All characters are the property of Obsidian Entertainment except Gwynyth. With that out of the way, let's get back to torturing the hells out of the characters!

Battle Aftermaths

Sand struggled to dig himself out of the rubble. After the King of Shadows had died, the Vale of Merdeleine had collapsed. Before he could be crushed by falling stone, Sand had chanted the words to a transmutation spell. He was now a golem, and this was the only thing that had saved him from certain doom. He strained against the huge stones that pinned him down, knowing that as soon as the spell wore off he'd be even less able to dig himself out.

He managed to free himself from the rubble and began searching for his friends. With the massive strength imparted to him by his golem form, Sand tore through the remains of the vale. He found Elanee's dead body, crushed almost beyond recognition. He moved her remains to the edge of the ruins for later burial, for her body was far too damaged to be resurrected. Grobnar's body was recovered next. Sand found him lying on top of his construct, as if trying to save him from falling debris. Unfortunately, this meant he had sacrificed himself. Like Elanee, he could not be resurrected. He wrote off finding Qara's body. He had disintegrated her after she had sided with the King of Shadows. Her betrayal hadn't been too surprising. After all, he had been abusing her mercilessly after the love elixir debacle. Bishop and Gwynyth had happily joined in, although Casavir had elected to be a good boy and forgive her. Ah well, the rest of them had still managed to whittle away at Qara's influence until it was -217.

Sand felt discouraged by finding only dead bodies, but continued his search. Eventually he heard muffled cries coming from under the debris, and he focused his digging efforts in the location they were coming from. He found Bishop. His legs were pinned under a stone column, but he was alive. He moved the column aside and carried the injured ranger to the edge of the ruins. Promising to heal Bishop if he found any healing potions, he went back to his search. Bishop just nodded and stared sadly at the bodies of Elanee and Grobnar.

Neeshka was found in a little cave created by the fallen stones. She was bruised and scratched, but otherwise healthy. She credited her survival to her lucky coin. Upon hearing of Bishop's condition, she ran to him to give him her last healing potion. Bishop drank it down gratefully. He was still somewhat injured, but he was strong enough to walk now. He and Neeshka helped with the search for survivors.

Khelgar was located alive and in good health. Additionally he had some interesting things to say about Gwynyth and Ammon Jerro. He filled Sand in on the news while they both dug through the ruins.

"I saw Gwyn pinned under some rocks, and I tried to get to her. Before I could, these bleedin' gargoyles came out of nowhere and dragged her toward a portal. I yelled at 'em and chased 'em, but they outran me and made it through the portal. Ammon Jerro followed after them, and then the portal was gone."

"Oh gods," said the elf-turned-golem, "As if things couldn't get any worse!" He stepped up his efforts to find Zhjaeve and Casavir. Eventually Casavir was located. He was dead, but his body looked to be in good enough shape for resurrection. As soon as he saw the paladin, Bishop went hysterical. He clung to Casavir's body and sobbed. Khelgar had to pry him off the body while Bishop screamed and fought him the whole time. Sand returned to his normal form, walked up to the ranger and slapped him in the face.

"Would you stop the hysterics, boy? He can be resurrected!" Sand yelled in his face.

"He can?!" Bishop asked frantically. "Where's the rod of resurrection?!"

"Gwynyth had it," Sand explained. "Furthermore, all the healers in the group are either dead or missing."

"Give me your bag of holding," Bishop demanded.

"This is hardly the time to be shoving rabbits into my bag of holding, ranger!" Sand said impatiently. Bishop promptly ignored him and took the bag of holding out of the mage's pack anyway. He dumped all the contents on the ground as Sand cursed at him in several different languages. When Bishop began the process of getting Casavir's body into the bag, Sand's curses died on his lips. He simply left Bishop to his work and picked his belongings up off the ground.

Neeshka informed them that she couldn't find Zhjaeve anywhere. Khelgar said he couldn't remember seeing her around after the King of Shadows had died. It was agreed that the githzerai had most likely returned to her home plane after their enemy had been destroyed. Khelgar put the bodies of Elanee and Grobnar in a magic bag so they could be buried later at Crossroad Keep. Once Bishop had stowed Casavir's body in the bag of holding, the group followed Bishop out of the Mere.

Sand caught up with Bishop and walked beside him. He cleared his throat. "So, first you fill my bag of holding with rabbits, and then you fill it with paladins. I'm almost afraid to ask, but what's next?"

"Shut up, smart ass," Bishop retorted. "Lives are more important than the cleanliness of your stupid bag of holding."

"I certainly agree with you in that regard, but I still sometimes find it hard to believe you of all people would care about anyone's life but your own," the mage said. Bishop said nothing.

"Listen, I didn't have time to mention this before the battle, but there is something that concerns me about Gwynyth," Sand said.

