Fandom Baldur's Gate: Cruel Dues [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

Gale scoffed at the hasty change, obviously put off by it, but he didn't interject. “Then help us another way. See these tieflings out of the Grove, so that our Rite can be completed without bloodshed.” Kagha directed, tone still harsh, but not without a waver.

She knew her behavior seemed monstrous but good intent was there to protect her people. She'd rather not harm others.

Gale grit his teeth. “In case you haven't noticed, they want to leave, but the goblins are hindering things. Have you considered helping mount an assault on these goblins so everyone can make it?”

“No, and we won't. We will protect ourselves with the Rite. You all seem capable to serve as escorts for the tieflings, so I am asking you to do just that.”

“Oh, we're not all that capable,” Astarion waved it off as Shadowheart inched back to their side, hand over hand, staring frightfully at a wolf, “we're here for a healer, you see.”

~***~

Of course, Myna didn’t blame Karlach. She knew that was the problem, that was the whole reason she brought Karlach here, but she’d just…acted! So as Karlach apologized, Myna just shook her head. It wasn’t necessary, at all, and she swallowed back the pain as Enver had some burn supplies fetched.

He offered to help, and although Myna wanted to refuse, pain had a fairly convincing argument not to refuse.

“Okay…,” the closeness he imagined for them still made her wary but she offered her hands to his care, eyes observant, knowledge flitting in from that unrecalled other life that he hadn't grabbed anything harmful to her.

That no one else was moving to do ham to Karlach.

“It was my mistake,” she reiterated to Karlach, “don't worry, I don't blame you. But I still think you should get help here. A child could make a similar mistake.” How foolishly children took hold of others.

A parent wouldn't be so forgiving.

‘And what a delicious tragedy if the child died a slow death from burns after hugging her.’

Myna clenched her jaw against the thought.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol crossed her arms over her chest, not at all impressed with the attitude of Kagha. Sure, sometimes hard decisions had to be made, but to completely cast out helpless tieflings and their children, ready for the slaughter of the goblin horde?

She could feel the slightest sensation of electricity dancing at the tips of her fingers, but she willed that away. No, she couldn’t cause a scene. Not when they had so much to do and search for.

“Yes, we are in need of a healer,” she confirmed Astarion’s words. “We were told someone named Nettie could help us.”

Kagha looked over Marisol and her companions, brows furrowed. “None of you look sick or injured.”

“Oh, we’re sick.” Marisol faked a cough into her hand, not trying to make it seem real in the least. “It’s something that would be hard to see. But please, it’s urgent.”

Kagha sighed and relented. “I suppose it’s the least we can do for helping us fight off those goblins.” She gestured to an archway behind her. “She’s through there.”

~~~

Gortash tended to Myna’s burns with the cool rag and the ointment, mindful of not aggravating the tender spots. There was no blistering or exposed flesh, so bandaging was not necessary.

Oh how often did they do this behind closed doors, after Myna had her sadistic fill of her sanguine appetite? She wouldn’t come back every night blemish-free. Sometimes people fought back. Did she toy with them, like how a cat toyed with its mousey meal before consuming?

“Surely you don’t want to harm an innocent child for simply being too curious, now do you?” Gortash chastised, as if Karlach was an idiot for refusing his help.

“Of course not!” Karlach looked conflicted, her gaze moved downward to focus on the ground, yet not on any particular spot. “I…ugh…uh!” She threw up her hands. “I never want to intentionally harm anyone, but I know that he would.” She pointed a finger at Gortash, who looked entirely too amused by the situation.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said calmly, gently brushing his fingers over the back of Myna’s hands as he slowly pulled them away once the burn was treated. “I seek to improve the lives of those in Baldur’s Gate.”

 

[Lucyfer]

“Thank you,” Gale’s words were terse, and completely without gratitude, as he walked by Kagha to head towards the archway, and the room where Nettie ought to be. He saw a druid tending to a blue bird, and approached tentatively, “Excuse me, Nettie?”

“Just a moment, please,” she said, and he shifted back, though Astarion wasn’t as polite.

“Really? We’re in far more dire straits than that bird,” debatable given they were talking and walking around. Nettie ignored him, eyes illuminating as she spoke the words to a healing spell that wrapped around the bird, before she turned to face them.

“Well, I don’t see that you dropped dead at my feet,” Nettie commented to Astarion, who scoffed, “I take it you all need a healer, or one of you?”

“Yes,” Shadowheart put her hands on Astarion’s shoulder’s from behind, startling him a bit. He glanced over his shoulder as she continued, “He’s very sick, you can see from how pale he is, but we’d like to keep the condition a bit, ah, private.”

Gale went along with it, “It’s very sensitive.”

“You—!” Astarion looked significantly flustered by being pushed forward as the ill victim, even if he’d played right into by demanding to be seen over the bird. His eyes went to Marisol as if she’d step in to rectify this terrible situation.

~***~

Familiarity sung in the ease with which Myna allowed her hands to be tended to, even if she didn’t remember. Even Enver seemed familiar with the process, familiar with her hands. As much as she wanted him to be lying about her, doubts crept in. He continued to prod Karlach towards letting him fix his action.

An action that hurt Karlach.

Even while he denied wanting to harm others. ‘Banite.’ They wanted harm. Well, no – they wanted to rule, it just so happened most people didn’t want to be ruled. That’s where the harm came into play.

She could confirm Karlach’s stance.

She could defend Enver. She wanted to as his hands drifted away.

She let out a frustrated sigh at both options, knowing neither well enough, and hating this entire situation of being between two enemies. “We all cause harm no matter our intentions,” did she intend to murder, or was she forced to? It seemed some force was behind it – she’d tried to harm Enver without meaning to. He was even prepared for such situations, “what matters now is preventing it where possible, and getting your life back, Karlach,” she looked at her.

Pleaded with her, “You can be restored. And you can do what you want after that. Or you can go on, burning up, and possibly burn yourself up in the process, achieving nothing. Time gives you options. And I’ll make sure he doesn’t do anything worse to you. But it’s your choice. If you deny it now, I won’t press further.”

It likely would never be an option again after that, and besides, she had more problems to consider, like the damn tadpole. She couldn’t waste an eternity on Karlach’s decision.

 

[cleopat]

“You seem healthy enough. A bit tired ‘round the eyes, maybe, and a need for some sun,” Nettie stated, taking in Astarion’s appearance.

Marisol stifled a chuckle at Astarion’s expense, especially after seeing his ‘help me’ expression sent her way. She wasn’t so cruel to say nothing and let him suffer, even if he did greet her with a knife to her throat.

“Really, what’s going on is a bit more…sensitive.” Nettie turned her attention toward Marisol when she spoke. The sorceress lowered her voice, in fear of wandering ears overhearing them. “We are in need of a healer, yes, due to a tadpole in our head, and we were hoping you could help us get it out.”

Nettie looked closer at Marisol, then looked over her companions. “Oh, that is indeed serious. Come, follow me.” She turned and walked to the Enclave Library, motioning with a hand for them to follow behind her.

