Everybody who walks the road of the adventurer will gain a few enemies. You'd do well to hope that your enemies are the boastful kind who will want to taunt you with their victory, and draw things out. That gives you the time to retaliate, unlike the case with the enemy who'll simply shoot you.
Excerpt from 'Ruminations Of A Master Bard'
Zaerini didn't doubt that Renal Bloodscalp would be very pleased to see her after her successful handling of the Mae'Var affair. Who knows, she thought. He may actually decide to honour his deal and not try to double-cross me or kill me the way most people I do jobs for seem to want to. Hopefully she'd get a decent enough sum that she could afford some necessary items. Jaheira could use a better suit of armour for one thing, though the druid would probably let the old thing she was wearing rot and fall to pieces on her body rather than complain about it. And if they were to take on any work outside of the city itself, they'd need travelling gear. Bedrolls, cooking utensils, that sort of thing. So many things to think of, and she was afraid she'd forget something that would later prove vitally important, something they'd need if they wanted to survive long enough to reach Imoen. Rope. That's always useful.
However, the thing at the forefront of her mind was the conversation she'd just had with Edwin. Or the weeping session. I really bawled my eyes out, didn't I?
He didn't mind, kitten, Softpaws said. The black cat padded silently at her mistress' side, watching her solemnly. He cares about you, you know. And you needed it.
Yes. I suppose I did. It had felt very good to be able to let herself go like that, if only for a few moments. And when he held me like that…I felt that everything was going to be all right. That there was nothing we couldn't deal with, nothing we couldn't share. Speaking of which, I think I'd better tell Anomen and Jan the truth about me now. They're the only ones of us who don't know, and if they're going to stay with us, they deserve to know. And I have a feeling they are going to stay with us.
The Reading certainly had hinted as much. Parts of it had come true already. The Moon and the Inverted Hermit for betrayal. Well, both Yoshimo and Aerie had shown their true colours by now. Good thing too. Imagine if I'd kept them around. Things could have got really dangerous. Though I suspect we haven't seen the last of at least Aerie yet. I don't think she's the sort who forgets a grudge easily. Then there had been the Archmage, the Fool and the Knight of Rods. All of them members of the group now, and I think they're all meant to be. Let's just hope Edwin and Anomen won't kill each other. They really don't seem to get along very well, but they'll just have to learn. Something tells me I'm going to need them both. The Star and Inverted Justice – well, that was simple. Imoen had to be the Star, and she certainly hadn't been given a fair trial. I hope it's nothing worse than that, but that dream I had…no, don't think about that now. The Rogue and the Road of Destiny she hadn't encountered yet, but she had a certain nervous sense of something coming steadily closer. He's on his way, or I'm an ogre. Well, I can't do anything about it. I just hope he's not out to kill me or something. Enough people want that already. Though he did seem a bit pissed off in the Reading, for some reason. That only left one card. The Lovers.
The half-elf smiled as she remembered the rather steamy vision she'd been given of that particular card. I thought it was just symbolic. It still might be of course. But perhaps not. No, perhaps not.
"Something on your mind?" Edwin suddenly asked, and Rini startled, feeling a bit guilty.
"Ah…I was just thinking of something. I thought maybe I'd do another Reading soon. Maybe tonight. After we finish up with Renal I thought we could go have something to eat at that place we passed earlier, the Sea's Bounty, and then go see if there's any other work to be had back at the Coronet."
The wizard nodded. "Very well. Since you now have my own magnificent talent at your disposal, it should be easy to handle any task that we come across."
"Uh-huh."
"Oh yes. Really, I don't see why you even bother with dragging any of these others with you, they are bound to get in the way. (Far, far better that it be just the two of us.)"
"What, like when Jaheira patched you up earlier, you mean?"
Edwin frowned a little. "A temporary inconvenience, that is all. Soon I will no longer be in need of such things. I haven't had the time to tell you yet, but my magical powers will soon increase manifold, and the wonders of the Ancients will be mine. I'll show you, very soon."
