The Heroes of Baldur's Gate... and Me

Part 4: A Grove in Chaos

I scurried down from the overhang, following Astarion as he gracefully descended and jumped lightly to the clearing below, me somewhat slower and landing on the ground with an ungainly thud. We followed the others through the gate and no sooner had the last of us walked through, it closed quickly behind us.

We find ourselves in a short dark tunnel inside the cliff, that curves down before lazily curving back upwards to the exit. As I walk out of the tunnel, I am momentarily blinded by light before my eyes adjust and I find myself standing at the top of the hidden grove.

I look around wide eyed, the grove certainly earns the name 'Emerald Grove'. The flora grows vibrantly here, the path I am on surrounded by wild flowers and lush greenery. Ancient Oak and Elm trees line the gorge, their tall trunks reaching up to the sky.

The path slopes down into a cavern, with large statues of Sylvana carved into the stone. I see a trader at the intersection of the path, his goods laid out behind him. And beyond him, I see the movement of many more tieflings, refugees with their makeshift tents and shelters.

I look down at the heart of the grove below me, druids stand within a stone circle around a raised plinth, and on the plinth sits the idol of the grove. It glows with a green light, as chanting from the druids reach my ears. They appear to be in the middle of a rite.

I turn back to the others when I hear raised voices, and find Tav engaged in an argument between Zevlor and the mercenary leader, who I learn is called Aradin.

The tension is thick between them as they glare at each other. Aradin's eye twitches, he looks like he is about to blow.

Before I have time to react Aradin swings his fist forward aiming for Zevlor's face. Quick as lightening, Tav catches his wrist with one hand as her other fist connects with his chin, effectively knocking him out and he crumbles to the floor in a heap.

We all stare at them in shocked silence, unsure of what to say until a loud bark of laughter comes from Astarion, a large smirk on his face.

"That's .... That I suppose." Zevlor breathes out a great sigh, as if he has the weight of the Sword Coast on his shoulders. "Now those goblins know where we are, they will be back soon enough. Thank you, for your assistance at the gate. There are too few of us here who can fight - gods forbid they make it through the gate..."

He shakes his head, his eyes screwed shut as if to banish the bad thoughts. "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself." He turns back to face us, a genial smile on his face. "I am Zevlor."

Tav introduces herself and in turn we all introduce ourselves, and he gives each of us a nod in return.

"I'm afraid I must warn you, outsiders are no longer welcome in the Grove." He looks down at the heart of the grove where the druids continue their chanting, a scowl marring his face. "Their new leader, Kagha" he spits the name "has decided to perform the Rite of Thorns, and close themselves off from the outside, forcing us out at the same time."

"With the goblin threat currently out there, we will not survive a couple of days on the road." His voice rises in anger and disgust "Most of us are not fighters! There are women and children!"

He stops himself before he becomes madder and takes a deep breath in. As he exhales, he looks at Tav, considering her for a moment. "However they may make an exception to the hero of the grove, considering you just saved them at the gate. There is no way they could deny you access." He looks at her earnestly. "You could talk to Kagha, convince her to let us stay and forgoe the rite?"

A myriad of emotions crosses Tav's face; disbelief, anger, sympathy. She locks eyes with Zevlor and puffs out her chest as she answers. "I am Tavellier Janken, I am a Ranger for the White Feather Druid Circle of Neverwinter Woods. They WILL see me."