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Chapter 26

The hands that mend

"Quickly, search in that chest over there."

"Yeah, I'm working as fast as I can here!"

"He has some sort of key on him."

"Give that here."

"That's it! That's the key to the river plug. Aye, now we can move. There's a hidden lift over beyond that alcove, it goes all the way back up to the first level."

All pretext of stealth had gone out of the window, the voices of her companions filled the otherwise empty chambers. Jaheira heard all that was being said, but all she could think of then was her ward. Elene lay in front of her, pale and barely breathing. The smell of charred flesh made her wrinkle her nose involuntarily. As she cast her last healing spell, she knew what magic she could offer was nowhere near enough to fix the damage. She needed Seniyad's help.

It was a near thing.

They were all wounded from the back-to-back battles from the mess hall to Davaeorn's monstrous construct. Like Elene, Yeslick had been struck by the lightning bolt as well, on top of the wounds he'd sustained in the earlier battle. But dwarven constitution meant he was still able to stay on his feet. Also in bad shape was Xan, who suffered from painful-looking acid burns from his mage duel. Despite their dire straits, the group scattered to secure as much material from the area as possible as evidence. They were done by the time Jaheira had sat back on her haunches.

Imoen loomed above her, Elene's fallen sword in her hand. "Is she gonna make it?"

"We need to take her to Seniyad. First, we need to get her out of here."

"I'll take her," Kivan appeared at her shoulder.

The anger in the look she levelled at Kivan made him flinch. So much hurt could have been prevented if he had not run off on his own. She wanted nothing more than to ream him out for his reckless behaviour there and then. But they needed to get out as soon as possible, and he was offering to make amends. There would be time for recriminations later.

So instead of giving him a piece of her mind, she gritted her teeth and helped lift Elene onto his shoulder.

Yeslick limped over to a corner beyond the den and revealed a hidden platform with the same lift mechanism they used to enter the mines. Some quick tinkering on his part and the grinding of cogs and gears reverberated through the air.

"Right," the dwarf grunted. "After ye then."

As one, they piled onto the lift platform. It was a tighter squeeze than the one at the top of the mines, Jaheira noticed. Likely this lift was only meant for the convenience of the mine boss and his closest aides, and not for ferrying miners in and out. Regardless, the contraption got them safely back to the first level of the mines, not too far from where they descended. As Imoen began to head off to lead them to the way out, Yeslick called out to her.

"Give me the key to the river plug, girl." He held out a hand. "Won't do to leave with work unfinished, aye?"

Imoen sized him up, her features doubtful. "But if you open the plug, ya won't be able to run out in time. Not in yer current state."

Yeslick's eyes gleamed in the dark. "Who said anything about running?"

Jaheira turned to stare at him, as did the others.

"Is this really necessary?" she asked him.

"There's still a score of guards down there to deal with, and yer in no shape to do it. If we don't do it now, the temptation is gonna be too big to keep this place running instead'a flooding it." Yeslick shook his head, weariness written in every line of his face. "Greed drove my clan to their graves a long time ago, and greed will plague this place again if we let it stand. It's time to put the Orothiar legacy to bed, once and for all."

"But you don't need to die for this," Imoen protested.

"I've lived a long life, girl. Too long. Most days I sat there in that cell thinking I shoulda joined my clan in their watery graves. I think it's high time I did, for the mistake I made with Rieltar." He flexed his outstretched fingers. "Now give me the key."

Imoen shot an uncertain look at Jaheira. After a moment, Jaheira nodded at her. She relinquished the key with a pained look.

"It was an honour to fight by your side, Yeslick," Xan intoned, his voice quiet.

"Same to ye. Ye fight good for a bunch of long legs." He limped away, moving towards the tunnels which led to the river plug. "Ye'd best be out of these mines by the time I'm done."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Jaheira gestured for them to get moving.

It was small comfort to her that Yeslick was in as bad a shape as they were as they retraced their steps to the mine entrance. Even if they'd wanted to run for it, it wouldn't have been possible. She could feel blood trickling down her front from a nasty slash from the construct. Every step sent shooting pain up her side. If the mine guards had mustered for an ambush at the entrance, they would be done for.

To her relief, there was nothing of the sort when they arrived at the lift. In fact, several miners were clambering onto the platform. One of them stood to one side observing his fellows, then started in surprise when he saw the party. Racking her memory, she recognised the miner to be Andar, the lockpick specialist.

"You made it! We were worried Davaeorn got you," he exclaimed.

