Chapter 1: After happily ever after
Sir Anomen Delryn considered himself lucky. If only a few years ago someone told him how his fate would turn out, he would shake his head doubtfully and call that person a madman. Yes, being a ruffled squire of the Order, Anomen dreamed of glory and heroic deeds just like everyone else, but despite his great ambitions, he saw his future in his youth constantly in black colors and considered himself a failure. He wanted nothing more than to pass the Test and be knighted to prove his worth to the Church and his superiors. The difficult relationship with his drunk father ruined his nerves and self-esteem, and Anomen, as a young man, desperately wanted to prove to everyone around him, and above all to himself, that he is, however, material for someone to be mentioned with pride and respect in the company, and not mocked behind his back or spit under legs. At the mere mention of it, Anomen smiled slightly and continued on, on his way to his mansion in the Government District. There was no trace of this hot-headed squire with an explosive temperament. He was a completely different man. Brothers from the Order often asked him for advice and entrusted him with the command of missions, the young squires watched with delight and waited for an opportunity to hear about at least one of his adventures, and people on the streets of the city greeted him warmly and asked about his wellbeing.
-Hello, Lord Delryn!
The old florist, whose stall he usually passed on his way home, greeted him as she did every day. Her face, burnt by the sun from standing in the fresh air, beamed at the sight of the knight.
-Maybe flowers for a beautiful beloved?
Anomen also smiled heartily in response and waved the old woman from a distance without slowing down. His heavy boots continued to tapping vigorously on the paved road.
-Thank you, but not this time! - he shouted and turned into the nearest street. Yes, that's him, Lord Delryn. A respected citizen and knight, who can boast of achievements that bards were already writing down greedily with pens on parchments. Until now, many of them competed in composing ballads about the brave butchering of the dragon who brutally terrorized the village, or about saving kidnapped children from the hands of slave traders. Some of these songs could not be heard in full or even half way as they were extremely poor. Other, even quite good, more than once caught Anomen's ear and several times he found himself humming or whistling, and still other songs were just so exaggerated and distorted that it was a wonder when someone believed what he heard. The undeniable truth, however, was that, while spending an evening in one of the taverns in Athkatla, one could certainly hear one of those songs in which the protagonist was, among others, he, Sir Anomen Delryn.
It was all thanks to one of those rainy, gloomy evenings spent again in the Copper Coronet, as he persistently tried to meet adventurers worthy to accompany them. That fateful evening, to this tavern that stinks of beer, questionable hygiene and Helm knows what else, entered a person who changed his fate and helped him find the right path. Esme of Candelkeep. A brave, beautiful, wise and deadly fast kensai warrior. The daughter of Bhaal himself, who denied her dark destiny and created her own. The true heroine of Baldur's Gate, and even of the entire Amn, and now his beautiful wife. It was enough that that night she threw the soaked and dirty hood of her coat off her head, spoke a few sentences in his direction and he was completely lost in her green eyes for eternity.
Every evening Anomen sent prayers to Helm thanking him for having joined their fates in his grace that evening. He did not even dare to dream of such a blessing. Yes, Sir Anomen Delryn was definitely a lucky man.
The afternoon sun was still warm enough as he approached the gates of his estate. The two guards guarding the entrance greeted him heartily as he passed them and he nodded back. The money and jewels collected by him and Esme during their joint adventures allowed them to regain the house abandoned by Lord Cor and move in together right after their wedding. The property regained its former glory and looked as impressive as the other buildings in the Government District and Lord and Lady Delryn were respected by the nobility present in the city. Their joint adventures and their contribution to the city earned them the status of heroes and almost living legends. Yet despite the desire to slow down, the new tasks and adventures still tempted them both, and for their status and experience, they were among the first in town to be approached for help. Probably only with the help of Helm himself, he and Esme found a few weeks of peace to finally organize their own wedding and reception last summer. Wanting to stay for a longer in the city, Anomen focused on serving the Order and training new members, and Esme gave sword fighting lessons to pass the time and earn extra money.
As soon as Anomen entered the house, one of the servants hurried to greet him and take his coat and other things.
-Welcome home, Lord- she said, bowing slightly - Dinner is almost ready. Would you like anything before a meal?
The knight looked at the maid and then towards the kitchen, from where he could smell cooked dishes and hear Alma singing.
