Small Sparks

- 1 -

"Whoever this Absolute is, but first of all, she's a complete fool." Tav roasted pieces of meat and tomato strung on a thin twig over the fire. They took a short rest not far from the road.

"Why?" Gale wondered.

The Absolute scared him. But at the same time, she beckoned with huge magic.

Lae'zel snorted disdainfully.

"She got in touch with the Mind Flayers. Do you not understand yourself?"

Tav shook his head.

"No. This is not a reason, but a consequence. She has no allies other than Mind Flayers and goblins because she's a fool. And Absolute is a fool because she wants to turn everyone into an obedient doll without their own will. This means that she will be forced to do everything herself, from interstate agreements to cleaning cesspools in cities. A wise manager delegated things to interpretive subordinates and gave them full freedom to decide everything according to the situation. "Go to that place, act on the situations, and bring me the prize." The role of the ruler is to set the direction, but not to rush into business. And to observe how the path to the goal changes due to changing circumstances. The world is constantly changing, so a leader is needed to adjust the routes. And the fool Absolute acts as if the world is static. She tries to make it like that, but it's impossible."

Gale looked at Tav in surprise, and Lae'zel nodded.

"Yes. Vlaakith gives an order, but how it is carried out is up to the Githyankis themselves. So the sooner we get rid of the tadpole, the better. Who knows when this abomination will awaken and turn us into Mind Flayers and slaves of the Absolute? We are lucky that our tadpoles are sleeping, but it will not last forever."

Astarion was silent. It would be unwise to draw attention to himself now. He was forced to reveal himself as a vampire last night and now remains in the group only through the patronage of Tav, whom he has convinced of his usefulness. But if the band insists, Tav will banish Astarion, and that means death. Astarion will not be able to hide from his former master-kidnapper alone—he stole once; he will steal again. And then death will be better for him than punishment from Cazador. Astarion doesn't have the strength to fight back, and who knows if he ever will? There is no reason to even dream of a second escape, because the first one was only successful because of a lucky accident. The second time, fate will not be so generous. And Astarion, as a born nobleman, is not very good at earning money either, but he did not want to live with beggars in flophouses or collect clothes in donation boxes near temples.

Therefore, it is necessary to conquer this group, not the best but still very useful, in which Astarion suddenly found himself.

But it takes time to manipulate the whole band, not just Tav.

And since Tav is the decision-maker here, it is necessary to conquer him first of all. Sex is a sure-fire tool, and there is no one better at it than Astarion. Tav has already agreed to receive compensation from Astarion for the bite in the form of sex. And after the next night, he will be like wax in Astarion's fingers, wanting more and more caresses from him.

Maybe.

There was something strange about Tava. An otherness that made him unlike anyone Astarion had ever known.

And it was exciting. For once, sex for profit will be pleasant. Many years ago, when Astarion sought the position of Magistrate, things were much worse with influential lovers and mistresses. If it weren't for the entertainment in the brothels, it would be completely unbearable.

And Tav... At that time, Astarion would have seduced him simply for his own pleasure—even when he had already become a magistrate, and people themselves began to try to pay him not only with gold but also with sex.

"It follows from this," said Tav meanwhile, "that the Absolute herself has long since turned into a toy in the hands of the courtiers. But they are also just as stupid; otherwise, they would not have tried to choose the same path. Unless they have bet on their band of those who don't have a tadpole. A flock of shepherds and brainless sheep. It doesn't work either, because for a sweet life, managers still need people to wash wool, spin, and sell clothes. And those who will buy it. The case of Absolute is doomed just like her puppeteer. But it won't be tomorrow. We run a high risk of not living to see it. And at the same time, we have a chance to get huge opportunities and make life much better for ourselves than it was. If we are careful and prudent."

"Nothing useful can come from Mind Flayers!" cried Lae'zel. "This is disgusting! We must get rid of all this!"

"I said nothing of the Mind Flayers or the Absolute. I'm only talking about the power that these fools have and use ineptly. Power itself is neither good nor evil. It doesn't even have its own will. It's just a thing that anyone can take. Think how useful and important you will be to your queen and how she will reward and promote you when you gain more power than now. Do not answer immediately; just think without haste."

Lae'zel pouted at him like a child coaxed by her father to eat wholesome oatmeal.

"Tsk'va. I hate it when you're right!"

Astarion froze. Tav wants to become Absolute?! It's... Why not? He has already done a lot that others have not been able to do. At the very least, Astarion will get a lot of use out of it, maybe even find a way to destroy Cazador and his entire vile pack. And he will have time to escape if something goes wrong with Tav.

Therefore, Astarion needs to convince him of his loyalty. And inflame in him an unbearable thirst for Astarion's body.

Astarion was an artisan of both, long before he became a vampire. But Tav also proved to be far more difficult than high-ranking Baldurians and even Cazador, his former (okay, not quite former) kidnapper and master.

And yet Astarion refused to give up.