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Panic gripped Tav again, her mind reeling. What did Astarion know that he hadn’t already gleaned? Whatever it was, it was enough that Angela thought she wouldn’t be safe if she stayed. Tav registered faintly a small smear of blood at the corner of the note. Raising it to her nose, she inhaled and balked. It was Tav’s b... |
As she got her bearings, Tav heard the faintest sound, like a cooing dove. Her ears pricked to the noise and she followed it on instinct. As she neared the voice, she realized it was humming a melancholy tune. Tav honestly had no idea what she expected to find here - she had always stayed out, not wanting to see the fu... |
"Angela..." Tav kneeled beside the young woman, her eyes open and glazed, mouth frozen in a silent scream. Her heart did not flutter any longer. She was covered in cuts and bruises, the red and angry skin standing out starkly against her ghostly pale complexion. Tav made note of the teeth marks at her neck. Whoever had... |
Oh gods, she thought, realization dawning on her. This is my fault. Tav wept, pulling the girl limply into her lap and closing those cloudy blue eyes. She held her for a moment, but her attention was drawn again to the soft humming, interspersed with sobs, and she knew she couldn’t linger. She placed a tender kiss o... |
As she grew nearer, Tav crouched stealthily. She recognized the voice now, and she hurried along as silently as she could. Peeking around a corner, she saw Vivienne and Caeral, chained to the floor but otherwise seemingly intact. Vivienne was humming, eyes closed, tears staining her face and leaving long clear streaks ... |
The sound of her soft footfalls caused Caeral to lift his head, his eyes hard and glinting. When he saw her, his face fell in shock. He eyed her warily, but did not speak. |
"Where did you go?" His voice was hard, stony. His speech broke Vivienne out of her trance and she whirled, wide and fearful eyes scanning around until they landed on Tav. She didn’t speak, didn’t move toward her. |
"I was...with a friend," she hedged. She didn’t know how much she could share with the other spawn. From their guarded looks, she guessed they felt the same. "What happened here?" Her pained voice betrayed the hurt she felt, and Vivienne’s large, sad eyes dropped. |
"Beirion..."she whispered. "He said Father told him to incentivize you..." |
Anger roared through Tav like a wildfire. She began looking around for a key, and finding none, she fished in Gale’s robes for a lockpick. Of course, he had none. Why use tools when you have magic? She rolled her eyes and cursed softly. |
"I think he really wants you dead this time." Caeral’s soft voice floated to her ears, which twitched. She glanced at him, but he wasn’t looking at her. "Unless he can get you under control, he will kill you, Tav." |
She blinked at the name from Caeral’s lips. She couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t called her mother. It felt nice, somehow. Like a veil was lifted between them. She knew he was serious. She nodded at him curtly, then busied herself again, searching for anything she could use to free them. |
"I don’t plan to be here long enough for that to happen. And you’re coming with me." Her voice was resolute, but they eyed one another suspiciously. |
"We can’t go anywhere. He has us enthralled." Vivienne looked Tav up and down before adding, "I’m still not sure how you manage it." |
Tav whispered softly, urgently, "Astarion once told me that Cazador would hunt him to the ends of Faerûn. But if you’re not in Faerûn he can’t find you." They looked dubious, but said nothing. Finally, Tav looked over at the spawn and noticed the night orchid adorning Vivienne’s hair. She strode over to her and pul... |
"Hey!" Vivienne clutched at the air, reaching for the flower, but Tav held her hand up. Turning it over, she saw a small metal pin where it had been fastened into the girl’s hair. |
"This should work," Tav said, almost to herself. She worked diligently, freeing Vivienne and then Caeral in turn. Suddenly a loud bang echoed through the halls. Someone was coming. |
"How do I get out of here?" She glanced between them. Vivienne was wide-eyed, shaking her head slightly. She did not know. Tav’s eyes fell to Caeral, who was looking away. "Caeral, please. I know you’ve been here." He glanced at her, guilt coloring his warm features. He sighed, then pointed. |
"Go down that way. When you see a pair of torch stands shaped like bats, pull the one on the right. It will open a passage that leads into the sewers." |
"Thank you, my sweet boy." She cupped his face in her hands briefly, then produced the mirror from her pocket. "There’s a good chance you’ll be met with hostility when you get there. Tell him I sent you. Give him this." She produced the letter from Angela, pressing it into Vivienne’s hands. "Whatever you do, don’t let ... |
