"So, where to now?" Ralis asked as they walked down the steps, being careful not to bump into anyone trying to enter the Three Old Kegs.
"Well, we should head to the old Iron Throne building. There's someone else there I forgot to mention that you might know there," Schael replied.
"Okay," Ralis nodded, letting Schael lead the way to the Iron throne building, yelling at people crazy enough to get in her way.
"Such crowds of tiny people! Make way for Minsc and Boo, tiny ones!" Minsc exclaimed.
"Do you want a Flaming Fist boot up your behind? No? Then get out of my way!" Corwin shouted.
Getting to the Iron Throne building proved more difficult than Corwin expected. The roads are full of refugees and cattle wandering aimlessly about, searching for scraps of food or a place to sleep.
"Bind me. We're never going to get where we are going..." Corwin would occasionally mutter to herself, with Ralis and Minsc being in earshot to hear her say most of the time.
It would be easier to take shortcuts through alleyways, but that is a terrible idea because most of the alleyways in Baldur's Gate reek with the pungent, foul odor of puddles of urine and piles of feces from the refugees and the horses and cattle they brought into the city, but horses and cattle don't really care where they urinate and defecate, so that means even in the middle of the road or sidewalk you still need to watch your step. And since the refugees are either too far from the nearest tavern to go use the privy or unable to use the privy in a house belonging to someone who does not mind letting a stranger use their bathroom, they have no choice but to go in the alleyways and relieve themselves. Dynaheir and Minsc felt sorry for the hungry and sleepy refugees, but there is little one or two people can do for hundreds.
Ralis looked to his left and saw a Flaming Fist mercenary on the sidewalk interrogating four boys who are also refugees.
"Out after curfew, boys? Not a smart thing for noble fellows like your esteemed selves to be doing," Ralis head him say.
"There's a curfew? With all the rabble filling the streets, you could've fooled me," one of the boys replied to the Flaming Fist enforcer.
When they got close to the docks area, and obscene stench hit their noses, and Captain Corwin said: "We should reach the Iron Throne building soon. Eltan wanted you to speak to a Selunite monk helping helping out there, name of Rasaad yn Bashir."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier that Rasaad is still here too?" Ralis asked Corwin.
"You didn't ask about him," Corwin replied.
Ralis looked up at the Iron Throne building nearby, thinking back to how long it has been since every legit merchant has abandoned the building. Some left because the presence of Sarevok's most trusted acolytes gave them bad feelings, but the vast majority of them quit working for the Iron Throne when Sarevok took complete control and drove the company deep into financial ruin focusing solely on his goal to be elected as Grand Duke, start a war against Amn and cause enough bloodshed to ascend as Bhaal's successor. Rumor on the streets is that Rieltar and Saravok's superiors from the primary Iron Throne branch somewhere in Faerun has dispatched mercenaries to find out what happened to the Iron Throne branch here in Baldur's Gate. To the east next to the Iron Throne building, there are tents set up for refugees to sleep in, which means Ralis, Corwin, Minsc and Dynaheir must make their way through the shantytown of makeshift tents made of old, rotten bed sheets string on clotheslines to reach the Iron Throne building.
When Schael, Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir neared the entrance of the building, the crowds became more and more thicker. They want in to the Iron Throne building, but the Flaming Fist guarding the entrance can't let everyone in, the building is full of other refugees already.
"Move aside. Make way for the hero of Baldur's Gate," Corwin commanded the crowd as she tried to make a path for Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir to get into the building.
It took a few minutes to squeeze through the crowd, but eventually they managed to make their way into the building, the guards letting them in when they learned that Captain Corwin is escorting Ralis and his two companions who helped him bring down Sarevok.
When Ralis stepped inside the building, he got the surprise of his life. The air is stale and sour with the odor of many refugees who have not had a bath in weeks or months, the foyer is littered with tired or sick refugees asleep on their bedrolls, many priests using their spells to try to heal their ailments, but the downside for priests acting as healers is once they used up all their memorized spells, they'll have to rest a day or more or less before they can use them again, so monks from various goodly faiths go around using healing kits on the sick.
"The Iron Throne building doesn't look the same as the last time you were here, does it?" Corwin asked Ralis.
"It looks the same, but the atmosphere feels different, though," Ralis admitted.
"It does. The Council's using this building to house refugees fleeing the crusade," Corwin replied.
"A noble gesture," Ralis nodded approvingly.
"The Grand Dukes thought so. The day-to-day operations are handled by priests and monks of different faiths," Corwin explained. "I'll wait here for you. Go find Rasaad," she said.
Ralis nodded and prepared to head into the foyer towards the lined up rows of bedrolls. Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir heard the faint sound of flies buzzing around the room, and when Dynaheir looked down to her left to see a sleeping man she is passing by, she saw three flies land on his face and move around. She couldn't understand how a person can sleep so soundly with annoying insects such as these buzzing around your body and ears. Occasionally a fly would ram into one of Ralis's and Minsc's ears, causing them to flinch and scratch the ear the fly flew into.
I hate flies, Ralis grumbled.
With directions from monks, Ralis found Rasaad near one of the stairs leading up to the second floor, speaking to a monk of Sune. When Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir neared closer to Rasaad, he noticed them coming after the monk of Sune ascended up the stairs.
"What's this...? Is it truly you I see before me?" Rasaad asked, sounding almost overjoyed.
"Well met, Rasaad. It is good to see you again," Ralis smiled, giving Rasaad a friendly pat on his right shoulder.
"And you, my friend. How have you been?" Rasaad replied.
"Well, I was nearly killed tonight. But I wasn't, so all things considered, I guess I'm doing well," Ralis explained.
Rasaad raised both eyebrows with concern. "Nearly killed, you say? What happened?"
"I take it you know of Caelar's crusade?" Ralis asked.
"Indeed. This building is filled with those whose lives have been affected by it," Rasaad nodded.
"Like them, my life has suffered from her malign influence. Her assassins tried to kill me earlier. They nearly succeeded and they almost killed Imoen too."
"Is Imoen all right?" Rasaad asked, confused.
"She got the worst of the attack. Grand Duke Liia Jannath is healing her injuries, so she is fine," Ralis assured the monk.
"Ah. This is no social call, then. I gather you mean to take the battle to Caelar herself," Rasaad stated then sighed. "You know there are few things I would not do for you my friend. But I cannot help you with this. While most focus on Caelar's crusade, another, more subtle darkness is spreading. In the past few weeks, many servants of Selune have vanished."
"Art thou certain foul play has occurred? These are turbulent times. Perhaps thy colleagues are engaged in their own business and simply neglected to tell thee," Dynaheir told Rasaad.
"I cannot deny the possibility. But it is a risk I cannot afford to take. Forgive me, Ralis," Rasaad said solemnly.
"There is naught to forgive, my friend. The Selunites need you. I shall manage," Ralis assured him.
Rasaad smiled warmly. "May the Moonmaiden smile upon you in your efforts, Ralis."
"Until we meet again someday, friend," was Ralis's last words to Rasaad for now.
At that, Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir took their leave.
"What happened?" Corwin asked when they returned.
"Rasaad won't be coming with us to Dragonspear," Ralis told her.
"I see. Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't. Such is life. Next stop, we go to the Elfsong Tavern," Corwin said.
When Ralis and the others returned to the smelly shantytown of tents, they passed by a Flaming Fist soldier named Riggs extorting a refugee, a man named Byzon.
"What's this, Byzon? Huh? What is this?" Riggs asked Byzon with hostility when he was given three pieces of copper coins instead of 20 pieces of gold like he was promised and he threw the pieces of copper in Byzon's face.
"It's all I have, I swear!" Byzon pleaded after flinching.
