This is really the second half of the last chapter. The next update should be a long one.
...
Xan retreated to his chamber, leaving Anna none the wiser about where Finn might actually be that night. Sighing she rang for the maid.
She gave the woman some nervous excuse about the broken pot. An accident, she was just clumsy. The maid though hardly had anything to say; in her work she had probably seen much worse.
But the maid departed, bearing the dust with her. Now Anna was truly alone. She attempted to read, but it was a futile effort. She was too anxious for food but she drifted down to the common room just the same. Perhaps Finn had returned. Perhaps he was sitting there, reluctant to come up the stairs after their quarrel.
She stood on the stair, surveying the room. She could see Aerie and Minsc still at their table, but no Finn. No Yoshimo, either. Missus Patricia had entertainment that night; a young lady singer accompanied by a man on a lute. The woman was well-dressed, rather formal looking, well-suited to the landlady's taste. She sang with a voice of crystal as the man picked out a flowing rhythm on his lute.
A message has come from the one I love… He is coming home. Come with me, and we will gaze on the ocean waves…
But that beautiful melody only seemed like a jab to the heart. Swiftly Anna retreated back up the stairs.
...
The lamp in her chamber flickered dimly, seemingly at odds with the oppressive darkness that grew to fill the room. Likely it was only the humidity in the air, but in her mood Anna sensed something far more sinister in it. Something was willing the darkness upon her.
She toyed with the ribbons on her dress, making cross-marks and patterns on the green fabric. Finn might walk in at any moment. She kept repeating that thought to herself, as the moments dragged themselves past.
At last Anna leaped up from her bed and drew open the shutters. It was too hot in that room. The outside was cooler, but not by much. Down below she could see people walking in the Promenade, crowds milling about in the evening, hoping to catch a breath of air. But none of those lamp-illuminated faces belonged to Finn. She stood at the window for a long while, watching the people as they passed by.
Xan's words kept echoing in her head. Darkness… What could undead and missing people possibly have to do with Finn? The elf had a hidden talent for drama. But Anna could think of no reason at all that Finn should arrange to meet someone in the Graveyard District, at night, no less. She could only wait.
...
And wait she did. She didn't even bother to undress, even though she was desperate to rid herself of her tight bodice in that heat. Outside, the sound of temple bells drifted through the night. Counting eleven times, then twelve, then a solitary note. Over the rooftops of Athkatla temples sang to one another. Some bells struck deep, others sounded high. A strange chorus in the night.
The door of the Seven Vales would have been locked long ago, Anna knew. Still she rose from bed to look out over the Promenade. Perhaps Finn was there, waiting on the step. But he wasn't there. The market was nearly empty now, with only a few stragglers to be seen.
The lamp on the table flickered and struggled. Its flame grew higher and lower, and higher again as it desperately sought the life-giving oil that was now nearly gone. From its dying flame Anna lit the candle, then put the lamp out of its misery. She set the candlestick on the windowsill, watching as it glimmered softly in the night.
Where could Finn be? She expected him to come back. He would come, at any time… A hundred different visions came into her mind, none of them likely or satisfying. A few stray tears flowed down her cheeks but she was too tired to cry. The anger she felt earlier had dribbled away like candle wax, leaving her a melted mess of emotions. She needed to see Finn, to look him in the eye. To know at least he was safe. Then she could throttle him. The candle-flame danced on the windowsill, the light breeze barely enough to cause a flicker.
Two bells. Anna dozed, finally sent by exhaustion into a land of strange dreams. She could see Finn; he was coming home. Anna could almost cry in her relief. But he walked past, not seeing her. She tried to call out to him but the words died in her throat.
Suddenly they were in a room full of people, dancers taking their steps in turn. Strangers swept by, couples, unknown faces. She heard laughter, the bards playing their melody. Finn melted into the crowd and was gone.
...
Anna's eyes quickly opened. It was dark; the candle was dead, snuffed out by a rogue breeze. From somewhere outside the window she could hear a man singing.
"Lovely sister, come with me, where the sea is rough, and we will gaze upon the waves...
She jumped up and went to the window. Outside she could but see a drunken man wandering past. He drifted away and the night was again still.
