Author note: my best wishes to all of you dearest readers for happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas! *smiles*
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The villagers of Imnesvale were quick to celebrate their valiant heroes, who had once again saved the town from a terrifying menace: just like the last time, a big party was thrown, with plenty of food, drinks and music. No reward was given, though, because the townsfolk couldn't afford it, but the Ilmatari didn't mind: in the Dragon's lair, they had found a nice hoard, consisting in five thousand gold coins and a handful of gems that, according to Yoshimo, could be worth at least another thousand gold pieces.
They had also collected enough Dragon scales to make two suits of armour and both mages had taken some assorted Shadow Dragon body parts to use as spell components. While they were enjoying a delicious dinner, Jaheira suggested that they should visit the Adventurer's Mart as soon as they reached Athkatla.
"We also have to see a smith, to have the armour made from those scales", the Painbearer said thoughtfully, "But will there be a smith in town who can do it? It's not an easy task and I'm afraid it won't be a cheap one either", she added, her mood darkening. "I think that Cromwell, in the Docks, could be able to do the armour we need", Anomen said, "I have heard some knights saying that he's the best smith in all Athkatla".
"If that is true, he will probably be the most expensive one too. We have enough money to pay the ransom, we could...", she tried to say, but the Half-Elf cut her off sharply. "We've already talked about this, Meg! We need better equipment to save her. Or would you rather face that...That monster without protection and be killed like a cow in a slaughter-house?".
If it were only MY life at stake, I wouldn't care!, the Human girl thought angrily, but she knew better than to voice that thought, "Of course I want you to be as much protected as possible and you know it. I simply hate having to delay her rescue again". "And you think I don't? But we must keep our focus: that is the only way for us to save both her life and ours". "Yes, yes, I know", the Ilmatari sighed and stood, "Well, I'm stuffed, so I'll just retire now. Goodnight, ladies and gentlemen".
Once she was alone in her room, she took Irenicus' diary out of her Bag of Holding and resumed her reading, eager to know more of her former jailor and the more she read, the more she felt sympathy for him. And there was something else, something that she wasn't aware of, that was growing inside her: despite everything he had done to her, she was starting to admire and even care for the man who had caged her.
oxoxoxoxoxo
As soon as they passed Athkatla's city gates, a boy in a messenger uniform approached the adventurers, heading directly towards Anomen. "Are you Anomen Delryn, son of lord Cor?". "Well, yes, I am he. Why do you ask?". "Your father requires your presence to his estate". The squire gritted his teeth, his anger flaring up at the mere mention of his father, "And what reason could I ever have to answer his summon?".
The messenger shrugged, "He says your sister has vanished, my lord. Kidnapped, so he says". "Kidnapped?", the Helmite paled, "By Helm! How...When...". "Can I go now, sir?". He nodded, absentmindedly giving the boy a gold coin, "Yes, yes, go. Meg, we must go to my family estate immediately, it is...". Meg nodded, "I know where it is and we'll go at once".
The party hastily made its way to the Government District and when they reached the Delryn estate, the only servant rushed forward to meet them, his expression a mixture of relief and worry. "Lord Anomen, welcome back! Your father is in the kitchen, he...He's drinking. He's been doing it for some time now".
"Is he...Mad at me?", the squire asked hesitantly. "Yes, my lord. After your sister...Vanished, things got worse". He sighed and his broad shoulders slumped slightly, "I see. Well, let him vent his anger at me, if he wants to: I'm not a little child anymore".
As the major domo had said, lord Cor was in the kitchen, sat at a ruined table with a half-empty bottle of cheap wine in his hands and three empty bottles lying on the dirty floor. Tall and burly, he looked older than his forty-seven summers: his dishevelled dark brown hair was already streaked with white, his iron-grey eyes were puffed and his nose and cheeks sported the web of broken capillaries that is typical of irreparably alcohol addicted people.
When he saw the adventurers, he stood, swaying slightly back and forth, "The prodigal son returns", he slurred, trying to focus his gaze on his son's face, "You sure inherited your foolishness from your mother. How far did you run, son, in your attempt to get away from me".
"Don't you dare talking about my mother, you disgusting drunkard!", Anomen growled furiously, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles whitened, "You have never been worthy of being her husband!".
His father sniffed in a pitiful attempt at righteous indignation, "Nevertheless I was. And I am also your father, you stupid boy, don't you ever forget it! Your mother would still be alive, if you children hadn't been so terrible".
"Shut up, father! We've already had this conversation and I really don't want to go over it again".
"You will hear everything I want to tell you, you useless boy. Respect your father, worthless knightling. I am still the head of this family and you will obey me!".
"I...Yes, father. I lost my patience and I apologize", the younger Delryn said through clenched teeth, "What happened to my sister?". "Idiot boy! She vanished! Kidnapped by the Calishite demons!". He frowned, confused, "But...When did it happen?". Cor shrugged carelessly, "How in the Nine Hells can I know? Some days ago, I guess. She was supposed to bring me my dinner, the lazy little bitch, but she was nowhere to be found".
