Author's Note: The beautiful Xan mod by Kulyok for BG2 was the mod that made me fall in love with him as a mage, despite his lack of fireball :)
General disclaimer: I own nothing, even Maiyn generally decides her own path.
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Verya
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They were welcomed as local heroes when they returned to the common room of the Copper Coronet. Those who had formerly been imprisoned as slaves were eager to meet their rescuers to pass on their heartfelt thanks, and the children from the ship cheered excitedly to see them again. Minsc helped Quallo to a chair while Jaheira approached the bar.
"Bernard," she said calmly to the new face behind the counter.
"Why, Miss Jaheira," smiled the portly man. "It's been a while!"
"It has indeed, my friend," she smiled. "You have decided to take up a position here?"
"Well, Hendak's got his principles, but he's not got the experience to tend to a thriving pub," replied Bernard, looking over to the northerner as he conversed with Maiyn about the organisation of getting the children back to their homes. "Figured he could do with a reliable sort helping him out."
"And the offer of free ale for an employee was not amiss?" asked Jaheira with twinkle in her eye.
"Well, that helped," admitted the man. "Now tell me... what have you been up to? Where's that fine husband of yours?"
Jaheira's face turned solemn. "He is dead," she said quietly.
"Oh Jaheira... I'm so sorry." Bernard reached out, squeezing the druid's hand for comfort. She smiled her thanks to him and looked to the others. Maiyn was hugging some of the younger children before they were escorted upstairs to rest in preparation for the journey home; they seemed completely undaunted by her grubbiness, but that was in part due to their own grime. Hendak had arranged rooms for them for the evening, and some of the women were following them to make sure they were cleaned before they went to sleep. He'd also provided some gold from the inn's profits to add to the little Maiyn could spare, and Bernard had managed to use his contacts to find some merchants willing to take them along as they travelled to the Scornubel in their caravans.
The others were sitting next to Quallo as he tried to remember his name, and the details of his previous life. He couldn't even remember how he'd ended up in the sewer area, but Yoshimo had circulated amongst the regulars and brought forward someone who claimed to know him; Quallo slowly took on an expression of recognition, and the two men were left to reacquaint themselves.
Jaheira sighed to herself softly. Maiyn had changed slightly; there had been no mistaking it when she'd faced her fights; her brutal strikes bringing down opponents when, before, she would have listened, hoping to change someone with words. But despite this, she was still the same deep inside; helping people when she could, compassionate and kind. The taint that had been so deeply buried when she was ignorant of her heritage had begun to surface, though, and the druid wondered if the ranger was strong enough to fight it.
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"You there!" Maiyn looked around to see a tall man striding up to her. He grasped her arm firmly, shaking her hand with vigour as his piercing eyes stared intently at her. His mouth smiled, but his face seemed to be left behind - impassive, almost cold. "I would have a word with you," he continued. "My name is Lord Jierdan Firkraag, and I bid you hear what I offer."
"Certainly," said Maiyn, gesturing to a nearby table. They took up chairs, and Maiyn smiled politely to him. "How can I help you?"
"I have witnessed your work here in this part of the city," he said, looking around at the women and men who now roamed freely about the inn, mingling with the tavern's local customers. There were no signs of the noblemen who had once frequented the establishment for its other entertainments. "I see you as a capable and headstrong, with the ability to handle whatever is thrown at you. Just the type of creature I am looking for."
"Your flattery is not needed," noted Maiyn. "I will listen to what you have to say without such compliments."
Firkraag laughed slightly. "Certainly, you can understand these are dangerous times, and that extreme measures are often called for. That is why I have a need of you. I am Lord of a community outside Athkatla and while I provide for my people as best as I can, there are some things I cannot do; battle is not my strong point. There are marauders, horrid ogres and trolls that encroach my land. I need a firm hand to push them back - I need you."
Maiyn nodded, and spoke hesitantly. "I should warn you that my companions and I are seeking to raise funds for our own reasons. I do not wish to seem blunt-"
"I offer a grand sum, worry not," interrupted Firkraag. "An amount worthy of a woman of your stature. I will pay 10,000 gold if you can free my land of this scourge. It is a fortune, you will agree."
Maiyn's mouth was slightly open as she gawped. She berated herself inwardly for her reaction; it seemed to be a habit of hers to clearly show her surprise at large amounts of money. The man was regarding her with a faint hint of amusement, and so she cleared her throat and sat up straight, hoping to look slightly more professional; despite the sewage splashed across her body and clinging to her legs. "That... that is an astounding sum for simple monster hunting," she managed eventually.
