State of Justice

Jelena and Winski glowed. Everyone had gathered to congratulate them, and Cespenar had conjured a chaotic sphere of twinkling illusions in honor of the occasion. Sarevok also announced that he would be Winski's and Jelena's son in name also from now on.

- "We will be Peri and Imoen of Candlekeep. It sounds nice, doesn't it?" Imoen said.

- "Yeah. And when need be I will call myself Terror of the Sword Coast," Peri grinned. "Though I don't know how impressed they will be with that in Kara-Tur."

- "Which brings us to a point," Winski said. "I think we should continue our journey."

Sarevok was nodding, wearing a serious expression. Tamoko had waited too long already.

- "I suggest we go straight to the court and talk with the regent, Alusair Obarskyr," Jelena said. "She has a good reputation, though the more conventional nobles disapprove of her."

- "I like her already," Peri said. "She's a general, isn't she?"

- "Yes, and a knight," Allonia nodded. "I imagine they have a whole hell loose over there with the attack of the orcs and the fact that there is a traitor. Alusair's philosophy is everything for Cormyr. I wonder if she will care enough about this child slavery business right now..."

- "Well, she'd better or I will go kill those bastards myself," Peri said, the familiar angry glint in her eyes.

- "Peri. Remember, it is all very possible that she will help us," Jelena said. "The people love her, and she wants Cormyr to be a prosperous and fair 'state of Justice'. If she doesn't do something about this, then all those principles are only so much talk. Don't antagonize her for nothing."

- "What about the clients in Amn and Tethyr?" Imoen said. "We must deal with that also. Their supplier is gone now, but they may still have kidnapped children as their slaves. Or they might reorganize the ring."

Everyone was quiet and serious, as they knew she was right - and that the countries were in completely wrong direction. Not to mention that the children of Bhaal had lost their appetite for those places pretty thoroughly when the fate of the Throne of Bhaal unfolded.

Then Peri grinned triumphantly, her face literally lightening up.

- "Hey, I have a great idea! Allonia! You are going west in order to take Ali and some other kids home, are you not. You know Corm Orp? They have a Helmite stronghold near a Zentharim one."

- "Been there," Allonia said. "I have worked for the Zhents some ten years ago."

- "Er... your mark didn't happen to be a Helmite?"

- "Oh no. No problem with them. "

- "Good. Because there is a person whom I think I could trust this thing with."

- "Anomen." Sarevok's voice carried some enthusiasm too. "I have learned that he is a better man than I thought."

- "Now Helm is an anal god, but he at least isn't impressed with the prestige and power of 'prominent citizens', if duty means taking them down," Peri said. "I'm sure Ano could charge the Helmites to take care of this. I could send him a letter and you could find him, Allonia. I saw him in Scornubel and he was on his way to Corm Orp then."

- "Finding people is an important part of my professionalism," Allonia said. "And this one isn't even trying to hide so that should be no problem."

- "I wouldn't call Helm exactly 'anal'," Jelena said, mildly disapprovingly, "but otherwise I agree with your assessment. I think this is wise."

- "The Tymorans have promised to put together convoys for the rest of the children to be taken home, and take care of the orphans. If the princess deals with the paedophiles in this city and the Helmites in the west, there is but one thing left. The orphanage of Jelbeth Lamar," Winski said.

- "It is in Daerlun," Sarevok said gravely. "It seems there is not much choice for me but to ride into Sembia once again."

- "Son, after I have dealt with that son of a bitch and destroyed him, we will travel to Urmlaspyr and take a boat all the way to Telflamm. You will never have to see Ordulin again," Jelena said, her eyes burning again with that grim determination.

- "Destroyed, mother?" Sarevok said. "I have never seen your eyes like that." He was frowning, worried.

- "Destroyed," Jelena said. "He is too good at what he does. Let there be mercy for him in the next life if he repents."

- "Jelena, my wife," Winski said. "At least... pray about it. I am not saying that you are not entitled to destroy him, but this is very unnerving. Ask Ilmater for advice and don't do anything rash."

- "Very well," Jelena said. "We will think on it more once we have traveled there. Shall we go and meet the regent?"