in any danger from the druids."
Komira gives a nervous nod. "Thank you, Bex. It doesn't seem like we're asking for much, just to live in peace. But everything seems to be against us." She grips her hand back in camaraderie. "Look at you. A real ranger. Your father would be proud. We all are."
Bex's brow furrows and she smiles in mournful gratitude. "One step at a time. We'll make it to Baldur's Gate."
Komira gives her a supportive smile and turns with Arabella to head toward Zevlor's chambers.
Bex and I exchange a brief smile, and I put a soft, comforting hand on her shoulder.
I glance at Lae’zel and Astarion. “Hold here. It’s time to end the Rite before we face Kagha.”
Bex hesitates, confused. “Before?”
I see Apikusis sitting on a bench with another druid. They're deep in discussion, waiting for the signal. I snap, conjuring my spectral cat in front of her. It leaps into her lap. The weave surges around me, allowing me to glide up onto a stone archway overlooking the inner sanctum. I land quietly and stand in the shadows. I want to witness the fall. She looks up, searching. I shift, allowing the vague golden glow of my eye to reveal my presence. She nods to her companion, and he puts his fingers to his lips.
A sharp whistle rattles the air.
Silence follows before a druid runs up behind one of the chanters who is performing the Rite. A bag is thrown over their head and they are dragged to the ground. A scream rips through the air as the chanters begin to scatter. Everything is in motion. The few druids who remained loyal to Kagha are suddenly swarmed by the rebels. Cries rise from the surge of bodies as the circle begins to consume itself.
A few of the loyalists are armed and fighting back, even though they’re outnumbered. That’s what strength in conviction looks like… the death throes of stubborn men. An elder druid is swinging his shillelagh wildly, cracking one of the rebels across the face before being tackled, gagged, and bound. Another loyalist is being chased down and trapped against a wall. She shoots a spray of poison at the advancing rebels. One man catches it in his throat and falls, choked by the assault. She screams as she's taken and dragged to the center of the circle with the other captured loyalists.
The screams and chaos of the glorious anarchy have me shaking with exhilaration.
There is a man on the outskirts of the mayhem. He's standing in disbelief, frozen on a path that leads down to the banks of the Chionthar. No one has spotted him yet, and he begins to run. A loyalist. A thrilled shudder shoots through me. CatchCatchCatch. I launch myself from the arch and the moment my feet hit the ground I break out into a sprint. I tail him out of the inner sanctum and down the path before tackling him. He screams trying to crawl out from under me. "You're lucky I'm not in my bear form!"
I flip him over, pinning his shoulders to the dirt. "Ah, the bear fucker who guarded the gate."
He tries to kick but can't move under my weight. “Filthy hellspawn!!!”
Hah.
Hahaha.
HAHAHAHA!
“I am filthy.”
He spits in my face.
My fist cracks into his head. I hit him again. Again. Again. Again. I'm unrelenting and ruthless, flooded with exaltation. I feel the slick warmth of fresh blood and that bright metallic smell. His nose breaks in one strike, his skull fractures the next. His face collapses. My right hand is soaked in blood and cranial tissue, handwrap sticking to my skin.
My heart is racing, eyes transfixed on the mutilation. I finally break away, climbing to my feet. I wipe my sleeve across my nose, feeling the cooling blood trickling down my face. I drag him by the ankle back up the path, toward the center of the inner sanctum. The killing high begins to settle into a steady tranquility.
I lay him out in front of the captives. Apikusis walks up to me, eyes tracking the man's face. Her shoulders are tight, and she shakes her head mournfully. “What happened?”
"...He was trying to tear me apart.” I let a moment of silence pass. “Who was he?"
Her eyes don't break from him. "Maggran. Stubborn man. Arrogant... Misguided."
I place a hand on her shoulder. She finally looks at me, her eyes graduating into a deeper sadness. She pulls herself into me and I embrace her. Cradling her head against my chest. "Harmony is inevitable. It was the will of Silvanus that balance be restored to the Emerald Grove. Maggran stood in opposition to that."
A sigh, as she grips me before letting go. Tears soaking her cheeks.
I kneel and place my hand over Maggran’s cold heart. "We can forgive him, can't we?"
Apikusis' sorrow blossoms into righteous compassion. "Of course."
I stand and take her hands into mine. "You were the one who believed there was a way to save the grove from this madness. Look at how simple peace can be. How people yearn for order. Not in isolation, but in unity.”
"Vash." Her eyes smile at me, though her face holds onto the gravity of the coup. She brings my hands to her lips, kissing them. She grips me for a moment longer, saying a silent prayer, before letting go.
I turn to the gate and whistle sharply.
Bex, Astarion, and Lae'zel had borne witness. Their faces are a mixture of many emotions. They approach me slowly, taking in the aftermath. Some druids bloodied and battered, being tended to by shaking hands and voices of comfort.
The druids finish collecting the loyalists and bringing them to the center of the inner sanctum. Kneeling them in a line between towering statues of a wolf and elk. Sentinels standing vigil in front of the altar of Silvanus. Though the rite is ended there are still tepid waves of power emanating from the idol. They can almost be seen in the air around us. I look back to Apikusis and the rebel druids. "Hold them here. It's time I face Kagha. The Oak Father smiles upon us today." I bow my head and make my way toward the druid's chamber.
Lae’zel catches up to me. “Did you organize this? How?”
"Diplomacy, Lae'zel."
She blinks and abruptly looks forward, the word turning in her mind.
Astarion leans in and murmurs. “Gods. It'll take no time at all. You weren't lying.”
I smile at him warmly. "I am, after all, the most honest paladin."
He smirks, but he's masking something deep inside him. We sing the same song, but I'm louder and it's starting to overwhelm him. I grip his hand.
Bex follows the other two, her face etched in disbelief. “Vash... what in the hells just happened?”
I place my other hand on her back, leaning down. “Salvation.”
She falls quiet and closes her eyes, letting me guide her forward. She's listening to the silence. It must be bliss for her to no longer hear the thrumming chants of the Rite. Like a creeping death march. Saturating her dreams. Saturating her heart. Now there is only the harmonious tittering of birds and the babbling of the sacred waters that flow past the altar of Silvanus.
Everything is finally at rest.
I am grateful to the shadow druids for giving her to me. Without them, she may have never been frightened enough to join me.
She sighs and grips my sleeve, looking toward the door of the chamber growing closer. “We have time. Hope again. But the head of the snake is waiting for us.”