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Snow, so pristine, blotted the ashen skies. Almost as if the divine entities had powdered their tears instead of faces. Every eave and cobble covered in a blanket of white, that muffled the ambient sounds of pleading fishmongers and merchants. Eager to palm off their wares. Hoping to celebrate Midwinter early with loved ones. A timid half-elf journeys towards one such venue. Bundled in a heap of embroidered green brocade and a fur-lined cloak, she sweeps a wary gaze over the offered items. Reaching out with a delicate hand clad in supple leather, she picks up a bauble that dangles by a thin silver hook. Glittering gold bands encircle a crafted sphere of obsidian so fine it imprisoned light like caged faerie fire.. “So pretty…” she says, each word accented by the puffs of her breath. “I wonder if the master will appreciate it?”
The older gentleman overseeing the venue runs his weathered hands together, blowing into them to keep warm.
He says, “that is a fine choice miss, you have excellent tastes.”
She fidgets with the chaste blond plait pinned atop her head, and the tips of her ears burned hot. “Oh, well thank you saer, but I don’t know about that…”
“Nonsense, that ornament you are holding is hand made, one of a kind.” He pauses, pointing upwards for emphasis. “Though for a sweet young thing like yourself I will offer it at half the cost.”
She tilts her head, pursing her lips in a frown. “I thought it was already on a discount?” Her eyes darted to the wooden sign painted with the incrementing information.
The man scratches the back of his head and wrings his hands, responding, “Oh, she is a clever one too...”
She narrows her eyes, recalling what her master told her about negotiating with dubious merchants, and straightens her posture. Tilting her chin upwards, though, the ‘peer downwards’ part was tricky, given how they stood at equal height. “Perhaps you should reconsider whatever scheme you are planning? I’m certain the First would not take kindly to it.”
“I beg your pardon?” He dares to act ignorant. “I can assure you that I meant no ill-will.”
“Then take another half off and we can consider it even.”
“Milady, I have a family to feed.”
“As do I.” She attempts to bluff, though Lady Destri and Lord Gortash do technically count. Sort of. “That doesn’t excuse your behavior.”
The older man scrambles for his next retort when his grey eyes widen after the crunch of snow. “Waukeen preserve me.” He mutters “A hell-spawn.”
“Is this man bothering you Lilla?” a low and sultry voice asks, ignoring the jab at their character.
This had the half-elf spinning around so fast she almost dropped the ornament with a squeak of surprise. “Lu- Lucid? What are you.-” the words come out in a jumbled mess “How did you-?”
“I have connections.” She gives a jaunty wink, “a warlock friend of mind portaled myself and Valafar into this world. I wanted to celebrate Midwinter with friends, you know?”
“Of course, but don’t you both have your own?-”
Lucid cuts her off again with a hearty laugh. “Trust me, my realms Gortash demanded we take a holiday. I don’t think he took kindly to his Steel Watch prototype’s abysmal failure during a test run with Valafar and myself.”
“Oh dear…” Lilla tries to not imagine the master’s ire if Lady Destri did the same. Somehow she doubts the Bhaalspawn would see it as a punishment…and truthfully, Lilla wouldn’t either. She blushes but tries to hide the effect behind the hood of her fur-trimmed cloak.
“Excuse me, saer?” Lucid’s curt ask startled Lilla. “Let’s give the lady what she asks? You have been made privy to more than is considered appropriate, and there is a certain up and coming Lord you do not want to get on his bad side.”
The man’s pallor turns as placid as the snow they tread on, “No-no of course not, please accept my sincerest apologies madame. Half the price as requested.”
After exchanging the gold coin, Lilla cradles the parchment clad bauble close to her. Master had expressed his distaste for the holiday, finding it to be meaningless and a waste of time. A frivolous endeavor that involved wasting coin on thoughtless trinkets in order to garner favor. Though she suspects it was more likely, he never had the chance to celebrate the holiday as a child and the bitterness from it warped his perception about the whole affair.
Clasping the item closer, Lilla nods in determination. She will make this the best Midwinter ever, for herself and for him.
“Did you have more shopping to do Lilla?” Lucid asks, stretching her arms so thoroughly her spaded tail wiggled at the end. “Valafar is looking for Destri, I think he wants to compare body counts.”
“I rather think Destri would enjoy that.” Lilla giggles. “Hopefully they keep it civil.”
