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Slave to the Light Pt1

A Baldur's Gate Fanfiction

Keep moving forward, just keep moving forward. Over and over, she repeated that same phrase over and over in her head. She couldn't stop, she wouldn't stop. No, she didn't want to think what would happen if she stopped now, or worse, if she turned back. So, Lorelai kept moving forward, tripping over roots, kicking up pebbles, and weaving through the long shoots of grass.

Her throat felt like it was coated with sand, every breath was beginning to hurt. She could feel her feet aching, having become numb to the cold and the constant abuse they were being put through as she made her way bare foot through the forest.

Just... just keep moving she pleaded to her body.

Just a little further... just

She sucked in a great breath of air, cool and crisp. It felt so good, so good to breath fresh air. So much of her wanted to stop, to breath it again and again, to enjoy the feeling.

No, just keep going she berated herself.

Don't stop... don't... don't....

She stopped. Not because her body wanted her to, she had already won that argument several times. No, she all but froze when up ahead she spotted light. Her fingers twitched anxiously as she slowly moved a few inches closer. With the little faith that she had, she pleaded with the gods that it wasn't what she thought it was, that it wasn't-

"Hey! give that back asshole!" bellowed a voice.

Lorelai jumped, clamping a hand over her mouth. Her feet began to inch away as the voice continued to argue loudly.

"And why should I?"

Damnit! damn it all! why, of all things why did she have to stumble across a big folk camp. She let a small whimper of frustration, running her hands through her tangled raven hair.

What was she supposed to do now? both options laid in front of her filled her with dread.

"You don't even need it!"

Lorelai groaned, staying put wasn't an option either. Sooner or later, an animal would come across her bloodied scent, and she shivered at the thought of what would happen then.

Begrudgingly, she could only think of one way forward: to go around the camp and get some distance between her and it quickly. Though she wasn't sure she would be able to do anything fast in her current state.

She inched forward, peering around the towering trees, trying to gauge where to go. This would have been so much easier if she could just make herself invisible, then her only worry would be to stay silent. As she slowly got closer, the arguing voices got louder.

"What? so I can't simply indulge myself?"

"But that's the last one! and I'm starving!"

Maybe this was a blessing. the two seemed very preoccupied so maybe this was a sign that this was her opening to sneak past. She began to quicken her pace, keeping her path heading northwest. Through the tree line, she caught glimpses of the big folk's camp. It was a rather large one, she could make out the outline of several tents and a large campfire. She shook her head. Stop, who cared what it looked like? what mattered was leaving it behind.

"Just hand it over Astarion. We all know you only want it because she wants it".

Great, another voice, and this one was trying to deescalate the argument that had been acting as a distraction. She began to move a bit faster, still taking great lengths to be as silent as possible.

There was a loud scoff, "Fine, now why don't you all leave me alone while I go look for a proper meal."

Lorelai slowed as the camp went silent. She ever so meticulous maneuvered her way over and around roots and twigs when something happened that nearly made her heart stop.

The ground beneath her feet quivered and she could hear a great deal of rustling. She began to back away. The quaking continued, only getting more violent and louder by the second. Someone was coming. One of the big folks was making its way closer to her.

Panic now seeping back into her, she whipped her head around feverishly, every second the footsteps getting closer and louder. She let out a low whimper as she desperately looked for somewhere, anywhere that would conceal her.

Just when the being could only be a few feet away, Lorelai's eyes fell upon the roots of the nearest tree. They were decorated with webs and decaying moss, but she didn't care. She sprinted towards them, moving quickly to bury herself deeply within them. The approaching footsteps caused little bits of dirt to fall from above her and pepper her hair and face. Then, they stopped.

She dared to poke her head out from behind a root, the sight of two huge dark leather boots making her instantly duck back into hiding.

Please, oh please, please go away she pleaded.

Whoever stood mere feet away from her began to sniff the air, like some sort of animal.

Lorelai clasped a hand over her mouth as she heard a satisfied exhale. Her heart began to pound loudly in her ears, her body trembled with anticipation.

go away, just go away!

There was a thud that made Lorelai pounce where she sat. She wanted to let out a yelp, but she knew that would instantly reveal her.

For what felt like an eternity, there was an unnerving silence. She couldn't even hear any breathing other than her own.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw it.

Long, pale fingers, maybe even paler than her own, began to snake their way closer. She sucked in a breath and pressed herself against the dirt and root wall, pleading that she would sink right into it and away from the approaching hand.

When one touched her ankle, she couldn't help but scream as the rest quickly ensnared around her legs and began dragging her out into the open.

She kicked and clawed at both the fingers and the ground, trying to get away, but to no avail.

"I knew I smelled something peculiar".

Lorelai froze at the ice laced voice. Before she could stop herself, she turned her head upwards.

She felt a scream lodge itself in her throat as her eyes met two huge red ones. She had only heard tales and stories about humanoids who had red eyes, scary stories meant to keep children well behaved, but she never thought that such a creature was real. She believed vampires to be nothing more than a scary story.

It seemed she was wrong.

The creature that used to haunt her nightmares as a child now had her pinned against the ground and was staring at her with a hungry glint in its eyes.

She watched as its lips parted to reveal two fangs and it began to speak once again.

"Although, you look a bit odd for a pixie. if that is what you are".

Lorelai began to struggle beneath the pressure of the fingers holding her down, releasing desperate whimpers.

"Suppose it doesn't matter, I'm sure you'll taste just as such".

Her eyes became so wide she feared they would tumble out of her skull. Her heart threatened to burst right out of her rest as the fingers grasped around her legs once again and began to lift her off the ground at an almost purposeful slowness.

No, no,no,no,no.no No! As she dangled upside down, she felt all hope leaving her. She watched as the ground began to shrink away and began begging for it all to hurry up and be over.

She felt something slide within her pocket and something reignited itself within her. She wasn't going to die, not today, not if she could help it.

Lorelai plunged her hand into her pocket and withdrew a small but sharp shard of glass. Without a second thought, she heaved herself upwards, towards the log-like fingers, and plunged the point as deep into the vampire's icy flesh as she could.

Slave to the Light Pt2

A Baldur's Gate Fanfiction

Everything seemed to happen in less than a second. The glass shard broke skin and from above there was a thunderous yell. The pressure around her legs went away as the fingers retreated and she only had a fleeting moment to wrench the glass shard out before she began to plummet towards the forest floor.

Before she could even register her falling, she felt the blunt force of her body colliding with the ground. There was a crack, and a burning hot pain blossomed in her right shoulder. She held back a scream, gritting and breathing through her teeth as it only got worse. All she wanted to do in that moment was curl in on herself, a moment to breath, but she couldn't. If she stayed put, she would most surely perish.

Much to the displeasure of her shoulder, she found her makeshift dagger of glass and clutched it tightly as she stumbled to her feet with a cry of agony. Her shoulder fell on its own accord causing only more pain. She winced and shot out her arm to push it back into place and hold it there.

She stumbled back a few paces, tightening her grip around the glass shard as she looked back up at her attacker. In the darkness, she saw those cold red eyes dart from the bleeding finger it held up, to her down on the ground.

"Why you little-"

But Lorelai had had enough. She had had enough of running, had enough of hiding, had enough of being in constant pain, she had had enough of this plane!

"Try anything like that!" she heaved, "Try anything like that again, and I promise you I will make it the most painful and maybe even last meal you ever had!"

She held the shard up, backing away as she did, seething and trembling. The eyes of the shadowed figure far above her narrowed, a glare forming. It let out a low annoyed growl before to her horror, she saw those long, pale fingers begin to lower back towards her.

"What's going on over 'ere?" She froze, and to her surprise, the fingers descending upon her did as well. The ground once again began to rhythmically tremble. Not far, rustling could be heard of no doubt another large creature moving through the foliage.

No, no, no! not another one. As if one wasn't enough.

"The hells are you talking to?" the figure before her shifted before shooting up to its towering full height. Lorelai, in her hurry to get away, tripped over her own feet and fell onto her back.

"No one" the vampire growled in that ice laced voice.

"Come off it, I heard you" Lorelai winced, this new arrival had a loud and blunt voice and made her have to suppress the urge to over her ears, "Whose there?"

"Like I said, nobody."

Lorelai stiffened as the looming shadow that was the vampire was shoved aside to make way for an even larger figure. She could make out this one much better and what she saw only made her feel worse. It was a large, bulking Tiefling, and a woman by the looks of it. Red skin with what looked like scorch marks was illuminated by a dim and yellow light that was seemingly and impossibly coming from the woman herself, resembling a furnace with the fire within causing the whole thing to glow.

From far above, eyes the same hue of fire darted around. Don't look down, don't look-

The Tieflings eyes darted downwards for a fleeting second, looked back up, and then shot back down to focus on her form.

"Oh my gods! what is that!?" the woman exclaimed loudly. Lorelai yelped as the monstrous woman descended upon her on hands and knees, making the ground tremble and bouncing Lorelai off of it for a fleeting second.

She began to backpedal away until she made the mistake of looking up, the sight making her freeze. The Tiefling's huge grinning face filled her entire vision.

"Hi there! what are you?" Lorelai flinched as the loud voice thundered around her, only made worse by the close proximity.

"It was supposed to be my next meal" grumbled the vampire, "So if you would kindly step aside-"

"What!" Lorelai's hands flew up to her ears, sending another wave of pain through her shoulder. The Tiefling's overpowering gaze had turned to look over at the vampire, her mouth agape.

"What do you mean what? It already looks like it's at death's doorstep so what's the harm in speeding up the process?"

At his words, the Tiefling turned back to gaze down at Lorelai, "You're right, it does look like it's in rough shape." There was a look on her face, something maybe a long time ago she might have mistaken for pity, even worry, but she knew better, "Shadowheart!"

"What is it?" another loud feminine voice responded.

"Get over here!" the Tiefling shouted back, "I found... I found something! you know what, get Gale over here too!"

To her horror, Lorelai felt the vibrations of not just one pair of feet. There was a large amount of rustling before she heard a different voice, this one male, speak "Karlach, if this is another interesting looking bug that you want me to identify I really don't-"

The ground stopped trembling and above, two new towering figures appeared. One was clearly female, and by the looks of it had some elf in her blood, the other seemed to be human and male.