Rini gave him a curious look. He certainly sounded serious about whatever it was, and excited as well. "Sure," she said with a warm smile. "Tell me whenever you're ready. Right now, we'd better concentrate on Bloodscalp though. I don't want him to think he can swindle me."
As it turned out, Renal Bloodscalp was very happy to see them. "Ah, Zaerini!" the red-haired man said, smiling lazily. "I was just thinking about you and your most recent exploits. Mask help me if it didn't bring a smile to my face!" He scratched his white cat under the chin, and the animal purred contentedly. "Am I to take it that the reason for this pleasant visit is that you have completed the assignment I gave you?"
"Mae'Var is dead," Zaerini told him in a calm voice. She had decided that a cool and businesslike attitude would probably be the most useful here. "As I'm sure your spies on the street told you five minutes after it happened."
"Seven, actually," Renal said, grinning like a shark. "Well done, and your reward is well earned." He tossed her a fat purse that jingled in a promising manner, then watched with an amused smirk as the bard opened it to check on its contents. Good. It's gold coins, genuine ones, and he didn't try to mix copper into them. "There are 1000 in there," Bloodscalp said. "Would you like to count? No? Then allow me to present you with the second part of your payment." He stuck his hand into his shirt to pull something out, and for a moment Zaerini froze, certain that he was about to attack. However, the thief simply held something out to her, a short sword of some sort, presented to her hilt first. She took it gingerly; feeling a faint tingle in her fingertips that told her the blade was magical. It was a very sharp one, one of the finest she had seen. She only had to touch the edge to see a drop of crimson blood emerge from her fingertip. The hilt was black, plain except for a few small garnets, and the blade was black as well, though not with soot or grime. It seemed it had been treated somehow to give it a matte black colour, absorbing the light rather than reflecting it.
"That," Renal Bloodscalp said, still with that disturbing smile, "is 'The Shadow's Blade'. You know how paladins have famous swords, Holy Avengers and the like? Well, this is a famous assassin's blade. Black as sin, so it won't give away your presence, and sharp enough to slide between a man's ribs as easily as into a slab of butter. With your disposal of Mae'Var you have certainly earned it. I'm sure you will put it to good use. Or sell it, if you prefer. But whatever the case, I would like you to remember that it is a good idea to do business with the Shadow Thieves, and that nobody crosses them and lives. I'm sure we will have the pleasure of working together again once you have earned yourself some more money."
Rini twisted the Shadow's Blade between her fingers, looking down at the dark blade. It seemed to whisper to her, of the stalk and the silent hunt, of the death in the shadows. Well, what of it? It is a good blade. And it will do what all weapons are made to do, to kill. What matters is what you do with it. Immy will need a weapon once we find her, or maybe I can sell it. And in the meantime, I can use it myself, it's better than the one I've got now. "I'm sure we will," she coolly told Bloodscalp. "Thank you for your generosity." She turned around and walked out without looking back. Maybe Bloodscalp did mean to mess with my head, to imply that I'm one of his assassins now. Well, let him. I'd kill a dozen Mae'Vars if that were what it took to get Imoen back. And I'm certainly not about to feel guilty about the one I did kill.
The Sea's Bounty couldn't be called a 'nice' tavern, but it certainly had plenty of atmosphere. Granted, it was the atmosphere of a rough and dangerous pirate bar, thick with rum fumes, smoke and cheap perfume, but there was something about it that attracted Rini all the same. Several people who looked like sailors were hanging about the bar, engaging in drinking contests at the small round tables, flirting with the scantily dressed barmaids or playing dice or cards. I might be able to pick up some money here, she thought. Either by gambling or performing. Performing is probably safer in this place. She looked at the bar where a small monkey was doing some very uninspired dancing in order to rake in a few meagre coins for the bartender. The poor thing had been chained to the bar and forced to wear a little vest and a hat. Then again, maybe not. I might wind up next to that poor little guy if I'm not careful.