“I’m not too worried about it, Valafar is excited to meet another Bhaalspawn, that isn’t related to him.” Lucid stares off towards the bell tower. A forlorn look crosses her features, but quickly disappears.
“So like it or not, you are stuck with me today Lilla. I hope that’s ok?” A sheepish look graces her smoky features. Emerald green eyes sparked from the mischief that bubbled beneath.
“I would love for you to accompany me, I still have a few more items to procure, and could use a half-devil’s charm to fend off would-be miscreants.”
Lucid makes a dramatic bow, her red mane tousled about her shoulders.“It would be an honor, milady.”
She swats at her and says with a teasing tone, “you are such a scoundrel Lucid.”
The two of them enter a shop; adorned in festive red and green velvet that draped off the counters. Twinkling silver orbs dangled in delicate strings of light attached to the ceiling above. Shelves lined with trinkets of various midwinter iconography stood as cheerful sentinels. A gentle woman with skin as rough and weathered as tree-bark and a smile that could warm the most frigid of souls greets the two women.
“Hello dears, what brings you into my shop today?” she warbles.
Lillia responds, “I am looking for a Midwinter tree. Ideally of the spruce variety.”
The ancient woman ruminates Lilla’s query, turning it over and over like the whittled fawn between her palms. “Hmmm, I’m sorry dearest, I sold my last one several bells ago.”
Lilla implores her,“are you certain? Surely there has to be more?”
“I wish that were the case but alas, there are no more to sell.”
Lucid intervenes, placing a hand on top of the older woman’s with a gentle squeeze. Her eyes took on flecks of magenta, and the heavy pall of magic sucked the air from Lilla’s lungs. “There has to be something else you can do?”
The older woman’s expression glazed over, unfocused, no doubt under the Cambion’s charm spell, but it was to no avail, for she was not lying, and continued in her resolve. But she mentioned where such trees could grow just outside the city limits, in a secluded glen unsullied from the touch of mortals. Hope brightened Lilla’s face.
***
As the pair made their way along Wyrm’s Crossing, with Lilla making a brief stop to purchase a few more trinkets, insisting that Lucid remain outside lest she ruin the surprise. Of course, she was squirming with curiosity and sought ways to sneak a peek. This earned her a stern reprimand. With a mage-hand that smacked the back of Lucid’s head and dragged her away from the shop’s entrance. Lila doubted it would last for long. Lucid has proven she had the attention span of a river fish and the persistence of a feral cat.
“Fiends below I’m starving! Could we stop by Frygo’s? They have a meat stew that I would trade my soul for…if I had one worth pawning off.”
“Lucid, we need to get a tree picked out. I promise once we get back I will make sure Therette makes you something tasty alright?”
“Oh, alright…” Lucid says with an exaggerated drawl that showed her disappointment. “If we must.”
They cleared Riverton soon after and Lucid asks her, “so once we get this tree how are we getting it home? I’m not exactly built for lugging such things, and forgive me, but neither are you.”
Lillia tilts her head. “I thought it was obvious?” She unwinds the empty pack tied to her belt and jams a hand inside, the coarse material rustling from her efforts. “You can put anything you want in a bag of holding.”
She withdraws her hand and brandishes a sharp wood axe and some rope, grinning like a madwoman. “Even a midwinter tree.”
Lucid gives an incredulous look and crosses her arms, tail flicking for emphasis. Lilla ignored the further convincing and stowed the items away instead. The snow picked up in intensity, concealing the tracks they already made and the frigid wind bits harder on exposed limbs.
“We have to hurry, looks like the weather is about to get worse…” Lucid says
“...yeah” Lilla replies, drawing her cloak around her, using it as a distraction from the knot that constricts around her middle. “Seems to be the case.”
With that they trudge further away from the city and into the heart of a nearby glen. By this point the conditions turned white-out a single spark of warmth emanated from between Lilla’s palms. Much like her resolve, it withers away with each lick of wind.
Perhaps it’s best they turn around now.
But what would the Master say? She doesn’t want to disappoint him…but is that even possible if he never knew about it to begin with? But what about Destri and Rugan? She had told them about her little scheme. and made a promise to make this holiday the best one ever. Imagine how upset they will be if she backs out now…Oh bollocks.
“Lillia?” Lucid waves a clawed hand in front of her. “Why did we stop?”
“We should turn back. The weather is taking another turn and I would rather not lose my limbs to the frost. There just won’t be a Midwinter tree this year.”
