Cursed Heritage 1 - The Dark Half
Chapter 7 - Hack, slash and two whirling scimitars
"These had best be for real, if you know what's good for thee..."
Looking frightened, the fat merchant assured Dynaheir that the herbs she and Aidan had purchased were indeed genuine.
Having checked the contents of the silken sack thoroughly, the pair departed the tent. It was a warm afternoon at the Nashkel fair, and Dynaheir had insisted that Aidan accompany her to visit some merchants there.
"I intend to repay thee for thy heroism." Had been her explanation.
And indeed, the Rashemani merchant she had located had provided them with magical herbs of at least 1000 gold value for a pittance. Dynaheir seemed to command fearsome respect from her countryman.
The spell components were for Aidan's newest spell, "Find Familiar". Dynaheir was an invoker herself, but she was more experienced than Aidan in general matters concerning the arcane, and told him that the scroll he possessed had been scribed on another plane of existence!
Read straight from the scroll, which Aidan had found from the gnoll chief's treasury, the spell would summon a fantastic familiar to serve the caster. Aidan was excited at the thought of having such a creature as his pet/servitor. In many of Gorion's tales the heroic wizard had had a tiny "sidekick" who often rescued it's master or provided sage advice.
Thinking back at the various attempt's on his life, Aidan appreciated the thought of having another pair of eyes at his disposal.
Like the latest assassin, who had attacked him just the day before.
Nimbul, the man had politely introduced himself while flinging axes at the party.
Wearing magical boots that allowed him to sidestep the arrows of both Amnish guards and Imoen, he had attacked with magic and thrown axes. The evil wizard had also protected himself with a "Mirror Image" spell, which created illusionary phantoms of the caster to act as decoys.
Luckily, Dynaheir had cast a "Dispel Magic" from a scroll found at the gnoll fortress, ending the illusion and allowing Minsc to kill their foe.
Dynaheir bid him good luck with his conjuration attempt, and left to seek out Minsc while the young wizard headed for his room at the Nashkel Inn.
When he got there, he barred the door and pulled out the small brazier he had borrowed from the Helmite temple. Placing the herbs in it as per the scroll's instructions, he then lit the brazier and sat on his bed to wait for the telling scent which the scroll described.
Without thinking, Aidan pulled the bloody scroll he had found on Nimbul's body and read it yet again.
"Nimbul,
The money you have received from Tranzig should cover your usual fee. Your assignment is a difficult one, but I'm sure that you are up to the task. There is a group of mercenaries who should be coming through Nashkel in the next few days. They are led by a whelp named Aidan. You are to kill Aidan, and all that travel with them. I warn you; they might not look like much, but they are very dangerous. Good hunting!
TAZOK"
Tazok and his messenger Tranzig.
Were they the one's sending assassins and bounty hunters after him? For what purpose?
"This doesn't make any sense!" he said aloud, feeling miserable.
Aidan knew that his death had been close the other day, because if Dynaheir hadn't managed to bring the assassin's spell down, his next onslaught of "Magic Missiles" would have been for Aidan, and he would now be dead.
Suddenly, his head perked up.
The smoke from the brazier had turned into a strange shade of green, and a sweet smell filled the air.
Kind of like apples... the young wizard mused to himself, as he prepared himself for the exhaustive chanting.
*-*-*
"Lak-ma-ruk-a-be... Lak-ma-ruk-a-be... Lak-ma-ruk-a--"
"Oh quit it already!" a tiny voice squeaked at Aidan from the window.
Startled out of his droning chant, the young wizard whirled around to gaze upon his new familiar.
On his window, sat down on it's haunches, was a small draconic being not more than a foot tall. It was of a pleasant yellow in coloration, and it's tiny scales sparkled golden in the sunlight streaming in from the window. Instead of the normal draconic wings that the greater wyrms sported, the tiny grinning creature had ones not unlike those of a butterfly.
Or a pixie.
"Hello..." Aidan greeted his new familiar, looking at it's beautiful coloration in wonder and glee.
"Hello. It would seem that YOU are to be my new master." The tiny being chirped back in a voice that resembled the tingling of small silver bells.
"Y--Yes. My name's...uh, Aidan." The young wizard stammered, edging closer to catch a better look at his new familiar.