Jaheira had apparently also seen the monkey, and now she pushed through the thick crowd of probably-pirates, who parted without protest, likely because they were surprised by the sudden presence of a half-elf with a more deadly glare than any pirate captain they'd ever seen. "You!" the druid told the corpulent man standing behind the bar. "Is this your monkey?"
The bartender was a fat man with a wooden leg and a very red nose, and he didn't look unfriendly. "That he be, little lady," he said. "And may the Thumb say how happy he is to see new guests and…"
"Be silent! That animal is mistreated. You will release him at once and remove that ridiculous outfit while you are at it. Then you will let him eat and rest properly. And if you do not do this, I will make certain that you dance for us, and trust me, you would not like that."
The bartender, whose name presumably was 'The Thumb' wilted visibly beneath this verbal onslaught, bobbing his head apologetically as he explained that he'd only received the monkey the day before, from a down-on-his-luck gentleman who couldn't pay his bar tab, and that he really had no experience in looking after animals but would be only too happy to learn, and would she please remove that stick?
"Hmpf," Jaheira said, lowering her quarterstaff, which she had been lightly tapping against the man's nose now and then as she made her points. "Very well. And I will be back later to check on him. For now, we need a table big enough for six, a nutritious lunch without bugs, and something to drink with it."
"Blue Whale? Yellowbeard's Baby? Red Stump?"
"Whip me up a 'Green Goblin'."
"I would," Thumb guffawed, "but the Cat-o-Nine-Tails is broken! Har!"
"Ha," Jaheira said in an icy voice, breaking off the bartender's mirth. "Very amusing. Now move it." She turned to the rest of the party, taking orders. "That would be one Evermead, one red wine, one carrot juice, one 'Funny Fizzy' and one 'Wild Magic' with a slice of raw turnip, hold the herring."
"Just a moment," Thumb said, peering at the adventurers. "The ladies are fine, and the big gent, I know Mr Jansen of course…but how about you, laddie? Are you sure you're old enough for this?" He poked Edwin in the chest.
"Of course I'm old enough," the Red Wizard sputtered, slapping the offending digit away. "Are you blind as well as foolish, man? I've been here before, don't you remember? (At least I think it was here I was. Memory's a bit hazy, but no need to mention that bit.)"
"Can't remember that. Anyway, just 'cos you got served once don't make it right to do it a second time. Gotta protect the younger generation. Got any ID?"
"Listen to me, you moronic Sea-Monkey!" Edwin snarled. There was a small twitch in his cheek by now. "I am old enough to drink! I've even got a beard, see? I just…er…left my identification papers in…in my other trousers."
"Beards don't mean nothing. Lots of lads try to grow them in order to look older." Anomen snickered loudly at this, and then the Thumb turned on him. "And that goes for you too, boy! If you weren't ordering carrot juice, I'd tell you just the same." The squire turned bright red and his mouth snapped shut.
"Never mind," Rini said. "Just give him some…some near-grog or something then." As she noticed the incensed look on Edwin's face, she reached up on tiptoe to whisper into his ear. "I thought you could have a taste or two from my glass."
"Oh!" Edwin said, sounding very pleased. "Yes…that…near-grog would be quite acceptable. (My lips touching the same glass as hers…perfect!)"
The adventurers took a seat at a table, and a few minutes later the barmaid turned up with their tray of drinks. She was a pretty blonde, her hair done up in a bouncing ponytail, which coincidentally wasn't the only thing about her that bounced. The dress she was wearing consisted of a few scraps of gauzy cloth, held together with bits of string and left the customers with a generous view of her charms. Any drunken pirate who thought he could easily have his way with her would have been disappointed however, for in the straps she had around each shapely thigh she carried a pair of very sharp daggers, and something about the way she moved hinted that she wouldn't hesitate to use them if she had to. When she spotted Edwin, her eyes lit up and she smiled brightly at the wizard. "Oh! Sweetie!" the girl cried out in a happy, seductive and above all loud voice. "You came back! I haven't seen you in ages!"
