"Is it open?" Aerie asked nervously, helping block Yoshimo from sight along with Minsc as the oriental thief fiddled with the lock on the door.
"Almost." Yoshimo grunted, maneuvering his tools around as he attempted to pry the mechanism open. "Just a bit more… there."
Yoshimo quietly slid the door open as Aerie and Minsc ducked inside, shutting it smoothly as he stepped in too.
"We could just as easily have waited until nightfall..." Aerie said nervously, looking around the lavishly decorated room as though their target were going to appear from nowhere and smite them for their transgression.
Yoshimo sighed, noting just how uncomfortable Aerie was in this particular situation. He had not missed her protests about this job when first speaking with Edwin... she was still so new to this whole business. Killing one more man meant little to Yoshimo... but not to Aerie. He saw the way she fought back her fears when they entered battle... the disgust she tried to hide whenever her magics struck someone down. She still hadn't come to grips with the violence and gritty tone of this life... but now was definitely not the time for hesitation. This Cowled Wizard was a just another job; for a bounty hunter, nothing more than a target on his list.
"First, we must finish these menial tasks as quickly as possible to reach Mae'var himself; waiting around for six hours isn't going to help. Second, this is the Docks. There are no guards around here; people get mugged, killed, assaulted and robbed every day here and no one says a thing. One more break-in isn't likely to bring a troop of guards here." Yoshimo pointed out quietly as he waved them onward toward the staircase in the far hall.
Aerie bit back the argument on her tongue, unwilling to risk alerting this Gethras man of their presence by prolonging the argument. She glanced over at Minsc, hoping to find some manner of disapproval on his face, anything to confirm her own compunctions about this mission, but his mind was still clearly elsewhere... no doubt on the Red Wizard Edwin they had confronted earlier.
They checked each adjoining room thoroughly as they moved through the lower levels, but they found no wizard. Reaching the flight of stairs leading up, Yoshimo knelt down, blocking the other two from ascending. His quick eyes and nimble fingers discerned and disarmed a number of panels, trip wires and traps, finally standing up with a sigh, motioning for them to keep moving. The second floor was set up as one singular room, filled with all manner of tables that held alchemical potions, brewing devices alongside numerous other magical contraptions. Yoshimo's foot quietly stepped down on the wood flooring... but even that tiny pressure was enough to raise two golems at the back of the room to life, one of stone and one of flesh. They said nothing and gave no warning; they raised their fists high as they charged, rumbling straight at the company of intruders.
Yoshimo and Minsc took the brunt of the attack, drawing one each while Aerie cast her spells, hailing the golems with magical energy and keeping them off balance. Yoshimo brought one katana up to block a down swing from the flesh golem, then brought the other in a diagonal slash across the chest. The golem had no time to react to the first swipe before the thief had brought both katanas back in a blind side attack. He struck twice, then swung across to the other side to do the same on the golems other side. Yoshimo whirled away from the construct as he brought both katanas to guard again; the flesh golem swayed in place for a brief second... then collapsed to the ground.
The stone golem was faring better against Minsc, keeping Stonefire and Frostreaver from striking hard enough to do damage. One large fist connected with Minsc's shoulder, spinning the ranger around and allowing it time to slam another fist into Minsc's back. Groaning as he tried to get up, Minsc's vision cleared enough to see the stone creature whirling around in a frenzy, its arms flailing wildly as it tried to shake off an unwanted burden. Yoshimo had leapt onto the beast's large back and was hanging on the creature's neck, slashing at the construct with his free hand's katana as his body flopped around with the golem's wild movements. One of Aerie's spells activated as Minsc finally regained his footing, flooding Minsc with new speed and energy. The ranger took full advantage and brought both axes into a grand upswing, gashing deep into the golem's chest. It stumbling backward and off balance; Yoshimo leapt clear just as the golem fell, crumbling into nothing more than gravel and debris.
"That was exhilarating. I've never ridden a golem before." Yoshimo said with his customary grin as he stared at the pile of stone on the floor.
"We should get going." Aerie glanced at the final staircase heading up. "If this Rayic is home, he's sure to have heard all that."
Minsc spared one more glance at the battle damage as they headed up the stair and muttered, "Yoshimo gets all the fun. Minsc and Boo want to ride a golem too."
