Cursed Heritage 1 - The Dark Half
Chapter 3 - False impressions
The sound of birds singing woke her up.
Jaheira rose from her bed, and left her husband's side to watch the sunrise from the window. The Friendly Arms Inn had large windows in it's topmost rooms, and Jaheira sat down on the pane and sniffed the fragrant morning air.
Gorion was dead.
She felt the cold anger from last night again rising and curled her hands into fists.
No.
She controlled herself once again, and sighed. Wiping the sudden moistness from her eyes, Jaheira watched her sleeping husband, Khalid. The other half- elf was still soundly asleep, snoring gently as usual.
She began to dress up, thinking of her coming mission. "Better make that two missions." She corrected herself, pulling her deerskin pants on. She thought of the old sage's foster child.
Aidan, the boy was called.
Jaheria snorted disdainfully.
The young mageling seemed timid and unsure of himself, showing none of Gorion's leadership abilities and formidable intelligence. She promised herself that she would find Gorion's killer and make him pay dearly.
"Time to rise, my love." she whispered in Khalid's ear, waking him up.
There was much to be done, she mused. Those two brigands Aidan had dredged up, for example. Jaheira was pretty certain she knew what those ruffians were all about. She had seen their ilk before, and knew how to handle them.
She grinned fiercely.
Perhaps some good would follow from this disastrous rendezvous after all.
*-*-*
Aidan woke with a start. Someone was loudly banging on his door.
He jumped out of his bed, suddenly bewildered. Where in the Abyss was he?
The he heard Jaheira's demanding voice and a final loud bang. It all came back to him, the flight from Candlekeep, Gorion's death.
"I'll be down in a minute!" he yelled through the door.
Aidan sat back down on his bed, feeling awful.
*-*-*
Some ten minutes later, Aidan came to the main hall of the inn. He saw that his companions were sitting in a long table, having a rather loud argument. Feeling hardly better from the commotion, the young wizard sat down next to Imoen feeling rather downcast.
"I will not be mocked thy most slanderous harlot!" Xzar yelled at Jaheira so pale from fury that his black tattoos seemed to leap from his face. Khalid looked dazed and unsure of what to do, whereas Jaheira herself seemed ready to tear the wizard into little pieces.
She seemed ready to launch into a tirade, when she spotted Aidan.
"Ah, awake I see." she remarked in a rather cold tone.
Khalid seemed uncomfortable and Imoen was biting her tongue as hard as she could trying not to launch into her friends' defense. Montaron looked bored and Xzar had settled down.
Aidan sighed and picked up his bag from the floor, following the others as Jaheira led them outside.
*-*-*
From the start it seemed clear the group had a new leader to guide it.
Jaheira set the course which the others meekly (Aidan, Khalid and Imoen) or less-than-meekly (Montaron and Xzar) followed. The tattooed man and halfling particularly bristled under Jaheira's harsh orders. To Aidan, at least, it seemed that serious conflict was on the horizon.
"Hey there, you're new here, aren't you? Could I trouble you a moment?"
Aidan started, and turned to see a young buxom wench addressing him. She was provocatively dressed and wore a short sword on one rounded hip. Aidan stared a moment with his mouth agape, then realized his embarrassment and turned beet red to the woman's great amusement.
Imoen scowled at the grinning source of Aidan's sudden discomfort.
"Certainly, m'lady. Speak your mind." Aidan managed to reply, hoping his good manners and charming smile would rescue him.
The woman wasn't impressed.
"Such manners!" she rolled her eyes. "Well, I need a gruff hand for this task, so keep your "please and thank you" garbage for the nobles. I was robbed blind by some hobgoblins within sight of this very Inn's walls and I need you to return the favor." She said with a nasty glint in her large eyes.
"They took my ring, and that's all I want back. Will you do it?" She looked at Aidan's eyes from under her long, sooty lashes.
"What is in this for me. us?" Somebody interjected and Aidan was roughly pushed aside.
Montaron. The greedy little thug was crudely eyeing the ample "assets" of the twice as tall human woman.
"Hmm?" the wench wasn't impressed at the halfling's crudeness.
"Nothing. I have no. gold. to give you." She flashed a smile towards the young wizard again.
"I was just robbed, remember? You'll be doing it out of the goodness of your heart." She pushed past the leering Montaron towards Aidan.
"WE will do this for you." Jaheira interrupted, with a disgusted scowl on her face.
All the seductiveness vanished from the woman's face.
"I thank you. The creatures were just north of the Inn. I swear I could almost see them from the upper rooms. Bring my ring back here when you get it. You'll know it when you see it. It's a flamedance ring, and very striking." She flashed a quick smile at Aidan and walked in one of the house at the courtyard.
The companions readied their equipment, and Aidan saw that they were better equipped this time. Montaron had bought a small round shield, and Imoen wore a leather armor vest over her clothes. She seemed to have stocked up her arrows, too.
Jaheira was similarly armored in leather, and wore a quarter staff like Aidan. Khalid wore chain mail, and completed his battle garb with a helmet and a triangular medium shield. On his left hip rested a long sword in it's sheath.
Jaheira also gave Imoen and Aidan some final advice.
"Remember, the hobgoblins are large bullies, as big and strong as a human male. You said you have fought off attacking gibberlings and wolves. Good." Imoen glowed in her praise, but Aidan thought he heard a slightly derisive note in Jaheira's voice.
"This is different, though. These humanoids will be armed and might even have bows. Spare your magic for emergencies, Aidan." She looked straight at him.
"I am a follower of Silvanus, a druid you might say." She continued.
