In The Cards 30 - Diverging Paths

It is always easy to be wise in hindsight. In retrospect it is easy to point out the things we ought to have noticed, the signs that were there all along and that could have spared us a great deal of pain if only we'd paid attention to them. Things always look so much more obvious when you're looking back at them than when they're all around you.

Excerpt from 'Ruminations Of A Master Bard'

"I don't care who you are, no one's to enter Tazok's tent, under penalty of death."

Zaerini looked at the man who had addressed her. A fairly large warrior with brown hair and what seemed to be a permanent sneer etched into his face. He was flanked by a short man in light green mage robes currently flecked with blood and a huge gnoll wielding a wicked halberd. Further into the tent she could see a hobgoblin warrior raising an impressive bow that glowed softly purple in the dim interior of the tent. She decided to try to bluff. Tossing her currently blonde hair back a little to make it bounce against her shoulders she pouted at the man, hoping to project 'Bimby's' expression of combined seductiveness, bloodthirst and naivete.

"You silly little man", she said, increasing the power of the pout just a notch. "It was Tazok who sent us here. He wanted us to fetch all his letters and important papers, he'll need them when he leaves for the mine." She giggled. "I'll be going with him. Wasn't that nice of him? He promised me that if anybody was rude to me, I could have their head to play with. He's such a sweetie, isn't he?"

The warrior's eyes widened a little. Probably he was taken aback at hearing the ogre referred to as 'sweet'. "I don't know about this…"

"Aw, you're not going to be rude to me, are you? Are you? It would be awfully mean and unfair of you to be rude to little me." Rini smiled, trying to look as viciously innocent as possible.

"No, no. Of course not. You go ahead. We'll just get back to interrogating the prisoner."

Prisoner? Zaerini looked about, examining her surroundings more closely. The tent was rather dark and gloomy, but her eyesight was much sharper than that of a human. There was what could only be called a wooden throne against one wall, huge and crudely made, and with skulls mounted on the top. Doesn't take a genius to figure out whose favorite chair that is. Guess Tazok's taste really is as atrocious indoors as outdoors. A few simpler chairs and a couple of tables stood close by. On the walls hung several shields. Some were blood red, with a Black Talon. Others depicted a mailed fist in blue and white. That would be the coat of arms of the Chill, she guessed. Funny. I never would have guessed hobgoblins would want a coat of arms. Wonder if they'll form knightly Orders next?

The thought of a large group of hobgoblins in shining plate mail riding war horses was a rather mind-boggling one, and it was with some difficulty that Rini pulled her thoughts back in order. There was a large harp standing in one corner, amidst a few chests and expensive looking carpets. I just can't believe Tazok plays the harp with those fingers of his. It has to be loot.

Who knows? Softpaws said. Maybe he wants to learn to sing in order to go courting.

Excuse me?

Courting should always involve singing. When cats court each other, we sing all the time.

Yes. I've…heard cats court before, back in Candlekeep. Very penetrating it was.

Of course. You want the world to know you're available, after all. Speaking of which, you haven't been singing nearly enough lately. You should do so. You want the male to know you're in heat.

Softy, I'm not in…in heat! And besides, I'm quite busy at the moment, if you didn't notice.

Later then. But I'm not letting this slide, you know, kitten.

Zaerini shook her currently blonde head. Sometimes she just didn't understand how the mind of her familiar worked. And then she noticed the chair, half hidden behind the large harp. A man was tied to it, firmly tied with many ropes. Probably a thief, she guessed, judging from his clothes. All dark colors, mostly black and dark green. And he had the build of a typical rogue, lean and agile, not too heavy. Light brown hair hung into his face as his head drooped against his chest. There was blood on it, she could see that. Rather a lot of blood on the floor beneath him as well. She suddenly had a sick feeling that she knew where the spots on that mage's robe had come from.

