Back In The Graces of Helm

Lord Dhelt proved to be a charismatic tall man with a firm handshake and a penetrating look. Sarevok looked the man down from all his height in order to shake him a bit. After all, they were on his home turf.

- "I greet you, travelers," Dhelt said. "And I thank you for coming here. First, you must understand that I am not only responsible for this town and its people. It is also a safe haven for traveling merchants in Western Heartlands, a place where they can let their guard down a bit and enjoy some peace and safety."

- "Sounds fascinating," Winski said. "But hardly fascinating enough that it would warrant summoning us here to tell us that. So what, as my young friend Peri would put it, is the point?"

- "The point is that I have a group of immensely powerful strangers in my city, and I want to know what they are up to. Surely you understand - it is my duty to protect the city."

- "What we want is the same thing that these traveling merchants of yours want. Restock our supplies, enjoy a bit of comfort after several nights in a boat, and get gone," Peri answered.

- "I know who you are," Dhelt said. "You have massacred a whole city and a big army in Tethyr... but some also say that you have cleansed the evil of Bhaal from the Realms. You are also traveling with a man who is supposed to be dead. Some say that you have resurrected him. A murderer, who schemed to wash the whole Sword Coast with blood. I think I am entitled to be worried."

Sarevok's eyes burned dangerously.

- "Little man," he said, and was pleased to see the paladin taken aback. Probably no-one had called him that in a long time, if ever.

- "Little man, have you ever had your immortal soul shredded in incessant agony, as the dark being whose essence was flowing in your veins like poison tortures you? Have you traveled the fiery fields and lava pits, have you swum in acid rivers, have you battled hordes of devils and listened to howling of wraiths in icy wind? Have you gathered every last ounce of your willpower to not be lost in despair of the pits of the Abyss, and scratched and crawled your way into living again? Have you ever traveled with your old enemy, growing to know that she is the lost half of your own soul? Have you known the magnitude of regret when the madness fades and you realize that your own folly has cost you the woman you loved more than anything, that you have destroyed so much because of insane delusions? Have you known how the guilt burns the crevices of your heart at any waking moment, have you slept the same nightmares over and over again? No, I didn't think you had. So don't think you know anything about me or my goals or my life. Or Peri's, for that matter. To simply exist, many must fight. The difference is that most beings would fall under the might of an army some self-righteous fanatics have sent to unjustly slaughter them for merely existing."

There was a moment of silence, and Lord Dhelt looked rather stunned.

- "Sarevok's point is, I think, that perhaps you shouldn't presume anything about us based on hearsay," Peri said. "We intend no harm, and frankly I am getting tired of having to tell that in every city we go."

- "I invited you here because I wanted to hear your side of the story. If what you say is true then I have no problem with you staying in the city. But Sarevok, you should know that people will be extremely frightened of your mere presence, even if you are not the demon any more."

- "I have not personally harmed the citizens of this city, never even been here in fact so I can not be bothered with that," Sarevok coldly answered. "I have enough regrets for people I have actually harmed."

- "Fair enough then. I will assume you are just passing through," Dhelt said.

- "Oh can't we PLEASE stay. It is so nice to be welcome," Peri muttered, but started to get going.

As the group bid their goodbyes and was leaving the throne room, a group of squires of the Ever-vigilant One entered the room. Her mouth agape Peri recognized one of them.

- "A... anomen?!"

It was. Anomen Delryn looked at her, and his expression was hard to read. Obviously painful memories were hitting him, but there was also something new, something serene in his expression.

- "You know her, Delryn?" his superior asked. "I'll give you leave to exchange news with her. Report back in the Order in the evening."

Peri and Anomen shook hands, awkward in each others' company.

- "Do you know the city, Anomen?" Peri asked.

Anomen shook his head.

- "I just arrived," he said. "I'm only passing through and staying here. Come, let's go to the garden and talk."

- "I see you are back in the graces of Helm," Sarevok remarked. "Good for you, I guess."

- "After we parted company, I rode a long time in the desert," Anomen said, not looking at Sarevok. "I was very angry and bitter, thinking how everything in my life was ruined. Then Tempus would not answer my prayers any more. I did not know why, then. But now it is obvious. My heart still belonged to Helm. In the desert, I was thinking of taking my own life, but one night I prayed to Helm in my despair. It was the first time since I had lost his grace. I begged for forgiveness and a second chance... and he answered. He sent me on a quest, gave me instructions to join a group of Helmites as a squire. To be a lowly squire after holding those powers, I should have felt bitter. But I didn't. I am just happy that the god I love listens to me again. After the quest he will grant me the powers of a cleric again. How strong ones, I don't know. But it matters not. He knows what is good for me, he will show me the way."

- "He is the father Cor never was," Peri nodded.

- "Where is your quest taking you?" Imoen asked.

- "To Corm Orp, near the Zhentarim stronghold Darkhold. They have an awkward truce, but something is stirring in the area. But what about you?"

- "We are traveling to Kara-Tur, to bury my one true love," Sarevok answered.

- "You were capable of loving, weren't you," Anomen said. "I... have been given a second chance myself. Perhaps I have misjudged you."

- "I appreciate you saying so," Sarevok said.

- "You turned down being god," Anomen addressed Peri. "It is good... it is good that the Bhaal essence is gone."

- "Yes. It is. It may be that we never see each other again. I don't intend to come back from Kara-Tur. If not... then have my blessings, Anomen."