Even in the blackness of sleep Finn could find little peace. His dreams were like an open door; a parade of people and faces, meaningless as strangers. Sometimes things repeated themselves. Jaheira and him, in the same chamber, the same conversations. But this time there was another person as well.
"Then you say there is nothing you can do?" Jaheira asked.
Her face was tight, clenched. The elven man looked at her and sighed.
"Not all things can be forced. He needs time to heal, Jaheira. We cannot even be entirely sure what this Irenicus did to him…Any attempt I make might only make things worse. I am sorry."
"But there must be something…anything… Look at him! His eyes are open, but he is not awake. He has not spoken a word since we fled that wizard's dungeon. How long will he stay like this?"
"I have no answers for you. I am sorry."
Jaheira looked away quickly, wiping a quick hand over her eye. The elven man and Finn looked at one another, but to Finn he was as distant as everything else in the room. Finn could see, he could hear, he could smell the mould on the mattress, but it meant nothing. He was a part of the world, yet totally removed from it. He was a ghost.
He woke to a loud rumbling sound. Thunder? No, it was only Minsc snoring away. Finn glared at the sleeping ranger and rolled over with a groan.
But the morning would not let him sleep again. The room was dim, the light filtered through the slats in the shutters. Yet was absolutely nothing to rise for, no motivation for him to leave bed. Finn lay there, staring at the cracked ceiling until the door clicked open.
It was Yoshimo. He saw Finn's eyes, and came into the room.
"You should wake, my friend. Madame Lavinda has proven the truth of her words. There are several large, hairy men downstairs, looking for Minsc. I do not think they will leave quietly."
"No problem," Finn said groggily. "I've got the money."
He rolled out of bed and reached into the straw mattress to pull out his bag of gold. Yoshimo looked at it in surprise.
"Were you at the tables again? You have done very well for yourself, indeed."
"I earned it, let's put it that way," Finn said.
"Then I shall ask no more questions," the man replied. "But come, let us send these louts on their way before Jaheira gets wind of this difficulty."
Avoiding Jaheira had almost become a game, though not one he was much good at. Finn followed Yoshimo down to the common room. After a bit of bluster and a bonus for the messengers the men were sent on their way.
"Hope she gets that coin," Finn remarked.
"Quite. Those men hardly look trustworthy. But since the business is done, let us treat ourselves to an ale! I think this is your round, my friend."
Yoshimo laughed and slapped Finn on the back. But today Finn shook his head.
"Naw, I'm going to the Promenade. Want to tag along?"
"An adventure! Yes, I would welcome a chance to get out of this place. It is dulling to the senses."
Finn couldn't agree more. It was another sunny day and the prospect of an outing put some much-needed spring in his step. They left the slums behind, taking the long walk to the central market district in Athkatla.
...
Gradually the houses began to improve, and seemed to grow larger the further they walked. Here the houses were not merely drab plaster but painted in every conceivable colour. Red, blue, pink, yellow, green, like a bag of sweets. There were small markets and stalls everywhere as they walked, but Finn and Yoshimo went past them all, with one destination on their minds.
Waukeen's Promenade; Finn could see it rising above the houses before they were anywhere near the place. And although his memory wasn't what it used to be, he was fairly certain that he hadn't seen anything like that place in his life.
It was built like some massive arena, but not one for sporting spectacles; rather it paid homage to the national pastime of Amn. A nation of shopkeepers and merchants was celebrated within its grand arches. The infinite shops and stalls sold anything and everything you could imagine, and some things that you couldn't. Clothes, food, armour, jewellery, carpets, spices, potions, livestock even…anything for a price. It was exhilarating and overwhelming in equal measure.
But Finn hadn't seen all that much of the place. It wasn't just a lack of coin that kept him away. Finn could see one corner of the arena held up by scaffolding, covered with workers who looked like ants at a distance. He turned his head away, but Yoshimo spoke his thoughts.
"They have made great progress in repairing the arches. It is difficult to tell now what happened."
What happened. Yoshimo's words seemed idle compared to the truth of it. Finn could remember the blast; bricks and bodies flying through the air…the wizard emerging. Wrapped in an impenetrable ball of energy, floating above the screaming and scrambling crowd, seeking his quarry. It was enough to create havoc anywhere, but in a nation so fearful of spell casters it was almost apocalyptic.
The guards stood no chance. The wizards who appeared from thin air stood no chance. Finn and the others ran like everyone else; it was all they could do. No one thought to connect them to the insane wizard who was tearing the place apart.