"Prisoner?" Zaerini asked, and it was only with a great effort that she managed to maintain her airhead persona. "Oh, how nasty! Who's he?" She tilted her head to one side and gave the bandit in front of her a wide-eyed look. "Are you gonna break his bones and grind them up for your bread?"

"Um…possibly." The man smiled, and actually winked at her. "Poor Ender Sai won't be good for much else once we're done with him."

Zaerini could hear Jaheira draw in breath sharply behind her. iDamn. Have to move now or she'll spoil everything. That woman really doesn't understand the concept of undercover work. "I guess so", the half-smiled and flashed the bandit another brilliant smile. "Say, do you want me to give you a little tip on what to do with him? If you come closer, I'll whisper it in your ear."

The bandit grinned widely and approached, bending down to allow easy access. Rini cupped her hand gently around his left ear, leaning towards him. "Well", she purred, "what I thought you could do was TO ROT IN THE NINE HELLS YOU MISERABLE TORTURING CREEP!" She screamed the last at the top of her voice and directly into the man's ear, making him reel with pain, and then used the distraction to kick him in the groin. The sounds he made as he lay on the floor were pretty satisfactory, she thought as she ran him through, almost as an afterthought.

Fire. Fire in her blood, dancing and burning brightly, roaring in her ears. So hot, so good. Her limbs moved easier, her thoughts quicker. She danced, and the flames danced with her. Magic. Sword. She alternated between the two as the opportunity allowed, as the dance moved her. Vaguely she was aware of Khalid and Jaheira engaging the large gnoll, of Edwin close by her side as he blasted the enemy mage with destructive magic.

And then pain. Searing pain that pierced her side, and the fire faltered, burned slower. Pain choking her, bringing her to her knees. Hot blood splattering her face as Khalid took the hobgoblin's head off with a single blow before he could fire any more of his poisoned arrows.

She was on the floor, being cradled close by somebody. Arms around her. Her head resting against somebody, the heartbeat of the other so much louder than her own. But she couldn't see properly. Why isn't my darksight working? Voices were all around, blurred and incoherent for the most part. "Why are you dawdling, druid? Hurry up!" "Quiet. Let her work in peace." Muffled swearing. A hand gently smoothing her sweaty hair away from her brow. Quiet chanting, coming from far away. So far away.

Fight it, kitten! You can. You know that. The piercing green eyes of her familiar burning into her mind, as the pleasant warmth of a spell spread through her body. And she could. Yes. She could.

Eyes. Green eyes staring into her own out of a worried black face. "Softpaws?" Rini croaked out, surprised at how feeble her voice sounded. The cat was sitting on her chest, and now rose to nuzzle her cheek quietly. Khalid's face floated above her, looking extremely concerned. Jaheira's eyes, as green as those of the cat, and equally worried, though the druid's face was its normal impassive self. Wait a second. If they were all there in front of her…then who was it that was holding her so tightly? "E-Edwin?" the half-elf said and tried to turn her head around. The wizard's eyes reminded her of black caverns and bottomless pits. His face was tense with barely restrained emotion and a muscle in his left cheek was twitching slightly. "Are you all right?"

"Am I all right?" Edwin sounded totally incredulous at first, and then furious. "Am I all right? Are you totally out of your mind? What were you thinking of? You could have been killed! You almost were killed! Have you any idea how close you came to death? I could see you slipping away! I could feel it!"

"But…"

"No buts! You can't just charge into battle like that without paying attention to what you're doing, you know that! You should learn some restraint from me if you want to survive long enough to actually meet up with Sarevok again. (I think ten years just got added to my biological age. I'm probably going gray.)" Then he looked surprised and a little insulted as Jaheria grinned widely and Khalid chuckled quietly. "What? WHAT?! Will somebody please consent to tell me what's so very amusing?" He instantly fell silent as the bard twisted around on his lap to press a finger against his lips.

