Your Execution Has Been Ordered

- "You know, I think I would be perfectly happy if I never saw another grain of sand in my life," Imoen said after a long, silent trek in the desert.

No-one answered.

- "I mean, it is even so dull to look at! Most of the time at least the scenery is worth watching..." she continued after a while.

- "Yeah. Well. Look, there is something. Oasis, and... a beduin village, perhaps?" Peri pointed, squinting her eyes.

- "Let's get drunk!" Korgan immediately lightened up.

- "Not a bad idea," Peri answered, a slow smile forming on her face, "provided that it is a beduin village."

- "It bothers me that you couldn't teleport straight to Amkethran, sister," Sarevok said, frowning. "It should have worked... we could teleport to the Bhaal temple as well as to the Fire mountains even though you had never seen them. I don't like this. Be wary, all of you."

- "Minsc and Boo will be alert of any evil fiends seeking to harm the forces of justice!" Minsc assured.

- "That is commendable, Minsc, but perhaps you could be alert a little more silently," Sarevok answered.

They approached the small formation of tents located next to the oasis.

There was a military troop standing in formation, wearing magically enhanced, high quality equipment. These were elite soldiers, backed up with several platoons of battle mages and clerics wearing the symbols of Lathander.

- "I have a distinct feeling that this is not a beduin village where we could get drunk," Peri stated in an emotionless voice.

- "By Torm! They have a significant portion of whole Tethyrian and Amnish army here!" Keldorn exclaimed.

- "Perhaps we should try to sneak past them using invisibility spell?" Imoen suggested.

- "Won't work," Anomen answered grimly. "With that many clerics and battle mages they are bound to notice, and then we are in even worse position."

- "It is likely that they are waiting for us," Peri nodded. "A question or two about Saradush in their mind, perhaps. And, if there is another way to Amkethran they have most likely blocked that as well."

- "So we should go and talk to them," Keldorn said. "Lathander is an honorable deity, and these are good and just officials. I'm certain we can explain the circumstances to them."

- "I wouldn't bet on it," Peri said. "But let's go and try to have a chat with them. It's not like there are many other options available."

Peri walked proud and stout, like a woman with nothing to hide. Without looking at her side, she knew Sarevok's stature matched hers. The commander of the army seemed a bit nervous, but he did have his nerves under control. He had a determined look in his eyes. He brandished an official-looking scroll and read from it.

- "Peri of Candlekeep, otherwise known as the Terror of Sword Coast, your execution has been ordered and will take place immediately. May Kelemvor have mercy on your soul."

- "May I inquire what she is being accused of?" Keldorn asked, anger lacing his deep voice.

- "She is a spawn of Bhaal, and a mass murderer! She has destroyed a whole city and all its citizens!"

- "It is not true! Boo can tell you the truth! Peri is kicking the butt of evil!" Minsc yelled, indignant, brandishing his rodent. The eyes of the troops showed a growing amount of fear.

- "Minsc, I don't think you are helping..." Sarevok muttered.

- "I suppose you decided to dispose of these little bureaucratic formalities like a trial?" Peri asked, the venom dripping from her voice. She didn't react kindly to being blamed for merely existing. She was very, very tired of it.

- "You don't deny your nature! That is all the proof that is needed!" the captain shouted. "Men! Attack!"

- "No! This is not right!" Keldorn shouted, but dodged a crossbow bolt just barely.

- "Har! This me axe be liking!" Korgan laughed and charged like a whirlwind, his dark eyes shining with glee.

Fighting off an army. The biggest one so far, more disciplined and better motivated than Yaga-Shura's one. These were well trained, honest, patriotic men believing to protect their homeland from something evil and dangerous, and having the right to do so. Still, it meant little to Peri. What meant anything now was dodging, slashing, beheading, cutting, ducking... staying alive, dealing death. She enjoyed it, like she always had. She was so good at it. She was born of murder, born to do murder.

Sarevok fought with vigor too, feeling only a slight regret because of dealing death on a large scale yet again. He was too angered because of the unfounded accusations, the fear and group-think that made these sanctimonious fools attack his sister, thinking it their right to kill her. He understood them, but also felt contempt. That they wore the symbols of legitimate authorities and believed themselves to do the right thing meant little to him. In fact it made their sins even worse in his eyes.

The devastating force of Imoen's and Anomen's earthshattering spells, the incredibly powerful summoned allies and the skill and the exquisite weapons of the warriors made the army fall to the last man. Hundreds of dead. Masses of corpses. Keldorn bowed his head, hiding his face in his hand.

- "What is it, Keldorn?" Sarevok asked.

- "I... I truly was sure that they would listen! They were not evil, I could tell that! I would never have thought that people would be capable of such a miscarriage of justice unless they were evil. How can Lathander... or my own patron, Torm! let this happen?"

Sarevok shrugged.

- "Why do gods let anything happen? They are not omnipotent. And... people are panicking. They are scared of all Bhaalspawn, and they lose reason, and their principles. I am not amazed by this, only disgusted."

Keldorn nodded.

- "This weighs heavily on my heart," he sighed.

- "Then perhaps this will lift your load a little bit. I want to thank you. I always despised your kind, but when I still was wallowing in bitterness and megalomania, you talked to me as if I was worthy of your efforts. Even though I insulted you, you talked to me as if I was a valuable human being. It was one of the things that has led me to change my outlook and assume new goals."

- "Then I was right. And it means a lot, Sarevok."

Sarevok smiled and nodded, aiming his attention to Peri now.