"We make camp here, guys: we've walked more than enough for today", Meg said. As soon as the order was given, her companions gladly put their packs down and sat down with a sigh of relief: the terrain in that part of the Windspear Hills was irregular and rocky, making it quite difficult and tiring to proceed.

Edwin immediately buried his head in the Nether Scroll, as he'd done in every moment of free time since they found it, while Yoshimo set up the tents, Minsc collected the firewood (under Boo's supervision of course), Anomen went off to hunt their dinner, the Ilmatari took the water from the nearby stream, Aerie looked for aromatic herbs and Jaheira prepared the pot to cook the stew. Soon they were gathered around the campfire enjoying a delicious meal.

Yoshimo sat down at Meg's right, his obsidian eyes shining with curiosity, "Say, sekai no hikari, what happened exactly between you and this Ajantis fellow? I seem to recall that you said he tried to kill you".

"Yeah, he did. We met near the Friendly Arm inn and at first he seemed like a nice guy, though he was a bit...Okay, a lot prejudiced and he had a black-and-white, shockingly narrow view of the world. He came from Amn on a mission to stop the bandits who roamed the Sword Coast and we offered to help him. He was always kind to me, until, one day...".

oxoxoxoxoxo

Last year, Beregost

It was a sunny afternoon and the party was busy shopping: Khalid and Jaheira were taking care of food rations and healing herbs; Dynaheir and Minsc (and Boo) went to a smith's forge to buy new armour for the big ranger; Edwin had spotted a small shop selling spell components and Imoen had dragged the Ilmatari to a stall selling sweets.

"Ooooh, I want some of those too!", the little thief squealed, pointing to a jar of raspberry cookies and making puppy eyes at her friend, "Pleeeease?". Meg laughed quietly, "Okay, but try not to exaggerate, or I'll be broke before the week is over". "Nah, don't worry, we're adventurers now! There's lots of job for adventurers and job means lots of money", Imoen replied, as she took the small package with a wide smile.

"Do you want anything else?". "Nope, that's enough", she impulsively kissed the Painbearer's cheek, "Thanks, Meg. You're the best friend ever!". "Heh, I wonder if you would say the same if I didn't want to pay for your sweets anymore", the other girl joked, then she whirled around as she felt someone behind herself, "Ajantis! For Ilmater's sake, don't do that, I thought it was another killer!", she exclaimed.

The squire blushed, "Forgive me, lady Meg, it was not my intention to cause you distress. May I have a moment of your time? There is something I wish to ask you". "Sure, what do you want to know?".

He fiddled with his gloved hands, "I have noticed that many people have recently tried to take your life. You seem like an honourable woman, but the fact that you have a bounty on your head doesn't allow me to rest easily. May I know how this came to be? Why should someone want you dead?".

The young priestess bit her lower lip, "Well...It's not because of something I did, but of who I am", she said cautiously and he nodded. "Ah, I see, it is a family feud of some sort, then! Let me guess: a rival family has a feud with your own and wants your death because you are their only heir?". "Er, no, it's not that, it's...More complicated. Much more complicated. Come, I want for us to be in a less crowded place, before talking about this".

As soon as they were alone in a small alley, she took a deep breath, "The reason why I am being chased by assassins is that...I am a Bhaalspawn", she confessed.

There was a long silence, during which Ajantis' face passed from chalk white to green to scarlet red in a matter of seconds. "You...You are a spawn of the God of Murder", he growled, his right hand slipping to the hilt of his bastard sword, "And to think I trusted you!", he shook his head angrily.

Margaret Dawn took a step back and readied her staff, "Please, Ajantis, don't. I'm not my Sire, I serve Ilm...". "You are a monster!", he roared, lunging at her, but she was quick to dodge. "I have done nothing wrong and you know it!". "SHUT UP, ABOMINATION!", he made another attempt at cutting her head off, then a third one, still without result.

Suddenly a very big fist came out of nowhere and hit him square in the face, the shock making him lose his grip on the sword hilt. Before he could realize what was going on, a second punch knocked him out cold and he sagged on the paved floor of the alley with a loud clang.

Minsc massaged his sore knuckles and scowled at the unconscious squire, "Bad Ajantis! Bad! That is no way to treat a girl!", he stated, then turned to the Ilmatari, "Are you all right, little Meg?".

The young woman smiled and threw her arms around his neck, shaking with relief, "I am fine, Minsc, thank you so much for saving me". The ranger hugged her back, "Little Imoen said you were in danger and Minsc and Boo don't let their friends be hurt by bad people, right, Boo?", he said and his hamster squeaked loudly in agreement.

oxoxoxoxoxo

"After that, we gave him a sleeping drug and left him in a room at Feldepost's Inn, getting out of town as quickly as we could. We haven't seen him since then", Meg concluded. "I see. Thank you for telling me the tale, it was quite enlightening". They went on with their dinner in quiet silence, until the Thayan let out a triumphant shout, startling them all.

"Ah-HA! I understand it! Sorry to interrupt your insignificant babbling, but I've just translated something more from the Nether Scroll! (Uhm...Ancient magic for the hands and other stuff. It's been a good day)", he nodded to himself, then turned to glare at them, "What are you looking at? I've said my piece! Go back to stuffing yourselves like pigs!".

