"Of course, my dear boy," Xzar said, still smiling that strange smile. "But this is not the place to discuss such important matters. Why don't you and these fine young ladies join Montaron and I in our chambers for a nightcap?"
Finn scowled and Imoen made an almost frightened look, leaving Anna to wonder what exactly happened the last time they met the odd pair.
"Fine," Finn said. "But there better not be any funny business."
"Oh, you needn't fear. I daresay we need you as much as you currently need us. Now shall we?"
Xzar rose up from the table and offered Anna his arm.
"No, thank you…Finn, don't you think we should round up the others, first?" she said, clearing her throat a little.
"Less you're thinking of throwing a party there's no need for that, sweetie," Montaron said condescendingly. "We'll behave."
"All the same…Finn?"
"Well, go let Xan know what's up, anyway. We'll fill the others in later."
Despite his obvious distrust of the pair Finn seemed to almost shake with excitement since Xzar mentioned Tazok's name, and Anna reckoned it was all he could do to keep from interrogating the wizard on the spot. She worried that his eagerness might interfere with his judgement and considered calling Khalid and Jaheira, but hurried instead across the crowded hall to where Xan sat with his admirers.
...
Pulling him aside she explained the situation quickly, her rather breathless story earning looks of surprise then suspicion from the elf.
"And he never said who he was working for? It does seem terribly convenient that they would appear at the inn with this information. A mad wizard and his loathsome companion…I don't care for this," Xan said finally.
"Neither do I, but we don't have much choice, do we?"
"No," he sighed. "But that is the story of my life. Come, let's go."
"I don't know…maybe it would be best if you stayed here in case anything—odd happens."
Xan sighed again. "If anything untoward does occur you might just need me. I have been dealing with 'odd' situations for considerably longer than any of you have been alive, I'm sorry to say. But just in case—"
He shut his eyes and began mouthing an incantation. A soft white light suddenly danced around him and disappeared again.
"Silence is a greater threat to spellcasters than arrows," he said.
"I know," Anna replied grimly. Xan looked at her expectantly but in spite of her experience with the bandits she didn't have a spell of vocalisation memorised.
"Come, they are watching us," he said shortly.
...
They rejoined the others and after a brief introduction they followed Xzar and Montaron up the stone stairs. Anna feared the halfling might have some other comment for Xan but thankfully nothing more than a smirk and an icy glare passed between the two.
Entering their chambers Anna tried to contain her surprise; she knew the Friendly Arm had a few high-quality quarters but wasn't expecting a suite of the palatial standard that greeted them. Heavy tapestries depicting a grand hunt hung from the stone walls and through a door she saw a room dominated by a massive, curtained mahogany bed. Anna paused walking past a tapestry, regarding a young prince on horseback with blond locks flowing around his noble face. Despite the craftsmanship she noticed it was slightly threadbare. Xzar directed them to a pair of brocade couches arranged around a marble fireplace, and settling onto the softness Anna felt the tightness of the party's quarters even more.
Xzar took up a crystal decanter from a sideboard and poured generous helpings of brandy for the group. Anna took a snifter but quietly set it aside after Xan declined a drink.
"Dear me, do Tel'Mitholrim have prohibitions on their agents taking refreshment whilst on duty?" Xzar said to him with that crooked smile, Xan stiffening more at his words.
"Perhaps you should proceed with your information," the elf said.
"Yes, let's get business out of the way. As I was saying to our young friends earlier, Montaron and I have finally managed to pin down the elusive Tazok. We encountered a rather roguish group of bandits on the road some days ago; unfortunately they did not realise that we had been looking for them and rudely tried to remove our possessions. In the end we managed to extract the secret of their brutish commander's location, but not without a little cajoling on our part, I'm afraid."
Montaron laughed heartily over his glass.
"Yeah! Still remember their looks when ye said you were gonna pickle their hearts and big toes! Reckon they thought you were a bit off, but they figured it out, didn't they?"
"Oh, Monty, there's no need to share our trade secrets with our guests. You're exaggerating anyway—I only needed the toenails. But I digress," Xzar said, looking at the party's faces which seemed like they couldn't decide if the pair were joking or not. Anna squirmed on the sofa, not much caring for the wizard's disturbed grin.
"Yes, we have found his encampment," Xzar continued. "He travels with a small but highly trained group of ruffians, relocating to different spots in the wilderness about once a tenday. His movements appear random which is why he has previously been so difficult to track down, but he is in fact travelling by a pre-arranged mathematical pattern of surprising complexity. It enables him to move whilst allowing those who need to know to find him when necessary. Very clever for an ogre. Quite clever, indeed," he added thoughtfully.
