The Mask was festooned with ribbons and streamers and lit by brightly-colored paper lanterns. Adahni was glad that her heist at the Collector's was going to a good party at least, but suddenly wished that she had spared some expense and gotten herself some warm leggings, for the walk between the temple at the Moonstone Mask had sent the chills up her legs. Plates of smoked meats and root vegetables - probably the last of Ophala's winter stores, were set out for the guests - and Grobnar seemed to have found a band that was playing in one corner. He had, thankfully, left his bagpipes at home and was sticking to the squeezebox. Adahni felt all sorts of awkward - she had not been to a party where drinking to excess and puking was frowned upon in ages. And so she did what she always did when she felt awkward; she drank to excess and proceeded to make the rounds, socializing as she saw fit.

She congratulated the newlyweds numbly. Vania looked positively radiant, her cheeks pink with the excitement and her eyes sparkling. She had never seen Casavir smile so much, or so broadly, in all the months that she had known them. They both hugged her tightly, Casavir kissing her on the forehead and assuring her that he would return for the trial, and thanking her for all she had done for him. She nodded graciously and excused herself as soon as possible.

She then stationed herself, along with Cormick, Neeshka, and Shandra near the wine barrel. The three of them seemed to be playing a drinking game that involved each of them standing in as awkward a silence as possible for as long as possible, and then finishing their glass in a big hurry. As far as she could tell, Elanee and Khelgar had elected not to attend, and Qara had been made to work that night. And so, she stood with her remaining companions and got steadily drunk.

Near sunset, she was approached by a familiar face. Neeshka and Cormick dispersed when he arrived, and Shandra went over to converse with Duncan, leaving Adahni conspicuously alone by the barrel.

"A little overfond of the wine, are you?" Jem asked. He was a little unsteady on his feet, and his nose and cheeks had the tell-tale ruddy color that accompanied drinking.

"A little," she said, "What are you doing here so deep into your cups, don't you have a child to care for?"

"Left at the inn in the care of that dwarf you were travelling with," he said, "Said he'd be happy to look after him, give him something to do while he was sober."

"Khelgar? You left him with Khelgar?"

"That's the one," Jem said.

"You do realize the kid is going to learn how to swear like a sailor and burp on command, right?'

"Talia seemed happy enough to get out without him. She's been having a ball in the city." Adahni followed his gaze to where Talia was dancing with her brother-in-law. Her sister was hanging back next to a keg. She seemed exactly as embarassed about his behavior as Jem was about his wife's, but seemed equally resigned to the facts of life. That is, until a certain freshly-shaven young ranger approached her and asked her for a dance. Adahni stifled a giggle, and caught Bishops eye as he twirled the woman around. "You owe me," he mouthed at her over Talia's sister's shoulder.

"So how are you liking Neverwinter?" she asked, turning her attention back to Jem.

"I've never seen so many people all crowded into one place before. Biggest town I've ever been in is Highcliff, and that's not much compared to here. So many things to see," he replied, "Who was that man you were with at the temple? The one who's dancing with Lissia?"

"Jealous?"

"Do I look like the jealous type?" he asked, his gaze falling back on his wife.

"Well, no."

"I asked because he looks oddly familiar," he said, "I could swear I've seen him before."

"Well you have, I'd imagine. He was born in Barnslow, after all."

"Really, I don't recognize him..."

"He left when he was a child. With his... erm... sister."

A look of shock and then sadness passed over Jem's face, "So that's what became of the poor little bastard."

"I wouldn't feel too sorry for him," Adahni said, "Turned into a big bastard, he did. He's good egg, though, he's loyal and knows his way around a bow."

"And a woman ten years his senior, too," Jem commented, noting that Bishop's hand had wandered to the small of his sister-in-law's back.

Adahni gave a low, wine-soaked giggle, "He does have a fondness for the ladies."

"You aren't..."

"Gods no!" she exclaimed, "I'm too old for him."

"So's she," Jem commented.

The two of them were silent for a moment. Adahni looked about the room, her eyes finally settling on the groom, who was listening to two knights tell what seemed to be a hilarious story. She tried to catch his eyes, but he didn't even see her looking. He isn't yours anymore... not that he ever was. You've served your purpose to him.

"A dance then?" he asked, holding his hand out.

