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Astarion x Dark Urge Chapter 17 Rating: E Tags: Angst, Fluff, hurt/comfort, slow burn, two guarded people fall in love so hard it makes them stupid

Chapter Summary:

Rose needs to carefully handle which questions she’s going to ask, what information she is going to share, and what type of working relationship she can pretend to have with the Drow. It was going to be so easy— except Minthara knows how to handle her tadpole more skillfully than her party.

Minthara gestured to a map spread over a stone slab as she explained the crisp markings made with ink. She spoke like a proper leader. Direct. Clear. Unwavering. The pride in her position emanated from her stance: shoulders back, spine straight, and head held high.

As she spoke, Alfira, Lae’zel, and Shadowheart surrounded the slab. Rose maintained her spot across from the commander, hands splayed on the surface as she followed the purple finger that strode over marked parchment.

Minthara abruptly stopped, just as Wyll quietly squeezed between Alfira and Rose. The drow’s attention snapped to him.

"That is close enough."

All eyes went to the Blade, who stood uncertain about what he had done wrong. A hint of defiance lingered in his brow.

Shit.

The tadpole behind Rose’s eye squirmed. There was no chance to fight itâ€” Gale’s voice whispered to her, unimpeded.

"Careful, drow culture generally frowns upon men. We would do well to heed to her cultural preferences.”

Rose refrained from looking back in his direction. From the way she saw Lae’zel and Shadowheart wince, they likely heard the same message. While Minthara stared down at Wyll, she stayed posed, albeit visibly displeased.

Expectant.

Gale was right: they had to tread with caution.

“What are our options, here?” Rose inquired. Gale happily answered, though the tone of his thoughts indicated that he was watching the scene just as closely as she was.

“I'm afraid those of us who are of the masculine persuasion will not find any favor with her."

”I’d like to avoid getting on her bad side, can we manage that? Wyll?”

"Oh, we're going to start whispering in each other's heads now?"

”Astarion, this is not the time,” Wyll pleaded.

Rose began to weigh her options for approach. Pushing back against Minthara could put a strain on their plans. But what does it say about her, their leader, to easily bend?

"What? I’m only trying to make sure we are all on the same page! I thought we were trying to be polite about everyone's privacy."

"Are we certain the drow isn't listening in, right this moment?"

Why would she let the Drow command her team? Her natural instinct was to defend them, stand behind them.

"I doubt she'd stay quiet for this long if that were the case, darling."

"Rose, what’s the plan?"

Ah, that familiar thudding has returned. Great.

"Let her think!"

"I didn't expect Rose's thoughts to stay quiet for this long. She’s always thinking about something, and yet…"

The voices in her head got louder. Or was that due to the headache?

"Cease this bickering!"

She couldn't concentrate with this noise.

"Rose?" A small distant voice tried to reach her, snuffed out by the hurricane of voices swimming in her head.

"Oh Rooooseeee, it's been too quiet out here. Perhaps say something before we draw suspicion, hm?"

"True Soul." Minthara's voice snapped her back to reality.

Alfira was looking over with worry, a hand gently placed on the back of her shoulder. Rose realized her fists had curled tight, wrinkling the edges of the map. Her brows were knitted tightly, head pulsing. That last part might not be as easy to ease.

Meanwhile, the voices in her mind were silent. Well, not quiteâ€” she could hear the whispers of worry tickle the tadpole behind her eye.

As close to silent as it was going to get with the tadpoles connecting them.

It must have been quite the sight for their untadpoled friend. The poor woman, free from the burden which was the everpresent mental connection.

Blissfully unaware of a silent argument being had amongst the group!

On second thought, the lack of knowing could become fatal. Quiet strategies were not possible. Needing to repeat vital information could hurt themâ€” put them in danger.

Wait, that was it!

“Commander," Rose straightened her posture and slowly relaxed her stance, "I need my whole team to have the same information."

"Proceed-- and I emphasize this next part-- carefully." Gale shifted awkwardly in the back of the room. Astarion rolled his tired eyes, further wrinkling his nose in irritation.