"Please", Rini said with a faint smile. "You're not making my headache better, you know." She slid off the wizard, letting him assist her to her feet. "And…thanks. For caring. It…means a lot to me." Edwin made some sort of unintelligible sound at that and turned a strange shade of red. Zaerini nodded to Jaheira. "Thank you, Jaheira", she said. "If it hadn't been for you…"

The druid nodded, smiling back. "You are very welcome, child."

"Er…excuse me? I could use some help here if you don't mind. Please?" Ender Sai was coughing nervously as the adventurers turned towards him. His face was vaguely fox-like, Rini thought, pointed and clever. Currently it was decorated with a black eye and several minor scrapes, as well as a nasty wound above his temple, the one that had bled all over the floor. One of Jaheira's spells returned some of the color to his face and made him breathe easier, and Khalid cut his ropes at the same time. "Thank you", Ender Sai said fervently. "If not for you, I wouldn't have lasted much longer."

"You almost cost m…us our leader", Edwin said, giving the other man a dark glare. "You had better be worth it."

"Oh, I am, I assure you. I know things, you see. That is why they were beating me up, to find out how much I'd learned. These aren't your ordinary bandits. They're part Black Talons and part Chill, Chill being a demihuman band, mostly hobgoblins, and led by that creepy smart one, Ardenor Crush. There be others elsewhere, like that priest Mulahey sent to poison the mines of Nashkel. Set himself up as a kobold god returned and legions of the brainless barking fools believed him, ready to do his bidding 'til death do they part..."

"We k-know that a-already", Khalid said. "We k-killed him ourselves." For some reason the statement sounded much more chilling when spoken with his mild and friendly voice. Apparently, Sai thought the same.

"Ah, well…that's…nice. But I know other stuff! Crush and Taugosz Khosann, leader of the Black Talons, both think he's getting orders from the Zhents and Tazok doesn't do much to discourage that particular line of thinking. But the Black Talons and Chill are bandit groups, see? They ply the trade routes, avoid the cities, and that's where they go wrong. I'm from the Gate and I can tell you dead as leather that the Zhentarim aren't behind this."

"We know that as well", Jaheira impatiently interrupted. "Have you nothing useful to say?"

"Er…" Ender Sai said, looking more nervous by the minute. "Well…A desire for silence isn't the only reason I wear soft-soled boots. I wear 'em so I can tell who's toes I'm treading on. I didn't mess with no Zhentarim. I picked my enemies and I messed with one group and one group only-the Iron Throne. And, right as rain, here I am as Tazok's personal prisoner. You do the math." He was speaking very quickly by now. The fact that Edwin was still glaring at him didn't seem to make him any calmer.

"We know about the Throne's involvement", the wizard flatly stated. "They can keep you, for all I care. Or are you going to give us a reason not to let them? (She should just have let them kill him. I can't believe she risked her life over this little weasel. He's lucky she still lives, if she'd died, I would have cut his heart out and made him eat it raw.)"

Ender Sai was sweating heavily by now. "I…I know some more", he blurted out. "Tazok's been making regular visits to the Cloakwood so that's where I'd start if I were you. There are some documents in that chest that might be worth taking a look at, too... Now go step on some toes, alright? And you can tell them Ender Sai sent you."The rogue hurriedly darted past the adventurers and towards the door. Then he shrieked loudly as he unexpectedly found his way blocked.

The bandit camp had deteriorated into utter chaos. Gnolls snapped and snarled, laying into human and hobgoblin bandits alike with cheerful abandon and large halberds, resorting to claws and teeth when ordinary weapons didn't satisfy their bloodlust. The howls and growls were deafening, as were the screams and moans of the dying and wounded.

In the middle of the camp an especially violent battle was raging, as Ardenor Crush and Taugosz Tenhammer did their best to kill each other, both of them bleeding from many wounds. Currently the Black Talon leader seemed to have the upper hand. He was sitting on top of the hobgoblin, beating his head against the ground. Imoen wasn't sure that would be the end of it though. Hobgoblin skulls tended to be resilient, and she could see Crush trying to twist loose.

