1.3 Arrival (Patreon)

1.3- Arrival

Taylor

We woke up the next morning just like Durge said, literally at the crack of dawn, the morning light just barely peeking past the distant mountains and turning the sky a light grey.

Sophia was the last to wake up, or more specifically, the last one to be woken up. Durge wanted everyone conscious and alert before he did, probably to prevent her from making a scene. 

She almost had anyway, glaring at me with an intense hatred, remembering the seconds before she was put to sleep; Before Durge reminded everyone -”Come. If we don’t find a healer soon we’re all dead.”

I saw her visibly swallow down whatever she wanted to say, the eight of us moving in the exact same formation we’d started with, Durge, followed by astarion, followed by Sophia and Emma, Shadowheart and then me and Madison. Only difference was that this time, Gale joined us at the rear.

And it wasn’t long before he began… chatting.

“So if I understand it correctly, at least from the brief glimpse our uninvited sub-ocular guest granted into your memories. You all come from a world where Magic isn’t known?”

Luckily Madison seemed more than happy to engage, probably for the distraction it offered. “Yeah.”

“I’m trying to imagine it and I just can’t.” The man said, a tongue of flame dancing between his fingers like a coin being rolled between the digits. “Magic is… everywhere in this world, the Weave is interconnected in all things. To be deprived of it…” He seemed to catch himself midway. “Well, I’m sure your world does have its charms.”

“Umm… I think our technology is much more advanced.” Madison said haltingly. 

“I wouldn’t be so sure, you haven’t seen our grandest cities.”

“Don’t need to.” I couldn’t help it, the words slipped out of me before I could stop myself.

Gale smiled, as though he were indulging a- well, child. “How so?”

“I didn’t quite glare at the man. But the look probably wasn’t the friendliest either.

“Look at our shoes.”

He blinked, and looked down. 

His shoes, just like everything I’d seen people dressing with in this world, wouldn’t be out of place at a Renaissance faire, or a larping convention. Dried tough leather tied together with literal shoe strings, as in, ropes and twine, looking for all the world like they were ready to fall apart at the next step with how rough and beaten to hell they were.

I had sneakers on, dirty and covered in juices from the pod, but still, sneakers. Madison had something small and black, not quite heals, no doubt much to her relief given the rough terrain, Sophia had steel toed boots on, I knew because I had a small spider hiding between her socks and the steel. I’d slipped it in while she slept last night. 

Gale did raise an eyebrow, rubbing at his bear. “Hmmm. The textiles do seem quite advanced. Stitching is impeccable, no human hand could have done so, at least not without charging ludicrously high for the craftsmanship. Hmm.”

“We have machines.” Madison elaborated, Gale looked at her with open curiosity now. “Like, automated factories that can make things like this in bulk.”

“Fascinating.” The man nodded. “I suppose without the wonders of magic it’s only natural human ingenuity had us evolve and develop in other ways. 

“Honestly that’s not the half of it-” Madison’s smile was brittle but it was there. “I’d kill for a phone or internet connection right now.”

As Madison roughly explained the concept of phones, and the internet and Gale tried to equate the explanations to some spells or other I let myself feel the world around us with the insects at my disposal. 

The cliffs and crags that cordoned off the beach weren’t steep but the climb was still rough, thickets, brambles, steep inclines we had to negotiate around, I mapped them all out ready to see if I could find a better, easier path but Durge did, more often than not find decently passable terrain.

And as we drew further and further away from the beach, the forest thickened, and I could feel a plethora of bugs falling into my range. 

Flies, spiders, scorpions, earthworms; the earth worms in particular I could almost feel their heightened sense of touch like it was mine.

And they alerted me to something.

“Hey.” I called, and seven pairs of eyes rounded over to look my way.

I pointed eastward. “I think I hear people.”

A brief moment of silence, of the seven others listening-

“I hear nothing.” Shadowheart said

“You wouldn’t hear it from this far.” I said. “Maybe two, two hundred fifty feet.”

The woman raised an eyebrow clearly disbelieving.  “And you can hear that far… how? Your insects?”

I frowned, irritated at the reminder that they knew I was a cape, even if it didn’t have the same connotations here. 

“C-can you hear through them?” 

I tossed Madison a nasty look at the question and it brought me more satisfaction than what was probably healthy at the sight of her flinching at it.

“Lead the way.”

 Now, everyone turned to look at Durge, the pale Dragonborn passed his eyes over each of them before offering a shrug. “If she’s right, they could lead us to the nearest village or town, If not, a mere two hundred feet is no great detour.” 

“Fascinating.” Gale’s fingers striked at his chin through his beard, smiling with brows furrowed in thought. “So you do have some form of magic in your world then, just by a different name.”