"If Tazok was in Sythsillis' army that'd explain a few things," Finn remarked. "These bandits have been run like a military campaign, all right. But what's his plan? He must know he can't keep this up forever. And it seems like he's been doing all he can to drive Baldur's Gate and Amn into war with each other."
"I would not pry too deeply into the motives of ogres bent on destruction, my boy. He plainly seeks to carve out a niche for himself, and one would suppose that driving the major powers of the region into a hopeless war could only benefit him. With the nations exhausted he could easily take power with that rabble army of his. They are quite adept at hiding, as you have noticed. They could take to the hills and emerge when the moment was right to strike the final blow."
"It must have been quite dangerous for you, doing all these investigations on your own," Anna said, trying to sound casual. "You must have backing, surely. Who sent you?"
Montaron sniggered. "We've got some philanthropic friends, sweetheart. Let's leave it at that, eh?"
Xzar spoke up. "Yes, my dear, our backers would prefer to remain anonymous. It is not truly important anyway, is it? They have the region's interests at heart, I assure you."
Anna frowned a little, thinking she'd heard that line from another mad wizard not long ago. Xan however seemed to pick up the thread.
"This is all very interesting," he said, his words so level and quiet that Anna wasn't even sure if she'd heard him speak. "But I would like to know more. There is so much more to learn."
Though Anna realised what the elf was doing she still began to feel the warmth of the fire creeping up in a pleasant way and she sat very still, listening as he continued talking in a mellow voice. Montaron stared into space, his face turning strangely soft. Xzar sat looking at the floor, his tented fingers pressed against his lips as he giggled slightly to himself.
...
"Tell me, who has summoned you here?" Xan asked finally.
Montaron opened his mouth, his eyes blank.
"We're based in the Gate. We—"
With a smooth motion Xzar laid a hand on the halfling's ear and gave the tip a cruel pinch. He squalled and swatted at the wizard in surprise.
"Tut, tut," Xzar said, wagging a finger at Xan like he was reprimanding a schoolboy. "I trust we all want to remain friends here. I appreciate the initiative, but no more mind tricks if you please."
Montaron rubbed his ear, looking at the wizard in shock. The import of his words hit him and swift as light he drew the stiletto from his jerkin, sliding off the sofa onto his feet.
"You fecking pansy—I'm gonna turn you into a woman for real! Nobody fucks around with my head—"
The group shifted and Xan tensed to spring but Xzar barked a spell. His hand glowed with a cold blue light and he pressed it against his companion. The halfling let out a pitiable yelp and shrivelled to the floor like a swatted fly, struggling to rise from his knees. The party jumped up and backed away from the wizard but he spoke calmly as if one of them had upset a goblet of wine on the carpet.
"Now, now. No cause for concern. Come, Monty, you will be fine."
He lifted the halfling to his feet and set him back on the sofa like a child.
"Fecking pansy elf," he blubbered. "Fecking wizards. I hate wizards. I'll gut the lot of you!"
"Yes, of course you will, dear Monty," the wizard soothed. "Come, my friends, please sit back down. It is quite all right."
The group looked at one another with nervous disgust but carefully retook their places on the sofas.
"Don't worry about Montaron," Xzar continued. "He can have an occasional bout of temper but he recovers just as swiftly." The halfling aimed a kick at his robe but he ignored it. "Now, I—heavens, what is it we were talking about? The weather?"
"I think you were going to tell me where my bounty comes into this mess," Finn said grimly.
"Were we? Monty? Ah, you're sulking. Well, I must have told you then that I am not quite ready to reveal that information. Indeed, I need to make a few final enquiries myself. But if my theories are correct then it is something, truly something," the middle-aged wizard giggled.
"Tell me now," Finn growled.
"Patience, my dear boy. Help us defeat this Tazok and I shall tell you more."
"Listen, you," Finn said, raising himself up off the sofa. "These sons of bitches killed my father, and they've been trying their best to do the same to me. Tell me!"
"Oh, Tazok had less to do with your father's death than you think," Xzar continued, his eyes lighting in a strange way. "Many children have died, but many more remain. So many, so many…little babes lost from their cradles, following breadcrumbs through the woods…A tisket, a tasket, Mister Owl, have you seen my little basket? How many licks? I'll never tell!"
His pitch raised and he continued bubbling nonsense to himself. Anna looked at Finn, who glared at the mad wizard with narrow eyes. Before he could say anything a light rap sounded on the door.