But Anna felt startled, nervous. She was more certain that ever that something terrible had happened to Finn. Out in the night she could hear the bells counting three times. She fled the chamber, out into the hall.
The wall lamps were out, and it was very dark. She counted the doors by touch till she found the chamber she sought.
Anna rapped quietly on the door. She heard nothing inside, and rapped louder. She stood wringing her hands, hoping she had the right chamber. Still no one answered. She was about the knock again when the door suddenly drew open, forcing her already racing heart into her throat.
Xan was there, framed by thin candlelight. He was dressed in his tunic and trousers, and his expression was bleary.
"Anna…what…" he began.
"He hasn't come back," she said, hardly waiting for him to speak. "He hasn't come back. I don't know what to do."
"He… What hour is it?" Xan asked, trying to make sense of her ramblings.
"It's after three," Anna told him. "I'm sorry…did I wake you? I thought you might still be awake… I don't know what to do."
Xan let out a very haggard sigh and brushed his hair from his face.
"I don't know what you expect me to do… It's the middle of the night. I was in reverie…"
"I'm sorry," she apologised again. "But I'm…frightened. Finn is gone…and I keep thinking, about everything you said…"
She herself didn't know what she expected the elf to do. But she needed to tell someone. She needed to hear another living voice. She couldn't be alone in that room anymore. The dark was a monster.
"Did Yoshimo return?" he asked her.
"I don't know. I heard Minsc come up the stairs long ago. But if Yoshimo came back, I didn't hear him."
Anna bit her lip hard, looking up the darkened hall to the room where Minsc and Yoshimo slept. Perhaps she should knock on their door. But Xan sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Dawn is only a few hours away. Perhaps… Wait until morning. Likely Finn will come stumbling in, the same as always… But I will help you look for him. In the morning. For now, let us try to get what rest we can."
"I…yes," she said. "But I will knock on Minsc's door first. He won't mind. Just to see…"
She was tugging on the sleeves of her shift, wrapping the fabric tighter and tighter around her arms. Her body was sweating. Her face was blazing, and her scars ached.
"Have you slept at all?" Xan asked.
He regarded her strangely. Anna felt almost faint. Even at that hour it was terribly hot.
"No… I don't know. Perhaps a little. How could I?" she replied.
At that point she only wanted to burst out of the inn, and run up and down the streets, calling Finn's name. Her anger was gone. Now, there was only fear.
"You should go back to bed," Xan told her. "Nothing can be done now, and rousing everyone will accomplish little. Wherever Finn is, he shall have to stay there until morning."
"Sleep? Could you?" she demanded. "Could you rest, if it was you…? Maybe he took a room at one of the other inns in the Promenade. Some doors are open late. I could go round and see. I think I will. There's that key, in the kitchens…"
But Xan didn't rise to her challenge, only pointing towards her chamber.
"No. It will do no good. You are exhausted, Anna. Go back to bed."
He looked pale and tired himself, the thin line of his shoulders visible under his tunic as he pointed down the hall. Anna met his gaze for one moment, then looked away. His grey elven eyes flashed like silver in the night.
She thought to argue but a wave of sleep suddenly washed over her, rocking her on her feet. She blinked hard. That wave swept the fever from her brain. In its place was just a pure exhaustion. Anna said nothing else to Xan. She drifted back to her room and collapsed into bed, sleeping a dreamless sleep.
...
Anna slept like the dead. When she woke, she was startled to see the sky fully light beyond the open shutters.
She sat up quickly, wondering what time it was. Had Finn come back at last? She'd left the door unlocked. His bed wasn't slept in. But he still might be there.
Anna drew on her shoes so fast that she nearly tripped over her own feet. She rushed down the stairs, not even bothering to do up her tangled hair. There were a few patrons in the common room, but her heart sank. None of them were Finn.
But she did see Jaheira. The druid was standing in a corner, talking to a strange man. Not a casual conversation, either, by the tense look on the woman's face. She saw Anna, and said something to the man. He turned, and Anna slowed in her rush.