“No-” I sighed, negotiating my way through the line of people to join Durge at the front. “Capes and Magic aren’t the same.” Hell, I wasn’t even convinced it really was Magic- not yet. For all I knew it could be some esoteric cape powers. Maybe a bunch of trumps. Maybe the Mindflayers were actually kidnapping capes. It would explain how so many of us wound up on one ship.

It only took a few steps, maybe twenty or so feet-

“Another-” I realized.

Durge looked at me. “Pardon.”

“Another worm.” I said, “Tadpole, whatever. Someone else that was on the ship.”

“You can sense them even from so far away?” Astarion asked, “Well, aren’t you full of surprises. 

With bugs to map out the easiest path through the crags we made comparatively quick time, closing the distance swiftly and it wasn’t long before my physical ears could hear the voices that had been making the subtle vibrations the earth worms were picking up. 

The voices sounded… not angry. Agitated maybe? It was too hard to make out just yet.

But as we drew closer I could make out one male, one female, the words coming clearly. 

“Zorru was right; yellow as a toad and as hideous as a lemure”

“The thing’s dangerous. We should kill it and be done.”

My brow furrowed. The Tadpole host I could sense hadn’t said a word, not as far as I could tell, infact they were… in the air? I thought they’d been maybe standing high on a cliff or rock or something but no, they’re actually… in a cage?

“Sounds like trouble.” Shadowheart frowned. “What shall we do?”

Durge didn’t even seem to hear her. “Yellow as a toad… dangerous… with a tadpole.”

The Dragonborn let slip what I’d call a sardonic smirk, the tilt of his lips revealing just the barest hint the rows upon rows of teeth in his maw. “I can make a guess who this is about.”

Whoever he was talking about, something seemed to click with Shadowheart to stared, startled and then visibly grimaced. “Shit.”

But Durge seemed unconcerned with her concern, marching up the last bit of rocky hill, hands raised.

The bugs I had on the two that had been talking let me know they’d reached for their own weapons, even as Durge cleared his throat. “Well well, what’s happening here?”

Just as I was about to crest the hill, I felt a pulse in my mind, the tadpole clenching, hell, I think everyone’s Tadpole did.

“Get rid of them.” The words were practically snarled out, heat and aggression in every unspoken syllable. The woman, at least, I’m pretty sure it was a woman- hadn’t said a word, instead she broadcasted her thoughts like she was screaming through a megaphone.

I flinched and the unexpected noise, Durge didn’t. Instead the Dragonborn feigned surprise. “Oh- A Githyanki. Those raiders are quite deadly.”

“We know. Zorru says they’ve already killed one of our own. He was lucky to escape.” The, other guy that had captured this ‘Githyanki’ answered.

I finally pushed the headache away, the woman’s psychic presence leaving everyone as she watched from above.

And finally, I could see-

…

What in the blue fuck?

I was staring, I know I was staring, even more than when I’d seen Durge, or the first time, my head clouded with pain and too much of everything just yesterday to fully grasp the absurdity of it all quite in the moment.

Right now it felt similar.

The two with their feet on the ground looked like… well… Demons. Red skin, horns, blazing eyes with black sclera.

And the woman in the cage… I’m not one to judge others based on looks but she was ugly. Yellow-green in color, spots that looked like age or liver spots on her visible skin including her face, and no nose.

The others reached the crest of the hillside, and I heard Sophia of all people whisper something under her breath that might have been my own thoughts right now.

“What kinda fucking carnival freak show are we in right now?”

If Durge heard her he gave no indication, “If you don’t mind my saying; this is an odd place to find Tieflings.”

“We’re refugees from Elturel.” The woman… tiefling answered, the name being spoken as if it should hold some significance that was completely lost on me. “On our way to Baldur’s Gate now.” 

The word refugee, along with her expression however, were enough for me to deduce that ‘Elturel’ had been something bad, and fairly recent. 

“Refugees that escaped Elturel.” Durge repeated. “Might it be too much to hope that there is a skilled healer among you?”

The two Tieflings seemed to share a look, a whole quiet conversation passing between them. 

At the same time I could feel the… Gith’s mounting anger, her tadpole practically broadcasting it straight into our thoughts as she ground her teeth.

“There’s Nettie.” The man finally said. “She’s a druid, lives in the place where we’re taking refuge.”

“And where might that be?” Astarion demanded. 

“Not far.” The woman said, “About three, maybe two hours on good time northward. It’s somewhat hidden though. Druids like their privacy.”

“Two or three hours, it isn’t far, but what brought all the way out this way?” Durge asked. 

“Big Blast, about a day or so ago, shook our whole camp. Zevlor wanted to know what it was so we’re here scouting.”

Blast… did she mean the big ship crashing? It was the only thing that fit as far as I could tell.