Rini startled at this and looked the girl over. She was pretty, there was no denying it. And Edwin suddenly looked extremely ill at ease. "So," she said, not raising her voice but putting the slightest bit of a hiss into it. "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friend, 'sweetie'?"
Edwin's eyes darted nervously from one woman to the other, and eventually settled upon the blonde. "Er... ahh... you must have me mistaken for someone else, wench, I..."
The barmaid seemed very amused at this and bent forward across the table in a manner that drew the attention of all males within view. Then she extended a finger to tickle the wizard under the chin, something that made him jump as if the digit had been red hot. "Mistaken? Ohhh, you can't fool me, silly! I'd recognize that cute little beard of yours anywhere, Eddie!"
By now Zaerini was gripping the edge of the table tightly enough that her nails were practically scratching grooves in it and she had to repress an urge not to leap at the girl and claw her eyes out. Or somebody else's. "Yessss," she hissed, her eyes boring into Edwin's. "That would be a clue, wouldn't it, Eddie?"
Edwin had turned an interesting shade of pale green now, and it looked as if he wanted the ground to swallow him. "Er…" he said, "I…I have never seen her before in my life, I assure you! Never, ever!" He made a shooing gesture at the blonde. "Ah... the name is Edwin, I assure you, and..."
The blonde giggled. "Don't be silly, Eddie! You know you recognize your own little Gracie!" Then she suddenly seemed to notice the others for the first time. "Oh, are you here with friends? Everyone says what a brute you are, but I know your softer, sweeter side and I'll tell anyone who says different!"
Softer, sweeter side? And just what else does she 'know' about him I wonder? I'll kill her if she giggles one more time, and then I'll kill him!
For a moment Edwin seemed about to bolt, but then his eyes met Rini's once again, and he seemed to gain some new determination. "Enough!" he shouted as he got to his feet, glaring furiously at Gracie. "ENOUGH! Begone, wench, BEGONE! I spent one night in your chambers and that is ALL...and I was drunk out of my skull at the time. Speak of it again and I shall burn the flesh from your bones! Gaaaah!"
Gracie's smile melted away and she gave the wizard a cold look, then sniffed. "Well. If that's the way you want to play it, then FINE. Just try to pretend you didn't like it then." She walked off in a huff, swaying her hips. Then she paused, giving the wizard a small smirk across one shoulder. "And here I thought you'd at least be a little appreciative, me being your first and all…"
There was a loud thud as Edwin banged his head down on the table, face downward in a puddle of old beer. Anomen was chuckling loudly, and only a sharp look from Zaerini made him stop.
"Tsk," Jan said, grinning widely. "You sure are a charmer with the ladies, there, Eddie my boy. Have them throwing themselves at your feet, eh? Wonders of wonders! And her being your first too…that's really sweet! I remember my first time; I could tell you the story if you want to hear it."
"No," Edwin said, his face still flat on the table. "I don't. I'm sure it's something disgusting involving turnips. (One more word and I'll kill him, slowly and painfully. Just…one…more…word…)" He suddenly jerked upwards into an upright position again, giving Rini a desperate look. "And besides, that woman was lying! Lying, lying, lying! I am an extremely experienced lover, one to make any female tremble with desire at my merest touch and….and I'm not sure I ever met that woman! I never…er…had a relationship with her. I can barely remember her! It was one night, and I was drunk, I didn't know what I was doing. I thought she was…er…somebody else…I mean…(Temporary insanity. That's what it was.)"
"Oh," the half-elf said, raising an eyebrow. "And that's how you usually treat women, is it? A little fun and tumble in bed, and then pretend you don't know them?"
