Inspired by the TOB Valygar friendship from the Xan bonded path.
"My former ward," the hooded figure intoned.
"G-Gorion?" I stuttered.
"Silence, murderer."
"But Gorion, I—"
"I took you in, child. I raised you as my own. I tried to save you from your heritage. What a sorry, sorry fool I was." He sighed. "I died for you, for all the good it did. I look into your eyes, and see only Bhaal's daughter. You are worse than Sarevok ever was."
Suddenly all I felt was anger. "Have I been planning wars to ascend to godhood? Not as far as I know. You aren't Gorion."
He laughed. "Believe what you will. Ah, I see Imoen. My second hope, and as much a failure as you."
The thief flinched. "You—Gorion would never say that!"
He ignored her. "And this...hmm, most interesting. What of this ranger? Cursed as you are, his heritage nearly as dark as yours. A sweet pair you make."
Valygar?! This... "Leave him alone, wraith. Get the hells away from my friends." I loaded my crossbow. "Or do I have to enforce that?"
"Not yet." It chanted briefly—a summoning spell?
The ghost of a dark-skinned woman appeared, looking no more substantial than the mist behind her. "My son..." she whispered. "Valygar, how you have grown." Her face soured. "Killing one's parents tends to do that, I suppose." The ranger only stared at her, shocked. "What, no words for your mother?"
"You were not yourself. Only a lich, thinking she loved a mindless zombie. Your magic drove you mad..."
"Enough," I snapped. "Stop tormenting my friends. Obviously you aren't Gorion. I know he would never say that, let alone try to hurt those I travel with."
"Very well," it hissed. "It shall be a pleasure to feast upon your soul!"
"Playtime's over."
The wraith stood no chance. Two sling bullets, two arrows, and a crossbow bolt struck it before it even started chanting.
"If you two wanna talk, we can leave," Imoen offered. It was now or never.
I nodded. "Do you mind if I send you back to the pocket plane?" I didn't wait for a response and sent them back anyway. I turned to Valygar. "Imoen's right. We do need to talk."
"I should have said something before," he said. "I am a fool."
"Funny how this works," I mused. "When you have a chance to talk, one never knows what to say." I looked up slightly to meet his gaze. "Tell me...how much of the wraith's accusations were true?"
"You know the story of my family, and my part in it," he replied stiffly. "I do not want to repeat it unless I must."
"Not that. The—other one."
Valygar sighed. "More than I would like. I have watched you from afar, both with care and concern. I value your safety as much as my own. I look at you and see neither a figure of prophecy nor a malicious spawn of Bhaal, but a woman struggling under a burden too heavy to shoulder on her own."
"I suppose you're right," I agreed. "At times, it feels as though all of Toril awaits my next step."
"That is what I was getting at. I have noticed that you sleep little, and you are rarely peaceful then. More than that, you keep your pain quiet. It is difficult to remain silent when one I see that you are suffering." He paused. "Perhaps I overstep myself, but I think you need a friend. I know what you desire, at the close of this war. And if it is to be pain, after you are gone, what will it matter? The choice is mine."
My noble friend...too noble. Think of yourself, will you? "I...thank you, Valygar. My friend."
