The small village of Amkethran bustles with activity. The villagers are all busy cleaning up after the sandstorm that hit the village early last night. The monks are up and about as well, offering what help they can. They seem to be particularly insistent in offering help. Probably making up for what their former brethren did not too long ago, perhaps restore a semblance of trust with the villagers. For the part of the villagers, it's not easy. Balthazaar was a tyrant, despite his noble goal. He bled the village dry of resources and allowed mercenaries to run roughshod of the entire village. Trust is not easily repaired once broken.
The villagers are not the only ones up and about. The smugglers are probably the ones that displayed the most activity. It's clear they will be leaving soon. Some are packing essential things for the journey, like tents, sleeping pallets, a few travelling furniture, and cooking equipment. Others are busy buying or trading food and supplies from the villagers and merchants. Others are readying pack animals for the journey.
All of this caused quite a stir among the villagers. Whispers could be heard of the cause of the smugglers' hasty departure, one more foreboding than the last. Fear is spreading. The smugglers are the village's lifeblood. All know that the only reason any merchant would pass through Amkethran is because of the smugglers and the "services" they provide. Without the smugglers, merchants will cease to come and the village will most likely die. Some of the merchants are already beginning to make preparations to leave. The monks are doing their best to alleviate the villagers' concerns, but not much can be done it seems. The smugglers will not even say why they're leaving.
Jaheira, of course, know the reason all too well. The Tethyrian royal army and a hundred or so seasoned adventurers turned mercenary are currently entrenched in the oasis deep in the desert. It's best not to alarm the villagers or the monks by informing them of this. They've already been through enough with recent events. Plus, she highly doubts that the villagers are in any danger from the army because their true target is Lauranna and perhaps her companions.
She makes her way along the busy dirt road towards a few of the merchants that are still hawking their wares. She tries to act like she isn't in any hurry, but it's hard. Patience is not one of her strong points. She goes over the plan in her head again. Buy a few supplies. Not much, just a few to avoid any suspicion. Imoen would be doing the same thing, but later when Jaheira's done. Lauranna has already asked a few of the villagers to buy a couple of things for their journey. All of their supplies are to be hidden at the temple to be kept safe by the priest for the time being. Once all of the supplies are ready, one of Carras' men will then take them and travel to a predetermined location a little ways out in the desert where he is to wait for Jaheira and her companions. They would then leave the village at sundown, one by one in order to avoid notice, and meet up at the location where their equipment and supplies are waiting. From there, they will be traveling north until they reach a place called Path of Daggers, a supposed impassable maze of sharp rocks and sandstone pillars. One of Carras' trusted men will be waiting for them there to guide them through the maze.
Jaheira hates the roundabout way that they are doing things, but saw the necessity in doing so. She doesn't trust any of the merchants now. Less so the smugglers. Any of them could betray her and her companions for the right price. She also hates the fact that much of their plan relies heavily on Carras. She doesn't trust the man despite Lauranna's assurances. There is too much at stake. She will not allow Lauranna to end up in a dungeon for the rest of her life, or worse, beheaded. After everything they have been through, the girl deserves her freedom. She will do everything in her power to make sure she gets to have a second chance in life, free of dark prophecies. Even if it means she has to sacrifice herself in doing so.
With that in thought, she begins to plan if things turn sideways. Could she perhaps contact the Harpers? The monks do maintain an aviary up in the monastery. Perhaps she could send a message via messenger hawk to Amn or even Calimshan.
She's so deep in her thoughts that she fails to notice a familiar figure approaching her with a ready smile and a strut that would put any proud rooster to shame. With an elaborate bow, Saemon Havarian greets Jaheira with as much charm as he can muster.
"Greetings, milady! My, you look positively radiant this fine day. I especially love how your beautiful, silky locks flutter in this dry desert breeze. It puts the most expensive and lavish silks to shame." The greeting startles Jaheira back to reality.
"Saemon! What in nine hells do you want?! Never startle me like that again or I promise you that oily smile of yours will be missing a few teeth!" Saemon seems genuinely taken aback by her response to his flowery greeting.