"Did you get all your fellows out?" Khalid asked.

"Aye, they're all above ground." Andar gestured at the group ascending via the lift. "This is the last of Rill's group. Not all of them made it, I heard. And there's still a few skirmishing with guards down below."

"What about Rill?" Imoen wanted to know.

The man shrugged. "Didn't see him."

"We cannot wait." Jaheira pointed to him. "When the lift comes back, you're coming up with us. Yeslick is about to open the breach."

"What?" Andar paled. "What about Rill and the others? They could still be alive."

"It's too late. Yeslick has made his mind up," she said.

The wait for the lift was agonising. Kivan shifted uncomfortably with Elene over one shoulder, grimacing as he did. Jaheira's eyes were drawn to a large burn mark on his torso, a souvenir from Davaeorn. She couldn't find it in her to sympathise. If anything, she felt morbidly satisfied that at least he wasn't walking away injury-free.

Finally, the lift returned from above. No one needed to be told to hurry. The platform clanked and creaked as it ascended, heightening her anxiety. Next to her, Imoen stood with her hands in front of her, as if in prayer. Jaheira glanced at Khalid and Xan. Her husband's expression was tense and worried underneath the film of blood on his face, while the elf's face was as still as a tomb as he stared at Kivan.

That might not end well.

When they were almost at the top, a tremendous roar sounded from below. It sounded almost like a monster from the deeps, but upon focusing, she knew it to be the sound of water. Yeslick had done as he promised.

They rushed out of the lift and back out to open air. Looking up, Jaheira saw that it was almost dawn. Smoke lingered in the distance. A group of freed miners milled about near the entrance, murmuring to each other.

"Move away from the entrance!" Jaheira shouted. "The mines are being flooded!"

No one needed to be told twice. Some even exited the compound altogether in their haste to get away from potential rising waters. Eventually, the river did spill out, but only enough to wet the earth around the mine entrance. There was silence as the everyone looked to what was now a tomb for those who hadn't been lucky enough to escape.

As for the party, they settled themselves just outside the compound to catch their breath, Kivan gently setting Elene down on a patch of grass. He had barely straightened when Xan stormed up to him and grabbed him by the front of his armour.

"What in Corellon's name were you thinking down there? Is it not enough to get yourself killed, you seek to ensure our deaths as well?" Xan snarled.

Kivan glared down at his shorter kinsman but said nothing.

"Answer my question!" Xan shook him for good measure.

Jaheira exchanged a wary look with Khalid. They'd never imagined someone as composed Xan could be this livid with anyone. Khalid squared his shoulders, ready to step in between the two men if needed.

"We got what we came here for," Kivan finally growled back.

"Oh, yes?" Xan pointed at Elene. "Do you want to tell that to her? I don't think she came here to die. It's a miracle she's still breathing! What was she even doing with you, facing Davaeorn on your own? Did you put her up to that?"

The ranger glanced at the unconscious girl but said nothing. Yet Jaheira could see his glacial expression giving way to guilt.

"I thought as much," huffed Xan in disappointment, letting go of him. He levelled a cold look at his kinsman. "If it is death you seek, don't bring the rest of us into it."

Then he stalked away to lick his wounds, anger still rolling off him in waves. Jaheira squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that he will revert to his usual calm self. Otherwise, she couldn't help but wonder how they were going to work as a team again.

"I see you've all made it out. After a fashion."

The party turned to see Seniyad approach them with Laskal at one shoulder and Coran at the other. Jaheira observed that they looked about as battered as she felt, sweat-slicked and bloodied. The fight above ground must have been just as challenging, even with the help of summoned creatures and the cover of night.

"Is she alright?" Coran studied Elene with concern, no longer seeming like the cheerful fool.

"She needs healing," said Jaheira as she stepped forward to accost Seniyad. It pained her to say the next words, but she had to swallow her pride for Elene's sake. "I know we've encroached on your hospitality as it is, but we truly need your help this time."

I need your help. Please hear what I'm not saying, Seniyad.

"I can hear the river cleansing the last of the filth these mines have to offer. You have done what you promised." Seniyad exchanged a knowing look with Laskal. "You will have my help, if not that of the circle, Jaheira. I owe you that much, at least."

Jaheira nearly sagged with relief. "Thank you."

"How did the fighting go up here? Where are the rest of the guards?" asked Khalid.

"It was difficult, given their numbers. But they fled rather quickly when the miners started escaping. The forest will make quick work of them," Seniyad answered, his tone dismissive. "Faldorn is ensuring their path will lead them to the south."