"Well, you better have some more the next time I see you!" Riggs threatened then punched Byzon in the stomach, and walked away.
Ralis, overhearing the conversation turned around to see Byzon lying on the ground in a fetal position.
"Are you all right? Ralis asked him as he and Minsc helped Byzon stand up on his feet.
Byzon shook his head. "Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, you've really done it this time, Byzon..." he muttered to himself.
"Done what, exactly? Does this involve that Fist soldier that was bothering you?" Ralis asked, making sure Byzon doesn't topple over.
Byzon sighed. "I'm not fooling anyone. I'm NOT all right. That... that... that Flaming Fist THUG Riggs has taken everything I got, and its not enough. If I can't find any gold, he'll beat me worse than he did poor Yossten... I'm doomed. Doomed!" He cried.
"What? We can't let this continue to happen!" Ralis said.
"You're right, Ralis! The Flaming Fist are supposed to be righteous butt kickers, but that man is kicking the wrong butt!" Minsc exclaimed.
That soldier's name is Riggs, right? we will have some words, he and I," Ralis promised Byzon.
"Truly? Oh, thank you, sir, thank you and bless you. If you can rid me of that plague Riggs, you'll be doing all who seek refuge in Baldur's Gate a great service," Byzon said.
"This man is the hero of Baldur's Gate! He is one of the best butt kickers of evil I have ever seen! Don't you agree, Boo?" Minsc told Byzon, then Boo, sitting on Minsc's left shoulder squeaked in reply.
"Good luck then, hero," Byzon said to Ralis.
Then they went off in search of Riggs. They found him close to the crowd standing near the Iron Trone entrance hoping the guards might let them in soon or later.
"Hey! Are you Riggs?" Ralis called to him.
"Yeah? What is it you want?" He asked turning to face Ralis as he and Corwin, Minsc and Dynaheir approached him.
"I've heard that you've been extorting gold from people you were assigned to protect. There will be a reckoning for that," Ralis told him.
"Best show some respect, boy. I serve the Flaming Fist. Get out of here before I lose my patience," Riggs snapped.
"If you're smart, you're the one who'll start showing respect. The hero of Baldur's Gate is talking to you. And I'll be doing more than talk to you if you don't keep a civil tongue," Corwin said.
Riggs blinked in surprise. "Ah, sorry, Captain. It's just... well, you know how it is out here," he said, the tone of his voice now more humble. "We've been working our fingers to the bone keeping this scum safe. So what if I'm taking a little bonus? I earned it."
Ralis shook his head in disgust. "You sicken me, Riggs. Give me what you took and I'll let you go. If you don't, we'll have a problem, you and I."
"You can't do this to me! I serve the Flaming Fist!" Riggs protested, backing a few feet away until his back pressed against the stone walls surrounding the iron Throne building.
"And the Flaming Fist serves the people. Return what you've stolen and I may not speak to your commanding officer about this breach of public trust," Schael said.
"Oh Hells..." Riggs groaned, digging into his pockets and giving Ralis all the gold he had extorted from Byzon for the past few days and gave them to Ralis. "Here, here's everything I got from them. Take it. Please. Just... don't do nothing to me. I got two girls to take care of, and a wife. And my kids too."
"Take care of them, Riggs, and yourself. Don't let me catch you doing this kind of thing again, you hear?" Ralis warned him.
"Yeah, yeah, I got it. I'm on the straight and narrow, sir. You put me right, I swear it. Now just... leave me be, yeah?" Riggs said apologetically.
A minute later Ralis and the others returned to Byzon in the shantytown with the gold.
"Oh! It's you- oh, it's YOU! Have you found Riggs yet?" He asked, feeling excited to hear the news.
"You won't have to worry about him anymore. Here is the gold he stole form you and your fellow refugees. I hope I can trust you to return them to their rightful owners?" Ralis replied, handing the small satchel full of gold to Byzon.
"Oh, this is wonderful- wonderful! Thank you so much, sir, you've done a great thing this night. Bless you! Bless you!" Byzon thanked Ralis and walked away to find his fellow refugees in this shantytown who have been extorted too, then Ralis and the others continued on their way to the Elfsong Tavern.
The walk there felt like it took two hours. Corwin, Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir's legs ached from walking so long, having to squeeze past so many crowds of people.
"Bloody hells. Caelar will have marched on Waterdeep by the time we get through this crowd," Corwin said.
"Talking about it won't get us there faster, Captain," Ralis told her.
"True enough. Stay close to me. These streets are dangerous at the best of times, and these aren't those," Corwin said.
20 minutes later they came close to the Elfsong Tavern.
"We aren't far from the Elfsong Tavern," Schael informed Ralis and the others. "There are two people you might want to speak with- Safana and Coran have been seen here recently. Or if you'd like to get some supplies for the journey to Dragonspear, we cam go to Sorcerous Sundries."
"I don't have any money, remember?" Ralis reminded her.
"That's right, I forgot," Corwin nodded, wanting to facepalm on a table even though there are none in the streets of Baldur's Gate. "Move aside, people. Move aside," Corwin instructed the crowd of refugees and citizens as they drew nearer to the tavern.
When Dynaheir looked over to the shop known as Sorcerous Sundries across the street from Elfsong Tavern, she saw a long line of people wanting to go in the building and buy something. The people running the shop are apparently overwhelmed by customers.
Ralis noticed that on the sidewalk near the Elfsong Tavern, three Flaming fist soldiers accompanied by a soldier of the Baldur's Gate Watch were making an arrest of a small group of refugees, but are apparently waiting for reinforcements to arrive.
"You'll wait here until we can take you all to the Flaming Fist headquarters," the Flaming Fist officer in charge named Vida said.
Taking interest in the arrest, Ralis wanted to see what is going on, and Corwin was confused at why Ralis is heading away from the Elfsong Tavern's entrance.
"This is outrageous! We haven't done anything wrong!" One of the arrested refugees, a man with a dirty dark green tunic and short black hair exclaimed.
"You lot just sit tight until backup arrives," Officer Vida sternly instructed.
"Do you require assistance? What is going on here, officer?" Ralis called.
Vida wore a helmet, so it's impossible to identify her facial features.
"These refugees came to our city for aid, then repaid our generosity by causing a commotion on the street," she informed Ralis.
"Maybe- MAYBE we got a little rough with each other. What of it? Our tempers are short and the hours pass slowly," the same refugee man who spoke earlier, named Tanorm said in defense.
"Sir, if you and your friends created a disturbance, the Flaming Fist and even the Watch are obligated to detain you," Ralis said.
"Thank you, hero. Yes, I recognize you. would you be willing to do us a favor?" Vida asked.
"I have my own agenda to worry about, but yes, I'm listening," Ralis replied.
"I haven't enough people to escort all these rowdies to headquarters. Could you go to the Flaming Fist command center and tell Jenks that Officer Vida needs reinforcements outside Elfsong Tavern?"
""Of course. I'm always happy to assist the city's defenders," Ralis agreed.
"Please, ask the Fist to show us mercy! We've lost our homes, our possessions, some of us our families to the crusade. Must we lose our freedom too?" Tanorm pleaded humbly.
"Perhaps you'll appreciate freedom a little more after you've spent a few days behind bars. Now still your redblooding tongues before I still them for you!" Vida snapped.
"Let's get going," Ralis said to Corwin, Minsc and Dynaheir and they moved on towards the Elfsong Tavern, making their way inside.
Once inside, Corwin said: "Elfsong Tavern. Little pretentious for my taste. I'll wait for you here."
"Suit yourself," Ralis said, he and Minsc and Dynaheir leaving Corwin standing near the door, crossing her arms and resting her back against the wall.
Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir headed for the bar, and Ralis saw a familiar face behind the bar. Acting as bartender for the tavern tonight is none other than its proprietor, a beautiful half-elf woman known as "Lady" Alyth Elendara. Ralis has met her before during the Iron Crisis on his first visit to Baldur's Gate, but he doubted that she would remember him even though he is now renowned as the hero of Baldur's Gate.
Just when Ralis, Minsc and Dynaheir got 3 feet near the bar, they suddenly heard a man singing nearby and playing a lute, across from the bar, close to the fireplace. The man who is singing is a bard named Garrick. As far as Ralis could tell, Garrick has brown hair like he does, the only difference is his hair is a bit longer than Garrick's.
"~No matter what you do, I will always love you. It matters not what you say; you'll never drive me away. I sing for you this song of love-" Garrick sang while gently plucking the strings of his lute.
Ralis had no idea which lucky woman he is singing to, or if the woman solely exists in his song, but he soon got his answer when Alyth walked away from the bar, confronting Garrick and interrupting his song.
"I can hear you singing, Garrick," she told him.
Garrick flashed a modest smile while he slung his lute behind his back.
"There are some who like my singing, dearest Alyth," he replied.
Alyth sighed, shaking her head in disapproval. "They can like it somewhere else. Only one singer is allowed here, you know," she said then headed back to the bar.
Ralis knew exactly what she is talking about. The ghost of an elf woman who from time to time sings in the tavern, singing for a long lost man she once loved. Garrick followed her but stopped when he saw Ralis.
"Wait- I recognize you, don't I?" He asked Ralis.
"It's possible. I'm the hero of Baldur's Gate, so a lot of people recognize me even if they never met me before," Ralis shrugged.
"Ah yes! You're Ralis Rutela! Well met, sir, it is a pleasure to meet you!" Garrick exclaimed.
"Likewise," Ralis nodded.
"Please, join me for a drink," Garrick offered.
Ralis nodded and moved to another chair to allow Garrick to sit between him and Minsc.
Ralis and Garrick ordered Tanagyr's Stout Ale, and Garrick helped Ralis pay for his ale.
"Tell me your tale. What brings you here?" Garrick asked.
"Many reasons, actually. I'm looking for a good group to join me north to fight Caelar's crusade, so I'm here searching for Coran and Safana, and I heard from Duke Eltan that you are a pretty good bard. I was wondering if you could join me as well," Ralis replied.
"You mean, you're not here to hear me sing?" Garrick asked.
"As I said before, you got talent, but I'm not here to enjoy your singing talents, sadly," Ralis said.
Garrick drank his ale. "That's too bad. I fear that I cannot join you, and I fear that I cannot sing here for much longer. The Elfsong is very particular about who can and cannot sing here, as my love endlessly delights in reminding me."
"Your singing isn't bad at all," Ralis assured him.
"You are too kind. But it's not the quality of my voice that keeps me from performing here. It's tradition," Garrick said.
"Is it true an elven maid's ghost sometimes fills this place with song?" Dynaheir asked Garrick, not knowing whether it is true or not.
"It is true, more's the pity. It's her song and her song alone that patrons here are allowed to enjoy," Garrick replied.
"Then why art thou here at all?" Dynaheir questioned him.
Garrick smiled. "The answer to that is simple enough..." He pointed over at Alyth when she is busy serving drinks to other people sitting at the bar. "I am in love!" He exclaimed.
"Truly? Or is this just bard nonsense?" Ralis asked.
"Well... MY feelings are as true as any I've ever known. The object of my affections is... not as taken with me as I am taken with her," he admitted slowly.
"I'm surprised, honestly," Ralis said, though he could clearly understand why Garrick is head over heels in love with Alyth.
"I can barely fathom it myself," Garrick agreed. "Her name is Alyth. Ally, I call her. She doesn't like that, but she'll come around eventually, I'm sure."
"Coming around is one of my favorite things! It was after a glorious battle that I came around and discovered Boo, nibbling on my provisions as he anxiously waited for me to awake. That was a good day," Minsc said while chuckling at the memories.
Just then, startling both Ralis and Garrick, Alyth confronted them when they least expected it.
"If there's one matter upon which my mind will never change, it's "Ally". your insistence that it will is as unappealing as it is inexplicable," she said, holding half of her anger in check at Garrick.
"Ralis, this is Ally- I mean Alyth, Lady Alyth Elandara, owner of the Elfsong. She is the girl I spoke of earlier," Garrick said.
"I know... We've met before. When I first visited Baldur's Gate, I lost most of my gold. Alyth was generous enough to offer me a part time job here," Ralis said.
Alyth blinked in surprise. "So, Ralis, you made it. You've started out as a penniless nobody to the hero of Baldur's Gate. Very impressive," she said to Ralis.
"I can hardly believe it my self. So, is it true you are the woman he loves?" Ralis asked.
"The woman he lusts after- this week, at least," Alyth corrected him.
Garrick chuckled after drinking his ale. "You see how she teases me, Ralis? Is it any wonder I am helpless to resist her? So why are you here again? You say you are looking for Safana, Coran and me? They are upstairs, but why did you want to see me?" Garrick asked.
"Because Duke Eltan told Captain Corwin over there to tell me about your talents. I'm putting together a group that will travel with me north, and I was hoping that you would be interested in joining me. Your bardic skills might come in handy," Ralis explained.
"Oh... You couldn't choose a worse time to make such a journey, my friend. you must know of Caelar Argent's so-called crusade."
"I know of it, yes, but not enough. Assassins bearing Caelar's mark tried to cut me down- in the Ducal Palace, no less," Ralis explained.
Garrick frowned in surprise and confusion. "She tried to slay the hero of Baldur's Gate? A bold move, but a risky one. Failure would surely draw you into the conflict," he said.
"It would seem she judged the risk worth the reward, whatever it may be," Ralis said.
"Perhaps you'll get the chance to ask her. But I'm afraid you'll have to do so without me. I'm right on the verge of breaking through Alyth's facade of indifference. I cannot leave right now. But I wish you well, Ralis. It has been a pleasure meeting you, and I hope you find good fortune in the north," Garrick shook Ralis' hand.
"I wish you well too, Garrick," Ralis replied then stood up out of his chair, heading for the stairs, leaving Minsc and Dynaheir behind at the bar.
However, before Ralis could reach the stairs, Alyth stopped him.
"Hold, friend. I would have words with you. I heard you talking to that pitiful warbler Garrick-"
"Garrick doesn't look like a bad guy, give him a chance," Ralis said.
Alyth couldn't help but smile at Ralis's positive judge of character. "You are too kind- far too kind. but I'll not argue with the hero of Baldur's Gate. You saved the city once, and I gather you intend to do so again. Baldur's Gate- the Sword Coast- is in your debt. Please, take this potion. It is a sorry reward for all you've done, I know- I'd offer more were I able. But perhaps it will help you in some way- I hope it will. Fare thee well on your travels, Ralis. And thanks again," she said, handing Ralis a Potion of Speed.
"Just doing my part like the Flaming Fist," Ralis said modestly, putting the potion in his potion bag, then Alyth returned to the bar, and Ralis continued upstairs.
As soon as he came to the second floor of the tavern, he heard a woman shout:
"OUT! Get out, you vile poxy snake!"
Ralis recognized that voice as Safana's voice.
Then suddenly Coran came running out of a room, covering his head with his arms while Safana threw forks and spoons at him.
"I rue the day I heard your wretched name, you weasel!" Safana emerged from the hotel room Coran ran out from, cursing at the elf.
Coran turned around to face Safana, his long reddish hair wild and shaggy from the abuse he endured from Safana.
"I'm a weasel AND a snake? That doesn't make sense," he retorted.
"I've got a dagger, you know. Do you think I won't use it? GO! Get out of here! GET OUT OF HERE!" Safana exclaimed angrily.
