The goblin camp was a shit hole.
Was that a severed leg next to the bonfire? Hope wondered as they crossed the bridge and into the heart of the camp. Goblins armed with various weaponry milled about, but she would have been a fool not to see the sizable troll that stood guard of the main doors ahead.
Hope wrinkled her nose at the sight of more body parts, on dinner plates of all things, "That's disgusting." She muttered.
Smirking by her ear, Astarion chuckled, "Don't let them hear you say that they may take it personally."
"They should."
As they passed, the goblins hardly took notice of them. They ignored them much like a horse ignores flies. The massive doors opened, and they stepped beyond, letting the exit close behind them. How long before they walked out of those doors again with a rescued druid in tow?
"This better be worth it," Shadowheart curled her lip as they entered, "a temple to Selune…I'll feel better when we're long gone from this place."
Hope glanced at her but said nothing. She'd save those questions for when she'd inevitably question her about the artifact. Now, her attention focused on the goblin ahead, who stood at a grand throne of bone.
Glancing all around them, Hope breathed in the place and wished she knew what Halsin smelled like—it would have made tracking him much easier. Instead, she could only rely on instinct.
"You," called the goblin, "come forward."
So, Hope did, though she was aware the Gale moved in step with her, keeping close. In a neutral voice, she asked, "Who are you?"
"Ah, True Soul," she nodded, "I am Gut and you…you are like me."
Hope narrowed her eyes but feigned a smile, "Wonderful."
"Best get on with it then."
Hope raised a brow and watched as she pulled out a long iron wand, which glowed orange on the end. She took a half-step back as Gut said, "Give me your hand."
"Why would I do that?" Hope raised a brow.
"The brand will keep the other followers of the Absolute from assuming you're not one of us."
Astarion stiffened behind her, and Hope smirked tightly, "Hard pass."
"Then what have you come for?"
"A cure."
Raising a brow, Gut glanced around the party before nodding, "It's something I can surely do. If you'll follow me to my chapel."
As Gut turned to leave, Astarion's hand gripped Hope's arm, "What exactly do you think you'll accomplish from this?" He whispered harshly in her ear.
"Getting her alone," Hope murmured in return, "I'll find where she's holding the druid." She met his red eyes and found something there she didn't expect: Concern.
"Trust me," Hope smiled crookedly before pulling from his grip and following Gut up the stairs and into her chapel.
As she entered, the door closed behind and Hope turned, heart suddenly racing as she stared at the door that kept her from her companions.
"Come," Gut said, "and we can begin."
Glancing around, Hope made sure no one else was there. "I'm actually having second thoughts." She murmured, taking a step toward her. "I have a different request."
Gut curled her lip and slowly removed her dagger from her waistband. "Do tell." She snarled.
"I want to know where the druid Halsin is."
"The druid?" She barked a laugh. "Now, that's funny. How about instead I…"
Hope suddenly froze in her step as a terrible, invasive pain infiltrated her head. Like a pair of knitting needles being jammed through her temples and scrambling the bits inside. She could feel Gut inside her head, and despite desperately trying to push her out, she'd been taken off guard, and Hope suddenly saw nothing but darkness.
When she reopened them, after what felt like a moment, but must have been longer. Her arms were numb, and her knees ached; it hurt to swallow as she lifted her head. It felt like she had heavy chains draped across her neck.
Groaning, she peered through the dingy darkness and stared at the bars that locked her into her tiny cell, then up at the ceiling where the chains kept her arms bound and raised above her head.
"You've got to be kidding me…"