"You have your own way of managing your charge, as I have mine," Rose continued. "Whoever I bring with me is expected to be paying attention. Should they have input or a skill of value, I want to hear it."

Minthara hummed with a hint of irritation on her face. She passed another look to the men of Rose’s group doing little to hide her distaste for them. Like they were nothing more than worms beneath her boot.

“Very well," Minthara conceded, "but I will not be repeating anything I’ve already covered."

“Understandable.”

The assassin beckoned for the other half of her party to come forward. Astarion sighed loudly, earning a glare from Rose. Gale quietly stood by Lae'zel, becoming as meek and small as possible— or perhaps it was because he knew she would be the best shield for him if the drow were to wield her weapon.

Regardless, the first hurdle had passed.

As Minthara continued going over the war map, Shadowheart scribbled away on her own with a piece of charcoal.

Many of the drow’s notes were accompanied by smaller writing beneath. It was quickly evident which marked their various camps and what their purposes were.

‘Caravan - GOBLINS’ was written northwest of their current location, right around where they had Waukeen’s Rest marked on Shadowheart’s map. The initials “DR” had followed, along with the date, weather, and time of the raid party’s departure. Then, a small star, which caught Rose’s attention: ‘Objective: Deliver Duke to Moonrise.’ The journal was pulled from her pack, a note quickly scribbled into the next blank page.

“The raid is going after a Duke?” Rose asked as casually as questioning the weather.

”Yes, orders from the General,” Minthara confirmed.

”Which Duke?” Wyll asked, “Why?”

Despite the threatening gaze in her blood red eyes, the drow answered, “Grand Duke Ulder Ravengard. Our Goddess asked for him.”

“You don’t know what they’d want from him?”

She was being very patient with the man, and Rose wasn’t sure how much thinner her patience would wane before it snapped.

Taking a page out of Gale’s book, Rose tried to nudge into Wyll’s mind with her tadpole. A sensation she still wasn’t fully sure was working, but his acceptance shook those doubts with ease.

Though the prospect of The Absolute controlling a Duke was concerning, it was exactly the type of strategy she would expect from a group of zealots wishing to spread influence. But the jovial swordsman had a storm of emotions brewing. Her head swirled with the fire simmering within him.

Anger, concern…fear? Worry?

”Wyll, we can’t push on this now.”

“If they’re capturing Duke Ravengard, they must be after control of Baldur’s Gate.” He grit his teeth and averted his gaze, “but…damns you’re right.”

”I’ll make a note to ask her for details later.”

“When do you expect to hear about the raid’s status?” Rose continued the conversation along, hoping to brush away the tension Wyll restarted.

”Any day now. I dispatched some of my drow to ensure success, and they will let me know when they begin their delivery of the Duke.”

Rose scribbled those additional notes into her notebook, underlining the duke’s name so it stood out to her.

The other markings on the war map included the village that they had passed through, along with a path directly north of the village. The notation read ‘Toll House - GNOLLS.’ Minthara explained, briefly, that she had arrived after the gnolls were released into the area, but was told to leave them to their own devices.

Alfira remained silent, but her eyes remained trained on that single spot. The firelight reflected angrily in her glassy glare. She was fighting to contain herself, no matter how her rage boiled.

Minthara rested her hands behind her back once the map discussion ended.

”I have already sent my report back to Moonrise Towers, but have you been briefed since you departed for this camp?”

Moonrise Towers, a name to remember. Headquarters, most likely, by how the drow spoke of it.

Rose shook her head, ”I was assured you would be more than capable of detailing the status of your operation. Seems you’ve made an impression over there.”

A proud smile stretched over the woman’s hardened expression.

Ah, how easy. A proud woman soothed by appealing to her image. In this case, her image as a competent commander.

“Tell me,” Minthara asked, “what was your last report?”