They might have got away, but Imoen stopped. She was brave enough, mad enough, angry enough to face him. She made her stand, screaming at Irenicus, hopelessly battering him with her own spell. And then, they were both gone. The Cowled Wizards took them away.
"I suppose they have the coin to do the place up," was all Finn managed to reply.
Yoshimo mercifully changed the subject.
"Well, here we are at last! The market to end all markets. Were you looking for anything particular today, or are you just browsing?"
"You sound like a shopkeeper yourself," Finn laughed.
"One cannot help it in a place such as this," Yoshimo replied.
He bit into a crisp red apple that he'd liberated from a fruit seller; not so much of a merchant after all.
"Well. I need clothes. And some armour. And then…who knows?"
"Hm. The Seven Vales once was a fine festhall, though the landlady has become more prudish with every passing year. I think she has been spending too much time in the Temple of Ilmater! But do not worry, friend; Yoshimo knows many places in this city with excellent entertainment!"
Yoshimo clapped him on the back, though Finn didn't quite feel up to rubbing elbows with him. He'd had his share of spectacles for the time being.
His first task was finding some clothes. He'd worn his old clothes inside-out to help hide the stains; Finn was lucky that the guard didn't mistake him for some mad beggar. He didn't hold out a lot of hope of finding ready-made clothes that would fit someone of his height, but perhaps not surprisingly the merchants of Amn didn't let him down. He bought a decent new set of clothes, and even some second-hand ones for spare. Boots were more of a challenge, but the cobbler took his measurements and promised they would be ready within the hour.
But Finn was most keen on finding some armour. The weapon smiths of Athkatla had a fine reputation, he gathered, and they lived up to it. Finn spent an hour or two talking with an armourer, and by the end of it he put a deposit down on a custom piece of work.
"That is some considerable coin, my friend," Yoshimo remarked as they left. "I hope your luck on the tables holds out."
"Me too," Finn replied, though in honesty, he didn't care. If he won his next fight he'd be swimming in coin, and if not…Jaheira could deal with the bill.
...
"Well, then. If you are finished with your errands, allow me to be the one to guide us," Yoshimo said, stretching in the hot sunshine. "I am in desperate need of a good bath, and do not take offence…but so are you! I know a place where there are lovely ladies who will attend to such things. A rather relaxing way to spend the afternoon, do you not think?"
"Um, what's that?" Finn asked, reaching for a distraction.
A group of coloured tents had sprung up in the middle of the Promenade, and a crowd of gawkers were gathered around several large iron cages that were situated outside.
"A circus," Yoshimo said, indifferent. "A fine amusement for the children, but not so interesting to worldly men such as ourselves."
"A circus? I don't know, I'd like to take a look," Finn said.
He wasn't all that interested himself, but he needed some way out of Yoshimo's bath-house suggestion. Yoshimo shrugged his shoulders.
"Eh, as you wish. Perhaps there will be time for relaxation later!"
Finn gritted his teeth and led them closer, trying to see what was attracting so much attention in those cages. But he soon wished he hadn't. A great striped cat was in there, pacing and growling menacingly behind the roped-off barrier.
"Are they going to kill those things?" Finn asked suddenly.
"Kill?" Yoshimo replied, looking at him in surprise. "I should think not! Though it may be the other way around, if the lion tamer is not worth his salt."
He laughed to himself and went to investigate a notice board that was hung outside the great tent.
"Ah, there is a display of acrobatics this afternoon," he said. "That might almost be worth watching. Perhaps you may get us the tickets, if you are so keen?"
"Right," Finn said, feeling somewhat relieved. "When's the show start?"
"Shows on the hour, all afternoon," said the man who sat in a little booth. "Next show soon! Get your seats before it fills up."
The tent didn't look near to filling up, but Finn paid for their entry just the same. He'd hoped it might be cooler inside, but the sun beating down on the canvas made the inside of the tent feel stifling. He went with Yoshimo to find a good seat amongst the wooden stands that surrounded the large, roped-off ring in the centre.
Up above them were what looked like two ship's masts, rising up almost to the roof of the great tent. Between them was strung a rope, and below it two large swings. Finn wondered what they could be for.
"I shall need a bath for certain, after being in this place," Yoshimo remarked, wiping the sweat from his neck with a kerchief.
A couple of young girls made their way through the stands, offering fruits and sweets to the assembled people. Yoshimo bought an orange from a maid, distracting her as much as he was able with a string of jokes. The woman laughed, though Finn thought she wasn't much impressed. He wasn't hungry, and bought nothing.