The third story of the building held another laboratory like room; still, nobody was readily visible as they crept into the room, weapons drawn and at the ready...
A blast of extreme cold swept over them with a flash, encasing all three within a prison of ice. A dimension door opened as Rayic Gethras stepped out before their immobilized forms, looking them over with obvious disgust. He leaned close to Yoshimo who had been at lead, peering into his eyes. "Fool thieves... did you really think you could enter my house and steal from me without retribution?! Know that this will be the last mistake you ever make."
He moved away and leaned over to peer at the frozen Aerie, smirking as he noted the spell components she still had on her belt despite the pirate garb she was wearing. "A 'mage'? Pathetic. An insult, really... perhaps I should slaughter you first to spare you the disgrace of your obvious embarrassment."
Beside Rayic Gethras, the ice that held Minsc began to quiver slightly, not enough to be noticeable at a side glance... but if he had bothered to look, he would have seen Minsc's eye fixed on him even as the wizard finally decided which spell to use. Small cracks began creeping out from Minsc's arms and chest, agonizingly slow but steady...
Gethras allowed himself a good bit of satisfaction as he felt the power of a Disintegrate spell flood through his hands, the incantations half completed as his mind slowly analyzed the situation. Simple thieves? Perhaps not... assassins sent by the Red Wizard I'm watching, more likely. I will have to move up my timetable concerning the fool mage-
The sound of a large crack echoed next to him, the abrupt sound just enough to jolt him out of his introspection, his spell releasing just a few seconds prematurely. The green globe hit the ice in front of Aerie, disintegrating the ice as it pushed further and further towards Aerie... stopping right before her face. Rayic Gethras stumbled back a few steps as he watched the ice block containing Minsc in disbelief, the split running through it widening as the whole block veritably shook, Minsc's eyes fixed on the wizard. He raised his hands to cast another spell to finish the ranger... too late. Minsc burst out of the imprisonment with a bellow, little flecks of frost and ice still clinging to his muscles as he charged forward, a berserker rage in his eyes. Gethras never had a chance.
Minsc took a deep breath as he returned Frostreaver to the axe on his back, though Stonefire stayed in his hand. Pushing the blade against the ice around Aerie, the blade cut deep and melted the ice around. Within a minute, Aerie had slumped to the ground, shivering violently as Minsc lowered her to the ground gently. "You are all right, Aerie?" Minsc asked worriedly, grasping her hands as he tried to revive her. "I have not failed again, have I?"
"S-s...so c-cold." Aerie whispered, her teeth chattering as Minsc quickly stood and pulled a fairly large tapestry that had been hanging on the wall nearby. He laid it over her, Aerie nodding to him. "I-I'll b...b-be fine. G...get Yoshimo o-out."
Minsc nodded earnestly, his eyes brightening as he quickly pulled Boo from his belt pouch and let him scamper into Aerie's shivering hands. "Boo will take care of you; I will be right back."
It took less than two minutes for Minsc to free Yoshimo, who was in slightly better shape than Aerie, thanks to his heavy pirate's coat and clothing. After assuring himself that the thief would be all right, Minsc went back over to check on Aerie. Smiling as he noticed her stroking Boo with a weak smile, he turned back to the shivering thief with a grin. "Wine, Yoshimo! Song!! The witch lives!"
Yoshimo could not help but smile despite the chill runnig through his body; he glanced down at the corpse of Gethras. The last mistake you ever made? Challenging an overprotective berserker ranger with a hamster.
X X X X X X X
Greywulf yawned once as he surveyed the cavern for the first half of the third hour of his watch. Its shadows were just as ominous and darkness still concealed just about everything... if there was ever a need for watch duty, this would be the place for it. He shook himself once to stay awake and sighed, inwardly wishing for a Potion of Vitality. He mused over whether a Haste spell might help, then shrugged the idea away, knowing he'd be more tired than ever within minutes after it had been cast. Besides, it was only another half hour... His eyes wandered over to his two companions and he studied each of them as they slept. The mighty paladin slept with his back propped up against a fairly large rock, one hand resting on the hilt of the Hallowed Redeemer. We're fortunate to have such a valiant warrior as he with us; his will is amazing. A body broken and battered by thirty years of service, yet he continues to fight for what he believes in... amazing. I wonder why he still fights; surely the Order would have given him a hero's send off if he chose to retire. Yet here he is, fighting the good fight once more.