"Dear Jaheira, I was merely admiring your beauty for yours is like a lush and vibrant flower that defiantly blooms despite the harshness of the landscape. It is truly inspiring!" Jaheira gives Saemon a flat look.
"Still that forked tongue of yours, Saemon. Your charm and wit is wasted on one that knows you for who you really are, a snake. Now, what do you want? Be quick about it for I have no patience for your blabbering today." Saemon gives her a wounded look for a moment, which he quickly replaces with what he thinks to be his most winning smile.
"I do love women who go straight to the point." Jaheira narrows her eyes at him. "Ahem, I merely wish to ask where your fearless leader is. I wish to speak with her before I and my merry band leave Amkethran." Jaheira tries to hide her alarm. Does he know? She tries to switch the focus of the conversation.
"Why are you leaving? I'm sure you know that the villagers rely on you and your men for their survival. Leaving will mean their doom. Are you truly so heartless, Saemon?" He seems taken aback by the sudden tirade.
"Dear lady, worry not for these good people. I have already made sure that they are well stocked before we leave. And those stocks will surely last them until our eventual return. And yes, I do intend to return eventually. As for why we are leaving, well, my man Carras has informed me of a particularly lucrative endeavor east of here. One that will take the whole crew, it seems, to engage in. You know I am not one to pass by any chance of making a profit, hence the hasty departure. Now, will you tell me where Lauranna is?"
Jaheira looks at Saemon flatly. She doesn't trust his words. What does he want? Why speak to Lauranna? Did Carras betray them? All of a sudden, an old monk passes by who seems to have overheard their conversation.
"My lady, forgive my interruption," the monk interrupts in a raspy voice, "but Saemon speaks the truth. We have already come to an agreement early this morning. There are supplies already stocked in the monastery that will last the village for a long time. Plus, we are not as helpless as you think we are. It may be hard, but the villagers can produce food and other supplies for themselves. And with the help you have provided yesterday to some of the villagers, I am sure we can get by until Saemon returns." Jaheira looks at the monk in disbelief.
"And you trust his word that he'll return?"
"My lady," the monk replies in his raspy voice and in tones as if lecturing to a child, "this is not the first time that he and his men have had to leave the village for one reason or another. In the past, when they needed to leave, they made sure that the village was well provided for until their return."
"Thank you for the vote of confidence, old chap. And rest assured that if ever we are delayed in our return, I have already arranged for one of the merchants to bring in supplies for the entire village." Saemon claps the frail old monk on the back which almost sends him sprawling on the dirt road. "Now, my lady, if you would be so kind as to direct me to the location where your leader is currently at and I'll quickly get out of your hair."
Jaheira looks at Saemon with his oafish smile. Why does he need to talk to Lauranna? She cannot probe deeper without raising his suspicion. In any case, she doesn't need to hide Lauranna from this foppish oaf. She can handle him and any of his probing.
"She's at the inn, resting. Do not disturb her. Her injuries have not yet fully healed."
"Worry not, my dear. This will only take a moment of her time and will not require her any strenuous acts." He gives her a wink, an elaborate bow, and walks off in the direction of the inn.
Talking to Saemon has put her in a rather foul mood. She's also worried that Carras has betrayed them and Saemon already knows of their plans, but all she can do now is trust in Lauranna and continue on with the plan. Perhaps sending word to the Harpers will help alleviate her concerns. She will have to visit the monks at the monastery later.
Jaheira walks on, intent on her task. She needs to buy a few particular herbs from the merchants. She's running out of stock and she can't constantly rely on her druidic magic. Those she reserves for emergencies. Plus, despite Imoen's insistence, she still requires a healing session. Her back was almost broken in half in their fight with Amelyssan. Minsc is already out of danger with most of his injuries healed up after their last session yesterday, but she can't be too careful. That oaf will work his way through any pain without thought for his own wellbeing. Lauranna on the other hand has recovered fairly quickly. Her strength of will has allowed her injuries to heal themselves requiring only little help from Jaheira's magic. But again, she cannot be too careful.