She had a feeling that she'd seen that man before, but she couldn't remember where. He was tall, but not overly so, and his broad shoulders and upright posture spoke of one well-used to wearing heavy armour. Similarly, a look of confusion washed over the strange man's face, but it quickly contorted from surprise to something liking disdain.
"Anna," Jaheira announced. "You are awake at last. This is Squire Anomen, and he has come here seeking Finn. Squire…this is Anna Whitehaven. Finn's wife."
But Jaheira's introductions weren't necessary. Anna's mouth opened in shock. That man…she did know him. In a flash the memory came flowing back. Baldur's Gate, the Temple of Helm. Ajantis…dead. His uncle, Sir Keldorn, had come all the way from Amn to collect his ashes, bringing his squire with him. And the memory of that conversation brought pink to Anna's pale cheeks.
Squire Anomen for his part seemed equally flummoxed.
"This…this is his wife?" he stammered. "You… How can it be? But, of course. Finn did say he knew Sir Ajantis. It surprised me greatly. And he is from the north… By Torm, the strangeness of this world never ceases to amaze me!"
Jaheira glanced between the pair of them.
"You know each other?" she asked, sounding equally surprised.
"We…have met," Anna said slowly. "But how do you know Finn? Did you meet with him in Baldur's Gate?"
"Indeed, I did not," Squire Anomen said, recovering himself somewhat. "Only recently did I meet him, by chance, in a vile tavern called the Copper Coronet. He was…assisting me, on a private matter. We met on business last night. I came here this morning to speak with him."
"Then he still hasn't come back," Anna said anxiously. "He never came back here. Tell me, please tell me…where was he last night?"
Her nerves were overtaking her surprise, and if the squire could tell her that, she might well kiss him.
"I know where I left him, my lady. He did not leave when I did. And it was against my better judgement to do so," Anomen answered. "His companion, a man called Yoshimo…has he not returned either?"
Anna looked at Jaheira, and she shook her head.
"Truly, I have no idea. I have been here since breakfast, and I have not seen either of them go in or out. Let us see."
...
The three of them went quickly up the stairs. Jaheira hammered hard on the room that Minsc and Yoshimo shared.
A great rumbling sound came from within, which Anna took to be Minsc's snoring. But even the powerful sleeper couldn't resist Jaheira's pounding. At last the door opened.
"What is this?" Minsc asked. "Boo says we are very sleepy, to be woken at this early hour!"
"Early? It is nearly noon, ranger!" Jaheira remarked. "Is Yoshimo there?"
Minsc turned to ascertain that fact for himself. But he soon responded in the negative.
"Our friend Yoshimo is not here! Boo says his bed does not look slept in. He has found somewhere else to sleep?"
"Damn," Jaheira muttered. "I swear to Silvanus, if those two fools have been out carousing…"
"No. Something's wrong," Anna remarked. "Finn… Xan told me… Is he here?"
Her late night came back to her, as if still in a dream. Xan said he would help her look for Finn. But a knock on the elf's door proved he was not in his room.
"He must have left quite early," Jaheira said. "Now, squire, I must ask you to tell us all you can about last night. Where did you leave them?"
But before Anomen could speak, another door drew open. Aerie stepped out, looking surprised by the company in the hall.
"I heard a noise…is something going on?" she asked.
"Have you seen Finn or Yoshimo this morning?" Jaheira replied, interrogating the girl.
"Why, no… I did notice Xan leaving, though. I wanted to see the sunrise. I said good morning, but… He seemed…"
Aerie shrugged and flushed a little. But Jaheira only drew a sharp breath.
"Xan can look after himself," she said, interrupting her once more. "Now, squire, if you please?"
All eyes were on the man, who looked rather flushed himself. But they listened as Anomen told his tale.
...
Finn very slowly opened his eyes. They didn't want to open, and it was a struggle. His whole face felt puffy like he'd been kicked around the head. His mouth was dry, and he gnawed on the rags that had been shoved in his mouth.
Opening his eyes didn't improve his well-being much. It was dark. A cellar, maybe, judging by the cold stone that lay under him. He shifted a little, straining against the bonds that held his hands behind his back. His legs were bound, too. He could only struggle, crawling slowly across the floor like a worm.