"It is a small price to pay for safety," replied the man sincerely. "It is not as though I am without funds. I merely believe in paying for quality. You will be wealthy in my service, rest assured."
"Why our group?" Maiyn's question was simple, but something about the man made her uncomfortable. He shrugged in return.
"You have displayed how effective you can be, and you have acted to help others without being requested to do so," he said. "I now hope you will act to help my people at my request. The offer stands, whether you go now or not. There is no other decision that makes sense, and I have no doubt your service will be exemplary."
Maiyn looked quickly over to her companions. They had all gathered by the bar; Jaheira seemed to be deep in conversation with the plump man serving the drinks while the others sat quietly, mainly just taking in their surroundings. None were looking in her direction. "We will accept your offer," the ranger said quietly.
"Excellent," smiled the man. Again, his smile didn't extend to his eyes, which remained piercing and calculating. He explained his lands were at the Windspear Hills before he took his leave, nodding briefly to Maiyn's companions as he passed them.
They looked to Maiyn enquiringly, Jaheira also breaking off her discussion to listen to the developments. Maiyn quickly outlined her conversation with him, causing some of the group to gasp at the fee offered. Only Kivan scowled at the end.
"Ogres and trolls roam his lands freely, and he comes here looking for assistance?" wondered the ranger. "Why not approach the paladin Order of the city?"
"The Order would usually offer assistance for such a cause," mused Anomen thoughtfully. "But there are many battles in these lands to be fought, and the Order cannot be everywhere, despite its efforts."
"Regardless," said Maiyn with a shrug. "He has offered payment, and we have accepted. The task itself is simple enough, and we will make our way to his lands in the morning."
"The acorns," said Jaheira softly as Maiyn sat down. The ranger nodded in response; the dryads in Irenicus' dungeon had come from the Windspear Hills. Now she could go to free them.
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The group were ready to go early, Yoshimo leading them out of the city, through the massive gates that provided access to the Amnish countryside. Maiyn drank in her surroundings as they walked, noting the subtle differences between these Amnish lands and those in the Western Heartlands. Mountains rose nearby to the north; she recognised them as the Cloudpeaks, remembering seeing them from a distance when they'd visited Nashkel.
Their own path wound its way across fertile plains near the foot of the smaller hills. Forests grew thickly on the sides of the slopes, large, leafy green trees providing some shade from the intense heat of the sun. It was much warmer than Maiyn ever remembered Baldur's Gate being, but she'd expected it from being so much further south.
She noticed a movement in the trees as they walked, and paused briefly to look. A large cat looked back at her, holding her gaze until she looked away, running to catch up with her group. They continued for several more minutes, then Xan spoke.
"We've got a new companion it seems."
Maiyn saw the cat strolling along behind them nonchalantly, and she glanced to Kivan. The ranger was looking at it, but its own eyes were fixed firmly on Maiyn.
"It does not seem dangerous," concluded Kivan, putting out his arm to stop Yoshimo from taking aim. He looked to their leader. "Go to it. It is following you."
Maiyn raised an eyebrow, but Kivan was being serious. He nudged her gently, and she slowly walked towards the feline. It had stopped to sit down a little away, but still its gaze was the same. Maiyn held her own stare and paused when she was an arms length from it. Its large green eyes blinked at her once.
Maiyn bit her lip, wondering what to do now. "Hello," she said helplessly. The cat kept watching her; its brown fur glistened with a healthy sheen, large black spots decorating its body and paws. Two large tussocks of hair sprouted from the tips of its ears, and two white tufts hung down either side of its chin. Maiyn recognised it as a lynx, a young one at that; probably curious as to the travellers it had discovered, being unusually confident in its following of them.
"Friend."
Maiyn started, looking curiously at the feline. Silence surrounded elf and cat as they watched each other for several long moments. "Friend," whispered Maiyn instinctively.
The cat rose to its feet, padding over to her. It raised its face to nuzzle gently at her hand and she smiled softly. "Why?" she wondered aloud, but the lynx just moved past her, slowly trotting over to her bemused companions.
"We go now."
Maiyn followed it, watching as it slunk past the others with a slight hint of mistrust. She looked to Kivan, but he only smiled to her; the first smile she'd ever seen properly grace his face. Even Jaheira was grinning, while Xan looked only slightly less puzzled than Anomen and Yoshimo.