At last came a beating of drums, and someone appeared in the centre of the ring. A tall man, concealed within a deep purple cape. In a booming voice he spoke a strange incantation, and smoke began to bellow from underneath his cloak. There were some startled cries from the crowd; the memories of another mad wizard were still fresh in that place. But before the guards could come rushing in the cloak suddenly melted to the ground. There were a few gasps, and a round of relieved applause as a spectacled gnome on stilts suddenly appeared from under the garment.
"Good gentlefolk of Athkatla, I welcome you to Quayle's Travelling Circus of Mystery! Prepare yourselves to be delighted, to be suspended, to be…blast, has anyone seen my cape?"
The cape in question was sliding away, even as the gnome bellowed his great speech. He spent a great deal of effort trying to catch it, but every time he came close it moved. The crowd sputtered into some polite laughter. At last he managed to seize it, revealing an even smaller gnome underneath. He wore a peaked little red cap, and jumped up and down for the amusement of the crowd. The crowd did laugh then, and laughed even harder as the little gnome cartwheeled away.
"Thank you, thank you, ladies and gentleman," the spectacled gnome said. "Let us get on with the show! First, let us enter the realms of exotic mystery, as you revel in the exploits of Reena and Meera, the Twin Delights of Calimshan!"
"Yes, indeed!" Yoshimo called out. It seemed perhaps that he did have cause for excitement. From somewhere exotic music played. A curtain at the side of the stage raised, and a woman appeared, frozen with arms and legs spread at odd angles. But as the tempo increased the woman split in two, revealing herself to be two identical women. They wore loose, flowing trousers and blouses that showed off their navels, and were covered from head to toe in glittering jewels. They performed a remarkable routine as they danced across the floor, their movements always perfectly mirroring one another. At last the dance ended, and the two women appeared to meld together again.
The crowd cheered, though perhaps the men cheered louder than the ladies did. The gnome once again appeared, and directed the crowd's attention to the great swings above them.
Two men and a lady had climbed up to the great swings. Finn watched in surprise as the men proceeded to hang by their legs from the swings, traversing the length of the tent faster and faster. He watched as they tossed the woman in between them, she doing remarkable flips and twists in mid-air. The crowd cheered their approval.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen…our most daring act of all," the gnome announced when the acrobats on the swings were done. "Lighter than air, nimble as a spider, and with absolutely no natural fear of heights…Quayle's Circus is proud to present, Aerie the Faerie!"
The crowd clapped again as a young blonde girl climbed steadily up to a tiny platform set onto one of the great masts. True to her name she wore a short dress of shimmering silk, and sported a pair of silken wings on her back. She paused for a moment, and the music began.
Finn had to gasp with the crowd as the girl lightly cartwheeled out onto the rope that was suspended between the masts. There she danced, flipping and twisting neatly as if her feet were on the ground. She appeared to be totally unconcerned as she did her routine suspended high above the crowd.
"Is she an elf?" Finn said.
The girl didn't quite seem human. Even from that height she looked so pale as to almost be luminous. She was short, but too tall for a gnome.
"She has rather pointy ears, so I would say yes," Yoshimo answered. "Look how flexible she is! I am certain she would make for interesting company, no?"
"Can you think of anything else today?" Finn remarked.
"No," Yoshimo said, laughing. "Can we be done with this place? I fear I shall melt into a puddle of sweat if we stay here much longer."
Finn sighed. There was little escape for him, it seemed. He was about to rise when a sudden scream grabbed his attention. He looked up. The girl's rope had come loose. She was falling.
He watched helpless as the rest of the horrified crowd, waiting for her to crack her skull on the hard ground below. But somehow, miraculously, she managed to grab the rope with a hand. She swung wide, bouncing off the canvas walls of the tent in her wild ride. There was a mad rush as the acrobats burst forth, trying to catch her. On her return swing two men managed to grab her in their arms, setting her down to safety.
The crowd was on their feet, chatting to themselves in a frightened manner. The spectacled gnome hurried over to the girl, talking to her excitedly. Finn couldn't hear what she said. Her wings were crumpled, but she seemed all right. At last one of the Calishite dancers helped the girl out of the tent, and the spectacled gnome came into the centre of the ring.
"Ah, ladies and gentlemen…Aerie the Faerie! All part of the act, all part of the act. The show is over now…good day."
The girl's fall clearly wasn't part of the act, and there were numerous mutterings as the crowd began to disperse.
"They're cursed, I tell you!" Finn overheard a man say. "Just the other day their tiger escaped. And I don't even want to tell you what happened to the sword-swallower. Not been here a tenday and they've had all sorts of problems. Guards ought to shut this place down."
