Chapter Text
The lands were wretched, stained by the madness of the man that all had witnessed the death of so many years ago. Only now he had returned, with a new army, a new god. All the hardships and heartaches seemed primed to repeat themselves. It was a cruel time to be aligned with those sworn to do good, to defend the lands. Even now it did not seem that there was much left even worth defending. Yet, Tav became a Harper for a reason. And that reason was not so weak that she would turn away when she was needed the most.
"Mistress! Please!" The desperate voice echoed out.
Life amidst the shadows.
None in the dark could last for long. Tav ran full sprint towards the voice. Whomever the poor soul was crying out to, it was clear that they would not hear him. Whatever gods he worshipped would not keep him from the dark. The instant she spotted the tall, wispy creatures of overlapping shade she launched herself at them as a hammer into a nail.
"Custodes!" At her command, the fallen of her order returned to her side to do battle once more.
They shimmered with light, their weapons drawn and their souls yet again ignited. One day she too would join them. A proud legacy to hold. To be one eternally the beacon of hope.
In the midst of the battle, her weapon tearing through the shades and the light pushing back the darkness, Tav had not even had the time to take note of what she was defending. It was not until the shadows had dissipated, the corrupted civilians returned to rest, and the gentle light of her weapon created a calm haven, did she finally turn to face the being that she had saved.
Her first instinct would have been to raise her weapon.
Had he not immediately broken down in tears, his fine arms now wrapped around her shoulders as he cried into the crook of her neck. He seemed all but inconsolable. A pitiful sight that drider was. Nothing like the bitter, twisted creatures she had fought in the Underdark. How he ever made it to the surface at all was... troubling. But more importantly, he was hurt. A broken creature with a fractured mind. A victim in all of this.
"It will be alright, try to breathe." She murmured into his ear and began to stroke his hair, gentle and soft to help assure him that he would not be hurt by her.
"Her Majesty... abandoned me... Left me... to die.... Did I not serve her well?" Tears from what had to be seven eyes began to dampen Tav's collar and neck.
"You did all you could, not all gods are worthy of worship. Let us..." Could she take this creature to the Last Light Inn?
The last thing Tav wanted was to make Jaheira mad. Had this happened before a bunch of tieflings and more importantly children arrived - it might have been different. But if this creature was a threat... Could this whimpering mess by a threat? Maybe Jaheira would let him stay at the edges, where he could be safe and seen by the watches.
"Come with me. I will keep you safe. I am Tav." She tilted her head and shifted to try and see his face.
He was pale, paler than bone. His eyes were the darkest abyss and she thought if she looked too long she would be swallowed by it. He would have been handsome, if not for the other eyes tearing through his skin. No... he was still handsome. Well built. And... how he looked at her made her feel unusually warm.
Of course, when someone was saved from death it was not uncommon to form feelings towards a saviour. But something in his eyes told her that it was more than his life that was his concern.
"I shall follow you, my Lady." He managed to pull back long enough to bow, before immediately he again moved in closer.
Near enough to her, and the shadows would not hurt him. The darkest ones Tav could not hope to breach even with her most powerful light spells. But at least when moving through the 'brighter' areas, they would be safe. Tav even placed a hand on his arachnid abdomen. The carapace was smooth at the side, to the point where it might almost be mistaken for snakeskin. She half wondered if he would even be able to feel any touch there, but when she looked up at his flushed face she had her answer.
For one so monstrous, he was nothing but gentle - timid even.
If the uneven ground ever forced her to step away from him he would immediately stop, and look at her. She wasn't sure he ever fully stopped looking at her, as his other eyes seemed to always glance about in random directions. It was clear he did not want to be any distance away from her - not for a moment.
"So... might I know your name as well?" The silence was beginning to get to her. The darkness all around just felt too... oppressive. It was too much and she rather wished she had not had to do her errand alone. Sure, scouting the territory was best not done in large groups, but this place would surely haunt Tav for many years beyond her retirement.
"I apologise Mistress! I have offended! I am so sorry!" His tone was again desperate, fevered.
If Tav could read his mind, just what would she see? What had he been through to make him so desperate? To make him jump constantly between extremes?
"No, no you haven't. You're alright. And even if you did, I won't be mad at you. I won't... leave you."
Something about those words seemed to stir something in her strange companion. The little arms at the front of his... were he humanoid that area would be a crotch wouldn't it? Tav tried her best not to stare, assuming that humanoid or not it would be rude. Still, the arms, the pedipalps, seemed to curl up tight similar to how one might express excitement. Unless she was projecting but...
"My name is Kar'niss, Mistress. But please, address me as you will." His voice was eager. The thought of someone that would allow him to stay by their side was all that he could wish for. No, more than he could wish for. Again and again he was left in the dark. But this one promised a light. Though, so had the Absolute... His excitement was dampened by the recollection of this most recent betrayal. His thoughts again began to spiral, and he felt he had no way to call them back unto himself...