Last, but not least, there was the fact that most of the bandits weren't really in a condition to fight in the first place. The laxative that had been slipped into the soup had seen to that. Bandits squatted everywhere, groaning with terrible pain, and the stench was horrible. Some of them had managed to make it to the latrine pits, but only some. Their delicate condition also left them vulnerable to the gnolls, who were only too happy to put the suffering men out of their misery.

"Ah", Adahn said and nodded briefly, smiling to himself. "A beautiful sight."

Imoen stared at the gnolls and their gruesome fighting tactics which entailed the ripping off of various body-parts, the bloody fight to the death between the Talon and Chill leaders and most of all at the naked posteriors of the still surviving bandits. "Er…."

"Figuratively, of course", the bandit hastily amended himself. "Not literally. But there is a certain beauty in seeing a plan fall neatly into place."

"Oh, right! I agree with that, I guess." And speaking of beautiful, he sure looks good when he's smiling. All dashing and roguish. Of course, he looks cute anytime, but that smile just makes me all squishy inside. And we're all alone, and I was really clever and helpful before. Time to make a serious move. Imoen gave the pitched battle and the ill bandits a dismissive look, trying her best to ignore the stench. She and Adahn were standing a little way into the forest, where they could observe and still remain unseen, and they had decided to wait a little while before crossing the camp to the command tent, in order to let the worst fighting die down. This was the perfect opportunity. There's even a pretty moon! Perfect! The corpses I could do without, but on the other hand he'll know I'm brave and tough and generally perfect for him since they don't scare me! Here we go.

Imoen straightened her pink hair and cocked her head to one side, smiling sweetly at the man next to her. "Adahn?" she said. "I think this was a really clever plan. Really, really, really clever. I don't know how you could possibly come up with something like this. I don't think I ever could." She gave him an admiring look.

"Thank you", the bandit said, shrugging slightly. "But you have to remember, I have had a lot of practice at this sort of thing, whereas you are only just starting your career. It is only natural that I should be more adept. You will learn, assuming you survive long enough to do so."

He cares about me! WowwowwowwowWOW! All right, no panicking here, Immy. Calm, mature, collected. That's it. "D'you think I can be a great thief then? Do you? Do you? You do, don't you? Oh, you're the best!"

Adahn looked a little stunned at this cheerful eruption and there was a hint of genuine concern in his black eyes as he watched Imoen who by now was bouncing up and down in front of him, making little happy noises. "Are you unwell?" he asked.

'Yes, my beloved, I am stricken with True Love, my heart fatally wounded. Your every word, your every glance only serves to open up the wound once more.' As Chellinelle the Sorceress said in 'Thief Of My Heart'. Or was it 'your every touch, your every kiss'? Yes, that was definitely it. And if it wasn't, it ought to be. Yes. That's it. "Touch!" Imoen blurted out, speaking the first word that came to mind.

"What?"

Darn. "Uh…I'm fine. Really. Just thinking that you have a…uh…very…very…uh…nice touch with intrigue." And I'd like to do more than a little touching myself. Have to be subtle though. "Think I can ever become that good?"

Adahn gave her an appraising look, his sharp face becoming intensely focused. "It is not impossible", he slowly said. "You have talent, I can see that much, even if you're inexperienced and dangerously impulsive. And I don't mean just nimble fingers or an agile body, you have a good head." He snorted quietly. "Admittedly one of a very shocking color, but still, a good head." He walked in a circle around the girl, and for a moment Imoen was reminded of some large and dangerous predator taking the measure of a smaller one. "Yes", Adahn finally said. "Clever as I said, though you certainly seem to try your best to hide it sometimes. And you are stronger than you think as well."

"I am?"