Turning to Jaheira, he cocked his head slightly and shook his head knowingly as he noticed that she was not sleeping, but her eyes were open, staring out into the darkness of the cave. Greywulf turned back to his watch and said softly, "Jaheira... you should be asleep. I can handle one watch by myself, you know."
She turned and sat up, shrugging off the blanket that composed her bed for the moment. "I'm sorry, Greywulf. It's not that I don't trust you, but I just… I have a lot on my mind, that's all."
"More nightmares? I had thought those were ended." he asked with a frown.
"They have." she said. "It's not so much that as… well…"
She stopped for a second, then climbed to her feet to look at Greywulf eye level. "I…I worry sometimes…"
She looked around, as though searching for the right words, then asked, "Greywulf, how often do you think of missing friends? Missing, or…lost?"
She chuckled briefly, then sighed as she answered her own question. "A foolish question, I know. I don't know what prompted me to ask."
Greywulf shrugged and said, "I do not mind. They are in mind often... Imoen, Khalid, Dynaheir… Gorion. Each and every one of them is a weight I carry within me, wondering if I could have done something differently, something to make it better. I will not forget them."
"Lately..." Jaheira said quietly, staring out into the dark cave. "Lately I have given much thought to Gorion... Khalid. Wondering what either of them would think about the path we walk now. About the deeds we have done, how we have carried their memories, their legacy. Wondered whether they would approve, I suppose. I imagine you know something of the feeling."
"That I do." Greywulf answered back. "I wonder what would have happened had Gorion not died that night... what his plans were, how he we would have continued on. Sometimes I think he'd be proud of me, what I've done... other times, not quite so much."
"I'm not sure why I brought this up." Jaheira said with uncertainty. "I just needed to know that… the living and dead are still in mind. They grow distant, but vengeance must come."
Looking around the surrounding area, a trace of anger entered her voice. "I am becoming used to the aftermath of death, but I will not forget what must be avenged. There must be closure, I must do this even as I…as we… move on."
Greywulf nodded in affirmation, saying, "I know this better than any other. Old wrongs will not be forgotten."
"That is good to know. Those passed beyond will be glad we do not carry them as a burden, but that we seek justice in their names. I… Silvanus, I must sound like a brooding fool. How you put up with these repetitive talks and groanings on my part is beyond me." she said with what Greywulf might have construed as a flush of embarrassment on her part, had he not known her better.
"I have no idea." he shot back with an impish grin, eliciting a glare from her before she moved over to him, gesturing towards his own makeshift bed.
"You should get some rest, Greywulf. I'll take the watch now... good night, Greywulf."
At another time he might have put up a tough front and insisted he could handle it for the last half hour... but gods, he was tired. He nodded with appreciation and gratefully slipped under his own blanket, nodding once more to Jaheira. "Good night, Jaheira."
A last string of thoughts flowed through his head as he dropped off to sleep. She's a tough woman, that's for sure. She deserves some closure after all she's been through; I almost pity Irenicus when she catches up to him. Almost. She's been a good friend and teacher to me for almost two years. I can't quite imagine what I'd do if she wasn't here to guide me.
Even as Jaheira maintained the watch while Greywulf finally slipped into unconsciousness, the shadows lurking around their small campsite began looming larger and growing taller, coming out from hiding and rustling towards the lone sentry. Their claws were outstretched as they crept closer, Jaheira's eyes still just drowsy enough to miss their stealthy approach... a blinding flash of fire and light went off in a circle all about the group. The shadow creatures shrieked and fell back, diminished and struck by the magical light. Keldorn's eyes flashed open as he pushed himself to his feet, drawing his blade as he stood. Greywulf was up a half-second afterward, a smile crossing his face as he watched the proceedings.
"What happened?" Keldorn asked, squinting at the creatures, fleeing from the erupting flames.
"A sunfire spell trap I placed at the beginning of my watch." Greywulf said with a hint of satisfaction. "It should keep them at bay for a while."
"How long will it last?" Jaheira glanced over at him.
"The sunfire bursts will come periodically for another fifteen minutes or so; plenty long enough for us to reach the top of the stairway." Greywulf noted, already wrapping his blanket up and tying it back onto his pack. "They seem to have overcome their fear of this area... once the spell trap runs out of energy, we'd better have found some cover. Let's get moving."