Ralis guessed that Coran must have done something to make Safana mad. Either he was seeing another woman, or he accepted a gift from another woman as if they were in a romantic relationship.
Disappointed, Coran headed for the stairs. He was too depressed to notice Ralis, so he walked past him heading down the stairs. Ralis was surprised Coran didn't acknowledge him, so he tapped Coran's shoulder to get his attention.
"Hey, Coran," Ralis said.
"Do I know you?" Coran asked sullenly.
"You don't recognize me, Coran? It's me," Ralis smiled.
Coran blinked in surprise. "What is this now? Do my eyes deceive me? Could this truly be Ralis standing before me?" Coran asked in near disbelief.
"It is. I'm so glad I found you. I need your help." Ralis said.
"I'd like nothing better than to help you, Ralis... well actually, that's a lie." Coran said.
"Aw, come on, Coran, where's your love for adventure?" Ralis playfully slapped him on his left shoulder.
"Sorry, friend. There are many things I'd rather do- I believe I'll go do some of them right now. No, no, don't start, my mind is made up. I'll not be swayed by tears. Hey, it's all right. I'm sure you'll do fine without me. Here, have this gem, I, ah-hah, acquired it form a lovely elven girl- lovely and so, so quiet. Safana was furious, of course. I should never have taken the damnable thing, but it would've been impolite to refuse, wouldn't it? All right, take care. Hopefully we'll meet again soon, under brighter circumstances, " Coran said, then he continued downstairs.
Ralis stood there, holding the gem in his right hand watching Coran descend downstairs. He couldn't believe it. Coran turning down an offer for a new adventure? What happened to him? Ralis placed the gem in his pocket and headed for Safana's room. He knocked in the door a few times, and Safana didn't immediately answer, but when she did, she quicky opened the door and yelled in Ralis's face thinking he is Coran coming back to apologize.
"Damn you to all Nine Hells, Coran, I swear I'm going to..." Safana stopped, finally noticing that she is yelling at Ralis instead, and her mood changed. "...Oh. Hello," she greeted Ralis in a more friendly tone.
"Greetings. How does this night find you, Safana?" Ralis asked.
"It's been less than pleasant thus far, but it is improving by the second," Safana admitted.
Probably because I'm standing here instead of Coran, Ralis remarked in his mind.
"Come in, Ralis, come in. Make yourself comfortable," Safana stood aside, allowing Ralis to come in her hotel room.
The room smelled like rosemary, the two beds looked in good shape, Safana's room looks very comfortable.
"What brings you to my door?" Safana asked after she shut the door.
Ralis knew that she was hoping that he would say to see her, but she should know that he is all about business first.
"I need your help. I was hoping to get Coran's help too, but he told me he wants to sit this one out. I'll be joining a Flaming Fist caravan heading north to confront Caelar's crusade on the morrow. we could use a woman of your talents," Ralis said while he walked over to a chair in between the two beds and sat in it.
Safana took it upon herself to sit in Ralis's lap, and that made him a bit nervous and excited at the same time.
""We"? Or "you"?" Safana asked in her usual sensual tone while gently stroking his hair as if he were a puppy.
"... Which would get you to say yes?" Ralis asked with a warm smile.
Safana smiled back. "You're hurting my feelings, Ralis. But I could never say no to you. Then again, I can't think of a single thing you could ask that would make me want to."
"Welcome back to my group, Safana," Ralis said, then he stood up, holding Safana in his arms, and to his surprise, she felt a bit light in his arms even though she is roughly around his height, then he placed her back down.
"Oh, wow, you've gotten much stronger than before. Where does your strength come from?" Safana cooed.
"You know about my heritage. Now let's go, I want to get back to the Ducal Palace and get at least four hours of sleep before we go," Ralis replied.
When Ralis and Safana returned downstairs, Ralis saw an elf man wandering around aimlessly wearing spectacles on his eyes, exclaiming:
"Get away, you crazy crazemakers. Get away!"
Then Ralis saw Corwin approaching him and Safana, her eyes focused on the elf wearing the spectacles.
"It's him. The elf Duncan mentioned in his report," Corwin told Ralis.
"What?" Ralis glanced at her in confusion.
"On his return to Baldur's Gate from his scouting mission, Duncan wrote in his report about an elf wearing a set of spectacles. He spoke to that elf and learned that they are called the "spectacles of spectacle", and it has the ability to pierce the veil between planes, which means whoever wears those spectacles can see and pull creatures from a different plane of existence into ours. Duncan tried to confiscate the spectacles, but the elf got away from him. This is our second chance, Ralis. We need to get those spectacles from him before he causes any trouble with them," Corwin explained.
"All right, I'll go talk to him," Ralis said and approached the elf as he neared an occupied taproom.
"Hey," Ralis said while he tapped the elf's left shoulder.
The elf turned around and gave Ralis an odd stare.
"Whoa! Whoa," the elf said in shock and awe in an odd accent.
"Are you all right?" Ralis asked him.
"Oh, man. Are you in the sewers too?" the elf asked.
"This is a tavern," Ralis corrected him.
The elf nodded while saying: "I mean I know it's a tavern, but who put it here? So weird..."
"You think someone put a tavern in the sewers?" Ralis scratched his head feeling puzzled.
"AAH!" The elf suddenly screamed in surprise, looking away at Ralis then jumping back as if startled by something.
Ralis turned around to see what startled him and saw nothing, just a few tavern visitors minding their own business.
"Whoa, sorry, that one came RIGHT at my face. Yeah, so we're in the sewers, right? Under Waterdeep," the elf apologized, adjusting the spectacles on the bridge of his nose.
"You're way off, this is not Waterdeep," Ralis sighed.
"No, man, you're WAY off. I came down to the sewers as part of my vision quest. I just didn't, y 'know, expect to see so much," the elf replied, his odd accent making Ralis think that he is drunk.
"What exactly are you seeing?" Ralis asked.
"Aah! Yikes!" The elf jumped back, startled.
"It's these new glasses, man. They're supposed to let me see, like, who I really am. Like, inside my SOUL," the elf said, his voice deepening slightly with awe.
"Where did you get them?" Ralis asked.
"I got 'em from that giant gnome with the scales. I crashed on his couch last time I was in Sigil. ... AAAAH! But all I see is invisible monsters and ghosts and stuff. It's making me feel like, really SURROUNDED, y 'know? By my surroundings?"
"Really?" Ralis nodded in amusement.
"AAAAAAGH!" The elf yelped in fear again. "I'm starting to freak out, man," he whimpered.
"Let me take a look at them, man," Ralis said, trying to mimic the elf's odd accent.
"WHOA," the elf gasped in awe, staring directly at Ralis. "Whoa. That's like, profound, man. You're blowing my mind. Here, take 'em."
He removed the glasses from his face and handed it to Ralis.
"Thanks, man," Ralis nodded with a smile.
"Everything's so much clearer now! Maybe you're the one who should be on a vision quest. I'm laying off for a while," the elf said.
"By the way, what's your name?" Ralis asked.
"The name's Zaviak, man. Oh, and the giant gnome said the glasses can, like PULL spirits into reality a few times. So be careful! You don't want to drag a screaming modron or gith into the Prime for a hangout."
"Good to know. Thanks, Zaviak," Ralis said.
"Later, man," Zaviak replied with a wave, then headed for the exit.
Ralis placed the glasses in his hand and approached Safana and Corwin with Minsc and Dynaheir near the bar.
"Captain Corwin, allow me to introduce to you another friend of mine. This is Safana. Safana, this is Captain Schael Corwin of the Flaming Fist," Ralis said.
Safana and Corwin shook hands.