Lorelai shrunk back, wishing more than ever that she could just sink into the ground and disappear.

"Wha-What is that?" said the female figure who the Tiefling had seemingly called Shadowheart.

"I don't know" said the Tiefling, "I was hoping you or Gale might know. Looks like a tiny person."

"Yes, I can see that, but what is it?"

"Let me take a look" Suddenly, the human figure came closer, lowering himself down towards her. Now closer, she could say for sure it was a human, one with long brown hair and the beginnings of a beard to match.

The human stared down at her, looking her form up and down and narrowing his eyes in confusion.

"Well? any idea what it is?" said the Tiefling.

The human backed away, still staring at her, "I'm...I'm not sure. Well, it- I mean she, I think it's a she" he paused to look her up and down again, "Going off her stature and features, she looks most reminiscent of a pixie."

"A pixie?"

"Well, I'm not entirely sure" the Tiefling looked at the human in slight shock, as if this statement was a surprise to her.

"Aren't pixies supposed to have wings?" Asked the Tiefling. Lorelai couldn't help but fix her eyes into a glare at the Tiefling's words, though whatever anger she was feeling was completely dashed when the one they called Shadowheart started getting closer.

"Poor thing looks hurt."

To her horror, she saw a hand descending towards her. Her heart pounded in her ears begging her to do something. Patting around on the ground, her hands closed around her glass shard. Her legs trembled as she sprang to her feet. The shard trembled in her hands as she pointed upwards, waving around to point it directly at each of them.

"Stay back!" she screamed. The hand retreated and all three pairs of eyes widened. "Get away!"

Still pointing her makeshift dagger, she began to back away, trying to keep all three of them in her sights. The ground shifted as the human man to Lorelai's surprise backed off, holding up his hands.

"Easy now" he looked to the others who still seemed shocked about her ability to talk, "We mean you no harm."

"Bullshit" she spat through gritted teeth. The longer she was holding her arms up, the more her shoulder burned, and it was getting to the point that she could no longer hide it.

"You don't look so good" the man gestured to the others, "Shadowheart here, she can help, you're in clear need of it."

Lorelai narrowed her eyes up at all of them, watching and waiting for them to make their next move.

"That's right" said Shadowheart, Lorelai's eyes widened as her hand started to move back towards her "If you would just let-"

"Get away!" she raised the glass shard higher. If these big folk thought she was stupid enough to believe them, they had another thing coming.

Her eyes were watering with the pain she was causing her shoulder, but that didn't matter, if she wanted to live it would have to not matter.

"Oh for the love of- she clearly doesn't want your help so why don't all of you stop trying" She stiffened, having almost forgotten that her attacker, the vampire was still present.

"But she clearly fucking needs it!" cried the Tiefling, looking pleadingly towards the human man who glanced at her and then back at Lorelai.

Suddenly, the ground began to tremble as the man began to come closer. Lorelai began to panic more and more the closer he got until he was kneeling practically right on top of her. She strained her neck to look up into his face only to be met with the horrifying sight of his incoming hand.

"Sorry about this"

Before she could make a move to get away, two of his massive fingers came down and pinched the glass shard in her hands and began to pull. She gasped as her feet left the ground and had no choice but to let go. Landing on her feet, she instantly began to try and run in the opposite direction. She had barely made it far when she felt warm pressure around her middle and was yanked back.

Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest as she watched the ground grow further and further away and fingers as big as her own self begin to close in around her.

No! No! No! No! NO!

The world around her disappeared and was replaced with fleshy walls as the human man's hands surrounded and encased her.

Would anyone be interested in a post detailing more about my character Lorelai? Mainly physical appearance and such. Also part 3 is in the works and is coming soon. Thank you guys for the support

Slave to the Light Pt 3

A Baldur's Gate fanfiction

Now more than ever she had to get out of here, if she wanted to live. She hyperventilated as the warm air within her fleshy prison filled her lungs and disoriented her. The hands around her seemed to close around her more and more, until she could see nothing of the outside world, just long tan pillar like fingers.

She scrambled to get her bearings. Her feet and hands sunk into the warm ground beneath her making it all the harder to steady herself. Just as she had managed to barely stand, she yelped as she was thrown onto her back by a sudden, stomach-churning movement upwards.

Lorelai thought she might be sick, her stomach felt like it was floating its way up her throat as the being that imprisoned her stood with a soft grunt. As soon as it had come, the movement had stopped. Lorelai clutched at her chest, still trembling.

She had to get away, she just had to-

Her thoughts were interrupted when the flesh beneath her threw her forward as her captor began to move once again. Lorelai clawed at the skin around her, trying to get a decent amount of it to hold on to.

She whimpered as she could not only hear but feel the swaying and vibrations of the human's footsteps. Other pairs joined his as they continued to move.

Where were they taking her? what did they want with her? there had to be a reason they wanted her alive, but the only reason she could think of was-

Her heart nearly stopped. oh gods, he had sent them.

No, no,no,no,no,no,no,no, no, no! I'm not going back! they can't make me!

Lorelai frantically crawled over to the nearest fleshy wall and began to punch, claw and kick at it, trying to either push the fingers open or draw blood. She screamed as she did so, maybe out of fear, perhaps even anger, she didn't know. All she knew that she would rather die than go back.

"Wha-aaah" she tensed only for a moment at the human's voice, "Okay! okay! calm down now, there's no need for that."

Yes there most fucking is!

His comment only made her try to dig her nails deeper into his skin, "Let me go!" she screamed, "Let me go you bastard!"

The swaying and footfalls quickened and the hands around her tightened, "Would you please stop that, it tickles, and I don't want to drop you."

Tickles? Lorelai thought angrily, tickles?!

She threw herself at the fleshy wall, beating at it mercilessly, "Let me go!"

"Okay, can someone please clear a space for me to put her down, and quickly."

Outside, she could hear the many hasty footsteps of the others.

"Will this do?" shouted Shadowheart.

"Yes, bring it over so-"

"Hey put that down!" Lorelai stiffened as the icy voice of the vampire shouted in anger, "That is mine and I forbid you from letting that creature bleed all-"

"Oh, shut up!" she tensed, her hands flying up to her ears as the human that held her yelled back, "Shadowheart, bring that over here".

With little more than a few thuds and the sound of something being plopped on the ground as warning, the hands around her began to descend. Lorelai shuddered as her back fell onto a plush surface and the large hands that had previously obscured her view retreated.

She whipped her head around wildly, only to shrink back at the sight of the human man's face way to close for her liking. It unnerved her to no end how she could almost count each hair of his stubble, how she could feel his shallow breath rustle her hair, how she could see her own pale face in his eyes staring back at her. He gave her a puzzled look as she scrambled back, before to her relief rising away from her.

Run. Run now!

Lorelai, unable to stand, turned and began to hurriedly crawl away. The surface beneath her seemed to be doing everything in its power to slow her down, but she just kept clawing back at it to spur her forward.

Before she could get very far though, she heard a loud rustle from behind her and a shadow began to descend upon her. She halted to a stop just as the man's large hand slammed down in front of her.

No! No! keep going!

She spun around to go the other way only to be met with the man's other hand blocking the way.

"Shadowheart, a little help?" Lorelai froze, oh gods. What were they going to do with her now? question her? sedate her? punish her by breaking her legs for running away? all before dragging her back to him?!

Lorelai's mind was brought back to the present when the ground beneath her quivered as Shadowheart kneeled down next to the human.

"Ok, stay still, this will only take a second."

Her eyes widened in horror as her long slender fingers began to reach down for her.

"No!" she screamed, "No! stay back!"

The hand stopped, "It's alright, I'm just trying to-"

"Get away from me!"

"Just stay still!" before Lorelai could react, another hand shot past the other and in an instant was upon her. She tried to get away, to wrestle free, only to have her limbs pinned down one by one.

All she could move now was her head, which she thrashed around desperately, "Stop it!"

"Hang on." The human man came back into vision, reaching out making Lorelai struggle all the more viciously. She tried to move but she couldn't get away from one of his fingers which reached out and touched the top of her head.

"Impero tibi"

All at once, Lorelai's eyelids felt heavy, and her brain began to fill with fog.

No, no, I can't-

The big folk surrounding her began to disappear as darkness took over her vision. She felt as if she was sinking, but it was a nice feeling, a soothing feeling. She wanted to give into it, why shouldn't she? it felt so nice.

Wait, no she couldn't.

Oh, but it would be so much easier to

Shut up!

She strained her mind, returning it to the present and out of the fog. Her vision cleared and big folk over her came back into view. The human man had a look of shock and confusion as she glared back up at him, still very awake.

"What the-"

"Oh, for the love of Shar" The fingers pinning her down were joined by two more that pinched her head, holding it still, "Te curo".

Lorelai winced as a sharp tingling sensation came over her, wave after wave; and then it was gone.

The fingers pinning her down slowly lifted up. The moment they were far enough away she sat bolt right up, ready to try and make an escape once again. Then she realized, her shoulder, she felt no pain coming from it. She moved it, nothing.

Apologies for the short chapters/parts. Hoping in the future to make them longer.

A little more about Lorelai (no spoilers)

Name: Lorelai Ferek

Age: 26

Race: Pixie

Gender: Female

Height: 3.7 inches

Build: Very thin and lanky but not by choice but as a result of malnourishment

Skin color: An extremely pale ivory, making her look very ghostly or drained of color

Eye shape: Large and round yet sunken in

Eye color: Pale periwinkle

Hair style: extremely long, reaching down to the bottom of her waist. Often tied into a long braid and is unkempt when loose.

Hair color: Jet black

Other facial features: Nose is small and slightly pointed. Lips are thin and cheeks are hollow. Ears are pointed

Distinguishing marks: two deep vertical scars parallel to each other that cover the length of her back

Family: Milori (Father), Mariam (Mother), Lucien (Older brother), Oriel (Uncle)

Families' current status (dead or alive): Milori (unknown), Mariam (dead), Lucien (unknown), Oriel (unknown)

Skills: Archery, sewing, agility, stealth, nature/ survival, pan pipes

Slave to the Light Pt 4

A Baldur's Gate fanfiction

"There, I'm sure that feels better." Lorelai's eyes were drawn away from her shoulder by the female voice. She narrowed her eyes up at Shadowheart, shocked to find an almost apologetic look on her face.