-No thank you- he replied- Is Lady Delryn home?
-Yes, the Lady is on the terrace.
Anomen merely nodded in response and walked towards the terrace the maid mentioned. The sun, despite the early fall, was still warm enough and the young Delryn couple loved to spend their evenings there or sip their morning coffee. Anomen was somewhat surprised that he could not hear Esme's commands or the tapping of wooden swords. At this time, the last of the students usually finished their training, and Anomen, if he managed to come home earlier, liked to stand nearby and watch the lessons. Today, however, silence greeted him, and that surprised him a bit. Has something happened? Esme had not been feeling well for a few days and the canceled lesson did not bode well. Anomen quickened his pace to check what was going on as soon as possible, but as soon as he stepped onto the terrace, he stopped. Esme was lying in one of the armchairs covered with a blanket and asleep. The sun played with the last rays, giving her hair and skin a golden glow. She looked so calm that it took Anomen's breath away. He loved to look at this calm and defenseless side of his beloved because so few could see it. The public knew her as a strong heroine, pushing boundaries and making the impossible possible. He could be one of the few to see her tears and her delicate nature. He was the mainstay and support when the invincible evil slayer needed consolation and an arm to cry on. Anomen would not trade that privilege for anything in the world. He silently walked over to the place where the other armchair stood and sat down without taking his eyes off his wife. Esme moved her head slightly, and a strand of dark hair fell over her face. Anomen instinctively reached in that direction and tried to tuck it behind her ear and Esme flinched under his touch. She opened her eyes a bit confused looking with a sleepy gaze for a threat. At the sight of her husband, she relaxed and fell back on the armchair, smiling ashamed.
-I don't even know when I fell asleep. What time is it?
Anomen stepped closer, leaned in and kissed her forehead.
-It's almost dinner time. Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up.
Esme stared at him surprised and straightened, rubbing her stiff neck.
-So late already?
Anomen looked closely at his wife and smiled.
-Don't worry, love. One afternoon will not hurt anyone and you definitely deserve a moment of rest. Haven't you had training today?
Esme took his hand and smiled, shaking her head slightly.
-No, honey. I just didn't feel strong enough today to train young Jeeves. - At the mere mention of his name, Esme rolled her eyes and shook her head.
-That bad?
-Bad? Randall Jeeves cannot be trusted with a butter knife in his hand, let alone a real sword.
Anomen laughed out loud and pulled his wife towards him so that she sat on his lap. Esme hugged him gently and kissed him on the lips. She rested her head on his shoulder, giggling slightly.
-So you can see that you can't take it for too long and no matter how much they pay. He has no talent at all.
-Then I have some good news that will cheer you up, my dear- Anomen said, hugging her tightly around the waist and pulling her closer to him.
-Oh, really? - she asked raising her head and looking at him carefully- I'm listening.
-Soon you'll be able to get a break from Randall Jeeves and even the rest of the students.
-What do you mean?
- I spoke to Sir Ryan today. Goblins spread out near the village to the north. According to the scout, there is a whole huge nest of them. The biggest he has ever seen. These are probably a few clans that have made an alliance to better survive the winter. The Order want to take them down to save the village, gathered supplies and the villagers. Sir Ryan asked us for help on this. If we leave next week, we'll be able to annihilate the goblins before more snow falls in the mountains and return to town while the roads are still clear.
Anomen finished the explanation with a broad smile on his face. He knew that such an adventure would please both of them. It was a long time since they felt this wonderful thrill when they did not know what was lurking around the next corner. Contrary to his assumptions, Esme did not share his enthusiasm. She got up from his lap and walked to the side, turning her back on him.
-Are you not happy, honey?- he asked surprised.
Esme looked at him and Anomen saw the nervousness on her face. He got up hastily from his chair and walked closer to his wife.
-What is going on?- he asked putting his hands on her shoulders. - Has something happened?
-I ... Normally I'd be very happy, you know that - Esme explained - I'd love to go ... But I can't.
-You can not? - this answer took Anomen off guard - Sorry, honey, but I don't think I understand.
-Do you remember that I haven't been feeling very well lately, right?
Anomen felt his stomach collapse somewhere into his heels, and there is a great void instead of it.
-Dear Helm ... Are you sick? - He started to think intensely aloud - You have been weakened recently, but maybe it's not something that cannot be cured. I'll cast some spells, and if that's not ...
