Chapter Thirteen: Anarchy
Kagain led them through the streets of Beregost. As they walked, Charname realized that he'd never gotten dead drunk before. Gorion would have never allowed it. On they walked until they were passing by a smithy. Smoke was rising out of the chimney in great waves, and the sound of hammering could be heard.
Then, just as they were passing by, a woman ran up to them. She was either an elf or a half-elf, Charname wasn't sure. But she sprinted up to them, her pink hair bobbing alongside her robes. "You! Yes, you. I don't see anybody else around here. A little help, please?"
"Of course, what do you need?" said Charname.
"There's bandits!" said the woman. "Vicious, magic bandits! And they must have gone to advanced bandit school or something. They're trying to capture me."
"I don't see how this is our problem." scoffed Kagain.
"Very well, I shall defend you from these bandits," said Charname quickly. It seemed the only paladin decision.
"Y-yes," said Khalid, "none shall lay a hand on you while you're here."
"My hero!" said the woman in deadpan. "Now, where are the rest of your men hiding? I'll be honest, I was betting on you having a legion of soldiers because you'll need it and- Oh goodness, they're here."
And then they came around the corner. Two men, dressed in red robes and flanked by half a dozen rough-looking men with swords. One of them was older and taller with a sharp beard and narrow eyes, The other was younger and nervous. "So, you would try to hide from us behind this unfortunate fool? Your cowardice proves as deadly as your reckless magic." Said the older.
"You're the one trying to capture me!" said the woman. "And I still don't know what you want, so I'd rather not let it happen. Get out of here before me, and my new friends descend to inject a fist into your mouth!"
"You there! Stand aside and give me the girl. Surely you won't risk your life for a stranger?" said the mage.
"I won't let you harm her," said Charname flatly. "By what right do you hunt this woman?'
"By my right as a wizard of Thay, we must study her anomalous powers… whether or not she comes willingly." Said the man.
"I've read more than I wish about these wizards," said Jaheira. "Those they study rarely survive the experience. And those that do wish otherwise."
"Let me guess: By 'study' you mean 'dissect'?" said Imoen.
"You shall not be privy to my methods!" said the man. "It is none of your concern, and she is a danger to both herself and others."
"Hold on a minute." Said Charname. "What anomalous powers are you talking about?"
The wizard scoffed. "I shouldn't be surprised that one as uneducated as you cannot spot a wild mage when you see one. Her spells cause more harm than good. We must extract her secrets and, of course, prevent her from harming herself or others. I have said enough; hand her over."
"I was educated in the Candlekeep," said Charname, annoyed at his tone. "So you can come and take her if you dare."
"If you wish to die for this wild mageling, so be it!" said the mage.
"Away with you, you pompous creeps!" snapped the woman, and she unleashed a spell.
She'd probably been casting it for some time. Whatever it was shot toward the man. There was a flash as light flickered around him and his guards scattered. "What?" said the man. "Not again!" He tried to counter it, and then he was gone in a flash.
"Ekandor?" asked the young mage. "Where did you go? We can't let her escape! Slaughter them all, and we'll sort this out once we find him!"
It was all Charname needed to hear. His blades came out as he charged toward the mage. One of the ruffians was caught by an arrow in the throat. Then he was on the mage. There was a flash, and searing heat hit him. The pain was agonizing. He felt his flesh burning, but it didn't stop him as he brought around his sword to behead the mage.
His head fell to his feet as his body collapsed limp, spilling blood over the ground. A thug came at Charname, and he parried the man's thrust, moving his swords in a blur to drive him back. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Kagain cutting a man down. Khalid was dueling with another as Jaheira struck one senseless. Then he saw the woman cast another spell and send one to the ground asleep.
Then Charname felt a sharp pain. His enemy had pierced his armor and got him in the stomach. Knocking away the hand, Charname slammed the man down against the pavement. Then raised his sword. Then he stopped. The man was looking up at him in obvious terror, and Charname realized he did not want to die.
Stepping back, Charname let him up. "Leave."
The man rushed off. From there, Charname grabbed ahold of the blade within his stomach. The pain was agonizing, but somehow it did not reach him. Not as he drew the sword out, not as he healed the wound and not as he turned to see the rest of the men scurrying off.
Wiping his swords off on the cloth of the mage of Thay, he sheathed them.
"Blasted Wizards of Thay!" snarled Kagain. "Where the hell are the town guard! This is their damn job, not ours!"
"I am really, really, really, really, really sorry about what just happened." Said the woman. "I didn't want to involve you, but if I hadn't run into you when I did, they'd be elbow deep in my brains right now."
"No apology is necessary. I was merely doing what any honorable person would do," replied Charname as he noticed something about the wizards head. "Hey, Imoen, pass me your knife. This guy has gold fillings in his teeth."