She shook her head, hardening her glare, no, it had to be some sort of trick. Yes, that was what it was. They were simply luring her in, not just this Shadowheart but all the big folk that surrounded her. They wanted something, and the fact that they wanted her intact only enforced her theory that he had sent them.

"Do you feel any better- uh small lady?" chimed in the human.

"Quit bullshitting me." she snared, yet she couldn't stop her voice from quivering.

The man paused, "Sorry, what was that?"

Lorelai stiffened, anger and fear both simultaneous coursing through her, "Drop the act!"

The man's eyebrows knitted together, "Act?"

"I know he sent you." her hands clinched into fists, "Well you can tell him, tell him I'm of no use to him now!"

"What are you on about?" Lorelai only responded with a knowing glare.

"Who's he?" asked Shadowheart.

"You know damn well who I'm talking about." Lorelai growled, her voice beginning to quiver as her resolve faded.

The two big folks shared a look of confusion with each other before turning to look back down at her, "We don't."

Lorelai studied both their faces. Either these two were very good actors or were genuinely confused.

"Look uh..." the human gestured to himself and Shadowheart, "We weren't sent by anyone. We have no idea what you're talking about, but seeing as you are better, you are free to leave and we-"

"We can't do that!" Lorelai flinched as the Tiefling, Karlach she believed they called her, came stomping over, "Fangs over here will try and eat her again."

The human's sympathetic expression dropped, turning to Karlach with a dumbstruck look on he's face, "What?"

The Tiefling pointed behind her, "That's how I found her. Astarion was yelling and I came over to see what he was shouting at, and I see her right next to him" she shot a disgusted look over her shoulder, "And then he goes and tells me that she was supposed to be his next meal!"

Lorelai let out a quiet whimper as the human man suddenly shot to his feet and was now towering over her more than ever. Luckly and to her relief, his focus wasn't on her, having his back turned and seemingly staring at the vampire who was out of her line of sight.

"Is this true?" there was a pause before the man continued, "You told us you wouldn't feed on thinking creatures and-"

"I hardly think she counts!" Lorelai flinched as the vampire yelled, "And why do you care?"

There was a moment of silence, all of the big folk had turned to look away from her and at the vampire. All eyes were off her; Lorelai saw her chance. As quietly as possible, she slowly began to crawl to the edge of the pillow, never taking her eyes off the back of their oversize heads.

"How exactly does she not count?" Lorelai paused as the human continued, before resuming her slow escape. Her bare feet touched the ground as she lowered herself down, slowly falling into a crouch.

"Oh, come on, look at her! how can you look at that little insect and say that she counts?"

Lorelai clenched her hands into fists. So, this Astarion wasn't just a vampire but a high elf, judging by his attitude. High elves alone were awful beings, especially towards anyone who they viewed as lesser than them, which happened to be anyone other than themselves.

Keep moving! she berated herself before turning on the arguing big folk and began creeping away in the opposite direction.

"I'm not getting your point, care to elaborate?" no response, and then a sigh, "You honestly think that she- where'd she go?"

Lorelai froze, only having made it a foot or so away. Her eyes darted around, looking for cover.

"There!" suddenly, the ground began to tremble so much that it felt like it was purposefully trying to knock her off her feet. She looked up to see a horrifying sight, three pairs of lumbering feet quickly making their way towards her.

She wanted to run, but she couldn't with the rumbles of the earth tossing already around just standing. There was nothing she could do, nothing except watch as their shadows darkened the world around her, as the sound of their footfalls echoed in her ears making them ring. She couldn't do anything, except fall to the ground, shield her head, close her eyes as tightly as she could, and pray to whatever god would listen that this would all just end.

Lorelai was standing in complete darkness. It was cold, freezing even. She whipped her head around, only to be met with the same inky blackness in every direction.

Then she heard it. It started faint, but slowly grew louder as if it were drawing nearer. Screams. Screams of what had to be hundreds of people, screams that teared at the throats of those of issued them, screams of terror, screams of agony.

They kept getting louder and louder. Lorelai tried to run, to get away from them, but they always followed. Every direction she took only led back to them, and they only continued to grow louder and louder. She was surrounded, surrounded by screams of torment.

Lorelai joined them, falling to the ground and crying out. She was terrified, the screams terrified her yet for some unknown reason, she dreaded the moment when they would stop.

Right on que, everything fell silent. The darkness closed in with the absence of it.

Then, she saw a light, a light illuminating something in the distance. Lorelai didn't have to move; it began moving towards her. She squinted at it, only to have her heart drop at the realization.

No, no not that.

It was a lantern, a big folk lantern.

She ran, only to feel as if her feet not going anywhere. She ran harder, still she didn't budge from where she stood. She thrusted her legs forward with so much force it felt like they would snap off and yet she still wouldn't move.

Turning, she saw the lantern approaching fast. With a click, its door flung open like a gaping mouth. It was getting so close now, it was practically on top of her. Before her eyes, the dark opening morphed, morphed into a mouth framed with fanged teeth.

It lunged towards her, before with a sickening sound between a clank and a crunch, it closed down upon her.

Lorelai awoke with a gasp, as if desperate for air and was sitting bolt upright with a cold sweat running down her face.

Slave to the Light Pt5

A Baldur's gate Fanfiction

Lorelai groaned, wiping the sweat off her face the best she could. Her head was throbbing, and her throat felt like it was coated with sand. She laid back down and covered her eyes. She was too exhausted to get up yet, her whole body felt warn out and beaten. What had she done yesterday to feel so awful-

She sat up, shaking her head. What had she been doing? it took a moment, but soon images flashed within her mind. Running, almost eaten by the vampire, captured by the big folk, their towering figures over her, then- then... she couldn't remember.

Blinking to rid her still blurry vision, the space around her slowly came into focus. She was inside, or at least undercover. In front of her was a large cushioned spaced with towering fabric walls making it resemble a circus tent. The floor around her was what looked to be a blue rug placed on top of a dirt floor, the brown hues poking out along the perimeter. Lorelai's eyes widened as she surveyed the contents of the room, there were lot of books, books several times larger than herself stacked into piles that looked more like towers. There was also a small number of pillows and a bedroll tucked into the opposite corner, a bedroll that could hold over fifty of her.

This place was made for a big folk. This place almost certainly belonged to a big folk. Somehow, she had gotten ended up in a tent belonging to a big folk. How in the nine Hells did she end up in a big folk's tent?!

Suddenly, she heard something, something outside. She went rigid, her eyes darting around the space as if expecting whatever was making that noise to jump out at any second.

The noise got closer, and Lorelai could make out what it was, footsteps. Footsteps that she began to feel beneath her. Someone was coming.

Lorelai didn't have much time to hide or even think before an opening in the tent appeared as a large red hand pushed open the flaps. In stepped an immense yet familiar face, the Tiefling.

Now in daylight, Lorelai could see how this Tiefling looked like a behemoth compared to even other big folk, her twisted horns (one being broken in half) nearly poking through the top of the tent and her muscular form blocking out any sort of view of the outside. The Tiefling surveyed the tent, searching the floor before her eyes landed on Lorelai.

A toothy grin appeared on her face, "You're up. That's a relief, didn't really want to have to wake you myself." The Tiefling chuckled before falling to a crouch, shaking Lorelai's entire body. She noticed for the first time that the Tiefling was holding something, "Thought I'd bring you some breakfast."

Lorelai tensed as the bulking woman leaned down towards her, setting down a large plate in front of her. She eyed the Tiefling suspiciously before letting her gaze fall onto the plate. Upon it was a bread roll twice her size, a whole sausage, and a pile of grapes.

She looked from the food to the Tiefling who smiled at her expectantly, "Dig in."

Lorelai didn't budge, narrowing her eyes at the food before her. What are they playing at? Do they really think I'm that stupid? It had to be laced with something, whether that be poison or something to knock her back out.

The smile fell from the Tiefling's face, "Aren't you hungry?" Lorelai glared up at her, scooting away from the plate of food. "You have to be at least a little hungry" she nudged the plate closer, " Go on, have some."

"You first" her stomach murmured back at her as if annoyed.

The Tiefling furrowed her brow, before shrugging, "Ok, sure." Lorelai watched with bated breath as she plucked a grape off the plate and tossed it into her mouth. She watched, waiting for the Tiefling to spit it out or something, but was surprised when she simply swallowed.

She waited a few more seconds, looking for any signs of the Tiefling feeling woozy or sickly, but no, she did nothing except stare back down at her expectantly.

Was she trying to lure her closer? even though she could probably grab her from here? What was her goal?

Lorelai's attention flitted to her stomach which felt like it was eating itself. She narrowed her eyes back up at the Tiefling, who didn't show any obvious signs of moving.

Never taking her eyes off the Tiefling, she slowly rose to her feet. When seeing the Tiefling had not moved, she began to inch towards the plate, preparing herself to turn around instantly if needed. One of the grapes lay right in front of her, teasing her. She grabbed it. With one last look back up at the Tiefling, who still hadn't moved, she sunk her teeth into it, the juice wetting her lips and cheeks.

She wasn't sure if it was just because she was so hungry, but it tasted like the best thing she'd ever had. Instantly, she went in for another bite, and then another, and another.

When she'd polished off the grape, she turned to the bread and ripped out a sizeable chunk. She sniffed it before tearing into that as well. It tasted just as good if not better.

"Fuck" chuckled the Tiefling, "Knew you must be hungry. Let me help you with that" Lorelai backed away, clutching her piece of bread as the Tiefling's hand approached and went to grab the sausage. The moment her fingers laid upon it, it began to sizzle. Lorelai stared with an expression somewhere between awe and horror as the sausage began to burn before her eyes.

"Shit" the Tiefling pulled her hand away. Lorelai responded by backing away, looking from the sausage to the Tiefling who was wearing an almost embarrassed expression, "Uh, sorry bout that."