South where the spiders are. Nature will do the rest.

"What about these miners?" asked Imoen. "They're not gonna do well in the wilderness either."

"Fear not, child. I will lead them out, back to the farmlands. As far as we are concerned, they have done nothing wrong. They are victims here, just like the land itself," said Laskal.

"See to it." Seniyad nodded. "Your group can come with me, Jaheira. You are welcome to stay in the grove for a few days to recover." He raised a hand to forestall her next question. "Regardless of what the others say. Now that the threat is gone, I am in a better position to silence the feral voices in the circle."

And that was that. Jaheira took his offer for what it was. She couldn't be more grateful to him.

Before they set off, they got to work patching up Elene. Jaheira had suspected the severity of her wounds, but she was still alarmed when she had to peel off the girl's attire from score of electrical burns on her back and left arm. The lightning bolt had bounced through the hallway, catching Yeslick as well, but clearly, she had taken the brunt of it. A weaker person would have been killed from shock alone.

And yet, Xan told her that Elene had been the one to finish off Davaeorn.

Nevertheless, with Seniyad's healing spells and her salves, they managed to patch the girl up to a state that she no longer looked deathly pale. But the road to recovery would likely take time.

It was a fortunate thing that the barracks homed several horses that the druids managed to rescue from the fire. They would be forced to take a more roundabout route to accommodate a rider on horseback, but none of them were in much state to cart an unconscious ally the whole trek back to the grove. Along the way, Xan began leafing through the haul they secured from Davaeorn's lair with a critical eye.

"There's nothing for it," he said as they rested for the night. "The trail leads to Baldur's Gate."

Jaheira frowned as she stared into the campfire. It had been years since she'd last been in the city. She hoped that the Harper base in the Gate would be equipped to give her more information. If the Iron Throne was truly behind all these schemes, they will need more evidence to bring them to justice than the assortment of paranoid letters they've collected thus far.

The journey to the grove took them about a day in the end. Seniyad directed them to a section shielded from the elements due to the thickness of the trees there. A handful of small stone-made dwellings dotted the area, and this was where Seniyad bade them to bed down for the coming days, while they convalesced. It was a calming setting, quiet but for the sound of insects and rustling leaves.

Elene remained sleeping in a simple cot after they'd arrived at the grove. Jaheira rarely left her side, checking and rechecking her bandages and making sure the healing salve was doing its work. Despite her best efforts, she knew that the burns would scar Elene for many years to come, just like the assassin's mark on her throat. She was seldom left alone with her thoughts, though. Imoen kept her company when she came in to check on her friend a few times, which was to be expected. Khalid would offer her food and water periodically to keep her strength up, knowing that she often forgot to take care of herself while she was preoccupied with healing someone else.

What surprised her was Xan checking in almost as often as the other two.

"I worry of what she will do when she awakes," he told her when she finally prompted him for an explanation on his third visit. Seniyad had finally tended to his wounds as well, so Xan sat there with bandages peeking out of the thin shirt he wore, concern pinching his brows.

Jaheira observed him. "What do you mean? She will be as weak as a kitten."

He laughed softly at that. But there was no amusement in his eyes. "It was no kitten I saw in that room with Davaeorn."

"What did you see?" Jaheira asked with a raised eyebrow.

Xan shook his head, his face becoming wary. "I don't know how to explain it. Whatever it was I saw, it looked like her, but I knew it wasn't her. It was like the fight with Nimbul in Nashkel, but…it almost felt like she would have done something terrible if I hadn't intervened."

Jaheira leaned back, pensive. She glanced at her sleeping ward and failed to connect what he was saying with the person before her.

"We need to do something about Kivan," Xan said suddenly.

"I know," Jaheira set her jaw. "There was no excuse for his behaviour."

A scoff escaped his lips as his gaze skittering over Elene for the briefest of moments. "Yet she will likely jump to his defence. She humours him beyond all reason. But we can't afford having one of our number lose his head every time we get close to our quarry."

"Believe me, we are of the same mind. I shall speak with Elene on this when she awakes."

Xan's hand brushed her shoulder as he rose to leave. "If she doesn't seem like herself, call to us."

His words troubled her for the next few hours as she went through the events in the mines. Close to sunset, Elene began to stir. Despite her doubts, Jaheira heeded Xan's warning and put her staff within reach before settling in next to Elene's cot. She observed every minute movement from the girl, until she opened her eyes.

