Throne Of Cards 32 – Revelation and Rest
I have on occasion been accused by friends and compatriots of 'trying to show off'. This is not true. There is no 'trying' about it. It is merely a happy side-effect.
Excerpt from 'Interview With An Assassin'
"And is there anything I can do to entertain you, child? I could always relate a few educational religious tales of the Watcher, suitable for young minds."
"No thank you," Dekaras said, as politely as he could manage. The boy was seated on top of the stairs leading up to the Watcher's Keep main entrance, his arms tightly wrapped around his knees as he tried to keep track of the time. How long had the others been gone now? By the look of the sun, not very, even if it felt like ages. "Do you suppose you could turn the glow down a bit? It's hard on the eyes."
Milena nodded, and her glow did dim, until he could make out facial features more easily, not to mention look at her without having to squint. "I know it is hard," She said in a kind voice. "If preoccupied with a dangerous task, one is at least busy with the matter at hand. Waiting while others face danger is…a strain, is it not?"
He nodded, mutely. She was exactly right, of course. He knew he had promised to stay put, and he would, but it felt wrong. There was a strong and pervasive feeling, a feeling that he ought to be present in order to help. Logically he knew very well that he was only a beginner when it came to combat, but the twisting feeling in his guts told him that this was wrong as well. I should be able to do more. I should…be more? Yes, that was it, even if it sounded strange it was also somehow right.
"It is good of you to want to help," Milena said, as if she had heard his unspoken thoughts. "And yet, somehow it is necessary to hold back and to rely on others to do their part. Learning when and how to do that can be difficult but is utterly necessary."
"Is this going to be a lecture?" Dekaras asked suspiciously. "Master Gorbia at the Guild always lectures me about 'not deluding myself into thinking myself invulnerable'. It's really very tedious, and the accident with the scaffolding and the snake could have happened to anybody."
Milena gave him a considering look. "Truly?"
"Yes! Anyway, there was something I wanted to ask about."
"And what would that be?"
"Well, you heard me promise I'd have a go at praying to Helm?"
"Certainly."
"I could do that, but I might get something wrong. The Guild doesn't go in much for religious education, after all. So, would he hear me if I just speak quietly in my head?"
Milena beamed at him, her light growing briefly brighter. "But of course, my child. Speak with the quiet voice of your heart, and He will hear all that you have to say."
"Oh good. I was thinking I might start with chanting. Would He enjoy 'Ninehundred Splatters of Blood in the Hall'?"
"Well…I…"
"I could do it backwards. Or wait, first forwards and then backwards?"
"I'm not entirely sure if…"
"Or" Dekaras said, smiling as angelically as he could manage, "I suppose you could ask Him if I could have a bit of a more direct word with him. You're his High Priestess, yes? Or you were, before you died."
Milena…flickered. There was other word for it. Then, she was no longer there. To all appearances the small boy with the black hair was utterly alone at the top of the tower, only the wind ruffling his hair. And yet, there was a strong presence there, of somebody close by, somebody powerful enough they could push him off the tower with just a flick of their finger. It felt a little like the Imprisoned One had felt, but just the opposite. This presence didn't feel as if it were about to crush his mind, but as if were giving him a curious pat on the head.
PLEASE LEAVE OUT THE CHANTING. WHILE YOU UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE MANY TALENTS, SINGING ISN'T ONE OF THEM.
The boy considered his options. He knew he probably ought to feel afraid, but somehow, he didn't. Even so, it was probably best to start out at least relatively polite. One of these days, I really must try to explain that properly to Edwin. You only insult them when it's the better option in order to get your way. That was a…strange thought. It made sense, and it was definitely him thinking it but it felt as if came somehow from outside. "Was Milena ever really there, or was it you all along?" He asked.
YES.
"Right. So, will my friends be all right?"
VERY LIKELY. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS AT THEIR DISPOSAL AND NEED ONLY PUT THEM TO PROPER USE.
"Couldn't you have locked up the Imprisoned One yourself? Was all of this really necessary? Your dungeon isn't really the most fun place, you know."
NOT A FUN-GEON TO YOUR TASTES THEN, YOUNG MAN?
Dekaras gave the patch of air next to him a dark look. "While you undoubtedly have many talents, punning isn't one of them."