"Yes," she said, thinking for a moment what fools they would look, the drunken duo prancing around the floor. She had never really had much of a sense of rhythm anyway, but then Grobnar struck up a reel and her feet took it from there. Having to concentrate on not toppling over took her mind off of Casavir, and when she and Jem collapsed, breathless and laughing, onto a bench, the pain in her heart had lifted a bit. She grabbed another mug of wine for herself and one for her partner and they toasted to the health of the newlyweds, loudly and obnoxiously. She looked back out at the floor to see that both Talia and Lissia had disappeared, and that the brother-in-law had sauntered over to them.

"So who's your mistress, Quarely?" he slurred, sitting down next to them and leering at her, "Looks like one of the aasimar, doesn't she?"

"She ain't my mistress, Lothran," Jem said.

"Then you wouldn't mind if I had her a bit?" he asked.

Adahni's head, by this point, was swimming. She heard her voice, disembodied from herself, say, "You know I'm right here."

"All right, then, lass," Jem's brother-in-law said. Up close, he was still devastatingly handsome, with black curling hair and teeth that showed very white against his tanned skin, but he reeked of ale and women's perfume that Adahni imagined either his wife or Talia was wearing, "Would you mind if I had you a bit?"

"Yes, I would!" she exclaimed, giving him a shove that sent him sprawling.

"Whoa there, lass!" he chuckled, "Didn't know you were bought and paid for."

She got up off the bench, pushing her sleeves up. He was tall and looked muscular, but imagined that he had no idea how to handle himself in a fight.

"What's she doing?" she heard him ask, "Why's she..."

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

She looked up to see Casavir standing over the man.

"But the bitch shoved me!" Lothran protested.

"You don't speak that way to my lady," the paladin said. He extended a hand to help Lothran up, "She is a squire of Neverwinter and a noble leader, not some barroom whore. You would do well to apologize to her and go on your way."

"Lousy party anyway," he growled, rose, and spat on the ground. He stalked out of the room, throwing a mug to the floor on the way out.

"Thank you, Cas," she said, bowing her head, "I'm sorry for losing my temper."

"I apologize for the behavior of my brother-in-law," Jem said.

"It's hardly your fault, Jem," Casavir said, "Where is your wife? I would have liked to greet her."

"She probably went back to take care of the baby," Jem said. Adahni saw the color rise to his cheeks. She looked around the room and saw no sign of her, her sister, or the ranger.

"Yes," Casavir said, "I heard she left him with the dwarf. I would be concerned as well. I suppose we will run into each other before you leave town."

"Congratulations on your wedding," Jem said, shaking the paladin's hand, "Shouldn't you be off with your lady fair, not conversing with the likes of us?"

Casavir laughed lowly, "I have a lifetime with my lady fair, and who knows how long with the likes of you? If she had her way I would take up a peacetime trade and lay down my armor for good."

"Aw, Cas, no..." Adahni could not help herself from groaning.

"Of course I wouldn't do that," Casavir said, "The love between a man and woman is no less than that among comrades in arms. My loyalty is to you, first, my lady, and will be until you no longer need me."

"I doubt I will ever not need you, Cas," she said, "But Jem has a point. This is her day, and you oughtn't burden it with oaths of loyalty to me!"

"I'm glad you have my best interests at heart, my lady," he said, grinning, "I would ask you for one more thing."

"Anything you ask."

"Favor us with a song?" he asked.

"Ahh, and you again ask me to work on my day off!" she exclaimed, "Do you have a preference?"

"Sing us a love song, won't you?"

"That I can do," she said.

She went over to Grobnar and named the song she was going to sing. It was one of the ones she had collected in the little anthology, which Casavir had since returned to her. she was not too surprised to find that the band knew it, and obliged her by playing the first few bars in a key that agreed with her voice.

"I'm a rover and seldom sober

I'm a rover of high degree

But when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking

How to gain my love's company

Though the night be as dark as dungeons

Not a star to be seen above

I will be guided without a stumble

Into the arms of my own true love

He stepped up to her bedroom window

Kneeling gently upon a stone


He whispers through her bedroom window

My darling dear, do you lie alone?"

Without the mandolin or harp to concentrate on, she could watch the reactions of the partygoers. She was really throwing herself into it this time, focusing all the magic into the song, playing the emotions of those around her like the musicians were playing their instruments. In the corner of the room, she saw the ranger enter. His hair was tousled and his shirt was buttoned the wrong way. As she paused to let the musicians have their turns playing the melody, she saw first Talia, whose hair had come out of its braid and formed a fluffy golden halo around her face, and then Lissia, who was hurriedly tying hers back, follow him down the stairs, and she had to catch herself before letter her jaw drop. She glanced at Jem, but he was standing next to Casavir and Vania, and seemed to be paying attention to only her.