What in the- Lorelai's mind was reeling, having just watched someone nearly incinerate a piece of meat just by touching it for a couple seconds. What kind of creature could do that?! A horrifying thought came to mind, what would become of her if this Tiefling or whatever she was, ever got a hold of her?

She stared up at the Tiefling who noticed the worried look on her face, "Guess I might of shock you there huh?"

"What- how did you do that?"

The Tiefling banged against her chest, sounding more like someone had banged against a metal wall, "Infernal engine."

"A what?"

"Barely understand it myself except that it makes me burn hotter than the Hells." The Tiefling's gaze faltered as she glanced down at her glowing chest with a reproachful look before snapping it back onto Lorelai. "But enough about me," the Tiefling grinned and leaned in closer, "I want to hear about you!"

Lorelai stared; eyes narrowed. She wants to know about me? why? what did she want? what would she do with the information? she focused back on the childish grin plastered across the huge face.

"Why?" she stated simply.

The Tiefling looked at her as if the answer was obvious, "Well, I've never seen anything like you before. What are you exactly?"

She bristled at the comment, her blood beginning to run hot. What exactly was she?! Was it not obvious?! Forgetting her worries about giving information, she blurted out, "I'm a damn pixie!"

The Tiefling's face brightened with childlike wonder, "Really?!" Lorelai flinched as the Tiefling got even closer, causing her to actually feel the heat emanating from her, "But I thought pixies had wings?"

Lorelai felt like her words had physically attacked her. She turned away, glaring at the ground.

The Tiefling, seeing her reaction, pulled back, "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" Lorelai glanced up at her face, her anger faltering when seeing the confused and guilt-ridden look she was given. She dropped her glare, gazing at the Tiefling curiously. Something about her face, her expressions, seemed so genuine.

"Who exactly are you?"

"The name's Karlach" Lorelai backed away as the Tiefling extended her hand, before she gave an awkward chuckle and withdrew it. Karlach, that's right, that's what she had been called last night. The Tiefling- Karlach was looking at her expectantly, "This is usually when the other person says their name."

She hesitated, "Lorelai." Karlach grinned at her response, "Now, can you tell me where I am?"

"Oh, you're in Gale's tent."

"Gale?"

"You met him last night, human, purple ropes, ringing a bell?"

It did in fact ring a bell. She remembered the human man who had captured her. This reminded her of what she really wanted to know, "What do you or this Gale want with me?"

Karlach once again looked at her as if the answer was obvious, "You were injured and looked like you were about to keel over and snuff it. And we couldn't just let you leave, not with Fangs looking like he was waiting for us to do that exact thing." Karlach gave a sheepish grin, "And I was pretty interested in what exactly you were, along with everyone else."

Lorelai crossed her arms to suppress the shiver running through her at the mention of the vampire, "Well, I'm feeling fine now and I'm assuming you killed that awful creature, so can I-"

"Karlach!" Lorelai jumped as Karlach shot to her feet, looking apprehensively at the tent opening. A few shakes of the ground later, the head of another big folk appeared. It was the human man, the one Karlach had called Gale.

His eyes looked from Karlach to Lorelai. He sighed, "I thought I told you to leave our guest alone so she could rest."

"You did, but I thought I'd bring her some breakfast."

"And you couldn't have done that without waking her?"

Karlach groaned, gesturing to Lorelai down below who was finding it a bit unnerving seeing two big folks from this angle towering over her, "She was already awake when I came in."

Gale sighed once again before turning to Lorelai, "I'm sorry about my companion" She stared back, narrowing her eyes up at the man that had tried to subdue her. He must have noticed her accusing gaze because he winced slightly and rubbed the back of his neck, "I also uh... apologize about earlier with the sleep spell and all that. I can assure you I had your best interests in mind."

Yeah right. Lorelai continued to stare him down, her hand twitching as if to grab her knife that was long gone.

"What do you want?"

Slave to the Light Pt 6

A Baldur's Gate fanfiction

Gale blinked, shook his head, and then look back down at Lorelai with a nervous laugh, "I'm not quite sure what you mean by that."

"What do you want?" Lorelai repeated slowly.

He looked to Karlach who looked down at Lorelai with a pleading look, "I already told you, all we wanted was to make sure you were okay."

Lorelai shook her head, not falling for any of this bullshit, "Well, as you can see, I'm fine. So may I go now?"

The two towering figures shared a worried look with one another, "You uh.... don't look completely fine." Gale weakly gestured to her flimsy once white dress that was now completely torn in the back as well as many of places and was stained with dirt and her own blood.

Lorelai raised a brow, not wanting to reveal that his comment had made her wonder, would she be able to survive the elements of this plane in this piece of garbage? and what if other predatory creatures could still smell the dried-up blood?

"I'd offer you some extra clothes but sometime tells me they wouldn't fit you" he gave a weak chuckle, Lorelai glared back at him with instantly shut him up.

"Well, since you're so keen on helping me, why don't you get me some fabric?" she sneered, expecting them to finally show their true colors and fess up whatever it is they wanted. Though to her surprise, Gale nodded, turned, and walked out of the tent, his footsteps sending tremors beneath her feet.

She stared for a moment, before shaking her head. Was he actually-

"You want any more to eat?" her attention focused back onto the Tiefling who was nudging the plate of food closer.

Lorelai stared for a moment, before pulling herself up onto the plate itself. She ripped off a chunk of the slightly burned sausage and began tearing into it.

"Hope that still tastes okay" Karlach gave her a sheepish smile, Lorelai responding by raising a brow.

"I could also use a needle, or at least something sharp."

Karlach beamed, "Oh I'll go find you one!" Lorelai gasped as the ground quaked with the Tiefling's hurried retreating footsteps. Throwing out her arms, she steadied herself.

It didn't make sense, but for some reason, these big folk acted as if they wanted to help her. Now she was almost sure that it was just that, an act. Though when it came to the Tiefling.... she was either an extremely good actor or she wasn't let in on whatever plan that Gale and whoever else had going on.

However, why not play into this plan of theirs? act as if she didn't know that they wanted something in return for their good deeds? See how far they'll go? She might even be able to give them whatever it is they wanted, maybe they were stupid enough to believe that lie of pixies granting wishes to those that help them?

And if you can't give them what they want? or at the very least fool them?

Well, there is always the option to run.

Lorelai felt the ground beneath her tremble erratically and a second later, the massive form of Karlach poked her horned head into the tent. "I got one!" she held up her hand, show her the needle that was beginning to glow orange in the Tiefling's burning grip.

Right, infernal engine, whatever in the Hells that is. She would have to keep that in mind, case the Tiefling ever tried to get too close.

Karlach made her way into the tent, followed by Gale who was holding an old looking nightshirt, "Karlach, why don't you um.... leave the fetching stuff to me?" he gave her an awkward smile, the sort a mother gives a child who is unsuccessfully trying to help.

"If you say so, here" Karlach haphazardly deposited the needle into Gale's hand before making her way back over to Lorelai. He let out a yelp and promptly dropped the burning metal on the floor, though Karlach didn't seem to take any notice, "So Lorelai, you from around here?"

She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, "No".

"Well, where are you from?"

Lorelai glanced up at her before looking away with a wince, "Do you mind... not standing?"

Karlach gave her a confused look before she dropped into a kneel, nearly throwing Lorelai off her feet, "So, where are you from? Why were you covered in blood when we-"

"Karlach please, let's not bombard her with questions" Gale approached, setting down a sea of black folded up fabric with a spool of thread on top.

Lorelai waited for him to back off before approaching the pile of cloth that was nearly as tall as her. She ran a hand across it, flinching when Gale once again approached. He kneeled down and held out the needle to her.

"Will this do?" he vaguely gestured to the given supplies. She said nothing, quickly snatching away the spear-sized needle and backing away.

He promptly left afterwards, attempting to take Karlach with him but she simply wouldn't budge. Lorelai kept an eye on her looming form as she began to rip off bits of fabric, using the needle to split them into more precise pieces.

The thread was hard to work with. Though considerably easier to pull it through the needle eye, actually using it was quite difficult on her arms. She felt annoyed that she had an audience to her struggle but was grateful that she had so far stayed silent.

She had begun to sew together the front and back of the shirt she had cut out when Karlach decided now was a good time to start asking questions again.

"You've sewn before?"

"Yes."

"Figures. Never learned myself, found it boring."

Lorelai simply nodded, only sparing the Tiefling a glance.

"You ever been to Baldur's gate?"

She paused, glaring down at the fabric before shaking her head, "Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Oh well that's where I grew up, though I've never seen any of your kind there. What were you doing there?"

Lorelai rounded on the Tiefling, her fists clenched around the needle like it really was a spear, "that is none of your business."

Karlach held up her hands, "Okay" her mouth then quirked into a smile as she looked down at her.

"What?"

"Just a bit funny seeing you all fired up."

Her eyes widened and she froze. Handings tightening around the needle, she screwed up her face and glared back at the Tiefling, "You find me amusing huh?" she spat out, fuming, "Think it's funny?"

Karlach smile fell, now looking dumbfounded. She shrunk away from her, her eyes trying to look anywhere else other than down at Lorelai, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

Lorelai stared at the Tiefling, taking in her expression of confused guilt and her eyes softened. She sighed, her body relaxing. She couldn't blame a big folk for finding her... well interesting. It was seemingly in their nature.

"It's.... it's fine. You didn't really do anything wrong." She looked away, not sure what else to say, "Just a bit... you know at the moment."

The Tiefling met her eyes and smiled, "Can I help you with that at all?" she nodded at the half sewn together shirt.

Lorelai almost felt like laughing, "No, but thank you."

"Guess I wouldn't be all that much help anyway." Karlach let out a forced sounding laugh.

"You've help me enough. I never thanked you for getting rid of that horrid creature."

"Horrid creature?"

She repressed a shiver, "That vampire."

Karlach's eyes widened, "Oh uh.... no problem. Though I think you're still owed an apology."

"Already told you, you did nothing wrong,"

"No not from me."

Lorelai paused, her mouth quirking into a smirk, "What? from the vampire? that's funny. I think you'd be hard met to even try."