~~~

Karlach crossed her arms and remained silent in furious thought. She didn’t want to accept help from someone who betrayed her. He could very well do that again! She would rather send him to the fires of Avernus.

But was she willing to sacrifice her principles to be able to live a normal life again? Yet Gortash was the reason she had the infernal engine to begin with! Why should she believe he would fix it?

Yet her only alternative is to keep on living with the infernal engine until it burned her up, just as Myna said.

“If she wishes to think on this generous offer, I suppose I’ll accept it,” Gortash said, as if he was extending another generous offer. “You know where to find me if you decide on it.”

Karlach narrowed her eyes before looking away, irritation clear on her face. “I’ll think on it,” she forced herself to say. Maybe that would give her time to think on what Gortash was planning.

 

[Lucyfer]

Astarion scowled at what was listed, though he was internally panicking. He made no comment, not even a defense about being albino, as he followed Nettie with the others.

When Nettie arrived in the library, it shut behind her. Astarion glanced uneasily at the door, then back to Nettie as she took a branch into hand. “Here, give me your hand,” she held one open to them, whoever would volunteer.

“Will that fix us?” Gale’s voice contained trepidation, which, given the dead drow on a slab, was understandable.

“If you consider death a fix, yes,” Shadowheart said flatly, not impressed. She folded her arms across her chest.

Nettie shifted back, “There's no cure here. And you don't have much time,” she tried to reason, “you must understand the threats you're all about to become if I let you leave here, how many Innocents you might not only kill, but render soulless husks, not even able to walk the fugue plane,” Nettie insisted.

~***~

Myna found herself writing Karlach off with the need to think, even though it was perfectly reasonable. After all Enver had done, who wouldn't need to think? She would. She still had difficulty believing anything he said! He could be lying.

And yet, she was impatient with indecision in others.

She knew that, and yet, frustration mounted. Would Karlach be this difficult about the tadpoles?

Which…they needed to address.

“Fine,” she huffed the word, “since you did come all this way,” she spoke to Enver then, “do you know anything about removing mind flayer tadpoles? We apparently have them in our heads and it's not helping my memory dilemma at all.”

She both hopped and didn't, that he knew something about this situation.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol frowned as she eyed the dead drow in passing. Did Nettie, or one of the other druids, kill this drow? Did it succumb to its own mind flayer parasite? With her heart pounding in her chest, but her expression remaining stoic, she eyed the healer as she brought out a thorny branch, instantly on alert at the uneasiness she felt.

And rightfully so, as Shadowheart revealed.

“There must be something that can be done,” Marisol all but pleaded. “Surely the fact that we’re all still alive and cognizant means something.” They haven't succumbed just yet! It was still early in their possession of the parasite, but still…

Nettie regarded the sorcerer for a moment before turning back to her herbs and potions. “There may be a chance with Halsin. He and I have been investigating the illithids,” Marisol glanced back at the dead drow, “and he may know of a cure. He’s a prisoner of the goblins right now.” Nettie grabbed a bottle and turned to Marisol. “If you rescue him, then we’ll all be in your debt.” We’ll do what we can to save you and your companions from a horrible fate.

“But,” she continued, hesitating a moment as she looked down at the potion in her hand, “if you feel the slightest that you’re transforming, that you may be transforming into Mind flayers, you must promise me to drink this.” She held the potion out to Marisol. “Wyvern toxin. I can promise you it will be a quick and painless death.”

