Hope you all don't mind a little recap in this chapter...I thought those of you who haven't read the original "Bad Kelsey" stories might like a summary of exactly what Kelsey did that was so bad. :-) This is told from Anomen's admittedly biased perspective, but is essentially correct--though without the sordid details. You'll have to go back to the original story for that!

Enjoy!


Chapter 8

When Anomen reached Athkatla — wafted there by a cloud of happiness rather than by any mundane conveyance — he found that the situation that had so urgently required his presence was considerably more vexing but also much easier to resolve than he had anticipated.

It seemed that Lord Greydon, the wealthy and irascible patron of Helm who had gifted Anomen with Challenger, was on the verge of sending his men-at-arms against those of a neighbor with whom he had a long-standing, but trivial border dispute. High Watcher Oisig had tried repeatedly to reason with Lord Greydon with little to show for his efforts, and ultimately had decided that their resident Hand of Helm was more likely to be successful and had recalled Anomen for that reason.

The High Watcher's hopes were realized, but not in the way he expected. The two parties presented their cases to Anomen, his face growing increasingly thunderous as the pettiness of their dispute became clear. When they were done, Anomen was silent for a moment, and then fixed each of them in turn with a withering glare. Finally, he growled out a single sentence, "You will resolve this, now!" before turning and stalking out of the room. Lord Greydon must have taken this as a sign of displeasure by Lord Helm himself, for he was suddenly very eager to negotiate a settlement though he had earlier sworn that compromise was completely out of the question.


Later that day, Anomen knocked on the door of High Watcher Oisig's private office and asked to speak to him.

"Sir Anomen, do come in and sit down." Oisig said cordially. "I must apologize again for recalling you on such short notice and for such a minor dispute." He smiled and said wryly, "Had I known Lord Greydon could be made to see reason with a little…forceful persuasion, I would not have bothered you."

Anomen reddened and ran a hand through his hair. "I am sorry, High Watcher — Helm knows I have never professed any skill at diplomacy, and today should prove that beyond all doubt! Lord Helm clearly honored me for the strength of my arm rather than my powers of persuasion." Anomen looked down at his hands, then met Oisig's eyes, his face grave. "I mean no blasphemy, but sometimes I wonder…I wonder whether He made the right choice."

"Sir Anomen," Oisig said chidingly, "I do understand your concern; Lord Helm has called you a to a new duty, one that you feel unprepared for. But what you are forgetting is that Helm knows you, and knows your heart. He would never require a task of you that was completely beyond your ability to accomplish. In my opinion, today's…'negotiations' prove that."

Anomen's face lightened considerably at Oisig's words. "Thank you, High Watcher, I appreciate your – and Lord Helm's – faith in me. And I am glad that my actions today did not displease either of you"

"Not at all, my boy." Oisig smiled and leaned forward conspiratorially. "I trust you will not repeat this, but as a matter of fact, I suspect that Lord Helm enjoyed seeing the look on Lord Greydon's face almost as much as I did."

"But speaking of your particular talents," Oisig continued, "although it was unfortunate that you were recalled for Lord Greydon's dispute, it has proven to be fortuitous. There is another matter — rumors of Illithid activity in Eastern Amn— for which your assistance would be very useful. None of the other priests who could be sent to investigate have as much experience with mindflayers as you do."

"Of course, High Watcher, I am always happy to assist in any way that I can." Anomen hesitated for a moment, and then continued. "But in truth, I came here today hoping to speak to you on another matter…a personal matter."

"Nothing is amiss, I trust, Sir Anomen?"

"No High Watcher, quite the contrary. As a matter of fact, if events unfold as I hope they will, I may have a happy announcement to make presently. But I could use your advice, nonetheless."

"Well, that sounds quite promising, Sir Anomen. Please, do go on."

Anomen began hesitantly. "It is a rather long tale, but I will try to be as brief as possible. If I may…" Oisig nodded for Anomen to continue. "There is a…lady of my acquaintance that I have known for some years. She was — and is — a most beautiful, honorable and accomplished woman, and for a time I was thrown into her company." Anomen looked at the High Watcher anxiously. "I would prefer not to reveal her identity, sir, if you have no objection."

