Just a little stage-setting in this chapter...and the return appearance of an old friend.
Chapter 29
A week after they arrived in Berdusk, Anomen and Merena received a long letter from Keldorn.
My Dear Friends,
Greetings from Athkatla! I was pleased to find your letter awaiting me at the Order, assuring me of your safe arrival in Berdusk. It should come as no surprise that it took considerably longer for our group to reach Athkatla; we arrived in the city just two days ago. The journey was mostly uneventful, although Valygar was able to find and with some help from a few knights and squires, capture some of the brigands that escaped during your attack on their camp. The brigands had set up a small camp near our path, which proved to be ill luck for them, although as you can imagine, Sir Ryan and the rest of us considered it great good fortune!
Yesterday, Sir Ryan and I had a meeting with Lady Bylanna to discuss what had been learned about Askarl's employer. Although she was not able to provide us with specific information, she did say that the documents found in Askarl's possession had provided several lines of investigation that they are pursuing, and that they are confident that the culprit will be identified eventually. Of course, I would have liked assurances of a more immediate result, but I believe they are earnestly bending their efforts toward solving the crime as soon as possible; those you rescued and their families have given them no alternative!
On a more personal note, I also stopped by to speak to High Watcher Oisig yesterday and found that he is a man of action indeed. Immediately after receiving your letter he bent his efforts toward finding a certain wayward sorcerer so that official notice of the upcoming Rite could be delivered to him as is required. He reported that Kelsey has indeed been found, living in Beregost, (I will spare you the sordid details!) and that arrangements have been made to have the document delivered to him by bonded messenger. If Kelsey does not already have the notice in his hands, he will at any moment. The High Watcher asked me to assure you that he will be writing to Merena soon, to confirm the scheduled time and date of the rite once Kelsey's receipt of the document has been established without a doubt.
Unfortunately, I also have some less happy news to impart to you. It seems that your absence from the trade delegation was noticed and commented on by some; 'some' in this case being the ever-inquisitive Lady Swiftnell. On the very morning of your departure she sought me out and questioned me—in a most impertinent manner!—about Anomen's absence. Soon after, she must have realized that Merena and Jaheira were also gone, which further fuelled her curiosity. Clearly realizing that pressing me further would be fruitless, she widened the scope of her inquiries. If you need any further proof that the woman is a 'lady' by noble birth only and not by comportment—which I suspect you do not—I need only tell you that her next step was to question the squires!
I learned of this because the excellent Squire Danis came to me, (once he had overcome his fear that aging paladins eat unwary squires) most disturbed, having quite sensibly decided that it was inappropriate behavior on her part. Danis believes that the only information she was able to glean is that the two ladies were friends and traveling companions of long-standing, held in high regard by you, Anomen, and that they were dispatched by the Order to find the missing trade delegation. What was not said, but was clear from his manner, is that Danis (and most likely his scamp of a friend, Martel Belkind) knows or suspects more than that, but revealed nothing out of loyalty and respect for you and the Order.
Danis also mentioned that Lady Swiftnell seemed particularly eager for more information on Jaheira, and was most irked when none was forthcoming. He seemed to think that her keen interest in Jaheira could be attributed to a notable confrontation between the two ladies; one that is still spoken of with considerable awe and amusement by the squires, and one that I now deeply regret having missed!
It is difficult to ascertain what this dratted woman hopes to gain from these inquiries, but I'm sure you'll agree that it would be best that she learn as little as possible about Merena's situation; at least until that 'situation' can be resolved. I don't know whether you had plans to return to Athkatla soon, Anomen, but under the circumstances it might be advisable to stay away until shortly before the day of the rite. If you wish, I can keep Prelate Wesselen apprised of your plans.
But speaking of coming to Athkatla, as I expected my lady wife was very happy to hear your news and tells me that she needs to have a long talk with you, Merena, to discuss wedding preparations when you are next in town. I have never understood why wedding arrangements need to be so complex and time-consuming, but I have learned, as you will, Anomen, that this is one of those times when it is best to say, "Yes, my dear," and let the ladies do what they will!
Until I see you both again, be assured of most affectionate good wishes from my family to yours.