"Look Boo!" boomed Minsc, waving his hamster around. "Little Maiyn has found an animal companion at last!" The rodent squeaked furiously, causing the cat's ears to prick up slightly. It regarded Minsc with interest and the berserker frowned slightly.
"Minsc hopes little Maiyn will watch her kitty carefully," he said sternly. "Minsc will not tolerate it regarding Boo in such a hungry manner."
Maiyn grinned, assuring Minsc that she would do what she could, assuming it didn't get bored and leave their company. She led on, following Kivan's general advice on heading as they went further from the city, the cat padding along at her side as if it had been with her for years.
"You shall need a name if you are to stay with me," murmured Maiyn quietly as she watched it. She thought for a few moments as she walked, then nodded with satisfaction. "Verya." It meant 'bold'.
The lynx seemed to look at her approvingly before bounding off to the side, playfully chasing one of the butterflies flitting around the meadow they'd crossed into. Maiyn smiled, wondering how long it would go with them. As long as needed, were the words that came into her head and she regarded the cat curiously. It paused to look back to her before streaking off ahead of them, rolling in the grasses as it waited for them to catch up. Jaheira approached the ranger, still smiling softly.
"You seem surprised," she noted.
"I am," admitted Maiyn. "I... I did not expect rangers to find their companions like this."
"They can find a bond with an animal in the strangest of circumstances," remarked the druid, looking at Minsc. "You understand it?"
"I can understand her, yes," replied the ranger softly. "She... she can understand me too."
Jaheira squeezed Maiyn's hand, and fell back to walk with Anomen. Kivan swiftly took her place, making small talk about the skills a ranger has with animals, and Maiyn appreciated hearing his knowledge and advice. She listened to his words as they walked, and the companions watched Verya as she ran around with seemingly unlimited energy. She became less skittish around the others as time passed, but preferred not to be too close to them. She would pad along beside Minsc, her large, green eyes looking up at the tall berserker's face, and he would beam down before hearing Boo squeaking. His smile would turn to a forced scowl, and he would berate the lynx for intimidating his rodent.
Maiyn giggled each time it happened, and they set up camp as night fell, Verya helping Maiyn hunt and bring down some game for their meal. It was much later when Minsc discovered that Boo had gone missing, the warrior calling and shouting for his hamster to no avail. His accusing glare fell to Maiyn, and the elf scowled back - her new bond having grown in strength in the short time she'd had her companion.
They discovered the cat sitting by the burned down fire, curled into a tight ball. Nestled into her side was Boo, fast asleep and looking content. Maiyn and Minsc both beamed with pride as they looked down on them, agreeing to leave them as they were until the morning; for once, it seemed as if two members of the party would be able to get along despite their differences.
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It took them several days to get close to the hills. The companions spoke easily together as they travelled, though Maiyn was cautious when mentioning her past to Anomen and Yoshimo. Both seemed to fit happily into her band, but Jaheira had encouraged caution in her, and she was still unwilling to reveal her true background to them.
Anomen especially had been attentive to her. As they marched along the hayfields that sloped down to the Windspear lands, the cleric hurried to walk by her side, starting a conversation by politely asking how she was finding her new animal companion. Verya never wandered far from Maiyn, and the ranger had become confident with the cat, patting her, and wrestling with her playfully at rest whenever the lynx bounded on her. The squire then turned the conversation around to the Order, describing its purpose and intent. Maiyn listened with interest, asking questions occasionally to glean more information and the human was only too happy to answer.
"It fills me with no small wonder, my lady, that you have not asked me of my own journeys ere we met," he said suddenly. "We have travelled a short while now, and yet we know next to nothing of each other."
"My apologies, Squire Anomen," replied Maiyn. "I suppose I became so used to being with people who knew me, that I have forgotten the common courtesies associated with travelling with new companions. Please, do tell me of your journeys."
"There is precious little to tell," said Anomen, his tone suggesting otherwise. "Although, a few of my adventures have been glorious indeed. The path to knighthood is a long one however, hence the need for my travels. A few of my deeds have reached the ears of bards; battle is commonplace enough throughout Amn, and the Order has fielded its army many times in recent years."
"I'd like to hear about the battles you have been involved in," said Maiyn gently, smiling at the cleric. He returned her smile, and thought for a few moments.
"Let me see," he murmured. "I was with our men when the orcs came down into the Ommlur Hills once again. In great numbers they are a force to fear, but individually they are no match for a warrior. I, myself, was able to fight through many of them alone, and take the head of one of their foul chieftains."
"That sounds very impressive," said Maiyn.