"No, no, of course not. Please continue." As it happened, High Watcher Oisig was almost certain he already knew the identity of Sir Anomen's beautiful, accomplished friend; he had been told about Anomen's visits to Merena in Berdusk by his friend, High Watcher Emond.

Anomen took a deep breath and continued. "To put it as simply as possible, this lady and I became friends and I…I fell in love with her." Anomen paused. "But although she always behaved as a true and loyal friend, she…gave her heart to another. At first I was loath to trust Kel — the intentions of the man she chose, but there seemed to be true affection between them. So even though it grieved me sorely, I knew it was my duty to step aside."

"Eventually, they married and had a child, a little girl. According to reports from mutual friends and on the few occasions I saw them in person, all seemed well." Anomen got up from his chair and began pacing in agitation. "So you can imagine my astonishment when I heard from the lady's own sister that her husband had abandoned her and her child!"

"I have not pressed the lady herself for details, but according to her sister, her husband left on what was planned to be a short trading mission. Weeks turned into months with no word from her husband, so naturally, the lady became concerned that some misfortune had befallen him. When she finally decided it was necessary to investigate his disappearance, she found him readily enough, alive and well, living with a woman in Baldur's Gate! And that infidelity was merely the latest in a string of liaisons with women he had met in his travels. When confronted, her husband readily confessed his misdeeds, and told her that their marriage was a mistake and that he simply no longer wished to be tied down in marriage." Anomen shook his head, his voice conveying a mixture of bafflement and contempt.

"I tell you, High Watcher, this tale made my blood boil. To treat this lovely lady in such a way — one he had pledged to love and protect! And the child, why she is as sweet a daughter as any father could wish for, and he just walked away from them both."

Oisig gazed at Anomen sympathetically. "It is indeed difficult to see those we care about so misused. Especially if one feels powerless to avert it."

"What could I have done, High Watcher? There was no sign… By Helm, he was her husband!" Anomen made an effort to compose himself and continued.

"Well, the lady and her husband agreed to part ways, and she returned home to raise her child. When I heard what had happened to her, I resolved to visit her and offer my aid and assistance. Please believe me, High Watcher, that my only thought at the time was to be a supportive friend. As it was, she was at first suspicious that I had come to 'rescue' her." Anomen added, smiling at the memory. "She is a very capable and independent woman. Since that time, at her invitation I have visited as often as my duties permit."

High Watcher Oisig smiled at Anomen "Am I right in supposing that your visits to this lovely lady have some connection to the 'happy announcement' you mentioned earlier?"

Anomen blushed, but it did not conceal the look of deep joy that crossed his face. "Yes, High Watcher. Although I went only to offer my friendship, I soon realized that my feelings for her had not changed. Recently, I have been given reason to believe that she might return those feelings."

High Watcher Oisig exclaimed, "That is splendid, Sir Anomen! I wish you every joy. And I look forward to meeting this lady of whom you speak so glowingly. But Sir Anomen, you seem to have the situation well in hand, and I believe you said you wished my advice on some matter."

Anomen looked at the High Watcher intently and nodded. "Please believe me, High Watcher, that I would marry the lady tomorrow if it were possible. But it is not possible. There is still the matter of…"

"Ah, yes, of course, her faithless husband. I take it then, that they are still married, if in name only?"

"Yes, High Watcher, they are." Anomen said glumly.

"Well, there are various civil remedies for a situation such as hers. Of course, laws that govern such matters vary somewhat depending on where one resides." Oisig gave no sign that he was now certain where the lady in question resided. "But I believe in most localities a lengthy abandonment and repeated infidelity are more than adequate grounds for the marriage to be ended. Can the infidelity be proven?"

"Yes, High Watcher, I understand that witnesses to his many infidelities would not be difficult to produce. That is not the problem. My concern is that while the abandonment of his wife and child is widely known, the extent of his other…activities is not. If she pursues a civil annulment, it would become public knowledge. I am not sure she would wish that, especially for the sake of her daughter."