Imoen came forward quickly and offered him a dagger. Charname quickly began working on prying them loose as they got to his favorite part. Looting corpses.
The woman looked on, a little disturbed. "Since you were kind enough to save me from those wizardly thugs, I was wondering if I could stay with you for a while. For your protection as well as mine. I swear, I'm quite a skilled spellcaster. I can hurl a fireball like you wouldn't believe."
"Very well, your company would be welcome." Said Charname, getting the gold loose, so it clattered to the pavement.
"Fantastic!" said the woman. "Let me just get my… well, nothing. I'm ready to go now!"
"Great," said Charname, "what's your name?"
"Neera." Said the woman. "Do you do this every time you win?"
"Pretty much." Said Imoen. "You've got to pay for supplies somehow. Hey, I could get us a pretty good price on these swords."
"But what about the town guard!" snapped Kagain. "Where…. I shouldn't have to risk my life helping passerbys in their turf! Where is that ponce Angelo!" Finally he sighed. "Let's just get a drink and figure it out later."
Once they'd looted all the corpses, they headed for the tavern. As they walked, Neera looked about. "So, um, what were you doing."
"We had intended to go deal with the situation in the Nashkel Minds." Said Jaheira. "However, a certain someone has seen us sidetracked.
"I expect the sun shall grow cold before we reach it."
They got to the tavern, Charname rolled his eyes and walked up the steps. Then he opened the door and walked in. Within was a large tavern with a motley assortment of patrons, laughing and drinking. It looked like a rough place, but Charname had seen worse. "As long as we don't get attacked by more murderers for hire, I don't care."
"You're at the end of your rope, I'll wager." Said a rough-looking dwarf, walking up in full armor.
"Seriously?" said Imoen blinking.
"Not that it's anything personal, you understand, but I'm afraid your time on this here ball of mud is just about done." Said Karlat.
Kagain scoffed. "Karlat. Still polishing the boots of criminals, I see."
"Kagain," said Karlat, narrowing his eyes. "There's a legitimate bounty on you as well. You'll join your clan soon enough."
"I hope you've the will to back up those words," said Charname.
Karlat looked to him as Kagain began to slip around the opening, unnoticed. "Aye, that I do. The will AND the way. Shall we get to business then?"
Kagain suddenly surged forward and threw his shield. Karlat turned but was knocked off balance. Before Karlat could move, Kagain grabbed his head from behind in two gloves and wrenched. There was a crack, and he slumped dead to the ground.
The tavern looked up to see Karlat's dead body slump motionlessly to the ground. Bemused, they glanced at one another, then went back to their business.
Charname eyed his equipment. "Hey, this guy has got chainmail."
"It's mine." snapped Kagain flatly.
"Fine, fine," said Charname, "but we get the cash. Does he have a note on him."
Kagain rummaged around the bag and drew out a scroll. Charname took it and unrolled it. There was a picture of him, and a description of him and his companions.
'Be it known to all those of evil intent, that a bounty has been placed upon the head of Charname, the foster child of Gorion. 'Last seen in the area of Candlekeep, this person is to be killed in quick order.
'This offer has been extended to all appropriate guilds.
'Those returning with proof of the deed shall receive no less than three hundred and fifty coins of gold.
'As always, any that reveal these plans to the forces of the law shall join the target in their fate.'
"Alright!" said Charname. "Look at this Imoen! Our bounty almost doubled!"
"We're on our way to greatness." Said Imoen.
"Blast all that." Grumbled Kagain as he walked over to the innkeeper. "Where are the guards. You innkeeper!"
"Kagain I-"began the man.
"None of that." Said Kagain. "Where is Angelo? Where are the guards! We've had two brawls in the street in the last five minutes and haven't seen so much as a plumed helm?
"What does he think we pay our taxes for?"
"He… he left yesterday." Said the bartender.
Kagain stared at him, shaking visibly with rage as Charname sat down. "What?"
"Yes, he took the garrison and headed south." Said the bartender. "Lord Sarevok is planning some kind of assault against the bandits. The ones that nearly killed Sir Ajantis."
"Ajantis?" said Charname. "What happened with him?" Had he been hurt?
"He… he came back badly wounded; apparently, his group was scattered in an ambush." Said the man.
Charname looked up. "We've got to go see him."
"Wait, wait, who is this Ajantis guy?" said Neera.
"A friend." Said Imoen. "He helped us out earlier."
Jaheira paused. "…Perhaps it was not so unwise to remain as I had thought.
"I was already concerned about the situation here in Beregost before. But now it seems that the defenders are gone and the wolves, to use the metaphor are closing in.
"Charname, I will go with you."
Charname paused and glanced over to Kagain. "Kagain, you knew that dwarf, didn't you?"
