Art Stuff

It was early morning, judging by the cicadas still awake, and their companions still hidden away. All giving her a few moments of peace before they continued their journey.

Their journey. Lavera brought their arm up, placing it under her head to rest on while she stared up at the stars, yet not seeing them

How far had they come? 

From her time on the Nautiloid, meeting with the Druids, saving the tieflings. Then through the Shadow lands and Moonrise Towers. Lavera had faced every battle head on, maybe a bit too head on Wyll would say (Karlach was more than appreciative of their antics at least!)

How far they had come.

Lavera was proud of them all. Each one of them had started out terrified when they realized what had been done to them. Terrified and angry. Yet none of them had wavered in following her through each battle, through each new area. 

But what awaited them at Baldur's Gate filled her with a sense of dread. 

Lavera sighed and sat up. They moved slower than normal, trying to not make too much noise as they made their way out of the camp. With this being their last night in the woods, the last thing she needed was to let the weight of what came next ruin their peace now.

They didn’t walk far before finding an opening that gave them a clear view of the land. Mountains and trees to her right, buildings and cobble roads with smoke stacks from the city further in the distance to her left. Lavera turned back to their right and took a deep breath, soaking in the crisp, sharpness of the woods, the dark aroma of the soil mixed in with the faint scent of salt and sulfur.

Lavera wrinkled her nose and blew the air out. The city, important but not where they wanted to go. She tried to turn her thoughts to more calming moments, the rush of adrenaline in a fight, the warmth of a campfire and one of Gale’s meals. Those were the moments she wanted to remember.

So caught up in their thoughts, Lavera didn’t hear that someone was approaching.

“Peaceful morn’.”

Lavera’s head snapped up, turning ever so slightly to look over her shoulder. Adrenaline coursed through their body, ready to attack if necessary. Darkness cloaked the figure, concealing most of their features except for their large form. It took Lavera a moment later to recognize the voice of Halsin. Just knowing he was there sent her heart pounding and she hoped he couldn’t hear it as he got closer.

“Either come out from the shadows and join me, or leave.” Lavera called out, turning their attention back to the horizon. They winced at the harshness of her words, but compared to the pounding of her heart, it was all they could do to not betray their true emotions.

The sound of muffled footsteps, a soft chuckle, and then a large presence sitting down to her. Lavera didn’t turn her head, instead sinking her fingers into soil beneath her. It was cool to the touch, the gentle heat of the sunshine not yet warmed it up.

“I thank you for letting me join you,” Halsin said after a moment. “It is not often we get a chance alone. I wanted to thank you for your assistance with the Shadow Curse, all my years, and everything I tried after what happened there…”

He trailed off, but Lavera didn’t need him to finish. The pain of what had happened in the druid’s grove, in the Shadow Cursed lands, had been evident from the moment she had met him. Even when he smiled and had been carefree and relaxed at the tiefling celebration, Lavera had seen him looking off to the distance, his shoulders sagging slightly.

But she also remembered the way his eyes had stayed on them throughout the celebration as well.

“What else could I do, Halsin?” Lavera leaned over and nudged him with her shoulder. “I promised you I’d help and the land needed saving.”

But seeing you hurt broke my heart more, Lavera thought but didn’t dare say out loud. They were reminded of being back, back at Last Light Inn where Halsin had traveled through a portal to save part of the land.

The battle had been a rough one. So many shadows had come sulking in to stop him from his goal. Lavera fought with all their might until finally the last wave fell and with it came Halsin’s return. Lavera couldn’t forget the joy they felt in that moment, seeing him alive, and still carrying the young boy that was meant to be the life of the land.

The battle was over and the change of the land soon followed. Lavera was taken away by the beauty that was revealed when the Shadow Curse was lifted.

Beauty they was staring at now. With Halsin right there next to them.

He had been quiet as Lavera thought of their most recent events. Such a kind man, even with the spirit of the animal within. How much he seemed to understand of them, even when she remained so reticent about her life. Trust was hard to come by, especially with them still learning the events that led to them being tadpoled.