”You were closing in on a Sanctuary of Druids, but for one reason or another had not yet found it.” A story began to weave, using the very information handed to her just moments ago. An operation to capture a duke, a base of operations, and a General calling the shots. It was almost too easy! Minthara handed her more than enough information to work with! “They hoped you would have located the druids’ home by the time I arrived. The General mentioned needing reinforcements depending on how one of your other assignments went— I presume they were referring to retrieving the Duke.”

“We’re so close, I can taste it,” the drow hissed. “Our primary objective is simple: search for the weapon which threatens the Absolute.”

A panic briefly charged through Rose’s mind. Not her own, Shadowheart’s. The cleric knew her mystical box was in danger.

“This weapon, what are we looking for, exactly?” If the assassin wasn’t quick with her follow up, the break in conversation could raise suspicions.

”Something that would threaten a Goddess— I’ve estimated that it may be the very idol the druids worship. A powerful source of magic, a so-called God to rival that of another. We’ll know for certain once we find the blasted place.”

The panic began to calm once the cleric realized that the Absolute seemed ignorant of exactly what they were looking for. At least, this particular True Soul hadn’t a clue.

They could use this to their advantage.

Rose would continue to let Minthara think she held all the key information in this exchange.

The proof of her own expertise would be within the questions she asked, how she asked them, and importantly when. Prompting a question without clear motive could raise suspicions. Not asking enough questions could be a cause for caution. At worst, complete distrust.

“Any other leads for the Sanctuary? I overheard you talking to the goblin about a prisoner,” Rose asked, turning to the page in her journal regarding the missing Druid Leader.

The trap was set.

Give me something…

”There was a breach in security within the last tenday. We managed to take a few prisoners before the others escaped. One of which was a druid!”

The trap snapped.

Perfect!

”How can you be certain it was a druid?” Rose asked, skeptically, even though she felt the excitement build within her.

”He turned into a bear before we captured him.”

Astarion couldn’t help his scoffing at that comment. Rose narrowed her eyes at him. Minthara, wisely, ignored the elf.

”We also had a dwarf and a human— the former was not forthcoming. I was hoping the human would be easier to break but the goblins have failed in that. I could hardly believe I was notified that outside assistance was requested. A priest who supposedly knows what he’s doing.”

”A Sharran?” Shadowheart chimed, hiding a hopeful look with curiosity.

”Loviatarran. The goblin tormentor insisted.” Minthara waved her hand dismissively, releasing another puff of disgust, “Failing that, I’m going to start making examples of their failure.”

“Doesn’t sound like you really need the druid, then,” Rose said.

”Perhaps not, I’m still considering what to do with him. He’d make a decent meal for my spiders, or the worgs. The Absolute could find use for him…maybe after we handle the Sanctuary, I take him back to Moonrise with me.”

”Hm, both seem tempting. The worgs would be an easy solution, but what benefits do you see by sending him to Moonrise?”

“If our efforts to find the Sanctuary continue to turn up fruitless, converting one of their own to infiltrate may be our best alternative.” she slammed her fist into the stone wall, shouting with frustration, “if only these damned--” quickly she took a breath, cautious for eavesdropping ears from the nearby goblinoids. Once the goblins went back to minding their own business, she continued, more measured, “if only the goblin scouts had returned with anything, I could be well on my way back by now.”

Another trap, one Rose didn't need to set this time! Minthara set it herself, and snapped it within the same breath. The assassin hid the delight behind her eyes, averting her gaze to the pouch on her belt.

The question tiptoed in the back of her confidence: what exactly did Sazza share with the drow?

Why would Minthara play this charade with her, if Sazza told her about the grove? Was the drow spinning a web right around her? Who was the spider and the fly in this scenario?

No, none of that. She couldn’t doubt herself now. She was in too deep.

Gods, Rose hoped Sazza kept her mouth shut, or her next move was going to screw them all over.

With a flourish, a folded note was retrieved and extended to the drow commander between two nimble fingers. She eyed it for a moment before taking it and unfolding. It was the note she retrieved from the cadaver sitting within the grove. A clean “M” signed the bottom, and she started to have a hunch about who that initial belonged to.

“Judging by this, they’re going to continue evading your scouts,” Rose explained as Minthara scanned the folded parchment.