"You haven't had any rest yet." Jaheira warned.
"I'll be fine." Greywulf said, stifling another yawn. "Really, I couldn't be more awake."
Jaheira snorted and said, "Like hell you are. As soon as we get to this temple with the rod, we rest if it's safe and then we get out of this place. We're already in over our heads; the last thing we need right now is you miscasting a critical spell because you had to yawn in the middle of the incantations."
"Jaheira is right." Keldorn nodded with a critical eye at the sorcerer's weary posture. "You need rest if you are to fight at full strength against a beholder."
Greywulf didn't argue the point, but was content to get started climbing the stairs and put some distance between them and the swarm of shadows at the bottom. While they weren't exactly fast, they still made good time and had almost reached the top before the sunfire blasts behind them stopped. The shades shrieked and hissed below them, but they did not pursue, unwilling to follow them up.
Greywulf sighed in relief as he glanced back at the monsters behind them. "Looks like we're safe for now-"
He was cut off by Keldorn's arm, impeding him from continuing onward as the paladin raised his blade and began backing up, Jaheira following suit. The wizard turned back around with a frown... and immediately took back his words. A large cavern hall took up the entirety of the area above the staircase, a giant temple in the center. It was in a state of horrible disrepair, large pieces of stone fallen off the side of the temple and sitting at the side. The symbol of the god the temple was devoted to was covered in large gashes and scrapes, though from the jagged pieces of stone laid by the temple, one could not know if they were the result of the long years of disrepair or intentional.
Still, this was not what gave the three of them such a fright... dozens of giant, red bodied demons stalked around the temple, guttural murmurs issuing from the infernal beasts. Some were winged, others horned, but each one was obviously a denizen of the Hells. The one closest by stalked within five yards of their position, only turning it's grotesque head once to glance at them. A collective intake of breath was heard as the three prepared for an attack by the demon... it only opened its massive, tooth filled maw for a moment as though growling, then kept on walking, leaving them untouched and confused. "At least we know why the shadows avoid this place." Greywulf said cautiously as they stayed back, still unsure of whether to enter any further. "What do you think... guardians, maybe?"
"Something is amiss here..." Keldorn stretched out one hand, letting his senses reach out for the presence of Evil within the creatures before him, trying as hard as he could. "I can feel no evil within these demons; at least not enough for the appearances they show us. More... rage, than anything else. A dull, throbbing anger that permeates this place... directed toward the temple."
"Something has unbalanced this place... the power of this rod is great indeed." Jaheira said grimly. "Do we continue?"
"We have no choice. Torm protect us." Keldorn whispered as the three stepped forward as one, preparing to pass through the achingly long distance between them and the entrance to the temple... their every step haunted by the demons that surrounded them.
X X X X X X X
The only sound in the makeshift outpost was the crackling of the torches that lined the room... an ironic twist and something of a futile gesture for the men who stayed there to keep them lit, since none of them could actually see. Sassar allowed himself a tiny smile, the first he'd had for many months. Most would ask why they bothered to keep lighting the torches... Sassar thought of it as a gesture of hope and faith, believing that perhaps one day, their sight might be restored by the gods.
A vain hope, maybe... but Sassar would not give up his belief, not yet at least. Especially since the arrival of the three... maybe their time was finally here. Maybe the evil they had helped create would finally be undone... and their own souls forgiven. Nary a word had been spoken since the adventurers had come and gone, as though everyone was afraid that by speaking it would be revealed as nothing more than another nightmare to torment them. He fingered the quarterstaff he used to walk with, holding it close as he sat by the entrance to the caverns below, the resting place of the accursed rod. His thoughts wandered to what the paladin had told him before he had left. "You must learn to forgive yourself..."
He almost laughed at the prospect, the weight of guilt he bore almost immediately squelching any possible prospects of such peace. It had been such a long time since he had seen himself with any sort of worth, only as a betrayer who deserved nothing but punishment and vengeance for his deeds. His fellows had followed his lead when joining the cult's ranks... his only solace was in bringing them out with him as well. It was his fault they were with him like this, blind and despondent in this underground hell, cut off from their gods. He tried to remember the days since past, days when he had been a faithful cleric of Lathander, constantly giving thanks and offering praises in the House of the Morninglord. There had been happiness like nothing he had felt since in those times... he had ministered to so many young acolytes and peasants, bestowing aid to all those in need. His dream had one day been to establish a Temple of Lathander in the town of Trademeet. He had family that lived there... and besides, Waukeen and Lathander could easily coexist in the trading hub.