Marisol hesitated a moment, brows furrowing as she regarded the poison Nettie held. She slowly nodded and took the poison into her own grasp, “I promise.”

~~~

Karlach crossed her arms over her chest and averted her gaze to the rest of the Foundry, anything but on the raccoon of a man standing before them. With everything else he had done, with the machines and weapons he built, it wouldn’t surprise her if he himself was also the reason the tadpoles were in their minds!

But would he have done that to Myna? Not unless there was some violent fallout that happened shortly before she lost her memories.

Gortash’s face did not betray any thought that may have flickered across his mind. No, he was not responsible for their specific mind flayer problem, although in general? He could not deny that. He supposed that the total destruction of the Brain would get rid of the little mind flayer problem, but then he would forfeit his entire plans.

If Myna could just wait a little longer with her little tadpole problem…

“No, unfortunately I do not know of any way to remove the mind flayer tadpoles,” he sighed with a shake of his head. “Believe me, if I knew of a way, I would help my favorite little assassin in a heartbeat.” He could see Karlach shake her head from the corner of his eye.

“But, that does not mean I won’t do anything I can to help your delicate condition.” Stay with me and I’ll ensure you are safe from those dangers. And how he wanted to help her get her memories back! Her poor head, dealing with surviving death only to end up with amnesia, and then had a tadpole forced into her mind.

Gortash had visions of lounging on some plush settee, Myna’s head resting in his lap while she went on about the gruesome details of her latest kills, one hand brushing over her hair while his other hand held the latest missive regarding the latest needs of Baldur’s Gate. Though of course, his attention would be focused more on the story being told, and on the woman in his lap.

“Stay with me, and I’m sure some cure can be found,” Gortash promised, still slightly irate over Myna escaping from his manor earlier that morning.

 

[Lucyfer]

Astarion rolled his eyes at the easy agreement to take the wyvern poison. Even Gale wrinkled his nose at the idea, and Shadowheart eyed the acceptance. However, they were all careful to keep their mouth’s shut in front of Nettie and not express that they had no intention of taking the poison.

Best not to start a fight.

“So, that’s it, hum? We go and find this Halsin in the goblin camp, and hope for the best?” Astarion asked.

“Do you have a better idea?” Gale inquired, and when Astarion remained silent, he nodded, “Good. Then we need a plan to get into the camp.”

“I, ah, may have an idea,” Nettie offered, to his own surprise, and Shadowheart’s. “Some of the animals have mentioned a goblin prisoner. You may be able to find out a way in through them,” Nettie pursed her lips.

“Prisoners don’t usually talk without promises.” Gale noted.

Nettie nodded, “It’s a tiefling prisoner,” she said, “I cannot aid you there with any promises,” and none of them were tiefling, so they might fail it, as well, “but it’s in their interest as well to have Halsin freed.”

They knew. Zevlor knew this wouldn’t be happening if Halsin was here. “So perhaps they’d let you speak to the prisoner and offer concessions.”

“Or we could just lie,” Astarion said, “we wouldn’t be the first to make false promises to prisoners.”

Shadowheart nodded, even if Gale looked on with some disapproval.

~***~

It would be too easy if Enver could fix all of their problems. At least he didn’t lie to keep her present. He knew no way, and begged her to stay. It wasn’t…begging in the traditional way, but somehow, Myna knew it was a plea. Just as she was fairly certain he wasn’t lying. ‘But….’

But he wanted the Bhaalspawn.

He wanted a murderer that he assumed she was, something he may indeed be right about, and she wasn’t willing to admit that was her. It wasn’t who she wanted to be, and Karlach…wouldn’t want to stay around Enver.

Then again, did she want to stay with Karlach? ‘Two heads are better than one….’

In theory.

“I’m…not going to wait at your house in chains again, Enver,” she wanted Karlach to know that much, that she’d been a captive in his home. It might help if he tried anything to keep her. “I’m not going to do nothing about this. I can still check Ilmater’s, Sorcerous Sundries, the Society – I believe you want to help, but we don’t know how long I – we,” she included Karlach, “have. I’m not going to waste time.”

A familiar trait of the Old Myna, as well.

She was patient, certainly.

But she was tenacious once something needed to be done.

“I’m sure you can find me if you find a cure before I do.” He had the entire Steel Watch. Likely, the entire city. ‘And I have a psychopath Bhaalist after me.’ It was fine. Everything was fine.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol thought that would be that, and they would be on their way to try and rescue Halsin, as if invading a goblin camp and retrieving a prisoner was an easy, everyday thing to do. It had to be! They had to be successful in getting Halsin!

Nettie offered a way through a tiefling prisoner there at the Grove. Marisol considered it, though not thinking in the same realm as Astarion. Goblin prisoner or not, it felt…wrong to think about offering them false promises in exchange for something, like their freedom.

She would just have to wait and see what happened next.

“Thank you, for everything you could do for us.” The toxin weighed heavily on her, as she imagined the liquid that could end her life so easily sloshing around in its container. “Next time we meet, we’ll have Halsin with us.” She couldn’t exactly promise that, but Marisol would do her absolute best to fulfill that.

Nettie nodded and gave them parting words, and Marisol turned to lead them out, only going in the vague direction Nettie pointed them in for where the goblin prisoner was potentially being held.

“That was…enlightening,” she said with a wince. Not really, it wasn’t. They didn’t learn much, except there was yet another task they needed to set out to do. And what if Halsin had no answer? Another dead end, aside from seeking out Sorcerer’s Sundries in Baldur’s Gate.

~~~

Karlach shifted and sent Gortash a glare that could wither the strongest of foes, but he simply ignored her gaze, unphased. She opened her mouth to respond to Myna’s words, to rant on how despicable Gortash was to keep Myna a prisoner like that, but he spoke up before she could get a word out.

“The chains were only temporary, given your historical tendency to…lash out.” To blindly kill like the murder Bhaalspawn she was. “The chains will not come back out, that I promise you,” the gauntlet hand rested on his chest in a vow. “Unless, of course, you ask for it.”

And how they had used those chains in the past!

Karlach at that moment made a mixture of a disgusted and angry noise, but didn’t interrupt them with her own thoughts. Instead, she watched as how Myna handled Gortash, how ideas of how to keep the upper hand ran through Gortash’s mind with every passing second.

“But I will not stop you in your little venture around the city.” He wanted to tell her she had no time limit. She would not turn, but he couldn’t without revealing more. “If I find out something, I’ll be sure to send for you, and if you ever need a place to sleep, completely free of charge of course, you know where to find me.” He gave her a mischievous smirk, completely full of silent words and hidden promises he wanted to express, yet couldn’t.

 

[Lucyfer]

Soon enough, they were outside, and back in the Grove. Astarion snorted at the comment that Marisol made.

“That is one way of putting it,” Shadowheart responded.

Gale disregarded the dismal mood of, well, all of them, “It is enlightening,” he insisted on the positive, “we know that we’re not the first to show up with mind flayer tadpoles,” he noted, “and we know it took the interest of this Halsin. The drow did not seem transformed,” Gale pointed out, “and I still feel no symptoms of ceremorphosis. We also have a lead to get us into the goblin camp.”

Astarion arched a brow at all of that.

Shadowheart, however, gave a firm nod before he could inject negativity. She wasn’t a bursting light of positivity herself, but, “Direction helps. May it be the right one.”

“I’m sure you could always pray for guidance,” Astarion noted as they left the Grove area itself to the areas occupied by the tieflings, “do we actually want to go and speak with this goblin?” He had no issues with it.

“I suppose so…we should have a bit of a plan, though. Should we stop in with Zevlor first, see what he might allow us to promise?”

Astarion palmed his face.