The Painbearer put her bowl aside, honestly worried, "Edwin, I...I'm happy to hear that you're making progresses with that, but please, do be careful, okay? It's a very ancient and powerful artefact and we know next to nothing about it! It could have any kind of dangerous collateral effect and I really don't want you to get hurt".

He snorted, "Bah! I am a Red Wizard of Thay, I don't fear power, I seize it! (But it's pleasant to know she worries about me) The only effect it can have is to make me even more powerful than before". "If you say so".

"I'm not an apprentice anymore, Meg: I have all the intelligence, the skill and the experience necessary to make good use of it", he assured her, "You'll see, when I cast the spell, you'll have the most powerful wizard of all times in your party! (Though I'm very close to being that already)".

She bit her lower lip, still unconvinced, "I hope so. But please, wait to cast it at least until you've completed its translation, will you?". "Yes, yes, whatever", the Red Wizard made a dismissive gesture and turned back to the scroll.

Meg sighed, Let's hope he'll be careful, she thought, taking her bowl back up, then she noticed that Anomen was also a bit absent, eating mechanically with an unfocused look in his eyes, "Anomen? Are you okay?". The squire started and in his surprise, he nearly dropped his spoon, "What? Oh, sorry, my lady, what were you saying?". "I asked you if you're okay". "Well...I am and I'm not: my Test is approaching fast and I...I'm not in a hurry to receive my judgement". "Why not? Aren't they just?".

"They are just, Meg and that's why it scares me so much. What if the Order accepts me in its ranks and I find out that I have no place in them? And what if they reject me and...And it turns out that the future has no place for me? I know, in my heart, that I have kept my faith. But maybe I'm just fooling myself. Maybe I will find out too late where my heart truly lies", he murmured, looking at her with thoughtful eyes.

"Fear not, Anomen, I have no doubt at all that you're worthy of becoming a knight", the young woman said, putting a hand on his arm with a smile, "And after you pass your Test, all of your fears will dissolve like mist in the wind and you'll realize being in the only place fit for a brave and honourable man like you: in the Order ranks, fighting to protect innocent lives from Evil".

"I really appreciate your support, my lady. You've always been kind to me, despite my being moody and boring". "You're not boring at all! I am always interested in what you have to say, whatever it is. And it's normal to need to let off some steam, when one is under pressure".

He smiled back and put his hand on hers, "I'm happy to hear it and I apologize for talking only about my worries. Maybe one day we will talk about something different. I...I think I would like it", he added, his voice suddenly uncertain. "I would like it too", she whispered back.

There was an awkward silence, which was broken by Aerie's scream. "A snake!", the Avariel shrieked, jumping from the rock she was sitting on and Meg quickly joined her. "Where is it?", the Ilmatari asked, scanning the ground carefully, staff at the ready, "Did it crawl away?". "It's there! Oh, please, send it away!", the Elf begged, pointing a trembling finger.

"Here? I don't...Aerie, for Ilmater's sake, it's not a snake, it's a twig!", Margaret Dawn took the 'snake' up and showed it to her friend, chuckling, "See? Only a twisted, harmless twig". "Oh", Aerie blushed, embarrassed, "Sorry, I...It really looked like a snake".

"It's okay, we're all a bit tired. By the way, I saw some thermal springs a few feet from here, so maybe we can enjoy a warm bath. Taking turns, of course". They all agreed enthusiastically and decided that the women would go first.

When the ladies were far enough from the campsite, Edwin put the Nether Scroll down and cleared his throat. "Now listen, tin-plated monkey...Er, scale-plated monkey...Whatever! (He's a monkey anyway!)". Anomen huffed, "I suppose you're addressing me". "Yes, in fact I am. I have something important to tell you and you would do well to listen closely". "Speak, then".

"I saw the way you look at Meg, how you constantly swarm around her, like a lost puppy looking for a pat on the head and I know what you're after. Don't interrupt me!", the Thayan said, seeing that the Helmite was about to speak, "In case you didn't notice, she's not a concubine to play with and toss aside after you've sated your lust (She's my friend!) If she falls for you and you hurt her, there will be no place on Toril where you can hide from my wrath! Did I make myself clear?".

Anomen nodded, a bit stunned at witnessing such a show of protectiveness from none other than a Red Wizard of Thay, "Yes, you made yourself more than clear. But your threats are unnecessary: my feelings for her are true, Helm be my witness. I love her deeply and if she will have me, I will devote my life to make her happy.

And...I guess I owe you an apology, Edwin: all this time, I've been suspicious of your motives for remaining with the party, fearing that you could try to harm her to gain more power. Now I see that my suspicions were unfounded and that you genuinely care for her. I'm sorry for doubting you".

Edwin gaped, shocked, but then cleared his throat and regained his composure, "Yes, well...At least your limited mental faculties work properly enough that you can see your mistake (About time!) And if you promise to treat her right, I guess I can allow you to proceed with your pitiful attempts at courtship".

The squire smiled, he knew it was Edwin's way to give him his blessing, "Thank you. I promise to always treat her right, every day that Helm gives me". Minsc intervened, "Boo says you and little Meg look good together and Minsc agrees. She looks happier when you are close to her". "She does? Really?". "Boo says yes. And Miniature Giant Space Hamsters are never wrong!". The Helmite chuckled, "Of course, my friend. Of course".