Trigger Warning: Graphic Depictions of Violence, Blood and Injury, Gore, Animal Death, Death, Battle Trauma, Religious Violence/Themes, Cannibalism (implied), Emotional Manipulation.

I am roused quietly, though I can hear the frantic undertones in his voice. "Vash. Vash, there is a frightening woman asleep in our camp."

The bright morning sky alarms me more than anything. I overslept. "Astarion." He's gripping my arm tightly, and for a moment I'd forgotten the events of last night.

Right. Karlach.

"It's alright. She's meant to be here."

"What? Are you saying she appeared in the night, and you just let her stay?" He pouts playfully. "Are you trying to build a harem of tiefling women to replace me?"

I push him back to give myself space. "Calm yourself. She's tadpoled, like us." I stretch my limbs, which quake as they tense and a waking groan escapes me. "…an entire harem to replace…"

"Oooooh. Another wormed brain to add to our menagerie. Fantastic. Another mouth to feed."

I grunt, getting to my feet. I'm still sore from the tollhouse. Ripping the greatsword from that man's hands was a chore. Well worth it, to see his bravado fade into fear when he realized he'd lost.

"You know full well we do not want for food."

He gives me a sly smile. "I must admit, your request for live chickens was generous of you. Hunting had started to lose its novelty."

"I'm glad someone appreciates what I'm doing around here."

"I do." His eyes linger on me for a moment too long before clearing his throat. "I appreciate it. Genuinely."

In a fluttering calamity, a dove lands hard on the table, paper strapped to her leg. I tap my ear, to allow me to commune with the bird. "Good morning."

The dove ruffles her feathers. "Good morning indeed! Got a message for you, Ser!" The dove is oddly militant. I sit down and carefully untie the note.

Astarion plops himself down in my lap and I wrap my arm around his waist. He begins to pry. "What does it say?"

"Bold of him," I mutter, before setting the note down. "Rath needs some guidance. He's not quite used to having the duties of First Druid."

I grab a slip of paper and quickly write out a note, rolling it and tying it to the dove. "Head back, make sure she gets this quickly, so she has time to prepare."

The dove appears to salute with a wing before darting away.

Astarion drags his fingers over my shoulders as he watches her fly off. His arms curl around my neck. "The duties of The Lord of Dirt-Worshippers."

My hand tightens against his thigh, possessively. "Be careful. I wouldn't speak so callously in front of royalty."

"Hah!" He tracks my face for a moment, before brushing my hair behind my ear. "So banish me."

My expression softens, gaze traveling across his body neatly perched on top of me like a supplicant offering.

Slowly, quietly, he leans down. I feel a lost breath within me for the briefest moment before he presses his lips to mine.

I can feel him gripping the back of my head as we sink into each other with a sigh of relief. He's finally broken the seal for my desires that I've barely kept contained. I taste the blood in his mouth, and a hint of exotic spices. An attempt to mask the acrid scent of death perhaps, but I love the mingling flavors.

Astarion speaks wistfully into my lips. "Finally..."

I hear the padding of footsteps coming up to my tent, and Astarion grips me tighter. He hears it too.

A faint voice calls from outside. "Vash? Are you awake?"

Astarion snaps, pulling back from our kiss. "I swear to the Gods, Gale. If you keep interrupting our time together, I'll empty your fetid blood into the River Chionthar."

Gale scoffs. "Fetid—You two are always together! How in the Hells am I supposed to speak to Vash when you two aren't drooling over each other like a couple of rutting aurochs?"

His voice is edged with a deep frustration, and he's being crude again. He needs something.

I glance up at Astarion with a grin and pull him into another kiss. I don't want to let him go yet. My hands travel down his back, feeling his slight figure, before curving around his ass and pulling him into me.

He moans softly, threading his fingers through my hair.

His cold body warms from the heat of my infernal skin, infecting him.

He slowly and deliberately drags his leg across my lap before straddling me.

I feel insatiable. I take a final, deep breath in, savoring his body a moment more before pulling away.

He bites his lip, soft red eyes, languid and lusting.