Yoshimo let out a sharp breath. "That is enough adventure for one day. Shall we not try a little relaxation now?"
"Fine. Just make sure you don't slip on the soap," Finn muttered.
...
Yoshimo laughed, but Finn didn't share in his humour. He followed him to the bath house, and Finn paid for a bath, though without any of the extras that Yoshimo ordered for himself.
The baths did feel good, though. They were bronze tubs, deep as a pool and filled with steaming hot water that ran out of a pipe in the wall. Finn shut his eyes and felt the heat sinking into his battered body. Even in the heat of the Athkatlan afternoon it still felt good.
He opened his eyes and glanced up at the elaborately tiled walls. A mosaic danced across the room; jewel-toned maidens with bare breasts and towels around their waists, tending to the pleasure of the men who bathed with them. There were bowls of fruit and jugs of wine, plants potted in vases. Beyond the pool where the bathers frolicked was an azure sea. But to Finn's eyes it all seemed like a fool's dream; not pleasure, but vanity.
Reluctantly he pulled himself from the bath. A girl appeared from somewhere and helped Finn to dry himself. He didn't need any help. The girl was sweet and cooed over him, but he knew she was just trying to get more coin. He dressed himself in his new clothes and went back out into the parlour to wait for Yoshimo to finish.
Yoshimo though seemed to be taking his time. Getting his money's worth, Finn thought wryly. The afternoon was fading and Finn was growing bored. He finished his ale and told the girl at the door that he would be out in the market, if Yoshimo ever emerged.
The warm air felt strange on his freshly-bathed skin. The shadows were growing longer now. The Promenade was in a bit of a lull, the gap between the day's trading and the evening when people sought other forms of amusement. Finn sighed and wandered around the place aimlessly.
Would Lehtinan expect him to fight tonight, he wondered? Away from everything he felt a sense of dread creeping over him. It wasn't exactly fear; he wasn't afraid of anything. It was apprehension, perhaps. It was a strange thing to meet a man and kill him. But the other fellow had agreed to fight, the same as him. Finn just needed to make sure he was the winner.
Somehow he found himself wandering back by the circus tents. The circus was closed now; no surprise, really. Behind the tents was a circle of brightly-coloured covered wagons, painted all over with fruits and flowers. It was a simpler sort of decoration than the bathhouse, but Finn found it more appealing.
But there was a figure perched on the end of a wagon. A child, a girl, with a hood up over her head. And she was crying.
Finn looked at the ground; it was no business of his. But as he walked past the girl raised her head, and he saw with surprise that it was the elven girl who fell from the rope.
"You all right?" he found himself asking her. "That was quite a fall you had today."
It was a pretty spectacular stunt in anyone's book. The girl wiped her eyes and nodded.
"Yes…I am, thank you. Were…were you at the show? You saw it happen?"
"I did, aye. You're lucky to be alive," Finn remarked. "Did you get hurt?"
"No, thank Baervan. I've been with the circus for years, and we always practice falling. But it was still a…shock."
Finn looked at her. Though it was hard to tell with elves, he reckoned she was more than a child. Her long hair was bright as the sun and it contrasted strangely with her alabaster skin. Her reddened eyes seemed almost too large for her delicate face. But she was so small.
"You saw it, then," the elven girl continued. "Did you see anything…strange beforehand? Any reason the rope might break?"
"No, none," Finn told her. "It's like it just let loose on its own. Must not have been tied well."
"But Ralesh has been setting up the ropes for decades…he knows what he's doing. I can't think it would just come loose like that."
Finn shrugged. "Well, things happen. Hope you get it sorted. Don't need any more accidents."
"No, but I…" the girl began, but she was interrupted as a man hailed Finn.
"There you are, my friend!" Yoshimo said, striding up with a bouncing step. "I do apologise for keeping you waiting. It can take some time to get fully clean, if you understand my meaning!"
"Aye," Finn sighed. "We done here, then? I'd like to get back."
"So soon?" he said. "I am disappointed to hear it. Myself, I have worked up quite an appetite! Some decent food would be a nice change. They serve real Calishite food here…grilled and seasoned beef, well spiced. Does that not strike your fancy?"
"Maybe another time. I want to get back to the Copper Coronet."
"Then you must be the only soul to have ever uttered those words," Yoshimo remarked. "Do you think someone is looking for mercenaries just now? But it is your choice."
The man sighed forlornly, but he winked at the elven girl and turned back towards the slums.