"Good to meet you, Safana. I look forward to working together," Corwin said.
"Do you now? We'll see how long that lasts," Safana said with a mischievous smirk.
"Ready to go now?" Corwin asked Ralis.
"Yes. Coran and Garrick won't be joining us, so there is no use in wasting time here," Ralis said.
"Then let's go. Stay close to me, Safana. The streets aren't safe for anyone, especially not a woman of your beauty," Corwin instructed.
Safana is clearly astonished that Corwin acknowledged how attractive she is- even Ralis couldn't believe it.
"All riiight..." Safana said slowly.
Before returning to the Ducal Palace, Ralis went to the Flaming Fist HQ and told Officer Jenks about Officer Vida needing backup outside the Elfsong Tavern and told Jenks to go easy on the refugees Vida arrested. Then Ralis, Minsc, Dynaheir, Schael and Safana returned to the Ducal Palace. Corwin showed Minsc, Dynaheir and Safana to their rooms while Ralis went to Grand Duchess Jannath's room to find out how Imoen is doing.
"Hello, Ralis. I am glad to see you well," Liia said,
"And I, you. Tell me, how fares Imoen?" Ralis replied.
"The intruders' weapons were poisoned, but Tymora smiled upon us- the poison was weak, and fatal only to the weakest of victims. Imoen's heart beats much stronger than what the intruders expected. However, it's worrisome that the palace was so easily penetrated, and to learn that Caelar's reach extends this far beyond the Winding Water," Jannath said.
"What do we know of her plans?" Ralis asked.
"Precious little. She claims herself an instrument of the gods- which gods are a matter of some debate- on a divine mission. As to what that mission is? It is is countless as the mouths that praise her- and those that curse her. I am glad we had a chance to speak before you depart. but now, I must go. There are many demands on my time. If I do not attend them, their number will only grow. Farewell," Liia said, then Ralis left her room, walking down the hall to the stairs, going up to the top floor to his room.
When Ralis reached his room, he saw Imoen standing near the bed, looking healthy and... talking to a man who wore a brown cloak with hood over his head.
When Imoen saw Ralis, she pointed at him and Ralis heard her tell the hooded man: "There he is over there."
The hooded man turned around and he slowly approached Ralis. He couldn't see the man's face under the shadows of his hood, and because of that, this mysterious man made Ralis feel a bit on edge.
"So this is the slayer of Sarevok, the hero of Baldur's Gate. How pleased I am to make your acquaintance," the hooded man said.
"W-who are you and how did you get in here?" Ralis asked, placing his hand on Albruin's handle as if trying to draw the courage to wield it.
"If it is security you desire, it would be prudent to reconsider your sleeping arrangements. I suspect the palace's weaknesses have become all too apparent to you of late," the hooded man replied.
Then the hooded man began to walk around Ralis slowly, examining him. He wanted to ask this mysterious man what he is looking for, but instead, he kept his questions to himself. After slowly walking around Ralis counter-clockwise three times, the hooded man stopped in front of him.
"Hmm. Strange. There lies within you barely a spark of divine consciousness, yet you bested your brother in blood. How? What is it that drove you to victory where so many others fell in defeat?" He asked Ralis.
"The teachings of my foster father Gorion saw me through," Ralis replied firmly with conviction.
The hooded man brought his right arm up into the shadow of his hood and rubbed his barely visible chin.
"Gorion. His death was the first step of your current journey, was it not? I wonder, what wisdom did he impart that left such an impression?" the mysterious man asked.
"He taught me to value knowledge," Ralis told the man.
"Interesting. We will see if that is enough to bear you through the trials ahead," the hooded man replied.
"Why am I of interest to you?" Ralis asked the man.
"You do not see it yet, but another crossroads in your journey lies before you- one you will reach sooner than you think. The path you choose is of interest to me. Your path could lead in many directions. You waver, unsure whether to claim credit for your deeds or to brush them aside. I can offer you clarity. But we can speak more of this in time, when I am certain that you are the one I seek."
"Are you measuring my worth or something?" Ralis asked.
The hooded man lowered his head slightly in what seemed to be a vague nod.
"Measuring it carefully and weighing it in the balance. As for who I am, suffice it to say that I am a man who has lost much, but would regain some measure of what was taken from me. That is all you need to know. I am not here to act, not yet. I am here to... evaluate. Are you worthy? Is what you carry within enough? Are YOU strong enough to overcome the challenges you shall soon face? Only the passage of time will provide us answers. I am curious to see how this plays out. I will be watching."
Ralis found his implications rather disturbing. Ralis let the man walk past him and he descended downstairs out of sight. Then he turned his attention to Imoen.
"Hey, Imoen," Ralis walked up to her and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad to see you alive and healthy," he added.
"Sorry if I don't seem excited to see you. Poison really takes a toll..." Imoen apologized.
"By the way, what was that man in the hood doing here?" Ralis asked her.
Imoen looked confused now. "You don't know him? He said he was a friend of yours."
"I don't know anybody like him," Ralis replied in denial.
"We've known some pretty strange characters, so I didn't think it was weird to let someone pop in looking for you," Imoen said.
"Look, I don't know who he is, and he is certainly no friend of mine," Ralis rebuffed her claim again.
"... Forget about him," Imoen shook her head. "We need to talk about your going to battle the crusade. I know you think you have to do this, but I am telling you you don't. Not only do you not have to do it, you shouldn't."
Ralis remained silent, looking into Imoen's serious and sincere eyes.
"I'm healing, but you need to heal too. Not just from fighting Sarevok- those are just cuts and scars- but in coming to terms with... you know. What you are. Let someone else take care of the "Shining Lady". Please," Imoen pleaded softly, her eyeballs becoming wet with tears.
"Imoen, the city is in desperate need of my help. What would you have me do?" Ralis asked incredulously.
"I'd have you tell the city to take a long walk off a short pier, that's what I'd have you do. But you won't, will you? I know that look in your eyes. I'm wasting my breath."
Ralis smiled softly. "You know me too well," he remarked.
Imoen sighed, then she turned her back on Ralis walking towards the wall ahead, and just when Ralis thought she might bump into it, she stopped and turned to look at him.
"Promise me you'll be careful. All right? I don't know what I'd do if... We've just lost too many people, you know?"
"I know, Imoen, but that's no excuse to cower and hide behind a rock or something," Ralis said.
Imoen nodded softly and smiled softly. "I'm gonna leave now. Take care of yourself, Ralis," Imoen said, then left his room going downstairs to her own room.
Ralis stripped himself out of his ankheg hide body armor, leaving it and his swords lying near the foot of his bed, put on his pajamas, jumped in his bed and fell asleep.
Once again Ralis snored loudly through the dusky morning until daylight broke. Around that time, he heard an annoying feminine voice say near his right ear:
"Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey, Ralis. Hey. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey."
Ralis's eyes sprung wide open, and the bright candle lights stung his eyes, so his shut them and rubbed his eyelids with his hands.
"Are you awake?" Skie asked him.
Ralis groaned. "I am now, Skie," he muttered.
When his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw Skie standing near his bed in her own pajamas, her hair no longer tied to a bun, but resting on her shoulders.
"I got something to tell you," she said.
Ralis frowned. "What about?"
"I need you to keep it a secret," Skie said.
"What?" Ralis was too confused and sleepy to understand.
"You can't tell Daddy- Duke Silvershield about this," Skie said.
"Skie, I don't even know what "this" is," Ralis said in mild annoyance.
Skie now grinned widely. "I've joined the Flaming Fist!" She said, hopping up and down like a happy child.
Ralis sprung up wide awake and sober now after hearing that, then he sat up in his bed.
"Get out," he said.