Elene looked disoriented for a few breaths as she stared at the stone ceiling of their humble dwelling. After blinking away her confusion, she winced as she raised her left hand and noticed that it was covered in bandages, the smell of her own healing salve likely filling her senses. Long moments passed while she seemed to wonder where she was and what had likely happened. Jaheira remained motionless until Elene finally turned her head to look at her.

When their eyes met, Jaheira felt relieved. She was not looking at a stranger.

"I would say good morning, but it's almost sunset," she began, then handed a cup to Elene.

Elene sipped the water within slowly, then held the cup on her stomach as she tried to orient herself. "Thank you. Are we away from the mines?" She frowned. "Is everyone alright?"

"Yes, we are back at the druid grove." Jaheira reached out to take the cup away. "And the rest are doing well. If anything, you came off the worst at the end of it. But at least you can enjoy the benefit of your own salves," she joked weakly.

But Elene just lay there for a long while, staring at her bandages.

"Jaheira," whispered Elene. "Did I do something bad?"

The druid leaned in, her gaze searching. "What do you remember?"

Elene's eyes focused on the ceiling as she tried to recall, "You and Khalid and the rest arriving. The animus. And then a lightning bolt came out of nowhere. Then, I…" She swallowed. "I used the ability because I wanted to help. It made the pain go away. And then…" She closed her eyes. "Nothing."

"You don't remember killing Davaeorn?" asked Jaheira.

"I did?" Elene's eyes flew open, and she stared at the druid.

Jaheira took a deep breath. No wonder Xan was concerned.

"To answer your question, I don't think you did anything 'bad' necessarily." She touched her ward's unbandaged right arm. "But…these lapses you keep having when you use your ability. It tells me you had no control over it, and that is not a sign of something good."

Elene looked down. "I know. Kivan told me not to use it unless I had no choice."

"He said that?" Jaheira's lips curled into a sneer. "Terribly sensible of him, for once."

"Are you mad at him?"

"Aren't you?" Jaheira gave her an incredulous stare, annoyed at the inane question. Without meaning to, the druid's voice had risen in pitch. "He would have gotten all of us killed just to get an inkling of where Tazok was!"

"He listened in the end, Jaheira." Elene's expression turned plaintive. "He just…he needs to understand that he has friends now, people he can trust. That he's no longer on his own."

Jaheira's eyes narrowed at her. "Friends do not drag one another into almost certain death. At which point did you think it was a good idea to face Davaeorn just the two of you? Did you not think the mage would have had defences?"

"I was in disguise, I thought I'd be able to slip under his guard," Elene tried to explain.

"Oh, now you're telling me you put actual thought into it?" Jaheira scoffed. "Spare me, child. Blind luck was what kept both of you alive in that place. But as you saw, luck has this bad tendency of running out. And then what are you left with? These powers of yours that you don't understand and don't know how to control?"

Elene's gaze lingered on her bandaged arm. For once, she had no comeback.

Jaheira scrubbed at her face tiredly. "I want you to think, Elene. I know you're capable of good judgment. From now on, I want to see you exercise that judgment, and not fall in over your head because of someone else's schemes." She levelled a serious look at her ward. "Can you do this for me?"

"I…will try."

In the balmy light of the ending day, Elene looked fatigued beyond her years. As much as she wanted to remain angry with Elene, she couldn't find the heart to do so. Despite her occasional bouts of foolishness, the girl usually had the best of intentions. Only experience and good guidance would make her grow out of this naivety and make her see that sometimes 'friends' did not have your best interests at heart. Jaheira herself had to learn that the hard way over the years.

"Perhaps it is a bit late to ask but how are you feeling?" Jaheira asked, changing the subject.

"The bandaged parts hurt, but I can live with it."

"It took an archdruid to patch you up, I'll have you know."

Elene chuckled, but it was a grim sound coming from her. "Doesn't surprise me. How long are we staying here?"

"Until you are well enough to move. Then we will head to Baldur's Gate. I will tell you about the letters we found later, once you've had a bit of food in you." Jaheira shook her head. "You're going to need the energy to deal with that."

Instead of replying, Elene turned her head to gaze at the doorway. There was no one there, but Jaheira began paying closer attention to the sounds from outside. Sure enough, light footsteps crossed the threshold of their small dwelling.

Kivan appeared at the doorway moments later.