"Well. Good talking to you," Finn said to her. He sighed himself and followed after Yoshimo.
...
Evening was coming on by the time they found their way back to the Copper Coronet. The sky was dark blue and lit by a few stars that radiated pristine light. But they could not compete with the braziers were lit outside the tavern doors, throwing their light upon the sludge that flowed in the street. From inside echoed the sound of talk and loud laughter.
"And so another night begins," Yoshimo remarked as the headed up to the door. "What shall it be tonight, friend? Cards, or dice?"
"Neither," Finn replied. "I just want to…rest."
"Are you feeling quite well? You have been in a strange mood since last eve. But as you wish, then. I will win for both of us!"
Yoshimo laughed and patted Finn on the back, though his laughter sounded strained. He left Finn to head to the bar, and Finn proceeded up the stairs to his chamber.
He wasn't sure what to do. He said he would fight, but the pit was the last place he wanted to see tonight. Salema would probably think he was a coward. Finn wasn't sure why that would bother him, but it did.
There was a small table on the stair landing, and lost as he was in his thoughts Finn barely noted the man who sat hunched there. He was an elf, another elf. Dark haired this time, not light. Finn glanced at him. There was something familiar about him; perhaps he stayed at the Coronet. The man stared at him in return, an almost uncomfortable gaze, watching as he climbed the stairs.
But the elf said nothing and Finn passed him by. Surprisingly though, the elf called out his name.
"Finn."
"Yeah?" he said, stopping to look over his shoulder.
Did he know him? Maybe he was in the pit, one of those bloodthirsty onlookers.
"Will you not speak with me?" the elven man said, rising to his feet.
"And why should I do that?" Finn asked in return.
He turned and faced the man. He wore a scowl, but Finn though he looked somewhat surprised.
"You…still do not recognise me, do you?"
He wore a grey cloak, and Finn could see a blade hidden under the fabric. He suddenly felt tense.
"No…should I?" he asked.
Did he recognise that elf? He thought he looked familiar, but nothing came to mind. But then suddenly came a flash of memory. He knew him, he'd seen him before. He came to visit Jaheira after they'd escaped. Jaheira spoke as if Finn should know him, but… He remembered now. He was a mage. That sword he carried…he knew it. His name was…
"Xan?"
Finn spoke the name as if it had broken a spell. Suddenly memories began flowing back. Xan, the elf, the enchanter. Of course he remembered him. They had travelled together for a long while.
"Then I am somewhat relieved," Xan said. "You have improved since last we spoke. At my last visit you were virtually comatose. But the fact that you did not recognise me at first is still cause for concern. I know we were not the greatest of friends, but I had hoped that you might at least recall my existence."
"I do now," Finn said. "But you…where did you come from? You weren't…here."
"I was not, but unfortunately I am now," he sighed. "I was sent here by my people, some time before you made your…grand entrance. I did not know at the time you were involved, though I should have guessed. It was not such a surprise to encounter Jaheira in the halls of government. She told me of your plight then."
"But why are you…here?" Finn asked.
He was still confused. The elf sighed again.
"I was asked to come here tonight by the lady who is presently bounding up the stairs. No doubt she will tell you more."
Xan sniffed a little and rubbed his nose with a kerchief. As he said, Jaheira was flying up the stairs towards them. She stopped in her tracks though.
"Xan! I meant to tell you Finn has returned, but it seems you have found each other. Did he recognise you?"
"Eventually. He has made improvement, at least."
"That is a relief," Jaheira said quickly, sounding rather short of breath. "Shall we talk? Come to my chamber, it is more private."
The two men followed Jaheira to her room. She pulled out a large iron key and turned the lock, letting them inside. As the only female in their little group Jaheira was treated to a room all her own; although Finn thought she must have begged it off of Bernard. After sharing a room with Minsc he could understand why she wanted to be on her own.
The room was tiny, but considerably tidier than the larger room the men shared. There was only one chair so Jaheira directed them to sit on the bed.
"Thank you, but I will stand," Xan said. Finn sat on the bed and looked up at the two people who were regarding him intently.
"Is this an interrogation?" Finn remarked.
"No," Jaheira sighed. "Xan just wishes to speak with you. About your memories. And your…dreams."
Finn clenched his teeth. Dreams. Dreams only came when you were sleeping. He had these ones when he was awake.
"Er, yes," Xan coughed. "Have you…can you recall more than previously?"
"I suppose so," Finn said. "It comes and goes."
"And what, particularly, can you recall?"
"About what?"