The male Tiefling cut in  “If you head to the Druid’s grove there’s a gate, partially concealed by vines and moss, But with a sharp eye you should be able to spot it knowing there’s something to look out for.”

“You have our most sincere thanks.” Gale said with something that might have been a half bow of some kind.

“As part of those thanks-” Durge cut in again; “let us deal with this… Gith for you”

The two Tieflings gave the Dragonborn an odd look. 

“They’re dangerous-” Durge elaborated. “You two have swords between you, but frankly, I’ve seen a determined Gith carve her way through a half dozen cambions. She might kill you-”

I could feel a thread of amusement pulsing from his mind, and an image came, a memory.

The Gith he’d seen carve her way through ‘A half dozen Cambions’ had been her; back on the ship. They’d escaped together. 

“We have two mages, a cleric and a…” He paused at Astarion. “Whatever this one is. We’ll be done quick.”

“You also have four human children with you.” The Female Tiefling noted. “Frankly, you lot look more like refugees than we do.”

“Hah” The Dragonborn barked, snickering in amusement. “You’re not incorrect there. Regardless the offer stands should you wish.”

“We’re wasting time here anyway.” The male  shrugged, looking to his companion. “They’re heading towards the grove, if we do it we’ll be covered in blood for Gods only know how long and if we’re injured we’ll need to double back towards the grove for healing. Waste of time. So I say, let em have at it. “

The woman still looked a little unsure but sighed. “Fine, be careful though.” She urged and the two began heading south, down towards the beach.

Durge made a show of ordering the others to spread out, to ‘Surround the Gith and ready bows’

We stayed by that roadside for a few seconds, and finally Durge turned to look at me.

It took me a second to realize he was asking if the coast was clear.

I could still feel the tiefling’s sounds, and the bugs I’d used to mark them, they were still in my range but-

“They’re gone.” I said. 

With that, Durge summoned a tongue of flame onto his fingers, and tossed it onto the cage, the rope binding along the underside of the hanging contraption lit up like tallow.

The Gith stepped back, sneering at the fire, grabbing onto the bars, holding herself ‘in place’ before she delivered one, two, three solid stomps onto the weakening floor of her cage.

It came apart with a crash and crack of shattering wood, the woman dangling there for a second before she let herself drop the fifteen or so feet, hitting the ground with a roll.

“The Tadpole hasn’t yet scrambled all your senses.” She sneered as she got to her feet. “Auspicious.”

Durge stared her down. “And good morning to you as well.” He answered drily crossing his arms.

That sneer became a growl, the scar across her lip making her look horribly disfigured, even more so than the lack of nose. 

“The longer we wait the more it consumes.” She spat. “My people have a cure for this affliction. The Zai’thisk. It is imperative that we locate a creche and rid ourselves of these Ghaik infections as soon as possible.”

“Githyanki Creche’s are not something one finds commonly.” Durge answered. “Our more expedient solution is a skilled healer, luckily, the Tiefling’s have one available and just a few hours away.”

“Chk.” She made an odd sound that was… dismissive? I wasn’t sure. “My people will fight the Ghaik wherever they are found. The Nautiloid’s crash will inevitably draw their gaze here to wipe out any survivors-”

I wonder if she recognized that we counted as ‘Survivors’

“Then if we find them we will politely ask them to show us the way to the nearest creche.” His arms uncrossed, marching forward and past her. “Until then, you’re welcome to join us as we make our way towards this druid healer.

“Careful.” Shadowheart warned Durge, glaring at the Gith with a hostility I hadn’t seen from her yet. “You’re far more trusting than you should be showing your back to a Githyanki.”

“I am Lae’zel from Creche Killir elf-” The Gith, or well, -Lae’zel-  spat out the word like a slur. “I have no need to attack you in the back to kill you.”

“Half-elf” Shadowheart corrected with a disdainful sort of amusement. “Though I suppose such nuances are lost on your kind.”

I had a brief moment… sort of an out of body experience if I wondered, somewhat hysterically perhaps, if this is what dealing with me and Sophia was like. 

“It is so wonderful that we’re all getting along.” Durge called from his place up in front of us, his pace never slowing. “Come, the sooner we’re rid of these tadpoles the sooner we might be rid of each other's wonderful company.”

And like that we were moving again.

—

Madison

The ‘travel line’ as Madison had quietly taken to calling it had changed with the addition of Lae’zel. 

For one, she stood right infront with Durge. Madison  got the impression that it was because she fashioned herself as ‘in charge’ of pretty much everyone else. 

Not that Durge himself technically was in charge, but that’s the impression she gave off. 

Shadowheart watched her like a hawk. And while Madison wasn’t the most observant of people she did notice that the woman hadn’t stopped fingering her mace on its belt hook since the Gith dropped from her elevated cage.