I linger but reluctantly relinquish him. He clings to my tunic as I lift him off my lap.

"Noooooo." He pouts and holds the same indignity of a cat pulled off the countertop before tipping a cup over the edge.

I stand, adjusting my pants and walking over to my tent door. I find a staggered and pale wizard waiting patiently. The dark circles under his eyes make him look like he hadn't slept last night.

"Gale, are you okay?"

He has his hand over his heart and answers reflexively. "Yes! Well... no."

Astarion slinks over, irritated at first before seeing the state of him. "Gods, you look like you just crawled out of the Hells. Did something happen?"

"I'm here to get one of my jewels from my cache." I don't think I've ever heard someone sound patient and impatient at once.

"Is it time to feed the wizard already? How often do you need a jewel for your condition?" I dismiss the arcane lock and open the chest, digging around for a moment before finding a sufficiently useless pendant.

Gale sighs with relief. "I'll ignore your comment, and to answer your relevant question, it averages one every three days. Thank you for the jewel." He takes it and begins to leave.

"Can I see what you do with it? I'm curious."

He looks at me, eyes exhausted, bone weary, slightly hunched. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt anything, though I don't owe you any favors."

Astarion interjects. "Hold on. What is going on?"

He palms the pendant and gently presses it to his chest. A bright violet light bursts forth from the center of his circular tattoo. I can feel the Weave sinking into his heart. The pull is uncanny, and it leaves the Weave feeling stretched taut. Almost like someone had cored out a section of flesh and sutured the edges to fill the void.

His posture corrects and color returns to his cheeks. I see his shoulders melt and he even dares to smile in my presence.

At least someone is getting a little relief this morning. "Interesting. How does it feel?"

He takes a deep breath. "Like the coldest glass of water after trekking through a desert."

I offer a comforting smile, as best as I can, given my current standing. "I'm sorry you have to go through this Gale. Perhaps someday we can find a fix."

"And perhaps someday we can cure Astarion from his vampirism." He glances at Astarion, resentful at the empty promise. "I still don't know how much I like this arrangement."

"Tsk. Don't be sour, Gale. It's working well enough so far. You're right as rain."

He straightens himself, staring me down. "No one asked you to do this."

"You didn't need to. I am the only one capable of carrying this duty."

"Yes... I heard you tell something similar to Lae'zel."

A grin splits my face, dripping with cruelty. "Oh? And what else did you hear?"

Gale stops and is suddenly taken by a deep blush. He takes his leave unceremoniously.

Astarion wraps his arms around my waist, placing his cheek on my shoulder. "He's a silly man with too many emotions."

"Yes. Emotions that could get us all killed."

He glances up. "Hm? What do you mean?"

"I mean he has a bomb in his chest."

"WHAT!?"

"He took it upon himself to keep that from us."

Astarion maintains his sardonic calm, but a dread envelops him regardless of his restraint.

I put my arm around his shoulder, taking his hand and kissing his forehead. "I have it under control."

He doesn't speak, but rests his head against my chest, pressing his fingers lightly into me. I finally hear a soft mutter.
"I miss it. Having a heartbeat."

My expression tightens into pity, and I embrace him fully, resting my chin on his head. "Come on. I'll introduce you to Karlach."

As we leave the tent, Scratch runs up to me, waggling every part of his body. "You're awake! The human man is making breakfast! I visited Gomwick. He's getting worse."

"Scratch. Would you like me to bury Gomwick?"

He stops waggling for a moment, his panting stilled. "I think-" His tail swings low. "I think that would make him more comfortable while he rests."

My mouth turns down and I give him a hearty scratch behind the ears. This seems to perk him up and he dashes off to lap the camp like a fluffy white sentinel.

Gale is looking much better. He's cooking eggs with an assortment of fragrant herbs, along with some choice cuts of goat shoulder. It's the single most fantastic thing I've smelled next to the smell of Nettie's burning body.

With Bhaal's blessing I'll be able to find another equally useless dwarf, and this time have a proper meal.

Bex is practicing her aim, staying steady, focusing, and hitting the dummy with precision. Nothing around her is taking away from her focus.