"Xan wants to know what you can remember about your life," Jaheira spoke. "Imoen. Can you remember Imoen?"
Finn looked blank. About his life? He could barely remember having a wife that no one ever mentioned.
"Ah, Jaheira…I mean no disrespect, but perhaps this may be best done in private?" Xan said.
Jaheira looked at him sharply, and Xan looked to the floor. But she sighed loudly.
"As you wish. I will be in the common room when you have finished. Do not neglect this, Xan."
It was a strange admonition, but the woman left them in peace. Xan sighed quite audibly when she left, and went to stand by the door.
"Are you leaving as well?" Finn asked. "I don't know what you want to ask me, but you needn't bother. I won't tell her ought."
Xan almost seemed to laugh under his breath, but he shook his head.
"No. Finn, I…cannot deny that I am uncomfortable here. What Jaheira has asked me to do…it would not be easy under any circumstances, but with you…"
"What has she asked you to do?" he interrupted.
"Only the impossible," the elf sighed. He seemed to resign himself, and quietly set the chair near the bed. He sat down, and Finn hitched himself away from him slightly.
"Don't be concerned," Xan said. "I have no intention of actively probing your mind. But Jaheira is right, as she so often has the irritating habit of being. We must try to put the pieces back together."
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
"You saw me, and you remembered. I think that your memories are not entirely lost, just…sleeping. Locked away in your mind. Hiding from whatever that mad wizard did to you."
"Maybe. So what do I need to do first?"
"Talk, perhaps. Talking may help. Start at the beginning. Do you remember your home? Candlekeep?"
The elf looked at him intently, and Finn looked away. The name was startling somehow.
"I…don't know," he hesitated. "I think, maybe… It was a place with a tower, right? And books. I remember…so many books."
"That is correct," Xan said. "Tell me what you can remember. It may help."
Finn shut his eyes. He wasn't sure what he could remember. So many images, confused…places that had no place, faces with no names, names without faces. He could remember…a beach. Shingle. Grey waves crashing onto the shore. The tower on the cliff, so high above him… Suddenly he was on top of that cliff. He saw a woman falling over the edge, screaming as she fell to her death.
Finn gasped and his eyes opened. Xan was still looking at him levelly.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I don't know," Finn said, rubbing his eyes. "But I don't think I want to do this tonight. I just…I just want to go to sleep."
"That is understandable. Perhaps it may be best to try another day," Xan said, and Finn thought he sounded rather relieved.
"You don't want to be here, do you?" he asked. "Why?"
"You need to ask why I do not want to be in this gods-forsaken excuse for a tavern?" the elf said quickly.
"Trust me, I don't wonder that," he remarked. "But you don't want to be in here, do you?"
Xan looked rather uncomfortable again.
"No, I do not. But we do what we must. Another night, perhaps."
He stood up, but Finn pushed past him to the door.
"Another night," he said shortly.
He went out into the hall, somehow not surprised to see Jaheira hovering about on the landing. She looked more surprised to see him, however, and approached quickly.
"Is that all? You have not been in there more than a quarter of an hour!"
"Perhaps another night," Xan said quickly. "Finn is tired, and there is little point in straining an exhausted mind."
"He would be less tired if he did not dip into the ale so often," Jaheira shot back. "Will you do nothing, Xan? Or am I to be treated to excuses once again?"
"Jaheira…" the elf began.
"Never mind. We will speak in my chamber," she demanded. "Finn, if you are so tired, then I suggest you go to bed…and stay there."
A retort was on Finn's lips but he bottled it. Jaheira directed the hapless elf back into her chamber and shut the door. Finn slowly made his way back to his own room, but curiosity got the better of him. Quietly as he could he crept up to her door and listened. Jaheira made little effort to moderate her voice, and eavesdropping was not hard.
"Why, after everything, will you not…"
"And what would you have me do? I am not a fisherman to troll his mind with a net, hoping to snare a memory!"
"But that is what you do!"
"It is not! And regardless, this is not… He is not… It is not normal, Jaheira, and even you know this is so!"
"And you are a coward, that is all. A coward! Afraid to even help his friends. Too afraid to get involved! How relieved I was when we first met…but all you do is hide with your books! You do not care at all!"
"You may call me what you wish, but it will not change what is true. I have done what I can, made enough fruitless enquiries… Whatever you may think, the Council of Six is far from open to me. But if there are only insults on your lips, then I will take my leave. Goodnight."
Finn started, but it was too late to run away. The door burst open and Xan stepped outside. He saw Finn crouched there and gave him a look of indignation. But the door slammed shut behind him, nearly slapping Xan on his rear. Xan let out an exhausted sigh and went away without another word.