The pair looked confused, but Vivienne nodded. Tav turned the mirror toward them, and their faces registered shock as they saw themselves for the first time in decades. |
"Dekarios," she whispered, and watched as the spawn vanished into the ether. She pocketed the mirror and hurried off down the hall, away from the looming sound of footsteps. As she entered the secret passage, she heard Beirion curse loudly, and the clatter of wood and metal as he raged. She slipped through the passage ... |
Tav had been wandering the sewers for a few days, picking up decent armor and a new bow. She had been practicing her skills on rats and weak monsters, slowly gaining efficiency. At one time, she had been a skilled ranger. Astarion had tried to keep her weak and quiet, and it had worked, for a time; she was done being s... |
There were whispers in the sewers; most people knew of Astarion’s godlike power, but no one seemed any wiser as to how to relieve him of it. She tracked down beggars, vagabonds, guild members, anyone she could potentially trust not to tell him where she was, and she kept moving. She knew she couldn’t stay in the sewer ... |
Finally, she got a lucky break. She mentioned to an excommunicated priest that Astarion had completed a rite bartered to Cazador by Mephistopholes, Archdevil of Cania. He told her there was a cult of Mephistopholes with a stronghold near the Temple of Baal. Steeling herself and gathering what little gold and supplies s... |
She arrived at the ruined undercity, and a distant memory swirled back into place in her mind. She had been here, once, with Astarion before he’d ascended. They were tracking Orin the Red to the Temple of Baal. To gain entrance, they had to fight several humanoid enemies here, and they barely escaped with their lives. ... |
It was not difficult to find the cultists among the rubble. They were not very quiet, and her excellent hearing and keen hunting skills, both vampiric and not, made triangulating their location simple. She crept to the edge of their camp, peering into the gloom around the fire to see how heavily armed they were. Nothin... |
"Hey, it’s all right. I don’t want a fight. Who’s in charge here? I want to talk about Mephistopholes." Her face was guarded, but her speech was strong, confident. The cultists did not move, save for one, who walked forward. She noted a large and shining great hammer on his back, and hoped she wouldn’t have to meet its... |
"How did you learn of our location?" The man’s voice was gravelly and deep, more like a growl than speech, but he still retained a certain air of nobility in his posture. His arms were crossed, but his stance seemed at ease. Tav lowered her hands slowly to her side. |
"I asked around." She shrugged noncommittally. "You’re not exactly hidden." |
"We do not hide," he sneered, "but not many choose to delve this deeply toward Baal’s temple. What is your business with us?" The man did not remove his hood, and Tav could only see a pair of gleaming green eyes, piercing through the darkness. |
"I have an...issue I think you will be knowledgeable on. If you wouldn’t mind, perhaps we could sit and discuss?" Tav didn’t exactly like the idea of breaking bread with murderous cultists, but anything she could do to get them to lower their weapons was a net positive. The man was silent for a moment, considering. |
"I will spare a time for a child of Mephisto. Come, sit by the fire." |
"Child of Mephisto?" She quirked an eyebrow. "I am of elven descent, not a teifling." |
The man scoffed. "Teiflings are hardly His children, only touched with His power. You are a vampire – a true child of Mephisto." Tav stiffened. She had taken care to hide her bite mark and her fangs, but red eyes were a rarity on a high elf. Still, she wondered how he could be so certain. She pushed the thoughts away a... |
"Now, what can I help you with, dear one?" The man quirked his head to the side, questioning. Tav took a deep, unsteady breath. He had said vampires were "children of Mephisto," which would likely mean he would side with Astarion should the choice arise. She was treading dangerous waters; she must be careful with her s... |
"I wish to make a deal with the Cold Lord," she said. "How might I go about...doing that?" |
The man chuckled, a deep throaty sound. "The Hellfire Lord does not often speak directly to mortals. You must have a steep price indeed, if you wish to deal with him directly." He considered her, eyes narrowed. "Usually, if one wanted to deal with His Most Unholy, they would work through us, his mortal vassals." His ar... |
Tav fought the bile hearing the title brought to her throat. She swallowed hard. This was her only chance, she knew, but she didn’t trust them. |
"I would rather keep that to myself," she stated, firm yet polite. The dragonborn’s eyes narrowed to slits and his nostrils flared. |
