#baulder's gate

‘Why am I doing this?’ Vex had asked themselves as they turned the corner of the twisting corridors within the walls. After a much needed rest, they knew they should leave as soon as possible. Vex just had to chalk this up as an experience where they got lucky and didn't get captured by the wizard.

Yet Vex passed the hall that would lead them outside, instead going down the more narrow stone pathway that was littered with cobwebs. They couldn't help but wonder if other borrowers had lived here before, were they caught by Gale as well and he let them go? From what they were told, big folk aren't known to do that. So why did Gale?

Their answers were waiting on the other side of the loose piece of stone that separated Vex's world from Gale's. They slipped out and their boots touched the spotless mahogany shelf. In most cases dust would coat the piece of furniture, making sneaking around a bigger risk should a big person decide to go on a cleaning spree and find tiny footprints on the neglected surface. But the wizard took time to keep his books dust free. Thank the gods for that.

Vex stepped out of the shadows of the bookshelf to take in the vast room before them. Rows of books were neatly lined up along the white oak shelves that wrapped around the entire room. The fireplace sat idle on the other side waiting for the summer to end; instead, a salty sea breeze from an open window to quell the heat. Vex had traveled through Gale's living room before but seeing it during the day for the first time revealed the beauty of the place.

A hearty chuckle snapped them out of their awe, Vex's eyes drifted below to see Gale and Shadowheart sharing a glass of wine at the table below them.

“It seems teaching is a good fit for you.” Shadowheart remarked before pouring more wine in her glass.

“Yes, the students are certainly a delight.” He mused.

“Even those trouble making ones you griped about the last time I visited?”

“You mean Jilyra, Ozzer, and Richace? They are fine students, taxing though they may be. Ozzer has potential to become the top of the class… if he decides to stop skipping class.”

“Perhaps he heard some of your days as a school boy and is following in your footsteps.” Shadowheart teased as she lifted up her wine glass, yet she froze when she saw Vex. She offered a soft smile.

Seeing those forest green eyes glance over Vex's way made them skitter back into the corner where the shadows concealed them but they knew it was too late, Shadowheart and Gale would likely come back and reclaim the prize of a borrower.

“They're back?” Gale asked in a hushed voice, to which Shadowheart gave a short nod.

Run! They told themselves. Run before it's too late! Yet no matter how much their instincts protested, they couldn't find the strength to move their legs. Why did they even bother to do this? Their curiosity had sealed their fate cause surely Gale wouldn't let them escape again!

“I'm surprised you decided to join us, Vex.” Gale mentioned with a soft tone.

Vex snapped out of their dreaded thoughts for a moment to take in the two giants. Shadowheart's arms were firmly rooted in the table, though she stole glances their way. Yet Gale didn't even turn his head when he addressed Vex, favoring the wine glass in his hand as if it were more interesting than a four inch person standing on the bookshelf. It was completely different from his curious nature from the days before. Either way, neither of them seemed like they wanted to leave their seats.

“Call me curious.” Vex said as they muscled down the lingering fear. “I've never heard of big people who tend to the injuries of… someone like me.”

The little quaver in their voice finally got Gale's attention; he shifted himself to look at Vex. Soft brown eyes reached out to offer sympathy. “You think we would keep you wounded and locked up in a cage?”

“That's what the stories implied.”

“And what reason would I have with doing such a thing?”

“Well, I could be a pet, an experiment… food.” The borrower suppressed their initial nausea to give Gale a smile. “Although you don't seem the type to do that.”

“You should only worry about being a snack if you're secretly a magical pair of boots.” Shadowheart gave a playful look towards Gale.

“Wait, what?”

“Oh come now Shadowheart, you're oversimplifying my infliction.” Gale scoffed out, he put his hand over the center of his chest. “The Netherese orb was only demanding the strands of weave imbued within the artifacts.”

His explanation failed to make anymore sense, yet their quips made them seem less like giant monsters to avoid and more like people.