Danis has made several meters of cordage from the fiber he'd prepped earlier and is adding to it.

Karlach is sitting at the edge of her tent near the campfire, cross-legged, fixing the beads in her long dark hair.

Shadowheart is barefoot with her feet resting near Karlach's leg. "Honestly, you're a godsend, I can't help but feel chilled most days. My feet are always cold for some reason. You're a lot more reliable than the campfire."

Karlach laughs. "Well in that case, I'm happy to help. Anything to warm those adorable tootsies."

Shadowheart giggles and leans back, flexing her toes. "Thank you."

Karlach spots Astarion and I walking toward them and she offers me a bright morning smile. "Morning, Spooks!"

Astarion raises his brow and leans into me with a murmur. "Spooks?"

I match his tone, my voice humming in his ear. "A name I've earned."

"Is it? Honestly, I'm impressed she'd be so brazen."

"You know I'm not cruel without cause."

Astarion's gaze falls into mine, his hair standing on end. "You need to whisper more sweet nothings to me. I like it."

I smile, just enough to let him see it.

My attention is torn away when a small bird lands on my shoulder. I hold out my hand, and it hops on my finger.

"Reporting from First Druid Rath: Grain Yield – 60lbs, Root Vegetables – 35lbs, Fruit – 15lbs, Herbs – 5 bundles. Chicken Eggs – 30 today, none slaughtered. Arron's Ledger indicates 1 gold and 3 silver earned at closing yesterday. A particularly lucrative day."

The bird waggles her tail feathers as she recites the numbers.

I nod along, amazed at her recitation. "And you remembered all of this?"

She chirps cheerfully. "Of course! Rath picked me specifically because of my good memory."

I tip my head to her, respectfully. "Thank you. It is impressive; however, this puts me in a less than desirable position when it comes to ledger keeping. Head back but let him know I am not pleased."

She titters a little farewell and darts back to the grove.

Astarion watches the bird fly off. "That didn't sound good, what happened?"

"More of the same." I catch a glance from Bex as she nocks another arrow. "I expected there would be a few hiccups with Rath as he got used to his new position. We'll get it ironed out, though."

I place myself next to Danis by the fire. He looks up vaguely and gives me a nod. "Danis. How is your morning?"

He continues twisting cordage. "Peaceful." He looks intently at his fingers, as if looking away would make the whole thing unravel.

Well, that was a nice conversation.

I look over at Karlach as Shadowheart hovers over her, carefully picking at her braid, trying to adjust it. Giving soft little inhales every time the heat becomes a touch too much for her.

Karlach grips her knees. "Be careful! You really don't have to."

Shadowheart interrupts, irritated. "Quiet. It's almost perfect."

"Ok, Shadsy."

She stops and stares down at her. "Shadsy?"

Karlach stutters. "Heartsy? H-Hardsy? No." She fidgets in her seat with a crinkled smile.

Shadowheart giggles despite herself. "Just Shadowheart is fine."

Karlach's chin curls as Shadowheart carries on. She turns her attention to me so she no longer needs to linger on Shadowheart's singed fingers. "Soooo… what are we doing today?"

Gale has begun handing out the food. He doesn't look at me and nearly drops my plate on the ground. Messy. He's being obstinate, but he'll come around once he's done sulking.

"We're headed toward Waukeen's Rest, but I have reason to believe the trail will have a gnoll ambush up ahead, so be on guard." I glance over at Danis. "We need to find a way to protect you effectively. As you know, gnolls are ruthless. Relentless. Perhaps you can hide in a crate on the Ox cart."

"Crate on the..." He bristles at my suggestion. "I will not be hiding in a box while my wife is out there battling those wretches!"

Bex places a hand on his shoulder. "I didn't find any sign of gnolls when I scouted the trail last night. Perhaps it won't come to that."

"Keep in mind the nature of an ambush, Bex. You didn't find them because they didn't want to be found. Not yet. When we come across them, I'll show you exactly what to look for."