There was an actual chuckle at that. FAIR ENOUGH. AN HONEST QUESTION DESERVES AN ANSWER. THERE ARE MANY THINGS I COULD DO, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM ARE THINGS I SHOULD DO. IF I WERE TO MEDDLE TOO HEAVILY WITH THE PRIME MATERIAL, I WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD. I PREFER TO NUDGE CERTAIN THINGS IN THE PROPER DIRECTION. THIS LITTLE EXCURSION WAS ONE SUCH THING.
"To get the Imprisoned One locked up again?"
I NEVER HAD ANY OBJECTION TO KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, AS IT WERE. The voice sounded a little smug now. THAT WAS CERTAINLY ONE THING THAT NEEDED TO HAPPEN.
"But it isn't really why we came here though," Dekaras said, as he thought things through. "We came here because there's something wrong with me, or so they say. So, am I your 'second bird'?"
AH…WOULD YOU LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY BIRDS OVER THERE? I DO BELIEVE I SEE A BLUE-CHESTED WARBLER.
"Except there's nothing wrong with me at all, as far as I can tell. I don't feel sick. And it's not about my magic, I thought that before but that was wrong."
ARE YOU HUNGRY? THIRSTY? I COULD CONJURE A LIGHT AND YET HEALTHY SNACK.
"And now you're trying to distract me, so it's obviously important. Why would it be that important to you? I'm hardly anybody who should matter to gods or powerful people."
NONSENSE! YOU GET THAT IDEA OUT OF YOUR HEAD RIGHT NOW, CHILD! I DEVOTE THE TIME AND EFFORT I FEEL NECESSARY TO ALL MY FOLLOWERS, GREAT OR SMALL.
Dekaras frowned at that. "Hold on…since when did I become your follower? I'd been thinking about gods yes, but I haven't picked one yet. And I'd thought maybe I should…but I haven't made my mind up yet, and I haven't even talked to Poppy about it. So why would you say that, as if it already happened?"
DANG. I REALLY MUST TRY TO REMEMBER NOT TO UNDERESTIMATE YOU EVEN AT THIS AGE.
"Even at this age?"
OOOPS. ER, PLEASE DISREGARD THAT LAST SENTENCE…
"I'm supposed to be a different age," Dekaras said, trying out the statement to see how it sounded. It sounded perfectly insane, and yet…it fit, didn't it? It did explain why people acted the way they did, as if they remembered things he couldn't. And it did explain that subtle feeling of wrongness that had been creeping up on him. "Please tell me I get to be tall when I grow up, I'm sick of being the smallest in the class other than Poppy."
OH, YES. ABSOLUTELY.
"Do I learn how to do the Triple Backwards Flip?"
YES. ARE YOU NOT…UPSET?
"Why would I be? I can't remember what happened, so what is there to be upset about? As far as I know I'm the same as always. I guess it was some kind of magical accident. Poppy will never let me hear the end of it if I tried on some magic ring or hat and did this to myself…"
NOT TO WORRY, IT WAS BEYOND YOUR CONTROL. AND BEFORE YOU ASK, I CANNOT SIMPLY UNDO THE ENCHANTMENT. IT HAS TO BE COUNTERED WITH THE PROPER MEANS.
"That book they're fetching which they won't tell me about. I understand." Satisfied to see all the puzzle pieces fitting together, Dekaras got to his feet and started balancing along the top step of Watcher's Keep in order to keep himself occupied. It was good practice, and it wasn't as if he could fall very far if he failed. "Do you think I should tell them I figured it out? They won't be mad?"
NO, BY ALL MEANS DO. PLEASE LEAVE ME OUT OF IT, HOWEVER. LET THEM THINK YOU MANAGED IT ENTIRELY ON YOUR OWN. I WOULD PREFER NOT TO HAVE THE TOP HALF OF THIS BUILDING DISINTEGRATED IF IT CAN BE AVOIDED. YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE HOW LONG IT TOOK TO GET THE LOOK OF IT JUST RIGHT.
"Right. So, this is a 'don't tell Edwin' moment?"
QUITE SO.