"Thus I will be able to heal some of our wounds and hinder our enemies. Imoen, be careful with your arrows and Aidan," She looked at him in the eye.
"Stay out of the front lines."
*-*-*
The companions advanced carefully in the forest, with Jaheira and Montaron further ahead scouting. Aidan felt prepared. Xzar had bragged to him earlier that he was now invulnerable to physical harm. Aidan had noticed that the madman had studied their mutually owned spellbook last night.
Invincible indeed! He scoffed at the thought. The book contained the "Armor" spell, which Aidan already had. If Xzar thought that would make him invincible, he would be in for a shock.
Aidan had some experience on the matter. Some days back he had mastered the very same spell, and thought himself impervious to harm and had gotten his friend Dreppin to test the theory. He still had the bruise from Dreppin's expertly thrown stone.
There was a quiet whistle from the point, and everyone stopped. Jaheira backtracked, and lifted two fingers in her left hand. Two hobgoblins.
The brutes were lounging by a small campfire, talking in their rough language. Their relaxed moment ended when the other got an arrow through it's shoulder. It screamed in pain and rage, and both humanoids scrambled up and charged the companions emerging from behind the trees. They didn't spot Montaron in time.
The other humanoid bandit watched in confusion as it's comrade fell on it's knees screaming, with a blade through it's back. It turned on the halfling responsible and charged him, only to lose it's head for Khalid's over head swing.
A clean victory! Aidan was exultant. Montaron and Imoen were already digging through the possessions of the brutes, while Jaheira and Khalid kept careful watch over the campsite. This turned out to be a fortunate move, as Jaheira alerted the rest of her companions to the presence of the three large hobgoblins charging them from the woods.
Imoen's shot at the head brute missed, and it charged Jaheira, trying to repeat Khalid's beheading trick. Unfortunately for the Hobgoblin, Jaheira was an experienced warrior druid and easily dodged the clumsy swing. She then struck expertly with her staff crushing her opponents fingers. The brute stumbled backwards, dropping it's sword and howling in pain. Imoen's second shot ended it's life in mid-bellow, piercing the hobgoblin leader's throat.
Khalid was locked in a melee with one of the humanoids, and Aidan tried to spot Montaron in the fray. This saved his life as the third hobgoblin had blindsided him and tried to attack him and Xzar. Aidan saved his own life by dodging the rather clumsy thrust the brute tried to skewer him with. Xzar charged the brute with his dagger, howling like a madman.
The tattooed wizard's charge ended in pain as the hobgoblin made a desperate swing and managed to catch Xzar's side with it's blade. The green robed man fell, howling in agony, and the grinning humanoid turned it's attention back towards Aidan.
The young wizard, however, was already moving. He yelled savagely and thrust his staff like a spear at the hobgoblin's midsection. The brute was completely surprised by the move and got the air kicked out of it's lungs. Gasping for breath, it stumbled straight into Montaron's waiting blade.
*-*-*
Aidan felt relieved. They had found the ring on the large Hobgoblin who had tried to attack Jaheira, and on top of that some very nice treasure. Jaheira had taken the mutual gem bag, after the gold coins had been divided. Montaron and Xzar had bitterly argued against it, but had been outvoted four against two. They were now sulking, and walking in the rear ranks.
Joia, as their buxom "employer" was called, had been most appreciative. She had offered to thank him privately, but Jaheira had argued that they were in a hurry and that was that. Joia had promised to speak kindly of them to all her friends. Aidan, in his inexperience, glowed at her praise. He was already dreaming of a heroic future as an adventurer.
*-*-*
The companions had travelled southwards for the entire day, and were finally nearing the town of Beregost. Darkness had fallen long time ago, but Jaheira insisted that they pressed on towards the town. She stated rapacious brigands and marauding bands of gibberlings as her reason.
The winds were calm but the sky was overcast. Aidan wished he could see the stars. One of his fondest memories was learning the names of constellations with Gorion. The pain of his loss was still too fresh, and Aidan quickly shifted his thoughts to another subject.
Suddenly the silence was shattered by a loud bellow. Something huge crashed through the forest towards the road the companions were walking.
"L. l. lookout! It's an ogre!" Khalid called out as he drew his sword from it's sheath. Imoen fired a quick shot with her bow, but missed, unused to shooting in darkness. Aidan scrambled through his bags of spell components to find the requirements for casting "Armor", while Xzar was already chanting.
Montaron and Khalid met the huge brute face on, as it cleared the woods, swinging it's huge club. Jaheira encircled the melee, trying to get a chance for hitting the ogre's back. Khalid and Montaron hacked away, but either their weapons failed to pierce the monstrous humanoids thick skin and hodgepodge armor or they just failed to hit it because the ogre didn't even cringe. Instead, it swung it's massive cudgel at Khalid, who only barely managed to deflect it with his shield.
The force of the ogre's blow was such that Khalid flew aside like a child's discarded toy. Montaron backed away in alarm, and the beast headed straight towards the fallen half-elf. Xzar's spell went off, a small glowing sphere of energy that hit the ogre in it's head, causing it to growl in anger. Aidan managed to complete his own casting as well, and felt the protective energies of the "Armor" spell envelope him. Not about to let his terror result in his companions' deaths, he stepped forward to engage the beast in melee.
Jaheira gave the ogre a punishing thwack along it's head, breaking it's flat nose. Bellowing in hurt and rage, it swung at Jaheira with it's weapon. Had the strike connected, every bone in her body would have been broken. But the ogre was not an expert fighter, and sinuous half-elf side easily side-stepped the attack. Imoen had by-now circled the fray, and jumped in dangerously close to sink an arrow in the monster's back.
