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The lightning from her bow sent a cooling shock down her spine. Her eyes glowed a grey like color as her hair was pulled into a single ponytail. Wyll summoned a cambion with his new rapier. Jaheria had turned into a panther tearing apart the undead that was summoned by Kethertic. The taste of musky decay filled her mouth.
Ashla pulled back on the string, a teleportation arrow teleporting Ashla to be with Aylin. A mindflayer was close to her and about attack the trapped Aylin and Ashla; when Minthara’s hammer came crushing into the ribs of the mindflayer making it squeal in pain. The drow’s teeth were bare as she shouted a war cry. Aylin stood rolling her neck and shoulder out, her wings sprouting free and glowing a bright moonlight.
“The gods fight on our side, full force!” Ashla shouted.
Ashla jumped across, her divine sword hung high as she dueled with Kethertic, his hammer locked with Oghma’s long sword. Her eyes locked on his as he broke free and kicked her in the chest before slamming his hammer into her. Ashla let out a cry as it felt like her ribs were shattered. Quickly the ribs fused themselves back together only bruises showed what he had done to her.
Wyll quickly countered Kethertic by sending fire like missiles into him. Then when Ashla was about to thrust her sword into him, Jaheria rained down an ice storm. Ashla shielded for a moment as Aylin came down on Kethertic and as Jaheria rained down the hail like storm. The force of the moon maiden’s divine energy sent an empowering energy into Ashla, the aasmair and the exarch both fighting Kethertic head on. Ashla sent a psychic wave into Kethertic desperately trying to get him to put down his weapon and to submit, but even with this new ability Ashla had gained from Oghma she was still wasn’t strong enough. Fuck this, Ashla thought to herself as she thrusted her sword into Kethertic’s knee.
He let out a cry as Aylin kicked him forcing him to kneel.
“Kethertic,” Ashla began as she stood before him her arms crossed and her eyes somehow gentle yet.
“Death cannot have me,” Kethertic growled.
“Kethertic think of Isobel, no one is too far gone to be redeemed,” Ashla pleaded.
She could feel Minthara and Jaheria’s disapproving eyes on the back of her neck, yet the young exarch didn’t care. While Oghma was neutral and never taught that mercy was needed, it was something she had picked up over her adventures. She thought of how cruel and unforgiving the world could be, sometimes the cruelest people just needed a little kindness. After all after learning more about Kethertic’s past she knew now he only became evil and cruel to save his daughter. Ashla slowly held out her hand to him.
“Would she even forgive me? No, no she would not,” Kethertic whispered in a heartbroken tone.
Ashla watched as he slowly rose, she still offered her hand out to him, she felt as he took her hand in his. His gauntlets leaching off hers, a gently tug and pull as he inched closer to a dangerous edge. Her heart raced as she watched him fall backwards with his hand in hers still. Ashla panted as she felt Ketheric’s hand slip from hers, he had tried to take her down with him. She wanted to scream out, she truly wanted to spare the bastard.
Her heart pounded for a moment, Wyll, Jaheria, and Minthara slowly approached. Exhaustion from the battle already taking its toll. Aylin flew close but not yet far close enough to the group.
The atmosphere grew thick and a loud voice filled the room.
“The weakest child of Oghma wishes to fight one of the dead three, poor girl. She should have stuck to becoming a painting like the rest of her siblings.”
Ashla turned and found herself looking up at a Skelton monstrosity. Fear gripped her as she saw the god Myrkul. Aylin looked up at the creature taking flight, her divine light filling Ashla and the party with the strength they needed once again. Ashla twirled her sword bringing it down on the avatar. The divine energy that surged through her one that felt all too familiar and welcoming. Her hair blew as the smell of decay filled her essence and made her sick. She imagined Gale back at camp, his brown eyes staring at the fire anxiously awaiting for her to return. She wouldn’t die, she would force herself to keep fighting no matter how tired she was. With a wave of its scythe necromites were brought forth and attacked Minthara causing her to be bruised and to have cuts from their boney claws.