Keldorn
"Why, that nosy, interfering witch!" Merena exclaimed heatedly.
Anomen stared at her a moment, astonished. "Merena…" he began, a little hesitantly, "I am sure Lady Maria simply wishes to be of some assistance to you; surely it would do no harm to indulge her in this."
Merena laughed and rolled her eyes. "Anomen, I was talking about Lady Swiftnell!"
"Ah, of course." Anomen said, looking chagrined. "Well, carry on then. If you need any assistance in finding appropriate epithets to describe that lady, please let me know. I would be delighted to suggest a few."
"Do you think she'll cause trouble?" Merena asked anxiously.
"Given enough time, I'm sure she could and she would." He pulled Merena close. "But we are not going to give her that time. As soon as your marriage to Kelsey is over, we will be betrothed and all her questioning will be for naught." Anomen sighed. "In all honesty, Merena, Kelsey worries me more than Lady Swiftnell—unfortunately, we do not have the option to keep Kelsey in the dark about our plan. How do you think he will react when he learns of it?"
Merena sighed in response. "I wish I knew, love. He certainly hasn't been acting as if our marriage means anything at all to him, but then, although he tried to conceal it, he was very angry and spiteful when he learned you had been visiting us. I'm afraid he might try to interfere just because he hates the idea of us being together."
Anomen smiled and rested his head against hers. "This may sound odd, Merena, but that comforts me considerably. If Kelsey comes to the Temple with only spite and a wish to hurt you in his heart, I am sure that Helm will see that and judge his testimony appropriately."
"And when Helm sees how much I love you, he'll end my marriage so we can be together," Merena said with a hopeful sigh.
"That is my most fervent wish, my lady," Anomen whispered, and held her tighter.
They sat in contented silence for a few moments, until Merena said, "It was so considerate of Keldorn to write and give us the news of what is happening in Athkatla. We're fortunate that he's helping us—and I know you're glad to have someone from the Order on our side."
"Indeed I am, Merena," Anomen said, and began nuzzling her neck.
"But do you know what I like best about his letter?" Merena asked.
"Mmm? What is that, my love?"
"The closing...'from my family to yours'," Merena said, with a glint of tears in her eyes. "He thinks of us as a family already."
Anomen pulled away slightly and caught her gaze, his dark eyes serious. "Soon everyone will know that we are a family, Merena, that I vow."
-ooo-
Kelsey stumbled down the gangplank onto the Athkatla dock with a groan of relief; the journey from Baldur's Gate had been a long and uncomfortable one. But as happy as he was to be on solid ground once again, he was not at all pleased to be back in magic-hating Athkatla.
Despite his bravado in High Watcher's Pentram's office, Kelsey had taken several days to consider his options. On the one hand, he hated the idea of Merena ending their marriage uncontested, especially since he was certain that arrogant, interfering priest was behind it all. Indeed, one of the things Kelsey found most galling about the situation was how badly he had misjudged Anomen. His suggestion to Merena that Anomen was using her was designed to annoy and provoke her; he hadn't really believed the priest capable of such subterfuge. However, Kelsey had also never suspected that Anomen was capable of so deftly stepping in to win his wife's affections, and then arranging to cut him out of her life so neatly and completely.
But as much as he wanted to thwart Anomen's plan, he did not relish in the least the prospect of presenting himself at Helm's temple so Helm could rummage around in his head. It was only when he realized that there was another, more desirable alternative that he decided to make the journey to Athkatla.
Kelsey was rather proud of the story he had come up with to explain to Alanya why he had to leave—a rather pitiful tale of a grasping and unfaithful wife, and a sick child being tended by an aging grandmother. Of course, he could have just left with no explanation, but he might need to rely on Alanya's goodwill and sympathy at some point in the future, and he was reluctant to burn that bridge behind him.
It was still several days before the scheduled day of the Rite, so Kelsey felt he had plenty of time to put his plan into action; to find Merena alone and talk her out of ending their marriage. He was certain that if he could just speak to her without Delryn around, he could convince her to give up the nonsense about the Rite of Dissolution, and things could go back the way they should be.