"Yes. You are. I can tell. You do what you have to, when you have to. You fight for what you believe in. What is that, if not strength?" His eyes narrowed and when next he spoke, he did it slowly, as if he were weighing every word with great care. "You…were always kept safe before, correct? Happy, secure. You never really had to use your strength. Now you do, and it frightens you, doesn't it?"

"No, I…"

"Oh, it does. And it should. But you don't really have much of a choice. Once you grow up you can't go back to being a child, much as you'd like to. That is the way of life. Still, I think you will manage. You are, as I said, stronger than you think. You want to remember that."

Imoen felt her heart singing, her blood rushing in her head. Nobody…nobody ever thought I was strong before…I can't believe that he does…that is so…so…so… "Sweet!" Imoen squealed. "That is so sweet of you. You are so sweet."

The older rogue looked rather alarmed as Imoen beamed brightly at him, happy tears in her eyes. "Sweet?!" he said, sounding incredulous. "Hardly the word I'd use to describe myself. Hardly the word any sane person would use."

"Well, I would." Imoen's blue eyes glittered with determination and her perky face was set with resolve. "And you are. You're much nicer than you think you are, or pretend you are. I can tell."

"I don't…"

"But I do. I think you try very hard to hide it, but a really nasty person would never care about helping me out…or…or making me feel better about myself. You can't fool me. You're nice. Andsweet. Get used to it." Imoen suddenly realized that she'd been determinedly stepping forward as she spoke, until she had basically backed Adahn up against a tree. At this point she was close enough that she had to crane her head backwards to be able to see anything other than his…well…chest. While it was a very interesting and captivating view, she really felt she ought to estimate his reaction and decide whether she was utterly doomed or not. This is not how it was supposed to go! I was supposed to be alluring and mysterious! Now he'll just think I'm a pushy brat!

For a few seconds the bandit simply stared at her, looking very thoughtful. "Well", he finally said, arching an eyebrow. "This was certainly a…novel…experience. Please do me the courtesy of not repeating it in public. Ever. That 'sweet' thing could ruin my reputation. I'd have to take steps."

"What sort of steps?"

"Why, to kill you, of course." This was said with the utmost seriousness that made Imoen's eyes go as wide as teacups until she saw Adahn wink at her and give her a small grin. Forget about 'sweet'. That man is hot! All right, here goes. Stare hypnotically. Make him want to kiss me. No, make him need to kiss me. Starestarestarestarestare…

"Now what?" Adahn asked a little impatiently, waving his hand in front of Imoen's glassy eyes. "I didn't actually mean that, you know. No need to freeze up like that."

Right, that didn't work. Plan B. Flutter eyelashes seductively. Flutterflutterflutterflutter…

"Did you get something in your eye?" the bandit asked. "Or are you simply having a seizure?"

Darn. How is it possible that a man so astute in all other matters can be so incredibly dense when it comes to recognizing his own True Love? What am I supposed to do, hit him over the head with a club and drag him off into the sunset? All right, Immy. Calm. Cool. Collected. You can do this, you know you can. Time to take out the heavy weaponry.

"I'm fine", Imoen said. "In fact, I'm better than fine. And d'you know what would make me feel even better than better than fine?"

"No?"

"Well, what I was thinking of…that is…if I…if you…" Kissmekissmekissmekissme! Come on! Kiss me already! I'm practically pouting here! Gods, it'd be a crime not to put those lips of his to use. Or those divine hands. Or that delectable…

At precisely that moment a screaming wizard with a tattooed face rushed past the two rogues, followed by a violently swearing halfling and a lumbering zombie. "Abduh, stop it!" the wizard shouted in a shrill voice. "Bad boy! Bad boy! Stop it right now or Master will spank you!"

"Why don't you do that then?" the halfling snarled. "I'll tell you what. Because he'd RIP YOUR STUPID HEAD OFF! And worse, he'd do the same to me. What did you have to go and enhance his strength for?"

"I thought it would be useful for carrying our luggage…"

"URRRGH!"