Now they were here, multiple accomplishments under their belt and yet so many more to come. Too many unknowns. What could she do, to not dwell on what might occur?

At that moment, the golden rays of the sun finally reached where they sat. The golds and reds were breathtaking to look at and on Halsin, even more so.

“It’s a beautiful morning, now that we can truly see its glory.” Halsin echoed their thoughts. He was looking to the horizon, a soft smile on his face.

To look at him caused both a raging storm and calming ease inside her, the twists too much to bear and yet Lavera didn’t want to leave. Halsin had been so kind and gentle with her, his laughter music to her ears and ferocity in battle, a force that spurred them on. Nothing compared though to the way he would look at them, after a battle, in the late evenings, and even now in the early morning light. 

How long had it been since someone looked at her like that? With such kindness and interest? And every conversation was so genuine. There was no denying the truth in his words, though she had wondered just what he would do now.

“Yes it is,” Lavera finally said, looking back to the sky and watching the final fading of violet as the world burst alive with the fiery orange to the softest pinks that connected the sky. All still contrasting with the dark edge of the horizon. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

Halsin turned to her, giving Lavera his full attention. He reached up with his hand, playing with the strands at the end of his braid before realizing what he was doing and pulling his hand back. His cheeks darkened as he smiled, not quite meeting their eyes.

 It made them almost not ask the question that was now on her mind.

Almost.

“Now…” Lavera licked her lips, then met his gaze, “Now that we’ve lifted the curse, what will you do?”

“What will I do?” The laugh that followed both elated and unnerved her.

“If you’re going to make fun of my question, then don’t bother!” Lavera made to move, but a strong hand stopped them.

“Lavera, I mean no offense. Please,” he looked up at them, brown eyes warm and gentle, as he pleaded with her. “Stay with me. I’ll answer your question.”

Lavera huffed and rolled their eyes, but their heart beat faster than ever before. Just what would he say? Lavera gulped and sat down, forcing themselves to not break eye contact with Halsin. His usually warm, brown eyes looked dark and mysterious now.

After a moment he turned away. The light from the rising sun was brighter now, casting a warm glow on his features that held her in such rapture they almost missed what he was saying.

“Meeting you was like something out of a dream. From the moment you rescued me, from the goblin’s prison, to helping me save the lands from the Shadow curse, and saving Thaniel. You have accomplished more than I would have ever imagined. Certainly, more than I have done,” Halsin chuckled, then turned and grabbed her hand.  “You have my eternal gratitude, Lavera.”

Any response Lavera had immediately left their mind when Halsin touched them. His words were so welcoming and kind, starting to beat back the gnawing thoughts of if he would stay or not. If he would stay… with her.

“Let me travel with you, please.” The shadow that had previously darkened his eyes was gone now. They were gleaming now, filled with longing and hope, and a little trepidation as he continued to speak. “You are beyond amazing. Being by your side has given me a new purpose and I wish never to lose you. I desire to remain with you, if you will have me.”

Lavera stared up at him, a smile spreading across their face.

“Yes, of course!” Lavera exclaimed, squeezing Halsin’s hand tightly. “There is nothing more I would want than you.”

Halsin beamed at them and Lavera felt the heat rise in their face. Had they just said that outloud?

“I…I mean, next to me.” Lavera stammered out. “By my side. How could I face the city and all those enemies without you?”

Halsin laughed, a deep genuine belly laugh that stirred deep inside her. When was the last time she had felt this way? Whatever it was, Lavera only knew that they didn't want it to go away.

“Let’s head back. The others are probably waking up and will wonder where we are.” Halsin started to stand, but Lavera held onto his hand tightly. “Or not?”

Lavera shook their head, giving him a cheeky grin and tugging him back down. He landed with a soft thud on the ground,  so close now they were touching shoulder to shoulder.

The two of them sat there, continuing to watch the sun rise. The dawn of a new day.

“What might I help you with?” Odie asked of him, sliding one leg over the other into a tangle of layered skirts and worn woolen socks and a hem of old lace. She leaned on an elbow as she pitched herself nearer to her desk and the instruments that awaited her. 