Dekaras pondered this for a moment. "Funny. Even if I can't remember it, I've got this strong feeling that there have been a lot of those before…"
It wasn't too long a wait after that before a portal shimmered into a life at the top of Watcher's Keep and a group of slightly disheveled, wild-eyed, yet apparently uninjured adventurers appeared. Dekaras anxiously scanned the group, but yes, everybody seemed present and accounted for, and nobody seemed to be missing any limbs. The slightly shocked looks on their pale faces were a little worrying though.
"Are you all right?" He asked. "Did it work?"
"Oh yes," Zaerini said with a shaky smile. "The Imprisoned One won't be bothering us or anybody for a really long time, I think." For some reason she gave Boo a side-long glance at this. The little hamster simply puffed up his cheeks and purred.
Are hamsters supposed to purr? Then again, I'm not a hamster expert, I guess.
"What of you?" Edwin asked, hurrying over to give him a cursory examination, turning him this way and that despite his protests. "No disasters, no calamitous stunts? (It's not natural. He's not ill, is he?) Did the annoyingly holy specter use her powers of tedium to pacify you?"
"Milena was perfectly nice," Dekaras said with a long-suffering sigh. "We had an interesting talk, didn't we, Milena?"
The ghost startled a little, and then nodded. "Why yes, so we did! And now, my work here is clearly done, so I must be off. Do practice your prayers diligently, child, and learn your lessons well. FARE THEE…I mean, fare thee well." The priestess smiled and winked out with a flash of light.
"So," Dekaras said, keeping his voice as even and neutral as he could, "Now that's been dealt with, do you suppose we could go and get me turned back to my proper age and shape now? It has been a while, hasn't it?" Though he wouldn't have ever admitted it out loud, the stunned looks on their faces filled him with a certain amount of unholy glee. Worth it. Oh yes. "My apologies if I spoiled the surprise," He said. "But you have to admit, you never told me I wasn't supposed to figure it out."
"So, Candlekeep," Zaerini said, once information had been imparted and Edwin had calmed down some. She was hoping that everything would make more sense if she spoke the words out loud. "This'll be a bit…awkward."
"How so?" Viconia asked. "It was your childhood home, was it not?"
"Oh yes. Sure. It's just that the last time I was there, we didn't exactly leave on the best terms with the people in charge."
"We'd been arrested," Imoen helpfully added. "For killing Reiltar Anchev. It was pretty messy."
"And the man deserved everything he suffered, and more," Edwin said, his eyes hot with anger. The Red Wizard had been in a somewhat worrying state ever since Dekaras' revelation, staring mutely at the boy in a mix of concern and outright terror. Seeing him at least partially recover was a relief. "After what he did…"
"I enjoyed killing him," Rini said. She shuddered briefly, remembering hands upon her, touching, prying…she shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the memory away. She hardly ever thought about it anymore, and that was just how she liked it. "And yes, he deserved it, but it still got us arrested. Ulraunt, the old wizard in charge of Candlekeep, well he never really approved of me or Immy. Especially not me. He really jumped at the chance to get rid of me, so much that he even came down to the cells to taunt me about it." She grinned. "Eddie broke his nose. I don't think it'll ever be the same again, healing or not. It was very sweet." She gave her lover a fond look and felt sudden warmth bloom inside her chest when it was returned with a smile. "Well, I'm sure that explains why he won't exactly open us back with open arms, Hero of Baldur's Gate or not. And then there's Sarevok."
"I did not take part in the slaying of my vile stepfather," Sarevok rumbled. "A pity, I should very much have enjoyed it."
"No, you didn't, but the news about you trying to take over Baldur's Gate and ascending to God of Murderhood is bound to have traveled back to Candlekeep by now. I don't think the librarians will be rolling out the red carpet for you either, Big Brother."
"It can't be helped, though," Imoen said. "We've got to get that book back, and you and I are the only ones who really know our way around the library."
"You're not going on your own," Edwin objected with a firm look. "I will not risk having my Hellkitten ending up in that vile dungeon again. Hopefully we can get in and out with a minimum of fuss, but if that is not an option, I would see every single flagstone melted into glass rather than put up with that."
"So…a stealth mission it is then," Rini said, patting the wizard on the cheek. "Sound good? Immy knows how to be sneaky, and I'm good with illusion spells, you know that."