Finn expected Jaheira to come storming out, but she remained in her chamber. He drew a shaking breath and went quietly back to his own room.
...
He fully intended to go to sleep, but of course he couldn't. Finn tossed and turned on the hard mattress, listening to the sounds of revelry coming up from the common room. The room was too hot; the slats in the shutters were open but the night was humid and still.
Finn groaned and rolled over for the hundredth time when he heard the sound of loud boots in the hall. A man's voice was singing. Finn groaned for another reason and attempted to feign sleep.
The chamber door burst open and Minsc strolled in, a song of Rashemen on his lips. And by the sound of things he was more than a little drunk.
"Ah, Finn! There he is, Boo. Why do you sleep on such a night? Come, wake and have a drink!"
Finn's ruse meant little as the big man nearly crashed down onto his bed. Finn sat up quickly.
"All right, Minsc?" he managed to say. "Sorry, I don't feel much like drinking tonight."
"Pfft. You will once you taste this fine brew! Here, the man behind the bar gave it to us. It is good, try!"
Finn very nearly had no choice as Minsc forced the big jug under his nose. Finn dutifully took a swig; he knew Minsc wouldn't give him a moment's peace until he did. But he sputtered and coughed at the foul liquid the jug contained.
"Bloody hells, Minsc…what is this?" he asked.
"Good pure drink from Rashemen! Very strong, just like her men. I have not tasted so good in a long time! Come, drink again! It puts a fire in your belly."
An actual fire would be more pleasant, Finn thought. He was no stranger to drink but this stuff could burn through stone.
"I'm good, ta," Finn coughed again.
"Ah, look at him, Boo…he is too sleepy! This room is too hot. Come with me, friend," Minsc said, shaking him hard by the shoulders.
"I really don't want to go to the common room," Finn said quickly.
"And neither do I! This is a night for gazing at the stars. Come, follow me!"
Finn didn't dare ask what Minsc had in mind, and he knew well enough there was no point in trying to brush him off. When he had a mind to be, Minsc was tenacious as Jaheira. So Finn pulled on his boots and followed the big man out of the room.
He led them up a narrow flight of stairs to the third level. These were the garret rooms, where the staff slept. But Minsc led them past the doors to a window at the end of the hall. He drew open the shutters and Finn looked on in alarm as Minsc forced his way through the frame.
"Where are you going, man?" Finn declared.
"To see the stars! Hurry up!" Minsc replied.
Spending the night with a drunken Minsc on a rooftop…what could possibly go wrong? Finn muttered to himself but he followed the ranger, if nothing else to keep him from mischief.
The roof was dark and Finn swore as he nearly tripped over a broken tile. It was steep, and it seemed an awfully long way down to the street. But Minsc crawled along the edge cheerfully, still singing that daft song. At last though he came to a level place that looked like a terrace.
"Here, friend!" Minsc said, bouncing down onto the flat roof. "Come sit here."
Finn eased himself off the roof, lacking the man's inebriated confidence. Once there though he felt a little better. It was a terrace, once; behind them Finn could see a boarded-up door. But no one except the pigeons made use of it now.
"That is better, is it not, Boo?" Minsc said. He pulled the small brown hamster from his pouch and let him scamper freely around the terrace.
"Aren't you worried you'll lose him?" Finn had to ask.
"Lose Boo? I would sooner lose my arm! He has come with me all the way from Rashemen. He chose Minsc to travel with, and he will not leave."
Finn might've been inclined to doubt that statement, but Boo did seem to be devoted to his master. Not least because Minsc was always free with nibbles for the pudgy little creature. Somehow he even managed to stay by Minsc's side when he was locked in that wizard's prison.
"Ah, there are the stars," Minsc continued. "See, The Maiden is rising! The fair maiden of summer. When she rises, the warriors of Rashemen put down their arms and tend to their fields. The season for fighting is over."
"You have a season for fighting?" Finn asked.
"Of course! All things have their time and place. But Minsc has no fields to tend, so he is always ready for a fight!"
The big man laughed heartily and took another deep swig from the jug. He passed it to Finn. He only took a small swallow but it was enough to send him sputtering again.
"Damn, Minsc…this stuff…"
"Ha ha! Can you not feel the hair growing on your chest?"
"I've got enough hair on my chest already," Finn remarked. "I think it's starting to come out of my ears now."
Minsc laughed all the harder, and Finn managed to break a smile.