-Anomen, stop!- Esme interrupted him, and she grasped his face with her small hands so that he looked at her intently-Let me finish, alright?
-I ... Good- he finally replied, nodding his head. Chaos was beginning to reign in his skull and the mocking voice of his drunken father screamed and croaked inside of it: "You had what you wanted and that good enough, you pitiful knight! Now your beloved wife is sick. You will lose her and be left alone as a finger! ! You don't deserve happiness just like your hopeless mother! " Anomen tried to calm down and focus on what he was hearing.
Esme, still looking intently at him with her green eyes, began to speak slowly again.
-Do you remember how we had coffee this morning?
-Honey, I really don't know what ...
-Do you remember? - She interrupted him firmly once again and he just nodded his head in confirmation, not saying a word.
-I said to you that my coffee was terribly strong- Esme continued- So I went to the kitchen to make myself a new one. But when I walked in, Alma was cooking bacon for breakfast and the smell made me feel sick and only by miracle I didn't throw up.
Anomen opened his mouth to speak, but Esme cut him off with a wave of her hand and he immediately closed it so she could continue.
-Alma, was so surprised when I told her about coffee. She said she brewed it like she always did. I made myself a new one, but this one was also terrible. She looked at me carefully then, and we talked for a while.
-And how is that supposed to explain the matter? - sneered Anomen - You want me to talk to our cook and not to you about the fact that you are sick? What does it have to do with it?!
The fear and resentment in Anomen began to turn to frustration, and he felt himself losing his masters. That old fool, screaming words without thinking, was leaping to the surface again and taking over him. Without Esme, he would lose that better version of himself again. He will be nobody again. Despair seized him.
-I can't lose you ...- He whispered looking at his wife helplessly.
-Oh Anomen- Esme whispered and hugged him tightly- You and your silly temper... Can you catch your breath, calm down and let me finish?- She whispered in his ear and he gripped her tightly, fearing that if he let her go, he would lose her forever.
-Sorry ... Go on ...- he replied.
-Well, this conversation with you didn't go exactly as I expected- Esme chuckled lightly.
She giggled ?! How could she laugh at such a moment ?! The thought surprised and irritated Anomen, but he said nothing and continued to listen intently.
- Like I said, I talked to Alma and after that I had to go check something out. I needed to be sure before I could talk to you about it. You left the house and I canceled all my classes and went to the temple.
Esme freed herself from Anomen's embrace and grinning broadly said:
-We will have a baby.
-W .. What?- He whispered, unable to comprehend what he actually heard.
-And that's why I can't go with you and kill goblins. I'm not dying, you armored dork.
-You're pregnant?... Really?!.. We will have a baby!- Anomen almost shouted aloud. He gripped Esme tightly in his arms and lifted her high. All fear vanished at once, and euphoria reigned in his heart.
-I ... I'm gonna be a father. This armored idiot is gonna be a father!
-I guess from your reaction that you're happy? - Esme laughed.
-Happy? ? I can't even describe this feeling in my heart enough. There is no happier man in all of Amn than I am.
Anomen looked at his wife's body and gently stroked her still flat stomach. - What else did they say in the temple?
-Nothing special. Everything looks fine, I have to take it easy and baby is due at the end of spring. In a week's time, I need to go for check up and get some herbs to help with the nausea if I need to.
-I'll go with you then. I want to be with you and know about everything that is happening.
-All right- Esme said and she sniffed with her nose - Now let's go wash up before dinner. My pregnant sense of smell tells me the food is almost ready. And for the first time today, I'm really hungry.
Esme barely finished speaking when Anomen caught her in his arms and began to carry her inside the house.
-You realize that I'm not allowed to only take part in bloody slaughters? I can still walk - she said, throwing her arms around his neck.
-I know - he replied - But now carring you, or rather both of you, gives me even more pleasure. I can not wait till spring.
-Me too, though a small part of me would prefer to go and kill a dozen dragons at once. At least I know what to do. I have no idea how to deal with a baby- Esme chuckled.
- Neither do I, but we'll do fine. As we always do- said Anomen, and he kissed her hard and carried her home carefully as his greatest treasure.
Yes, Sir Anomen Delryn was without a doubt the luckiest man in all of Amn.