"And I am a master of stealth and infiltration," Sarevok proudly stated, banging his fist against his platemail. "Koveras the Humble Monk will strike again, and none shall see him coming!" He gave the others an offended look. "Why the snickers?"
"Minsc and Boo will help as well!" Minsc said. "We have never been to this place, so none shall suspect us, and Boo says I am very good at providing a distraction."
Rini gave Boo a slightly nervous look. The hamster did look entirely normal, yes. No fangs, no claws, no glowing eyes. Even so…. "Boo doesn't have any more…passengers now, does he?"
"No, little Rini. He is only his normal Miniature Giant Space Hamster self."
"Oh. Good. Awesome. As for you, Vadrak…"
"Yes?" Dekaras said, sounding quite eager. He'd thoroughly denied having any proper memory of his adult self, admitting only to having 'worked it all out with logic'. Still, she wasn't entirely sure she trusted him not to have just enough of an idea of what he'd normally be able to do that he might do something reckless. "Do I get to do the disguises? I like disguises, Poppy gave me a disguise kit for Solstice, and I've been practicing. I could try that makeup to make you look really ancient."
I think you've managed to make Eddie feel really ancient already. Indeed, the wizard was getting red in the face, and she hurried to interject before he could open his mouth and start an argument. "Thanks, appreciate it, but I've got a special job for you, in a special place."
"What's that?"
"Why, it's with a couple of good friends of mine. I hear the Druid Grove they're currently staying in needs plenty of weeding and…and feeding the little birds. Things like that."
The boy gave her an utterly disgusted look. "You're leaving me with babysitters again, aren't you?"
"Yep," Zaerini said with her best and brightest grin. "Suck it up, buttercup." She took the opportunity to ruffle his hair, ignoring his dark glare. I'm so making the most of this while it lasts, and hopefully he won't kill me later. "Don't worry, you'll love it there. It'll be fun. And I'm sure Ano and Jaheira would love the chance to practice childminding."
"You did WHAT?"
Dekaras sighed, and pulled the furs he'd been given a little closer. He hadn't exactly expected these strangers to be thrilled with the idea of having him foisted upon them, but the druid lady had taken one look at him, firmly told him to go sit down by the fire where he couldn't hear much of what was going on, and then started shouting. She was trying to not be too loud, and it was true that he couldn't hear much, but it was definitely shouting. Zaerini had a rather sickly smile on her face, and Edwin was steadfastly trying to avoid looking at anything but the tips of his own shoes.
It's not fair, it's not as if I asked to come here. If the others would only let me come along I wouldn't be where I'm not wanted.
A small, hard head, covered with silky fur nudged the palm of his hand and he absently petted it, scratching between the soft ears. Softpaws purred loudly and squeezed herself under his arm to crawl onto his lap. The voices rose and fell, again and again, but no, he couldn't make out more than the odd word. There were frequent glances sent his way though.
I wonder if I'm supposed to know them? It's so strange not to remember. Maybe I did something bad before, maybe that's why she's so angry about me being here.
The druid lady, Jaheira, certainly seemed on the brink of hitting somebody over the head with the smooth oak staff she carried. Now and then she shook her head in disgust as she spoke, making her golden-brown braids whip around her face. Her green eyes were narrowed in anger, and there were spots of colour in her cheeks. Now the tall man, Anomen, spoke. He was big and muscular, but seemed calmer than the woman by his side, and Dekaras hadn't failed to spot the amulet of the Watcher hanging around his neck. More Helmites. Let's hope he doesn't try to give me religious instruction. While it would have been easy enough to think that he deferred to the woman, he said something in a soothing voice and she nodded, a little curtly but in clear agreement. There was respect there, between the two of them. More than that, Jaheira touched the rounded curve of her belly and gave Anomen a warm smile before she turned on Edwin again, pointing an accusing finger straight at his face. Maybe it's Edwin she's angry with and not me? He edged a little closer, trying to hear something of what was going on. As if on cue, Insufferable popped up between his feet and chittered happily, drowning out the voices. Of course. Still, it was impossible to be angry with the familiars, even if they were ruining all his attempts at a stealthy approach. Softpaws had draped herself across his lap now, imperiously demanding belly rubs by batting his arm with her paw, and Insufferable had climbed onto his shoulder and was patting him on the cheek. "Oh, all right," He sighed, using his spare hand to tickle the small monkey's head. "Since you insist."