~***~

Myna was not impressed with Enver’s hints and suggestions for the use of chains. Had she truly…? Stars, to be able to detect thoughts right then! How useful it would be to just probe his mind for the memories she was lacking. H was terribly confident in everything he said. “Thank you,” she’d at least be glad he wasn’t going to try and get in her way with seeking out answers.

“I think I’ll stick to paying for a room,” not that she had any gold, but if she was a bard…well, perhaps others would be willing to put her and Karlach up. Perhaps others owed her favors? Or she could promise to perform?

Likely, she needed to rest. She’d been forced to sleep by Gortash, ‘Because you did lash out.’ But sleep was the last thing on her mind. “If you’ll excuse us then,” she stepped back, and would turn away to leave if there was nothing else to say, “I’m going to check in at Ilmater’s Temple.”

How Bhaal would have burned with fury for her to go to another temple seeking aid!

But, of course, she didn’t know that. Or rather – didn’t accept it.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol made a small noise of agreement at Gale’s words, appreciative of his optimism right then. Whether or not any of that made a difference in the end remained to be seen.

It would mean nothing in the end if Halsin knew nothing, or if things spectacularly failed at the goblin camp.

Marisol glanced back at Astarion, smirking at his obvious display of annoyance. “I say we just go straight to the prisoner,” she offered. “I’m not sure if we can afford the luxury of going through proper protocols right now, and if we fuck up with the prisoner in what we promise to them, then,” she shrugged, “I’m sure bringing Halsin back will pacify any anger.”

Not the best plan, but she was feeling a little restless. How many more people did they need to talk to that day just to get one damn question answered! Besides, the day was growing late, and after everything that had happened, after nearly plummeting to her death from the sky, Marisol was ready to make camp and lay down.

But first, the prisoner.

~~~

Gortash scoffed at the mere suggestion that Myna paid for her own room. Maybe he could just get one of his many eyes around the city to tell him where she’s staying, and he’ll make sure the room is paid for. Would she get angry? Possibly. Would it be worth it? Definitely, especially if he got to see that anger.

It excited him.

He also held a similar thought at the prospect of Bhaal being furious at Myna going to another’s god’s temple, and for help! It was hysterical.

It would be even more hysterical if he didn’t know of the pain and anguish Bhaal, much like Bane, could inflict when angry.

His gaze followed Myna and Karlach as they made their way out of the Foundry. Karlach turned and gave Gortash one last glare, and the tyrant smiled and gave her a wave.

He was maddening.

Karlach turned back around and huffed as they stepped out into the sun. “I was going to say, what a right bastard he is, but I think those words are too kind for him.” She could still remember the sharp pain in her chest at the moment of his betrayal.

She recalled it often in her nightmares.

“So…you truly remember nothing about him?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Gale sighed, but nodded resolutely as Shadowheart and Astarion seemed pleased with the idea to head right over. He might have preferred speaking with Zevlor first, or having a plan, but sometimes winging it could work.

Speaking of winging it, Tara flew back onto his shoulder, jolting him, “Tara!” he was used to her running off, so he wasn’t surprised that she’d left his side. “Where were you?”

“Seeking, Mr. Dekarios,” she answered, licking her paw before situating herself as if she wasn’t a giant on his shoulder.

“Um, who is this?” Shadowheart asked innocently enough, but the gleam of almost childish delight was too obvious to Gale.

“This is Tara. Tara, this is Shadowheart,” he introduced.

“Charmed, I’m sure,” Tara didn’t sound sure as she looked over the cleric with less than delight, apparently getting a bad vibe off the cleric. Perhaps it was just the cleric’s ill-hidden desire to reach out and pet Tara.

Before further introductions could be offered, there was a shout from behind a wooden gate, “Put it down! She’s unarmed,” someone was saying behind the gate.

“My, my, we find just the most interesting situations,” Astarion chuckled, as it seemed to be direction.

Tara, already familiar, noted, “There is a goblin prisoner there.

“Then that’s where we need to be – and swiftly,” it seemed they were about to lose their prisoner.

~***~

Myna frowned at Karlach’s assessment. She understood why Karlach had it, but Enver had offered to help them. His behavior wasn’t exactly bastardly. Annoying, yes – but Myna supposed it might stem from the ways he knew her. Ways she didn’t recall, ways Karlach was only partially aware of.

“Nothing,” Myna echoed, “he seems to have a lot of thoughts about how we should be, who I should be, and perhaps they’re not incorrect, but I don’t remember them,” she said, shaking her head, “and they’re not what I want now.”

She didn’t know if that would change when she remembered. Would she still not want it? Would it be a competition between two selves? She didn’t know, but she was certain she would find out in time. “Despite how he seems to you, though, I do think he would help you. And I think he would help us with the tadpole situation, so we shouldn’t write him off as an ally, even if we may find better resources.”

Baldur’s Gate was full of options as they continued down the street towards Rivington.

~***~

Faerun was an interesting plane of existence for Raphael to watch, particularly for observing his old…protege. Enver Gortash had gone far since leaving the House of Hope, something Raphael had never wanted.

Enver was intelligent and cruel, things he had hoped to cultivate in his service, as he'd done with Korrilla. Unfortunately, Raphael's staff had not been up to the task of keeping him in check, and before Raphael could ever cut a deal, Enver escaped.

Only to jump into bed with Bane.

Sulphur would reach Enver's nostrils before the dark chuckling of the demon in human guise would touch his ears as Raphael manifested behind him. “How I've missed seeing that despondent look on your face, boy,” a cruel smile cut across Raphael's face. There was no need for him to be kind. No need for the illusion of courtesy. No, Enver knew him too well for that to be of use.

The glimmer in his eyes was purely malicious.

“I remember it all too well when you clung to Hope’s skirt, but it has been some time since you’ve experienced such hurt,” he couldn't resist a rhyme, “hasn't it, boy?”

Or reminding Gortash that he saw no change in him. He was still just a boy. Scared, angry…and desperate.

So, he cut to the point, “I could heal her mind, you know, in less than a day,” the easy offer, “before she has a chance to grow and turn you away.”

He loathed the Bhaalspawn impersonally, but it was still loathing. She'd help steal from Hell. He didn't want her to escape her eternal curse as a bhaalspawn. It was Enver’s doom, too, after all.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol was surprised to see Tara randomly fly in like she did, but she gave the Tressym a big smile. “Welcome back, Tara!”

But the greetings were soon interrupted by a commotion hidden behind a wooden gate. She had to agree with Astarion, they really do find the most interesting situations, and it’s only the first day!

She went up to the wooden gate, pleased, and somewhat surprised, that it was unlocked. She pushed open the door and was greeted with the unpleasant sight of a female tiefling pointing a crossbow at a female goblin locked inside a cage, while another tiefling looked distraught at the whole situation.

Goblin prisoner or not, it was wrong to try and kill an unarmed prisoner.

Without another thought, which, maybe, Marisol should have actually thought things out, she stepped forward and in between the crossbow and the goblin prisoner.

“Get out of the way!” the tiefling with the crossbow demanded. “This goblin must pay for the death of my brother.”

“I ain’t killed him,” said the goblin.

“The way I see it, all you goblins are the same!” The tiefling looked at Marisol, who was blocking her way. “Move, so I can end this goblin’s life!”

Marisol regarded her with a bit of sympathy. “This won’t avenge your brother. It won’t change anything.”

