Arson’s gaze fell upon the woman with flames curling around her, her heart glowing through her chest, and they started to get dizzy as their own heart pounded faster at the sight.
I've never seen someone engulfed in flames like that before… they couldn't help but think.
They wanted to reach out and touch the dancing flames, to hold the woman and stroke her hair. They felt a little faint as heat rose to their cheeks.
“One horn,” Wyll spat. “The stink of Avernus. Advocatus diaboli .”
The woman peered at Wyll, the flames dying down but her heart still glowing. “Well I'll be godsdamned - the Blade of the Frontiers. Thought I'd shaken you for good. That'll teach me to underestimate you.”
“You're the…devil…we've been hunting,” Arson said hesitantly. “Karlach, right?”
“Bloody right. An honour to be chased by the Blade of Frontiers. But - agh !”
A great heat roared through Arson’s mind, making their mouth twitch upwards into a faint smile; her heat, fiery as the Hells. Then they were lost in visions of demonic armies as they tore through a landscape of fire and blood.
The Blood War. I saw it from above as the nautiloid passed through Avernus - this woman was on the frontline.
“What was that ?!”
“Evidence.” Wyll pulled out his rapier. “Proof that you're a devil, a gladiator in the archdevil Zariel's army.”
“I can explain. But it's a whole situation. If you'd just hear me out - ”
Another vision. Karlach's blade raised, slicing through devils - Zariel's servants - as her eyes darted around, seeking escape. Her rage and desperation seeped into them. She was a victim of the Blood War, not an agent of it.
“She's trying to trick us. Don't believe her lies.”
“You saw the truth. I never wanted to serve Zariel. I was enlisted in her army against my will. Forced to fight, and fight I did. When I saw an opportunity to get away, I took it. I'm finally home - or near it, anyway.”
“You served her. That's enough to damn you.”
“Stand down, Wyll,” Arson snapped. “You saw what I saw.”
His breath caught, his lips straightened, and sheer dread twisted his face.
“You don't know what you're saying. You're asking me to trust a devil.”
“Gods, you're stubborn. Karlach's not a devil, and you know it.”
“Listen to sense, now. I don't want this to end badly for either of us. You know monsters, right? Better than anyone. Look into my eyes. Can't you see I'm not what you think?”
“sh*t,” Wyll whispered, sheathing his blade. “You really are no devil, are you? I've... I've been deceived.”
“Thank the gods. Thought I was going to have to take your head.”
“You would've died in the attempt. But there have been enough threats today.”
“Truce then, hey?”
“Aye. Truce.”
“I'm Karlach but you already knew that. And you are...?”
“I-I'm Arson. And that's Astarion and Lae’zel.”
“Well met, soldier. Nice to meet a friendly around here - it's been tough going so far. I may not be a devil, but I can put the Blade’s reputation to work. How would you feel about helping me kill some evil bastards? A little background, if your moral compass needs something to point at...You already know I fought in the Blood War. I was good. Really good. Turns out I've got a knack for killing demons. That made me a valuable asset. Zariel - the archdevil herself - made me as her personal attack dog. I played along until I could get the f*ck out of there, but devils don't like to lose their assets. Zariel liked it so little, she sent a bunch of goons, so-called 'Paladins of Tyr', to take me back. Problem is, I'm not going.”
Arson grinned, knowing where this was going. “Let's send them back where they came from.”
“f*ck yes. They cornered me outside the tollhouse, just up the hill. Doubt they've gone far after the scorching I gave 'em. Then we can work on evicting this parasite and take Faerûn by the short hairs. Sound good?”
“Sounds like a great plan.”
“I'd hug you if it wouldn't scorch your skin off.” Oh gods, please don't tempt me like that. I might actually have a heart attack. “Looks like your troop's all trooped up. You'll need to send someone packing if you want me to join.”
“Lae'zel will leave.”
Lae’zel sighed, “If I must, I must,” then left.
“So. Wyll. Now that we've made peace, how about we get to know each other properly. What's your story?”
“Not so much a story as a pantomime. And I've played my part all too poorly.”
“Someone set you on Karlach's tail. I'd like to know who.”
“I would too. Go on, Wyll - we're listening. Who sicced you on me?”
“You're not the only one who's had a villain's knife held to your throat, Karlach,” he snapped.
“You make it sound like a harvester devil's coming for you, Wyll.”
“You're closer than you know. One night soon when we make camp, the veil will be lifted and I'll face my penance.”
“Penance?” Arson asked. “Should we be worried?”
“You're not in any danger, I promise. I can't say the same about me.”
“...Now I'm definitely worried. But I suppose there's nothing to be done about it.”
The four of them made their way to the tollhouse, just barely killing those within.
“f*ck them,” Karlach hissed, flames starting to trickle up and down her arms. “f*ck Zariel . I won't go back. I'm never going back. And if any of mummy’s little friends want to pick up where the others left off…they'll find nothing but a pile of ash.”
Arson stared at her in awe, and they couldn't stop their request if they tried.
“Tear this place apart,” they whispered.
“Zariel 's gotta stop f*cking with me, you know? I'm done with it. I'm done with her. I'm free. I'm FREE!”
Karlach burst into maniacal laughter as she started stroking the wooden furniture, flames quickly spreading. Arson felt their pulse quicken as they watched, disappointed when Wyll and Astarion dragged them out of the burning tollhouse.
“Felt good letting off a little steam after facing off with this ignots,” Karlach sighed as she exited a couple minutes later. “Granted the fire lasted a little longer than it should.”
“I liked the look of it,” Arson blurted.
“Careful, soldier. If I burn any hotter, I might explode. Hear that?” She pounded her chest, which rang out metallic. “Infernal engine for a heart. Lets me burn as hot as the Hells. Seems to be running in overdrive since I left Avernus. Won't be seeing my mechanic any time soon, so l I'll just make the most of the extra heat. Just don't get too close 'til I've found a way to calm it down.”
“What does the engine allow you to do?”
“Burn, baby. As hot as I can tolerate. Makes me a beast in battle. Hardly remember what I was like before it. But it's a bit early in the game to be getting into tragic backstories. Let's save the scar-show for later, after we've worked up an appetite for tragedy. Meanwhile, I'll need to find someone who can tune up my engine sooner rather than later. Believe me when I say this thing is hot . The first time I faced down those 'paladins, they let slip there was an infernal mechanic in the area. A tiefling. He might be able to stabilize things - if I can find him.”
“I'll keep an eye out for someone like that.”
“Thanking you. A tune-up would give this rustbox of mine a new lease on life.”
As the four of them went to camp for the night, Arson felt happy for the first time since being kidnapped, completely unaware of the devil watching.