A few days later, Kelsey felt like screaming with frustration. It was the morning of the Rite, and he spent the last few days trying—and failing—to find Merena so he could speak to her alone. The first two days were spent visiting inns in the city to try to determine where Merena might be staying. When that proved to be fruitless, he began watching the Firecam estate in the Government District and then, out of desperation, the headquarters of the Order of the Most Radiant Heart.
Yesterday he had seen Sir Keldorn—and Delryn himself—leaving the Order together; never had the prospect of a well-placed Fireball been so tempting! Ultimately, however, reason prevailed; for one thing Kelsey had no real dislike of Sir Keldorn, for another the chances were too great that one or both of them would survive and come after him, looking for blood.
It wasn't until the night before that Kelsey realized that he might have missed one place that Merena could be staying, Valygar Corthala's house in the Docks District. So the morning found him there, back on the Docks where he had begun, concealed behind some crates and impatiently waiting and hoping that Merena would appear.
As the morning wore on and the time of the Rite ticked closer, Kelsey began to despair that he would see her, and realized his only choice after all might be to show up at the temple at the appointed time. He was still considering his options when a dry voice beside him said, "I wondered whether you would dare show up here. My gold was on 'no'."
Once Kelsey had determined that his heart had not actually jumped out of his chest, he turned to see Valygar standing next to him, a disdainful expression on his face. "Looking for someone, sorcerer?"
Kelsey gritted his teeth, now remembering all too clearly why he and Valygar had never been friends, even though his wife had always been quite fond of her fellow ranger. "My wife." Kelsey responded curtly. "I need to talk to her."
Valygar snorted. "I think you would have found knocking on the door and asking to see her to be very effective, if that was your goal." His eyes narrowed shrewdly, "Unless, of course, your real goal was to try to talk to her alone." Valygar's eyes found his and held them, as if challenging Kelsey to deny his assertion. "It doesn't matter, in any case, she's already left for the Temple," he added, with a hint of amusement in his voice, "She wanted to get there early."
Kelsey cursed and turned away, his mind working furiously. His plan was in a shambles, but still, he couldn't abide the thought that she would be able to just erase him from her life without him having a say in the matter. He was about to walk away when Valygar caught his arm.
Valygar's dark eyes met his. "What are you doing to do?"
"I'm going to the Temple, what in the nine hells do you think I'm going to do? It's my right to be there," Kelsey added belligerently.
"Aye, it is," Valygar responded evenly. Then his voice fell, "But do you know what you're going to do—what you're going to say, standing there in Helm's presence?"
Kelsey snorted and pulled his arm out of Valygar's grasp. "I'm sure I'll think of something. Besides, you're the last person I thought would care what Helm, or any other god does says or does."
Valygar shook his head. "I may have no use for gods, but I'd be a fool to deny their power. And from what Anomen tells me, if you participate in this Rite you are agreeing to open your mind and heart to Helm and let him judge…"
Before Valygar could finish, Kelsey burst out, "I knew it! I knew that arrogant bastard was behind this! Look, I don't care how Delryn tricked Merena into this farce, but I'm—"
"Tricked?" Valygar asked incredulously, "You think Merena was tricked into this? You're an even bigger fool than I had thought," he said with an amused snort.
"Merena is going into this with her eyes open," Valygar continued, "because she loves him. She loves him, and she knows he loves her, and wants to spend his life with her and Kylia."
The mention of his daughter made Kelsey see red. "My daughter! Kylia is my daughter!" he sputtered angrily.
Valygar gazed at him with mingled pity and contempt. "That she is. But are you willing to stand in front of Helm and pledge to be her father, and a husband to Merena? Can you do that, aware that Helm will know if you lie, and judge you accordingly? Anomen could do it, and he will do it, without a moment of doubt or hesitation."
"I don't have to listen to this!" Kelsey exclaimed and turned to walk away.
Valygar snorted. "Go ahead then, see for yourself. But I doubt very much you'll like what you see."
"You know, I liked you better when you had nothing to say," Kelsey muttered, "and I didn't like you much even then."
The only response he heard was a dry chuckle from Valygar as he walked away.