Shooting into air quicker than a miser after a copper coin, the small dragon flew couple of laps around Aidan's small room, and then landed on his shoulder. The small creature didn't weigh very much at all, and Aidan wondered at the possible reactions his party members might have when they saw him walking down the hallway, with a DRAGON at his beck and call.
The tiny dragon sniffed at Aidan's new dark gray robes, and scowled in apparent distaste.
"And I, am called Maradrac'arochistryx'issyllyyia." It remarked in a dignified tone.
"Uh... What do your... friends call you?" Aidan tried, not caring to repeat the absurdly long name every time he needed to address his familiar.
The faerie dragon shot into air again, and laughed aloud in it's delightful little voice. This time, it settled on hanging by it's apparently very prehensile tail from a drying hook in the ceiling.
"Maradrac'arochistryx'issyllyyia, is what my friends, my family and my many lovers and pleasure slaves address me by!" came the reply.
Aidan's eyes widened in disbelief. Just what kind of a little tramp had he gotten as a familiar?
Then the faerie dragon laughed at him again, this time from his backpack, where it was busily digging into his neatly arranged belongings. Fishing out it's "prey", the tiny creature started devouring it with relish.
"That's MY apple!" Aidan shouted incredulously.
Looking up, the dragon grabbed the already half-eaten fruit and flew back to sit on Aidan's shoulder once again. With a sheepish grin on it's face, it offered the savaged apple to the young wizard.
"Uhh... No... on the second thought, consider that as a gift. From your new master." Aidan tried to remind the creature of his position.
It's eyes brightening, Maradrac'arochistryx'issyllyyia finished her meal with just a few bites and sighed in pleasure. Gazing expectantly at it's new wizard, it waited his orders with a lazy look in it's tiny eyes.
"Yes... um, let's go and meet the others... uhh, Mara." He told the creature, neatly shortening it's name to a manageable size.
"There are OTHERS? How delightful!" the small dragon squealed in glee, it's tail flicking back and forth in excitement.
Aidan gave his new familiar a wan, forced smile.
He had a bad feeling about this.
*-*-*
Mara and his party hit it right off.
Imoen was instantly smitten by the beautiful little dragon, and Jaheira addressed it in some sort of dialect Aidan didn't understand. Minsc was at first suspicious, thinking the small dragon had nefarious intent concerning his hamster, Boo. Dynaheir calmed the brawny ranger down however, telling him that faerie dragons were fond of apples, not hamsters. Jaheira agreed with the Rashemani witch's assessment, telling Aidan that his new "pet" was a very remarkable creature, indeed.
Being able to turn invisible at will and possessing magical spell casting abilities possibly greater than her master's, the small being was adept at staying hidden. It would make a perfect scout, among other things.
Seeing Imoen cooing at the little dragon and feeding it slices of an apple she had hurriedly produced from her bag upon hearing Jaheira mention them as faerie dragon delicacies, Aidan decided it was time to steer this meeting towards a more productive goal.
"Have you considered out next move?" he asked the group.
Jaheira and Khalid glanced at each other, while Dynaheir kept her face blank of expression. Minsc was talking to Boo and Imoen was occupied with Mara.
"We have spoken with Watcher Nalin, the head of the Helmite temple here. He has offered us a deal which I thought might be worth considering." Jaheira said after a moment of silence.
"As you may have heard, commander Brage of the Amnish military went berserk and killed his family and many of his friends. The Watcher believes that malicious forces may have been behind this tragedy, for Brage had been a good husband and a father as well as a faithful servant of Helm. We have been offered a substantial amount of gold if we find him and bring him back. Alive." She finished.
Aidan wasn't all that pleased. He would have preferred to head straight to Beregost and find this Tranzig who was working for the man sending assassins after him. But seeing Khalid and Dynaheir nod approvingly at the druidess made him consider the merits of her proposal.
"Minsc and Boo approve of this heroic task!" the large ranger joined the discussion, rather loudly as was his wont.
"No-one, but NO-ONE makes nice men attack their families without getting a good righteous kicking for it! Right, Boo?" he continued in his merry, yet menacing tone. Amazingly, the tiny hamster squeaked in reply.
Aidan decided to agree with the group.
"Very well, but after that..."
Jaheira smiled at the young wizard's anxious tone.