"Brilliant—you've got some timing, ain't ya?" Monty said to Xzar, snapping out of his own mood. "Maybe I ought to lock you in the cupboard, eh? Be safer all around."
Monty shook his head and tried to feed Xzar his medicine as though he were a cranky child. The knock sounded again.
"Get that, won't ya?" the halfling called over.
Anna looked at the others and went to open the door. Waiting there were two young women, one of whom Anna recognised as the girl from the bath house.
"Sorry we're late," she said. "Becky had frock troubles."
"Oh, tell them, why don't you?" the other girl exclaimed, adjusting her plain green dress.
"What do we care?" Monty said, finally managing to force-feed the wizard. "Ye can wear a potato sack for all it matters, love."
"Now, Monty," Xzar said, regaining his composure once more. "Why don't you offer the young women a drink? Forgive me, friends, was our business concluded for the evening? I think so. Do we have a deal then, my young friend?"
He regarded Finn, who gave him a hard look then let out a sigh.
"Fine. We'll help you."
"Wonderful!" Xzar exclaimed. "You are of course invited to stay if you wish—Montaron and I always like more company."
"Yeah, you said," Finn replied, looking at the wizard with disgust. "I think we're done here."
"Are they leaving?" the bath house girl said, looking at Finn and Xan and sounding disappointed.
"Why, ain't we good enough for ya?" Montaron scowled.
"I didn't mean that…" she stammered.
"Then keep your yap shut."
"Monty! Really, there is no call for that. Sit down, my dears, and make yourselves comfortable."
The young women cautiously sat down near Xzar. Montaron cackled.
"Ha! Ye'd be safer sitting next to me, girls. But you'll find out, you'll find out."
"What's he mean?" Becky asked her friend.
"I mean, it's best to keep warm, eh, lovely? Don't want him to get too excited."
"Montaron! Really, you are too much."
"If you say so," Monty said, pursing his lips.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Finn said. Anna was all too happy to follow him out the door.
"Knock us up tomorrow. Not too early, mind—I need my beauty sleep," Montaron laughed as the group hurried away, leaving the uncomfortable-looking young women looking after them.
...
"Do you think we ought to leave them in there?" Anna asked as they found the stairs.
"The women? Unfortunately, they are not our responsibility," Xan sighed. "I recall that one girl rather casually offering me some—shall we say, private entertainment the last time I stayed. Hardly an innocent, though one would hope she had more sense than to accommodate those two."
"What's wrong with that guy, anyway?" Imoen asked. "He has a whole flock of bats in his belfry."
"I would guess that he was exposed to powerful magical energies which have left him mentally unstable. Magic can have as ill effect on the caster as on an enemy, something you would do well to remember," Xan said. "I have seen such cases in the past, mainly amongst human wizards who seem to have less appreciation for the consequences of spellcasting than my kin."
"Speaking of which, do you think you could be a little more subtle with the enchanter stuff next time? That little freak was about three inches from sticking you like a pig," Finn remarked.
Xan frowned. "Yes, I—hadn't expected the wizard to be so disciplined. That charm should have worked."
"Anyway, what I really want to know is what he was babbling about Gorion," Finn said. "What was he on about—all the other children? Gorion didn't have any kids, just Imoen and me."
"Well, if he did it's not like we'd know about it," Imoen said matter-of-factly. "What did he ever tell us, really? He could have a dozen kids somewhere for all we know."
"Didn't Gorion ever tell you where you came from?" Anna asked.
"Nope. Imoen's from the north, but all he ever said about me was he took me out of a foundling's home in Baldur's Gate. I could be from anywhere, I suppose. It bugged me, but growing up with monks you sort of learn that there are some questions which just aren't going to get an answer."
...
Finn retreated into his thoughts and they returned to the hall in silence. It was emptier than before and they found Coran and Safana sitting together at a corner table.
"There you are!" Coran said with a cough. "We were thinking you'd all run off and left us on our lonesome."
"Yeah, you'd hate that, wouldn't you?" Finn remarked, but fell silent again.
"We were watching the extraordinary lights in the sky," Safana said by way of excuse. "Most remarkable they are."
"Oh, yes, we saw them last night," Anna said without thinking. Safana smiled at her.
"I heard something to that effect, yes," she purred.
Anna glanced at her, her face turning a bit red. Could she know?
"So, what have you been up to? Your faces lend me to believe it hasn't been pleasant," Coran said, casually leaning his chair perilously far back.
They sat down and Xan related the tale. Coran let his chair legs hit the floor again with a sharp clump.
"Tazok? Well, well! Perhaps now we can finally see this tedious business done with. A pity our kinsman left us so soon, eh?"
