They emerged from the woods and crossed the plain, the winter's dry grass bending beneath their feet, and continued for about half an hour. After some time, the rest of the group paused on the plain for a break, while Anomen went on ahead.
As the others conversed more quietly than usual, Lidia observed the goings-on ahead of them. Now that they were closer to the fortress, more details stood out to her: the wooden stands and rails in the larger ring indicated that the Order held tournaments there, while a few other rings off to the side enclosed shorter grass and stables. Tall horses with glossy coats peacefully grazed inside the smaller rings, but one of them, a dark chestnut Calimite, was running wildly inside its own ring. It was more gaunt than the others with a wild look in its eye. One of the soldiers, a fellow who seemed to have more sinews than sense, was trying to ride it. After a few spirited turns and checks from the horse, he was thrown to the ground. He got up, seemingly unhurt, and shook his head at the trainer nearby.
Meanwhile, Aerie had taken off her shoes. Her long white feet had two red marks, one on the back of each heel.
"I think I'm getting blisters," she said.
"Well, did you bring new shoes along?" Jaheira asked, with a sharp look.
"Y-yes, but it's fine. I can heal myself - "
"Best not to do that," Jaheira said. "Come over here."
Aerie went over to her and sat down.
Jaheira checked over the trouble spots, then applied some of the salve and wrapped her feet in a couple soft bandages. As she worked, she said, "We have not crossed to the wilderness yet. Save your spells for the greatest need. Better to have them and not use them, than to use them unnecessarily and be without."
Aerie gave her a determined nod, and when Jaheira was done she sprang to her feet.
Jaheira abruptly turned over her shoulder towards the forest and the undergrowth, as though she noticed something, and stared after it a while.
Lidia also turned to the same spot, but there was nothing, not even a rustle. Though the light had grown to the fullness of day, the sky was overcast. On the forest floor the sunlight had only a gentle touch.
Yoshimo noticed what they were doing, too. "What is it?" he asked.
Jaheira shook her head. "It may be nothing. It was a feeling and nothing more."
Six months ago
Lidia's heart began pounding.
She'd repeated this plan to herself last night, alone in her room, long after the sun had set. She'd barely been able to get any sleep, awaiting this hour in eager anticipation.
But now, as she stood upon the great wooden pier, her courage was beginning to fail her already. She'd braved the wilderness, outlasted the endless nets of intrigue laid for her feet, overthrown a tyrant, and slipped through the hands of death again and again. Somehow, this moment was more terrifying than all the rest. Not for the first time, she wished Gorion had discussed situations like this, or at least anything more substantial than vague hints. At the same time, she'd had to admit she'd never had cause to ask him, either.
Ajantis was leaving Baldur's Gate. Lidia had asked him to at least stay for Shandalar's job, but he declined. "My assignment was clear," he'd said. "The bandits have been routed, and their leader cast down. I must return to the Order now that my task is complete."
Last night, the rest of his possessions had been loaded onto a stately carrack, a fine trading vessel hewed from cedar and trimmed in gold, with a gold-coated bust of Waukeen mounted upon its bow next to the name of Ellidi.
Most of what this vessel was carrying seemed to be cargo: sailors were moving barrels and boxes across the gangway into the ship's stores. A man in a long blue robe and turban stood nearby, using a short quill to strike items from a long list. Only a half-dozen passengers were waiting next to him.
Ajantis had already moved his gear to the stores the night before, and now took only with him a small pack. He'd gone ahead early, and been waiting there since before dawn. Nonetheless, the Ellidi would likely have to wait in port for a few days, until the wind was right.
The others had also come to see him off, each of them agreeing to it with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Lidia suspected that Jaheira, especially, was there more for her sake than for his.
After Ajantis had bidden good-bye to the rest of the group, she went with him down the dock, trading with him pleasantries and little of substance. As they talked, her face grew warm, she unthinkingly fumbled with the end of her long red braid, and every planned word died upon her tongue.
They came to the gangway. "I fear this is where I take my leave," he said.
She straightened up, looked him in the eye, and said, "I hope I'll see you again."
He smiled, though his eyes remained grave, and bowed. "If ever your travels take you to Athkatla, seek me out."
He turned and went into the ship. The gangway raised and closed behind him. He was somewhere behind that door, but for all practical purposes he might as well have crossed into another world. Lidia stood still for a moment, listening to the sound of water against stone and wood. She shivered as an early morning sea breeze brushed past her.
She denied herself any feelings of regret or self-recrimination. Things had gone as they ought, more or less. And if there wasn't time now, perhaps someday there would be.