"I’m afraid we cannot help you, child, unless we have more information. Our Dread Lord would be most...displeased if we were to waste his precious time." Though his words were steady, Tav detected the slightest trace of fear behind them. The mercurial archdevil was known to be pleasant on the surface, but had a raging ... |
"It would not be a waste of His time, I assure you." She held his gaze firmly, but noticed the other cultists shifting uncomfortably in her peripheral vision. It was not going well. The dragonborn leaned back, his gaze softening. He thought for a moment before speaking. |
"I know who you are, spawn." Tav’s hand jumped to her weapon, ready to flee. She would not go back to the Crimson Palace – she would rather die. But the dragonborn raised a calming hand to her, as if a trapped rabbit. "Be at peace, hero. I know who you are, yes, but I have no intention of aiding your master just now." |
Tav blinked. She blurted the first thing that came to mind: "Why not?" |
The dragonborn laughed, a hearty, booming sound. "Such mistrust, for one so young." |
"I have lived enough for everyone here," she spat. Her hand did not waver from her weapon. |
"Our Most Mercurial Lord is one of...specific tastes," he said slowly. "Indeed, he finds great joy in brokering deals between Himself and heroes. The Savior of Faerûn would make a fine addition to his collection, for the right price." |
Tav slowly lowered her hand from her weapon. She considered a moment, then said, "Astarion is also a hero of Faerûn – Mephisto already has my like in his...collection." |
"Ah, the Rite of Profane Ascension." The man’s voice took on a dreamy quality, as if recalling a beloved children’s story. "Indeed, the High Vampire Lord did complete the ritual, but his master was the one who made the deal with His Most Unholy." He shrugged, a small smirk playing over his lips. "Our Dread Master was n... |
Tav cast her eyes downward. Even hearing the name sent chills down her spine. But if Mephistopholes could be persuaded to make a deal with her, if he was already upset with Astarion, she might just have an advantage. As she thought, the cult leader spoke again. |
"We have the power to grant you an audience with the Cold Lord." Tav snapped her gaze up to meet him, suddenly feeling uneasy. Would she really go to the hells to barter for the chance to kill Astarion? The thought made a sickening pit form in her stomach. His face swam into her mind, kind eyes gazing at her fondly. Sh... |
"What is your price?" she asked, her chin lifted, jaw set hard. The dragonborn smiled, all of his many sharp teeth on full display. |
"Simply tell my Master that Ulriankas sends his warmest regards." |
The stench of sulfur burned in Tav’s nostrils as she was swallowed up by the portal. The cultists’ chanting around her faded from her ears and was replaced with the roaring, crackling sounds of fire and pitch. She felt as if she was burning alive. Maybe this is what it feels to be a spawn in the sun, she wondered idly,... |
As Tav looked around, she saw a landscape devoid of life. It was blindingly white and blue, a true frozen wasteland. The frozen Cania, colder even than Stygia. She felt pinpricks at the tips of her fingers. She had to get somewhere warm, quickly. She glanced around, eyeing colossal glaciers that crashed into one anothe... |
As she drew close to the gates, she could feel heat radiating from behind a looming door, at least twenty feet tall. She approached it and pounded hard, her knock echoing off the ice around her. It creaked open, slowly, and she edged inside, relieved as the hot air hit her burning skin. She rubbed her fingers together,... |
"What mortal would dare impose on Mephistar, home of the Archdevil Mephistopholes?" The creature boomed, its voice like cracking thunder, and Tav flinched. Oh Gods, she thought, I really didn’t think this through! It leaned down, breath redolent with sulfur and ash, and spoke over her. The wind of its voice sent a shiv... |
Tav sat up on her knees, fighting the urge to bolt, knowing full well that doing so would spell her end. She opened her mouth to speak, but only a strangled squeak escaped her pinched throat. She closed her eyes hard, trying to block the fear from her mind. |
"I a-am Tavwren, S-Savior of Faer-rûn. I c-come to a-ask for an a-a-audience with The Hellfire L-Lord." Her screwed-shut eyes gave her no indication as to the beast’s reaction, but she felt the air move as it drew back from her, up to its full height once more. |
"Stand, mortal, if you wish to keep your life." It growled, threatening, and Tav hastily clambered to her feet. She steadied herself as best she could, and opened her eyes, staring up at the figure before her. Her knees wobbled, but she stood firm. The creature surveyed her thoughtfully. |
"You do not look a savior," it said, frowning. "From what did you save the whole of the mortal plane?" |