"Yeah," Said Kagain, drawing out a coin and handing it to the bartender. "Sorry about the mess." Then he turned back to Charname. "He worked with me for a spell before we cut contact. He decided to take the more lucrative trade of contract killing.
"I don't deal with the illegal myself.
"Not worth the risk. You can't enjoy wealth if you're on that business. You make it, but you end up floating facedown in a river once you slip up."
"Well, that's reassuring," said Charname. "Do you have any idea who could have written this?"
"Let me see it," said Kagain, snatching it. His eyes scanned over it quickly. "It's an automated quill spell. A cantrip that writes out words directly. Used by criminals to give out orders without putting their handwriting in it."
"I was hoping to report it the Flaming Fist," said Charname.
"Don't bother, Angelo is in on it," grunted Kagain.
"What?" said Charname,
"Let us not be h-hasty," said Khalid. "Neera, how long were you in this town before those wizards came after you."
"Um, it was, well, a week," said Neera. "I'd come here so the guards could keep them off me. When they left, I was going to head to the Friendly Arm or Nashkel, but they appeared out of nowhere."
"See," said Kagain. "Do you really think she's a high enough priority to sit around Beregost for a week, hoping the guards will just walk off? Charname, that bounty notice. How many times have you been attacked, and where?"
"Twice in Candlekeep." said Charname. "My Father, Gorion, choose to leave the keep and head for the friendly arm, but we never made it. A fiend in black armor intercepted us and…
"Well, Father died to him. I barely made it out.
"Then when I made it to the Friendly Arm I was attacked outside it."
Kagain laughed. "So whoever is after you is powerful enough to infiltrate Candlekeep. Then murder a powerful wizard and hire assassins from all over. What did you do?"
Charname thought about the worst thing he'd ever done. It was probably killing the assassins who had been attacking him. "I have no idea."
"When you left Candlekeep, did you take the road?" asked Kagain.
"Why does that matter?" asked Imoen.
"Shut up, girl, I'm trying to figure things out," said Kagain.
"No, we didn't take the road," said Charname. "We cut across country. But they caught us anyway. It was an ambush, they were waiting for us."
"Well, that settles it. It was an inside job," said Kagain.
"An inside job, what do you mean?" asked Imoen.
"I could buy assassins getting into Candlekeep," said Kagain. "If you'd been on the road, maybe they could have caught you. But if you were going across country and they still set up an ambush ahead of you, that strains things.
"Someone ratted you out."
"Who would do that?" asked Imoen. "We grew up in Candlekeep."
"Kid, just because you care about something, doesn't mean it cares about you," said Kagain bitterly. "Anyway, if they could bribe their way into Candlekeep, they can bribe Angelo. The man cheats at cards."
"Why does that matter?" asked Imoen.
"I-in my experience, the small aspects of a person's character inform you as to their larger aspects." Said Khalid. "One who is dishonest in one thing is likely dishonest in another."
"Right, anyway, way I see it, Angelo probably got bribed to move his troops out on some operation or other," said Kagain. "Then, since he knew about you, he went over to the Wizards of Thay and asked them for a bribe to look the other away.
"So he gets paid twice for a job he was going to do anyway.
"It's what I would do."
"I don't really believe that." Said Khalid.
"It's what I would do if I was stupid enough not to have any principles, I mean." said Kagain. "Angelo might strike it rich in the short term, but sooner or later he'll cross someone important.
"Mark my words, if he doesn't hang from a noose, he'll be found lying facedown in a lake with his throat cut. And I might just be able to help the former along a bit.
"Khalid, I'd like to go over some records with you.
"I've been keeping track of what is happening here. My mercenary business has been the thing keeping the bandits from having it all their own way. If we spin this right, we might just be able to blame everything on him.
"If can make everyone think everything is his fault, we could dodge an arrow or two. Maybe take down the one sending all these assassins after us."
"And it's all true, from a certain perspective," noted Jaheira. "But, are you sure we should be discussing this here?"
Kagain looked around at the fascinated glances. "Of course. Angelo has completely botched the security of the Sword Coast. Even if he isn't corrupt as all hell, I want people to think he is. That man has interfered with my business long enough.
"He failed his way up in the ranks, and I mean to see him fail his head up onto a spike. What's he going to do? Put a bounty on my head? Send the guards he's reassigned after me?"
Dead silence.
"S-splendid," said Khalid after a moment. "I would be m-most pleased to assist you in examining these records, Master Kagain."
"Good," said Kagain. "You head on to meet your friend. We've got work to do."
Charname, Imoen, and Neera made their way out, heading for the Jovial Juggler as they did. Neera eyed him. "So um, are things always this chaotic around you?"
"Not really," admitted Charname. "Usually, we just wander around aimlessly and murder everything with fangs."
"I think my magic will fit right in," said Neera after a moment.
Charname just hoped Ajantis was alright.