Beset from all directions, the creature tried to pursue the retreating Jaheira, not seeing clearly enough to it's sides. This proved to be a fatal mistake, as the by-now recovered Khalid cut the ogre's right leg clean off from it's knee. Gurgling in pain, the monster fell. Montaron jumped at the opportunity, and slashed it's throat.
*-*-*
This had certainly been no ordinary ogre. Carrying no gold or jewelry, it's particular fetish seemed to have been fine belts and girdles. The giant humanoid was wearing three different belts, and the sack it carried contained even more. Two of them were particularly fine, one made of fine dark leather and the other one an gem encrusted girdle. Jaheira suspected them to be enchanted, and Aidan confirmed her suspicion with a "Detect Magic" spell later.
Gorion's earlier wisdom in endorsing Divination spells now came back to haunt him. If he had mastered the "Identify" spell, he could have found out the powers of the two enchanted belts. As it was, both Khalid and Jaheira warned against trying them on. Cursed items had often been the bane of young adventurers.
A soon as Jaheira had healed her husband's wounds with a healing incantation, the companions pressed on towards Beregost once again. The noise of the combat had surely gotten the attention of fell creatures if there were any nearby.
*-*-*
It wasn't long before they heard the howls and screeching.
"Gibberlings. At least ten, maybe more" Jaheira remarked grimly to Khalid who only nodded.
"Prepare to fight for your lives, young ones." She said to Aidan and Imoen.
The howls were coming closer, and the companions readied their weapons once again. All was silent for a short while, and then gray shaggy forms surged at them from every direction.
Aidan was ready. He yelled the incantation and threw sand in a wide circle at the four hairy creatures charging him. With confused whimpers, all four fell down, fast asleep. Khalid tapped him encouragingly on the shoulder as Aidan drew his wand from his belt. Now would be a good time to use it on his enemies. He heard Xzar's nonstop high-pitched battle cry as the madman waded into the gibberling ranks. His "Armor" spell protecting him, Xzar hacked at everything that moved. Montaron sprang past Aidan and began to kill the sleeping gibberlings while Khalid blocked the path of two flankers that had attempted to pounce on Imoen.
Jaheira brought her staff down with all her strength. Her enemy's skull cracked like an egg shell, and she whirled to face yet another of the shaggy creatures. It growled at her and sprang forward, powered by it's strong legs. Jaheira swung her staff at the vicious ball of teeth and fur. Her staff struck the gibberling across it's face/snout, eliciting a pained whimper. It spun around and crashed on the ground. Intending to finish her opponent, Jaheira didn't see the other gibberling until it was too late. The shaggy creature jumped on her back, and they both went down as Jaheira lost her balance. Her situation desperate, Jaheira struck the beast in face with her fist. It snarled in anger and went for her throat.
There was a purple flash, and the gibberling fell limp on top of her. Jaheira recognized the spell, "Magic Missile". Preparing to grudgingly thank Xzar, she was astonished to see that it was Aidan, holding a small wand in his hand, who helped her stand up.
"Thank you! I." She glanced around.
The battle was over, with the remains of at least fifteen gibberlings strewn all over the roadside and the nearby forest.
"No need." The boy grinned sheepishly at her.
Jaheira nodded at him, and grabbed her staff from where it had flown from her grasp.
After a small pause, during which Jaheira took care of their injuries using both her druidic spells and herbs, the companions continued southwards, intending to reach Beregost until dawn. No more creatures harried them during the trip, and as the first ray's of the sun peeked from the horizon the small town of Beregost greeted their weary eyes.
*-*-*
"Need directions? You seem a friendly sort, so I thought I'd offer my services as a guide. What do you need from the town of Beregost?"
The greeting came from a friendly looking older man, who was watching the companions as they neared the town.
"Certainly. If you could direct us to an affordable Inn we would much appreciate it." Aidan replied the man.
"We have many Inns for the frugal adventurer. The Red Sheaf has basic rooms, though the clientele is a touch rowdy. There is also the Burning Wizard and the Jovial Juggler, which also have finer suites. The Red Sheaf is near the center of town, as is the Burning Wizard. The Jovial Juggler is a bit further along, and sits on the southern edge of the city." came the old timer's reply.
Aidan started to thank the man, but Xzar beat him to it with a question of his own. "I'M looking for a bit of luxury. What's the nicest Inn in town?"
"The finest Inn would have to be Feldepost's, though it is also quite friendly. Lots of local color. Feldepost's Inn is in the lower west side of the town." The old man again replied.
Without thanking him, Xzar and Montaron pushed past Aidan and Imoen and headed in direction the old man had indicated.
"I need some well-made weapons and armor. Do you have a good Smithy?" asked Jaheira, scornfully eyeing after Xzar and Montaron.
The old man looked astonished at her question.
"We have the best smithy in all the Realms!" he said, incredulous at the thought that someone hadn't heard of their town smith.
"Taerom "Thunderhammer" Fuiruim runs the Thunderhammer Smithy in the eastern side of town. He has a few exceptional items as well, though you could also check Feldepost's Inn. They carry trophy items, though you had best be rich as kings."
With that, they thanked the old man and continued on towards the Feldepost's Inn. Aidan had managed to cajole the book for himself from Xzar, and he fully intended to try and learn a new spell or two after a short rest.
The town was just beginning to wake up as the party reached Feldepost's Inn, a large building on the south-western edge of the settlement. Aidan stopped outside for a brief moment, and looked at the view of Beregost that opened in front of his eyes. He had been here before, as a child. Gorion had sometimes made short trips to purchase something that wasn't available in Candlekeep, and had at times even taken Aidan and Imoen with him.