"Aye," sighed Anomen. "It has been a struggle to prove my worth to the Order. I wish nothing more than to ride into battle with the crest of the Most Radiant Heart flying over my head." His voice had become thoughtful, almost as if he was talking to himself. He looked quickly to the ranger, and flushed slightly. "But I speak too much of my own deeds, my lady," he said apologetically. "One would think me preoccupied with pride! I would not blame you if you were not interested in hearing my tales of prowess, truly."
Maiyn heard Xan snorting behind them, and the young cleric turned to glare at the enchanter stonily. Maiyn tried to suppress a grin and she shot Xan a reproachful look. The mage merely shrugged innocently in return.
"I am interested in hearing your own tales, my lady," continued Anomen, returning his gaze to the ranger. "I have been told a little of your deeds in the Sword Coast, albeit they do sound quite fanciful and exaggerated."
"Well, most stories do grow with telling," admitted Maiyn with a mischievous grin. "Ours is no more exceptional than most really."
"Aye," nodded the priest. "That has a ring of truth. I did not think that you truly stopped a war in the north on your own - skilled as you might be."
Maiyn arched one of her eyebrows. "Well, we did stop a war between Amn and Baldur's Gate," she said happily. "But I had my companions - I didn't do it on my own."
Anomen hastily cleared his throat. "Well, of course, you had your fellow companions who aided you then, as you do now, and together you performed deeds as great as I hope to accomplish in your service. Perhaps you would tell me more of your former companions?"
Maiyn's pace slowed slightly, and her face became sorrowful. Anomen noticed, and quickly apologised if he had caused her any distress, but she shook her head and continued to walk with him. "My companions were my friends," she said quietly. "Jaheira, Minsc, Xan and Kivan are still with me, as you can see. Imoen has been... taken, and the others have fallen."
"I am sorry, my lady" said Anomen sincerely, his eyes watching her with concern. She managed a weak smile in return.
"Alora was a young halfling - so very young. Yeslick was an old dwarf, and both were prepared to follow me to their deaths - and to their deaths they went. Coran was an elf in the prime of his life, but he never woke up after the battle." Maiyn's voice changed; it became bitter, and Anomen noticed the tone. "Jaheira's husband, Khalid - he died, but not in battle. He died to the man who captured us, as did Dynaheir, Minsc's witch. The rest of us escaped his prison, but Imoen was taken by the enforcers of your city, taken alongside the man who caused us all so much pain and anguish."
"I am sorry," repeated Anomen uncomfortably. Maiyn shook her head, and excused herself, moving forward to walk alone with only Verya for company. The cat slunk along by her side, occasionally brushing past her hand comfortingly.
"I am here."
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Their camp was set up just outside the Lord's lands; their intention was to sleep and be refreshed before they went on to fight. Maiyn took the first watch, Xan declaring his intent to join her, and the two elves sat in silence by the extinguished fire. The enchanter was trying to study his spellbook, but his mind was preoccupied and eventually he gave in.
"I feared Irenicus' treatment of you would stretch as far as to mark your face," he said gloomily, looking over to the ranger. She looked back to him as he continued. "It was fortunate that I was mistaken; there are scars, and there are scars. Your captor was so powerful a mage, he made the city shatter. Not all ailments can be cured, and he seemed intent on hurting you."
"My cuts and bruises healed," said Maiyn softly.
"They did, but what about your mental injuries?" asked Xan. Maiyn shrugged. "It is monstrous to taint beauty," continued Xan softly. "I have rarely wanted to kill someone, but now I feel the desire; even if I know it is an impossible one. Given his power, I'd be dead within seconds."
Maiyn quietly watched him for a few moments, and then started giggling. Xan raised an eyebrow, but the ranger was in fits of laughter, tears running down her face. "We're all doomed!" she spluttered in between giggling fits, and Xan rolled his eyes in mock despair. Eventually she managed to compose herself, and she thanked him for his concern.
"You are very welcome," he replied. "Who knows, you may be the last of my people that I will see."
"You will return to Evereska," said Maiyn gently. "I told you that you would before, and I was right then."
"I will not," he snorted, then shifted uncomfortably. "Not until my mission is fulfilled in any case. You and Kivan are the only links to my people I have."
Maiyn moved over to sit beside him, pushing Verya out of the way. The lynx growled gently in her sleep, but failed to waken up and the ranger took the enchanter's hand, squeezing it as they sat together. "We'll get through this," she said confidently.
"Perhaps," said Xan, sounding almost hopeful.
