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"A Helping Hand" - (Gale x Tav)

Another piece from the longfic marinating in my drafts. This is how SJ and Gale met (Again)

[Gale's POV]

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The rune carved into the cliff face wasn’t unlike the one she had already passed near the ruined temple, save for the dangerous-looking purple vortex threatening to suck in anyone who approached. Despite multiple warnings from her companions, SJ was already at the mercy of her curiosity. So while the others ventured on towards the dead goblins in the middle of the path in search of supplies, SJ began her investigation into what caused the rune to react so spectacularly.

She reached out towards the vortex, feeling a sharp pain shoot through her fingertips as the malfunctioning magic retaliated with an electric shock. Anyone else might have left it alone, realizing that perhaps the sigil didn’t wish to be disturbed, but in their brief moment of connection, SJ sensed the presence of a different kind of magic from within. Dangerous, volatile magic that didn't match the rune, or even the control panel on the Nautiloid.

Before she could determine where she’d sensed such magic before, an arm shot out from the center of the vortex. It couldn’t have been a conjuration, not with a faded purple sleeve and a pale human hand, waving erratically as if reaching for something.

Someone was trapped inside the stone.

“A hand?” asked a disembodied voice, presumably attached to the rest of the arm.

“Who are you?” SJ asked, taking a cautious step back.

“Just your average traveler, stuck between realms.” The voice replied, as the hand continued to grasp for purchase.

After a quick examination of the rune, SJ took a moment to attune her magic to it, pleading with it to calm down. The portal began to expand, allowing the hand to reach further towards her.

“Yes! That’s it! Whatever you’re doing is working wonders! Now, a quick little pull should do the trick.” His voice almost sounded... familiar. Where had she heard it before?

Taking the hand in both of hers, SJ dug her heels into the dirt as she pulled with all her might, hoping it would be enough to free the stranger. To her surprise, her limited strength was enough.

The rest of the human— thankfully, still attached to the arm— flew out through the portal, landing ungracefully in the dirt. SJ stumbled backwards as she landed beside him, watching as the vortex shrank into obscurity, and left behind a simple teleportation rune.

Once they managed to pick themselves up and dust themselves off, SJ got a better look at the human she’d saved. Shoulder-length brown hair with eyes to match, a short beard, and purple wizard robes.

Save for the beard, SJ couldn’t shake the feeling she’d seen him somewhere before.

The wizard grabbed her hand for a firm handshake, catching her even further off guard. “Hello, I’m Gale, of Waterdeep. Apologies, I’m usually better at this.”

Of course. It had to be him.

The infamous ‘Wizard of Waterdeep’ was well-known within the arcane community of Baldur’s Gate. Back when SJ worked in Sorcerer’s Sundries, she occasionally made small talk while he waited for appointments with other mages, and even sold him a scroll or two. She’d often heard grapevine rumors about the accolades of Mystra’s former chosen, but she never heard what became of him after he was banished from Elysium.

“No need to apologize.” She instinctively replied. “Are you alright?”

“A bit shocked. But, friend, it’s a relief and a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” He grinned. “Say, but I know you… don’t I?”

SJ blinked in surprise, her tadpole humming in concert with her fear. She hadn’t expected the wizard would remember their limited interactions in the magic shop. “I suppose you do.”

“Well, in a manner of speaking. You were on the Nautiloid as well.”

Or perhaps he didn’t.

“Oh… Uh, yes. I was.” she replied. “I take it that means you also ended up with a worm in your eye?” It was more of a rhetorical question as her tadpole began to writhe. Somehow she knew he’d been infected as well.

“Indeed. You don’t happen to be a cleric by any chance, do you?” he asked. “We are going to need a healer, and soon. If my math is correct, we have approximately 7 days to find a cure.”

How far they’d fallen. Respected members of the arcane community, reduced to nothing more than hosts for mind flayer tadpoles. “Unfortunately, I’m not a cleric. But I’m also not alone. There are other survivors from the crash, just up ahead. You’re welcome to join us.”

“Ah, wonderful!” he exclaimed. “A parasite shared is a parasite... halved. Or... something to that effect.” he trailed off. “Shall we?”

“Sure.” SJ chuckled quietly at his rather amusing turn of phrase. “The others are this way.”

The wizard fell into step alongside her as she guided him towards their growing company of adventurers. “I didn’t catch your name.” he said, almost in the form of a question.

She hoped he wouldn’t catch the hesitation before her reply. Their reputations in Baldur’s Gate were nowhere near the same level of renown, but there was a chance he’d learned of her recent exploits, and subsequent banishment from the community.

“SJ.” she lied, refusing to make eye contact as she made a mental note once again.

“Well met.” he nodded, cordially.

“And you, Gale of Waterdeep.”

“Please, just ‘Gale’ will suffice.” he smiled.

“Gale it is, then.”

“I don’t suppose you know of any wizards in this troupe of yours?” he asked. “There is a matter I’d like to seek advice on.”

“Couple of bards, a cleric, and a druid from a nearby grove. I’m the closest thing we’ve got to a wizard, but if we all survived, there have to be others. Why? What do you need?”

“Oh, nothing you need concern yourself with. You’re right, there must be other survivors versed in magic…” he said, casually.

“What exactly is it that you need advice on? I am a sorcerer. There’s as much magic in me as there is in you.”

The wizard didn’t seem inclined to agree. “One might as well compare apples to oranges where the Weave is concerned.” he chuckled, lightly. “You’ve an innate connection to it, of course, but where you merely call upon the Weave, I’ve spent decades learning to compose it.” he added, with a flick of his wrist.

“That’s a bit of an unfair assumption, don’t you think?” She replied, in a more defensive tone than she intended.

“Oh, I do apologize.” Somehow, she doubted the sincerity of his apology. “Are you studied in magic?” he asked.

“I mean… a little?” Shame burned in her cheeks as he called her bluff. “I’ve been trying to study more, I’ve just been… preoccupied, as of late. You of all people should know what that’s like.”

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