Shaking his head to clear out the memories of happy carefree days he stepped in, and bumped straight into a large surly man. Aidan started to apologize, but the man was already speaking to him in a menacing tone.
"'Ere now, get out! I don't like your type in here!" he snarled at Aidan.
Aidan spread his hands and stepped away from the man, walking towards the counter where his friends were arguing about the price of lodgings.
"Heh, you tell 'em Marl." Another man commented, egging the first one on.
Imoen tucked at Jaheira's sleeve, and she started towards the growing argument but the crowd had already gathered around Aidan and the two angry men.
"Hey! I told you to get lost! Ain't no room here for ye trouble makin' strangers!" the first one snarled, his face twisted in a curious mixture of grief and fury. He took a step towards Aidan raising his huge fists.
"No need to get all bent out of shape. There's plenty of bar for us all." Aidan was trying to think quickly. Why the man was angry at him, he had no idea.
"Hey, I take whatever shape I want! I'm sick of you freakish adventurers going out, consorting with gods know what, and dragging your trouble back into my home town! What do you say to that!?" The brute grabbed the front of Aidan's robe and waved his hammy fist in front of the young wizards face.
Was the man angry at adventurer's for some reason, Aidan thought feverishly. He saw Jaheira and Khalid trying to push through the crowd to help him out.
"I just do what I think is right. We solve a lot more trouble than we cause. Well, very nearly anyways. Heh heh." Aidan realized that his nervous laugh had been a mistake. The man's twisted expression darkened even further, and he realized one false word meant fist cuffs with the brute.
"Oh you think it's funny do you?!" the large man screamed in rage, his spittle flying all over Aidan's face.
"You mess up the local economy with your treasure, you upset the balance of nature, you flash your magic around, and because of it maybe somebody's son thinks it's fun and goes out and gets himself killed! It's a bad example and somebody ought to kick your ass for it!" There was madness in Marl's eyes now, and even his friend seemed worried as he glanced from where he was keeping Khalid and Jaheira occupied.
"Hold on!" Aidan tried to sound firm and self-confident. It seemed to work, the man's crazed expression cleared somewhat.
"Everyone goes their own path, and I'll not be held accountable for what the Fates deal." he continued, his voice calm but firm.
"He was a good boy 'til your kind came through town! Filled his head with nonsense they did, and because of it he's dead! Now why shouldn't I take THAT out of your hide?!" Marl still sounded angry, but Aidan now knew what had driven the man to attack him.
"If you knew him like you think, then ask yourself if he wouldn't have gone anyway." he asked, looking Marl into eye.
"It's a calling you're born with. Nobody gives it to you." Aidan finished, hoping that the large man would understand reason.
"'Tain't true! He was going to take over the farm and settle down. Maybe apprentice with Thunderhammer during the winter. He never wanted to adventure." Marl yelled, in agony. There were tears in the big man's eyes.
Khalid elbowed hi way past the crowd and took a hold of the hand Marl was threatening Aidan with.
"That was what you wanted, Marl!" the man's friend replied at the him.
"Fun's fun, but yer blaming these folk fer what couldn't be helped. That boy was a firebrand if ever there was..." he said, loosening Marl's grip on Aidan's robes.
"No! He was settling down! He wanted. he wanted." Marl collapsed on the floor, overcome from rage and sorrow.
"That new plow ye bought last year, he got the gold by helping clear kobolds near Ulgoth's Beard. He wanted to make a difference, make the Realms a bit safer." His friend continued, kneeling beside Marl.
"Just like these folk most likely." He forced his friend to look at Aidan, Khalid and Jaheira who were standing some distance apart.
"By Chauntea, why couldn't he just stay home?!" Marl uttered with an oath, and unsteadily rose to his feet again.
He looked at Aidan, ashamed but still suspicious.
"The Realms call, and you go." Aidan said to him.
"He sounds a fine lad taken too soon, but doing what he was meant. If you'll suffer my company, I'll buy a round and toast his memory with you." he said, offering Marl a handshake and holding his breath.
Marl's face broke into a broken mockery of a smile, but a smile nonetheless. He grasped Aidan's slender fingers inside his massive fist and shook his hand.
"'Twould be fitting, I suppose." The barmaids quickly served casket's of beer to the crowd present.
"To Kennair Nethalin! Rest ye well!" The toast was repeated, and Aidan took a deep swig from his beer, the cold beverage cooling him down.
"I... I would be alone awhile." Marl was trying hard to control himself, and went outside.
The big man's friend watched at Aidan, amazed look on his round face.
"Well... 'tis the calmest I done seen him in a week." He said to Aidan, marvel and grusging respect in his voice.
"Still, best you move along. Marl ain't known for his steady moods." He tapped Aidan on the shoulder and followed his friend outside.
The young wizard turned to watch his companions, his face a mixture of relief and pride brought on by success. Aidan's festive mood was disrupted, when he saw Montaron sheathe his sword, and wink at him. The halfling had been ready to kill Marl at a moment's notice.
But he momentarily forgot about the murderous halfling as he saw the admiration the others (excepting Xzar, of course) displayed him. Jaheira and Khalid in particular seemed to appreciate Aidan's success with a non- violent solution.
Aidan took another, deep gulp of his beer draining it empty. Montaron and Xzar were creeping him out, and it was only thanks to Aidan's fast-talking skills that they weren't being chased as murderers out of town at the moment. He would have to find a way to rid himself of their company, once they arrived to Nashkel.
For now, he had the captured spell book and fully intended to study it before going to sleep.