"Yes Aidan. Believe me, I am not trying to hinder our progress. After we find Brage and bring him back, we shall head straight to Beregost and apprehend this Tranzig."
"P-poor Branwen. W-we will take vengeance in h-her name." Khalid joined the discussion, and Aidan agreed with him.
Smiling darkly, he curled his right hand into a fist. They would take revenge on their fallen comrade's behalf.
*-*-*
"What are you reading, my lord?"
Aidan sighed in exasperation. Mara had interrupted his concentration at trying to understand the powerful magical tome in front of him. Rather cynically entitled "How to make friends and influence people.", the tome was a powerful magical text. They had found it from the gnoll fortress, among the other myriad mage items that included Aidan's new dark gray minorly enchanted robes and various scrolls. Apparently the hyena-headed marauders had managed to ambush a wizard of some power.
"It's a magical text which should grant me the power to Make Friends." He answered his familiar, trying to satisfy the small creature's endless curiosity.
Mara however, had already forgotten all about him and his tome, instead flutting lazily to gaze out of the window. Aidan sighed wearily and started to peruse the text once again. He had studied the tome for two evenings now, and was beginning to believe that the item had been falsely identified.
Just then he realized that something was happening. The text started to shimmer and twist. Light flowed from the pages and into his eyes.
Aidan felt energy buzzing about and inside of him, and fell into the ground, overwhelmed.
Then it passed. The young wizard rose rapidly, and saw that the priceless tome had disappeared.
Whether it had worked or not, he would see when he next spoke with someone.
*-*-*
Steady rainfall was soaking the countryside.
Aidan had witnessed his new found charisma, from the way he got more of those lingering looks than usual from the younger women of Nashkel to the way everyone in his own party agreed with him little easier.
His mood was quite dark at the moment, however.
Aidan and Imoen were waiting for Mara to return from scouting ahead. The little dragonet had proven herself as a scout, allowing them to steer clear of many bandit ambushes and marauding monsters.
It was just that Mara got easily distracted. Aidan shared a telepathic contact with his familiar, and was getting fed up with reminding her to ignore distractions. The telepathic link they now shared would be for all time until one of them died. Aidan wondered how the technically immortal dragon liked to serve as his familiar.
[I have news my lord!] he heard in his mind.
[What is it, Mara?] he sent out a mental reply.
[A man is fighting for his life, against big ugly brutes. I will try to help him, but I don't think I can influence the--]
Aidan hurriedly cut off his familiar's anxious mental chatter and sent out a reply asking for directions.
Imoen looked at him in askance, and he quickly explained the situation to her. Nodding quickly, she ran off to gather the rest.
Aidan hurriedly cast the "Armor" spell over his body. "Big brutes" would mean ogres or ogrillons most likely, and he had enough experience by now in fighting against such scum to know that it might get very painful indeed.
*-*-*
The skirmish was short and brutal.
The man they had come to rescue had been just knocked over when Aidan and Dynaheir simultaneously blasted the half-ogre responsible with "Magic Missiles" and a "Chromatic Orb". Screaming in pain, the creature had been distracted long enough for Imoen to finish it with an well placed arrow. The rest of the half-ogres had been quickly routed by the force of Mincs's massive blade and Khalid's expertly wielded Varscona.
The valiant warrior, who had killed two of the half-ogres all alone painfully rose up with Minsc's aid and heartily thanked them. Identifying himself as Sir Bjornin, a paladin of the Order of Most Radiant Heart, he had bequeathed them his shield despite the party's protests. Explaining that it was minorly enchanted and quite useful in blocking hostile blows, he had then bowed to Jaheira, Imoen and Dynaheir in a courtly fashion and proudly strode off.
The shield was now worn by Khalid, who agreed with Sir Bjornin's assessment of his gift. With the freezing, deadly Varscona in his right hand, the new magical shield in his left arm and clad in heavy plate mail, Khalid was now a truly formidable warrior.
*-*-*
The party didn't get very far until conflict again caught up with them.
Aidan told everyone to once again ready their weapons as Mara warned him telepathically. The cause for her alarm was blindingly obvious.
At least 30 gnolls were running straight toward them, chasing a slight figure clad in a blue cloak. Assuming defensive posture, the group spread out.
Aidan mentally readied the "Sleep" and "Web" spells.