It was a while longer before the grownups finally finished arguing, and by that time he had to struggle a little to keep his eyes open and not nod off. Only his deeply ingrained aversion to falling asleep in an exposed place, visible to others, kept him upright and he had to fight back more than one yawn.
"This should not take overly long," Edwin said as the wizard hunched down before him. "We will depart for Candlekeep as soon as possible, and hopefully will be back tomorrow evening. Now, the druid assures me that as rustic and uncivilized a place as this is, there will at least be no wild beasts to be concerned about, nor any poisonous snakes. Can I trust you not to go looking for trouble or do I need to request she leash you to a post in the yard? (As annoying as she can be, it should be difficult enough to get past her.)"
Dekaras thought about explaining that Rasheman probably held more wild beasts, spirits and other assorted wildlife than a city dwelling wizard could imagine, and that he'd run into his fair share, quite probably more than Edwin had. But he was, after all, very tired, so he settled for nodding. "I won't go looking for trouble," He said.
"Good," Edwin said with satisfaction, then reached down to give him a fond hug. "This is by no means a fully satisfactory environment, but I suppose it will do for a day, so try to get some proper rest. I…know this has been a trying time, but I promise it will all be over very soon."
"I suppose that will be good," Dekaras agreed. It was hard to imagine what it would be like to be another, older self, but at least he'd have more of a sense of what was going on. And I'll be able to climb even better, I bet, even if I can't use the smallest branches anymore. I wonder if I have a beard when I'm grown up, like Edwin does. That would be so strange. He was just about to ask, when the yawn finally escaped him, and before he could get the chance, he was unceremoniously led off to bed. Not fair. When I'm back to normal, I'll stay up all night, just because I can. That will show them. With that satisfying plan in mind, and a faint smile on his lips, he drifted off to sleep.
The first time he woke up, it was still quite dark, probably after midnight but a long time before dawn. He woke up with a gasp, heart pounding, a still lingering sense of familiar terror twisting his stomach. He couldn't remember exactly what the nightmare had been about this time, but that didn't make the feelings less real. I wish the dreams would just stop, he thought with a weary sigh as he twisted around and tried in vain to fall asleep again. Funny how he'd actually slept better inside Watcher's Keep than here, really. I wish they hadn't left me here. I hope they come back soon. Jaheira and Anomen seemed friendly enough, but he didn't know them, or if he did, he couldn't remember them. He lay quietly in bed, listening, but heard nothing but the normal little night noises outside the house. The druid grove was home to about a dozen druids working in tandem, some of them staying for longer periods of time, others shorter. While the font of power was apparently set inside a cave in a swampy area, the druids themselves lived further into the proper woods, where a few simple, yet sturdy cottages had been built. Jaheira and Anomen shared one of them, and he'd been given a cot in the main living area. It was warm and comfortable enough, but it seemed that sleep was out of the question, at least for a while. Usually when this happened it would take a couple of hours and he'd be tired and out of sorts in the morning. Most of the time he'd just wait it out, but if the dream had been a particularly bad one, he'd sometimes go seek Poppy out. She never complained about sharing her bed, and it always helped, but he didn't like to wake her up often, so would save it as a last resort. Well, she's not here. I'll just have to wait. Maybe going outside for a bit would help? Sometimes fresh air did. He listened carefully but could hear no sounds at all from the bedroom, so the druid and the priest were probably both asleep. Possibly they'd object to him wandering about in the night, so he decided to make very sure not to disturb them. I won't go far anyway, and I'll be back before they know I'm gone. Being bone tired and wanting nothing more than to sleep and forget about everything else yet being unable to was making him feel a little lightheaded and almost nauseous. Fresh air. Not being shut in. Yes.
He carefully edged out of the bed, decided to simply pull on his tunic on top of his night clothes rather than get fully dressed, and crept quietly across the floor. A creaking board took him by surprise, and he scolded himself for not having noticed it as he came in – he was supposed to pay attention to that sort of thing at all times. Still, it didn't seem to have woken anybody up, so no harm done this time at least. Finally, he slipped out the door, making certain to close it properly behind himself. There didn't seem to be any druids around to ask annoying questions, but there were a few low wooden benches sat in a loose ring around a communal fire pit. While the fire had burnt out, he could spot a few faintly glowing embers, and there was a lingering sense of heat. It seemed like a good spot to wait for a while until he hopefully could fall asleep again.