"Of course there is!" Bishop growled. "She was crushed by rocks and then kidnapped by gargoyles!"

"No, what I mean is that I have an additional concern," Sand explained. Bishop sighed.

"Spill it," he said.

"Well, I saw Gwynyth throwing up before the battle. I asked her if she was alright but she brushed me off, which is most unlike her. I'm wondering if she's with child," Sand explained. Bishop stopped walking and turned to the mage.

"What?" he asked.

"She threw up before the battle, like I said. While we were traveling through the vale I thought about it further, and there are other things that support the idea. She wasn't eating much in the two weeks before we came here, but sometimes she would binge on things she doesn't normally like. And have you noticed she's well overdue for her, uh, courses?" Bishop sank to his knees in complete and total shock.

"You're right. I saw her eat a bunch of mushrooms one day, and usually she hates them. And it has been too long since her courses. I didn't notice because of this fucking war." Bishop, remembering the bag of holding in his pack, stood back up and resumed his trek through the Mere.

"So . . . gods, any one of us could be the father," Bishop said after walking in silence for some time.

"I'm afraid so," Sand agreed. "There is a possibility that stress delayed her cycle, and all the symptoms were caused by her impending courses. The problem with that hypothesis is that I've never seen her react that way in such a situation in the past."

"Yeah," Bishop said with a sad smile on his face. "Usually she just eats a bunch of chocolate and bitches at us."

"Yes, and then she begs me for marshmallow tea," Sand said. The two fell silent again.

"How in the hells are we going to get her back?" Bishop asked. "Those gargoyles dragged her through a portal. She could be anywhere."

"I might be able to scry her location," Sand said. "If I can find where she is, it may be possible to get to her, depending on where she is of course."

"Good," the ranger said, "because I have no idea how to track this one."

* * *

Their trek through the Mere was difficult, made even more so by their exhaustion. Neeshka asked several times if they might stop and take a break, but Bishop insisted it was too dangerous. Sand suspected he was really more concerned with Casavir and Gwynyth.

They arrived at Crossroad Keep at midday. Bishop marched straight to the temple of Tyr and walked into the office of Ivarr. The latter was in the middle of some paperwork, but Bishop spoke up without bothering to apologize for the interruption.

"I need you to help my friend," Bishop said.

"Let me finish what I'm doing and I'll be right with you," replied Ivarr impatiently. Bishop didn't like that answer. He took out the bag of holding and deposited its contents right on the desk.

"What are you doing—Casavir!" exclaimed Ivarr. He immediately chanted the words to a resurrection spell. Casavir gasped for air as color returned to his skin.

"Cas!" Bishop shouted. He clung to the paladin. "Oh gods, I thought I'd lost you!"

"Bishop . . . where are we? What happened? Where are the others?" asked the confused paladin.

"You broke your back and you died. We dug you out of the ruins after the battle, and I brought you here to the temple. Elanee and Grobnar are dead, and Gwynyth . . . Gwynyth is lost," the ranger said, his voice choked with tears upon speaking of the commander.

"My gods, how can she be lost? Is she still trapped in the Vale of Merdelein?"

"Khelgar said a bunch of gargoyles took her through a portal right after she was bashed up with rocks. Sand says he might be able to scry her." Casavir climbed off the desk, papers falling to the floor. He picked up the papers, thanked Ivarr, and walked out of the temple with Bishop on his heels.

They found Sand in the basement of the keep preparing to scry for Gwynyth. He looked up when they walked in.

"Oh good, you're back amongst the living," Sand said to the paladin.

"Indeed. I'm really more concerned with Gwynyth though. Bishop said you could scry for her?" Casavir said.

"That's what I'm preparing to do," Sand said. "Hopefully she isn't too far away and we can get her and the baby out of danger."

"Baby?" Casavir asked as his eyebrows rose.

"Clearly the ranger left out that little detail when he briefed you. Bishop, please explain while I finish my preparations," Sand said.

"Uh, yeah, Sand saw Gwyn throw up before we left for the vale. She hasn't been eating much, but she binges on stuff she doesn't really like. I saw her eat a bunch of mushrooms," Bishop explained.

"Normally I'd say nerves could explain the vomiting, but, mushrooms? Usually she won't eat anything that's even touched mushrooms," Casavir said.

"Tell me about it. Once I put mushrooms in the stew when we were camping. She ate some, bit into a mushroom, and gave the rest of her stew to Karnwyr. She actually preferred trail rations over the stew," Bishop said as he rolled his eyes.

"Well if she is with child, I wonder who the father is," Casavir murmured.

"That part scares me," Bishop said. "I mean, could you picture me as a dad?"

"Well, since I smashed you into the Flagon you've rescued rabbits, taken a bunny as your animal companion, fed cookies to orphans and cried over Grobnar whilst trying to heal him. I'd say just about anything is possible at this point," Casavir said smiling.