The squire relaxed instantly as everything became clear in his mind, "I see. So you think she's been kidnapped". "Of course!", the older Delryn shrieked, "It was Saerk the Calishite, it must be him! For years I've embarrassed him in front of the other merchants, my prices stealing nearly all of his customers away from him and he's never forgotten it! When my business went bankrupt, he got them all back, but it wasn't enough for that leech! He had to steal everything I had! In the end, Moira was all that was left and now he got her too!".
"And what do you want me to do, then?", Anomen asked, barely suppressing a smirk. "Isn't it obvious, stupid boy?", Cor pointed a shaking finger at his son, "You must bring her back here! And you must kill Saerk for his crime! You know that the law will never touch one as rich as he is, so it is up to you to avenge my...Our family honour". "Really".
"And your...Friends here would do well to help you: Saerk is a very rich man and his gold will be their reward, after I've taken my share as compensation for his actions, of course". The younger Delryn crossed his arms on his chest with a satisfied smile, "Moira was not kidnapped, father", he said calmly.
"You must...What?", his father stopped, narrowing his eyes as he struggled to make sense of the words, "What are you saying, boy?". Anomen's smile widened, making him look a bit like a pleased cat, "I am saying that there was no kidnapping at all. Moira left this house of her own volition, to be free from your oppressive and obnoxious presence. Can you blame her?".
Cor stared at him, shocked: he couldn't believe that his son had the nerve to speak to him like that. And Anomen even looked smug!
"You're lying! She would never leave, she knows I need her here". "Oh, she left indeed". "But...Where did she go?". "Ha! Forget it, father, I wouldn't tell you even if you begged me on your knees. You won't hurt her anymore".
The older Delryn gaped, then his face turned purple with fury, "How dare you talk to me like this! You are a good for nothing! You joined that order of fools and left me here to take care of my business alone and now, you've even persuaded Moira to abandon me too! Tell me where she is!".
The Helmite shook his head, "No".
"You worm, you worthless bug! Tell me!".
"No".
"For the last time, obey me, Anomen!".
"I have obeyed you all my life and received nothing but bitterness in return. You chose of your own free will to destroy your family and to waste your life and money on liquors and whores, so now be a man and face the consequences of your actions", the squire said, turning to leave.
"I warn you, if you walk out of that door, you can never come back, you bastard boy", Cor said in a poisonous tone. "Don't do it, father...". "Shut up! If you leave now, you will become a stray dog, unworthy of even cowering at my feet!".
Anomen sighed, "I have been cowering at your feet for too long, but no more. Farewell, father. Maybe we will meet again, before you drink yourself to death", he murmured sadly, "Come, my friends, let's go". They walked to the door, but Cor wasn't finished. "You are nothing, boy! Nothing, do you hear me? Nothing!".
At that point, Meg felt that she had heard more than enough, so she turned on her heels and walked straight to the drunken man, stopping only mere inches from him.
"You are a disgusting, useless, miserable and heartless bastard, a worthless drunkard, a pitiful coward, a flea-infested brainless lesser simian, a huge smelly pile of Goblin poop!", she hissed, her eyes flashing golden, "You are the only one unworthy here! You don't deserve such wonderful children, children who would make every other parent more than proud of calling them his own! You sicken me", she reduced her voice to a whisper and gave him a chilling Slayer-like smile, "I hope that you get what you truly deserve soon".
He blanched and gaped like a landed fish, but before he could utter a single word, she had already rejoined her friends to leave.
When the party got back to the Government District's square, Anomen walked up to his leader, "My lady...". She blushed and looked at her boots, deeply ashamed of her previous outburst, "Look, I'm sorry for...For that show, really. But I just couldn't stand by and watch while that...While your father treated you like dirt!". He gently took her hand in his, "No need to apologize. Quite the contrary, I am grateful for your intervention".
She looked at him in surprise, "Really? Even if I insulted him?". The young man grinned, "Especially because you insulted him! I didn't know you had it in you". "Oh", Margaret Dawn chuckled under her breath, her tension fading, "Well, I'm glad you aren't angry for it. I'm so proud of you, you know? You handled that horrible situation like a true knight".
"Do you really think so?", he asked and she nodded. "Sure! You resisted the temptation to give in to anger and regained your composure, instead of letting his cruel words get to you. You are doing a very good job in suppressing your darkness and I'm sure it won't be long, before you master it completely".
"This wouldn't have been possible without your help, Meg", the young man said, "I managed to control it, because I remembered your words, when you told me that my father has power over me only if I let him. Understanding this has helped me a great deal. Now I am free from his poisonous influence at last".
"I'm so glad to hear it! But I have no merit in this victory, really: I simply gave you a little push in the right direction". He shook his head with an amused smile, "Humble as always, my lady". "Hey, I'm an Ilmatari: humbleness is our trademark", she joked and they laughed together.