Lucid snorts out a laugh that earned a rather vicious glare from Lilla, “I didn’t think the situation would be so amusing for you.”
“Oh? Sorry, I wasn’t laughing at you, I was laughing at the irony.” She points behind her. “I wouldn’t be so hasty in giving up. Look.”
Lilla squinted both eyes, trying to peer through the veil of white. After a moment, her vision adjusted and she could see what Lucid was talking about. A clearing with a lone spruce. Its deep green needles flared at the base and tiered up its base. She scrubbed her eyes, half-convinced it was an illusion cast by the weather itself.
“A miracle.” She murmurs, then turns to Lucid and says. “Let’s go get it.”
They had spent at least another two bells chopping and stowing into the bag. Lilla found Lucid’s bewilderment to be rather endearing. Besides Lucid, she knew only one other Cambion, and Raphael was far more experienced with the workings of all the realms. Leaving her to wonder about the gap in her friend’s knowledge. Filing the thought away for later, she shoulders the bag and they return home. The storm easing back on its assault.
***
When they arrived at her Master’s manor, Lilla practically threw all her outer garments towards Therette with a quick apology and dashed to the hearth. Kneeling down, she hugs her frame and unpins the blond plait. Hoping the heat will dry the sodden strands.
Lucid sheepishly introduced herself to the butler, who looked her up and down with an air of contempt.
He says in a dry tone aimed at Lilla but still sizing up the Cambion, “Lord Gortash has been whisked away to the foundry as you requested miss Lilla.”
While rubbing her hands. “Wonderful, as soon as my hands are thawed I will get to work on the decor.”
“May I ask how many…” he tilts his head. “Guests will be joining us tonight?”
“We’ve been over this Therette.”
“My apologies, the day has been rather…eventful.”
What does that mean? Lilla’s mind turns.
“There is yourself, Destri, the Master, myself…” she pauses, flicking her gaze at Lucid, who has helped herself to the fireplace’s warmth. Giving the appearance, she wasn’t listening, but her tail slowly swaying back and forth said otherwise. “...and now Lucid and Valafar!”
“Delightful…” he says with a deep bow, but there was a hint of sarcasm. Normally, he is mild-mannered and kind to any guest. What happened that made Therette so on edge? “If I may be excused, I have work to attend to.”
“Oh, um, sure.” Lilla says.
After he leaves the room Lucid finally speaks as if reading her mind. “He is uncomfortable with me.”
“No I don’t-”
Lucid cuts her off, “it’s ok, really, I’m used to it. Folks don’t like the idea of a half-devil in their presence, my kind’s reputation isn’t exactly pristine.”
She recalls her encounter with Raphael, and the deal she bargained with him that nearly cost her everything, and how little he seemed to care about it. Lucid wasn’t like that, though…was she? To be honest, she barely knew her, besides the kissing booth and now today, who was she really?
“I can see the wheels turning in your head Lilla. Don’t worry, I’m not going to do anything nefarious, I’m pretty sure your Gortash would kill me if I did. And honestly? I’d let him…be a really rotten thing for me to do after all.”
“Lucid…” she didn’t know what to say, so opted to keep silent instead.
“You two are adorable together, and you are the best thing to have happened to him.” Lucid’s despondent gaze into the fire shape-shifted into one that masked the emotion. Excitement.
“Ah, look at me being all sentimental and shit. It’s a day meant for merriment and cheer, so let’s enjoy it yeah?”
Lilla gives a smile, “of course. Sounds wonderful. Would you like to help me with some decorations?”
“I would love to.” Lucid says.
In a flurry of posh velour and fragrant boughs of holly. The austere halls of the manor were now decked in gold and lacquer ornaments. Shimmering in the hearth light.Tiny pinpricks of silvery light blinked above as the dancing lights played among the bits of white tulle. Lilla observed Lucid putting the finishing touches on a bit of crimson twine that bound the festive display above. A pair of familiar arms wrap around her in an embrace. Her breath a deliciously warm purr against her ear, “My, my Lilla dear, this is a lovely little treat indeed.”
“Lady Destri…” Lilla responds, as the lavender length of her tail caresses her flushed cheek.
Pulling back with a twirl, she sauntered over to where her companion loomed. An impressive dragonborn with white scales tipped in washes of blood-red stood in vigil. His gaze fixated on Lucid’s turned form. There was a fierceness in that look that did not bode well for anyone who harmed his Cambion.