The drow’s eyes widened with recognition.

Snap, went another trap.

“Found it on a drow corpse to the east.” Rose explained flatly, “looked like they were mauled by a bear. I came upon Sazza shortly after.”

“I knew we were getting close. Quickly, what else did you find?”

“Besides Sazza, not much.”

A lie. One she executed as smoothly as the truth. Whether it was bought, well…

Minthara scanned over the parchment again, then back down to the map. Then, finally, back to Rose. The assassin steadied her breathing. A few of her companions’ nerves flashed into her headspace, all of which quickly snuffed themselves out as they tried to compose themselves. Lae’zel and Shadowheart did the best with their act. The others were nearly holding their breaths.

”A pesky target, good thing you’re here.” Minthara crumbled the note and tossed it aside, “show me where.”

Rose felt relief wash over her. Her body language nearly relaxed, she had to remember to stay as tense as she was when she was speaking. She leaned over the map and drew her finger along the path leading away from the Selune Temple.

”Here,” she replaced her finger with the end of her charcoal stick, marking a spot near the owlbear cave. Just far enough to be believable, but still not in direct line to the druid grove.

Minthara stared at the mark, which sat cleanly inside the encircled area that they were searching within. A few more marks had been made on the eastern side of the map, likely other places where they had lost scouts. A careful finger trailed from the western side of the map, passing their location and following the path laid out by the assassin. She repeated this gesture, more slowly going from the western edge of the map, past the temple, to the marked spot.

The hair began to stand on the back of Rose’s neck.

“You said you were sent by the Absolute,” Minthara began, eyes starting to narrow at the assassin accusingly, “yet your first stop wasn’t this temple?” She straightened her stance, “you walked right past it.”

The drow charged into Rose’s mind, seeking her own answer. The headache flared as she tried to fight her off. Too quick to draw a blade. Too sudden to speak any defense.

“The Absolute told us to!” Alfira exclaimed.

The mental assault stopped. Both women looked to the bard.

“Th-that’s what Rose said,” the tiefling continued, looking over her shoulder to the surrounding party, “Isn't it? I distinctly recall, we were happy to be close— except we had to keep walking.”

No tadpole in her precious little brain to connect with. No way to communicate her plan, her story, her intentions. And yet…

“Who are we to question the word of The Absolute, after all?” Gale supported.

“Yes,” Astarion groaned dramatically, “I was looking forward to the end of our journey but whatever the Goddess says, goes, right? I haven’t had my beauty rest in days, it’s doing my complexion no favors.”

Minthara eyed the men, unconvinced.

“Surely, this was part of her plan the whole time?” Shadowheart pressed, focused on hiding the disgust in her false worship of another goddess. “We thought you, another True Soul, would understand— quite unfortunate that you have your doubts in Our Lady.”

Her voice was the support needed. The drow relaxed, a confident smile stretching across her face. Either to ease tension or save her own hide as a True Soul, the reason didn’t matter. She backed out of Rose’s mind entirely.

“Of course. I’d never question her.”

“She was,” Rose agreed, gently massaging one of her temples. “As I was saying: we were in the area when we saw that ship crash, so I sent some of my people to search for the Sanctuary, posing as survivors from it.”

”Hm, clever. Druids should be willing to lend a helping hand. A clever plan you devised.”

”I’m glad you think so.”

Relieved, more precisely.

“I might not need to send the druid to Moonrise Towers after all,” the Drow had a glint in her eye.

”Honestly, I’m surprised the Druid hasn’t escaped— if he can turn into a bear, what’s stopping him from turning into a mouse?”

”Hm…” Minthara hummed in thought. After a few moments of silence, she took calculated steps towards Rose. Her voice lowered, “check on the prisoner for me. The Absolute may have me working with goblins, but I haven’t had much to be impressed by. The Hobgoblin’s raid, if successful, would be one thing— but the others who loiter about seem useless.”

”Consider it done. I’ll report my findings shortly.”

Next Chapter >> (to be posted)