"Yes," Xan said thoughtfully. "I must admit, though I have grave concerns about this quest the thought that we might finally destroy this beast and I might actually complete my mission is a comforting one. Although I cannot see how we can possibly win."
He shook his head and Coran grinned.
"Trust in lady luck, Heruamin."
"I'm afraid she is not such a friend to me as she seems to be to you," Xan said with a frown.
"Ah, but you are here, are you not? Perhaps fortune favours you more than you think." He grinned again and Xan gave him another look. "But if we are to die tomorrow, I propose we spend the rest of the evening making merry. Come, let us have more wine! My treat."
None of the others seemed particularly interested in merrymaking and his offer met with a lukewarm response. Anna noticed in particular that Safana's mirth disappeared the moment Tazok's name was mentioned, and she sat with a furrowed brow and tight mouth.
"Oh dear," she said, deliberately touching her jacket pockets. "I believe I dropped my mirror outside. How dreadfully clumsy of me! Won't you come with me and help me find it? Your eyes can see in the dark."
She looked at Coran and he cocked his head slightly, but rose and followed her quick steps out of the hall. The others exchanged glances but didn't comment.
"Well, there's no guarantee we'll be fighting anyone soon," Finn said. "This guy could still just be out of his mind."
"Mad though he is, I believe his information is genuine," Xan sighed.
The little group fell silent again, each left to their own thoughts.
"I'm going up to the roof," Finn said suddenly. "I need some air."
"I'll go with you," Imoen piped up.
Finn looked at her, then at Anna.
"Suit yourself," he replied flatly.
The pair departed with Imoen chatting in earnest after her silent brother. Xan let out a long breath.
"If we are to battle we should see to our spells. Tazok will be well-guarded, and we must be prepared."
"Do you think we'll find him?" Anna asked.
"I'm afraid it seems we will," he said, rising. He paused resting his hands on the table. "It is miraculous that we made it this far, but how can we ever hope to succeed?"
"Xan—don't. Not now," Anna said, rather sharply.
"What? The odds are enormously against us, pretending otherwise won't lead us to victory. I am only stating the facts."
"Some facts don't need stating," she replied dryly. "Why do you even bother to study if you feel so? Let's do what Coran suggested and get blazing drunk."
"I'm assuming that was a jest," he said, raising an eyebrow. "Regardless, we may prepare for battle and still die, but if we aren't prepared we are certain to meet our end. I shall fetch our spellbooks."
The elf hurried off towards the chamber, and Anna let out a sigh and rested her head on the table.
...
The common room was quiet enough for study but Anna found it hard to focus, instead leaning her hand on her fist, staring at the pages until the words ran together. Coran and Safana didn't return leaving Anna to wonder what was on the thief's mind. She clearly hadn't lost her mirror any more than Anna had, but then she didn't want to put too much thought into what the pair were doing. She thought too about Finn and wished she could join him on the roof, though she could hardly talk with Imoen there. It was a strange situation, a lover that she had to keep secret. Had? It was her own choice. She was wondering how long the pretence would stand when she glanced up, startled by the sound of rapid footsteps. With surprise she saw Imoen hurrying up to the table, her face nearly as red as her hair.
"Imoen, what—" Anna began.
"I can't believe you told him!" the girl screeched at her, her words echoing through the empty hall.
"Told what?" Anna said, taken aback.
"You didn't have any right!" she screeched again. "I thought I could trust you. Why did you tell him those things?"
She made a couple of quick steps towards Anna and she leaned back in her chair, almost thinking the red-faced girl was about to strike her.
"Imoen, child—restrain yourself!" Xan said, clearly as surprised as Anna.
"You shut up! I'm not talking to you!" Imoen blurted.
The girl balled up her fists and shut her eyes. The mages looked at each other but said nothing. Tears came over Imoen's face and she turned and ran out of the hall. Anna's mouth hung open, wondering what could possibly have made her so upset. Suddenly though the realisation hit her and she felt a strange chill wash over.
"What in heaven was she shouting about?" Xan asked.
"Nothing—I'd better go after her," Anna said, hurrying away. The last thing she wanted was to relate to the elf the girl's story about Finn's madness.
...
Anna ran out of the hall into the cool night air. She looked around swiftly, wondering where Imoen disappeared to. The courtyard was lit by torches and she managed to catch a glimpse of the girl vanishing behind a stable.
She found her sitting beside a rain-barrel, her head drawn to her knees.
"Imoen…"
"Go away!"
Anna went and sat nervously next to her.
"I think I know what this is about," she began. "I'm sorry I told him. But I was worried about Finn's behaviour, the same as you."