Another scoop of fenugreek. 

Before he could respond, Odie dug a tiny spoon carved from bone into the jar open in front of her and asked, “Are you here for your tea?”

A miniature wave of dried up leaves tumbled down into the spoon. Once she was content with the portion, she emptied it into the bowl poised on one of her scale’s weight pans. Too much could damage one’s nerves, but just enough could soothe a cold or calm a fever or… entice, as it had for the immortal, but stony man just beyond arm’s reach.

The gossip that poured from the mouths of the Absolutists had been unkind from the beginning. They were eager to think the very worst of her, desperate to prove that she was nothing short of their imminent downfall due to both her nature and her proximity to their leader. Few thought that she might have something of value to offer them. Fewer still bothered to consider that her presence had improved things.

If you can’t beat them…

“I heard that supplies arrived this morning.”

Odie’s brows rose. She busied herself with plucking at the ends of the braid that coiled from the top of her head, down the nape of her neck and over her shoulder, before pooling on the surface of her desk. “Did they?”

Ketheric Thorm moved closer. His movements were more deliberate in her presence, slower. He reached out. He touched things. He even stopped to lift the jar of fenugreek to his nose, taking a deep breath to fill his nose with the dried leaves’ slightly floral and even more slightly sweet scent. How could she be bad for him, if she proved that he was not made from stone? Statues were not curious things.

“Were you not informed?” he asked, setting down the jar where she’d laid it moments before. His thumb brushed over the handle of the spoon that remained inside. “You should have been informed.”

Her shoulders bobbed in a shrug as the weight pans finally evened out. Out of the bowl and into a separate jar – this one already full of the various herbs and spices that had already been measured for the blend.

The rosemary had been replaced with sage out of necessity. Just as the ginger had been replaced with peppercorn and cardamom. While the tea would be unrecognizable to the palate, the warmth would be the same. The herbaceousness Ketheric enjoyed would be the same. All because the Absolutists feared what change she might enact upon their leader.

Jealousy and paranoia.

Ketheric’s approach came to an end once he reached her side. He stole her braid from her fussing hands and encouraged the heavy thing to drop down the length of her back, settling instead on what of the stool remained empty behind her. The touch he laid upon her chin was as cool with a gauntleted hand as it would have been without, but even still, she allowed herself to be moved. Warmth was not a requirement, certainly not from him.

“I wasn’t made aware of the supplies,” Odie muttered under her breath. Admitting to the slight levied against her stung somewhat, no matter how little the back-handed movements of her peers actually meant to her. “Thought it’d be weeks yet ‘til we saw another caravan.”

Ketheric’s eyes were not gentle, but they were not sharp, either. With her, he did not have to be armed. “This morning,” he said, the rich rumble of his voice trailing from his mouth down to where his fingertips brushed alongside the soft curve of her jaw. “You will have your ingredients by tonight, and if they have been pilfered or altered in any way, the guilty fool will be punished.”

She knew well enough what punishment entailed. Still, she did not speak up against such a response.

“But… yes. To answer your question.”

Odie stared up at him, unsure for a long moment of what he meant. Her lips parted as he swept his thumb across her rounded chin.

“I am here for my tea.”

And then, without another word, Ketheric curled over where she sat perched upon her stool. He tucked his broad mouth against the skin of her brow, leaving behind a kiss that was somehow both cool and lingering. Her heart’s response was an eager tumble of beats that brought a burning into her ears.

Her hand curled at his arm, keeping him close, anchoring him near rather than far. 

“Then, your tea you shall have.” Eyes fluttering shut, Odie allowed herself a hint of a smile, one he was too close to her to see. “Would you like a cup now?”

Ketheric remained tucked inside of her quarters for long enough that another spool of gossip unfurled through the castle, moving from mouth to mouth with the speed of a wildfire. But they could keep their rumors and their assumptions and their jars of dried ginger and bundles of rosemary.

The tea itself was not what kept him close.