Whatever poison that halfling used was nasty, all right. Finn felt worse than after a long night on the drink. Even lying on the floor he felt dizzy. But he didn't have too long to think about his predicament. From up the hall he could see a light approaching.
Mister F sauntered up, still wearing that jaunty green suit. Behind him were a pair of rather large, unfriendly looking blokes. One of them carried a lantern. The halfling saw Finn awake, and he clucked his tongue.
"Up and around, are we? How much more of that juice do I need to put into you? Lehtinan's boys are solid as steel, I'll give him that. You did quite the number on me brother, you did. But I won't hold it against ya. He'll just need to wank with the other arm for a change. Having you lads here is like me next ten birthdays come all at once!"
Finn turned his head slightly, and was surprised to see Yoshimo lying on the floor near to him. He was bound and still out cold. Where Anomen was though, Finn had no idea.
He tried to speak through his gag, but Mister F waved him off.
"Save your breath, lad. Time to take a little nap…"
Finn could see the halfling approaching with one of those damned darts in his hand, but he could do nothing as the little man stabbed it straight into his neck. Once again he felt that cold freezing his veins, but this time there was no infernal rush to counter it. Finn's eyelids froze, growing heavier with every heartbeat. They closed, and the world went dark again.
...
"It was down this street, I believe. All these wretched alleys look the same."
Anomen sounded unsure of himself, and took out his frustration on the streets that surrounded them. But Anna couldn't argue much with his point. All the streets they passed through did look the same; narrow, dirty, stinking with filth. The buildings that rose up around them looked as though they might collapse at any moment, trapping them all under a landslide of decay.
"No, the Giddy Goblin is this way, I am certain," Jaheira replied. "This looks like a high street, such as it is."
"It was the other way," the squire contradicted. "I know it was. Blast, have they moved these streets since last eve?"
Anna scowled and tried to drown out the conversation. This had been going on since they left the Promenade, at least.
"Is…that a tavern?" Aerie spoke quietly.
The girl had insisted on coming with them; Minsc would not stay, so neither would she. Jaheira looked where she was pointing.
"A red lantern… No, Aerie, that is not the house we are seeking!"
"What a pretty light!" Minsc remarked. "Just like outside fair Poppy's home. There are so many pretty lanterns here, Boo! Although some other colours would be nice… Blue, green, yellow…purple, like a rainbow!"
He spoke dreamily to his hamster, musing on the colours as if he were a painter. Jaheira didn't reply, seemingly at a loss for words. Anna could only stare at the man. She drew the scarf that was draped over her head up a little so it covered her mouth. It was still hot that day, but cooled somewhat by a brisk breeze that came in puffs down the street. Whenever it did though it carried with it a foul dust, a mixture of manure, soot and other things best not mentioned. Anna prayed to Mother Chauntea that it might rain.
And that was not the only prayer on her lips. Listening to Squire Anomen's tale had done little to help her nerves. He said he left Yoshimo at the bar, having little interest in drinking at that tavern. Finn was upstairs, talking about who knows what. But at least now they had a mission. At least now she wasn't sitting alone in her room.
When they left the Seven Vales Xan still wasn't with them. Anna could only wonder where he had gone to at such an early hour. Had he gone in search of Finn? She wished the elf was there; they might well need him. But the trio of Minsc, Anomen and Jaheira striding along in front would be intimidating to anyone. Jaheira looked like she was ready to club in heads with her mace; whose head was irrelevant.
...
But at long last though they found the Giddy Goblin. It was a large, unseemly looking tavern, which did indeed remind Anna of an overgrown goblin. Jaheira strode in without hesitation.
"Let me handle this. I am used to dealing with men such as these."
None felt inclined to contradict her.
It was around lunchtime, and the tables were filled with patrons. Busy barmaids flitted back and forth with trays filled with food and drink. Anna didn't see Finn there. She hardly expected him to be enjoying a meal, but she looked just the same.
She followed close behind Jaheira as she made her way up to the bar. A blonde woman was there, sweating as she filled tankard after tankard from a large cask. The smell of cheap ale mingled unpleasantly with the warm air. Jaheira rapped her knuckles on the bar. The woman glanced up.