Sarevok is another matter. His whole body was badly burned and his left arm torn completely off. If it were up to her, she would have left him to die in the abyssal realm. It's what he deserves for the crimes he has committed. But Lauranna insisted. She's a little disturbed and confounded why Lauranna would continue to keep him in the group. She grudgingly admits though that he has proven himself quite a number of times already, even saving her life once in the battle with Sendai. But a few good deeds does not make up for his past transgressions.
She has noticed a few changes in Sarevok lately. At the beginning, when he first joined their group, she would often overhear him berating Lauranna about how she should not be wasting her power in defending the helpless but instead use it to elevate herself to godhood, that it was her destiny to do so. Now, he has become a sort of silent watcher or guardian, taking direction without balking or a murderous look at Lauranna. He seems more placid in fact, for lack of a better term.
All this started right after the battle with Abazigal when the draconic bhaalspawn tried to bring down the entire mountain on top of them in a last ditch effort. Jaheira remembers it like it was yesterday. Abazigal unleashed one final spell after Minsc plunged his great sword into his chest. The spell caused a massive earthquake that brought down the whole mountain on top of their heads. Jaheira acted quickly and summoned a greater earth elemental in order to safeguard her and Imoen, who was beside her at the time. On the other side of the massive cavern, she saw Lauranna teleport Minsc out of immediate danger, though she did not know where, and at the same time create an arcane shield that enveloped her and Sarevok. That was the last thing she saw before the entire mountain collapsed on their heads. They managed to escape by ordering the greater earth elemental to tunnel a way out of the rubble. It took a day of searching, but Imoen and her finally found Minsc wandering the area at the bottom of the mountain. Lauranna and Sarevok they found at a small oasis half a day's travel from the foot of the mountain. Both were strangely silent and there seemed to be an awkwardness between the two. The awkwardness didn't last though and in a short span of time, it was back to business. But this time, Sarevok was more silent. No more balking at every other decision or giving out murderous looks at anything that moved. He is still imposing and quite threatening to look at, but more thoughtful. She would often catch him deep in thought when camp was set and everyone else asleep. The heated arguments he often would have with Lauranna have also stopped. The only times both would address one another is when Lauranna would ask his opinion on tactics or a plan of attack. She found the whole thing odd. What did it mean? What happened between the two in that small oasis?
Jaheira snaps herself back to reality. She shouldn't let trivial things distract her. She needs focus now more than ever. Especially if she's going to deal with these unscrupulous merchants. Plus she has to remember to pass by the monastery later before going back to the inn. If the Harpers can offer her group some assistance then perhaps they can get out of this situation with their skins intact.
Zakee's tavern is a lot quieter compared to a few days earlier when the villagers were still celebrating. After the sandstorm that hit the village last night, everyone is rather busy cleaning up and repairing anything that was damaged. The tavern is empty aside from a couple of merchants and the village blacksmith bartering with one of the merchants. Perhaps attempting to get a deal on a few goods that are still left on the merchant's inventory before the merchant moves on. The serving girl is sitting at the bar conversing with the innkeeper, Zakee Rafeha. Lauranna quietly and discreetly observes the stout innkeeper while sitting at her table situated near one of the windows and close to the door that leads outside. Calima is on the table playing with a small ball of cheese, a leftover of her late breakfast. She initially intended to help with the cleaning up after they were done planning early in the morning with Carras, but Jaheira insisted she stay at the inn and rest, using the excuse that she needs to be seen resting in order to help create the illusion that they were not leaving anytime soon. She gave the same explicit order to both Imoen and Minsc, who right now are in their rooms preparing for the journey ahead. Sometimes, Jaheira's mothering can be a little annoying. She appreciates it though. She's already lost count on how many times Jaheira has saved their lives in the past. She's just a little annoyed because she wanted to do some hard labor. She feels a little restless doing nothing for the past few days. Instead, she's here in the inn common room, discreetly studying the innkeeper.