Time passed, perhaps an hour, perhaps a little longer, and while he was just as exhausted as before and nearly ready to drop and fall asleep on the spot, he knew from past experience that the nightmares would be back. The tight, twisting feeling was still there, and his thoughts wouldn't hold still, insisting on digging up stray memories he'd rather not be reminded of. Unless he wanted to go straight back to nightmares, he knew he needed to relax first, but he couldn't seem to manage it. Wouldn't it be just typical if I'm getting bad dreams now about things I can't remember because they haven't happened yet…or wait, they have happened, but I can't remember them because I'm back in time…or something.
That didn't entirely make sense, and yet it somehow did. He had just about resigned himself to staying awake and probably being scolded in the morning for being inattentive and rude, when he heard something. There was a rustling, creaking sound from the bushes, and the sound of footsteps. Big footsteps. Not a rabbit, not a fox, probably not even a wolf. Then there was a flash of eyes, and a massive, hulking shape emerged into the clearing. Oh. Bear. It occurred to him that he probably should be afraid by now, bears could be very dangerous. At least he couldn't see a cub, and he didn't have any food it could be after. The next unpleasant and yet unavoidable thought that followed was that perhaps the bear would consider him the food. Maybe if I stay very still, it'll go away. Hopefully it would, because it wasn't as if he could fight it off or outrun it and if he were to shout for help it just might be what made it attack him. Besides he was so tired by now that he could hardly bring himself to care.
"You won't try to eat me, will you, Sir Bear?" He whispered. "It would make your fur awfully messy, and I probably wouldn't fill your belly very well anyway."
The bear huffed and glared at him, looking rather offended.
"Oh. Lady Bear? Fair enough."
The bear snorted and ambled closer. Warm breath, surprisingly not too bad, hit his nostrils as the bear sniffed his face. It tickled enough that he couldn't quite suppress a giggle.
"Rowrf," The bear declared, and nudged him with its broad forehead until he was pushed off the edge of the low bench. Well, it had started to get uncomfortable anyway so that didn't matter. The huge beast lay down by his side, watching him closely with its small, closely set eyes, but it showed no sign of wanting to eat him.
Maybe I did fall asleep. If I did, it will probably turn into a nightmare soon enough and it will eat me then.
The bear was still staring at him. Not a Scare Bear but a Stare Bear? The rational part of his brain didn't think that was particularly funny, but it was in the minority by now, so he giggled again. "Sorry," He told the bear. "It's not you, it's me. Don't mean to be rude. I guess you're not too unbearably hungry then?"
The bear didn't seem to think this was half as amusing as he did, but at least it didn't express its displeasure with its teeth.
"Sorry," Dekaras said again. "I can't sleep, you see. Unless I already am, if that makes sense. But it's all right, I have bad dreams a lot, so I'm used to it. Bears hibernate all winter, so I guess you wouldn't be. It's not so bad. As long as you don't eat me, I'll just go inside in a bit. They probably won't notice anything in the morning or else they'll just think I'm being moody and not ask about it."
"Harumph!" The bear said.
"No, really. I'll just stay quiet and try not to bother anybody, so I don't get into trouble over it. And I won't tell anybody you were here if you don't want me to, so you don't get into trouble either."
The bear shook its shaggy head in what looked like sheer exasperation. Then its enormous paw scooped him up and pulled him closer, until he was closely nestled against a furry, warm flank. Unfortunately, he was also tucked tightly under the bear's paw, and couldn't get loose. Vague memories of having had a stuffed animal at some point when he was really little floated into his mind. He couldn't remember what it had been, dog or cat, rabbit or bear, but he'd definitely slept with it in bed. Maybe bears did the same thing with humans then? It made an odd kind of sense. At any rate, his head was tucked against bear's side so that the only thing he could hear was deep, rumbling breaths, and the thick fur and big body were very warm and…relaxing…
"Good Morning."