~~~

Karlach regarded Myna for a moment. She obviously wasn’t terribly great at reading people’s true intentions, but the woman seemed genuine in that she wanted something different than what her past spoke to her.

Sometimes, Karlach could be far too trusting.

She sighed a heavy sigh. “Gortash is someone who only does something for someone else if there’s something in it for him.” And once upon a time, she thought he was a good friend. “He may genuinely help me, and help us, but there isn’t one second where I believe he won’t want something in return.”

Karlach couldn’t figure out what though. She didn’t have much to offer except brawn. She hardly had any gold on her, nor did she have even an ounce of the political influence that Gortash had.

Would she be willing to try and trust him again if it meant getting the infernal engine out of her chest?

~~~

Gortash had left the Foundry, walking through a quiet and desolate area near the factory, when he first smelled the familiar disgusting scent of sulfur. A dark chuckle soon followed the smell, and there was no doubt in who decided to seek his presence that day.

For a split second, the racing of his heart was an instinctive reaction from when he was a young boy, fearful of the torture Raphael always brought with him. That boy was still inside him, buried deep so that Gortash may never uncover him again, long abandoned when he escaped the House of Hope.

Gortash scowled as he turned around to face Raphael. He wouldn’t answer the cambion’s malicious questions, no doubt only voiced to bring forth a reaction from Gortash.

Raphael doesn’t hold that much control over him anymore.

Before he could ask what the devil wanted, Raphael cut to the chase. An offer regarding Myna, and her troublesome amnesia. Gortash scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “And why would you do that?” Certainly not out of the kindness of his heart.

No doubt he wanted Gortash’s soul. Or Myna’s. Or both.

But he would entertain what Raphael had to say, even if he had no intention on taking it. Not unless there was something he could exploit to end Raphael’s life.

 

[Lucyfer]

As Marisol stepped in the way, Gale prepared to cast a spell if he needed to protect her from the bolt. The tiefling looked furious with this, and the glare only intensified as Marisol mentioned the brother. “Damn you!” the tiefling cried, but it was enough to lower the crossbow.

“Damn it!” she cried out, holding her glare, “but why do you care whether a goblin lives or dies?”

“I believe, darling, a prisoner implies something like a trial before execution,” Astarion commented, “her life isn’t yours to take,” that didn’t answer why they were interested, though, something Gale noticed.

He interjected, “We don’t want to see you all dissolve into violence and chaos over what’s happening, and executing people on the spot is only going to cause more trouble while tensions are high here in the grove,” he said.

The tiefling scoffed, but stalked off without another word. The other guard mouthed a ‘thank you’ and hurried off to follow her. As she went off, the goblin spoke, “Ain’t sure why ya protected me. Don’t care, neither. It’s too late to make friends, worgmeat.”

“Really?” Shadowheart queried, stepping forward, “we’re not tiefling, or druid,” she pointed out, prepared to use the Dark Lady’s training and guidance to trick this goblin into giving them everything they needed.

~***~

Myna got that vibe from Gortash as well, but she couldn’t help – now that they were away from Gortash – to laugh at Karlach, “Karlach, you could…you could lie to him. Promise to pay, and then not do so. You know that, right? He clearly hurt and deceived you. Why not pay it back in kind?”

Receive the cure, and run off!

But that was for another time. They’d shifted agendas to the tadpole, and Ilmater’s temple was ahead, with a slew of refugees out front. Myna gently shifted by them to the front of the temple, where two clerics stood outside.

“We’re sorry – we’re not seeing anymore refugees,” one cleric said, clearly tired of saying it, “we have no more space, and no more food.”

“We’re not here for that,” Myna said, “We’re…I need—”

“Myna?”

Oh thank god her reputation continued to precede her. Father Lorgan stepped outside and without a thought, pulled her into an embrace. She had no idea who he was, but she tentatively returned it, “Come in, girl, it’s been so long,” the ‘girl’ was said with affection, and he glanced briefly at Karlach. “Ah, are you two—”

“Yes, she’s with me,” Myna agreed, and Lorgan put on a beatific smile.

“Come in as well,” he invited.

~***~

The kid still tried to protect himself, close himself off. It was all too obvious to Raphael, but he didn’t say a word of that, only smirked down at the boy as he demanded to know what was desired.

Thankfully for him, Raphael had no plans to drag this out any further.

“I’ll do it, if you hand over that netherstone,” he gestured at Enver’s gauntlet. So close, and yet, out of reach to him by the typical standards. “It cannot mean that much to you now,” other than the fact Bane would likely tear him to pieces and feed him to the dogs if he gave up the goal now, but Raphael wouldn’t mention that.

He couldn’t claim to know Bane.

He only knew Bane took Gortash’s soul, so he couldn’t ask for that.

“Not when the one you were set to rule this wretched world with has no interest in you any longer, or those goals you devised together,” well, her and Ketheric – but Raphael doubted Enver really gave a damn about Ketheric.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol visibly relaxed when the crossbow moved away from pointing in her direction. She didn’t really plan on dying for some goblin, but she also had felt anger at the potential execution of any prisoner before standing trial. It wasn’t right!

She nodded at the other tiefling as they mouthed their ‘thank you,’ before the goblin spoke up, and Shadowheart, spoke up.

The goblin laughed. “My tribe’s comin’. And they’re gonna burn this pretty place to the ground for the glory of the Absolute and ‘ang ya by yer guts.”

Marisol frowned. “I feel like a little more gratitude is in order. We did just save your life.” But that would never be a great way to get in the good graces of a goblin. “Who is this Absolute god of yours?”

“Goddess,” the goblin correctly. “We’re burning her name across the face of the world, we are. The Absolute is gold from the sky.”