In any case, Zakee is a curious one. From the first time Lauranna met the innkeeper, there was always something about him that bothered her. First off, she's not quite sure where he's from. He says he's from Calimshan, but Lauranna has seen other Calishite and she's not so sure Zakee is one. Something is just a little off. He's stout like most innkeepers Lauranna knows, but she suspects that bulk is more hardened muscle than fat. He is also unusually tall. Lauranna believes his imposing visage behind the bar might have stopped quite a few fights in his establishment before it ever began. The hair on his head and mustache are as white as snow, but he doesn't look old really. More worn, but not withered. He has a look of a hardened adventurer or a soldier. Perhaps he has served as a merchant guard once or was an adventurer back in the day. When asked why he left his homeland, he would not say. Only that he wanted to settle down somewhere quiet. Why in the middle of a desert in Tethyr though, Lauranna could not fathom. He has placid eyes, but the lines on his face spoke volumes. They seem to belong on someone that have seen a fair share of tragedy and pain. He hides this fact with a rather cheerful attitude and a warm smile, but Lauranna knows. She is quite familiar with that look since she sees it every morning in the mirror.
There really is no reason to scrutinize the innkeeper. Lauranna does not believe he will betray her and her companions. She's just curious. There's just something odd, yet familiar with Zakee. Could she have a little crush on the innkeeper? He is quite handsome, in a mature kind of way. But no, that's not it really. She's just letting her mind fixate on something else. Otherwise, she'd go mad overthinking her current situation. Another reason why she wanted to do hard labor, keep her mind off things for a while.
Once again, she thumbs the note on her left hand, one of the many things that plague her mind currently. It was given to her by a monk working the monastery's aviary, just before she started her late breakfast. The small piece of parchment contains a rather cryptic and intriguing message.
"The crows watch eagerly, but the scarecrow keeps them at bay still. Not for long, I believe. The farmer's return would be appreciated. – M"
The note is written in a long, flowing script on an aged parchment. If her suspicions are correct, then she has less time than she previously anticipated. But she can't act with haste now. Otherwise, this could all lead to her being beheaded along with her companions. No, she has to be careful now more than ever. She can't let the contents of the note and what it means distract her. One problem at a time. In any case, how in nine hells did he find out where she was? She's thoroughly impressed. She silently offers a prayer to Mystra, asking the goddess of magic to protect and keep him safe for the time being.
Lauranna continues to muse over the innkeeper, trying hard to think why he seems odd to her. The piece of cheese Calima was playing with bounces off the table and lands on the floor. Calima glides down and grabs the cheese and starts to nibble on it. It's then that she notices a familiar figure walking towards the inn. There is no mistaking that strut or the oafish smile. Lauranna contemplates on leaving the inn through the back door. She decides not to. It's obvious to her why Saemon would come to the inn. It would be interesting to hear what he has to say. Despite her apparent distaste for Saemon's company, it probably is prudent to stay and hear him out.
Saemon enters the inn and looks around. Everyone else in the inn looks up from what they're doing to see who it is that just entered and upon seeing, goes back to what they're doing. Zakee, though, continues to look at Saemon with a distrustful glare. Saemon does not appear to notice and continues to look around until his eyes find what they are looking for. He gives Lauranna a broad and winning smile and approaches her table with his usual strut. Once at the table where she's sitting, Saemon bows elaborately and takes her hand. He plants a soft kiss on it and looks up with a smile on his face.
"Greetings, my lady, you are as beautiful now as when the first day I met you. Your hair still shines like spun gold, your skin pristine, and lips luscious." Lauranna looks at Saemon flatly, his charms falling flat on the floor. Calima looks at Saemon and hisses at him. She jumps and climbs on Lauranna's shoulder to have a better vantage point should the situation arise where she needs to use her breath weapon on Saemon.
"What do you want, Saemon? If you're expecting me to bed you, keep dreaming. I have no interest in you whatsoever." Saemon jerks up from his bow and has the audacity to look wounded.