“Come now Valafar~” Destri’s singsong voice captured his attention, “You are killing the mood, why don’t you speak with your dearest in private about what we discussed, hm?”
Suspicion leading to concern crosses Lilla’s face from Destri’s words, and she voiced it accordingly once the others left.
“What was that all about?” She says.
“What was what about?”
“Don’t be coy with me Destri.”
“She drops the formality? Someone is perturbed, honestly Lilla it’s nothing to be concerned about.” Lady Destri strewn her lithe body along the chaise, flipping and catching Wavemaker. “Just focus on getting everything in order, our little ruse won’t hold for long. Gortash is going to figure out something is off once Rugan takes his leave.”
“I realize that, but I may need one more bell before everything is ready.” Lilla responds. She ducks her head as a bout of insecurity tries to consume her. “Do you think he will appreciate this? Change his mind about Midwinter?”
The tossing stops. “It’s hard to say with him, but what I do know is that if it’s done by you. He is going to love it regardless.”
Lucid and Valafar rejoined them, armed with a couple of packages looking like a pair of delinquents who got away with the biggest heist of their lives.
“So this is why Valafar wasn’t with you?”
“Well how else was I supposed to get you guys Midwinter gifts without your knowledge?”
“Yes but you didn’t have to.”
“No, but I wanted to.” Lucid says with a smile. “And you can’t stop me.”
Lilla feigns another light jab. A paltry attempt at hiding the excitement of plundering the colorful papers to reveal the spoils inside. But there is one thing she must do first.
“Alright well now that I have everyone. Let’s get that tree setup.” A resounding cheer signaled everyone’s eagerness.
Pulling it out of the bag was not the hard part. It was hoisting it upright and not massacring the Master’s decor in the process that was the real challenge. Following a torrent of curses and blasphemies, the bloody thing was finally secured. Destri tucked a pile of red velvet at its base and Valafar capped its crown with a gleaming gilt star, being he was the tallest among them.
Lilla took the honors of casting the second dancing lights spell, weaving her hands to place the bright orbs just so. She hooked the prized ornament from earlier onto a branch as a finishing touch. Midwinter could finally begin.
In just the nick of time, too, the front door swung open with all the bravado of an auroch bull. Stomping his boots against the hardwood floor and swiping at the heavy coat as if the snow offended him. Lilla felt rather sorry for Therette at that moment, watching the melt pool on the flooring. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair that clung around his neck and face from the moisture of the elements.
He narrows his dark eyes and says. “I was not made aware we were expecting guests?”
Lillia bounded towards him, eyes alight with adoration as she threw her arms around him. A muffled grunt had the others snickering among them. This earns a scowl, of course.
“Merry Midwinter master.” she coos, reveling in the way his gaze softens as he rests his hands on her waist and pulls her close.
“Did you-?” He did not finish the thought.
“Of course, with Destri’s and Rugan’s help of course!
Speaking of the Zhent, the door swings open again, bringing yet another torrent of icy wind.
“Bane’s hairy ball sack, it’s as cold as Mystra’s pert tits out there-!” a curt look from Gortash cut Rugan off. “Erm, pardon my language princess.”
Lilla rolls her eyes, “since when have you cared about decency around me?”
Clearing his throat, he pointedly looked at Lucid and Valafar, showing his reasoning. Therette mercifully saves her from herself by announcing that dinner is ready.
A long mahogany table covered in a runner of red and gold complimented the wreath centerpiece. Cream-colored candles dot the festive landscape, weeping tears of wax from the burning wicks. A roasted fowl garnished with bright vegetables and sprigs of thyme laid amidst the arrangement. Platters, piled high with loaves of flaky bread infused with fragrant herbs, sat alongside steaming bowls of venison stew and piping hot potatoes. Crystal goblets overflowed with mulled wine, as rich and full-bodied as the aroma that wafted among them. It did not take long before everyone had a seat and dug in, eager to sample the tantalizing fare.
Destri and Valafar discovered a shared bond over similar family troubles with their younger sisters, making their conversation delightful. Lucid and Rugan took to each-other pretty quickly, reminiscing over their glory days as fellow mercenaries. He also provided a couple of nifty tricks she should try next time when going up against someone twice her strength. Lilla glanced over at her master, who ate in silence, but kept a watchful gaze trained on her. Though she found it heartwarming, she considered it unnecessary, recalling Lucid’s earlier comments on others’ perceptions of Cambions. She reaches out and squeezes his hand reassuringly. Considering his history with Raphael, it’s understandable that he’d prefer she leave. If it were not for Lilla, it would have happened ten times over. She mouths silently that it’s only temporary and his entire posture relaxed and eased back into the chair.
