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The emperor mumbled something, and gestured with a hand towards Dame Aylin, casting a spell. Astarion could feel it in the air and saw it hit its target. Saw Aylin’s eyes glaze over, and saw the satisfied glint in the emperor’s fishy eye as she turned towards Gale and Shadowheart, wrath contorting her face, the grip on her sword tightening.
His stomach sank. The spell Dominate Person would run out in time, but she could do irreparable damage in the meantime. They needed to defend Orpheus who was opening the portal so they could kill the brain. They didn’t have time for this shit.
Astarion could see Gale’s face from where he was standing. His expression was grim, and he knew that he was mentally preparing to have to defend himself from who he considered a friend.
But the spell could be broken if the victim was injured, Astarion knew. Gale might hesitate for a dangerous amount of time before harming a friend. Or he might not actually be willing to do it, even in self-defence. And it also might give him stupid ideas about blowing himself up to ‘save them all and redeem himself’. Again.
Astarion, however, was more pragmatic.
There was a large vine between him and Dame Aylin, but he slashed at it as he leapt around its thick base, deftly avoiding its strike in retaliation. Then he sprinted towards Aylin’s back, low to the ground, focussed on his target.
Her wings were curled and she was about to take flight when Astarion came up behind her. If this didn’t work, she’d definitely snap him in two. Probably even if it did work. But he didn’t give himself much time to think better or be scared; With a quick, fluid motion, he stabbed his dagger into the small gap between her cuisses and kneecap. The dagger bit into the meat on the back of her left thigh. He made sure not to go too deep, and soon leapt back, pulling the dagger with him.
Dame Aylin gave a groan of pain and whirled around towards him. Astarion grit his teeth, ready to flee as she swayed a little on her feet. But to his immense relief, he could see the fog cloudling her eyes disappear as she turned towards him fully. She was herself again.
She broke into a huge grin and strode towards him, sword off to the side in one hand. “ALLY MINE! I THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRAVERY! IT IS NOT A WEAK MAN WHO DARES TURN HIS BLADE AGAINST THE INTRANSIGENT DAME AYLIN, EVEN IN CIRCUMSTANCES MOST DIRE!”
She slapped him on the back, so hard he was sure he felt his shoulder dislocate, and all the air was forced from his lungs. Even if he didn’t need it, it was still an unpleasant experience.
“You’re welcome!” he wheezed.
“I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH ALLYS! COME, COMRADE, WE MUST TARRY NO MORE, FOR THE FOE STILL DRAWS AIR!” And she turned around beside him, sword at the ready again.
He saw Gale’s gobsmacked expression and winked. The wizard flushed slightly and smiled, and he could see that his bravery hadn’t gone unappreciated by him, either.
Excellent.