"I defeated the avatars and champions of the Dead Three, and destroyed an Illithid elder brain, all of whom were set on controlling the world and bringing about the Grand Design." She spoke quickly, so as not to lose her nerve. The creature laughed, and she winced. It sounded just like the crashing of the glaciers she ... |
"I am Hutijin, Archduke of the Eighth. I am Mephisto’s most loyal servant. I decide the fates of those mortals who wish to deal with Him. What is it you have to offer, great Savior of Faerûn?" |
Tav thought better of deflecting the truth from this imposing monstrosity, but she chose her words carefully. She would rather deal with Mephistopholes himself than this giant of a being. |
"I humbly offer myself, a champion for The Cold Lord’s collection, though I wish to settle the terms directly with the Lord, Himself." |
The creature was silent, its great fingers thundering on the handle of its mace. "Our Dread Lord would be interested in this offer, small one. What is it you wish to gain from His favor?" |
"I would ask for the power to bring down the Vampire Ascendant, Astarion Acunín, with whom I know He is most displeased." |
The creature growled, hulking low, and Tav flinched instinctively. "Such knowledge is not for mortals to possess," it hissed, the sound like rolling boulders. "Where did you come by this information?" |
"His humble servant, Ulriankas, has given me passage and information to this end," she said. The creature’s eyes hummed with glee, flickering and crackling like bonfires. |
"I will see to this Ulriankas in due time. You amuse me, Spawn Savior. I will allow you an audience with Himself." |
Relief and terror washed over Tav in equal parts. Hopefully she did not make an error in judgement. From what she knew of the archdevil, he would hold his temper in the presence of company. Unless she did something especially stupid, she would be safer with him than the bloodthirsty Hutijin. The huge creature turned, a... |
Tav hardly had time between running and falling to look at the building around her, but she couldn’t help but marvel at its make. It was carved from ice yet was warm as a summer’s day. Magic, surely, she thought. Elaborate carvings adorned every wall and pillar, most of vicious battles. The blood looked different, carv... |
"I will announce your presence to Our Lord, and we shall see if He deigns you worthy of His time." It smiled, an exceedingly unsettling sight, and continued. "Pray to whatever deity you think will listen that you do not see me again." At that, it lumbered off into another hallway, and panic gripped Tav. Too late to tur... |
Tav paced nervously, considering her options. The idea of selling her soul for the ability to be mortal again was less than appealing. The cultists had not said exactly what collection Mephisto had, but being a devil she thought sure that it would be a collection of souls. Would such a deal be worth it? If she could be... |
As she wandered, deep in thought, a door opened and she stopped her movements. Looking to the door, she saw Mephistopholes himself. He was every bit as imposing as she imagined. He was not as tall or as wide as his archduke had been, but every inch of him was lean muscle barely contained beneath crimson skin. His large... |
"I am told you are Tavwren, Savior of Faerûn, Hero of Baldur’s Gate, and ascendant vampire spawn. Is it true you can walk in the sunlight without fear?" He did not release her hand, and she found her fear settling deep within her, more like a blanket now than a weight. |
"My Lord, you have been told correctly. I have the pleasure of addressing Mephistopholes, Archdevil of the Eighth, the Cold Lord Himself, no doubt. Your most charming Self could be none other." |
He chuckled low in his throat, a smile flitting across his face. "Ah, a shameless flatterer. What delight!" He led her by the hand to the foot of the throne, and there released her as he climbed the steps and settled on it. Crossing one leg over the other, he reclined and leaned one sculpted cheek on his fist. |
"Would you care for a refreshment, Tavwren?" He drew her name out until it was almost a purr, and she was reminded of Astarion. This charm hid something deep and dark, and she would do well not to stir what was beneath the surface. |
"If it pleases You, My Lord." She did not want anything he had to offer, but thought better than to decline. At once an imp appeared at her side in a reeking puff, pressing a goblet hastily into her hand, then scrabbling up the stairs and throwing itself prostrate at the devil’s feet, holding a second goblet above its ... |
"To new friends, and fair deals." He smiled, his eyes alight with mischief, before taking a sip from the goblet. Tav raised her own to her lips, inhaling the scent and trying her best to discern its contents before imbibing. It glowed with a golden hue and smelled like bottled sunshine. Fey tricks, she knew, but couldn... |
"Now," he crooned, "to what do I owe the pleasure of such a visit?" His eyebrow raised slightly, her signal that she was permitted to speak. She inhaled shakily. |