"No! No! Absolutely not. (Gah, why does this have to be so complicated? Summoned concubines are so much easier to deal with.)"
"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Zaerini said, tossing her hair back across her shoulder as she fixed the wizard with an unwavering stare that made him squirm like a worm on a hook. "Because if you did, I might just decide to yank that cute little beard out straw by straw." She reached out to give the wizard's nose chain a little tug. "And then I might decide to leash you to my belt, so you won't get yourself in trouble again."
"Ha! As if you could, my mighty magics would overwhelm you in seconds. (Come to think of it though, it wouldn't be so horrible a fate. At least the view would be pleasant.)"
"Yeah? Want to try me? I'd have you flat on your back before you had the time to blink."
You'd like that, wouldn't you? Softpaws asked in an innocently interested voice.
Not now, Softy! I'm in the middle of a fight here.
Sorry to bother you kitten, but you don't have the time. Somebody else is coming this way.
If it's another barmaid about to cuddle Edwin, I'll…
The person approaching was not a barmaid. He was a man just past middle age, in ragged clothes that looked to have seen better days, something that went for the man himself as well. He was tall, and had probably been well built once, but now the flesh hung loosely on his body. His skin had an unhealthy greyish tinge, and he was starting to go bald. His eyes were the most disturbing thing about him though. Small and dark, like grains of pepper, and they never blinked. "Jaheira, my darling!" the man called out in an oily voice. "So good to see you."
As Zaerini watched Jaheira stiffen almost imperceptibly she felt her mouth gape open. Jaheira and this guy? Now I've seen it all. Next Jan will probably declare his undying love for Minsc.
Zaerini watched Jaheira carefully as the druid looked upon the face of the unpleasant stranger who had addressed her. Jaheira's facial expression remained neutral, calm and impassive. And yet there was…something. She knows who he is, the bard thought. But I was wrong. This is no old friend or lover. This is…something else. Beneath the table she carefully eased her hands closer to her bags of spell components.
"I...I am sorry?" Jaheira asked. "Do I know you?"
For a moment there was a look of annoyance in the stranger's dark little peppercorn eyes. Then it passed, and when he spoke again, he was even smiling. It wasn't a friendly smile though. "You do not remember? Ahh, but this is understandable. It has been years since we last spoke. Far too long, really."
Jaheira smiled in return, a hard and satisfied little smile. "Forgive me, but I will require a little more information. Your name again?"
The man cleared his throat and extended his hand in a dramatic gesture. "My name…is Ployer, Baron Ployer? Of the Calimshan Ployers? Come now, you must have some inkling?" Then his face reddened with anger at Jaheira's blank look.
"No…" Jaheira said, and now Rini could swear that she was almost laughing. "No...no, I am terribly sorry, but your face is unfamiliar. Perhaps if you told me what you do..."
WHAM! The stranger smacked his fist into the table, making glasses tremble and overturn. "My name means nothing? Nothing?! I am Baron Ployer! PLOYER! You ruined me! Not remembering is an even greater insult! You are why I am destitute today!" He had been gradually raising his voice, and by now he was practically screaming. "You and your Harper kin accused me of breeding slaves in Calimshan! My businesses in Athkatla were taken! I was made a pauper and you do not even remember?!"
Jaheira was on her feet in an instant, and yanked hold of the man's shirt, pulling him towards her. Rini caught a good look of the druid's face and was startled at the anger she saw there. Jaheira seemed almost as furious with this stranger as with Irenicus. "I remember well," she snarled, "but I wanted you to say it, and I wanted others to hear. Quite the outburst, Mister Ployer, I assume you are still at odds with your new life?"
"You...you...This is the type of insolence I was talking about! It is not enough that you ruin a man, you must also berate him!"
Edwin gave him a bemused look. "Of course she must," the wizard said. "Insulting and humiliating your foe is an art form in itself, one of which I am the undisputed master of course."