Excitement brightens her expression. "I would like that very much, thank you." But then she turns up her chin in a playfully skeptical way. "You're remarkably literate in the ways of survival for an amnesiac."

Karlach's tail brushes the ground broadly. "Amnesiac? That can't be fun. Gods, it sounds downright terrifying."

My eyes become big and watery with self-pity. "It's been so difficult. I've been surviving by the skin of my teeth."

Bex shoves me, wrinkling her nose. "Stop it. Goof."

I chuckle and roll with her shove.

Shadowheart is grinning playfully but stands, walking over to Danis. She slides off her necklace and hands it to him. "When the ambush happens, use this. It will allow you to teleport to safety. As long as the location you want to get to is in sight, you can get there. We can take care of the rest."

His lips curled inward before running the chain through his fingers and taking the necklace. He looks at the pendant resting in his palm. "Thank you." Gingerly pulling it on and tucking it into his tunic.

Lae'zel had been polishing her armor, and finally joins us, fully clad. "Gnolls. I look forward to fighting something that actually gives me a challenge. Faerûn has been a lot tamer than what I had been led to believe."

Astarion looms over the conversation, arms folded thoughtfully. "Menacing your way out of every problem does leave the blade a touch too dry." He's staring directly at me.

"Stick in the mud, I know." I say quietly, with a sheepish smile. That is the cost of conquest. Being a warlord requires a lot more diplomacy than people assume. At least, if you know what you're doing.

Karlach gets to her feet excitedly. "Well, let's get to it! Gnolls or not, I want to make it back to Baldur's Gate as quick as I can. I miss my home."

It's the push we needed. We quickly pack up and make our way onto the road.

The merchant's trail is shaded and lined with trees, and it doesn't take long for the signs of gnolls to begin to show.

Cackling, and the smell of death.

My tail lashes as I take inventory. Scattered detritus lining the road. Broken baskets. Toppled crates. A severed hand covered in flies.

Karlach jogs over to a bushel of apples, sure footed and excited. "Oh score! More provisions!"

It's amazing how easily she finds a silver lining. "Karlach, we aren't going to collect food off the ground. Leave it."

She had already been reaching for an apple. "Oh." She looks at the apple and swiftly snags it anyway. "Just for me, now, then."

She's a goblin. A giant goblin.

As we continue, I feel her polishing the apple against my cloak and hear the sound of crunching as she bites into it. I glance back at her. "Didn't you have some of Gale's breakfast?"

"Yeah?" She says, with a wet mouthful.

My eyes are tracking the tree line. Shifting bodies dart between the shadows, quiet. We finally crest a hill and get a view further down the road. Broken, overturned merchant carts, and gnolls tearing into several bodies.

I stop and hold up my hand.
The ox cart is further back, and I hear it come to a halt.

The road grows quiet, and the air seems to compress around us.

Something soft drops and I see Karlach's apple core hit my boot. There is a creaking of leather as she grips her axe hilt tight.

The click of a bolt being loaded into a crossbow, the mechanism pulling the string taut. Bex is ready.

The long shadows of Shadowheart, Astarion, and Lae'zel draw up behind us.

"Who's secured Danis?" I don't take my eyes off the moving shapes around us.

Lae'zel has her back to me, guarding on all sides. "He is well protected in Gale's hands."

Gale's been arming himself with an actual weapon lately, a rapier. Commendable.

I reach for my greatsword and brace my footing.

With a sudden wail of chaotic laughter, we're encircled by a small group of hyenas, dashing and squealing.

"Keep your wits! They're trying to distract us!" I bellow, before seeing three large gnolls charge from the tree line.

One lunges for Lae'zel, but she quickly blows it back with a thunderous blast. It lands hard on its back. With a wild battle cry, she digs her blade deep into the beast's belly.

A gnoll comes at me, covered in scars, missing an ear and several teeth. Brutally battle-worn and still alive, proof enough of how deadly this one is.

My first swing is swiftly dodged, and the gnoll snaps sharply at my throat. I feel the heat of its breath and the smell of rot. I batter its face with the hilt of my sword, more to get its fetid stench away than to wound it. It reels and I swing again, landing a concussive blow that rattles its body and splits its skin.