"Ah, the beautiful maiden," Minsc said, continuing to dribble to himself. "She is just like Poppy! How bright are her eyes! Can you not see her there?"
Finn looked up. A drizzle of stars hung in the black sky above them, but none of them looked like a woman to him.
"Sure, I see her," he said.
Minsc laughed and slapped him on the back.
"Good, good. Ah, my beauty. Let us sing to her! Join with us, Boo!"
He belted out a song loud enough for the stars themselves to hear. It was in Rashemi, and Finn didn't know the words. Not exactly pleasant to the ears. Apparently the neighbours thought the same, for a woman leaned out of a window on the opposite roof and bellowed for him to be quiet. Minsc just laughed and sang twice as loud.
"Why not have another drink?" Finn suggested, hoping to keep him quiet for a few minutes.
"You speak wise, friend!" Minsc declared. "But you first."
Finn groaned and took another drink. The fire was seeping through his belly now.
"If this is what you have to drink in your country, I can see why Dynaheir stopped you from drinking," he heard himself saying.
He paused the moment the words left his mouth. Had Dynaheir told Minsc to lay off the drink? He could barely remember Minsc's mage-companion. The firewater was playing tricks on his mind.
"Dynaheir said many smart things. But she is gone now," Minsc said, sounding strangely sober.
"Right…" Finn asked. "Where did she go?"
He couldn't remember. He could remember her face… She was tall and dark-skinned. Regal looking, like some queen of the forest. But he didn't know why she left.
"You…do not know?" Minsc said, and Finn looked at him, startled by the tone in his voice.
"No, I…"
"Dynaheir fell to your hand! You do not remember? You do not remember this?"
Minsc was on his feet, towering above Finn. He looked at him in genuine alarm.
"No! I don't remember… Where, when?"
"You killed her! When first we chased after that wizard. We did not know his name then. But you raised your sword…and then…"
"But why would I kill her?" Finn exclaimed.
He jumped to his feet as well. His heart was pounding in his chest, and he tensed lest the irate man come to blows.
"You…did not mean to. It was a mistake," Minsc said, though it seemed like he was forcing out the words. "You struck at a vampire, and she vanished like mist…Dynaheir took your blow instead. And you tell me you cannot remember? Minsc forgave you then. But now you insult Dynaheir, and tell me you cannot remember?"
"I don't, Minsc, I don't! I'm sorry!" Finn exclaimed.
He racked his shattered memories, trying to recall. He could see Dynaheir's face. But there was nothing, no memory of death.
"I should have killed you then!" Minsc bellowed. "My honour, Dynaheir's protector…but I trusted you were a friend. I did not believe…you did it on purpose. You promised me revenge, do you remember that? Revenge on the vampire whose trickery cost Dynaheir her life! You swore that, have you forgotten?"
Finn stepped back from the man's anger. He recalled nothing of a vampire.
"Vampire…all right…where is the vampire now?"
"I do not know!" Minsc said, and it almost seemed like he was crying. "Jaheira does not know, and she is wiser than me. She was with the wizard…but now he is gone, too. But if we find the wizard, then we may find the vampire. But he is gone…gone away. Gone where we cannot find him!"
"All right, Minsc… All right. I'll swear it again to you…we'll find the vampire, and kill it."
Finn's words were meaningless; how could he track down a vampire? But he would say anything to get Minsc to calm down. Minsc looked straight at him, and the veins in his neck were throbbing.
"Swear it, then. On your blade. Swear by honour! We have debts to friends that must not be forgotten. For Khalid. For Dynaheir. Swear on their blood!"
Finn looked at the big man, still dumbfounded by his sudden change in mood. But he drew his sword, and held it out in front of him.
"All right. I swear it. For Khalid and Dynaheir," he repeated.
Minsc took Finn's off-hand and pressed it onto the blade. Finn shut his eyes and gritted his teeth feeling the cold steel slice through his own flesh. His blood trickled down the shaft, but neither man let go. At last Minsc seemed satisfied.
"Good. And for Minsc. Dynaheir…in death Minsc remembers his promise. Your blood will be avenged."
He drew his own blade and ran it over his palm, slicing it open. Finn felt dizzy, though not from the loss of blood. His hand was already healing over.
"Minsc…I don't…" he began.
"Drink again," Minsc said. He sheathed his bloody blade and tied his cut hand up in a kerchief.
Finn drank, and the big man was silent.
"Now, sing with me, friend," Minsc directed him.
The ranger took his place again, singing his song to the stars as if none of it had happened. Finn slowly slid down next to him. He took Minsc's offered jug and began to sing his own song.