"Carrying our luggage? WHAT luggage? We're mercenaries, not little old ladies touring the Realms!"

"Well, we could get some luggage one of these days. You never know. I could use it to carry interesting people in. Interesting dead people."

"URRRGH!"

"Oh, just shut up and run."

There were a few seconds stunned silence after the odd trio had passed. "Well", Adahn said. "That was certainly very…unusual."

"Yuck", Imoen said with a shudder. "Abduh looked even more repulsive than before."

The bandit gave a small sigh. "Tempting as it is to finish the job, he currently seems to be working on our behalf. Almost a shame. I hate leaving things unfinished."

"You can have him later, Shadow-walker. Right now, he is mine." Viconia approached the two rogues, grinning widely. "And a very good and obedient boy he is too. Tell me, is there a good place around here where I can have him put those two cretins?"

Imoen looked at Adahn. From the wicked look that had come into his eyes she guessed he was thinking the same as she was. "Actually, there is such a place", he said. "Not far from here."

"That way", Imoen added, pointing into the trees. "Just…er…follow your nose."

Viconia's red eyes lit up with amusement. "Very well", she said. "I shall see if your idea has merit. You may expect me back shortly." She disappeared into the trees, her white hair glowing in the moonlight. It was only a few minutes until she came back, and when she did, she was laughing quietly to herself.

"It went well, I take it?" Adahn asked politely.

"Oh yes. Very well. That…hole…"

"The latrine pit", Imoen added helpfully.

"Yes. A good idea, that one. Abduh chased them both into it, and now he's patrolling around it, making sure they don't get out. My control over him will wane eventually, but for now those two are stuck in a very uncomfortable place." Her smile widened. "And the halfling has to stand on the wizard's shoulders. Apparently, he can't swim. I do hope he isn't too heavy - the wizard doesn't look particularly strong."

Imoen giggled wildly at the image this presented and noticed Adahn smiling as well. "How's it going for Rini and the others?" she asked.

"I left just as they were about to enter the command tent", Viconia explained. "Those three imbeciles had placed themselves outside it. We should get back there."

"Yes", Adahn agreed. "We should. There is nothing else we can do here, and by now the fighting should have diminished enough that we can move about with relative ease without getting caught up in it."

Darn. Imoen thought. Foiled again. Oh well. I'm sure I'll get another chance at him soon. It's True Love, after all. Nothing can stand in the way of True Love. Someday, somehow, he will be mine.

Ender Sai shrieked as he found his way out of the command tent blocked. A female Drow patted a heavy mace thoughtfully against the palm of her hand and gave him a measuring look as if she were trying to decide just how much of a bother it would be killing him. Next to her a bandit dressed all in black watched him with a sort of detached but focused interest and aimed a nasty-looking crossbow at him. That one definitely wouldn't think it would be a bother killing him. Finally, there was the girl. An innocent-looking girl with bright pink hair but judging from the company she kept she had to be extremely dangerous. Probably the most dangerous of them all. A tiefling, maybe, with that hair. She'd probably enjoy killing him in some horrible, extra-planar way.

"Going somewhere, jaluk?" the Drow asked, a small frown on her beautiful dark face.

"I think not", the man with the crossbow calmly stated. Ender Sai had always prided himself on his ruthlessness, but there was something about the way the stranger smiled at him that made his blood run cold and reminded him uncomfortably about fangs. "After all, he hasn't finished telling our companions what he knows, now has he? I'm sure he wouldn't want to disappoint them - or us - by leaving too soon."

"Yeah!" the pink-haired girl cheerfully said. "I wanna hear it all!" She poked Ender Sai in the chest and the thief shied back with a small whimper, half expecting some terrible spell or weapon to rip him asunder. "Come on! You can tell us. That won't hurt, will it?"

