Fire and Blood

Chapter 4: Githyanki isn't the only shade of green.

Summary:

Lizbeth and Astarion return to camp after finding artifacts in the ruins. Astarion tries to maintain composure while Lizbeth teases him. The artifacts lead to discussions about an ancient civilization practicing human sacrifice. Gale and Lae'zel argue about interpreting the relics. Lizbeth is disappointed not to be paired with Astarion for further exploration. As they split into pairs, Astarion suggests Lizbeth partner with Karlach. While exploring, they uncover magical traps and hidden passages, finding relics tied to an ancient civilization. Exhausted, they return to camp, and Karlach invites Lizbeth for a private meal. Astarion watches from a distance, feeling conflicted.

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"After you," he bowed and gestured formally, motioning for you to lead the way back towards camp.

Lizbeth was starting to be able to read his genuine emotions under his curated facade and smiled at him, maybe swaying her hips just a little more than usual to tease him.

Astarion followed behind, trying hard not to stare at her swaying rear end. His mind raced with conflicting emotions: shame, guilt, and an irrational desire for more moments like this. He forced himself to regain his composure as they approached the campfire circle. "We were busy looking for artifacts and found something interesting," he lied nonchalantly, gesturing towards the bag of artifacts they had collected from the site earlier in the day.

Lizbeth smiled, catching the obvious lie.

The others greeted them casually, Wyl and Lae'zel glancing at the bag of artifacts curiously as they had stayed behind with Karlach at camp. Astarion shifted awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with Lizbeth until finally approaching the group. "We think we found something that might shed light on our current predicament," he said authoritatively.

With a flick of his wrist, he unzipped the bag. He pulled out various relics: odd-shaped stones carved intricately, small clay figurines depicting illithid creatures, and a pair of what appeared to be ceremonial daggers inscribed with ancient text.

"These symbols... they match some of the carvings we saw earlier," Gale said, pointing to the altar ruins.

"What could they possibly mean?" Astarion looked around expectantly, hoping someone, anyone, else would know besides Gale.

Gale, the wizened wizard from Waterdeep, furrowed his brow as he examined the objects. "These relics date back to an ancient civilization that worshipped the nature deities and practiced... well, human sacrifice," he said grimly. "But these symbols here..." He traced them on one of the stones with his finger. "They don't match any known language or script used by those people. Very strange." He set down the artifact and rubbed his beard thoughtfully. "I can try to decipher some of the writings, but it could take days. We should gather up all similar items in the area and return here for analysis."

Lae'zel interjected, "Chk, istick, that is githyanki script; why don't you admit your defeat and let me interpret the relics?"

"Let's pair up for safety and look through the ruins again," Lizbeth looked at Astarion with a brow raised in expectation, hoping for some more time alone with him. Meanwhile, Gale and Lae'zel argued over the semantics.

Astarion grumbled softly but reluctantly agreed. "Fine, we'll split into pairs of two," he said tersely. His eyes flickered briefly towards you before snapping back to Gale. "What do you think, Gale?"

Gale nodded in agreement, happy to escape the uncomfortable conversation with Lae'zel. "Sounds good," he chimed in enthusiastically. "Let's get going then."

Astarion raised an eyebrow questioningly, waiting for her reaction. "Is there a problem?" He asked cautiously, careful not to appear too eager to be near you again.