"My lady, you wound me! I am no lecherous lout expecting rewards of the flesh for showing a lady, such as yourself, proper respect and admiration." She continues to give Saemon a flat look and waits for him to answer her question. Saemon, admitting defeat finally, takes a chair opposite her and sits down. Calima climbs down onto the table and situates herself between her mistress and Saemon. She continues to watch him warily.
"Well," he says in a more quiet tone, "I guess my charms won't work on you lot anymore. I believe Jaheira was ready to bite my head off. Yes, I encountered her while I was looking for you." Lauranna decides to remain quiet and let Saemon talk. He loves to hear his own voice anyway.
"Ahem. Well, as you might already know, I will be leaving soon, at sundown or earlier if I can help it. I have it going around that you will be staying for a while to recover your strength?" He says it in a curiously oratory fashion, loud enough in fact to be heard outside.
"Yes."
"Hmm, a sound idea." He lowers his voice to a whisper. "I had Carras scout the desert after you told him of your suspicions. He came back last night and informed me of an army currently camped in the large oasis that you, no doubt, have passed through travelling towards here." Lauranna remains calm. Saemon continues on in hushed tones while maintaining that oafish smile of his. He puts his hand gently on hers on the table.
"I think you should leave as soon as possible, perhaps travel with me eastwards. Carras told me of your plan on going north to Amn. I don't think that's a good idea. Tethyr is in shambles right now due to the civil war. Crossing the country to Amn will be dangerous, considering that bounty on your head." With these words, Lauranna starts to jerk her hand away from Saemon's, but he tightens his grip on her hand.
"Don't. Keep pretending we're just having a casual conversation. I do not trust any of the merchants that got through the oasis. Go on, smile." She looks at Saemon more seriously now. She regains her composure. She quickly goes over plans in her head, thinking of the many contingencies she had planned ahead of time should the worse come to worse, choosing which one would be the best course of action.
"So Carras has been spying on me for you. What do you plan to do now? Sell me out to whoever is leading that army? Perhaps serve me on a silver platter? You do know what I'm capable of, right?" She starts to stare daggers at Saemon and give him a menacing smile. Calima hisses to drive home her meaning. Saemon continues to smile.
"Yes, I had Carras spy on you from the very beginning. And yes, I asked him to go to you with the information first should he find that your suspicions are correct. I also asked him to give you details on all the paths that lead out of the desert. But please believe me, I do not plan on selling you out or set any sort of trap. Not this time. Thank you, by the way, for instructing Carras to inform me of your suspicions. This allowed me time to plan ahead." Lauranna is a little shocked at the genuine sincerity in Saemon's voice when he said please. But it could all be a ruse. She decides to go along with Saemon for now. Besides, she's more than capable of countering any of his plots now. At least she hopes so.
"I'm listening." Saemon looks at her with relief in his eyes. Another shock.
"Good. I believe that the safest and quickest path out of the desert is east. You and your companions can come along with us and wait out this storm—"
"Why are you helping us?" Saemon looks at her, seeming to consider his words.
"I know I have not been the best acquaintance. I have betrayed you at every turn in order to secure my own survival and you detest me for it. But this time, it's different. Liberating Amkethran is personal. I grew up here. My heart may belong to the road, but Amkethran will always be home to me." He looks at her, eyes filled with sincerity. She still doesn't trust him. "Plus, I have grown fond of you in our many dealings. I am a scoundrel and will always be, but you…you are a force of good and purity that is worthy of admiration. You can say that you have grown on me a little." Saemon gives her his most roguish smile which disarms her for a split second. No. He's a snake and she cannot under any circumstance trust him.
"Kill him!"
Lauranna gives a start. What was that? Her imagination perhaps. Saemon obviously notices her look of alarm and looks around trying to find what caused it. "I cannot go with you. I need to go to Amn. East holds nothing of meaning for me."
Saemon looks back at her. He looks at her curiously and is immediately replaced with concern. "And survival holds no meaning for you?"