"Yes, I can see that would be difficult. But how can I be of assistance, Sir Anomen?"

"I was considering, High Watcher," Anomen began hesitantly "whether we might be able to offer her a way to end the marriage in a less public way." He looked up at Oisig hopefully.

Comprehension dawned on Oisig's face. "The Rite? Well, that would certainly meet the need for discretion, if the lady is agreeable. Is she one of Helm's faithful?"

Anomen's face fell. "No High Watcher. As a ranger, her allegiance is given to Mielikki. I had hoped that would not prove to be an obstacle…"

"Oh, it needn't be." He waved away Anomen's concern and chuckled, "Helm has no quarrel with Mielikki, after all. And though very unusual, it is not entirely unknown for the Rite to be requested by one not a member of the church." Oisig looked at Anomen curiously. "You have explained the Rite to your lady and she has agreed to it?"

Anomen shifted uncomfortably. "No, High Watcher. I wanted to make sure it was really a possibility before discussing it with her." He glanced up at Oisig resolutely. "But when the time comes, High Watcher, I will be certain she understands what will be asked of her, and it will be entirely her choice. Please understand, High Watcher, that I love this lady with all my heart. If she pledges her love to me, it matters not how she ends her marriage to her wretch of a husband, as long as we are free to be together."

Oisig smiled. "That is how it should be, my boy. Have no fear, Sir Anomen, if the lady asks the Church of Helm for assistance in this matter, it will be given gladly." He offered his hand to Anomen.

Anomen stood and took High Watcher Oisig's hand eagerly. "Thank you, High Watcher! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your assistance."

Anomen turned to leave, and Oisig reseated himself behind the desk and began sorting through the parchments covering it.

As Anomen opened the door, Oisig glanced up at him and said. "Oh, Sir Anomen, when the time comes, I am sure High Watcher Emond would be pleased to officiate at the wedding."

Anomen stopped in his tracks and turned to High Watcher Oisig, open-mouthed in surprise. After staring at Oisig in astonishment for a moment or two, Anomen blushed crimson and muttered, "Yes, High Watcher" before bolting for the door.


Anomen trod the familiar path from the Temple to his quarters at the Order, so jubilant that he scarcely even noticed his surroundings.

High Watcher Oisig agreed to help Merena end her marriage! He thought exultantly. Of course, she might not feel comfortable asking the Church for assistance, but at least she would have some choice in ridding herself of her miscreant of a husband.

Anomen flushed slightly, remembering the High Watcher's last words to him, revealing that he had known all along whom Anomen's lady was. But such was his present state of happiness that it did not bother him greatly. After all, soon everyone would know who his ladylove was, and that she loved him. He pictured himself back in the house near Berdusk, with Merena in his arms, telling her about his discussion with High Watcher Oisig, making plans for their wedding…

He stopped in mid-stride, so unexpectedly that a harried matron with two children in tow ran into him bodily, giving him a poisonous look when no apology was forthcoming. Anomen stood, rooted to the spot, cursing his own stupidity. How could he and Merena speak of marrying when he hadn't even told her that he loved her? And she had certainly not spoken any words of love to him! Suddenly, he found it difficult to breathe. What if she did not love him? She had returned his kisses, yes, but how could he be sure he had won her heart?

Anomen willed himself to calm, and reminded himself there was no time during his last visit for a lengthy discussion of what they felt for each other. He recalled the way Merena had looked at him, and held him, and kissed him when they were last together. The clutching in his heart eased somewhat. Merena was not one to pretend something she did not feel — surely she would not behave so without caring at least a little.

Anomen resumed his progress toward the Order still turning the situation over in his mind. If she did not yet love him as much as he loved her, that was understandable. After all, she was likely to be a little wary after her last love had abandoned her so cruelly. He must be patient, and show her that he loved her truly, and would never betray her as Kelsey had. If she did not love him with all her heart now, surely it would come in time. Yes, patience and devotion were the key, he was sure of it.