"He also cried over your dead body, dear paladin," Sand said.

"You did?" Casavir asked Bishop incredulously.

"I did not!" Bishop snapped.

"Did too," Sand said.

"Did not."

"You're lying Bishop," Casavir said. Bishop hung his head.

"Yeah, I guess I . . . cried. A little," he mumbled.

"A little? It was more like a waterfall of tears flowed from your eyes, and Khelgar had to wrench you off Casavir's body using the strength of the Belt of Ironfist," Sand clarified. He was enjoying this entirely too much.

"Shut up," Bishop said.

"Then I had to slap you to get your attention and inform you that resurrection was possible," Sand added.

"Shut up, elf!"

"Oh, and let's not leave out the part where you dumped all the expensive and rare reagents from my bag of holding so you could put Casavir's body in it and take him to the temple to be raised," said the smiling moon elf.

"Shut up," Bishop growled.

"By the way my dear, love struck ranger, where is the bag of holding? I'd like it back," Sand said. Bishop threw the bag in his face.

"Thank you," Sand said wryly. "Now go comfort your beloved paladin while I scry for Gwynyth."

"The only reason I am not killing you right now is because I need you to find Gwynyth!" Bishop yelled, his voice positively shaking with anger. "You'd better hope you fucking find her, or I'm using you for target practice."

Casavir put his hand on Bishop's shoulder. "Let's just leave Sand to his work, Bishop." He and the angry ranger walked out of the basement.

* * *

Bishop stalked out of the basement and headed straight for the Phoenix. Casavir was right behind him. As filthy, tired and hungry as he was, the last thing he wanted was ale, but Bishop worried him. He vowed to take care of Bishop under the guise of getting drunk with him.

He ordered ale and dinner from Sal and sat down with Bishop. When their ale arrived, Bishop immediately consumed the contents of his entire mug and asked for more.

"If you're planning to get drunk in less than five minutes, you're doing a great job," Casavir said. Bishop just grunted. They sat in silence until the food arrived. When it did, the paladin dug into his food while the ranger ignored his completely.

"Bishop, you haven't eaten since we ate rations in the Vale of Merdelein," Casavir said.

"I'm not hungry," Bishop grumbled, downing his second ale.

"How can you not be hungry after a day-and-a-half of not eating?"

"How can you eat at a time like this? Gwyn is gods-know-where, pregnant with what could be my baby, and we have no idea if she's even safe or alive!"

"How do you think I feel? I just want to charge after her so I can protect her, but there's no way. I do know starvation won't bring her back, though," Casavir said impatiently. He shoved Bishop's plate closer to him for emphasis, but the plate went untouched.

"Eat, or I'll have Sal cut off your alcohol," Casavir said with malice. Bishop sighed and shoveled some food into his mouth. He ate half his food and went back to drinking. Casavir rolled his eyes at this but said nothing.

Sand came into the tavern a few minutes later. Casavir and Bishop immediately pressed him for information.

"I'm sorry to say this," Sand said, "but my scrying spell was blocked."

"Blocked? How?" Bishop asked.

"Scrying spells can be blocked by any number of things, including spells, one's innate resistance to magic, the subject being on another plane, thick stone walls or even a lead sheet. It could have been anything," explained the mage.

"Can you try again?" asked the ranger.

"No, I have to wait another twenty-four hours until I can try again. I'm also going to need more spell components. I used my last hawk's eye in the failed attempt to find Gwynyth."

"I could get you more," said Bishop. Hunting sounded really good right about now. He'd do anything to keep his mind off Gwynyth, especially if it helped to get her back. He picked up his bow and stood up, but Casavir shoved him back down.

"Get it tomorrow when you're not drunk and exhausted," Casavir said. Bishop swore. He signaled to Sal for more ale.

Sand stayed and chatted with Bishop and Casavir for awhile. He left as soon as he finished eating, explaining he'd need to be rested for his next scrying attempt. Neeshka and Khelgar came in and sat with them. The tiefling gave Bishop a hug when she saw how upset he was. "We'll get her back," she said.

Seven ales later, Casavir noticed Bishop was swaying in his chair. He walked him back to his room at the keep. Bishop was far too drunk to protest. He leaned on Casavir the whole way.

Once in his room, Bishop shocked the hells out of Casavir by hugging him and crying.

"Oh godsh, I'm so glad you're alive!" sobbed the drunken ranger. "I couldn't fucking make it if I losht both of you!" He held tightly to the astonished paladin, crying and shaking. Casavir hugged him back.

"We'll get her back, Bishop," Casavir said soothingly. He pushed Bishop down to sit on the edge of the bed and took off his boots. He was about to stand up and wish his friend good night when he found himself being kissed.