"No, listen, I really have. I used a false name- Daddy would never allow me to enlist- but I'm in. I'll be marching north with you tomorrow!" Skie said happily.
But Ralis was not smiling at all. "You misunderstand. When I said "get out", I did not mean "I don't believe you", I actually meant "GET. OUT."" He said with all seriousness.
But apparently Skie didn't heed his warning. "All right, go back to sleep. I'll see you in-" Skie stopped and noticed the sunrise out the window. "Oh, I guess you don't really have time to sleep now. I'll see you soon. Remember, whatever you do, don't tell Daddy about this!" Then she left.
Ralis had conflicted feelings, joining the Flaming Fist might help her grow into a more mature woman as it did to Schael Corwin, but he didn't want to place Skie in any kind of danger. The battle against the crusaders might go badly, and he did not want Skie to be in the middle of it.
For the next few minutes, Ralis prepared himself, eating a hurried breakfast the maid had prepared for him and his companions, then he got dressed into his tunic, and then his ankheg hide body armor. By the time he clipped on his belt, making sure the scabbards holding his two swords were intact on his belt, and that he had his potion case, bags, Dead Shot longbow and quiver with 28 Arrows of Biting, Minsc, Dynaheir and Safana had already reached his room from the stairwell, waiting for him.
"Here is the hero, raring and ready to go! The early bird catches the evil worm! Ha ha! Isn't that right, Boo?" Ralis heard Minsc say while he adjusted his belt, and he barely heard Boo squeak in reply.
"Guys! I'll be with you in just a minute!" Ralis called to them, making sure he had all his weapons and equipment on his person.
"Oh ho! Sound like some miniature giant space hamster woke up on the wrong side of the ranger!" Minsc said, holding his right hand out at his left shoulder so Boo can jump into his hand.
"I got out of bed for this, and if there's one thing I'm loathe to do in a bed, it's get out of it," Safana said, in a mildly sour mood. Apparently she loved sleeping in the bed she was offered to sleep in last night.
"Hurry up, Ralis! The sooner we reach Dragonspear Castle, the sooner we shall learn whether thy father spawned Caelar, as well as thee and Sarevok," Dynaheir said impatiently.
"Hold your horses! Be there in a sec... Okay, let's go!" Ralis finally joined them and headed downstairs with them.
On the ground floor of the palace, Dukes Entar and Belt and Duchess Liia were waiting to say their farewells to Ralis and his party before they leave the palace.
"Ah, the hero arrives," Entar greeted Ralis.
"I hope you slept well, Ralis. You've a long road ahead," Liia Jannath said.
"Our prayers and hopes go with you. With your help, I'm sure we'll be able to stop the crusade before it grows any stronger," Belt said to Ralis.
"The Flaming Fist travels with you under the command of Captain Corwin and Corporal Duncan. I am sorry that Duke Eltan could not be present, but the ongoing crisis has called his attention elsewhere. Is there anything you need before you depart?" Entar asked Ralis.
"Information. What is the best route to Dragonspear Castle?" Ralis asked.
"You'll have to travel by major roads- the contingent is too large to move swiftly overland. You'll cross the Winding Water at Coast Way Crossing, then its a straight march to Dragonspear," Belt answered for Entar.
"Is there anything else?" Entar asked.
"No, Duke Silvershield," Ralis shook his head.
"May the gods look upon you with favor," Liia said.
"May Tymora smile on you, Ralis. If anyone can end this threat to the city, it is you," Belt said with faith and confidence in his voice.
"Thank you," Ralis said, then he followed his companions out the door. But before he stepped out the door, Ralis froze, forgetting to speak to Entar about something.
"Duke Silvershield..." Ralis called.
Belt and Liia had already gone, but Entar lingered when he heard Ralis call him.
"You'd better get moving. Unless there was something else?" Entar asked him.
Ralis wanted to warn Entar about Skie joining the Flaming Fist, but chose his thoughts quickly but carefully first. If he hadn't been forced outside the walls of Candlekeep, he wouldn't have become the strong and respected person he is now. If Gorion had been anything like Entar, Ralis too would have developed a strong, unhealthy desire to leave Candlekeep. If Skie remains with the Flaming Fist for a while, she might become a mature woman like Schael Corwin. There are dangers, yes, but dangers are everywhere we go no matter how protected we are. After coming to that realization, Ralis finally decided what to say.
"Uh... Your daughter made me promise not to tell you, but I can't anymore. She joined the Flaming Fist," he said while he looked back at Entar.
Entar smiled. "I know," he said.
Ralis gasped and slowly turned around. "You know?" He asked.
Entar smiled. "My dear Skie has many talents. Subtlety is not among them. Yes, I am aware of her grand plan. Bence Duncan, the man who arranged her entry into the Fist is a... friend."
"Why are you letting her go north with me anyway?" Ralis asked in confusion.
"I am not well pleased by the situation, I assure you. But Skie is a willful girl. Were I to prevent her from joining the Fist, she would find another way to challenge me- perhaps putting herself in even greater danger. As it stands, I can arrange for her protection while not APPEARING to protect her. Though I like it not, it is my hope this will prove a learning experience for her- that service to the Flaming Fist will strengthen her body, mind, and character. Perhaps Captain Corwin might serve as a role model for her," Entar replied.
"Maybe," Ralis shrugged. "If you've no problem with her coming, I guess I can't object, though I am concerned about your decision."
Entar nodded approvingly. "I appreciate your coming to me with your concerns about Skie. Please, accept this ring as a token of my gratitude," he said giving Ralis a ring. "When her brother died, Skie changed. She grew wilder... Pushed me away. I am hopeful this experience will help change her priorities," he added sullenly.
"Skie had a brother?" Ralis whispered in surprise.
Entar nodded. "His name was Eddard. One other thing. Few of those traveling with you will know Skie's true identity. She is to receive no special treatment from the Flaming Fist. You, however, know exactly who she is. I expect my daughter returned to me alive and unharmed. I am understood, I trust?"
"Yes sir."
"Good. I am counting on you," Entar said before allowing Ralis to leave.
Outside the Ducal Palace, Ralis's eyes adjusted to the light morning sun while his ears registered the loud clamoring of crowds of people, both citizens of Baldur's Gate and refugees, lined up by the Flaming Fist and city watch to see their hero out the city. The sheer number of people surprised him, and what surprised him even more is that the Flaming Fist and Watch managed to keep the roads clear for them to travel.
"Look at all the people come to wish us good fortune in our travels, Boo," Minsc said in awe.
Ralis, Safana, Minsc and Dynaheir walked forward, away from the palace under the gaze and cheers of over a hundred people. Up ahead, Ralis saw Schael Corwin on her knees talking to a little girl ahead, and the girl is accompanied by an old man, who is most likely Corwin's father.
"... And you'll take care of your grandfather while I am away?" Schael asked her daughter Rohma.
"I will, Mama," Rohma replied.
"I love you very much, Rohma. You know that, right?"
"I know, Mama. I love you too," Rohma replied.
Ralis and his companions approached them.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Rohma," Corwin said almost tearfully.
Rohma turned her head to the right and she saw Ralis and his party standing there looking at them.
"Mama! Who is that? Is that the hero?" Rohma asked.
"Captain Corwin, who is this delightful child?" Ralis asked as he approached closer to them, then rubbed Rohma's smooth black hair.
"I'm not a child. I'm-" Rohma began counting with her fingers. "One-two-three-four-five-" Then she held up her right hand at Ralis. "Five years old," she said with finality.
Ralis smiled. "I stand corrected," he admitted.
"Ralis, this is my daughter, Rohma. Rohma, this is Ralis," Corwin said.
Rohma blinked in surprise, and Rlais wondered if she will faint soon, but she didn't.
"I know you. You killed Sarevok. Are you gonna kill Caelar too?" She asked.
