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it is dark out. Night has just fallen and without notice in the forest a bloodless boar lies rather ungraciously discarded on a path. By the nearby river a handsome older white haired elf is washing his face. The other companions sleep soundlessy lie by their fire unaware of their bloodthirtsuy friend or fiend, Wyll a monster hunter they recently picked up from the grove would no doubt drive a dagger through his heart if he knew.
The blade of frontiers
how that name made astarion feel anger. But it isent the time for inner violence, the tadpole might hide his most obvius signs of vampireism but he wont be able to keep it secret forever. an alibi might be the next goal and there wasent many that came to mind. Shadowheart wouldent set a foot near him, lazel intimidated him, karlach would be hard to seduce when they couldent even touch eachother.
It might work to talk to the wizard. Astarion had seduced many men like him for cazador. Heartbroken trying to prove themself wailing in self pity desperate for validation. It was perfect and astarion had done this many times before.
easy right?
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The goblin camp was wretched, the goblins stunk like shit as they walked through the camp. Wyll the ever adoring leader decided to camp before attacking the goblin camp, like we dident have a ticking clock before we would be turned into mindflayers. As astarion was brought up in his thoughts it was abruptly stopped.
“Look at this boar. its dead but no wounds,”
laezel dident even bat an eye at the boar speaking about if we stop for every dead animal we wil be turned into mindflayers before they save this druid halsin.
“i agree we stop for every carrion we find on the road we wil become mindflayers before finding this absolute”
Astarion spoke trying to downplay the seriousness of the situation. and to keep this fun personality he had all this time. he can't really remember if its actually his personality or another facade anymore. it's all blending together, life before and after cazador
“Look at its neck.. Vampire bites.. ive fought many in my youth’ we need to be vigilant from now on.”
Wylls words sent a shiver through astarions spine instantly, the cold fear turning in his gut. would he be killed now? would his facade be gone?
“We should keep guard at night then. if there's vampires around” shadowheart spoke standing up with a determined look.
The party agreed to set camp awhile away so as to not attract the vampires around. Wyll had a theory about absolut vampires, what a knight in shining armor and now Shadowheart would stay first watch then astarion then Wylll and the rest of that conversation astarion forgot he was exhausted he needed to rest.
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The forest was cold , foggy and brooding as astarion walked through the forgotten path, it was too quiet.
“Hello, anybody there?” his voice echoed of the hollowed trees.
But another voice echoed back, one Astarion had heard many times before and each time it makes his steps falter his breathing bit more fast.
“First thy shall not drink the blood of thinking creatures”
it was impossible to locate the voice through the fogged forest, it was him it had to be him! he had found me! is what astarions mind rattled again and again.
“Second thy shall obey me in all things” The voice hissed closer this time. And suddenly all of astarions snark replies and charm went away his voice light with a tremble.
“Ofcourse its just i was kidnapped! by a tentacle monster!” Astarion shouted into the forest unable to find where The voice was coming from. Astarion was about to plead more before the voice spoke again louder this time like it came from inside his head.
“Third thy shall not leave my side less directed.” The clearing between the two trees had lessen its fog. Astarion saw a figure approaching one that demanded authority and made astario ntake a step back.
The Old fear is twisting in his gut but he forces himself to keep smilling as he so often did before.
“Fourth thy shall know that thout are, Mine” A tall large elf appeared between the smoke, piercing red eyes a grim amount of Malice in them with a slight smirk, and black hair slicked over. He had found him, Cazador had foun him now.
“Please you have to forgive me my lord i dident mean to do this.” astarion pleaded as His masters grin widen even more.
“pathethic as always but atleast you know your place.” The forest misted up and all you could see was Cazadors piercing red eyes. Glaring, unnerving, Angry..
Then astarion opens his eyes. The night stars greet him with the warmth of a fire besides him. It was just a dream.
Astarion was in a cold sweat and dident have time to think much before he was interrupted by shadowheart
"just in time. Watch our back im in desperate need for some rest."
right the guard shift. Astarion put back on his charming smile and got up to watch out for these 'hunting vampires'
he also subtly looked around for the figure but.
he was alone, Cazador be damned. He was in control now And he could make his own choices.
And he would.