Jaheira ignored him. "MISTER Ployer, I wanted you dead instead of merely humiliated! The courts did not seem to think death was warranted, so they claimed your assets instead. That you live in poverty is gratifying, if you must live at all! I would suggest you change your tone. I am not in a mood for giving charity to old slavers!"
"Aw, come on Jaheira!" Jan said. "Be nice. Even an old slaver shouldn't go hungry. Here, Mr Ployer, have a turnip!" And he threw the turnip slice that had once graced his drink into the former baron's face, where it wound up dangling from his nose. "Now, don't forget to chew properly," Jan said, grinning at the incensed man. "My great-aunt Flora once choked on a turnip and died and didn't wake up until a very kinky Necromancer came by and decided to give her a kiss. Sucked the turnip clear out of her windpipe he did, but then he choked instead. They still got married though, and they took turns being the dead one. Very happy marriage, only one of them could speak at a time…"
"Jan, be silent!" Jaheira snapped. "I am busy getting rid of this vermin."
Ployer sneered at this. "Haven't lost your fire, I see. Still a Harper? This little runty one too? That fellow Khalid you were once with was a better compliment. Is he here as well?"
Ouch, ouch, ouch! Rini thought. He'll be lucky to leave this place alive now. Or at least with all his teeth.
Jaheira had turned as pale as a sheet, and in that white face her eyes were burning with green fire. "He is none of your concern. If you value your teeth you will not speak that name again. You dirty it."
"That's right," Zaerini said. "I suggest you leave now and stop bothering my friend. I wouldn't mind removing a few of your teeth myself if you keep this up."
"Minsc will help!" Minsc cried out. "Selling slaves is evil, and when it comes to teeth, Boo has plenty of those, sharp and ready to bite."
"He speaks true," Anomen said, scowling at Ployer. "Leave the lady alone or suffer the consequences of your unchivalrous actions as I grind your body to dust."
"Sounds wasteful to me," Edwin remarked. "I could use some new spell components. I believe 'Liver of Coward' is one of the required components for the 'Horror' spell." He gave Ployer an inquiring look across steepled fingers. "Would you prefer for me to remove it before or after I kill you?"
Ployer cleared his throat nervously. "Er, yes. Very well. How about your companions, Jaheira? Do they count themselves among the Harpers as well?"
"We are not," Rini said. "But we are her friends, and we've had just about enough of this. This is your final warning. Get lost, or there won't be enough of you left to bury."
Ployer backed slowly away, his hands raised, but there was something else than fear in his voice. "No matter," he said in a smug manner, with the pleased look of a man who has everything under control. "You are not my intended victim." He raised his voice as he turned to the druid again. "Jaheira, I'm going to repay the harm you did me. I did not find you by accident; I'll make you pay for your libelous ways and the shame you have caused me."
Jaheira snorted contemptuously. "I don't think that word means what you think it means. You really were trading in slaves, you know? How am I libelous..."
"That is beside the point!" Ployer screamed. "What matters is that you ruined me, and now I'm going to ruin you!" He laughed triumphantly as three shimmering magical portals formed in the air beside him.
Cowled wizards? Zaerini wildly thought. But the three men who appeared were not wearing the gray robes of the Cowled Wizards. Rather they all wore black mage robes, trimmed with green, something that gave them the air of a military force. They chanted rapidly in unison, and something formed in the air between them and the party, something brown and small, like the throbbing heart of a sick child. It pulsated in the air, and then it moved, faster than a striking snake.
"NO!" the bard shouted, but it was too late. The thing struck Jaheira straight in the chest, driving her to her knees, and then the three wizards were gone again, teleported away.
"Enjoy my curse, Jaheira!" Ployer laughed. "I had it made specially for you. Wither and die, like I do, die slowly like my family did! Oh, and give my regards to Belgrade when you see him!" Still laughing, he disappeared, teleporting off just like the wizards had.