The second time Dekaras woke up, it was to sunlight tickling his nose and making it itch. He made a considerable effort and just about managed to hold the sneeze back, although he suspected he'd probably made a fairly ridiculous face. Then again, that was how he usually felt about mornings anyway, so perhaps it didn't matter too much. Reasonably satisfied with this thought, he sat up and tried to get his bearings. He was outside, on the ground, by an extinguished fire pit. He blinked as scattered memories from last night came back to him. A bear. And it…and then I…but that surely wasn't real, was it? There was certainly no bear to be seen now, and few enough people. He could hear distant voices and spotted one of the druids walking across the clearing carrying a pail of water. On a log next to him, Jaheira sat, apparently quite busy with putting the final stitches to a pair of very small leather shoes. She wasn't looking at him, and that suited him just fine. He'd been entirely too tired to think about it last night, but now he was remembering just what abilities druids were known to have and the unfortunate but all too likely solution to the Case of The Devoted Bear was that perhaps there had been no bear in the first place.
Somebody just kill me now, please, before I embarrass myself further.
"Good morning," He said, having quickly decided to apply his favourite tactic for dealing with mortification and pretend it never happened to begin with. "I…decided to sleep outdoors. Not that there was anything wrong with the bed, it just seemed like a good idea."
"Certainly," Jaheira said, nodding. Calm green eyes turned towards him, their gaze penetrating and he sat very still, forcing himself not to squirm even a little bit. "It was a warm enough night last night, so I have no objection. At least you had the sense to stay a safe distance away, and Silvanus knows I enjoy the night air of the wilds myself. I often go for a bit of a wander."
Dekaras mentally, and quite correctly translated this as 'roaming the woodlands for hours'. "Will the others be back soon, do you think?" He asked, eager to change the subject.
Jaheira pursed her lips in thought. "Not until this evening at the earliest, I expect," She said. "Possibly not until tomorrow. I wish I knew what the girls were thinking of, taking up with…but never mind that, you would not be able to tell me anything about it."
Dekaras sighed. "Right now, I couldn't tell you much about anything happening," He said. "It's getting very tiresome."
"No, I suppose not," Jaheira said. She sounded angry again, just like last night, but when she spoke again there was warmth to her voice as well. "I would have attempted to reverse the spell if I could, but it is beyond my powers I'm afraid." She held up a small boot. "I do not suppose you know anything about leatherworking? The heels don't seem to want to turn out right."
"I never really studied it, I'm afraid," Dekaras said, absently poking at the ground with a stick. "I tend to just buy whatever I need and…" He broke off and looked up to see Jaheira studying him again, quiet yet intent. "I don't know why I said that. I don't remember it, but it just seems…right."
"Remarkable," Jaheira murmured. "Such strange magic. Well, as I said earlier, the others will hopefully return by nightfall. Until then, you may as well make the most of the day. The nearby woods are safe enough, there are no large predators here and the trolls in the swamp have all been run off. Do not go any further than the ravine to the northeast mind you, there are giant spiders nesting in the woods beyond it. Also, I would advise some care around the younger lycanthropes, they have not entirely mastered their transformations and can be a little rough when they play. Take some food with you if you intend to be longer than midday, and if you see Anomen, please let him know that I will require some assistance with rearranging some furniture. Your bed might work out a little better closer to the door, would it not? For ease of movement and extra comfort?"
"Yes," Dekaras admitted. "I suppose so. Jaheira? Should I get you anything?"
The druid blinked, looking momentarily nonplussed. "Get me anything? What would that be?"
"I'm not sure." He rubbed his temple with his fingertips, trying to make sense of the flash of memory. Something to do with Jaheira's slightly rounded stomach. A lady who was going to have a baby would want something, wouldn't she? He felt quite sure of it, beyond a shadow of a doubt. "Strawberries out of season? Tar on a stick? The heart of a freshly killed wyvern? That last one was a bit of a…" He faltered, as confusing images flittered through his mind, too fast to follow, and then sighed. "Sorry. I don't know why I said that."
"Never mind," Jaheira firmly said. "I have no need for any wyvern parts, be they fresh, fried or pickled, and I want you to stay very far away from them, do you hear me?"
"All right."
"Good boy. Off you go then and see what you can think of to entertain yourself."
Soon enough, Jaheira would learn that this was the most fatal thing she could possibly have said under any circumstances.