Jaheria had turned into owlbear crushing some necromites the god had summoned. They were turned into dust. The cambion Wyll had summoned had stabbed the god with his spear. A settle flame setting Mykrull’s cape a blaze. The god’s distant voice filled the room as it screamed in anger. Minthara jumped down, her hammer slamming into apart of its lower ribs. His scythe came down, sweeping across all of them. The party barely managed to dodge his sweeping blow. Aylin flew into the air blinding the god with a moonbeam. Wyll look towards Ashla, he put a spell on her enhancing Ashla’s jump, he and her had practiced this move once using his dancing skills and Ashla’s dancing skills from her practice she had done with Kirin so many years ago now. Ashla jumped onto Wyll, who lifted her up with all his strength, her boots were heavier than expected accidentally dislocating his shoulder. He groaned crunching up slightly. Ashla swung onto Aylin who propelled her forward and her sword came down with a divine smite.
Ashla shouted, “For Faerûne!”
As her sword came down, it threw her back into the wall. She felt as the bones she was slammed into broke through her armor and pierced her back and shoulders. She let out a cry. Myrkull had disappeared and was replaced with Kethertic. He was trembling bleeding in his back, his knee, and his side. His armor broken and his eyes teary eyed and anger was laced behind his dying breath.
“I am death… you cannot take me!” Kethertic growled.
Ashla slowly rose and looked down at him full of shame. She slowly limped towards him supported by Jaheria and Wyll holding onto his shoulder. Ashla watched as he prayed to Myrkull and was left unaided.
He cried out full of pain and fear for his daughter, “Isobel… forgive me.”
Aylin came down crushing his body. She stomped on him, his blood spraying across the party.
Aylin happily laughed, “the rat is dead! Free from his tyranny at last!”
Ashla smiled weakly. Minthara had a proud smile on her lips as she crossed her arms, her heavy hammer back on her back. They heard the footsteps of Asteria, Lae’zel, Karlach, and Cypress, who had been handling rescuing the captives and helping protect their flank. Asteria ran to Wyll her arms wrapping around his neck as the two shared a gentle kiss and head nuzzle, his horns gently bumping against her forehead.
“You’re hurt…” Asteria whispered. Her fingers gently traced his jaw and cheek bones where the spines of his new devil form left.
“Nothing I can’t handle my pearl,” Wyll gently murmured.
Ashla smiled needing much needed medical attention as Karlach switched out with Jaheria to take her back to camp. Cypress stayed behind with Minthara to help collect and loot Kethertic. The dream guardian of Cypress was an older teifling woman who looked much like them. Karlach had brought Ashla back to camp, and helped lay her down in her tent. Ashla let out a cry of pain, Karlach took a step back letting only Gale into the tent.
Gale helped Ashla take off her armor and under garments other than her bloomers. Ashla would occasionally hiss or cry out when the wounds were exposed to the cool air. Ashla was in her tent shirtless as Gale gently treated her wounds. Ashla winced as he gently pulled bits of bone from her skin.
He let out a sigh, “do I want to know what happened to you, my love?”
“We won…” Ashla whispered, “that’s all that truly matters.”
“No, it’s not. You’re far too reckless and your armor is completely ruined.” Gale retorted back his voice trembling with worry.
Ashla was about to protest when he pulled another piece of armor and bone from her back, she squeaked, “fuck!”
He gently pressed a kiss to her shoulder just above a bleeding spot, amber blood oozing free. Gale gently nuzzled her skin as he pulled away rubbing a healing potion on the wounds scattered across her back. He then pulled a needle from his pocket and skillfully stitched closed to wounds. Ashla whimpered in pain each time.
“You doing alright my star?” Gale whispered into her ear.
Ashla shook her head. She was so tired of being strong. She sniffled as he finished tending to all of her wounds, gods she was so happy to finally stop being tough. Gale then helped her pull on her tunic. Ashla leaned her head into his chest, she could hear his heart gently beating, occasionally hearing it increase when she nuzzled him and the hum of the orb.
“No,” Ashla whispered.
“Why, tell me what troubles you,” Gale asked gently.
“He wanted forgiveness, he wanted to be forgiven Gale. Kethertic, I saw how desperate he wanted to be redeemed. He fucking killed himself because he thought Isobel would never forgive him,” Ashla replied her tears slowly rolling down her cheeks.
His fingers were gentle as he entwined his fingers into her hair gently massaging her scalp. Ashla relaxed fully into his arms. She sniffled beginning to cry, Gale gently shushed her.