Chapter 3 - False impressions
The sound of birds singing woke her up.
Jaheira rose from her bed, and left her husband's side to watch the sunrise from the window. The Friendly Arms Inn had large windows in it's topmost rooms, and Jaheira sat down on the pane and sniffed the fragrant morning air.
Gorion was dead.
She felt the cold anger from last night again rising and curled her hands into fists.
No.
She controlled herself once again, and sighed. Wiping the sudden moistness from her eyes, Jaheira watched her sleeping husband, Khalid. The other half- elf was still soundly asleep, snoring gently as usual.
She began to dress up, thinking of her coming mission. "Better make that two missions." She corrected herself, pulling her deerskin pants on. She thought of the old sage's foster child.
Aidan, the boy was called.
Jaheria snorted disdainfully.
The young mageling seemed timid and unsure of himself, showing none of Gorion's leadership abilities and formidable intelligence. She promised herself that she would find Gorion's killer and make him pay dearly.
"Time to rise, my love." she whispered in Khalid's ear, waking him up.
There was much to be done, she mused. Those two brigands Aidan had dredged up, for example. Jaheira was pretty certain she knew what those ruffians were all about. She had seen their ilk before, and knew how to handle them.
She grinned fiercely.
Perhaps some good would follow from this disastrous rendezvous after all.
*-*-*
Aidan woke with a start. Someone was loudly banging on his door.
He jumped out of his bed, suddenly bewildered. Where in the Abyss was he?
The he heard Jaheira's demanding voice and a final loud bang. It all came back to him, the flight from Candlekeep, Gorion's death.
"I'll be down in a minute!" he yelled through the door.
Aidan sat back down on his bed, feeling awful.
*-*-*
Some ten minutes later, Aidan came to the main hall of the inn. He saw that his companions were sitting in a long table, having a rather loud argument. Feeling hardly better from the commotion, the young wizard sat down next to Imoen feeling rather downcast.
"I will not be mocked thy most slanderous harlot!" Xzar yelled at Jaheira so pale from fury that his black tattoos seemed to leap from his face. Khalid looked dazed and unsure of what to do, whereas Jaheira herself seemed ready to tear the wizard into little pieces.
She seemed ready to launch into a tirade, when she spotted Aidan.
"Ah, awake I see." she remarked in a rather cold tone.
Khalid seemed uncomfortable and Imoen was biting her tongue as hard as she could trying not to launch into her friends' defense. Montaron looked bored and Xzar had settled down.
Aidan sighed and picked up his bag from the floor, following the others as Jaheira led them outside.
*-*-*
From the start it seemed clear the group had a new leader to guide it.
Jaheira set the course which the others meekly (Aidan, Khalid and Imoen) or less-than-meekly (Montaron and Xzar) followed. The tattooed man and halfling particularly bristled under Jaheira's harsh orders. To Aidan, at least, it seemed that serious conflict was on the horizon.
"Hey there, you're new here, aren't you? Could I trouble you a moment?"
Aidan started, and turned to see a young buxom wench addressing him. She was provocatively dressed and wore a short sword on one rounded hip. Aidan stared a moment with his mouth agape, then realized his embarrassment and turned beet red to the woman's great amusement.
Imoen scowled at the grinning source of Aidan's sudden discomfort.
"Certainly, m'lady. Speak your mind." Aidan managed to reply, hoping his good manners and charming smile would rescue him.
The woman wasn't impressed.
"Such manners!" she rolled her eyes. "Well, I need a gruff hand for this task, so keep your "please and thank you" garbage for the nobles. I was robbed blind by some hobgoblins within sight of this very Inn's walls and I need you to return the favor." She said with a nasty glint in her large eyes.
"They took my ring, and that's all I want back. Will you do it?" She looked at Aidan's eyes from under her long, sooty lashes.
"What is in this for me. us?" Somebody interjected and Aidan was roughly pushed aside.
Montaron. The greedy little thug was crudely eyeing the ample "assets" of the twice as tall human woman.
"Hmm?" the wench wasn't impressed at the halfling's crudeness.
"Nothing. I have no. gold. to give you." She flashed a smile towards the young wizard again.
"I was just robbed, remember? You'll be doing it out of the goodness of your heart." She pushed past the leering Montaron towards Aidan.
"WE will do this for you." Jaheira interrupted, with a disgusted scowl on her face.
All the seductiveness vanished from the woman's face.
"I thank you. The creatures were just north of the Inn. I swear I could almost see them from the upper rooms. Bring my ring back here when you get it. You'll know it when you see it. It's a flamedance ring, and very striking." She flashed a quick smile at Aidan and walked in one of the house at the courtyard.
The companions readied their equipment, and Aidan saw that they were better equipped this time. Montaron had bought a small round shield, and Imoen wore a leather armor vest over her clothes. She seemed to have stocked up her arrows, too.
Jaheira was similarly armored in leather, and wore a quarter staff like Aidan. Khalid wore chain mail, and completed his battle garb with a helmet and a triangular medium shield. On his left hip rested a long sword in it's sheath.
Jaheira also gave Imoen and Aidan some final advice.
"Remember, the hobgoblins are large bullies, as big and strong as a human male. You said you have fought off attacking gibberlings and wolves. Good." Imoen glowed in her praise, but Aidan thought he heard a slightly derisive note in Jaheira's voice.
"This is different, though. These humanoids will be armed and might even have bows. Spare your magic for emergencies, Aidan." She looked straight at him.
"I am a follower of Silvanus, a druid you might say." She continued.
