All right. Second chapter it is. And much to my chagrin I noticed that my squiggly lines disappeared on the last chapter…and my indentations... -_- Ah well.
And again, because I don't want people attacking me 'cause I'm using the characters, I don't own it, etc. etc.
Mm, and I'm going to be taking a lot of Minsc's dialogue directly from the game, because it's bloody brilliant, and I can't bear to rewrite it. Aha, I love Minsc. And also, because I hated Dynaheir, and killed her off in the first game so I could grab someone else, she doesn't exist. Let's pretend the gnolls killed her.
The hall was dark, and relatively quiet. Distant and sporadic sounds of battle could be heard on all sides. I turned to Imoen, but before I could speak, a voice sounded from a room to our right.
""These bonds will not hold my wrath! Butts will be liberally kicked in good measure!""
I grinned. "Nevermind. That answers my question." She smiled slightly, and we hurried inside.
The berserker paced within his cell, Boo sitting comfortably on his shoulder. The bars on his door seemed to have taken quite a few beatings, and from the look of it, I wasn't getting the key into the lock any time soon. Other than his bruised and scraped hands, he appeared to be uninjured. When he spotted us, he stopped, meeting us on the opposite side of his door.
"Inwë! Imoen! We must free ourselves and find this evil man who walks in shadow and preys on people while they sleep!"
I wasn't about to point out that as a Shadowdancer, I walked in the shadows a hell of a lot more than that damned mage. But I also had no idea how to get Minsc out of his cell. I glanced at Imoen, who was studying the lock. She looked up and shrugged. Sighing, I bit back my impatience, trying to ignore the throbbing pain and think of something. As I stared at the bashed in lock, an idea came to me. It wasn't really the best I've ever had, but in our current situation, I didn't really care. If Minsc went berserk, he really shouldn't have any difficulty bashing through the door….
Much as I hated it, I was going to have to make him mad to achieve that.
"I see no way of getting you out of there," I said, trying to sound indifferent. "And we can't waste time trying. Let's go, Imoen." The mage frowned up at me, then seemed to realize my plan. Considering we were practically sisters, it didn't surprise me.
"Boo is outraged that you would leave us! Do not make me add your butt to the kicking list! I would do so reluctantly, but I will!"
I turned, taking a few steps towards the door before turning back as if waiting for Imoen. ""You are quite clearly insane. You can stay were you are.""
Anger was building within the large man. I had seen him in battle before, of course, so the rage within his eyes wasn't something new to me, but seeing it directed at me…. Minsc grabbed the bars, the muscles bulging in his corded arms as he pulled. With a terrible groan, the metal gave way, the door twisting open reluctantly.
""The bars, they bend and twist with my berserker strength! Minsc and Boo are free! Now you will…now…"" To my relief, the anger in his eyes faded as he looked at us. I stepped forward, smiling. ""O-o-oh. I understand now! You said what you did just to get me mad. Mad enough to break free, ha ha! You are as smart as Boo, sometimes!"" With that, he pulled me into a hug. I winced; holding back a yelp as he pressed bruises and cuts.
"If you've all quite finished in there, I would appreciate some help." Jaheira's voice called from the adjoining room. I walked over to see the half-elf sitting against the back wall of her cell, looking thoroughly annoyed.
"Now yours, I can open," I said, unlocking the cell. "I'm glad we found you, how are you doing?"
""I have been spared any serious mistreatment. You however, look to have been treated most unfavourably.""
I looked away. When it came to people coming after us, I tended to be the target. I'd never been in a situation this bad, but the results weren't entirely unexpected. However, the fact that Imoen had been subjected to the same abuse didn't make that much sense. Why her and not the others?
Well, I hope that wasn't too bad. Again, reviews would be much appreciated. ^.^Yours 'till death,
. Caelistis. Rydraline.