~~~

Karlach chuckled, a chuckle that didn’t offer any warmth, as she shook her head. “Because he’s not going to ask for anything of monetary value. He’s not going to ask for something physical that can easily be handed over.”

Maybe from some he would, but Karlach suspected Gortash knew she had nothing.

“Asking for something like this from him? He would probably ask for something in payment that would be hard to run away from.” And those steelwatchers of his…She didn’t know if she could take one on by herself!

But she didn’t say anymore on that when they came up to Ilmater’s temple. She followed behind Myna, through the crowd. At first, she worried that they would be turned away, but someone came out who recognized Myna and invited them both in.

“Ah, thank you sir, err, Father?” she said with a sheepish grin as they stepped inside the temple.

~~~

Gortash looked down at his gauntlet, the purple netherstone sitting snug inside the golden metal piece. Just pluck the stone out, and he could have his Myna back.

But it would never be that simple, would it?

He closed his fist and looked back up at Raphael. Maybe one day he would have the glory of seeing the cambion’s dead body crumpled on the ground. Maybe even some adventurous hero would be willing to attempt to kill him for a price.

And then there’s the little problem of Bane, and what parting himself from the netherstone would do.

“Goals have changed a little, I admit, but I still have much to do with this netherstone, so I reject your generous offer.” He still didn’t believe it would be so simple, to hand over the netherstone, and Raphael restores Myna’s memories. “So no thank you.”

 

[Lucyfer]

Shadowheart definitely wasn't familiar with the Absolute. It was some new upstart, no threat to Shar, but she wondered at it's ability to disrupt goblin society so.

So did Gale. “But what about Maglubiyet?” He asked and the goblin laughed.

“Piss on ‘im, he never did nothing the likes of the Absolute!”

“Would you introduce us?” Shadowheart asked, tentative, a true timidness. In her heart she knew she was lying but she worried Shar might still take offense. “We aren't with them, and frankly, my own goddess cannot help me. If your Absolute can….”

The goblin hesitated. They weren't tieflings but they'd dealt with them easily, as if they were allies. Then again, they'd see the truth of the Absolute. “Get me free and I can get ya an audience with Priestess Gut. She'll show you the way. Show your the Absolute can do anythin’.”

~***~

“Father Lorgan,” the old man introduced kindly as he led them a bit away from the door, “it has been an age, Myna.” He looked concerned, and Myna couldn't help but wonder how she knew him.

Who were they to each other, if she was an assassin for hire?

Her head ached terribly as they continued to walk. “I'm sorry, Father, I don't remember you,” the reverence in her tone perhaps said otherwise, as did the tremble, but she only had vague feelings. Helplessness. Childish helplessness.

He reached and patted her hand, “It's alright. You have not returned since you were a child but I could not forget you,” he smiled fondly, but worry creased it, “I still saw you about, but then you vanished. Queen Rhol was quite despondent – do you recall her?” They'd stepped out into the courtyard, and Myna shook her head.

He nodded solemnly, “Then you've come again for help.”

“I have before?”

He nodded. “You were always in such pain. No one believed you. I could not cure it.” He sighed, “I suspect even now your head pounds?”

“Y-yes,” he knew. How did he know? Black rage threatened at the edges of thought but she ignored the danger. “But it's from an illithid tadpole. We're both infected,” she said, speech coming faster, desperate to get information out, desperate before….

“Let me see,” he touched the side of her head to pull her pain out, and Myna went suddenly limp as he was assaulted by the pain not of the tadpole, but Bhaal's fury.

And Myna rose not a second later with intent to wring his neck.

~***~

Raphael did not need a scroll to know how Enver was thinking of killing him, even as he offered the whelp what he truly desired. Then again, that was humanity's problem in a nutshell: they never could grasp what they wanted, and so, they made deals with demons, fae, and anything else what gave them promises.

Enver thought he wanted the world, for Bane.

He didn't yet know how truly empty that would be. He wondered if Bane even did – Raphael couldn't fathom what the Dead Three were achieving. Well, besides Bhaal.

And Bhaal had just lost his perfect weapon.

Raphael smiled at the rejection, though, as if it was just what he wanted. Perhaps it was, in a way – he'd never tell the boy his true desires. “Very well. I will not trouble you for it again,” he agreed, “but take note that you will not be the last I ask for it, and some others may be significantly more…desperate than you.”

Desperate enough to kill.

“I do wonder how long until that desperation for control breaks the bhaalspawn.” his next target revealed, but hardly his last. Myna no longer knew the danger.

He had others in mind to close his fist upon, and his grin held knowledge, secrets – but these far sharper, almost in focus – and eternally out of reach of Enver, “You know how to find me if you should change your mind.”

He would leave in smoke.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol frowned. She definitely had never heard of this Absolute before. Some new goddess. What inspired her sudden worship? And for the goblins to dismiss the old god just like that?

She couldn’t fathom tossing aside the goddess she worshipped just like that. Forgive me Wavemother for anything I say about this Absolute. I mean none of it.

Marisol looked around. No one was nearby, watching the prisoner. She turned back to the cage, and walked up to the door. She grabbed the metal bars and tested the strength of it. Of course, it wasn’t budging, and she had no way of picking the lock.

“‘Urry up! My tribe ain’t as nice as I am,” the goblin said.

Marisol only gave her a look. Be a bit more grateful we’re doing this at all. She sighed and turned to her companions. “Any of you know how to open this lock?” She first looked to Gale, their wizard, before flickering over to Astarion and Shadowheart.