"Well then, it's nice to meet you Kar'niss." Tav smiled, and Kar'niss' attention was torn far from his worries and fears.
Finally they made it to the edge of the domain of the Last Light Inn, protected by the spell of the enigmatic cleric of Selune. It was not known where that woman came from, nor how she came to be here, nor why she was a protector or... Anything. In the few conversations Tav held with that woman, she just seemed... Odd. Like she was out of place. Of course Tav could never say such things to her face, she was how they all stayed alive as they planned out how they would deal with Ketheric but... Tav didn't like not knowing such things.
"Alright, Kar'niss, stay behind me and um... Gods just try to look non-threatening. These are our allies. I'm sure that... I'm sure... This will be fine. It will all be fine." The words at this point were more to comfort Tav than Kar'niss. More to assure herself that somehow her stupid plan could do anything other than get them both killed.
Of course the moment the others saw the massive drider right by the entrance of their safe haven there was an immediate panic and guards quickly swarmed them. Tav held her hands up in surrender and gestured for Kar'niss to do the same. If nothing else, his obedience was a helpful trait when things got serious.
"No need for violence, I... Found another refugee." Already Tav could see someone run off to get Jaheira. As long as everyone could stay calm long enough to let her arrive there might not be any bloodshed. Though, that did require Jaheira not to immediately ring Tav's neck for bringing a follower of the Absolute right to their safe haven.
"Refugee? Refugee?! That thing is a bloody monster! We just sent out a party to kill it!" Branthos was not often the kind to shout, his voice was often soft and soothing but now... Now he was mad. Well, more frightened really, based on the look in his hazel eyes.
Kar'niss put a gentle hand on Tav's shoulder, whether it was him seeking comfort in her presence or offering her comfort she couldn't tell. But she was glad he wasn't about to reach for a weapon either way.
"I thought the mission was just to retrieve the lantern. Nothing was said about having to slaughter them." Tav could already see her words were not deescalating the situation. In fact, Kar'niss' grip on her tightened as she revealed that the reason for his dire state had been in some part because of her. Or at least due to her actions. "This one has surrendered. Look, can we at least wait for Jaheira maybe-"
"Maybe what? Maybe I will approve a monster in our midst?" The disapproving tone was so clear Tav couldn't meet her eyes. Her boss, her mentor, her hero... Was mad at her.
"Jaheira I-"
"Do not 'Jaheira' me, pup. And do not gaze at the floor when you wish to defend yourself. Look at me." Her words left no room for debate and Tav could do nothing but slowly look up at her. She was holding the jar with the tadpole. If it approached Kar'niss there would be all but no choice but to put him down. Others might get an exception if they could prove themselves but how could a beast such as the one Tav had been walking around?
It came as a shock to all when instead of seeking out its own kind, the tadpole retreated, repulsed by whatever it was able to sense in Kar'niss' mind. As Tav glanced back at her ward, she could see he almost appeared hurt by the rejection of a parasite. Of a creature that did not deserve his longing.
"...See?" Tav said at last, cutting the silence short. "He's fine."
"Being uninfected is not the only requirement to be here, pup. He was loyal to the Absolute and willing to die for it only hours ago. What makes now different?" Jaheira's gaze was sharp as she glared at Kar'niss and evaded Tav's pleading gaze.
"Because... the Absolute was not willing to save him. The Absolute left him to die in the dark. Jahe- Ma'am. I do not expect you to let him inside the inn, I just wish to ask that... that you let him stay within the light. I promise he will be my responsibility. Maybe he'll even be a useful informant." Tav put a hand on Kar'niss where his shoulder would have been had he been human, which resulted in her hand being on his hip as she gently patted him. She realised too late the location but... Well at least he showed no sign of dislike to her hand being there. Though Jaheira did seem to be watching a little too closely.
"Ugh, fine. He can stay by the docks. But you are not to let him out of your sight. Understood? Now, enough with the doe eyes." Jaheira had a weakness few knew about. Well, few outside the Harpers anyway. And unfortunately for her, Tav knew it well. She struggled to resist those that would plead for another's life with 'doe eyes' - though she would never confess it.
"Thank you Jaheira! I promise I shall take care of him. He won't be a danger." Tav beamed at Jaheira and turned briefly to look up at Kar'niss who by now was glaring at the inn. Possibly not a great sign but she would take what she could get.
"You sound like I have allowed you a dog and not a drider. Please, for all our sake's, be careful." Jaheira's brow furrowed and soon she too had turned to look at the inn.
It was no more than a few moments that passed before a winged creature was seen approaching the room in which the cleric of the moon maiden had been staying.