"Thus I will be able to heal some of our wounds and hinder our enemies. Imoen, be careful with your arrows and Aidan," She looked at him in the eye.
"Stay out of the front lines."
*-*-*
The companions advanced carefully in the forest, with Jaheira and Montaron further ahead scouting. Aidan felt prepared. Xzar had bragged to him earlier that he was now invulnerable to physical harm. Aidan had noticed that the madman had studied their mutually owned spellbook last night.
Invincible indeed! He scoffed at the thought. The book contained the "Armor" spell, which Aidan already had. If Xzar thought that would make him invincible, he would be in for a shock.
Aidan had some experience on the matter. Some days back he had mastered the very same spell, and thought himself impervious to harm and had gotten his friend Dreppin to test the theory. He still had the bruise from Dreppin's expertly thrown stone.
There was a quiet whistle from the point, and everyone stopped. Jaheira backtracked, and lifted two fingers in her left hand. Two hobgoblins.
The brutes were lounging by a small campfire, talking in their rough language. Their relaxed moment ended when the other got an arrow through it's shoulder. It screamed in pain and rage, and both humanoids scrambled up and charged the companions emerging from behind the trees. They didn't spot Montaron in time.
The other humanoid bandit watched in confusion as it's comrade fell on it's knees screaming, with a blade through it's back. It turned on the halfling responsible and charged him, only to lose it's head for Khalid's over head swing.
A clean victory! Aidan was exultant. Montaron and Imoen were already digging through the possessions of the brutes, while Jaheira and Khalid kept careful watch over the campsite. This turned out to be a fortunate move, as Jaheira alerted the rest of her companions to the presence of the three large hobgoblins charging them from the woods.
Imoen's shot at the head brute missed, and it charged Jaheira, trying to repeat Khalid's beheading trick. Unfortunately for the Hobgoblin, Jaheira was an experienced warrior druid and easily dodged the clumsy swing. She then struck expertly with her staff crushing her opponents fingers. The brute stumbled backwards, dropping it's sword and howling in pain. Imoen's second shot ended it's life in mid-bellow, piercing the hobgoblin leader's throat.
Khalid was locked in a melee with one of the humanoids, and Aidan tried to spot Montaron in the fray. This saved his life as the third hobgoblin had blindsided him and tried to attack him and Xzar. Aidan saved his own life by dodging the rather clumsy thrust the brute tried to skewer him with. Xzar charged the brute with his dagger, howling like a madman.
The tattooed wizard's charge ended in pain as the hobgoblin made a desperate swing and managed to catch Xzar's side with it's blade. The green robed man fell, howling in agony, and the grinning humanoid turned it's attention back towards Aidan.
The young wizard, however, was already moving. He yelled savagely and thrust his staff like a spear at the hobgoblin's midsection. The brute was completely surprised by the move and got the air kicked out of it's lungs. Gasping for breath, it stumbled straight into Montaron's waiting blade.
*-*-*
Aidan felt relieved. They had found the ring on the large Hobgoblin who had tried to attack Jaheira, and on top of that some very nice treasure. Jaheira had taken the mutual gem bag, after the gold coins had been divided. Montaron and Xzar had bitterly argued against it, but had been outvoted four against two. They were now sulking, and walking in the rear ranks.
Joia, as their buxom "employer" was called, had been most appreciative. She had offered to thank him privately, but Jaheira had argued that they were in a hurry and that was that. Joia had promised to speak kindly of them to all her friends. Aidan, in his inexperience, glowed at her praise. He was already dreaming of a heroic future as an adventurer.
*-*-*
The companions had travelled southwards for the entire day, and were finally nearing the town of Beregost. Darkness had fallen long time ago, but Jaheira insisted that they pressed on towards the town. She stated rapacious brigands and marauding bands of gibberlings as her reason.
The winds were calm but the sky was overcast. Aidan wished he could see the stars. One of his fondest memories was learning the names of constellations with Gorion. The pain of his loss was still too fresh, and Aidan quickly shifted his thoughts to another subject.
Suddenly the silence was shattered by a loud bellow. Something huge crashed through the forest towards the road the companions were walking.
"L. l. lookout! It's an ogre!" Khalid called out as he drew his sword from it's sheath. Imoen fired a quick shot with her bow, but missed, unused to shooting in darkness. Aidan scrambled through his bags of spell components to find the requirements for casting "Armor", while Xzar was already chanting.
Montaron and Khalid met the huge brute face on, as it cleared the woods, swinging it's huge club. Jaheira encircled the melee, trying to get a chance for hitting the ogre's back. Khalid and Montaron hacked away, but either their weapons failed to pierce the monstrous humanoids thick skin and hodgepodge armor or they just failed to hit it because the ogre didn't even cringe. Instead, it swung it's massive cudgel at Khalid, who only barely managed to deflect it with his shield.
The force of the ogre's blow was such that Khalid flew aside like a child's discarded toy. Montaron backed away in alarm, and the beast headed straight towards the fallen half-elf. Xzar's spell went off, a small glowing sphere of energy that hit the ogre in it's head, causing it to growl in anger. Aidan managed to complete his own casting as well, and felt the protective energies of the "Armor" spell envelope him. Not about to let his terror result in his companions' deaths, he stepped forward to engage the beast in melee.
Jaheira gave the ogre a punishing thwack along it's head, breaking it's flat nose. Bellowing in hurt and rage, it swung at Jaheira with it's weapon. Had the strike connected, every bone in her body would have been broken. But the ogre was not an expert fighter, and sinuous half-elf side easily side-stepped the attack. Imoen had by-now circled the fray, and jumped in dangerously close to sink an arrow in the monster's back.