No. She will not throw her plans away, even if Saemon is serious this time. She has to do what she has to do. "My mind is already set, Saemon. I will take the path I have chosen for myself. No one can deter me from it."
Saemon looks at her for a moment, trying to glean meaning from her words. Finding nothing, he sighs in defeat. "Very well. If you truly are set on this path, then at least let me assist you. Carras has promised that he will be sending someone to guide you through the Path of Daggers. I will tell him to go himself. No one knows that path better than he does and he will be useful with any dangers you might encounter along the way. I will also be arranging for someone to give you safe passage to Riatavin." She looks at Saemon with suspicion. And this time, she made it apparent so the meaning don't escape him.
"My lady, please. I know I am not the most trustworthy person in Faerun, but this time I am serious when I say that I will not betray you in any shape or form." Saemon looks at her and once again, gives her hand a soft kiss. "Your trust will not be wasted this time around, I swear. Consider this as repayment for saving the place of my birth." His smile is gone, replaced by a look of complete sincerity and seriousness. She still doesn't trust him, but gives him a nod of approval nonetheless. He will not stop otherwise.
Seeing her approval brought a smile on his face. He gives her one last elaborate bow and turns to leave the inn. She looks at Saemon through the window as he walks away towards the smuggler's cave. She is a little curious what he plans to do, but returns to her musings of Zakee. Nothing Saemon does will change her course or affect it in any way. If he tries to get in her way, then that would be unfortunate. She might not like Saemon much, but she has begun to "appreciate" his existence. She looks at Calima and found her staring at her.
"Don't worry, Calima. Everything will be fine." She scratches the fairy dragon's iridescent hide and she begins to nibble her finger in appreciation.
Jaheira feels a little exhausted after dealing with the merchants. She might not be satisfied with the prices they gave her, but at least she got all that she needed from them. Which was a surprise considering how little there was left. In any case she needs to get back to the inn and prepare her things for the journey. She also remembers that she needs to go to the aviary first and send a message to the Harpers. Not to mention that she still needs to check everyone else to see if they are fit enough to make the journey through the desert. She has a lot to do and might have little time to do it. She sighs and straightens her back. She will endure. She has to.
The village is still bustling with activity as she walks back to the inn, with the repairs and the cleaning up the villagers has to do and the smugglers busy preparing for their journey. She is still troubled by Saemon though. She has to remember to ask Lauranna what he wanted to talk about. If that bastard Carras has betrayed them, she will kill him. Slowly.
As she manages her way through the throng of villagers on the dirt street, she spots something off in the distance that's quite odd. Sarevok seems to be carrying a sack of potatoes over his shoulders and a bundle of firewood tucked under in his arm. In front of him, obviously leading is a frail and hunched old woman using a walking stick. Jaheira makes a turn towards one of the alleyways and observes the whole scenario.
The old lady stops abruptly in front of one of the houses and turns around to direct Sarevok where she wants the sack and the firewood. Sarevok does as she says and enters the house to relieve himself of his burden. Jaheira is literally surprised that the old lady still has her head attached to her body.
After a short while, Sarevok exits the house and the old lady tries to hand him something. Sarevok refuses what is being handed to him and starts to walk away. The old lady watches as he goes with a smile on her face.
Jaheira walks out of the alley where she's hiding to approach the old lady. The old lady notices Jaheira and speaks to her in a gentle and warm voice.
"He's imposing, but quite gentle isn't he?" She chuckles.
Jaheira watches Sarevok as he makes his way through the village, giving away no expression. "He's not what he seems. I'm actually surprised that you still breathe after ordering him around."
The old lady looks at Jaheira with surprise on her face. "What a horrible way to talk about one's own companion. Is he not with you? I saw you arrive with him along with that bald man who's not right in the head, the young woman who has a ready smile but sad eyes, and that beautiful blonde elf with observant blue eyes."
"I consider him no companion of mine. His presence was necessary, but it has outlived its purpose."
The old woman nods her head at her words. "He has done you wrong personally. You seem to be a strong woman, my dear. Might I remind you that forgiveness is the greatest show of strength and not a weakness?"