Ralis opened his mouth to speak, but quickly reconsidered, then he felt hesitant to speak for a few seconds.
"Uh... I think your mother should answer that," he said after a ten second pause of hesitation.
Before Corwin could speak, Minsc did.
"Let Minsc take care of this," he said. Then he knelt down next to Ralis in front of Corwin and Rohma, and Rohma was impressed at how tall and muscular he is. "Little girl, in this world, there are many butts. Some are good butts, and those we shall leave unkicked. Some butts, however..."
"Lessons such as this are best left to the child's mother, Minsc," Dynaheir interrupted.
"They'll do what they have to," Corwin told her daughter, making the answer short and simple.
"Just like you?" Rohma asked.
"Exactly like that," Corwin nodded.
"Have no fear, Rohma. I'll make sure nothing happens to your mother," Ralis promised her.
"Mama doesn't need you. She can take care of herself," Rohma said to Ralis defiantly.
Safana couldn't help but smile at Rohma's confidence. "Oh, I like this little one. She has a fire in her belly," she said.
"That's right," Corwin nodded at Safana then turned her attention to Rohma. "Now give me a hug, Rohma, and go to your grandfather. Mama's got to get going."
After Rohma gave her mother a final hug, Ralis, Corwin, Safana, Minsc and Dynaheir marched further away from the palace. Ralis lagged behind, looking around. Around him are several other people he did not recognize, adventurers who have volunteered to join the fight against Caelar. A human paladin, a human mage, a gnome, five half-elves, three dwarves and... a duergar...? While Ralis was trying to figure out why a duergar is here and not underground in the Underdark with his kin, he heard the dusky skinned dwarf say:
"So this is the great feldurkin' hero o' Baldur's Gate, eh? Don't look like much ter me."
Ralis snapped out of his thoughts and noticed that the duergar is looking at him too.
Ralis looked over at the woman wearing a hood over her head next to him and found her oddly familiar.
"How long must we wait? Crowds are fickle things. I know too well what can happen when the mood turns sour," the hooded woman said.
As Ralis drew closer to the duergar and mysterious woman, he said to her:
"Viconia? Viconia DeVir? Is that you?"
The duergar man's darted from Ralis to Viconia then back at Ralis in astonishment.
"What's this now? Our drow knows the hero o' Baldur's Gate?"
""Your" drow? I belong to no man, Pfaug. And cetainly not you," Viconia rebuffed him while glaring coldly at him, then she turned her attention to Ralis, her glare softening to a casual frown. "Well met, Ralis. It's been a while."
"I'll say. Where have you been? And what are you doing here?" Ralis asked.
"We're all here for the same reason. The Council o' Four put the word out lookin' fer those ready to fight this Caelar. An' we're always ready fer a fight!" Pfaug exclaimed excitedly.
Ralis shook his head. It's rather unusual for the Grand Dukes to hire a duergar and drow. Normally people would kill a drow on sight due to their evil reputation, so it is rather unusual to see a drow and duergar together, under the gaze of hundreds of people.
"The dukes must be more desperate than I thought," Ralis said.
Pfaug gnashed his teeth in anger at Ralis. "Ye like the taste o' teeth, do ye? Ye're this close to eatin' yers!" He threatened.
Ralis shook his head in derision, wondering why Viconia is with this duergar, it's completely out of her character to be here with the likes of him, unless she owes him something.
"Why are you even with this duergar, Viconia? You'd be in better company with me, like before," Ralis offered.
Viconia grinned. "Me? Join you? That would drive Pfaug mad. And drive him mad I shall."
"Huh? Wait a minute. Wait one feldurkin' minute. I don't care who y' are, don't care if ye're the lord o' Hells one through nine- ye're not takin' my cleric away from me," Pfaug spat angrily at Ralis.
"She made her decision," Ralis stated.
"I told you before, Pfaug- I belong to no one," Viconia reminded him with a smug smile.
'Of all th' cheek! I'll have yer hide, y' treacherous cow!"
"I think not. This is the hero of Baldur's Gate, remember. and as you remember that, recall what happened to Sarevok. Come, Ralis. Let us leave this iblith dwarf to wallow in his own filth," Viconia coolly reminded him.
Pfaug watched in astonishment and anger as Ralis walked away with Viconia to the rest of his party.
"Damn ye, hero! This ain't over! This ain't over!" Pfaug exclaimed angrily to Ralis.
The caravan arrived and Ralis, Corwin, Nederlok, Duncan, Safana, Viconia, Minsc, Dynaheir Pfaug, Rayphus and the other adventurers who volunteered to help fight the crusade followed the the organized line of 100 Flaming Fist mercenaries, 20 men in each row. Corporal Bence Duncan upon his return to the city after his scouting mission recommended sending 100 additional troops to Dragonspear Castle in his report back to Nederlok and Corwin, and 100 is what he is getting, much to Corwin's distaste about there being too few Flaming Fist soldiers to remain in Baldur's Gate and help the city watch manage the refugees. The man who led the scouting party to Dragonspear Castle and is now leading the caravan, Bence Duncan, is a middle aged, physically fit tan skinned man with well oiled but short black hair receding from his forehead, he has a thick but trimmed mustache and beard, and he wore Flaming Fist standard issue full plate body armor, but unlike any other soldier, Duncan's body armor is gold colored around the edges of the shoulder plates, and the flame and fist of the Flaming Fist emblem on his breastplate are completely yellow and gold colored rather than red and orange. And instead of carrying a longsword strapped around his waist, he carried two short swords and a dagger in their scabbards on his belt for more effective close quarters combat than a longsword can offer.
Kyrill Nederlok is a human man who has loyally served the Flaming Fist for the past twenty-three years. He is close to being 50 years old now, having short wavy brownish gold hair, a thick mustache and beard connected to his thick sideburns, and he has two swords sheathed on both sides of his belt- to his left, a rapier, and to his right, a sword that is designed to look like a mortuary sword. He joined the Flaming Fist as a freelance mercenary when the company was founded in the Year of the Saddle (1345 DR). After several years of loyal service, distinguishing himself in battle multiple times, he was promoted by Duke eltan himself to the title of marshal six years ago.
"Forward march!" Corporal Bence Duncan shouted, and the caravan marched, Ralis and his party and Corwin and more than a dozen other adventurers the Flaming Fist hired to come along and help fight the crusade following, and the cheering from the crowds intensified so much, Ralis and Dynaheir thought their eardrums would pop.
As they headed towards the northern gate out of Baldur's Gate, Ralis kept waving at the crowds, and some people among the crowds shouted words of encouragement to their hero like:
"Yay! Give 'em hells, Ralis!"
"We're with you all the way, Ralis!"
"Show Caelar what we do with her kind in the Gate!"
All of this pumped Ralis with confidence. It feels so good to have so many people cheering you on, hoping you're successful on your journey. But the feeling did not last long. Up ahead, a nobleman tried to jump into the middle of the road. This caught the Flaming Fist soldiers keeping the crowds in line off guard. They tried to stop him, but he broke free from their grasp and stood directly in front of the caravan and shouted:
"STOP! STOP! What are you doing? Cheering? Cheering for a sibling of Sarevok?" He shouted.
After his shout, the cheers slowly died down, and the caravan stopped.
"What the hells is this?" Corwin muttered, moving ahead, with Ralis following her.
"Sir! Get back in line!" A Flaming Fist soldier said as he grabbed the angry nobleman and tried to pull him back to the sidewalk, but the man would nave none of it.
"That's what they are! Sarevok and our hero are siblings! It's the truth! They found Sarevok's journal, it reveals the truth, but the Council of Four wants to keep it a secret!"
Ralis felt his heart pounding in his chest, but he kept calm on the outside.
