Chapter 2: Slayer of Bhaalspawn

I heard the voice… "So, I have found you at last," and I knew that it was time. I had been told this from the ancient stone faces; their rhyming words had set me on edge. And the same time, made me question the mental normalcy of whoever it was who crafted them in the first place. To have them speak of dire events in rhymes of all things? I could hardly take it serious. But when I had sensed a foul feeling in the wind, an unmistakable sense of approaching danger, I knew it was the truth.

"The storm approaches," they had said. Yes indeed. I'd been waiting for over an hour, sensing that presence, a corrupt and malevolent force drawing ever closer. And now, it had arrived, manifesting itself into this woman.

She had not come alone either; six men were behind her. Judging by their dress and armaments, I'd have to say a mercenary band, not unlike myself and groups I had been apart of in the past. Unlike my past traveling groups though, these man looked rather unremarkable, basic really, almost having the formulaic hired thug look.. However, while they were typical soldiers, their leader was most certainly not.

She was agile looking, wearing black armor, leather or its equivalency. A bow and a large quiver were strapped to her back, and a curved scimitar at her waist. She was covered in a dark cloak, her hood being drawn up, and yet…I knew her face. I had seen it in the dreams. She was pale, almost vampire pale, with ruby red lips adding a splash of color to her otherwise pallid complexion, short raven hair that fell like a soft wave, and a pair of ember eyes, flickering out at me with malicious intent. And she was smiling…

"It was quite the bothersome chore to track you down in these god-forsaken woods…to many traps and guardian spirits for my liking. But here you are." Her voice was calm, light, but with the hiss of a dangerous creature, coiled and taunting. I heard her, but I did not react to her words. But I did. Or rather, I could feel my blood reacting. It snapped to attention, waking up after a dormant slumber. I didn't turn around.

"Aren't you curious about who I am?" she cooed, teasingly. After a moment more, I finally responded.

"Not even a little. The only thing that I am almost positive about is that you have come to fight me. Since you are a lady though, I would urge you to reconsider, as I don't want to kill you."

"Oh my, how generous of you! Not very fitting for a Bhaalspawn. But you are mistaken…I have not come here to fight you. I am here to kill you…and kill you I shall."

"And what exactly is your problem with me? Did I forget to leave you a tip at a tavern or something?"

"My problem with you? Hah, I needn't speak of it to one who is moments from death. All you do need to know is that I have been given the pleasure of ending your life. Perhaps I shall stuff your head, and mount it from my mantle, with all the other Bhaalspawn I've killed. Tempting, since you have been more fortunate than other; most of the Bhaalspawn that I've slain weren't nearly as handsome as you."

"You kill Bhaalspawn?" I echoed, "Well, you certainly are not the first to do so, and in a way it's not such a bad thing. Though I am willing to wager, judging from your squalid presence, that your intent is less than benevolent. But you have made a serious blunder in coming after me." Finally, I turned to face her. My face unflinching, my silver eyes narrowing, as I crossed my arms.

"The differences between me my weaker siblings run far deeper than mere appearance. Our abilities for example. You may have found those that are not even aware of their own tarnished blood as easy marks, but I am not so easily destroyed. I am no ordinary Bhaalspawn." At this, she gave a tittering laugh, the sort a snotty noblewoman would give off, almost snickering into their hands.

"I know this. But then…neither am I." She unshouldered her bow with a certain casualness, but didn't reach an arrow to fit on the string.

"Does that surprise you?" she inquired with a cocky smile, "That I, a spawn of Bhaal, a sibling to you and so many others, have been hunting and slaughtering my own kind?"

"No." And I meant it. The way I could feel the taint within me react, once more feeling the familiar churning and boiling…the feelings of murder rising within, she may as well have been waving a banner. "As I have already said, you are not the first Bhaalspawn I've encountered to do such things. Kind of unoriginal, isn't it? But I suppose that still leaves the question as to why…"
"Hah, why indeed. It is because I have far more ambition than you do. Not all of us Bhaalspawn have been drifting across Faerun like mindless sheep, going where our whims take us. Like you, or our lesser sibling Imoen, or the countless number of cowardly fools who share Bhaal's blood. Some of us have far greater designs and objectives."

"Imoen…" I murmured, thinking back. The quirky young girl at Candlekeep had seemed like a little sister to me, long before I even knew that she was in fact, just that. She had always been cheerful and upbeat about everything, joking and making light of the most hopeless of situations. It had been impossible for me to even tell that she was the same as me. As our brother Sarevok. But after the ordeal with Irenicus…

My enemy must have noticed my expression.

"Still carrying feeling's for our baby sister? After the tampering the two of you went through by that unhinged mage, it's a wonder you managed to reclaim your soul at all. But Imoen…It seems that she didn't have your strength. Did she?"

"Do not mock her," I ordered, my voice growing quiet, menacing, my temper flaring, "She managed to keep the essence of Bhaal locked away so tightly, that she didn't even seem to be one of us. We should all be so fortunate as that."

"Truly? So that we all may die at the hands of someone who is far greater than us?"

"Alright, that's it. I've listened to you morbid words for too long already. I'm giving you and your cronies this one and final opportunity to leave unscathed." Neither she nor her lackey's made any move to flee. From under the hood, her clever smile grew wider.

"A generous offer that I will refuse. There is much to do in the coming days. The time of Alaundo's prophecy is upon us; surely even you have heard of the exploits of myself and the rest? Even here, deep in your woodland sanctuary, mired in your own seclusion. A time of greatness is here, and your part to play is your death. It is necessary." She fitted an arrow and the men behind her tensed, waiting for the command to attack. It was close at hand.

"It has already been decided brother. Your fate is to be sealed by me. I am Illasera the Quick, Child of Bhaal, and it is I who shall slay you here and now. You cannot resist us." I shrugged, advancing a step or two. But I didn't draw my sword. Not yet.

"And I, foolish sister, have no choice but to fight and destroy you. For I am Dietrich the Blade, Child of Bhaal," I wasn't really called that, but I felt like saying something intimidating to show that I wasn't afraid, "And I can and shall resist you and any other of our sibling's fanatical enough to believe that this senseless slaughter is by any means necessary. And you are all fools to think otherwise." Now she was the one who shrugged.

"We shall see."