Beset from all directions, the creature tried to pursue the retreating Jaheira, not seeing clearly enough to it's sides. This proved to be a fatal mistake, as the by-now recovered Khalid cut the ogre's right leg clean off from it's knee. Gurgling in pain, the monster fell. Montaron jumped at the opportunity, and slashed it's throat.
*-*-*
This had certainly been no ordinary ogre. Carrying no gold or jewelry, it's particular fetish seemed to have been fine belts and girdles. The giant humanoid was wearing three different belts, and the sack it carried contained even more. Two of them were particularly fine, one made of fine dark leather and the other one an gem encrusted girdle. Jaheira suspected them to be enchanted, and Aidan confirmed her suspicion with a "Detect Magic" spell later.
Gorion's earlier wisdom in endorsing Divination spells now came back to haunt him. If he had mastered the "Identify" spell, he could have found out the powers of the two enchanted belts. As it was, both Khalid and Jaheira warned against trying them on. Cursed items had often been the bane of young adventurers.
A soon as Jaheira had healed her husband's wounds with a healing incantation, the companions pressed on towards Beregost once again. The noise of the combat had surely gotten the attention of fell creatures if there were any nearby.
*-*-*
It wasn't long before they heard the howls and screeching.
"Gibberlings. At least ten, maybe more" Jaheira remarked grimly to Khalid who only nodded.
"Prepare to fight for your lives, young ones." She said to Aidan and Imoen.
The howls were coming closer, and the companions readied their weapons once again. All was silent for a short while, and then gray shaggy forms surged at them from every direction.
Aidan was ready. He yelled the incantation and threw sand in a wide circle at the four hairy creatures charging him. With confused whimpers, all four fell down, fast asleep. Khalid tapped him encouragingly on the shoulder as Aidan drew his wand from his belt. Now would be a good time to use it on his enemies. He heard Xzar's nonstop high-pitched battle cry as the madman waded into the gibberling ranks. His "Armor" spell protecting him, Xzar hacked at everything that moved. Montaron sprang past Aidan and began to kill the sleeping gibberlings while Khalid blocked the path of two flankers that had attempted to pounce on Imoen.
Jaheira brought her staff down with all her strength. Her enemy's skull cracked like an egg shell, and she whirled to face yet another of the shaggy creatures. It growled at her and sprang forward, powered by it's strong legs. Jaheira swung her staff at the vicious ball of teeth and fur. Her staff struck the gibberling across it's face/snout, eliciting a pained whimper. It spun around and crashed on the ground. Intending to finish her opponent, Jaheira didn't see the other gibberling until it was too late. The shaggy creature jumped on her back, and they both went down as Jaheira lost her balance. Her situation desperate, Jaheira struck the beast in face with her fist. It snarled in anger and went for her throat.
There was a purple flash, and the gibberling fell limp on top of her. Jaheira recognized the spell, "Magic Missile". Preparing to grudgingly thank Xzar, she was astonished to see that it was Aidan, holding a small wand in his hand, who helped her stand up.
"Thank you! I." She glanced around.
The battle was over, with the remains of at least fifteen gibberlings strewn all over the roadside and the nearby forest.
"No need." The boy grinned sheepishly at her.
Jaheira nodded at him, and grabbed her staff from where it had flown from her grasp.
After a small pause, during which Jaheira took care of their injuries using both her druidic spells and herbs, the companions continued southwards, intending to reach Beregost until dawn. No more creatures harried them during the trip, and as the first ray's of the sun peeked from the horizon the small town of Beregost greeted their weary eyes.
*-*-*
"Need directions? You seem a friendly sort, so I thought I'd offer my services as a guide. What do you need from the town of Beregost?"
The greeting came from a friendly looking older man, who was watching the companions as they neared the town.
"Certainly. If you could direct us to an affordable Inn we would much appreciate it." Aidan replied the man.
"We have many Inns for the frugal adventurer. The Red Sheaf has basic rooms, though the clientele is a touch rowdy. There is also the Burning Wizard and the Jovial Juggler, which also have finer suites. The Red Sheaf is near the center of town, as is the Burning Wizard. The Jovial Juggler is a bit further along, and sits on the southern edge of the city." came the old timer's reply.
Aidan started to thank the man, but Xzar beat him to it with a question of his own. "I'M looking for a bit of luxury. What's the nicest Inn in town?"
"The finest Inn would have to be Feldepost's, though it is also quite friendly. Lots of local color. Feldepost's Inn is in the lower west side of the town." The old man again replied.
Without thanking him, Xzar and Montaron pushed past Aidan and Imoen and headed in direction the old man had indicated.
"I need some well-made weapons and armor. Do you have a good Smithy?" asked Jaheira, scornfully eyeing after Xzar and Montaron.
The old man looked astonished at her question.
"We have the best smithy in all the Realms!" he said, incredulous at the thought that someone hadn't heard of their town smith.
"Taerom "Thunderhammer" Fuiruim runs the Thunderhammer Smithy in the eastern side of town. He has a few exceptional items as well, though you could also check Feldepost's Inn. They carry trophy items, though you had best be rich as kings."
With that, they thanked the old man and continued on towards the Feldepost's Inn. Aidan had managed to cajole the book for himself from Xzar, and he fully intended to try and learn a new spell or two after a short rest.
The town was just beginning to wake up as the party reached Feldepost's Inn, a large building on the south-western edge of the settlement. Aidan stopped outside for a brief moment, and looked at the view of Beregost that opened in front of his eyes. He had been here before, as a child. Gorion had sometimes made short trips to purchase something that wasn't available in Candlekeep, and had at times even taken Aidan and Imoen with him.