"Well why don't we?"

She raised a brow, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Suddenly, Karlach stood, "Wait right here. I'll be right back." she hurried out of the tent, leaving Lorelai fumbling to keep her balance.

What in the Hells? what was she on about?

She was about to resume her project when she heard a commotion outside. Two voices that she couldn't make out were arguing and maybe even getting physical. It became louder as it seemingly got closer. She was able to make out Karlach's voice.

"Come on, it will only take a second."

Karlach suddenly popped her head back in, turned it to look outside, and beckoned eagerly.

"Just get over here."

Lorelai narrowed her eyes in confusion, what was she doing? who was she talking-

Her blood ran cold. Karlach had stepped aside to let someone in. Two black leather boots stepped in. Lorelai began to slowly look up, connecting the boots to legs, a body and then to a face, a familiar face. The face she thought would be the last thing she'd ever see.

Two red eyes fell upon her, seemingly pinning her to where she stood. She was trembling, her legs felt like they'd fail her at any moment. Her heart was fluttering within her chest like a frantic caged bird.

"Lorelai, Astarion. Astarion, Lorelai." Those red eyes shifted away for only a moment to glare over at Karlach.

Run, now!

She took the fraction of a second to make a run for it. pivoting on her heels and running as fast as she could in the other direction. She didn't care that it was a dead end, it was further away, and that's all she cared about.

"Hey! where are you going?" Karlach called out.

Lorelai darted behind one of the piles of books, peeking out and pointing up at the vampire with her needle, "What is that thing still doing alive!?"

The vampire raised a brow, narrowing its red eyes.

Karlach stepped forward between the two of them, "He" she shot a look at the vampire, "Is here to apologize."

Lorelai felt a shiver run through her as the vampire scoffed.

"Are you crazy?!" she inched further behind the books.

"Exactly what I thought." the vampire grumbled.

"What is going on?" Lorelai took her eyes off the vampire for a moment to see Gale entering the tent. His eyes widened at the sight. He looked from the vampire to Karlach, "What is he doing in here?"

"He is here to apologize."

"She dragged me in here" grumbled the vampire.

Gale looked around the room, "Where's Lorelai?"

"Over there" Karlach pointed, Lorelai ducked behind the pile, "Ran the moment we came in."

"I'm not surprised, " Gale murmured. He pushed past the two and kneeled down, meeting Lorelai's gaze, "Are you alright? I'm sorry about all of this."

She glared up at him, still holding up her needle, "Why haven't you killed that- that thing yet!?"

Gale glanced over at the vampire, "Well, he is.... apart of our little group here."

What?!

"Believe me, under other circumstances, I wouldn't be one to keep his kind of company."

"The feelings mutual" Gale glared over his shoulder.

"But... he has promised us not to prey upon any thinking creatures. Though he seems to have an odd understanding of what that means. Nevertheless, I promise, he has learned his lesson and will not harm you."

Sometime in act 2:

Lorelai: this is bad, I mean really bad!

Karlach: dude, what is it?

Lorelai: I kissed Astarion

Karlach: woah, I owe Shadowheart so much gold

Slave to the Light Pt 7

A Baldur's Gate fanfiction

Lorelai stared up at Gale, shocked and confused, "What do you mean under different circumstances? what possible circumstances are there that would make you travel with a fucking vampire!?"

The vampire, or Astarion as the others seemed to call him, merely scrunched up his nose at her remarks. Gale's eyes fell away from her, clearly pondering something.

"Well, you see" he started, "All of us here happen to be dealing with the same problem that we are all in dire need of rectifying".

She raised a brow, "What kind of problem?"

Gale pursed his lips, as if debating whether he should continue, "All of us.... currently are hosts to illithid parasites".

Lorelai's eyes widened, "What?"

"We basically have these worm-like fuckers swimming around in our brains" chimed in Karlach.

"No- I know what an illithid parasite is, but...." she looked the man before her up and down, "Shouldn't you have.... transformed?"

"Now that, is something we are all wondering about" said Gale, "None of us have shown any real signs of... well, turning into tentacled monsters. So, since we have seemingly been blessed with spare time, we're looking for a cure. Hence the give of us being together."

Lorelai stiffened, "there's more of you?"

"Yes, but you'll meet them later, that is... if you decide to stay." over Gale's shoulder, she saw Karlach grinning down at her.

"You're offering to let me stay? Why?"

Gale chuckled, "Well you're clearly in need of some assistance, and I dare say your presence wouldn't cause much of a hassle" he leaned in closer, lowing his voice, "And to be honest, I don't completely trust Astarion to not.... forget himself."

"I can hear you; you know." grumbled Astarion.

Lorelai looked down. Being with these group seemed to be presenting more risks by the second. First, a vampire, and now illithid parasites. But what about the number of risks if she went it alone? and as dangerous as these big folk might be, they could be of use to her.

She met Gale's eyes again, "Alright, I will take you up on your offer" her gaze hardened, "But if I see any of you begin to sprout tentacles I'm out of here. And if your..... companion tries anything-"

"We'll make sure he doesn't."

"Well, if he does, I won't hesitate to teach him a much harsher lesson than I did last night, perhaps with something much sharper."

Astarion let out a snort of laughter that made her blood boil, "That's cute."

Lorelai's fingers tighten around the needle, wishing she could shove it right through one of those awful red eyes.

Gale straightened, clapping his hands together, "Right, now that's sorted, how abouts we give you some alone time?" the moment he had finished his sentenced, Astarion turned on his heel and quickly made his way out of the tent, shooting Lorelai one last glare.

"That means you too Karlach. I think you may have overstayed your welcome" Gale held the tent flap open and gestured for the Tiefling to follow suit.

"Can't I stay? I know it's your tent and all... but come on" she looked down at Lorelai, "I can stay right?"

Lorelai thought for a moment. She had been deeply looking forward to not being surrounded by towering figures and was about to ask her to leave, but once again Karlach was giving her that hopeful grin.

She sighed, "Yeah sure, you can stay. But just be quiet, alright?"

Karlach beamed at her before smirking at Gale who rolled his eyes before leaving.

To her surprise, the Tiefling was able to stay quiet. She had simply sat herself down and watched Lorelai eagerly as she continued to work. It began to feel a little weird though after twenty minutes went by and Karlach was still staring. Lorelai kept looking up from her work only to be met with the same intense gaze.

After the tenth time of looking over her shoulder to see if there was any change in the Tiefling's behavior, she resigned herself to fully focusing on making something wearable.

Hard to say how much time had gone by when she had finally locked the final stitch and held up her handiwork: A rather small top and a pair of short and baggy pants, both an obnoxious shade of purple.

"Hey, not bad." said Karlach.

Lorelai sighed, "Do you mind staring at something else for a moment?"

"Oh fuck, yeah sorry."

The ground shifted as Karlach spun herself around, so her back was to her.

Lorelai threw the articles of clothing on the ground before going to remove the sorry excuse for a dress she was currently wearing. She had managed to pull it up over her legs before she gasped out, being hit with a stinging pain the moment she tried to pull it up over her back.

"You alright?"

"Fine" she grunted, gritting her teeth. The fabric must have fused itself to her wounds. She groaned before taking hold of her dress again and quickly tossed it over her head. Her back stung with pain that slowly subsided once she had ripped the fabric away from it. Tossing it aside, she reached down and pulled on her newly made shirt and pants.

She poked her head around the pile before stepping out. Karlach peeked over her shoulder before turning back around. She looked Lorelai up and down before an amused smile appeared on her face. The Tiefling let out a snort of laughter, looking away and covering her mouth.

"What?"

"Nothing" she lied; her eyes still upturned, "Just looks a little big on you."

Lorelai rolled her eyes, walking over and heaving herself up onto the plate to snatch up another grape, glaring at it as if it had been the one to make the remark.

She leapt down, tossing the half-eaten fruit aside and began heading for the exit.

"Where are you headed?"

"Outside."

"What for?"

Lorelai groaned, "Does it matter?"

"Can I come with?"

"I don't care."

She continued forward, stepping out into the open. She couldn't help but tense slightly at the sight before her. Four other massive tents were set up in the distance, all of them different colors and had an assortment of items outside their entrances. They all surrounded a campfire that at the moment was nothing but burnt wood and charcoal. But that wasn't what had bothered her, what bothered her was the towering figures meandering around the tents. She could feel through the ground the slight quiver from their steps from here, all of them, lumbering around like big oafs the lot of them.

Lorelai shook her head, focusing back on the task at hand: arming herself. It only took her a moment of looking around before she spotted a patch of trees to the east. She began to make her way over there, her eyes fliting around to look back at the big folk and know where each one of them was at the given moment. She kept an especially close eye out for that vampire, even though he shouldn't have been able to be out in the sun. Being apparently apart of this little team, he was almost certainly still lurking around somewhere.

She had noticed Karlach had left the tent, though she had reframed from following her and had instead gone over to what Lorelai assumed was her own tent. There didn't seem to be too much of a reason to keep an eye on that one, she seemed docile enough.

The grass began to reach up past her waist as she trudged into the beginnings of a forest. The sun was shining down through the many leaves of the trees, illuminating their shape and color, which was exactly what Lorelai had been hoping for.

Her pace slowed as she scrutinized each tree she passed, looking from its leaves to its branches to its trunk. There was a good deal of oak and dogwood, both much too knotty to work with. There was also some hickory, too fragile to moisture, and some elm, too likely to crack. Then she spotted just what she had been looking for, a yew tree.

She hurried over to it, looking over it once more. Yes, it would do very nicely. Looking up, she pinpointed the lowest branch that was the right thickness before she dug her fingers beneath the crevices of the bark. Her muscles strained but ached with an almost pleasant and familiar burn as she scaled up the trunk.

When she was perpendicular to the branch she wanted, she began to shimmy closer over. Securing her feet in the groves of bark, she reached out and took hold of one of the smaller branches. With some effort, she managed to snap it off the main branch, almost losing her balance as she did so. her hands scrambled to grab back onto the bark, stick in hand that she surveyed with a nod.

