Heart to Heart

Chapter 8

"Hey, there you are, Wyll," Shadowheart said as he made his way towards us.

He was breathing heavily and sat down with a thud, sliding back into his chair. Dropping his sword to the ground, it landed with a heavy thud onto the wooden floor of the tavern we were in. I was sipping on some water while Shadowheart was drinking something alcoholic for sure. I can't believe it's been five months since the Champion had freed me and I had made friends with not only Shadowheart, but with some other people while venturing with her. Such as Wyll. I had gotten to know Wyll for a short period of time before he embarked on a journey due to work he said. He didn't go into detail, but said there was something he needed to do.

"Shadowheart, Y/N," he said as he sat up finally. "How have you ladies been?"

"Fine. You? How was your work?" Shadowheart asked.

"Was a bit rough. Ship was taken down by a Mindflayer. Now, I still have some more work to do to the ship."

"Landing was that bad?" I asked.

"Are you a fan of eating squid?" Wyll asked.

"Never really had it."

"Well, there is an overabundance of tentacles if you want to try it."

"No thanks," Shadowheart and I said.

"Good. I don't think that'd be good to eat anyway."

"If you need help repairing the ship, we can help," I said.

"I'd appreciate all the help we can get," Wyll said. "But let's not worry about that right now. Where's Lae'zel? I know we can use her kind of help."

"She's currently with Halsin getting camp set up," I said.

"And what of Astarion?"

"What do you think? He's out there with them. Directing them."

"I bet Lae'zel is wanting to slit his throat."

"He'll just bite her," I said. "And believe me, I don't want to be on the receiving end of those fangs ever again," shuddering as I remembered the last time Astarion had bit me.

It was a complete accident as Gale cast a spell on me and it lured in Astarion to bite me because it triggered something with his vampire senses. I had never forgiven Gale from that moment on, as a joke though. Gale meant no harm and so did Astaraion.

"Oh, Gale," I said, finally remembering that he wasn't doing anything at the current moment.

"Stop right there, Y/N. You know I don't trust that wizard near the ship."

"Nevermind then."

"I know he's a good man with good intentions, but his spells don't go exactly as planned most of the time."

"Just say the word and I will come down to help you if you need anything," I said, sipping on my water.

"I should probably get going now," Wyll stood up. "Might as well get the ship fixed before it's damaged more. I'll see you two back at camp."

"Later, Wyll," I said and Shadowheart waved goodbye to him.

"Well, I should be helping the others, too. You coming, Y/N?"

"Yeah," I stood up with Shadowheart and walked out of the tavern together, after we placed a few gold coins on the table.

Heading out of the small village, we found our campsite was mostly put together. All that was needed to be put together was mine and Shadowheart's tent.

"Of course they saved ours for last," I chuckled.

"They always do because you're very picky when it comes to how your tent is set up."

"I'm not as picky as you are, Shadowheart."

"Me? Picky? Whatever do you mean, Y/N?" she laughed.

"Exactly as a I mean, Shadowheart. You're always the last one to get dressed because you have to find the right necklace for the outfit."

"Now you're making me sound like Gale."

"What about me?" Gale picked his head up.

"Nothing, Gale," we both said.

"Hey, have you seen Wyll?" Gale asked.

"We just saw him. What's wrong?" I asked Gale.

"Was looking at doing a new spell."

"Whatever it is, Wyll does not want to partake in it."

"He said he'll be my test dummy."

"I think he was being sarcastic, Gale," Shadowheart said.

"That bastard," he sighed. "Astarion!"

"Don't look at me! You put that book of yours away and move on to someone else. Like Y/N."

"Oh so that we can have a repeat of last time?" I asked Astarion.

"You know you enjoyed it," he chuckled darkly.

"I never thought I'd be bit by a vampire and not die."

"I didn't suck all of your blood out."

"And I hope you never do."

Shadowheart and I got to setting up our own tents and when we had finished, I sat down for a bit and took in the sights to behold. There were woods where I was sitting and behind me was the path back towards the village Shadowheart and I just came from. Laying down, I grabbed a book that I was able to bargain for when we were at a different place from where we were now. It cost me most of the gold coins I had, but it was worth it if it meant I had something to entertain myself besides from Gale and Astarion's bickering. Along with Lae'zel's yelling for them to stop.

"Y/N!"

Getting up, I walked out of my tent to find Wyll was standing at the center of camp.

"Hey, Wyll. What's up? How is the ship?"

"I need your help with something."

"A-Alright. J-Just mine?"

"Just yours."

I followed Wyll down to where the ship was, but we past it. Turning to look over my shoulder, it looked like it was in perfect condition. Maybe someone had already repaired it when Wyll was with us or something. As we were walking, we came across the Emerald Grove full of druids. They looked happy and even waved to us as we were walking past them. Wyll and I waved back, passing them.

"Where are we going, Wyll?"

"Can you keep a secret, Y/N?"

"Depends."

"I've been keeping secrets from you. And you're the only one I trust with what I am about to tell you. But I can never be too sure. Can I trust you?"

"You have my word, Wyll."

"I made a contract with someone named Mizora. She had given me a task of going after someone who was in Avernus and in the Blood Wars."

My mind immediately went to the Champion.

"Go on."

"And I was on their tail for a long time until that incident with the Mindflayer happened. But after Mizora came into contact with me just a bit ago, she gave me their location and now, I want you to help me kill this fiend."

"You could have asked anyone other than me. Such as Lae'zel or even Halsin since they have actual fighting experience."

"But I trust you more with knowing this information."

"A-Alright," I said.

As we made our ways past the grove, we came across this little log bridge. Standing before me was who I thought was going to be here. The Champion. How did she get here though? Standing up, flames engulfed her as she turned her head over her shoulder. Those fiery eyes were raging as she turned and faced me.

"Y/N," she said.