“You did so well, it’s alright. You offered him a chance, he didn’t take it. It’s not your fault he died. You do need to be strong anymore, you don’t need to be angry at yourself,” Gale whispered lovingly and resassuringly.
Ashla sniffled feeling as her wounds were healed and his fingers gently traced her new scars. He gently kissed all over face and neck gently helping coax her out of her self anger from exhaustion.
“You did good,” Gale whispering lovingly into her ear.
Ashla nuzzled his cheek. His beard tickled her skin as she leaned her back into his chest. Gale’s head rested on her right shoulder, gently kissing her neck and cheeks again. Ashla giggled as his hands were locked on her hips as he hugged her tightly. The peppered kisses continued as Ashla was trapped in his warm embrace. Her fingers gently ran across his arms and wrists feeling the hair on his arms. Gods, their bloody existence continued for another day.
“Want me to help you release some of your burdens? It can be anyway you want,” Gale whispered.
“Let’s take a page out of Astarion’s book,” Ashla whispered looking up at him gently squeezing his hand.
“How do you suggest we do that?” Gale asked with a gentle smile.
“Let’s have a long hard debate,” Ashla smiled.
Gale snorted. He gently traced her newly healed skin, he was worried about her. Her eyes sparkled with strength but he knew she desired it for a different reason. He rested his hand on her shoulder his kisses gently pressed to the shell of her ear. His fingers finding the perfect spot of nerves that immediately sent her back arching.
“There we go, you just want praise. Am I correct my love?” Gale asked in a husky voice his fingers lazily pressing onto her clit.
Ashla nodded her eyes fluttering shut. Her breathing was getting heavier, ragged breaths and whines escaping her lips as she felt him press gentle kisses across her neck and shoulder. While one hand worked and gently stimulated her clit.
“You made me so proud Ashla,” Gale whispered in that same husky tone.
“Really?” Ashla whispered with a trembling voice.
“Of course my heart, why wouldn’t you… by the gods from your ferocious beauty that by all means scares me, to your kind and gentle heart that is so wonderfully fragile, I can not help but proud to call you mine. I have no reason to not be proud of you,” Gale whispered lovingly.
With each punctuated sentence he’d increase or slow his pace. Ashla whimpered just listening to the gentle rumble of his voice as he touched her so intimately and gently. His dominate hand gently plunged two fingers into her warm depths as his thumb traced her clit. Ashla mewled her back arching once again. His eyes focused on how her body reacted, his other hand gently tracing scars and stretch marks that ran up her thighs to her stomach.
“I was so scared,” Ashla admitted weakly.
“I know, and you were so brave,” Gale whispered lovingly.
Ashla felt her cheeks burn with each whispered and murmured compliment. The knot in her belly that signaled an orgasm twisted and became worse. Her breaths became heavier and she had to remind herself to muffle herself in fear of being heard by someone else at camp.
“I got you, promise, you can go…” Gale whispered lovingly like a purr as his digits continued to pleasure her trying to help her relax and release that tension.
Ashla let out a cry as her head fell back into his chest. Her back arched as she finished, her eyes fluttering shut. She whimpered her legs shaking as she slowly came down from the high. Ashla felt guilty knowing Gale was aroused and it was her fault. She wanted to help him, but the exhaustion from the battle leaving her too tired to help.
Gale smiled gently, he did not mind denying his own urges of wanting pleasure if Ashla was too tired. He just wanted to help her relax. He gently kissed her forehead helping her dress, the rustles of fabrics heard as he helped lay her down gently. Her head snuggled into his bicep as she slowly relaxed and melted into his touch.
“I love you,” Ashla whispered.
Gale smiled gently, “I love you more than there are stars scattered across the astral plane.”
Ashla rolled her eyes, her want to show off her poetic skills coming through, “my darling wizard, my love for you cannot be contained in all of the oceans in Faerûne. My love for you cannot be found, forged, or ruled over by any of our gods, but my love for you can only be found in each sound beat of both our beating hearts. Where my will love for the rest of our lives and when our times have come and the legends of our love is sung about by the bards of the Swordcoast.”
Gale was left speechless for once. His deep brown eyes sparkling as the two nuzzled one another before sleep took them, the last leg of journeying to Baldur’s Gate would take place in the morning.