"Your Excellence knows, of course, that I am the first spawn of the Vampire Ascendant Astarion Acunín." As she spoke his gaze darkened, and she hurried along so he wouldn’t linger on the name. "I wish to bring about his death." The devil softened once more, his eyes revealing nothing except their icy stare. She could n... |
"You poor dear," he drawled, "I have seen how you suffer under his yoke." Tav blinked. She never thought that he would know anything about her. "And you know, of course, that I am most displeased with the manner in which he acquired my blessing." Rage simmered just beneath the surface, his eyes and skin glowing superna... |
"Yes, my Lord," she whispered. "I have been told You have a particular interest in mortal heroes, Great One, and so I humbly offer my service in exchange for the power to kill the pretender ascendant." The devil laughed, and she winced. |
"My dear, sweet child. You do me a service by punishing him. Yet, it would be no easy task, and at no small cost to me." He raised his glass to his lips and sipped, and Tav mirrored him. This seemed to please him, and he leaned forward. "Do you know what must be done before he can be killed?" Tav shook her head, and he... |
"Seven thousand souls were sacrificed to grant your lover this great and glorious power. Those seven thousand souls belong to me, empower me. If he is to be destroyed, those seven thousand souls must go free." Mephistopholes shook his head, raising a hand to his cheek and placing a clawed finger there. "A considerable ... |
Tav dared not speak. He seemed to be deep in thought, barely considering her presence at all. She too was thinking. Surely it was a bonus for the seven thousand souls she had damned to go free, even if the cost was her soul. A fair bargain, by any standards. |
"Souls are easily acquired," he said simply. "I will recoup their loss in due time. What I don’t have, my dear, is you." His eyes fixed on her and she stood stock still. "The mortals did not lie when they said I have a particular affinity for heroes. Indeed, they are a rare gem who are so desperate as to deal with me y... |
"However, it is not your soul I want, but your service." Air whooshed out of Tav in a great rush; she didn’t realize she had been holding it. Her service? He would want her to be a cultist, perhaps, or a Chosen? |
"That is...most generous, my Lord," she said haltingly. "In what way could I be of service to You?" |
"That would be determined when the need arose, little one." He smiled wickedly, and she balked. Writing an IOU to a devil was never a good idea. He could ask her for anything – kill her first born, control the world for his whim, serve in war against other devils... If Karlach had taught her anything, it was that she d... |
"I can promise, however, that you will keep your eternal soul for your own." She looked up at him again, considering. She hadn’t wanted to part with her soul, and the idea of being free upon death to go wherever she was called was tempting. But if she served the devil and served him well, she may be called back to his ... |
"I admit, my Lord, the offer sounds too good to be true." Anger flashed across his face, and she snapped her mouth shut. |
"I do not lie," he growled, barely controlled rage seething through his gritted teeth. He ran a hand through his hair, tapping his foot against the icy floor. He closed his eyes, and for a moment he seemed almost human. He breathed deeply and she watched as his anger settled. |
"I do not mean to offend, Your Most Unholy. I would accept Your offer. I only wonder, if it pleases You, may I have some assurance that the souls you posses are intact, inasmuch as they can be after fifty years in Your domain?" His nostrils flared, and she flinched. She was pushing her advantage as far as it would go. ... |
"Of course, I would be happy to oblige." |
The first thing that assaulted Tav’s senses upon stepping through the large, plain door was the sound of thousands of people weeping and wailing. This, coupled with wet squelching and the overwhelming smell of blood was enough to tell her she was in the right place. She fought to keep her face blank, rather than plaste... |
"Glorious, isn’t it? Of course this is just one of my many prisons, but this is where I keep the most special and precious of my...charges." He cut his eyes to her, and she stomached an uneasy smile, her eyes staring into the middle distance, concentrating on keeping the bile from rising. He chuckled deeply. "It is a l... |
Passing cells and pits of various sizes and...use, Tav faintly registered the rumbling sound of Mephistopheles, monologuing about this or that, giving her a grand tour. She avoided meeting the eyes of suffering souls. One cage contained a large block of ice, inside which was suspended several mortal creatures, their sc... |
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