The trek down was much easier, only made tad harder, having to tow down a stick nearly as long as she was tall down with her.

She jumped the rest of the way back to the ground. Holding the stick now like a great misshapen staff, she looked along the forest floor. Now... all she needed was- that might do.

She bent down and picked up a jagged rock, turning it over in her hand. It would have to suffice. Heading back over to the yew tree, she sat herself down with both rock and stick in hand. Placing the stick on her lap, she turned it over a few times before finding the sharpest side of the rock and getting right to work.

Slave to the Light Pt 8

A Baldur's Gate Fanfiction

Lorelai was glad none of the bigfolk had come around to bother her. She didn’t know how long she had been sitting there at the base of the yew tree for, but from the ache in her back she was starting to get, it must have been a decent amount of time. She had made use of that time however, at her side now lay the curved riser of a soon to be bow along with half a dozen needle thin arrows with little chunks of pebbles stuck to the tips with some sap she had procured from the tree. Naturally she planned on making more arrows, but for now, she decided to turn her efforts back to finishing the bow. 

A problem had arisen however. She had already scoured around for spider webs, even if they would have made a lackluster string, but hadn’t been able to find even an old strand of cobweb.  

She had been putting off going back into the camp for some time now, quite liking this quiet solitude, but it seemed she had no choice. Gathering up the riser and arrows, she began trekking her way back over to the clearing the bigfolk had made their camp. As she walked, her eyes darted around, locating each and every one of them and was pleased to see they all seemed preoccupied. Gale was sitting outside his tent, reading a book titled The creatures of the Fey wilds and everything you could ever want to know about them. Lorelai rolled her eyes, glancing further left where she got sight of a familiar figure. An elf-like woman with long black hair much like her own, who was kneeling with her head tilted down in a meditative looking state. Shadowheart, that’s what her name had been, yes. She had been the one who’d healed her, useful sort then.  

As Lorelai made her way around the perimeter of the camp site, she caught sight of exactly what she had been looking for. A spool of some sort of string, twine perhaps, lay in a basket set outside a somewhat menacing light blue tent with what looked to be hunting and battle trophies scattered all around the outside. She hurried over to it, stopping so she was right up beside the basket. Her eyes darted around and when they saw no one was approaching, she leapt up, grabbing onto the rim and heaving herself on top of it.  

The spool right in front of her, she leaned forward and pulled loose a strand of string. Taking out the sharp pebble she had found, she sawed at the string until she was able to rip off what she needed.  

String in hand, she hopped back down to the ground, the jump making her calves burn. Sitting herself down against the basket, she grabbed the riser she had left on the ground and began to weave the string through the holes at the tips she had carved out.  She gave the string a quick tug, satisfied when that caused the limbs of the riser to bend.  

“What is this?”

Lorelai tensed when the ground quivered. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as a shadow enveloped her. She slowly turned, looking up to see a green, scowling face. A gith? On the material plane? The gith, clearly female, continued to glare down at her. Her miniscule nose scrunched up making it somehow look even smaller. 

“What sort of pest are you to steal my stuff?” From the corner of her eye, she saw one of the gith’s reptilian hands move a fraction of an inch forward. Not a second later, Lorelai had sprung into action. Using her bare foot, she kicked up one of her arrows, loaded it, aimed, and fired. The arrow flew through the air and the gith didn’t have time to even notice it before it had flown right up one of her nostrils. 

In an instant, the gith recoiled, letting out a roar of pain as her hand shot up to her face. Lorelai didn’t wait around, she started to run. 

“Why you little-!” Lorelai threw herself to the ground and out of the way as an armored boot came crashing down right where she would have been had she continued forward. She rolled over, groping for another arrow, looking up and feeling her blood run cold as the gith drew her hand away from her bleeding nose.  

“Tas’ki! I’ll-”  

“Lae’zel wait!” 

Lorelai bounced off the ground as heavy and hurried footsteps approached. The two both looked up to see Karlach running over waving her hands. The gith scowled as Karlach stopped between the two. 

“What are you doing?” 

The gith shot a finger down at Lorelai, her other hand going back to holding her nose “This- whatever it is, was stealing from me and then attacked me! I’m disposing of it” 

Karlach glanced down at Lorelai, “You did?” 

She scooted away, scoffing, “I didn’t know it was hers!”  

The Tiefling turned back to the gith, “Lae’zel, this isn’t a pest. This is Lorelai. Lorelai, Lae’zel.'' She stepped aside to let the two look at each other. The gith- Lae’zel raised a brow, before glaring back down at Lorelai. 

“What are you?” 

“She’s a pixie. Can you believe it?” Karlach flashed a smile down at Lorelai. 

Lae’zel’s eyes widened slightly, “A pixie?” 

“Yes, found her last night. Decided she’ll be joining us.” 

Lae’zel flew back into a glare, “Has she…. Well, tell this Lorelai to stay away from my stuff, unless she wants to become a red stain upon the ground.” she growled before turning, and beginning to leave, but not before she heard her mutter under her breath, “Not a bad shot”. 

Sorry for the short part. If you would rather read longer parts, I post more condensed versions of all my stories on DeviantArt, but post much less often there.

Mice Among Beasts Pt 1

A Baldur's Gate fanfiction.

The dungeon-like space smelled awful, like death, rot, and goblins. It was impossible to see where they were going, what with the cage constantly rocking back and forth with each step the goblin took, clearly taking pleasure in jostling them around.  

A look of shock was still painted across Willow’s face, her brain struggling to keep up. How had she been so stupid?! Trying to steal food from that camp, and without any sort of plan? Had she even taken the time to scope the place out? No! She had simply seen the food and gone for it. Now, she was facing the grim reality that they themselves might become food. Did goblins eat her people? It seemed like a very real possibility, seeing what had been on- 

She jumped when a loud, high-pitched wail filled the air, the source being right next to her. Belle had been sniffling and whimpering from the moment they had been captured, but now she was screaming.   

The goblin above them groaned. He gave the cage a good shake, sending the two tiny humanoids falling from one side to the other, “Shut up!” 

Belle only cried louder. Holding her aching head, Willow stumbled over to her. She wrapped her arms tightly around her sister's frail body and pulled her into her lap. Cooing at her and petting her golden hair very slowly quieted the girl down, being content to cry into Willow’s shirt.   

The two were both trembling, but Willow tried to mask it by slowly rocking the sobbing mess in her arms. The corners of her own eyes burned, but she gritted her teeth and tried to remain composed. It wouldn’t help anyone if both of them began to crumble. Then again, could anything help them now?  

She turned her head to glare at the underside of their captor's chin, “What do you want?” she hissed.  

The two shrunk away as the cage was brought up to the goblin’s eye level. He smirked, “Entertainment.” 

He lowered the cage back down to his side, pushing open a large double door with a guttural grunt. Willow peered through the bars, vaguely able to make out the room they had entered. There were two rooms on either side of them, but the goblin walked past them and down a short set of stone steps. All sorts of crates and wooden boards peppered the room's perimeter, but what caught her eye were the two large cells across the room, one on the left, and one on the right.   

The goblin turned right, going down another short flight of stairs. Willow’s eyes widened, seeing ahead of them a small group of even more goblins. Three looked to be young ones, all of which were cackling with laughter. A guard of sorts seemed to be supervising them, a look of content amusement on her face.  

“Listen! Did you hear it squeal?” one of the young ones laughed, pointing into the cell before them.  

“Make it do it again!”  

One of the goblins bent down and when they straightened, had a large rock in their grasp. They promptly threw it into the cell. A deep yet pained whimper came from behind the bars, pitiful and animalistic. Willow tensed at the sound, goosebumps beginning to pop up along her arms. What sort of animal did they have in there? Anything larger than a rabbit would have been enough to send her running.   

The group burst into laughter, “Hand me another one!” 

Willow flinched as their captor cleared his throat. The oldest of the group turned, her face lighting up with a similar sinister smirk.  

“Hey, Crusher! Come to join the fun?” 

“Actually, I plan to add to it.”  He raised the cage and gave it another harsh shake, exciting a shriek out of Belle, “Lookie what I got ‘ere.” 

The whole group descended upon them. All the kids hurried forward, pushing and shoving one another to get to the front and peer inside the birdcage. Willow’s arms tightened around her sister as the pairs of eyes on those hideous faces slowly settled upon the two of them.  

“Woah!” exclaimed one child, “What are those?”   

The goblin next to him gave him a shove, “They’re clearly some kind of fey, idiot.” 

“What kind though?”  

“Well… uh…” the smartass peered through the bars once more, “Uh… I’m not sure. Are they pixies?”  

The eldest pushed them aside, leaning her ugly face down to scrutinize the girls, “No… no, pixies got wings, and these nibblets seem smaller. At least from what I’ve seen.” she gave the cage a small shove, causing Belle to cry out once more, her bony fingers clawing into her sister. 

“Hah! They make even funnier noises!” Willow flinched at the volume of the child’s voice, wishing her hands were free so she could cover them, “Make ‘em do it again!”  

“Oh oh! Let me see!” the smartass lept forward, his massive pudgy hands groping for the cage.  

Their captor- Crusher he seemed to be called, held them higher up, chuckling, “Now now, you’ll all get plenty of time to hear them make their noises.” he shot the two a grin before turning to the other adult, “Notice you haven’t fed that furball to the worgs yet.”  

“Nah, I’ve been having too much fun with ‘em.” she peered over her shoulder, “But if we ever run out of fresh meat-” 

Crusher held up his hand, silencing her and turning to the kids, “How would you guys like to see a real show?”   

Those greenish-yellow faces lit up, “Yeah!” 

“You wanna see a real show?” 

“Yeah!”  

“Alright then.” he smirked from the cage to the cell, “This will be fun.”  

The cage started to sway once more as Crusher pushed past the kids, approaching the cell. Willow, her sister still in her arms, began to back towards the opposite side of the cage. 

They were suddenly lifted higher, being held right against the bars. Her heart hammered against her ribs as if trying to escape itself. She didn’t want to look, didn’t want to know, but her eyes betrayed her as they peered down into the cell.  

She gasped. Through the bars, standing in the very center, was a bear. An absolutely massive brown bear.  