As the blue cloaked figure caught up with them, Aidan saw to his shock that he was a drow, a dark elf. One of the most despised races to ever live on Faerun, the drow were renowed for their cruelty and mercilessness in battle. Self serving and chaotic, the cruel dark elves often sacrificed captive surfacers to their cruel Tanar'ri spider goddess, Lolth.
But as soon as Aidan saw the twin scimitars the dark skinned elf was armed with, he realized just whom he was facing. This was surely Drizzt Do'Urden, the famous drow ranger from the cold north. Aidan and Dreppin had always idolized the (reportedly) single good drow on Faerun, and seeing his face to face was a fulfillment of a childish dream. The drow didn't waste time, however, and started speaking in a hurried tone.
"You there! Will you help a stranger in need? I am beset by gnolls!"
The gnolls hesitated slightly, seeing their "prey" conferring with a group of well-armed strangers.
"Fear not, we will not stand aside while another is in peril." Aidan assured the famous dark elf, and was rewarded with a thankful grin and a nod.
"The fight is joined, and I welcome your aid." He exclaimed loudly, crossing his scimitars on his chest as an salute to the party.
"Tiresome beasts these gnolls are, and I'll be glad to be done with them!" he grinned at Aidan, and turned a cold glare at the gnolls.
The hyena-faced monsters hesitated no more. Stupidly, anticipating the loot such heroes would surely carry, they charged.
Drizzt and Minsc did most of the fighting, with Khalid and Jaheira barely managing to wet their weapons. Watching the dark elf ranger in combat was a quieting experience for Aidan. He had thought sword play a crude practice, not worthy of the name "Art" like many wizards referred to their spell casting. But the intricately spun dance of death Drizzt engaged in was something completely different than Khalid's straightforward swordsmanship or Minsc brutally hacking his foes to bits.
He and Dynaheir merely stood out at the edge of the battle, watching the carnage. When the last gnoll had fallen, Drizzt quickly sheathed his scimitars, and shook Minsc's, Khalid's and Jaheira's hands. Then he strolled over to Aidan.
"Well met, stranger, I am Drizzt Do'Urden, and I appreciate your assistance. It is a long enough trip to the Icewind Dale, even without these constant interruptions. I do not recall banditry being of such epidemic proportions in this area; how long has this been so?" Drizzt asked him, keeping a guarded yet friendly tone.
"It was not always thus, and we strive to return peace to these lands." Aidan replied the famous hero, for a moment hoping that the drow would join them in paying a little visit to this Tazok.
Drizzt considered his words, a pleased smile gracing his handsome face for a moment.
"Noble goals indeed, and ones I would hold dear myself. Your struggle will be difficult, for the bandits that I have encountered -being beset at every turn as I am- are no mere vagabonds with blades. The humans bear the style of the Black Talon, and the hobgoblins that of the Chill. Mercenary groups both of them, and as such it is unlikely they are the architects of this endeavor. You would do well to insinuate into their ranks, and determine their true masters. Difficult, but not impossible, and potentially the most fruitful course." He advised the young wizard.
Infiltrating the bandit ranks was not a new thought to Aidan. The young wizard had thought of it himself, but it was nice to see one's ideas being validated by his and Dreppin's idol straight from Gorion's tales.
"This is sage advice which I will heed. Know that I think well of you on your journey." He replied the drow, who bowed at him in thanks, and prepared to move on.
"Well met, friend. Luck be on your side."
And with that, he was off.
*-*-*
"Careful now."
Mara had reported of a remnants of a caravan ahead, including mutilated bodies of Amnish soldiers.
The companions were slowly advancing towards the site where their quarry Brage might very well be hiding.
As the corpses of men and horses came into sight, Jaheira hissed a quick word of warning.
A man was standing in the middle of the ruinous scene, seemingly entranced and quietly mumbling to himself. Clad in the remnants of a Amnish tabard, he held a bloodstained, black bladed two-handed sword in his hands.
This had to be Brage, Aidan was certain of it. He readied the "Sleep" spell in preparation as per the plan they had devised to bring Brage back alive.
The former captain of the guard became aware of their presence, and snapped his head up. His clothes and arms were covered in the blood of his victims, and his unkempt hair flapped wildly in the wind. Aidan's heart stung when he saw the desperate look in Brage's eyes.