The gift exchange also helped to ease tensions, though he has remarkable self-discipline to keep from showing his apprehension. The strain of Valafar and Lucid’s presence was evident in his clenched jaw and the forced smiles he offered their attempts at conversation. Lilla wished for nothing more than to please her master, and seeing him so distraught had her panicked. This was supposed to be the best day ever, but now it may be the worst one yet…
“Here.” Lucid pushes a bright green box into the master’s hands, ignoring the glower she received in response. “the other you in my realm loved these sorts of things, so I assumed you would too.”
He arches a brow and plucks at the thin gold ribbon, ripping the seams of the bright package, revealing a small box carved from dark polished wood. Intricate brass fittings, resembling ivy, reinforced its corners. The lid bore a single emblem–a tiny eight pointed gear etched within the material–the religious symbol of the church of Gond.
He unfastened the delicate clasps, golden gauntlets clicking against the metal. Lilla stepped a little closer to him, curious. Inside, nestled among the crimson fabric backdrop, was a modestly thin circular object made from silvery steel affixed to a thin chain. An audible ticking sound had Gortash pulling it out and clicking the mechanism at the top. Popping it open and showcasing a pale disk of polished ivory inscribed with numbers showing the various bells throughout the day. Inscribed inside the lid in a flowing script was a message: Time is a gift, cherish its worth.
After several measures of fascinated silence, it was Lilla who finally asks, “what is this Lucid? It’s intriguing.”
“The Gondians called it a pocket watch. Apparently it can tell you the time of day without the use of the sun and city belltower”
Gortash dangles the chain, observing it sway and dance. He looks at Lucid and for the first time without animosity and says, “this was a generous gift. Thank you.”
“Glad you like it, now Lilla opens yours.” She urges, anticipation sparkling in her eyes.
Lilla hooks a finger under the twine and tugs, exposing a book. Supple, chestnut-colored leather formed its cover, playfully etched with woodland creatures—a fox, hare, and owl—mid-dance. She ran a hand over the smooth surface before easing it open. Inside, the pages were thick and carried the faint scent of fresh vellum. That was not all, though. A small bundle tied with a bit of twine contained drawing supplies: sticks of charcoal, a few brushes, and vials of colored inks in midnight black, emerald green, and ruby red.
“I thought…” Lucid hesitated, then said with a smile. “I thought you might want to try your hand at painting.” She glances at Gortash, then back at her, “you tend to like portraits of a certain someone so…”
“Don’t put such thoughts in her head.” He says, looking at Rugan.“She doesn’t need another bad influence in her life.”
“Oy! Are you still bothered about the wine cellar?” Rugan quips. “You can be one petty son of a-.”
“I am not bothered about anything.” Gortash cuts him off.
Destri sashays over with Valafar in tow, adding her input. “Yet you added extra security not a moment later. Ask me how I know.”
After the initial squabbling died back down, the gifts continued to be unwrapped. Destri and Valafar found morbid amusement at receiving identical items, hand picked by Rugan himself. Though the means of obtaining them he did not wish to disclose. For the group’s supposed safety, of course. The special sharpening stones would never break, and anything sharpened with it dealt thrice more damage. Therette received a knitted scarf Lilla had custom made from the Facemakers boutique, bearing the holiday’s color-scheme. Lilla gave Rugan several vials of alchemist fire to keep him safe in case of an emergency. And at the very end, Lucid received a collector’s edition of Volo’s Complete Guide to the Behaviors of Nymphs. That was Valafar’s idea, apparently. The way she leered at like a degenerate spoke more about her character than she would admit.
Another round of mulled wine was poured, and the group settled near the fire, engrossed in lively discussion, while Lilla snuggled closer to her master. Goblet in hand. Looking up at him, burning with the desire to know if she had done well, and garnered his approval.
She asks, “So did this soiree change your mind about Midwinter? Did it please you?”
He pulls her closer and sips on his beverage, capturing Destri’s attention and coaxing her over, too. She curled up to his other side, tail flicking to and fro.
“It was the best one I ever had.” Kissing each of their heads in turn.