"She opened the door with the greatest pleasure

She opened the door and she let him in

They both shook hands and embraced each other

Until the morning they lay as one

Says I: My love I must go and leave you

To climb the hills they are far above


But I will climb with the greatest pleasure

Since I've been in the arms of my love

I'm a rover and seldom sober

I'm a rover of high degree

But when I'm drinking, I'm always thinking

How to gain my love's company."

As she sang the last verses, she tried to signal to the ranger to re-button his shirt properly, but only succeeded in confusing him. He sat himself on the stairs, the sisters hurrying away from him and back to the wine, and stayed still and paid attention until the end of the song. She nodded graciously to her audience, and let the band continue with the dancing music themselves. Casavir and Vania were about ready to leave at that point, retire to the flat they had rented in the Merchant Quarter, and do what couples did on their wedding nights. After the fanfare of their leaving, she saw that the Talia had left the bar, presumably without telling her husband, and Lissia, discovering her husband gone, had cozied up to Bishop.

Adahni rushed over and took him by the elbow, begging Lissia's pardon. She dragged him to the corner of the room. "Did you just do what I thought you just did? Because that's disgusting."

"They're twins," Bishop shrugged by way of excuse.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Twins! When was I ever going to get an opportunity like that again? They're blond and pretty and two of the biggest whores I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."

"They're thirty, they're both married, and one of them has a child."

"Yes, I could tell," he said, grinning, "The other one, the one that left, wasn't it."

"Ugh!" Adahni squealed, realizing what he was referring to, "And here I was thinking you'd be behaving yourself."

"Me? Behave myself? Was that or was that not the loose one's husband you've been all cozy with tonight? And if Neeshka's to be believed, the two of you had quite a romp in the heather this past fall. I thought I was doing you a favor, freeing him up to take you up against the wall outside or wherever exotic location it is you would prefer..."

"All right, Bishop, you do whatever it is you want, but I'm not going to protect you when both their husbands find out what it is you've done..."

"So what's the deal here? Jealous?"

"Of them? I don't even want to know what diseases you're carrying. You go do whatever it is you're going to do... and button your shirt properly."

"Always looking out for me, aren't you, Farishta?" he commented.

"Just... stay out of trouble." She whirled and went to go back to the wine, her skirts twirling around her.

"Y'know it could have been you if you'd gotten in line first."

She turned again. Casavir had left, as had most of the knights that were his friends. The only people left were her companions, Cormick, Katriona, and a few of the other men and women who had served under the katalmach. Instead of slapping him this time, she hit him with a closed fist, striking him in the mouth and knocking him to the floor.

Shandra and Neeshka were by her side in an instant, along with Jem.

"Ooh... what'd he say?" Neeshka said.

Adahni just shook out her fist and scowled. "I've had enough of him for one night."

"What, going to go soothe the ego of the poor cuckold?" Bishop called, scrambling to his feet, "Scrambling to pick up what another woman let fall to the floor?"

This time, before Adahni could stop him, it was Jem hit the ranger. He was about as effective a fighter as he had always been, and didn't even hit as hard as her. The crowd, which by now had a drunk to sober ratio of thirty to one (the one was Katriona, who eschewed alcohol) and gathered around, chanting encouragements.

"That's as hard as you get? No wonder you're wife's screwing around on you," Bishop taunted him, stepping forward and shoving him hard with both hands.

"You son of a bitch," Jem growled, punching him again, this time in the stomach. Bishop fell back a bit, but when Jem advanced, he belted him in the eye, and followed up with a knee to the stomach, sending him reeling to the floor. Jem, bravely, tried to rise, but Bishop planted one boot - one boot that Adahni had stolen for him - on the other man's chest.

"It's all right, I didn't expect much of a fight from a man who can't satisfy a woman," Bishop said, pushing him back to the floor.

To Adahni's surprise, Jem started laughing, a trickle of blood coursing out of the corner of his mouth, "Those are brave words," he said, "Coming from someone whose father and grandfather are the same man!"

The crowd fell deadly silent. Bishop started backwards as though he'd been struck, giving Jem time to rise again. But the expression of shock on his face soon turned to one of rage. "I'll skin you alive," Bishop snarled. Adahni darted forward, in between the two men as she saw Bishop reaching for his knife. "Stop!" she yelled, but there was nothing that was going to make him stop at this point. She managed to turn herself sideways before he moved forward, so that the knife cut into her shoulder instead of her chest.