Just because he hadn't been checking in didn't mean he hadn't been lurking nearby waiting for Elene to awaken, Jaheira realised. The look she shot him was nowhere near friendly, but the heat of her gaze had been significantly reduced after the conversation with Elene. Perhaps this problem with Kivan required a soft touch, something she did not trust herself with in her current mood. She got to her feet, gathering a bowl from the floor filled with used bandages.

"I will be around the corner," she told Elene.

She stepped into an adjacent room, ostensibly to soak and wash the bandages, but she cast a spell under her breath to enhance her hearing. An old trick learned from Seniyad, funnily enough. She knew it wasn't a very proper thing to do, but there was no way she was leaving Kivan unsupervised with her ward after all that had happened. Silvanus knew what he was filling her head with. Elene may be able to accept his faults, but he would have to work to regain her trust. And Xan's, for that matter.

"How do you feel?" Kivan's gruff voice began.

"Like smoked meat." A hollow laugh from Elene. "Not too far from the truth, really."

Nothing followed her remark.

"It was a joke, Kivan."

"It's not very funny."

"I know. I'm just…trying to cope with what happened. Something was wrong with that place. But I still used the ability again and… you were right. I shouldn't use it anymore."

"What happened?"

"I...don't really remember. I can just recall…sensations? Sinister, unpleasant. Thoughts that didn't seem to belong to me. Is that what you felt that night?" After a pause, she seemed to sigh. "I'm sorry then. I think I understand what you meant now."

"I'm the one who should be apologising."

Jaheira raised an eyebrow at that but kept up the pretence of busywork. After his admission, the silence stretched. Until Elene said, "The others would need that apology more than me, I think."

"The others weren't at death's door because of me." Kivan made an exasperated sound. "You only had to resort to those powers because I was reckless, Elene. I shouldn't have taken such a risk with your life."

"Well. You could have waited for me to get in closer before you fired that arrow…but then again, you had no intention of going in with us in the first place, did you? If the others hadn't come, that would have been it for both of us."

"I…thought only of getting what I needed. I was willing to do whatever it took. Then I saw you and…I know now I would have regretted it had I chosen to sacrifice you and the others for my cause." He sighed. "Forgive me."

There was another long lapse, likely Elene making him squirm for a bit before saying, "Only if next time, you won't take that sort of risk with your own life, too."

Kivan scoffed, his bitterness loud in the silence. "My life matters not."

"It matters to me."

"It shouldn't. I told you, whatever debt you feel you owed has been repaid."

"This isn't about debt anymore. Like it or not, you're my friend. I don't want you to think your life is worthless." A pause, then Elene's voice softened to a point where Jaheira had to strain to hear her, even with the magical boost. "And I don't want you to become like the men who hurt you. You're better than that, I know you are. I've seen it."

A hard edge was in Kivan's tone when he next spoke. "It's the only way to deal with Tazok and his kind."

"There are always other ways. We will find other ways." A pause. "Will you stay with us? And try?"

After that, no more words were said. Rinsing the last of the bandages, Jaheira walked back to glance into the room. Kivan leaned back in his seat as she did, but she was quick enough to catch that he'd been clasping Elene's outstretched hand.

As upset as Jaheira was with Kivan, she respected the man, felt that he was a valuable companion who usually tried to do the right thing. If he hadn't been a good man, he wouldn't have escorted Elene safely to Khalid and herself without expecting much in return.

To lose him would be a deficit, but to keep him as the loose cannon that he was, that was risky too.

And yet, Elene managed to bring him around while appealing to his better nature, at least for now. It made Jaheira consider her in a new light. Oftentimes, change happened on the back of a raging inferno or storm. As someone who preferred the direct approach, she herself yearned for such a change, especially when she saw injustice in the world and wanted it wiped away in one fell swoop. But sometimes, change can happen when a trickle of water quietly breaks through rock, paving the way for a new stream.

Perhaps the day will come when Elene would lead them, blaze the path forward in that quiet, measured way that reminded her so much of Gorion.

To her own surprise, Jaheira found herself looking forward to that day.

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Author's Note:

So here we are, finally approaching the climax of the story. Elene's interactions with Jaheira, Kivan and Xan will continue to shape how she views the world and herself. These four characters will complete their arcs by the end of this story. The target is to flesh out those bonds organically, but do bear with me as I try to balance it with the plot, because the intrigue will progress quickly from here on out as I tie together a few narrative threads from Chapter 5 of the game.

To those still reading, thank you. Special shout out as well to Nikoru Sanzo for being so supportive, I hope I don't muck it up in the second half of things!