~~~

Karlach didn’t know if she trusted this Father Lorgan with fixing Myna, or herself for that matter. But she stood back as he attempted to fix Myna.

Yet something was obviously wrong.

Myna first went limp, then when she rose, something was clearly wrong with her. If she didn’t know any better, Karlach would think that Myna had murder on the mind.

Oh. And she really did.

Karlach moved with speed that she didn’t even know she possessed, and without thinking of the consequences, she wrapped her arms tightly around Myna’s torso and arms, restraining her with painful heat over her body. “Easy there, I don’t think it’s a good idea to attack him, for…whatever reason you had.”

Realizing blisters were forming over Myna’s skin, Karlach immediately dropped her hold, but didn’t back away, carefully eyeing Myna to see if she was readying to attack again.

~~~

Gortash scowled at the spot Raphael disappeared in a puff of sulphuric smoke. If Raphael would send someone after him for his netherstone, then Gortash would just have to be careful. Heighten security, make sure there were Steelwatchers all over the city.

And he would need to keep a closer eye on Myna, even if she didn’t want it. Maybe one day she’ll appreciate the concern.

With a turn on his heel, Gortash continued down his path he was headed before he was rudely interrupted by a ghost of his past that needed to stay just that, in his past.

 

[Lucyfer]

Gale hissed in response. “I’m not sure we want to proceed without—”

Astarion pushed right by him with a, “Step aside,” and a flourish of his lacy sleeves, before daintily plucking a thin metal rod from within the sleeve. Other tools revealed themselves on his person as he knelt besides the cage and set to work on the lock, “Make sure no one notices.”

Shadowheart gave a firm nod and shut her eyes, clearly in prayer. “Who—”

The shadows around them grew further. Grew darker. Gale was a touch surprised and looked from the shadows, to Shadowheart. He’d assumed Selune at a glance of her moon iconography, but the chill of these shadows had him reconsidering. ‘A Sharran…?’ That didn’t bode well. None of this boded well.

And then there was a click, “Ah ha!” and Astarion pulled the cage open.

Gale huffed, “That’s well and good but how do we get her out?” Gale whisper-shouted at his companions, as Tara flew from his shoulder to the ground.

~***~

Myna let out an agonized cry as the pain seared through her when Karlach caught her, the heat scorching her chest, her back, her arms. Karlach let her go and she dropped like a stone, curled over herself as if that would stop the pain of all the sudden burns, tears springing to her eyes as she willed it away.

Other clerics of Ilmater came running into the area, “What’s—?” their confusion was obvious, but Father Lorgan shook his head.

“It is under control,” he said, closing his eyes and murmuring a prayer to Ilmater. Myna’s wounds cooled. The pain began to recede, slowly, as the healing spell fell over her, but phantom pains and seared nerves kept her balled up.

When the other clerics left, Lorgan sighed, “It seems with your memory you have forgotten how to deal with your illness….”

“Ill…?”

He took a seat on one of the benches. “When you came to me, you were always upset about the death around you. You never spoke of why, but…well, one can make connections,” he said, “it isn’t you, Myna. You have an illness. A curse. It possesses you. It makes you kill. You had it under control for so long,” he sounded quite sad over this, no doubt unaware her control involved willfully killing, “this is troubling….”

‘No….’ Myna didn’t dare look up. ‘No, no, no, he can’t be right, he can’t be. I don’t want to be Bhaalspawn, I don’t—’

Pain still sung, but it wasn’t the fire. It was a mental anguish, her mind cracking under the pressure of Bhaal’s desires, but she kept it at bay.

This time.

 

[cleopat]

Marisol raised one brow in amusement at Astarion as he so easily pulled out tools for lockpicking the cage. She was not even surprised he had that skill. It just seemed…fitting for the mysterious half-elf. And then the shadows from the cleric. A slight surprise for sure, but she wouldn’t comment on it.

It was proving very useful right then.

The cage opened, and Marisol considered their next course of action. Yes, they did need to sneak the goblin out past all the tieflings. “My idea will require a level of trust from you that I doubt we have, but I’ll still risk it.” She looked to the goblin with a deadly serious expression.

“Aye, you ‘ave my word. Anything to bring new followers to the Absolute.”

“Then you will stay close to me, and if you play any funny games…” Marisol let the lightning sparks flying from her fingers speak for itself. Next, she waved her hand and touched the goblin on her shoulder, rendering her invisible. “We have about ten minutes before the spell wears off.”

~~~

Oh how Karlach felt so guilty for inflicting more burns on Myna. The cry echoed in her skull, but what else were she to do? Just let Myna attack someone at random? And why did she do that to begin with? She knew Myna had a history of killing, but it was usually someone assigned, with calculated plans.

Fortunately, Father Lorgan healed Myna with a murmur of a prayer. Karlach sighed in relief, glad to see that Myna wouldn’t have to suffer from Karlach’s heat.

Then Father Lorgan spoke. He spoke of an illness, of a curse Myna possessed, one she used to have under control. Karlach furrowed her brows. If she didn’t have it under control anymore, had it anything to do with what caused her memory loss?

“How did she control it before?” Karlach decided to ask. Her eyes flickered to Myna, to see if she would lash out again. “Do you think you can help her control it again?”

 

[Lucyfer]

Just like that, the goblin was free, and invisible. Gale sighed despondently, but went along with this. “Let’s get on our way, then,” he was not enthused about any of this, but he had no choice in the matter now. He was an accomplice, and so he would use his knowledge to navigate them back to the entryway of the Grove, and out the front gate, checking the area occasionally for the goblin.

She didn’t appear.

They didn’t get caught.

“Are we sure she’s still with us?” he wondered aloud as they got out of sight of the gates. His attention drifted a bit, hearing some people talking down the way – pleading, it sounded like. He looked in the direction of the voices and saw two people standing, with another lying in a puddle of their own blood.

“Well, we may want to find another area,” Astarion mused, clearly not concerned by the person in need of assistance.