Jaheira turns to the old woman, her face devoid of any expression. She makes her words as cold as possible. "You do not know what he has done, the pain and misery he has caused, and to how many people. I do not expect you to understand. Sometimes, forgiveness is just not possible."
The woman does not look at her, but continues to speak in a warm manner. "Yes, there are men who are beyond redemption. But who are we to judge who is who? How do we mortals truly know that a man is beyond redemption? Do we solely judge by what he has done in the past or do we take into account his present actions? He does not say much, but his eyes speak volumes. It seems he wants to forget his past, but is constantly haunted by it. He seems lost, in a way. I feel pity for him. Truly."
Jaheira looks away from the old woman to look at Sarevok's image disappearing into the crowd. "I'm sorry to have disturbed you," she says coldly, "but I must take leave. I still have a lot to do and little time to do it." She nods at the old woman in respect and walks on into the crowded street. So, he wants to forget does he?
The old woman doesn't say anything. She just watched as Jaheira disappeared into the crowd. She shakes her head as she walks into her house, musing of a time long ago when she was in the exact same position as the young woman now. "I do hope she doesn't make the same mistakes I did. But on the other hand, one has to make mistakes if one wants to learn." She chuckles to herself and closes the door behind her.
Jaheira is a little annoyed at the moment. Her annoyance did not stem from the old woman's words. She doesn't really know what she's annoyed at. Or perhaps she just doesn't want to admit it to herself. She followed Sarevok to a small clearing southeast of the village. The clearing is bordered with a type of desert plant that seems to be all dead branches, but the villagers swear it blooms once a month and produces an edible fruit that has plenty of water in it and is rather sweet. In the clearing, a few of younger men in the village seem to have created a sort of sparring circle. Currently, two of the men are in the circle facing off with what appears to be wooden swords. Sarevok is off to the side by a rack filled with an assortment of wooden weapons, observing and occasionally barking orders to the two young men.
Jaheira approaches one of the young men observing the spar. "What is going on here?" She whispers and tries to be discreet.
The young man is obviously surprised by her sudden appearance and stumbles over his words. "My—my lady! Um, uh, we, uh—we're just practicing, you know? Um, we thought that we just need to learn to, um, uh—learn to, you know, protect ourselves. So we, uh—we approached lord Sarevok and, uh, asked him if he could, um, you know, teach us. That way, um, you know, uh, we could help protect the village and, uh, you know, um…"
The young man trailed off at her look. She didn't realize she was frowning. "How long has this been going on?"
The young man is now very nervous. "Um, we approached him the morning after your—your fight at the monastery. Um, you know, he—um, he looked well enough—um, enough, I think. Um, so, um, you know, we asked while—uh, we asked him, um, while everyone else was, you know, busy celebrating. And, um, he said—said, um, yes. Um, did we do wrong, ma'am?"
"Of course not!" she snaps at the youth. "It is good that you are taking initiative and are trying to learn how to defend yourselves and your loved ones. You should watch closely and learn."
Sarevok notices her and stares, as the two young men in front of him continue to spar, wooden swords making a loud crack as they try to parry each other's attack. Their stance is awkward though, and one of them is holding his sword wrong. She stares back at Sarevok daring him to say anything about her presence.
"What did I tell you about gripping your sword right?!" he snaps at the youth on his left and walks over to him to correct his grip. "You grip with both hands to stabilize your blade in order to prevent your enemy from parrying it off your hands easily! You also grip with both hands in order to make a more powerful blow! Do you understand?"
The youth nods his head nervously and grips his sword tighter. Sarevok walks back to his previous position. "Now, assume your stance and properly this time, both of you! If this was a real fight, both of you would have been dead the first two seconds!"
"Perhaps they should learn the staff instead." Jaheira interrupted. "It is more logical, considering that this is a village and not a city where steel is readily available."
Sarevok looks at her evenly as she walks over to the rack and inspects the staff. "You may have a point." His reply is even, not menacing at all.