Astarion walked beside the ‘Half elf’ without a care in the world, seemingly at least’ Emma and Sophia walked just ahead of Taylor, and Gale was once more peppering Madison with questions about home.

It was actually good… talking. If nothing else it let her distract herself from the absurdity of the whole… everything. . 

They discussed everything from the internet to cars, to Gale’s Goddess of Magic Mystra, to how magic functioned, its different branches and practitioners, from wizards like Gale to druids to natural magical creatures, The subject drifted in and out to capes.

“I see I see-” Gale nodded. “So these capes are gifted One highly specialized and specific form of ability?”

“Yes.”

“It seems awfully limited by comparison. But still how do they acquire these powers? Is it through a patron? Natural gifts like sorcerers? An oath or faith?”

Madison thought about it. “Oh, well, forums say that its when someone has a truly horrific-” 

She stopped, trailing off. The realization was a cold hard slap to the face and Madison stared, wide eyed at the back of Taylor’s head.

The Girl must have felt her eyes on her, or heard them talking, because she turned her head, looking at Madison over her shoulder.

The look in that one eye Madison caught sight of…

She shuddered, all but recoiling.

“Madison?”

Gale’s question wrenched her back and she looked down to the floor, avoiding Taylor’s gaze as she fisted the hem of her filthy clothes, balling them in her hands. “M-maybe we should change the subject.”

Gale looked curious, but looked between her and Taylor’s back “Ahh, not wanting to reveal the source I see.” 

‘No. No you don’t’

Madison chewed on her lip, a very real discomfort now gnawing at her insides.

Guilt. 

She… It was never supposed to get as bad as it had.

Spitballs, name calling. That was… that was fine… harmless. 

Over the years it had just… just kept escalating. Getting worse and worse until she was just… Until it all felt… normal. Part of the routine. Call her cheap, get a laugh out of Julia, call her ugly get a smirk from Emma and Sophia.

It was like… brushing your teeth in the morning. You didn’t think about it, you just did it.

“Umm… Excuse me.” She said to Gale, hurrying her steps, moving to catch up with Taylor.

When she got there, she hesitated. “Uhh. Umm… T-taylo-”

“Sophia!”

The bark of Sophia’s name made the black girl pause, glaring at Taylor as she turned around. “The fuck you wan-”

Madison felt the pulse, Taylor’s tadpole clenching, and her own doing the same in sympathy. Sophia staggered back like she’d been punched in the face. “What the f-”

Another pulse, and Madison got the impression suddenly, that Taylor was talking, speaking directly into Sophia’s head, sort of how Lae’Zel had been broadcasting straight into their thoughts back at the cage.

Sophia’s glare was more befuddled than angry now, more uncertain that hateful.

“You serious?” She said, then flinched in obvious discomfort as another wallop of psychic whatever smacked directly into her frontal lobe.

“What’s going on? Shadowheart called, doubling back at all the commotion. 

“Private conversation.” Taylor answered

“I think you’re misunderstanding the meaning of the word private.” Astarion snarked. “You’re practically putting on a show.”

Sophia’s grimace receded, and she stared at Taylor with a look of quiet contemplation for a long second. 

“Fine.” She spat.

And like that, Taylor’s tadpole relaxed the, almost miasmic cloud of its interference receding from everyone’s minds. 

—

Durge watched the interaction from his place at the head of their little march. He could feel Lae’zel’s displeasure beside him, both at the unexplained delay and the distaste of utilizing ‘Ghaik’ powers. 

He wasn’t sure what was said of course, but if he had to guess perhaps something about ‘burrying the hatchet’ as he’d asked, or at least he hoped that’s what had been discussed. 

“Taylor” he called. He gestured for her to come closer, and with a frown, as though expecting a reprimand, she did. 

But he didn’t have a reprimand, even if he did he was hardly her father. “Your insect sense. Can you detect the grove?”

“If we get closer.” She answered. “Cant see through bugs, I can detect sound but it’s hardly perfect. Could be I’m listening to people, could be some animals killing eachother. It’s gibberish unless things get really obvious like a lot of people, fires, fleas on dogs and other animals and so on.”

He nodded. “Still, I don't want that half hidden door to slip us by, keep a look-” Suddenly she straightened head turning to the left. “What?”

“People.” She said, her features scrunching up. “A lot of people? Or… maybe children?”

“Children?”

She hesitated, but in the end, shook her head. “No.” She answered slowly, as if measuring the word’s validity. “They’re armed… but they’re all short… I think they’re chasing someone.”

Durge nodded. It was as good a heading as any. 

“Let's move.”(X)(X)(X)And so here we go :DThis is the next big project.These first four chapters are, of course early access, when the fic is released to the public you'll all get three more to go with the public release. I would like to thank my Beta reader for this project VigoGrimborne over on SB for all the work, he's been a big help.