Jaheira slowly got to her feet, steadying herself on the table as she did so. She was still pale and breathing heavily. Her temper was just the same though. "By the horns of Silvanus, I'll plant him beneath the Stones of Aisath if I...if I..." Suddenly she broke off, her eyes widening as if with a sudden pain.
"Jaheira?" Zaerini asked, hurrying over to steady the druid lest she fall. "Are you all right? What did he do to you?"
Jaheira shook her head. "I…am well. I merely felt strange for a moment. It has passed. That...that fat excuse for a slaver, he's cursed me! Damn him!"
"Surely the curse can be removed?" Anomen asked. "I have not the skill myself, but the temple of Helm has many a skilled healer, they will aid."
"You don't know much about curses, do you?" Edwin said. "The slaver said that he had the curse tailor-made for her. That means that only he can remove it. Of course, I would expect you to be ignorant about such matters."
"And I am not surprised that you know about them, you…"
"Shut up!" Rini cut in. "Both of you. We need to help Jaheira get this curse off, we can't waste time arguing." Once she was satisfied that both men looked sufficiently embarrassed, she turned to the druid again. "If Ployer is the only one who can get the curse off of you, then we'll find him, I promise. Any thoughts on where to look?"
Jaheira pursed her lips. "His old estates were confiscated after he was arrested. He said that he lived as a pauper, which would suggest the slums, but that is a big area. It will not be easy to find him there. However, he also mentioned Belgrade, an old friend of mine who aided with Ployer's arrest. Bernard at the Copper Coronet knows him, he might know where he is."
"There are those wizards to be considered as well," Edwin said. "I have seen them about before, and I believe they are some form of mercenary group. They might provide us with a link to their employer – with a little persuasion of course."
"Do you know where to find them?" Zaerini asked.
"Not exactly. But if they are registered with the Cowled Wizards, then they will know."
Zaerini nodded as she thought this over. Jaheira still looked pale, and rather more tired than she ought to. "Right," she finally said. "Here's what we'll do. Since we don't know how much time we'll have before the curse gets serious, I think we should split up. First, we stop by the nearest temple to make certain the curse can't be removed, then we divide into two groups. Jaheira, you and Minsc and Jan go to see Bernard and see if he knows anything of this Belgrade person. Meanwhile, I will go with Anomen and Edwin to the Government district and see if we can pick up any leads there. We'll meet you back at the Coronet by sunset at the latest."
Jaheira looked doubtful. "Are you sure it is wise to split up?"
"No. But like I said, I don't dare waste any time. Anyway, we aren't exactly planning for any major skirmishes, just to gather information." I just hope we will find it in time. And I hope we will have time enough.
Just as Zaerini had suspected, the priest at the temple of Oghma simply clucked his tongue in a worrying manner after he had finished examining Jaheira. "I am afraid I have some bad news, and some even worse news," he said. "The bad news is that I cannot remove this curse. It runs too deeply; it permeates your entire body and it is like a complicated knot that can only be untied by the person who tied it in the first place. I am sorry."
Jaheira nodded. "It is unwelcome news, but not surprising. Can you determine the nature of this curse? What should I expect?"
The priest nodded, and when he spoke next his voice was grim. "We all have our measured years, and then in time the body withers and dies. Some of us have longer years than others, like the elves, but even they are not completely eternal. What this curse does is to speed up the rate at which your body decays, increasingly so. You will find yourself growing weaker, more tired, unable to find the energy to do things that would normally come easy to you. Most likely you will lose your appetite and find it difficult to sleep, as old people often do. Eventually, your body will fail you in one manner or another, and you will die, many years before your normal time."
"I see," Jaheira said. If this news shocked her, she hid it well. Her face might have been that of a marble statue for all the emotion it showed. "And how long will it take?"
The priest's voice was almost as grim as that of the druid when he answered. "As exactly as I can pinpoint it, it will take around three days. As I said, I am very sorry."
"Yes," Jaheira said. "So am I."