He had been so close... and then everything had fallen apart. His superiors had denied his request to build the Temple, asking that he remain in his current position for a month or two longer when they would decide whether he was ready or not. He received word that his family had fallen sick and lay close to death in Trademeet. One of the acolytes whom he had been making such progress with had turned away from the House of Lathander, turning instead to... Talos. The Stormlord, sworn enemy of Lathander. It had been too much for him... he could look back now and see that it had been a test of faith, that every one of those this could have turned out well in the hands of the Dawn... but his faith had wavered. He had stalked through the streets of Athkatla, searching for his own meaning.. .and what he had found had instead corrupted him forever.
He remembered the day he lost contact with Lathander... for that moment, it was like an ice had spread through all his veins, almost dropping him where he stood. Even with the Unseeing Eye's power, he had never felt a life like that during his dark priesthood. Perhaps he had known it all the time; known he was following a path to ruin and despair... he was just too afraid to admit it. Guilt overwhelmed his scarred conscience and soul, a sour and bitter taste filling his stomach as he tried to even contemplate the idea of forgiveness. No... he wasn't deserving. He had done nothing to warrant a second chance or a pardon by the powers above, and he would accept his fate and judgment without protest. It was better this way... the scales were balanced, as Helm always ensured.
"Sassar... you look so sad. Cheer up... you won't have anything to worry about for much longer."
That voice froze the blood of all the men there, each one immediately standing and grasping for their weapons, trembling as they faced the entrance to their garrison. Sassar faced the direction he had heard the voice issue from. "Gaal... have you come to kill us?"
There was no answer for a moment... a chuckle escaped the high priest of the Unseeing Eye, an unpleasant sound that sickened Sassar even as it angered him. "I expected you to be dead already... since the three we sent didn't kill you, I can only assume you helped them. And if that's the case... we'll have to deal with them as well. Once they acquire the other half of the rod and bring it back, of course."
"Your master will never possess the whole artifact." Sassar growled. "We'll die before we let you give it to him!"
"Very well then." Gaal replied calmly... four other blind clerics of the Unseeing Eye stepped out, wielding maces and flails with skill and unwavering clarity in their blinded eyes.
Sassar swallowed as he heard their footsteps. He knew the others would be awaiting his move, following his lead like always... I'm sorry, Keldorn; I couldn't forgive myself. But maybe... just maybe... I can atone; for the others, if no one else. He raised his quarterstaff, took a deep breath... and charged.
X X X X X X X
"I see you have returned. (And none too soon.)" Edwin remarked with a tug on his cloak as Yoshimo, Aerie and Minsc approached him in his quarters inside Mae'var's guild hall. "Has the Cowled fool been disposed of?"
"Dead and gone." Yoshimo replied easily; the three had taken some time to warm up and return to normal before coming back to Edwin.
"Congratulations are in order then. You have surpassed the exceedingly low expectations I had of you and ascended to the vanguard of goonery!" His thin smile faltered at the confused looks given him, Edwin shaking his head in disgust. "(Surrounded by monkeys.) Either way, this frees us to discuss the true purpose of our meeting."
"What are you talking about?" Minsc frowned. "I do not trust you."
"Whether you trust me or not does not bother or concern me. The man you dispatched was not only keeping tabs on me for the Cowled Wizards, but I suspect he had ties to our mutual employer, Mae'var. His monitoring could have caused problems were he to hear any of what I am about to tell you." Edwin sniffed. "Your bootlicking ways may have fooled Mae'var, but I am far too intelligent to be taken in by such simple-minded tricks. I know why you are really here, and what your purpose is."
Edwin's simple statement of truth took all of them by surprise., though Yoshimo still managed to look both indignant and surprised as he sputtered, "We have no idea what you're talking about, wizard-"
"Oh, please." Edwin snorted. "Does the name Renal Bloodscalp and spy mean anything? You were indeed clever in your moves and disguises, but a Red Wizard sees underneath the surface. I know you were sent by him to find evidence of Mae'var's betrayal and probably to eliminate him once you have done so. (Yes, I thought so.) "
"Do you intend to betray us to Mae'var?" Yoshimo challenged, inwardly calculating how quick the three of them could dispatch Edwin without alerting the Shadow Thieves downstairs.