"Ye want servin', ye can wait your turn same as others," she snipped.
Jaheira frowned.
"I beg your pardon. We are looking for the proprietors of this establishment."
But the woman just gave her a crooked look.
"Oh, aye? We've got all the barmaids we needs just now, love. Or is there sommat else you do for a living?"
Jaheira though was not much impressed by the insinuation.
"I understand a man named Mister F is in charge of this tavern," she hissed. "You will take us to him. At once."
"Oh, will I, now?" the woman replied, arching an eyebrow. "And who shall I say is calling?"
"He does not know my name. He does not need to know my name. But you will set down those tankards and take us to him at once, if you know what is good for you."
Jaheira was wasting few pleasantries here, clearly favouring a direct approach. She had a look that would make a mountain bear cower in fear, but the barmaid seemed less than impressed. She slammed down her tankards and whirled on the woman.
"Now you see here," the woman began. "I don't know who in the hells you are, and nor do I care. Nobody comes in here and gives me lip! I won't be ordered about. Now you get your skinny, pointy-eared arse out of me tavern, woman, before I have the guard on you!"
She planted her fists on her hips for good measure. The bottom of the young woman's bodice pushed outwards in an obvious bump. The barmaid and the druid glared daggers at one another, locked in a contest for the reddest face. But Anomen suddenly spoke.
"By Torm! You are Unver's strumpet, aren't you? I should have guessed from your language!"
The barmaid turned that withering glance to the cleric.
"Unver? You here about Keth, then? Well, you missed him, love. He left earlier this morning."
She tossed her head and gave Anomen a smirk that sent the cleric's own face blazing.
"Unver…here?" he sputtered. "And after all this… You are lying, wench!"
"Oh, am I?" the woman replied, leaning over the bar.
"Who is this Unver?" Minsc suddenly exclaimed. "We are looking for Finn, and Yoshimo! Not Unver."
At that the woman's expression changed. She looked rather startled for a moment, then regained her composure.
"He's not here. None of them are here! Now you get out of here, the lot of you. And you can piss off about me and Keth, as well. It's none of your damned business whose bed he's sharing! Grimble! Dash! Get over here!"
She called out to a couple of burly-looking guards who appeared on the stairs. The men hurried over, and Anna felt her heart sinking.
"What's the matter, Miss Elasen?" one asked.
"I want this lot out of here, now!" the woman barked back.
"All right, then," the bruiser replied. "To the door now, march! Or it's going to get ugly in here."
"Boo says it already is!" the big man said, growling in reply. "If Finn is here, you will tell us!"
...
Anna tensed; she knew this wasn't going to end well. Jaheira's face was still flaming red. Aerie had stepped back from the angry group, looking frightened. But suddenly a cheery little voice broke in to the melee.
"Hello, what's all this? Patrons are trying to eat their dinner here."
Anna glanced down, surprised to see a halfling striding up to them. He wore a cap and silken waistcoat of deep crimson that clashed with his reddish hair. In his hand he carried a small, brass-topped cane that he swung around in a deft motion. The head of the cane was shaped like a snarling hound.
The tidy little fellow hopped onto the bar and began pacing around, looking for all the world like a diminutive country squire.
"They was just looking for…someone," the woman behind the bar answered.
"Oh, yes? Now who might that be?" the halfling chirped, a little smile on his face.
"Friends of ours. Two men, named Finn and Yoshimo. They were here last night," Jaheira told him.
But the little fellow shook his curly head.
"Finn? Yoshimo? Doesn't ring a bell. Mind, we get so many folks in here, it's hard to tell. Our roasts are very popular, brings in the punters from all around. What do they look like, these men?"
"One is very tall, with dark hair and a beard," Jaheira answered slowly. "And the other is from Kara-Tur."
"Kara-Tur? You don't say! Well, missus…I've not seen any of their like around here. We did have a Chultan fellow in here some time ago, unless I'm mistaken. Black as night, he was. Must have been a sailor. But nobody from Kara-Tur. That would be something, all right!"
He whistled, rubbing the head of his cane against his chin thoughtfully. But Anomen spoke.
