Not Like Korgan

- "Sarade... I really appreciate having you with us," Peri said sincerely. "I shudder to think what kind of pain in the ass that battle would have been without you and your spells protecting us from psionics."

The group was in a room filled with dead mindflayers. Their disgusting tentacles they used to suck a person's brain out and kill him were still slithering on the ground. The creatures were an ultraintelligent and hideous-looking race of Underdark, mysterious in their motives and ways.

- "You were traveling without a cleric. Whoa." Sarade looked shocked.

- "I know. Especially under the circumstances. But the one we had... wouldn't function with the group anymore. He became unstable and had to leave," Peri explained.

Sarade's expression told that she was wondering what Peri would consider becoming unstable, considering how she had behaved when they found out about the illusion. But Sarade didn't say anything.

- "Umber hulks. Myconoids. Spiders. Derro berserkers. And drow. Many, many drow. This could be called a tour trip on the Underdark bestiary," Imoen mused.

- "Yon lich was nay fun," Korgan grumbled. "The lass here blew 'im to smithereens before me axe got a taste of his bones."

- "If that is your only complaint, then I'd say we are doing well," Peri said dryly. "As for that elemental prince we whacked, I'll take an earth one any day if I don't have to fight those fiery ones."

- "I wonder if this was the highest form of compliment our host paid us, or if there are still some of her minions before we meet the lady herself," Sarevok said.

- "Torm bless us! We have practically destroyed a whole army of evil creatures," Keldorn said, unsure whether to be awed or pleased.

Peri snorted.

- "You didn't look that pleased when we killed a whole army of good creatures, but they were just as busy trying to kill us," she smirked.

Sarevok finally decided to address Korgan, who had been glancing at him all the time they had spent in Sendai's caverns. He knew the dwarf was impressed with his martial prowess, but there was something else to his interest now.

- "I see you eyeing me, dwarf. Seeking to test the mettle of your metal against mine?" he asked in a half-mocking tone.

- "Nay, merely tryin' to come into reckonin' of yer nature, ye walkin' ghost," Korgan answered darkly.

- "Truly?" Sarevok was amused. He had already noticed that Korgan had an amazing philosophical streak under all his jovial happy-go-lucky lust for carnage. "And what have you concluded, Korgan Bloodaxe? Am I a friend or a foe?"

- "Ye are handy enough during a fight, but when I kill something, I wanna know it will stay dead. And that's where I be havin' a problem with you."

- "Well, unless you plan to kill me when I sleep, that is of no concern, " Sarevok smiled. He remembered Korgan telling that he had slaughtered some previous party-members. He wondered if the stories were true. Probably... but he didn't really care, as Korgan seemed to be loyal enough to Peri.

- "Aye, ye speak the truth. Yer strange return to the land of the livin' matters not. As long as ye're willin' to throw yer blade into the mix, ye're not hurtin' our group none."

- "And I could say the same about you," Sarevok acknowledged. It was the truth. The only ones to match he had ever encountered were Peri and himself. Tamoko, she would have been... had she been allowed to live and gain the experience and power. "We are done here, dwarf."

Sometimes Sarevok wished he could be like Korgan. He assumed that was the reason Peri also liked the dwarf. Korgan just didn't give a damn about anything. To him survival of the fittest, the creature comforts and rowdy fun was all the purpose he needed. That he had an intellect he didn't use for much but some disassociated musings didn't bother him at all. He figured he was on his way to the Abyss, and expected nothing more. Of all the people Sarevok had known Korgan was the one Sarevok assumed might actually sort of enjoy the place. Pitting the Blood War, from fight to fight... and even the Abyss had its taverns and cities.

But then, he knew better. He was simply not made that way. He always had to have something grand to keep him going, something to dedicate himself to. His soul was always yearning for a purpose, and if he would lose that state of mind, he would lose himself. Now the guilt he felt about the life he had led was actually a great source of power to him. He treasured the guilt, as much pain as it caused to him. He didn't wish to free himself of it. He thought of all the lives he had trampled over, all the pain he had caused... and it gave him strength and determination. He would do the reverse now. First and foremost he was obliged to Peri, Imoen and Tamoko... but there certainly was a lot a warrior like him could do to protect and liberate people like those he hurt before. Mother, wherever you are. Bless me so that I live through it. Bless me so that I can live for that purpose.