"Hardly. I am to aid you in your task(a necessity when considering the level of incompetence you have shown so far.)" Edwin withdrew a key from his robes and extended it to Yoshimo. "Downstairs is a strongbox in Mae'var's quarters that contains the documents Renal Bloodscalp will need to damn Mae'var. Once the Bloodscalp sees them, he will be free to eliminate Mae'var."
The sudden change was quite unexpected; Yoshimo took the proffered key with a bit of caution, narrowing his eyes at Edwin. "What do you stand to gain from this?"
"Please. Do you think you are the only ones being paid to step over Mae'var's body? He has one more job for you to perform; I would report to him after securing the documents and then return them to Renal Bloodscalp while you are out on your mission."
The three of them stood there, glancing back and forth as they tried to decipher any hidden meaning or threat in Edwin's words and offer... but eventually Yoshimo nodded and motioned for them to head out. Edwin pictured the strong box below, knowing they would at the very moment already leaving with the documents, speaking with Mae'var and receiving their orders...he sighed, deciding that it had been long enough. They were undoubtedly gone from the guild hall by now, and it would take him less than a few minutes to do what needed to be done. His bright red robe trailed behind him as he descended the stairs and headed for Mae'var's quarters. He allowed himself a slight chuckle of pleasure as he imagined the rude surprise the three adventurers would receive on their return... Mae'var would be well informed of their betrayal before they returned with him as their target.
Not that he wasn't breaking his agreements with anyone... he had aided in Mae'var's ultimate downfall, and even if he repelled this first assassination attempt, Bloodscalp would see him finished off with the documents in his possession. This was simple business on his part. Mae'var would undoubtedly reward him for the information he was providing, and Renal Bloodscalp would have Mae'var's head. But aside from all that, nobody manhandled Edwin Odessiron without retribution. Edwin scowled just slightly as he thought of Minsc... but his face turned into a tight smile as Mae'var came into view.
"Sir... I have some news I think you will be most interested in. (Most interested indeed...)"
X X X X X X X
Imoen's eyes fluttered open, regaining consciousness little by little. Her hearing faded in and out, slowly returning as the sound of Bodhi's hiss echoed in her ears. "Yes…. I feel alive! I... I am whole once more!"
"Then it worked?" Irenicus' voice echoed, slightly doubtful.
"Yes! Your magics have done it! The curse is broken and my life has been restored to me!"
"So…" Irenicus trailed off with an urgently expectant tone to his voice, "If Imoen has freed you from your curse, then Greywulf should be more than adequate for my own affliction. I am pleased."
Greywulf? The name echoed through Imoen's mind like a memory just out of reach, and she could not quite recall who they spoke of. I remember Bodhi, Irenicus, pain… but nothing else. Why?
Her painful thoughts were interrupted by Irenicus again, "We will need her alive if Greywulf will come."
"He would come were she alive for rescue or dead for vengeance." Bodhi retorted... the words chilled Imoen's bones as she lay there, awaiting her fate.
"Yes, but live bait is so much more... enticing."
Bait? For…Greywulf? Don't know. Don't care. I feel so…empty inside.
Imoen fought back tears that threatened to well up in her half-open eyes, but she shivered once, bringing her to the attention of the two outside her now open cell.
"So, the accursed one is awake." Irenicus said cruelly, turning to the curled up girl on the cell floor.
"You are lucky Irenicus wants you alive, young one." Bodhi said softly, slowly stalking over to Imoen's side, the confused girl now looking around with fear and terror.
"What… did you do to me?" she stuttered, staring into the eyes of the vampire beside her.
Bodhi did not answer, but merely stroked Imoen's shoulder, her body cold and empty. She hissed once then whispered, "Nothing you need to worry about, child. I would worry more for yourself... for your own sanity."
The vampire's dark eyes met Imoen's, her power overcoming any remaining barriers Imoen had put up, pushing further and deeper into the girl's already fractured consciousness... Imoen screamed and collapsed to the ground; all thoughts of Greywulf, Irenicus and Bodhi flying away in the abyss of her mind.