It still hurt. Clutching the wound, she moved backwards as Cormick caught Bishop's elbow and whacked his hand, making him drop his knife. "All right, someone's cooling his heels in the drunk tank tonight," he said, "And tomorrow night, for making me work on my day off. And the night after that, depending on what Addie has to say."

"I don't care what happens to him, someone close my arm up," she hissed. The blade had cut her shoulder to the bone. Katriona barreled her way through the crowd, put her hands on the wound, and whispered a prayer. Adahni felt the blood stop flowing and sighed.

"I think the party is decidedly over," Shandra declared, "Move along people, nothing to see here."

The room cleared pretty quickly. Shandra, in her new capacity as a watchman, went with Cormick, at least partially, Adahni imagined, for the satisfaction of locking the ranger away. Adahni found Ophala, who had retreated to the kitchen, and handed her the last of her gold, "For the damage," she said, "And a room for the night."

"Will you be needing any... services?" the madame asked.

"No," Adahni said.

"We have a new young man, just stepped off the boat from Baldur's Gate."

"Really," she said, "I'm not interested. I just need to get some rest."

"Suit yourself," Ophala said, shrugging, and handed her a key, "First door on your left."

She went back into the bar room and up the stairs. Jem, who had been waiting by the door, nursing a black eye and a split lip, followed her silently. The room, she had to admit, lavish, rivaled only by that one room in the Cuckoo's Nest where she'd killed a man for the first time.

"Isn't your wife going to wonder where you are?" she asked, lighting a candelabra with her breath.

"I don't care anymore," he said, his speech obscured by his rapidly swelling lip, "I always heard the name of the game at this place was discretion. If she asks me, I'll say I got a whore in a moment of weakness."

He flopped down on the bed, not even bothering to remove his shoes, "That wound was meant for me," he said, "And I probably deserved it."

"No you didn't," Adahni said, "Come on, love, try and get some sleep. Things will seem less fucked up in the morning, you hear?"

"I'm leaving in the morning, back to the prison," he sighed.

"You don't have to go back," she said.

He kicked off his shoes, flinging them against the wall. She did the same, laying back on the soft mattress and sighing, wishing she had not had quite so much to drink that night. "You're a sweet girl, Addie," he said. He rolled over and laid his head on her chest, "I'm sorry to have dragged you into this."

She absently stroked the side of his face, feeling the painful swelling of his mouth. "Things should have been different for us," she sighed. I should have never talked myself out of loving him, she thought, I should never have allowed my eyes to fall on Casavir. If only... if only the Luskans had not burned Barnslow, this could have been my life, I could be a wife and a mother and sleep beside the same man every night...

"It can't be helped," he replied, flinging one arm over her. He was silent a moment, "You know I lied to you."

"You lied?"

"You asked me once if I was in love with you and I laughed in your face," he said, "That laugh was a lie."

"It can't be helped," she echoed him. She slid her hand down the back of his shirt to stroke his back like she would an upset child. Her fingers found the scars, and she must have flinched, because he started back from her like she'd hurt him.

"I can't feel anything there anyway," he said, sighing.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"It's all right, they're horrible, I know," he replied.

"No they're not," she said. She stripped off her dress. Aside from the rip in the shoulder, which could be repaired, it only needed a washing to be salvaged. "Look, it looks like my belly is smiling." She showed him the scar that Dayven had left her with. Jem chuckled, and put his hand over it.

"You're a sweet girl, Addie," he said again. He moved up and kissed her mouth with his broken lip, then laid his head on her bare shoulder and shut his eyes.

"If you leave, I'll probably never see you again," she said.

"That's what I thought last time," he mumbled, "And here we are."

"No," she said, "They've accused me of slaughtering a village. Luskan wants my boots beneath the gallows before the winter's out."

She waited awhile for his response, but then realized he was already asleep. No reason to trouble him with my problems, she thought. She blew out the candles, and, leaning her head against his, tried to get some sleep. Her dreams, though, were vivid and frightening, and stayed with her until she woke up, long after dawn. She looked around, but Jem was already gone. Jem was gone, Casavir was gone, Bishop was locked up... Her memory of the previous night was fuzzy, only the scar on her shoulder and the blood on her dress reminders of what had transpired. She made her way back to the Sunken Flagon under the noonday sun. Now, there were no events, nothing between her and the trial anymore. The only thing to look forward to in her future was darkness.