Technically Not Died In the Meantime
- "I guess something has changed after all," Imoen said as she carried her Pink Pixie to the corner table the party had occupied. "When we entered the inn everybody fell silent and kind of watched us in awe. Didn't exactly happen like that the first time we came here."
- "Perhaps they recognize some of us," Peri said.
- "It is not necessary," Jelena said. "All of us emanate power now. Even though you are not immortal, Imoen, you are an archmage of immense power. And such things send vibrations."
- "And is me too! Is little Cespenar!"
- "Right," Jelena smiled. "Only very accomplished wizards get the cutest imp in all the Planescape as their familiar."
- "Me'se cute?" Cespenar frowned. "Nonononono. Goody-two-shoeses lady wrong. Cespenar veryveryvery scaaaary!"
- "Whatever, Cesp," Imoen said and pulled the little fellow into her lap.
- "Perhaps I'll take the lead as I am the one who has technically not died in the meantime," Peri said. "Of you, lady, I know only that you are Sarevok's mother. And that your name is Jelena, and that you were murdered by his lovely stepfather long before I got involved with Sarevok. So when, assisted by Tamoko, I foiled Sarevok's plan, I found you, mage, bleeding to death at the entrance of Undercity, stabbed by Sarevok."
Sarevok winced and lowered his gaze.
- "Your name is Winski, and Sarevok talks of you as his mortal father," Peri continued, and was surprised to see Winski's eyes well with tears. "You were his closest associate, and I later learned that you loved Jelena, and after her murder encouraged Sarevok in his plans to start the war and ascend as the new Lord of Murder."
Now it was Winski's turn to wince, and Jelena patted his hand.
- "I am sure that there is a reasonable explanation to that both of you appeared to the Throne of Bhaal and were sent to aid us by Ilmater. Little surprises me anymore. But let me continue my narrative. I battled Sarevok in the Bhaal temple of Undercity, and won... by pointing out that his porcupine-armor looks ridiculous, no less," Peri grinned. "That made him lose his control, and I managed to kill him."
- "You said that... Tamoko helped you," Jelena frowned. "I thought she really loved Sarevok."
- "She did," Peri said seriously. "That is exactly why she helped me. I would have let Sarevok live, as I promised to her, but he wouldn't listen. Tamoko wanted to spoil the plan, and rescue Sarevok to live with her to the end of their mortal life."
Peri squeezed the hand of her brother, who was shaking, his eyes large.
- "Tamoko herself I was forced to slay, as she protected Sarevok with her life. And this is our quest: we must take her urn to Kara-Tur, and bury her to the soil of her ancestors. Now she haunts the Baldur's Gate Undercity, where I buried her. Anyway, after that a lot happened that doesn't relate directly to us. Let's just say that the leather-faced fellow, Irenicus, you saw there at the Throne, was deeply involved. As the prophecy of Alaundo started to seriously unfold, I found myself a puppet in a divine play, pulled by strings and didn't much like it. When I first time was approached by that solar, none other than Sarevok was waiting for me in the little piece of Abyss my mind had created. I had met him in Bhaal's domain once before, but that kind of... went sour. Anyway, this time he offered to help me if I resurrect him."
Peri stopped for a moment in order to give them time to digest the information.
- "And obviously you did," Winski remarked. "But... not that I complain, but wasn't there a certain amount of animosity between you?"
- "Oh, there was," Imoen said. "But it was strange... it was I, by the way, who gave a piece of my soul to Sarevok. I wanted to do it because Peri had saved me before..."
- "Who are you, anyway?" Winski asked. "I saw you once but we didn't talk."
- "Oh, it's just me, Imoen," she smiled. "I am Peri's little sister from Candlekeep and I also had this teensy stream of Bhaal blood. That's why I was able to resurrect Sarevok in the first place, you see. And boy, I didn't want to! Peri said it was important because Sarevok knew so much about the prophecy, and also because he was a good warrior. But I think that was not the real reason. Even before that she was often quiet, alone and away from all the others. And she wouldn't say what she was thinking about, but I know she was thinking about Sarevok. She was very lonely as the pull of her blood was so strong. And now I believe there is even more to that. They share some sort of soul link or something. We others were appalled at how quickly it started. Like from day one they were joking together and talking long times just the two of them... I was worried because... you know..." Imoen glanced at Sarevok, blushing.
- "You were not entirely wrong to be worried, little sister," Sarevok said. "I certainly tried to persuade Peri to become the Lady of Murder, as it was my way to react to the growing appreciation I had for her. But she made me see that I was on the wrong track... and had been. In my first life too."
- "Sarevok changed slowly, but Peri was the first one to see it," Imoen said. "We others, we couldn't get so close to him so we didn't believe or see."
- "Cespenar always knew! Sarevok Cespenar's best friend!"
- "Yes, Cespenar. I thank you for the early trust," Sarevok chuckled.
- "I knew long before that 'become the Lady of Murder' talk that he had changed," Peri said. "I felt him, in my heart. The pain he had been through, the pride he was trying to hide it with. I also knew he clung to his beliefs because he didn't know any different. I talked to him about Tamoko, about where such designs lead..."
- "That was what did it, finally, to me," Sarevok nodded. "Every time before that Tamoko entered my mind I quickly shoved the thought deep down, thinking only of how to gain power again. But when she forced me to face what I had lost... when I saw that she had power and she still had friendship and trust... that silly ranger and his hamster... and the paladin..."
Sarevok didn't talk anymore, as the tears started to flow too rapidly. But he didn't try to hide them or lower his gaze.
- "Sarevok never told us how much he had suffered," Imoen said quietly, a sad and compassionate look in her eyes. "The solar and Gorion showed us... such a cruel life and a strong blood of Bhaal, no wonder he became what he did. And Gorion, he forgave Sarevok. And I was so ashamed that I had been so cold and unrelenting for such a long time..."
- "Don't, Imoen." Sarevok's voice was choked. "Gorion's forgiveness and loving you, sisters, is the greatest gift of my life. I have dedicated it to making up for all the wrongness I committed in my previous one."
His eyes were alight and passionate, his jaw firm.
- "I am proud of you, son," Jelena said and held his hand. Winski did too. Everybody was quiet for a moment.
- "So, to make a long story short he is a beloved sibling and ally now, and much more good and noble than I am, thank you. Who wants to continue?" Peri said.