“Yes, they probably won’t respond too favorably to a goblin appearing,” the cleric agreed. “Presuming a goblin did that to their friend.”

~***~

Father Lorgan shook his head, “I do not know. She learned in her adulthood from what I gathered. She stopped coming to visit by then. I suppose, when Ilmater proved inefficient for her woes, she would see no benefit in continuing to pray at his altar. I do not blame her,” Father Lorgan spoke solemnly to Karlach, “it is only now she has forgotten all that she has returned, but Ilmater has offered no new insight into her condition. It is beyond him, as I fear, your infection may be as well from what glimpse I received when I looked into Myna’s woes. I am not versed in illithid tadpoles, however. Those of the Society of Brilliance may know more; I’ve heard more than one rumor of a mindflayer working with them.”

Myna uncurled a bit. She had no memory, but she…had an idea. And the Society might have to wait. This was the second person she’d tried to murder without wanting to. She had to get this under control. Somehow. Someway.

“Minsc.”

Father Lorgan looked at her curiously, “Hm?”

“Minsc,” she said again, a bit more determined. “He…he knows something about me. He might be able to help.”

“Minsc has been gone for decades, dear,” he said.

She shook her head, “No, I saw him today, he…,” well, he wanted her dead, but Minsc had also worked with a bhaalspawn before, “he and Jaheira….”

“Jaheira…is in the Shadowlands.”

‘No, she was here, she….’ Well, she transported herself and Minsc quickly, so perhaps she was in the Shadowlands. Myna nodded. “Okay. That’s where I need to go, then.”

 

[cleopat]

Since that morning, Marisol had escaped a Mindflayer ship, fell from the sky and miraculously survived, trekked through unknown territory, had a knife held to her throat, fought off goblins, rescued a tiefling child from unjust death, and now she freed and was being escorted by an invisible goblin to what could be certain doom.

“‘Aye, I’m still ‘ere,” the goblin confirmed, not as loud as she was back in the Grove, understanding the precarious situation they were in. She didn’t fancy being caught and put back in a cage.

Marisol breathed a sigh of relief, which quickly dissipated at the bloody sight nearby. She stopped, hesitating on what to do next. Yes, she wanted to continue on and eventually stop for the evening so she could rest, but the man lying in the puddle of blood…he still looked alive, if barely.

She let out a groan. “Go hide in the nearby bushes, now.” Her steely tone left no room for arguing, and the goblin obliged for whatever reason.

Marisol hurried over to the three. “What happened here?” Upon initial inspection of the man, his wounds looked to be more of an animal attack than goblins. Great, just what we need. Some ravenous creature nearby.

~~~

Karlach appeared crestfallen with the news that their tadpoles may be beyond the realm of his medicinal knowledge. And that he didn’t know how Myna controlled her…urges. Her curse. How many more burns would Myna suffer from Karlach’s hands from these urges taking over her?

But Myna thought someone else would be able to help her. Names she knew! She bounced a little in place with the names spoken. She knew of the stories of Minsc and Jaheira. Oh, but trying to find them in the Shadowlands! Would it be worth it?

“Don’t people…become lost in the Shadowlands? Or cursed?” They were never heard from again, as she recalled the stories told. But maybe she would be too hot for any curse! If it worked that way.

“I do have one question myself, Father Lorgan.” She gave a sheepish smile. “I have this…infernal engine as my heart, and as you saw earlier, everyone I touch burns. Is there anything you can do for me?”

Then they could focus back on the mission of trying to find Minsc and Jaheira. Real life heroes!

 

[Lucyfer]

“You! Not a step closer!” the woman with the two men barked, stepping a bit ahead as Marisol hurried close, glaring her down. Gale followed, as did Shadowheart and Astarion, even if Astarion followed at a languid pace and looked quite disinterested in it all.

The man didn’t look like he was going to make it. “We are not here to cause any harm – what befell him?” Gale asked, keeping a cautious distance, as he looked between the two standing, and the man on the ground. It was as his eyes made contact with the man on the ground that he felt a shift, an uncomfortable squirming in his head.

Images flashed rapidly through Gale’s head of the two with the injured man, and he reached a hand up to his head, unable to break eye contact. ‘Recruits to the Absolute. Guide them. Aid them…True Soul.’ A voice not his own spoke in his head.

Then it broke, and the dying man spoke, “He is a True Soul. Mind him. He will…he….”

And like that, his life expired.

“True Soul, Mr. Dekarios? Whatever have you gotten into!” Tara chided.

Gale just groaned, shaking his head. He didn’t understand. “Edowin! Ed!” the man fell to his brother’s side.

“He’s with the Absolute now,” the woman said, before fixing her gaze on Gale. “You’re…you’re a True Soul.”

“I am afraid I am n—”

Astarion elbowed him in the ribs, “What our dear friend means to say is that, he can’t go around saying that to just anyone, can he?” Gale gave Astarion an irritated look, “How do we know you’re true believers? You two obviously aren’t on par with us.”

Gale grit his teeth against Astarion’s interruption, but he understood what the pale elf was doing so he didn’t fuss.

~***~

Father Lorgan nodded, “Shar’s curse remains strong over the Shadowlands. Light helps, but not in all areas,” he conceded, “I cannot advise such travel.” Myna disregarded that. It was necessary; she had to find Minsc and Jaheira.

They…understood bhaalspawn.

Father Lorgan glanced down to where light emanated out of Karlach, “I am afraid I am no mechanic, nor can I transmute metal to flesh. I cannot craft a heart for you,” he said, “but there may be a blacksmith capable of fixing the engine, or some wizard capable of enchanting it to make it less agonizing. I do not know, but perhaps appealing to Mystra, Gond, Tymora, or Lathander.”

His smile remained as sad as it was sincere, “Ilmater will offer you strength to endure, but I am afraid, Ilmater’s power is not in remaking organs as such. But hold fast to your life, and to your search. Stranger things have happened in this world.”

It was not good news, but Myna never expected Lorgan to be able to help with that. She had a feeling only Enver could help with that…and Karlach refused that aid.