“But enough inside jokes. Perhaps you would like to join us?” With a wave of his hand, a small portal summoned before the borrower. Energy pulsed like waves in the form of a deep purple color. It was similar to the portal Gale had used to pull them out of the rubble. Vex could never forget the terror they had the moment they saw the magical opening form in front of them, but now that portal was offered as an extension for friendship.

It took everything in Vex to push their hand through the portal, the pulsing energy made the hairs on their arm raise up. Looking towards them, Vex saw a connecting portal form at the center of the table with their hand sticking out. Vex quickly pulled their hand back and clutched it to their chest as if it was in danger of being severed by the magical portal.

Yet nothing happened.

Their own paranoia was trying to prevent them from getting to know their host. Vex shook their head; nothing happened the first time they were pulled into a portal, so why assume this time would be different?

Taking in a deep breath, Vex pushed themselves through the portal and tumbled onto the table, hearing a suppressed chuckle coming Shadowheart's way. Slowly, Vex lifted their head to see a soft smile on Gale's lips.

“Glad you could join us.” He said before gesturing to the assorted meats and cheese on a plate in the center. “Please, help yourself, I'll fetch you a thimble of wine.”

Vex gave a tight smile as they shuffled towards the assorted foods and grabbed a piece off the nearest cheese, but while they began to nibble on their food, Vex noticed Gale motioning his hands like a conductor at an orchestra. Ghostly blue hands flew around the room, grabbing an extra wine bottle and a thimble before pouring a small drop with such precision that Vex couldn't help but be transfixed by it. The hand with the thimble descended to the borrower who graciously took it. Gale flicked his wrist and the hands disappeared.

“How's your leg?” Shadowheart asked. “No lingering pains?”

Vex shook their head. “No problems so far, thank you again for healing me.”

“It was my pleasure.”

Vex offered a faint smile before sipping on the wine, the hints of cherries and grapes flooded their tastebuds. In all their years Vex had never had wine this good, only the Farsea Marshwine their uncle had them try when they were of age. The bitter taste resurfaced on their tongue at memory. Vex quickly took another taste to wash away the taste. They couldn't help but let out a satisfying hum, only to become rather embarrassed when they noticed Gale glancing down at them. “Um… it's been a while since I drank something this sweet.”

“Please, don't be shy.” Gale smiled. “I have plenty for you to enjoy.”

“I appreciate that.”

“So Vex, I can't help but wonder, why did you choose to settle in the home of a wizard?” Shadowheart asked with hesitation. “I would think your kind would be more apprehensive about boarding with one.”

“I didn't know you were a wizard until after I settled in.” Vex scoffed as they finished off their wine. “But it's not like I'm exactly safe within the walls of any big folk, now is it?”

Gale just nodded. “Fair point. Either way, I am honored you decided to stick around in my abode.”

“I'm honored to be your guest.” The words spilled out of their mouth before they even realized what they said. Why the hells would they even say such a thing? The wine must be getting to them because no borrower in their right mind would be okay with a giant knowing their whereabouts. Vex should be more cautious in case this is still a trap.

But seeing Gale's smile brighten on his face melted their worries a bit.

“Mr. Dekarios!” An older woman's voice called out from down the hall. “I'm back!”

“In the study room, Tara!” Gale responded

Strange, Vex didn't recall seeing anyone else living with Gale. In fact, they were positive he lived alone. Every nerve in Vex's body told them to hide at first, but perhaps they would set aside their anxieties for Gale and greet a new company. It wasn't like Gale associated with anyone awful.

But when a small furry creature flew into the room and landed on an empty chair, Vex froze.

A cat with black and orange splashed across her fur and a cream colored chin that stretched down her belly sat before them. But the most concerning part was seeing bird-like wings on her back. Since when do cats fly?! Vex would scream if their throat hadn't closed off.

“Welcome back, Tara!” Gale beamed. “You came at just the right time. Should I grab some fish for you?”

“That's quite alright, I snacked on a pigeon on the way back.” She scanned the table with those beady yellow eyes before they locked onto Vex, making her ears perk up. “Oh and what do we have here?”

Vex felt ice in their veins. These creatures were ruthless borrower killers, the tales their uncle told about them in his youth struck fear in Vex.