Now the cheers completely died down. There is dead silence now.
"Is that true, Ralis? Are you a child of Bhaal?" A woman in the crowd on the sidewalk to the right asked.
"You question the hero of Baldur's Gate?" Corwin said in defense.
Ralis respected Corwin's desire to protect his reputation whether she believes he is a child of Bhaal or not, but he felt that he didn't need her protection.
"I can handle this, Corwin," he said.
Corwin didn't know what is on his mind, but she had doubts about it. "That's a bad idea," she said warily.
Ralis stepped out into the open road in plain sight of everyone and shouted as loud as he could:
"HEAR ME! people of Baldur's Gate!" He paused for a moment. "I know you suffered at Sarevok's hands! I understand your doubts, and I understand your fears, about what the future holds in store for us all, with the heretic Caelar driving good people from their homes across the Sword Coast. I walked among you all the previous night, and I have seen and heard many horrible things that give me many reasons why I must confront this "Shining Lady", this Caelar Argent." Another short pause. "I have seen Flaming Fist soldiers extorting refugees for money. I have seen refugees attack each other over a piece of bread. I have seen refugees have little choice but to relieve themselves in alleyways. I have heard your pleas for a normal life, I have heard your cries for justice, I have heard your demands to make the crusaders pay for what they have done, and I swear to you all, I shall end this threat once and for all, one way or another! FOR BALDUR'S GATE!"
Then the crowds started cheering loudly and wildly, and the man who tried to reveal Ralis's heritage to the crowd looked around, confused and somewhat bewildered, knowing his attempt to expose the hero's heritage has failed, then two Flaming Fist soldiers pulled him back to the sidewalk. The naysayer has been silenced by the crowd, but that doesn't mean he and the other people who suspect Ralis's heritage will give up revealing it, and Corwin knew that.
"Well done. Let's be on our way before some other wind turns the crowd against us," Corwin said.
Then the caravan moved on out of the gates and headed north along the trail known as the Coast Way road. Along the way, Schael Corwin and Bence Duncan had a challenging time keeping the expedition together, because the adventurers who joined the expedition besides Ralis and his party were not accustomed to Flaming Fist discipline. They had to learn hard lessons, like rationing their food and the like. The 250 mile journey to the Winding Water was also slowed down by more refugees on their way south to Baldur's Gate.
When stopped and questioned by Ralis, Nederlok, Corwin and Duncan, the fleeing refugees speak of wheat fields set aflame, granaries ransacked, and families conscripted by Caelar's crusaders. But the most strange thing Ralis and the others hear from these refugees is that their hardships are necessary in pursuit of a greater good. These strange acceptances and admiration of Caelar Argent is disconcertingly common in those she has wronged, and Ralis, Corwin, Dynaheir, Minsc and Duncan could not understand it at all. Some refugees claim that the Shining Lady is actually a prophet, doing the work of not one, but ALL goodly faiths and gods, which further confused Ralis and the others. Ralis couldn't help but wonder, is Caelar's intentions really righteous, or is she like Sarevok, blinded by her own agendas?
A few days later, somewhere north of the Winding Water, possibly somewhere in the Trollbark Forest, the mysterious hooded man, who spoke to Ralis in his bedroom, is very far ahead of the Flaming Fist caravan, having left as soon as he spoke to Ralis, and used magic spells like Dimensional Door to get far ahead of the Flaming Fist caravan more easily, and he is right now having a meeting with Caelar Argent herself. Two knights in silver and white colored uniforms and a mage stood behind him, and Caelar is flanked on her right by one of her bodyguards, a woman named Adras Ashatiel, who can be easily mistaken as an angel or avariel because of her large white wings on her back. However, she is just a plain human with magical wings on her back, not unlike the planewalking spelljammer adventurer from Waterdeep known as Jasmine, and Ashatiel and wore full plate mail armor with a longsword sheathed on the left side of her belt, and a human man with bright vanilla colored skin named Hephernaan with long platinum blond hair to Caelar's left. behind Caelar and Ashatiel and Hephernaan are a seemingly never ending single file march of crusaders, made up of humans, elves, half-elves, hobgoblins, goblins, bugbears and even gnolls! Caelar herself, like most people claim, is a slender but powerfully imposing figure.
A fairly tall 30 year old woman, standing 5'9", sporting long, shoulder length reddish hair, she wore a special head ornament with two wing shaped plates on the sides that resembles a circlet or tiara known as the "Circlet of Cynosure", providing very little protection to her head, she wore bright silver plate mail armor known as "Mail of the Hallowed Hero", that is less heavier than the common plate mail armor and has parts of it removed, revealing the soft, flexible plating mostly around her midriff and some places of her arms and legs, giving her arms and legs more flexibility and body more agility, sacrificing the protection a thicker, heavier plate mail body armor would offer, and it provides advanced protection from evil aligned creatures, and prevents Caelar from getting poisoned or catching a disease, and she has a special magically enhanced +3 longsword called that glows bright blue when she holds it in her hand called "Aster's Edge" and a special shield called "Solar Aegis" attached to her back. But her most distinguishing feature, the hooded man noted when he first met her, is her shining eyes. Her eyes have absolutely no pupils, making it hard to tell if she is looking straight at you or someone else standing next to you, and her pupil-less eyes glow bright blue, an obvious reason for why she is nicknamed the "Shining Lady".
The hooded man had examined her army for some time since he first seen them. The high ranking knights are primarily made up of men and women who fought and survived the two Dragonspear Wars, making them the most experienced fighters. The second ranked crusaders are the common folk who were drafted into service. Some civilians serve the crusade out of fear, others serve out of respect for Caelar. The third ranked crusaders are mercenaries, made up of hobgoblins, gnolls, half-orcs, and other creatures who would normally would never join a crusade unless the money is very good. He had also pondered over Caelar's heritage for some time. She can't be a pure-blooded human, the eyes of a human are supposed to have pupils in their eyes.
"... And what of your goals?" The hooded man asked Caelar.
"Many souls were lost during the Dragonspear Wars. I will see justice done and restore them to the light," Caelar replied with unwavering strength in her voice.
"Yes, quite... honorable. But what makes you think yourself capable of achieving this, Caelar Argent?" The hooded man questioned her.
Instead of waiting for an answer, the hooded man cast a spell on Caelar, a spell that would help him identify her lineage, but his spell was blocked. Caelar is somehow protected by magic spells that prevent her lineage from being discovered.
"You dare befoul my person with your magics?" Caelar scolded the hooded man, her glowing pupil-less eyes scowling at him with mild contempt.
"Blood is something to behold, not fear. Your divine heritage radiates from you- from which of your parents, mother, or father?" The hooded man asked casually.
Caelar chose not to give him an answer, so the hooded man tried casting the spell again, hoping whatever protection spell on her has probably dissipated by now. But one of her bodyguards, an the human mage, stopped the hooded man by casting Dispel Magic, disrupting his spell before he could finish casting it. And Caelar grew more irritated at the hooded man's attempts to learn her personal history.
"Enough of these games, and enough of your questions. Hephernaan, get this mage out of my sight," she said irritably and walked away.
"At once, my lady," Hephernaan, the human man with the shoulder length platinum blond hair who dispelled the hooded man's spell nodded.
He snapped his fingers and two more knights, bearing the crest of Caelar's crusade on their breastplates, a rising sun over the horizon, accosted the hooded man but did not dare grab him. The hooded man silently commended the knights for having the common sense not to put their hands on him.
Hephernaan began to walk away, but before he moved far away from earshot of the hooded man, he said to him:
"We will have words about this, scarred one."
The hooded man suppressed his growing anger.
"Perhaps," he managed to say casually before Caelar's knights escorted him away.