The young men turn to each other and start to murmur among themselves.
"The staff is not the weaker weapon!" he barks to his would be students. Everybody snaps back to attention at his bark. "In the correct hands, a staff can be as deadly as any sword. It has the longer reach and is excellent for a defensive stance."
Jaheira scoffs at his words. Defensive stance is it? She inspects her staff once again as she walks to the middle of the circle and shoos away one of the men. It's made of finely aged yew, a rarity in these parts. Sarevok must have acquired these from one of the merchants. It doesn't compare to her heavily enchanted one of course, but this will do. She takes her stance and looks at her opponent. The other young man is visibly shaking.
"I have no interest in sparring with a boy. Move." The boy moves to the side and joins his fellow students. She then turns her gaze at Sarevok off to the side. "Care to spar, Sarevok?" Defensive stance is it?
Sarevok picks up one of the wooden sword and walks in the circle opposite Jaheira. "Everybody, watch and learn." He takes his stance, one foot forward and one foot back, sword gripped with both hands and held to his side at an angle to the ground, pointed away from her.
Jaheira doesn't give him a chance and attacks immediately. She launches forward staff whirling. She anticipates his attack and blocks his sword that comes from the side. The attack came too late though and she's now close enough for a kick to his left side. She does so and he blocks it with his left hand. She pivots and narrowly avoids a second slash of the wooden sword.
Jaheira takes a step back. Sarevok has changed his stance. He is now holding his sword over his head. His feet are close together. Jaheira looks at Sarevok in the eyes. So much focus. She attacks.
Jaheira launches herself forward again, staff a blur. She goes straight forward. Sarevok brings his sword down. Jaheira moves to the side a little and smacks his sword to the side. She immediately feints a leg sweep and changes it midway. She pivots and uses her staff instead to hit him in the head. He adjusts a little so she instead hit his shoulder with a loud smack.
What is wrong? His movements are off. She's seen Sarevok fight with fluid grace and ferocity. Right now, he's fighting defensively. Why? Is he taking it easy on her? The nerve! She continues her attack furiously and lands a few blows to his leg and arm, but he manages to avoid or block any solid blows. His attacks seem half-hearted, instead he focuses on defence. This makes Jaheira even more furious. She continues her relentless assault. The young men watches on with eagerness. Some even whooped encouragement.
"What's wrong, Sarevok? Losing your touch? Are you not a blade master of the highest order? Are you not the master of the Deathbringer Assault?" She taunts him as she attacks hoping to get a reaction, but he just continues to fight defensively ignoring her taunts.
"Why do you not attack!? Do you fear you will hurt me? You've never had that problem before! You used to revel in your opponents death! You enjoyed killing them!" Sarevok's eyes changed for a moment. For a second, Jaheira thought she saw regret. She took a step back. She's breathing hard. So is Sarevok. She looked in his eyes again but he's back to normal, eyes filled with focus.
"Well? Are you just going to stand there?" Sarevok said breathlessly.
Jaheira decides to end this once and for all. If he's not willing to take her seriously, then she will make him. She takes her staff with both hand and holds it parallel to the ground. She calmed her breathing.
"You killed Tamoko."
Sarevok's eyes widens in surprise, but is quickly replaced by rage, burning rage. His eyes seem aflame. He roars and lunges towards her with blinding speed. She remains calm. Sarevok brings his sword up over his head and brings it down in one fluid motion. Jaheira brings her staff up at the same moment, barely blocking his rage filled attack. She staggers for a second under the force of the blow, but quickly recovers. She brings her right knee up and buries it deep in his abdomen. He grunts. She then pivots quickly moving behind him, staff whirling, and hit him hard at the small of his back. She then swings the other end of the staff hitting him on the side of the head with a loud crack. Sarevok is down on his knees, both hands on the ground, breathing hard. She stands over him, calm and composed. The group of young men watching are silent as the grave.
"You wish to forget? Well, you are not allowed to forget. Men like you should never forget." She throws her staff on the ground next to Sarevok and walks away. He should never forget.