"Yeah, well, let me worry about that! It's not your business anyway."
Anna sighed. The girl drew a series of deep, rapid breaths and she raised her head, her face wet with tears. She said nothing as the girl continued sobbing into her handkerchief.
"I liked him," Imoen choked finally.
"Who?"
"The guard. His name was Merrin. He was good-looking and he was fun, he said he'd take me travelling. Maybe it was a load of bull, I don't know…Vera warned me about men who make promises like that. But I never had the chance to find out!" She paused trying to find a dry spot on her handkerchief, then continued with a shaking voice. "I'll never forget it. We were fooling around one day and Finn comes in, and just starts…screaming, like he was possessed. I couldn't get him off him, I was screaming at him and hitting him and it was like Finn didn't hear me at all…I thought he was going to kill Merrin right there. Thank the gods the other guards came, otherwise he would have."
"Finn said that he was forcing himself on you," Anna said.
"He wasn't. He was just…okay, maybe he was being a bit fresh, but I was about to tell him to cool it, then bang."
"But the guard captain…"
"I lied, okay?" Imoen said, her voice almost sounding like she would be sick. "I was scared, I didn't know what they'd do to Finn. They thought Merrin might die. I didn't want to see my brother hanged! So I lied. I lied."
Imoen started crying again. Anna stared at her for a moment, her words leaving a cold pit in her stomach. She put an arm around her and Imoen spoke again.
"Merrin defended himself when he finally came around, said it was all a pack of lies…but the captain just kicked him out of the Watchers, I suppose thinking Finn'd taught him enough of a lesson. Soon as he was on his feet he was gone, don't think he wanted anything to do with the place after that. I saw him before he left…he hated me. Called me all sorts of awful names. But I never admitted I told a lie."
She looked up at Anna with red eyes.
"Don't ever tell anyone this. Not Finn, not anyone! I mean it. I never told Finn I lied. He doesn't know. Nobody knows. Just…let it go away."
"Alright," Anna stammered.
There was another silence, Imoen thoughtfully regarding her handkerchief.
"Was it wrong of me to lie?"
"I—don't know," Anna said slowly.
"I know it was," Imoen said. "But I panicked, I didn't know what else to do. I felt horrible about it. I wake up in the night sometimes thinking about it. But I had to defend Finn. He wasn't himself. He couldn't be. That wasn't the brother I knew. His voice, his eyes…I don't know. I can't explain. I know it was him, who else could it be? But…I don't know."
She trailed off again. Anna kept her arm around her but they were both silent. Thinking that the guard attacked Imoen made Finn's actions more justifiable, even if they were disturbing. But this new revelation quieted her. Why had he gone mad? He didn't seem unstable, even for his occasional black moods.
"So…you two are like a couple now, aren't you?" Imoen asked, still staring at her handkerchief.
"I—yes, I suppose we are," Anna said, surprised. "He told you?"
"No," she replied. She looked up and her eyes seemed brighter. "I just guessed. Thanks for the confirmation."
She laughed a little and Anna let out a small laugh, too.
"And I probably scared you off permanently," Imoen said.
"No," Anna said, trying to smile.
"I'm glad. I don't think Safana was really good for him. I'm surprised he's not out here looking for me, actually. Do you want to go find him? I kind of want to be alone."
"All right," Anna said, rising. "Are you sure you'll be fine?"
"Yeah. But—don't tell him, okay? I don't want him to deal with that now, especially not after everything that's happened lately."
She looked up at her earnestly, and Anna tried a smile again.
"I won't."
...
She almost added a promise but decided it would sound rather hollow. She left the girl alone and went walking slowly past the buildings that looked strange in the flickering torchlight. A few people were out in the night but they paid her no heed and she responded in kind. She moved automatically out of the way of a figure on the steps, pausing only when she heard her name.
"Anna? Have you seen Imoen? We were talking and she just ran off."
"I was just talking with her," she said as Finn took her by the hands. "She's alright, she's just a bit—upset."
"Yeah, that was my bad. I made the mistake of mentioning that little episode. Like I said, she thinks she did something wrong somehow. But it wasn't her fault, what that bloke was trying to do."
"No…" Anna said quietly.
"Hey, are you alright? You look a bit dazed."
He smoothed her hair back and she looked up into his face. In the glow from the common room she saw his light eyes, crinkled up slightly with the little smile he wore as he regarded her in turn. It was a happy, sweet expression, and though she searched there was no trace of blackness in it.
"Anybody in there?"
He spoke again, laughing slightly. She didn't answer, but drew her arms around his neck instead.