Disclaimer: I do not own Baldur's Gate or Baldur's Gate II, nor do I claim to. (I mean own as in copyright. I've bought both games) The great guys at TSR, Wizards of the Coast, BioWare, and Black Isle do. (Besides, if I did own them, then why would I write the fic?)

Quilik smiled. His muscles ached from traveling. He was encumbered more than a halfling trying to carry a stone giant. His movements were slow. But his thoughts were clear and cheerful as he removed his pack off his back. Ribald Barterman's eyes became alight as he saw the contents spill out.

"You've been busy. There is much gold to be made here," said Ribald. Quilik nodded.

"All earnings come with a price," he said. Ribald nodded and tossed a small leather pouch to the half-elven cleric.

"Gold?" Quilik asked. Ribald shook his head.

"Platinum."

Quilik nodded, took the bag, tossed it into the air, and caught it with his other hand.

"So where is the rest of your party?" Ribald asked. Quilik smiled again.

"Resting."

***

Hendak tapped his foot. Where is that damned half-elf? he thought. The music in the backrooms of the Copper Coronet, provided by his companion Garrick faltered, and Hendak looked up at the newcomer. Quilik stood before him.

"Quilik," Hendak said uneasily.

"I am here to pay my rent, and collect my companions," the half-elf said. Hendak nodded.

"But…you're sure…you're leaving again? They will be on to you, and eventually you will be caught." Quilik sighed.

"Yes, I know. But better sooner than later," he said. Hendak nodded again. "They're in the upper rooms," Hendak said. "I know," Quilik said, turning to the stairs and walking up.

He turned left and went down a corridor, where six doors lay. He opened one on the right, to find an almost seven foot tall man snoring on a bed. A small hamster was perched on his head. Quilik closed the door and went down to the next room. Upon opening the door, he saw a half-elven woman sleeping in a chair next to a lit fire. Her breathing was soft, yet steady. Quilik bent down gently kissed her lips, soft as silk. She stirred in her sleep for a moment, and then continued her steady breathing. Quilik reached down to his girdle and pulled up the small bag of platinum that Ribald had given him earlier. He set it on the hearth, as well as a small piece of parchment, and proceeded to the door.

"Goodbye, my love," he whispered, closing the door.

***

Lightning flashed in the sky. Thunder split the air. Raindrops pelted the ground. Quilik pulled his hood over his head and urged his mount forward as the storm waged on. He suddenly stopped, sniffed the air, and then leapt off the chestnut mare. The snapping of twigs and smash of mud was heard nearby.

In a flash, Quilik's twin warhammers appeared in his hands. There was a swirl of purple smoke, and a dark cloaked figure appeared.

"Hello, Bhaalspawn," the figure spoke in a deep voice.

"Jasper," Quilik hissed.

The purple smoke dissipated to reveal a gold-haired elven male, clad in simple traveler's clothes, at least to the naked eye. The elf wore a dark green cloak about his shoulders, and clad about his torso was a studded leather tunic. He wore simple deerskin leggings, and some black boots made out of splint mail. A short sword was strapped to the elf's girdle. Quilik muttered a detect magic incantation of under his breath, and his eyes turned bright blue, swirling with white. All of the elf's clothing glowed a dim blue, but the sword he wore was bright cobalt.

"What are you doing here, Jasper?" Quilik asked, the telltale blue fading from his vision. Jasper smiled and started chuckling.

"My dear boy, why should I tell you of all people?" he asked. Quilik smiled softly at the grim logic.

"Very well. Then I must ask why are you doing this," he said.

"I do not meddle or pry into my employers' business," Jasper said, with a flash of anger.

"Very well, I shall let you take me. But not without a fight," Quilik said, taking a defensive stance. Jasper nodded, and drew his short sword.

Quilik charged him, his hammers swinging. Jasper parried with his short sword, and stabbed. Quilik rolled to the right, dropped his hammer to the ground, and threw up his hand. An explosion was heard throughout the hills. As the dust settled, Jasper was still standing, his cloak threw over his head.

"Impressive," he said, sheathing his sword. "I yield." Jasper turned and began to walk away. Quilik ducked and rolled to the side as the azure lightning bolt sizzled over his head. He picked up his warhammer and threw it at the elf. The hammer stopped at an invisible force and returned to its owner's hand. A translucent green orb appeared in Jasper's hands, and suddenly there appeared to be eight duplicates of the elf. Quilik spoke a word of power, and his eyes turned a misty purple. The real Jasper was nowhere to be found. Quilik pondered for a moment and realized it was too late as a snap of twigs was heard behind him. His last thoughts were of Jahiera as the world went black.

***

Jahiera awoke in a cold sweat, gasping for breath. She looked over at the bed, saw it empty and changed into her traveling clothes. She stormed downstairs to Hendak and grabbed the poor bartender by the throat.

"Where is he?!" she demanded, lifting Hendak into the air.

"I don't know," he wheezed. Jahiera punched him in the face.

"Troll dung. Tell me where he went!" she shouted into his face. Hendak, now unable to speak, pointed to the room she was just in.

"Note…in….there…" he croaked, his face now purple. Jahiera dropped him unceremoniously to the floor. Hendak massaged his neck as Jahiera walked upstairs to her room, where she found what she was looking for.

By the chair where she'd been sleeping was a small bag. She picked it up and opened it. Inside was over a hundred platinum coins. Underneath the bag was a hand-scrawled parchment. She picked it up and read it.

My dearest Jahiera,

I am sorry to have left you so, and I am sorry that I cannot tell you where my destination is. I have left you what money I have to pay for whatever journey you shall embark on. I urge you not to follow me, for I travel a dangerous path, and a path that I must travel alone. I doubt that I will ever see you again. I will likely die before the Festival of the Seasons, but do not mourn for me. I am a Bhaalspawn, and I must accept my fate. My time with you was short, numbering barely over a year, but I have enjoyed it more than any of the other twenty-two years of my life. I love you.

Quilik

Jahiera stood for a moment, staring at the parchment with tear-filled eyes. She dropped the parchment and went to Minsc's room.

"Gah!" the Rashemi said as Jahiera shook him awake.

"Wake up fool!" she said.

"Stand and deliver! Lest my hamster awaken from his much needed rest," Minsc said.

"Squeak!"

"Oh Boo! You're awake already. Yes, what is it?" Minsc asked.

"Gather the others and tell them to prepare for a journey. Quilik is gone, and I intend to find him."