"A-a-all right!" Ender Sai stammered. "Please don't hurt me! I'll talk! Tazok commands the bandits, but there's another one. I heard them speaking of him. His name is Sarevok, and he commands Tazok. He's high with the Iron Throne, that's all I know, except that they're all scared of him." He paused to draw breath. "You probably want to take a look at the Cloakwood mines first though. If you can disturb that operation, you'll really have managed to hurt the Throne, if that's what you want. Now please let me go!" As the newcomers stepped aside, he hurried past them, half expecting to die at any second. He didn't stop running until he reached Beregost, some hours later.

Zaerini was pleased to learn that the chest in the corner of the tent contained a few potions and spell scrolls, as well as a couple of highly interesting letters.

Tazok,

I hope that everything moves along smoothly. I have written to give you instructions from our superiors. I have been told that a small band of mercenaries might cause the Iron Throne some trouble in the future. You are to ensure that they don't live to upset our operations. Obtain the services of the assassin Nimbul, he should serve you well, provided he doesn't let his penchant for bad poetry get the better of him.

DAVAEORN

Tazok,

I have noticed that your shipments of iron have slowed as of late. It is imperative that we receive another ton of ore. Step up your raids and get a shipment to our base in Cloakwood within the next week. We need to stockpile as much ore as possible before our ultimatum is given. Also, Sarevok wants to know what has happened with the band of mercenaries. Have they been killed? You had better ensure that they have been, as Sarevok will not take kindly to any other news.

DAVAEORN

"An ultimatum?" Rini said. "I wonder what it all means."

"It makes some sense", Jaheira pondered. "They choked off the iron coming out of the Nashkel Mine using Mulahey, and these bandits have been raiding every caravan in the vicinity. With these rumors of impending war with Amn it would undoubtedly serve the Iron Throne well to have a monopoly on the trade."

But that can't be all there is to it, Zaerini thought to herself. I've seen my brother. Whatever his plans are, they go far beyond acquiring wealth.

"Nimbul…", Imoen mused. "Which assassin do you guys think that was? There have been so many, I'm starting to get them all mixed up."

"I think", Edwin said, "that would have been the one in Nashkel. The one with that ridiculous 'I am Death come for thee' line. (The one that I personally disposed of, I might add, in a thoroughly professional and impressive manner.)"

Adahn smirked slightly. "Truly?" he asked. "Well, I am certain he deserved whatever you did to him for behaving like an opera character. You should probably consider yourselves lucky he didn't decide to grace you all with an aria. That actually might have proved fatal." He gave Zaerini a courtly bow. "And now I believe it is past time for me to bid you farewell, my lady. Our common goal has been accomplished, and I have things to attend to elsewhere. It has been most interesting making your acquaintance."

"Where are you going?" Imoen asked, sounding rather dismayed. "Will I see…er…you will be back soon, won't you?"

The bandit gave a minute shrug. "I suppose there is no harm in telling you", he said. "There are some things I've been meaning to look into in Baldur's Gate. I only delayed this long because I wished the bandits out of the way first. If you come that way you may see me - or not, depending on many things."

"You won't consider staying?" Rini asked. "You're obviously good at what you do. We could use your help." Besides, she wanted to help her friend. Immy was looking really heartbroken.

"My apologies", Adahn said. "I'm not looking for a new employer at this particular time. And I have always found it of crucial importance to keep focused on my current objective, and not let myself get sidetracked. That way lies disaster. I'm sure you all agree." His voice was perfectly neutral, and yet Zaerini couldn't quite shake the feeling that the words held some hidden meaning. Before she could ask another question, the man was already out the door however, having given the adventurers a final brief nod. When she looked outside, she could see no trace of him.

"That", the bard remarked, "is an extremely annoying habit."

"Yes", Edwin agreed. The wizard had silently come up behind her and was staring into the encroaching shadows just as she was. "Yes…it certainly is." He sounded troubled, but he said no more on the subject.

