The Last Light of Dawn: An Astarion and Dark Urge FanFiction

Chapter 4

Astarion had been awake at the inn for hours. Meditations were not long. A full day of rest for him meant a few hours being cooped up inside until the sun set. Yet Alan'na should have arrived by now. She always made it well before sunset, and now the room was starting to get dark.

He was not worried. Not at all. It was just...waiting around by oneself was so boring. If Alan'na were around, he could think of several things to do. In different places. If he knew she would not be here right now, he would have at least gotten a book.

The room grew darker and his lover did not return. He took to pacing the floor and muttering to himself. "This is ridiculous. She's a Bhaalspawn, for crying out loud. People are more scared of her than they are of me. She is fine. Just fine."

He almost ran for the door when he heard the sound of someone running up the stairs. He stopped himself just as he reached for the knob. Running out like a lonely dog would not do. He straightened his doublet as he lounged back on the bed.

"Hello darling," he muttered to himself as the steps grew closer. "What did I do today? Oh nothing much, just waited to see your beautiful face again. I did miss that face, you know. Me? Worried? Why would I be? I know you can take care of yourself."

He almost jumped when the door slammed open. He all but lost his composure when the person entering was most assuredly not Alan'na.

The young woman was a Gur, he knew that. One of the ones that followed them everywhere. Varra, if he remembered correctly. She was out of breath and smelled like cinders...and blood. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

"I'm so glad you're here," she panted. "I was racing the sunset. Thought I would miss you."

Astarion smiled to disguise his surprise. "What's this? Have the Gur finally gained some backbone and decided to attempt to kill a vampire in his lair? I thought we were friends."

The dagger flew past his head and embedded itself in the headboard. Astarion took a moment to admire the blade that almost took his ear. If there was one thing he could say about Gur, their weapons were quality. "I hope you plan on paying for that. The innkeeper is not exactly cheap."

"Shut up, spawn," Varra snapped. "We haven't time for your dry wit."

"Good morning, Astarion. I hope you slept you well. I slept as well as a vampire could, thank you for asking. Honestly, does no one practice manners anymore?"

"Alan'na is in danger."

He was on his feet in an instant, the dagger stuck in the headboard all but jumping into his hand. Another moment and he was in his armor. "Where is she?"

Varra shrank back at the sight of the knife. He had not realized that he had gotten so close to her. Now she was shaking like a leaf. "We are wasting time while you stand there. Where is she?"

His eyes went to her neck muscles as she swallowed, reminding him that it had been a while since had last eaten. He only found a few rats the night before. Disgusting, but it was the easiest prey he could get. He had wanted to get back to Alan'na as quickly as possible. Now something was wrong and he dreaded what that meant.

"Please understand, this wasn't how things were meant to be. She only wanted to scope the place out, brainstorm ways of breaking in before she got you. Nothing worked the way we thought it would."

Astarion rolled his eyes. "I don't care why you did anything, the only thing I want to know is where in the blasted hells is she?"

Varra said only one word, but it was enough to set his cold dead body aflame. "Romulus."