Belle screamed, trying to backpedal further away to no avail. The goblins burst into fits of laughter, “What? You don’t like ‘em?” The cage was spun so now their backs were right up against the cell. Willow held her sister’s head against her chest as she whimpered. 

Chancing a glance over her shoulder, Willow saw that the bear’s eyes were fixed upon the cage. When Belle let out another whimper, its ears perked up at the sound.  

“D'aww look, I think he wants to be friends” teased Crusher, receiving more laughs in response.  

A shiver ran down her spine as the bear released a low, long drawn-out growl. Oh gods. 

“You wanna go in and say hello?” 

Belle shrieked, frantically shaking her head as if it would do anything.  

“Is that a yes?”  

“No!” she screamed. 

“Well, if you say so.”  

They began to be lowered, the cage nearly being touched down to the ground before the floor suddenly began to tilt. Willow hurriedly pulled her and her sister up the growing incline and wrapped her legs around the cage bars. Her sister screamed, clawing her way up her body and desperately trying to also grab onto something as their world continued to turn.  

Her arms began to burn as they became vertical, but she didn’t dare let them loosen their grip around Belle, not even for a moment. A large clawed hand came around and pried open the cage door.

“Come on now, “ Crusher gave the cage a good shake. Willow winced, straining to keep the two of them up, “Don’t want to keep ‘em waiting do ya?” His eyes zeroed in on what was keeping them from falling. Those clawed fingers crept towards her, nails slipping beneath her legs. A mere flick of the finger, and they were falling, falling into a death trap.  

She spun around in the air, putting herself between Belle and the approaching stone floor. An airless gasp escaped her as she collided with the ground. She coughed and wheezed, wincing at the throbbing pain now blooming across her whole back. 

Belle began to shake her and tug at her shirt collar. Willow pushed her away, forcing herself up. She froze as another low growl filled her ears. Grabbing hold of her sister, she looked up and wanted to scream. The bear’s eyes were fixed upon them. Even from afar, it towered over them, a huge mass of fur that could swallow them whole.  

Whipping her head around, her eyes landed upon the cell’s bars. The space between them was big enough for them to slip through. She ran for it, dragging her sister behind her. Almost as soon as she had started towards it, the goblins took notice. All of them crouched down in front of the cell to block her path, laughing at her pitiful attempt at escape.   

She spun around, heading in the opposite direction. Heart pounding in her ears, she began scouring the stone walls for cracks, holes, anything. The ground beneath them quivered and Willow looked over to see the bear taking a step towards them, head lowered and shoulders up.  

It stalked towards them, throwing her off balance with every step. She frantically continued to search the walls, running along the perimeter of the cell. When she reached a corner, she stopped, out of breath. She turned and froze. The bear was close now, its shadow beginning to cover the two of them. They couldn’t run now, they were cornered.  

Belle began to whimper. Willow stepped in front of her and began to back away. She only made it a few steps before they were pressed against the wall. Looking up in horror, she watched as the bear's head began to encapsulate her entire vision. The air around them stunk of its rancid breath. Its eyes were piercing, the gaze as sharp as its protruding fangs. This was it, they were dead. 

Willow’s arms came up to shield her and her sobbing sister. She braced herself as the beast closed in, opening its gaping maw. It descended upon them and she snapped her eyes shut, praying it would be a quick death for the both of them.  

Nothing. Nothing happened. She didn’t feel anything. Not the feeling of teeth tearing them to shreds like she had expected. Not the feeling of being doused in drool, not anything. However, she did hear something, the snapping of the bear’s jaws. 

Willow cracked open her eyes, freezing. The bear was mere inches away, its warm breath blowing back her silvery hair. It was still staring at them. It remained motionless.  

Suddenly, its massive form began to shift as it turned away from them. It began to make a noise that sounded like chewing. Willow hurriedly checked behind her, worried that it had somehow gotten a hold of Belle before her. But no, her sister was still huddled up behind her, looking up in terrified confusion. 

The bear continued to chew, at least that’s what it sounded like. She wracked her brain for an explanation of what else it could be but came up short.  

“Aw man, where’s all the blood?” rang out the familiar voice of one of the goblin children.   

Another voice sighed, “I guess if we wanted a real show, we should have thrown in something bigger, or maybe something that would have at least put up more of a fight. Ah well.”  

Willow’s eyes widened. Did they think that they had been- she looked up, seeing that the bear’s form was completely blocking them from the view of the goblins.   

“I guess we should get you lot back to work.” 

The young goblins all began to protest, “Aw come on! Can’t we throw more rocks at it or-”  

“Do you want to keep our True Soul waiting?” growled Crusher. 

True soul? 

“N-no. N-not at-” 

“Then get to it!” he barked, and Willow felt and heard the multiple pairs of feet hurry away, “Oh, and Butch wanted to see you, something ‘bout his worg. Won’t stop whining over it.”  

“Ugh, fine. Take me to him, will yah?” 

Another rumble of footsteps and the goblin’s grumbling murmurs slowly grew distant. With the slam of a door, the room fell silent.  

Hope you enjoy! and let me know if you want to hear more!

Mice Among Beasts Pt 2

Willow released a breath she didn’t know she had been holding and looked nervously up at the wall of fur. She froze, the bear was peering over its shoulder, down at them.  

Belle began to whimper once more, grabbing fistfuls of her sister’s shirt as she clung to her. The bear tilted its head ever so slightly before it turned to face them.  

Still trembling herself, Willow stepped in front of her sister. Her eyes stared daggers into those beady black ones and her face was fixed into something she hoped looked threatening. What is your plan here, she thought, scrutinizing the beast.   

It took a single, almost tentative step forward. Her eyes widened and she threw her arms out, “Back!”  

Surprisingly, the bear seemed to… recoil slightly. It continued to stare them down, but strangely enough, that predatory glint that Willow had grown so used to was absent in its eyes. Rather, it looked almost curious.   

She pushed that thought aside. What did it matter what it looked like, it was an animal, and animals only cared about one thing and that was keeping their stomachs full. They had to get out of here and fast. If it hadn’t eaten them before, it was only a matter of time before it would.   

But what was there to do? It currently had the two of them cornered. She didn’t have anything except the clothes on her body. It seemed there was no escape.  

The arms around Willow’s waist gripped her tighter as the bear continued to advance. Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest as it got mere inches away, its musty breath blowing her hair back as it sniffed them. She held her ground though, not daring to move a muscle as it looked them over.   

A low rumble escaped it as it suddenly began to lower itself down, settling onto its stomach with its massive paws draped across the ground. Belle went quiet and peeked out from behind her sister. The bear tilted its head again, still looking as calm and curious as ever.   

Her sister darted back behind her at the beast’s movement. The bear let out another low rumble before it flopped its head down between its paws, resting it on the floor as it stared straight ahead at the two of them.  

Willow narrowed her eyes, trying but failing to move further away. She felt movement at her side and was horrified to see her sister ducking under her arm and stepping forward.  

“What are you doing?” she hissed, snatching up her sister’s wrist when she tried to take another step toward the bear.   

Belle wrenched her hand away, “Maybe it's friendly?”   

“Friendly? It’s a bear, Belle! Bears aren’t friendly, especially not to potential food!”   

“Then how come we haven’t been eaten yet?”   

She opened her mouth to argue but nothing came out. Her sister offered her what she must have thought was a reassuring look before turning around and slowly continuing forward. The bear watched her, going crosseyed to keep her in view. Willow’s heart pounded in her ears, getting ready to run up and pull her away. She stayed still though, just like the bear.  

Belle stopped with an inch between her and the bear's snout. She peered up into its eyes and tilted her head. The bear mirrored her, ever so slightly cocking its head to one side. Her sister turned and shot Willow a pleased smile before turning back around and slowly raising her hand toward the bear’s nose. 

“No wa-!”  

She froze mid-step as Belle’s hand made contact with the bear who bristled slightly at the touch, staring down at the small blue-skinned child. Its eyes slowly began to close as it, to Willow's surprise, seemed to relax into the touch, a low and mellow rumble emanating from the beast.  

Her sister was petting a bear, and the bear was letting her, maybe even possibly liking it?!  

Wha… how… what was-  

A weak, apprehensive laugh filled her ears. Her sister began moving her hand along the length of the bear’s snout, her laughter slowly growing as it continued to peacefully lay there, watching her with… could bears be amused?    

“Hello there” Laughed Belle, “You're not so bad, are you?” she let out a playful shriek as the bear gave her the smallest of shoves with its nose, “Willow! Come say hi! He’s friendly!”   

Willow stared and then shook her head to make sure she was seeing clearly, “I… I’m not sure-” 

Her sister ran over to her, grabbing her hand and beginning to lead her forward. She gulped, letting Belle lead her along while she kept a close eye on the bear.  

It watched them curiously, even daring to inch closer. She tried to back away, but Belle kept a tight grip on her wrist, only letting go when they were close enough that the bear’s breath blew all around them.   

“Go on.” Willow looked from the bear to her beaming sister. She sighed and reached her hand out. The bear leaned forward and into her touch, the cold and wet feeling of its nose sending a soft shiver up her spine. Her eyes widened as the bear’s eyes closed.   

She let her hand rub the length of the snout, in awe at the fact that she was petting something that would have usually made a quick snack out of her.   

Belle placed her own hand up on the bear’s nose, “See?”   

“Yes,” she murmured, “yes I see.”  

Well, at least it didn’t seem they’d have to worry about getting eaten. That’s one problem off their plates, plates that were starting to pile high with problems.    

She withdrew her hand and turned away to peer around the cell. Side-stepping until the mound of fur wasn’t blocking her view, she looked through the bars, scanning the room for any goblins. There didn’t seem to be any. No guards or anything.   

The bits and pieces of a plan began to form in her brain. She hadn’t been able to make out much of this place from their rough journey in, but what she did take away was that it was big. Big places meant lots of nooks and crannies, lots of rooms, lots of places to hide and slink about. If they remained quiet and stuck to the shadows, they had a chance of finding their way out of here.   

“Okay,” she breathed, turning and marching over to Belle who was still petting the docile bear.   