"He is lying to us. This fellow's entire manner screams of deception! I was here with these two men myself, just last eve. Now tell us what has become of them, or face the wrath of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart!"
But the little man was unfazed.
"Knights! You think the Radiant Heart would sully their armour by setting foot in this neighbourhood?" he laughed. "No dragons in 'ere, apart from Elasen! Give over, son. But I think you've disturbed the peace enough for one afternoon."
He tapped his stick on the bar, and the two burly guards assumed an aggressive posture. Jaheira glared at him.
"He is not the only one with allies. I do not know what business Finn had here last night, but if you were wise, you would tell us what became of him."
The halfling looked her over, and his eyes strayed to the silver Harper pin on her breast. He stiffened, just slightly, but that little smile never left his face.
"If you want to draw weapons, then go ahead, me love. But your lads aren't here. Now I'll give you one last chance; because I'm a gentleman, and because I don't want a mess on me floor. Leave, and don't come back."
The halfling folded his arms over his chest, still clinging to that brass-headed cane which snarled out at them. The barmaid likewise folded her arms over her pregnant belly and glared in silence. Anna had been holding her tongue through the exchange, but at last she burst.
"Finn is my husband. Tell me where he is! If you don't…I will bring this whole place to the ground myself! I'm a mage, I…"
She was rambling, she couldn't stop herself. Jaheira seized her arm in an effort to silence her, but the halfling man's mouth opened in a howling laugh.
"Oh, no… We've got the Cowled Wizards after us, and all! Be an army of bloody elves and fairies next! But that's enough. Get out, now."
He pointed the cane towards the door. Anna didn't know what to do, but Jaheira's fingernails sunk deeper into her arm as the woman dragged her towards the door.
...
The druid didn't stop there, pulling Anna down the street and around the corner till they were out of sight of the tavern. Minsc and Anomen followed close at their heels. At last the woman stopped, and Anna yanked her arm free.
"Are you mad?" Jaheira exclaimed in a whisper. "You do not shout to the rafters that you are a mage in this place! Count yourself lucky the villains in there are unlikely to alert the authorities."
She levelled Anna with a harsh look, but she only glared back.
"Is it better than threatening violence? Or implying the Harpers will come around and start breaking the crockery? Will they? Where are your people, Jaheira? Why won't they help?"
The words blurted out before she could stop them. Jaheira's eyes narrowed like a snake.
"There is at least one who harps standing here," she hissed.
"You mean to tell me this woman is a mage?" Anomen sputtered, regarding Anna. "Is she licensed? Sir Ryan would have words if he thought I was consorting with an unlicensed…"
That Jaheira was a Harper hardly seemed to register in the face of Anna's revelation. Anna whirled on the man.
"I can speak for myself!" she exclaimed. "And I have broken no laws, no matter what this backward…"
"Boo says…" Minsc began.
"The laws are there to protect the populace from the evils inflicted by…" Anomen said, nearly shouting.
"Will you both lower your voices?" Jaheira cried, no quieter herself. "This is not the time or…"
"But Boo says…"
"I am not evil!"
"Did I say such a thing? But the law is clear…"
"Boo says, Aerie did not leave the tavern!"
That silenced the argument. Anna turned around, her eyes searching the street. The elven girl was indeed not with them.
"What in Silvanus'…" Jaheira exclaimed. "She was just behind us…why did she not…"
But then Anna remembered. Just as Jaheira pulled her out of the door, she thought she saw a flash of blue light in the corner of her eye. She'd been so flustered that she'd hardly noticed. Aerie must have cast a spell.
"What is she trying to do?" Anna asked.
"I knew we should not have brought her with us," Jaheira remarked. "Could she be so foolish as to attack?"
"Aerie is a gentle soul, she would not do such a thing!" Minsc said. "Besides, we would have heard a great battle if she had called to her god!"
"The elven girl is a priestess? You folk are certainly full of surprises!" Anomen claimed. "But the man has that point. I can hear no signs of battle."
But Anna was at a loss of what to do next. They couldn't get back in to the Giddy Goblin, not unless they wanted a fight. If only she could cast her spells… Not for the first time she cursed that foul land.