The adventurers set out southwest for Beregost. Zaerini was silent for most of the journey, pondering the recent events. She'd already known about the Iron Throne's involvement, but this whole Cloakwood business put a new spin on things. Whatever Sarevok's ultimate plan was it was bound to cause him problems if she interfered with his mining operation. She never doubted for a second that it was his operation either. From what she had seen of her brother so far, he wasn't one to meekly take orders from others. Officially or not, he would be at the center of things. It probably would be a good idea to look further into this mining thing. If she could somehow weaken Sarevok's position with the Throne it would hopefully be a little easier dealing with him later.

First, she'd need a good night's rest though. She was weary to the bone, and she could hardly keep her eyes open. And she'd need to have a little chat with Jaheira as well. That business with the scalps was still bothering her a great deal. She had thought that she had struck up a friendship with the druid, albeit a somewhat uneasy one. But if Jaheira still wouldn't trust her, then where did that leave them? In deep trouble, that's where. They needed to be able to function as a team, they couldn't afford not to be able to trust each other.

Finally, the bard considered her recent ally. There was still something about Adahn that made her wonder. She couldn't help liking the man, dangerous as he undoubtedly was, but she also couldn't quite shake the feeling that she ought to recognize him from somewhere. It was pure nonsense of course, she knew she'd never met him before, but there was something so very familiar about him… He'd told her precious little about himself or his own plans. Just about nothing at all, she realized with a wry twist of her mouth. He couldn't very well be affiliated with the Iron Throne or he wouldn't have been crossing them, but apart from that she couldn't even begin to guess his motives. She'd just have to wait and see if they ever met up again. I just hope we won't find ourselves on opposing sides, she thought. I really do like him, I'd hate having to kill him. She grinned. Besides, Immy would probably never forgive me.

Meanwhile, further north on the Coast Way, the subject of the bard's musings was also going over the events of the last few days. Dekaras was rather pleased with the way things had worked out at the bandit camp. It was good to be on the road and not to have to spend any more time with Taugosz Tenhammer and his like. They could hardly be called stimulating company. Still, they had acted just as he'd hoped they would, and now Sarevok and his mage, Winski, would find themselves one bandit camp short. It would be fascinating to see how they would react to that news. He strongly suspected that it would be a good idea for Winski to remove any fragile objects from Sarevok's immediate presence before letting him know. Such as the city of Baldur's Gate, for example.

Smiling slightly to himself the assassin considered his next plan. As long as Edwin was still entangled with the bard it would be necessary to keep thwarting the efforts of her enemies, in order to keep the boy safe. It was probable that Zaerini would head for the Cloakwood now, and he could see the logic in that course of action. Personally, he intended to go directly to the top, though. Sarevok was the key, and the sooner he was neutralized, the better. But first it would be necessary to investigate the warrior a little further. And to find out his weaknesses. There will be something. There always is. Elminster himself will have a vulnerable spot or two if you look hard enough.

His black eyes serious once more Dekaras turned his thoughts to the subject of Edwin. While in the presence of Zaerini and her companions he obviously hadn't been able to pay much attention to the boy, but still there was something worrying about him. He seemed…nervous. More so than he ought to have been. And there was something disturbingly familiar about the way he behaved, something that Dekaras felt he really ought to recognize but couldn't quite put his finger on. It was extremely annoying. He decided to have a good long talk with Edwin as soon as the opportunity presented itself. By now he really ought to know that he can trust me to handle being undercover without making a mess of things. There's no reason for him to be such a bundle of nerves.

Finally, the assassin pondered the subject of Zaerini. The girl was dangerous, both because of her heritage and because of her quickness of thought. He had no intention of underestimating her. He also couldn't help liking her. She was certainly both intelligent and brave, and she seemed to have a sense of humor as well. It would be most interestingto witness her further development. As long as Edwin manages to do what he's supposed to, of course. That girl is a rare one. I hope we won't find ourselves on opposing sides. I really do like her, it would be such a shame to have to kill her. He smiled again. Besides, little Imoen would likely be very upset with me.