Chapter Text
The weight of regret was heavy upon him as Gale realised that he could have been more compassionate. Hindsight made it clear that he could have handled the situation better. However, that was the problem with the present - it was always easier to see how things could have been different when they were already in the past. While Gale had started the conversation politely, his frustration had caused him to strip the wizard down to the bare bones of her identity, reducing Floria to nothing more than a useless apprentice.
The poor creature had only answered his question honestly. The memory of his words mocked him when silence came.
“You have a familiar twinkle in your touch. You’re a wizard, aren’t you?”
It had been a moment during their walk towards whatever location they were desperately finding, constantly bothered with the knowledge that a tadpole was wiggling through their minds until eventual obliteration. Maybe that’s why he was so abrupt.
“My apprenticeship is at the Church of Azuth. The one in Baldur’s Gate.”
Azuth was a lesser deity of arcane magic, but most importantly, Azuth served Mystra, the Goddess of Magic. This also could have been the reason for his outburst. Once, in his youth, he had graced Azuth’s church as a speaker at Waterdeep. It had been an experience—a church where magical scrolls were more prominent than religious idols.
“You’re a Cleric?”
“No, I’m a wizard.” Floria had corrected him firmly. This should have been the first sign to stop.
“If you meet any learned, high wizards. Let me know. It is of great importance.”
“What is the issue? Maybe I can help. I've heard debates and lectures from the best Wizards. There's no magical quandary I haven't heard about.”
“What you can do is find a proper wizard. I have no need for a church apprentice.”
It had been said with venom, and it had hurt. He had seen it in her eyes. After the outburst, the young apprentice wouldn't even look at him, let alone speak to him. Gale knew he had acted terribly, and he couldn't blame the girl for her silence. It had been very unbecoming of him. If he had known the nature of his other companions, he probably wouldn't have lost his temper because, compared to them, she was saintly. One was clearly a vampire pretending to be helpful, and the other was a cleric who had cut the throat of their Githyanki companion the night prior, and that was it. Gale and the other wizard were camping with murderers. There was no other polite way of putting it.
However, like most things with Gale, it wasn't the whole truth of why he felt ashamed. In their short time together, he had come to appreciate the girl's beauty and found himself admiring her every time he looked. He had been locked in his tower for a whole year, and whilst he tried to be above it all. Still, underneath, Gale was a man. He still felt uncomfortable things.
At night, as the group camped, Floria read the books they had collected on their travels and would sit there for hours, lost in the pages. Oblivious to Gale’s glances. He liked how the warmth of the fire illuminated her face, casting a glow on her noble features, which were usually hidden by the thick spectacles and cascading curls that flowed freely around her head. In the daylight hours, she was quite petite and modest. But here, at night, when trapped in those pages, she became an image of willing curiosity.
Even though she was an adolescent with much to learn, it only fuelled his dubious thoughts. A master and his apprentice were a common fantasy among wizards. In the dark of night, when the world was nothing but snores, Gale touched himself. It was always quick and efficient. The risk of being caught was ever-present, and after each time, there was the same gut-churning shame—the thoughts of Mystra. Beautiful Mystra. A mortal could never compare.
Still, he did it, and knowing him, he would do it again. It only would take a flash of her ankle as she waded into a river. He was a weak man and, since entering the Emerald Grove, a protective man. He had to be when he learned of her history. Floria had lived her life within the walls of a church - where magical lectures overtook the importance of world affairs. The girl wasn't built for the outside world.
Floria had a good hand for spells, but just because someone knew the proper chants didn't mean they had the right instincts when meeting questionable people. And the Emerald Grove was an uncertain place, full of desperate refugees and dangerous druids whose hands were itching for their weapons. This place of nature was thick with suspicion.
On the one hand, he was grateful that Floria was talking to him again. It seemed the place had awoken her talkative side. On the other hand, Gale couldn't shake off the feeling that there would be bloodshed soon. He wasn't the wizard he used to be. Before, he could manage several battles before feeling tired, but now he was lucky to survive one. The tadpole was playing hell with his mind. He should pray to Mystra. Maybe this time, there would be an answer.
As soon as the group had concluded their dealings with the head druid, who had proven to be an insidious character, they collectively decided that their next course of action should be to seek out the healer Halsin. The well-being of the Grove would have to wait until their return, as they had their own pressing matters. But firstly, it was his job to find Floria, and then they could leave.
She had been excited about the newness of the place, taking time to speak with every willing face, asking questions, and learning. Most of them seemed to be male. His stomach had twisted at the thought. There were arrangements to make, healers to find, and goblins to fight. He didn't have enough time to watch them. Thankfully, they were Tieflings. She couldn't possibly be seduced by a Tiefling. Still, Tieflings were male and could have the same thoughts as himself.
Gale knew precisely why he should watch them. He found her with another Tiefling, as expected. He watched them from a tiny hill, unable to hear their words. The Tiefling was adorned in long flowing robes that suggested their profession as a wizard, and inexplicably, the sight of it caused a sense of annoyance within Gale. When he saw them together in the Emerald Grove and how she smiled at this other wizard, he couldn't help but let out a sudden, loud shout, surprising himself and those around him.
“Floria. We are leaving.”
It had been enough. Their conversation had stopped, and she rejoined him without fuss. She had the same smile used on the Tiefling. It was friendly without a hint of affection, only conveying open friendliness. He was too young to be this old of a fool. His time in the tower had weakened him somewhat; this must have been the case.
“I found a wizard,” her voice was excitable. “He's an apprentice, but there is a master in Baldur’s gate.”
“That is far away.” He stared as they walked towards the entrance of the Emerald Grove, and she stared back. This would be their little world until they met the others at the front gate.
“It's a start, at the very least. I did keep my eyes open for a proper wizard, but there are none to be found.”
“Thank you.” He wanted to say more than that, to recite some grand poetry, for her to understand his appreciation and to forgive his harshness. She had not spoken to that Tiefling because their magic impressed her. No. Rather, she did it all for Gale's sake. It was an act of kindness towards a lucky man who would earn her favour, eventually.