“Wha- hey!” she yelled as Willow grabbed her arm and began dragging her along behind her, “What are you doing?”   

“We are getting out of here.”   

She pointed back over to the bear, “But… but he’s friendly.”  

“Maybe, but those goblins aren’t, and I don’t want to be around when they come back.”   

As they approved the cell bars, the ground beneath them shook and Willow caught a glimpse of brown fur. She spun around and gasped as the bear bounded forward, leaping over top of them and landing with an earth-quaking thud between them and their way out.   

She flinched as the bear released a bellowing roar and stamped its paws. She waited for it to move in for the attack but it didn’t. It simply stood there between them and the cell bars. Raising a brow, Willow turned and began to make her way around it only for it to sidestep its way right back in front of them.    

“What’s it doing?”  

Belle tugged at her sleeve, “Willow, I don’t think he wants us to leave.”   

She raised her brow, looking from her sister to the bear, “Yeah… well I don’t care what it wants”  She turned and began to march away only for the bear to once again move to block their path.  

After about the fourth time, Willow was starting to grow frustrated, “Gah! Move it furball!” The bear growled in response, sitting down and gazing down at them with a very resolute look in its eyes. “Ugh, look, thank you for not eating us, now would you please move so we can leave?” the bear didn’t budge. She sighed, slapping a hand to her forehead, “Can’t believe I’m arguing with a bear. Okay Belle, get ready to run. On my mark… three… two… now!”  

She rushed forward, running full speed towards a gap between the bars with her sister in tow. When they were within arms reach, however, something snagged the back of her shirt and suddenly, Willow’s feet had left the ground.  

“What the-” she began to yell, twisting around only for the color to leave her face at the sight. A set of sharp teeth were clamped down upon her and her sister’s shirts. The bear had them dangling from its mouth.   

Willow’s heart began to race. Was this it? Was it going to eat them now? Throw back its head and let them fall into its awaiting-  

Her whole body swayed as the bear turned and lumbered its way toward the back wall, carrying them along with it. It stopped and her stomach dropped as it slowly began to lower its head down to the ground. When their feet had touched down, it released the back of their shirts. 

She turned and looked up at the beast, shock etched across her face at the fact that they were both still intact and uneaten. It began to lower itself down and she frantically struggled to keep her balance as it plopped itself down, creating a great barrier of fur around them. It laid its head down by them and looked Willow with a pleading look in its eyes.  

Why didn’t it want them to leave? If she was none the wiser, she would say it looked worried. She had never spent enough time around animals such as this but she was pretty sure they weren’t supposed to act like this, but then why was this bear…  

She sighed, running a hand down her face. Maybe she should stop questioning things and just be grateful they’re still alive, no thanks to her. Maybe they shouldn’t once again act on one of her quickly thrown-together plans, that’s what had got them in this situation in the first place. 

Groaning, she slid down the wall and onto the floor, hanging her head. Belle sat down next to her, resting her head upon her shoulder. Her heart ache at the sight of her, filthy and malnourished. Most likely she didn’t look much better, but that didn’t matter. 

If anyone has any questions about Willow and Belle or this fic in general, please let me know. I plan on making art of them so hopefully, that will be up soon.

Mice Among Beasts Pt 3

The next hour or two, it was difficult to tell how much time had passed, Willow had spent searching and thinking up any possible escapes. She was spending a great deal of time inspecting the back wall for a crack, a hole, anything.  Her frustrations were very quickly rising as she kept scrutinizing the entire cell. Her hands were filthy with a grime and her fingernails hurt them clawing at the stone.    

All the while, Belle remained by the bear, who in turn didn’t seem intent on leaving her side. Willow had asked several times for her to come and help, but her pleas were ignored as her sister scratched the bear behind its ears or was mindlessly talking to it.    

“Can we keep him?”  

Willow peered over her shoulder, raising a brow, “What?”  

Belle patted her hand on the bear’s snout, “Can we keep him? Please?”  

Seriously? That’s what she’s thinking about? She shook her head, “No.”  

“Why not?”   

She groaned, “Now is not the time to be discussing this.”  

“But I already named him.” 

Willow turned around, “You named it?”  

“Yes!” she exclaimed while gesturing up at the bear, “Teddy.”   

“Teddy?”  

“Yes. His name is Teddy.”  

Willow sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. Great, now she was attached to it, “Look, now is really not the right time to be worrying about this, and how do you even know it's a he?”   

Her sister shrugged, “I don’t know, I just have a hunch.”   

She turned back to the wall and began scraping at some loose-looking rock, “We don’t have time for this, we need to- ack!” she wrenched her hand away from the wall, one of her fingers erupting with burning pain. Clenching her fist, she peeked down at it and grimaced. The nail of her middle finger had nearly been completely snapped off, blood beginning to pool at the cuticle. 

“Fuck.” she breathed, hunched over and cradling her hand.   

Belle hurried over, “Are you okay?” 

“Yeah, yeah I’m fine,” she said through gritted teeth. Her sister caught sight of her finger, her eyes widening. Willow hid her hand while turning back to the wall.  

“I think you should take a break.”   

“I said I’m fine.”  

Belle ignored her, grabbing onto her arm and attempting to drag her away. She looked up at her with a pleading look in her eyes, “Please?”  

Willow looked back over at the wall, before sighing and allowing her sister to lead her over towards the bear. She only spared it a single wearily glance before she concluded that it- or he as or sister seemed to think, was continuing not to be a threat.   

As they approached, the bear- Teddy, sniffed the air before his head snapped down and his eyes focused upon Willow. She froze, staring back up at the beast. With a low grumble, he lowered himself down and began to creep closer, nose continuing to smell the air. 

Willow remained glued to the spot as that great shaggy head filled her vision. His nose was mere inches away as his nostrils flared. A troubling realization came to her. The blood, he could smell her blood. She tensed, taking a step back as Teddy continued to move closer.   

Was this it? Would the scent of her blood finally make this bear snap out of this docile behavior? Would it act like a typical beast and rip them to shreds?  

She let out a muted yelp as the bear pressed its nose against her, sniffing deeply. It let out another grumble, though strangely enough, it didn’t sound hostile. It sounded… concerned.  

The large nose made its way to her side and forced her hand up onto it. She grimaced at her bloodied finger as it continued to sting.    

This time, the bear- Teddy, didn’t grumble, but whimpered. Willow looked up into his eyes with a questioning look. Once again, she was surprised to see what could only be described as concern, concern in this animal’s eyes.    

“I’m… I’m fine,” she murmured, she didn’t know why. Why was she trying to console a literal wild animal?  

Teddy let out another whimper as he removed his nose from under her hand and raised his head so she was face-to-face with his jaws. Willow’s stomach churned as a great pink tongue slid out and towards her. She remained absolutely still, a shiver running down her spine as the tongue found her hand and began to lick it.   

“Aww” cooed Belle.   

Willow gulped, watching in apprehension as Teddy continued to slowly lick her wound. She would be lying if she didn’t admit that it didn't feel a little nice and quelled the stinging.   

His tongue retreated, giving her hand one last sniff before he slowly backed away. He stared down at her like a nervous puppy, waiting for her reaction.  

“I uh… thanks” she muttered.   

Teddy’s eyes lit up as he lay down, grumbling happily. Belle grinned up at her sister before running over to his face and hugging it. A small smile played upon Willow’s face as she shook her head.  

Suddenly, Teddy froze, head perking up. His ears flicked as he stood up, eyes peering beyond the cell bars.   

Willow listened and stiffened when she heard voices. She flinched as the door to the dungeon burst open and the approaching voices got louder.  

Belle ran over to her sister, wrapping her arms around her waist and hiding behind her, “What’s that? Whose coming?”   

Before she could respond, the ground began to shake as Teddy hurried to close the small distance between them. He stopped, standing right in front of them before collapsing to the ground, sending a small cloud of dust their way.   

Willow clutched at her pounding heart, staring up at the mound of fur that was now blocking their view… or… blocking anyone else's view.  

“Hurry up! I found some sharp ones we can use!” cried a young yet gravelly voice. Goblins no doubt. Goblin younglings to be more specific.  

Belle began to whimper. She hurried over and clung to Teddy’s fur for comfort.  

“I’m coming, I’m coming!”  

The ground trembled from the approaching footsteps and Willow stepped closer to the wall of fur, not to cling to it like Belle, but in an attempt to get closer and listen.  

“Look! The big fatso’s asleep!”   

One of the two let out a sinister snigger, “Well let’s wake him up then!”  

She heard the clatter of what sounded like rocks falling to the floor and the scraping sound of one being picked up. One of the goblins let out a small grunt right before Teddy let out a pained whimper as one struck him.    

“Aim for its head!” They laughed. Teddy whimpered again as another rock was chucked at him. 

Willow grimaced as the bear let out more pained moans as the kids continued to toy with him. She looked to her sister, she was feverishly petting as much of Teddy as she could in an attempt to comfort him. She looked about ready to cry.   

She glared down at the ground, mad at the fact there was nothing she could do. Or… was there?  

An idea wriggled its way into her mind. She looked down at her right hip where a small pouch was strapped on. A distant memory surfaced in her mind when she was much younger and had a taste for mischief. She pulled open the pouch and picked out one small seed. Looking it over, she nodded before placing it onto the ground with her hands hovered over it.  

Within a few seconds, the seed began to split open and grow. Willow willed it to continue, forcing it to not sprout any leaves or offshoots but just to keep growing longer. She stopped once it was over two feet long, now a thick, long, green vine.   

The goblins continued to laugh at Teddy’s moans of pain. She sneered their way before turning back to the vine she had grown.  

Raising her hand, the vine began to move. She waved her hand side to side, making the vine in turn slither across the ground. When it had made its way out from behind Teddy, she let out a low, drawn-out hiss.  

“What’s that?”  

Willow continued to hiss, making the vine slither faster forward. 

“Snake!” one screamed, letting the rock in his hand clatter to the floor. 

The room filled with the sound of the two goblins screaming as they scrambled to get away. Willow just continued to hiss and make the vine advance. The feeling of the floor beneath her quaking was almost satisfying as the two goblins ran for it, still screeching.