Shaking his head to clear out the memories of happy carefree days he stepped in, and bumped straight into a large surly man. Aidan started to apologize, but the man was already speaking to him in a menacing tone.
"'Ere now, get out! I don't like your type in here!" he snarled at Aidan.
Aidan spread his hands and stepped away from the man, walking towards the counter where his friends were arguing about the price of lodgings.
"Heh, you tell 'em Marl." Another man commented, egging the first one on.
Imoen tucked at Jaheira's sleeve, and she started towards the growing argument but the crowd had already gathered around Aidan and the two angry men.
"Hey! I told you to get lost! Ain't no room here for ye trouble makin' strangers!" the first one snarled, his face twisted in a curious mixture of grief and fury. He took a step towards Aidan raising his huge fists.
"No need to get all bent out of shape. There's plenty of bar for us all." Aidan was trying to think quickly. Why the man was angry at him, he had no idea.
"Hey, I take whatever shape I want! I'm sick of you freakish adventurers going out, consorting with gods know what, and dragging your trouble back into my home town! What do you say to that!?" The brute grabbed the front of Aidan's robe and waved his hammy fist in front of the young wizards face.
Was the man angry at adventurer's for some reason, Aidan thought feverishly. He saw Jaheira and Khalid trying to push through the crowd to help him out.
"I just do what I think is right. We solve a lot more trouble than we cause. Well, very nearly anyways. Heh heh." Aidan realized that his nervous laugh had been a mistake. The man's twisted expression darkened even further, and he realized one false word meant fist cuffs with the brute.
"Oh you think it's funny do you?!" the large man screamed in rage, his spittle flying all over Aidan's face.
"You mess up the local economy with your treasure, you upset the balance of nature, you flash your magic around, and because of it maybe somebody's son thinks it's fun and goes out and gets himself killed! It's a bad example and somebody ought to kick your ass for it!" There was madness in Marl's eyes now, and even his friend seemed worried as he glanced from where he was keeping Khalid and Jaheira occupied.
"Hold on!" Aidan tried to sound firm and self-confident. It seemed to work, the man's crazed expression cleared somewhat.
"Everyone goes their own path, and I'll not be held accountable for what the Fates deal." he continued, his voice calm but firm.
"He was a good boy 'til your kind came through town! Filled his head with nonsense they did, and because of it he's dead! Now why shouldn't I take THAT out of your hide?!" Marl still sounded angry, but Aidan now knew what had driven the man to attack him.
"If you knew him like you think, then ask yourself if he wouldn't have gone anyway." he asked, looking Marl into eye.
"It's a calling you're born with. Nobody gives it to you." Aidan finished, hoping that the large man would understand reason.
"'Tain't true! He was going to take over the farm and settle down. Maybe apprentice with Thunderhammer during the winter. He never wanted to adventure." Marl yelled, in agony. There were tears in the big man's eyes.
Khalid elbowed hi way past the crowd and took a hold of the hand Marl was threatening Aidan with.
"That was what you wanted, Marl!" the man's friend replied at the him.
"Fun's fun, but yer blaming these folk fer what couldn't be helped. That boy was a firebrand if ever there was..." he said, loosening Marl's grip on Aidan's robes.
"No! He was settling down! He wanted. he wanted." Marl collapsed on the floor, overcome from rage and sorrow.
"That new plow ye bought last year, he got the gold by helping clear kobolds near Ulgoth's Beard. He wanted to make a difference, make the Realms a bit safer." His friend continued, kneeling beside Marl.
"Just like these folk most likely." He forced his friend to look at Aidan, Khalid and Jaheira who were standing some distance apart.
"By Chauntea, why couldn't he just stay home?!" Marl uttered with an oath, and unsteadily rose to his feet again.
He looked at Aidan, ashamed but still suspicious.
"The Realms call, and you go." Aidan said to him.
"He sounds a fine lad taken too soon, but doing what he was meant. If you'll suffer my company, I'll buy a round and toast his memory with you." he said, offering Marl a handshake and holding his breath.
Marl's face broke into a broken mockery of a smile, but a smile nonetheless. He grasped Aidan's slender fingers inside his massive fist and shook his hand.
"'Twould be fitting, I suppose." The barmaids quickly served casket's of beer to the crowd present.
"To Kennair Nethalin! Rest ye well!" The toast was repeated, and Aidan took a deep swig from his beer, the cold beverage cooling him down.
"I... I would be alone awhile." Marl was trying hard to control himself, and went outside.
The big man's friend watched at Aidan, amazed look on his round face.
"Well... 'tis the calmest I done seen him in a week." He said to Aidan, marvel and grusging respect in his voice.
"Still, best you move along. Marl ain't known for his steady moods." He tapped Aidan on the shoulder and followed his friend outside.
The young wizard turned to watch his companions, his face a mixture of relief and pride brought on by success. Aidan's festive mood was disrupted, when he saw Montaron sheathe his sword, and wink at him. The halfling had been ready to kill Marl at a moment's notice.
But he momentarily forgot about the murderous halfling as he saw the admiration the others (excepting Xzar, of course) displayed him. Jaheira and Khalid in particular seemed to appreciate Aidan's success with a non- violent solution.
Aidan took another, deep gulp of his beer draining it empty. Montaron and Xzar were creeping him out, and it was only thanks to Aidan's fast-talking skills that they weren't being chased as murderers out of town at the moment. He would have to find a way to rid himself of their company, once they arrived to Nashkel.
For now, he had the captured spell book and fully intended to study it before going to sleep.