"Bishop?" he asked after he pulled himself away. "What are you doing? I thought you didn't . . . I thought we didn't want . . ."

"I'm sorry. I thought that too. I tried so fucking hard to fight the way I feel, to push you away. But when I thought you were gone, I couldn't shtand it," he said. He wiped his fist across his face in a vein attempt to scrub away his tears. They came right back again. "I . . ." his chin sank to his chest and his shoulders shook. "I love you," Bishop whispered.

"Are you sure?" asked the shell-shocked paladin. After he and Bishop had woken up in each other's arms and discovered what they had done thanks to Qara's elixir, the ranger had been adamant that they would never be together. Bishop would fight the effects of the elixir for the rest of his life if he had to, but he definitely would not give in to it. Casavir, despite his own feelings, had respected that. He realized someone like Bishop, who was used to being the dangerous tough guy, would object to being with a man with every fiber of his being.

"Is this because you're drunk, or because we lost Gwyn?" Casavir asked.

"No," Bishop said, looking him in the eye. "I've been fighting this since that night we slept together. Between the head injury and the fuckin' elix-elixir, I think I've losht it. But I don't care now. I'm just gonna do what I really want now."

"You always have," Casavir chuckled. "I have to admit I'm really surprised by this, but . . ." Casavir decided to just be quiet and kiss Bishop. He never had been any good at expressing his feelings.

* * *

Sand woke up early in the morning and took a blissfully long bath. He hated being dirty, although yesterday he had forsaken a bath in favor of scrying for Gwynyth. Some things were more important than cleanliness, as Bishop had pointed out yesterday.

After breakfast, Sand did an inventory of the magical components in the basement. He found more nitric acid, zinc and copper for future scrying spells, but he still had no hawk, eagle or roc eyes. He sought out Casavir. Perhaps he could send the latter to wake up Bishop. After all, the ranger might be a goody two shoes now, but he was still quite dangerous to all living things first thing in the morning. He received no response when he knocked on the paladin's door, but Casavir must have been busy with his morning devotions. He decided to risk knocking on Bishop's door.

When he knocked on the door, he didn't get a response at first. After the second knock, he heard a voice grumble something along the lines of, "Fuck off." Sand tested the door knob and realized the door was unlocked. That was strange, considering this was Bishop's door and the ranger was always on the alert for attacks. He opened the door and walked into the room.

Sand was greeted with the sight of Bishop sleeping on his bed – along with Casavir. They weren't sleeping under the blankets, and neither one of them wore a stitch of clothing. The latter was strewn wildly across the room. Casavir's underwear was hanging from a painting on the wall. Sand cleared his throat and their eyes flew open.

"What a surprise," Sand said, turning up his sarcasm dial as high as it would go.

"What do you mean what a surprise?" Bishop asked groggily.

"Oh please, the tension between you two had to have been more than just mutual hatred of each other. Else why didn't you ever kill each other?"

"Because . . . Gwynyth would have killed me if I had killed Bishop?" Casavir asked uncertainly.

"As your hesitancy suggests, why would a paladin care about such a thing? It's your job to smite evil, even if it means sacrificing yourself for the greater good," Sand pointed out. He looked very bored with this conversation. Looking to his left, something seemed to catch his eye. He walked over to stare at a painting.

"I didn't realize you wore polka-dot underwear, Casavir. Apparently I misjudged you," he said. Casavir blushed.

"What do you want?" asked a very hung-over Bishop. He groaned and clutched his head.

"I want the eyes of a hawk. Actually, eagle or roc eyes would do nicely, doesn't matter which. I'll get you some ale purgative. You smell like you were bathing in alcohol last night." With that the elf left, leaving the door wide open.

"He's such a pain in the ass," grumbled Bishop as he closed the door.

"Pot, kettle, black," Casavir said as he retrieved his underwear from the painting. "Last night I practically had to force food down your throat to get you to eat and then drag you to the keep when you were drunk."

"You didn't have to do that. You could have just left my drunk ass at the tavern," Bishop pointed out. "Still, it was nice not to wake up face-first in the grass," he said as he pulled up his pants. "Thanks."

"I'm just glad you're not so upset now," Casavir said. He fastened his pants and went to look for his shirt. Before he could do that, though, Bishop grinned and embraced him. He kissed him passionately and grabbed his ass. The door opened just then and Sand walked in.

"If you're trying to shock me dear boy, that tactic won't work. I've seen far too much in my 407 years of life to actually be surprised by much," said the unimpressed moon elf. He set a bottle of ale purgative on the dresser.

"Really?" Bishop mocked. "Do tell. It sounds almost like you have personal experience in these matters."

"Hardly," Sand replied. "I'll just let you two get back to experiencing each other. Don't take too long though; because I really do need those spell components. I shall be able to scry again this evening."