The damned thing growls and rears back, giving a bone-chilling howl.

A signal.

Arrows begin to rain down upon us. I quickly throw my cloak over my head.

"Oh, hells no!" Karlach's engine roars and a fury engulfs her. She charges into the tree line with a vengeance, and I hear yelps and scuffling.

I don't get much time to take stock before the grizzled gnoll is on me once again. Our clash is that of two men who have been through too much to die today. He's unrelenting. Each slice from my blade is a new scar in his long memoir of war.

My efforts to fend off his attacks are interrupted by two charging hyenas. I detonate a radiant thunderclap in front of them, and they're blown back violently.

Fuck.

He's wearing me down.

I've realized it too late.

Despite my will to keep going my arms are beginning to give out, and each swing of my greatsword is weaker than the last.

I can't catch my breath, my lungs are screaming for air.

And still he persists.

He finally tackles me to the ground and I'm useless beneath him. I try to reach for my daggers, but they are pinned between us.

I struggle to push away as he snaps at me, barely avoiding his teeth. He finally clamps down on my shoulder and starts mauling me.

My hand finds its way to his face and lightning rips through my body, detonating against his head. He lets out a wild cry and jerks back from the voltage. His body twitches violently, but he's trying to rally his strength once more.

I hear a wet crunch.

The gnoll collapses on top of me, a bolt through its head.

I lay still... and listen.

The sounds of the ambush have winnowed down to the whimpering death mewls of a few hyenas.

I look to my right and see Astarion pulling his dagger from a hyena's eye.
With a heavy breath, I push the gnoll corpse off me and Bex runs up to me.

"Vash." Her voice is quiet. She runs her hand through my hair, brushing it aside and checking my shoulder. "Gods."

My eyes drift over her; she seems to have avoided injury.
Good.

She pulls out a healing potion, pouring it over the jagged wound. It begins to knit together. The truth of these damned potions is that the healing isn't painless. It burns. It itches. It aches. Sometimes all at the same time.

Tolerable for most basic wounds, but this time I can't help but wince as it mends. A tooth is buried near my clavicle; I try to pry at it, but the edges are too damned smooth.

"Hold on." She removes my hand and presses on either side of the tooth, prying it free with nimble fingers. As the wound finishes closing she drags her hand over my shoulder with a measured intensity.

Her eye catches mine for the briefest moment, and a faint heat colors her cheeks. She takes a kerchief and wipes my shoulder clean. The rapid healing has left a fresh fragile scar, but the wound is closed.

"There."

Shadowheart and Karlach are walking together up the hill to meet our convoy.

She stands to join them, her tail brushing against me. Perhaps she's not used to her body, or perhaps she's toying with me. I lift my hand just enough to let it brush over my fingers. She feels it and lets it happen, with the slightest glance toward me.

There's something about tiefling women.

I push myself to my feet and follow.

Astarion jogs up next to me with a wicked little smile but says nothing.

We breach the hill to see Danis alive. Gale stands, bloodied and victorious, his blade run through the chest of a gnoll. He pushes the corpse off him and it drops heavy onto the road. The ox has become unmoored, and Scratch barks protectively. A hyena's corpse lies smoking nearby. I scan, seeing no other gnolls in sight.

Danis sits stiff, watching Gale, but his tension instantly melts the moment he sees Bex. He quickly jumps off the ox cart and runs up to her.

"Thank the Companion!" He embraces her and then looks her over. "Are you—"

"Yes. I'm fine." She gives a gentle laugh, her tail flicking subtly, then wrinkles her nose. "Don't thank the Companion."

"Oh... right." He smiles bashfully, then kisses her cheek.

I approach Gale, who sheathes his rapier. "You're lucky it was only one gnoll."

Gale gawks at me. "Lucky?" He notices the ragged scar on my neck and straightens his lips. "Looks like you weren't as lucky."

"That was only one gnoll. They are tenacious."

He glances around and then pauses. "Vash."

I look down at him, straightening my cloak over my shoulders.

"Where's Lae'zel?"