The party spread out, and Jaheira began to murmur her prayer to Silvanus the Oak Lord.
"No... Stay back!" Brage pleaded them, as he began to tremble.
A wild look stole into his eyes, and with a blood curling scream he lunged at Jaheira, swinging with his mighty blade. Just then, the warrior druid completed her spell which caused the very roots to raise through the ground and ensnare the berserk guard captain. Screaming in his insane rage, he almost broke free when Aidan's sleep spell clouded his wild eyes in magically induced slumber.
*-*-*
Khalid had kicked the dark blade away from Brage's reach, and Jaheira and Minsc had tied him up. As soon as he woke up, Aidan was disappointed to see that the wild look was still evident in his tortured eyes. Brage struggled for a while, but Minsc and Jaheira had done their work well.
Aidan tried to address him by his name and title.
Brage stopped his growling and struggling, and with a quiet voice he began to ramble.
Aidan strained to hear the man's mumbling, which appeared to be some kind of a riddle.
"It has neither mouth, nor teeth, Yet, it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."
Aidan knew the answer, for he had a quick wit and had easily beaten even the smartest of the monks in riddling contests back at Candlekeep.
"Death. The answer is Death, Brage." He told the former guard captain.
The wild look cleared from their bound captive's eyes, and he began to shiver in terror. Terror at his own murderous deeds.
"The end of night, where the light shines unto mine eyes and I can see clearly once again! What hath I wrought!? 'Tis horrible, HORRIBLE!! I will welcome the block that must await me at Nashkel! How could I live with what I've done!" he howled into the air, sobbing harshly.
He turned to look at Aidan.
"Please, thy must guide me to the town that I might pay for my crimes! I fear I can keep my senses for only so long, and I must not be allowed to do this again! Too many good people have lost their lives to me! Please..." he pleaded the young wizard.
The unhappy fate of this once virtuous and respected man tore at Aidan's heart. Jaheira and Khalid helped Brage stand up, and under Minsc's watchful eye they loosened Brage's bonds to such an extent that he could walk freely.
His bloody arms, however, remained tied up behind his back.
"We'll see you back safe as we can, though I don't see how killing you will help those that have died. We shall take you to the temple of Helm in hopes that you may be healed." Aidan tried to console the unfortunate man, but Brage didn't seem to hear him.
"I fear I can do nothing for those I've wronged whether I live or die, and I still know not what led me to this." He spoke softly, partly to himself.
"It's like a foul presence in my mind! I can only imagine that I have finally succumbed to battle fatigue." He continued, suddenly becoming aware of the companions once again."
"Take my weapon, that I might not harm another! Use it if thy wish, though I'd rather it be destroyed." He wailed, looking at Minsc and Khalid.
"Innocent blood on everything! I'd only just acquired the sword. Such a waste this has been. Take me to Nashkel, I can bear this no longer." He continued, now returning to his previous mumbling.
His eyes glazed over, and until they arrived to Nashkel, he didn't utter another word.
*-*-*
"No, I cannot show my face here after what I've done! Just give me to the guard that I might take my punishment as I should! Do not disgrace me further in front of Helm!" Brage wailed when they led him inside the temple.
Sneaking Brage into Nashkel hadn't been very hard, as the companions had arrived at night.
Watcher Nalin rushed forward, a thankful look on his face.
"Calm yourself Brage." He said to the former captain, placing his hand on the collapsed man's head.
"Helm sees all that he wishes, and knows much of what you do not. It was your hands indeed that did many a foul deed, but it was not your will alone. Intent is vital, and yours was influenced without your knowledge. Justice will be done, but with atonement, not punishment." Nalin continued in his firm manner.
Brage's wracking sobs ceased, and he lifted his tear filled eyes to face Nalin.
"But my crimes... my family... I don't want to go on!" he wailed.
"If you are returned to the garrison, yours will be the only willful killing that has occurred about this matter. It would be a waste of your life which, fractured though it is, can still contribute much. Helm will see you through." Nalin reassured him.
Turning to the companions, he offered them a hefty sack of gold and smiled thanfully.
"As for our intrepid friends here, I shall exceed the reward offered by Oublek. After all, it was the same task of bringing Brage to justice. The Temple is in your debt for the return of it's lost son."
Aidan accepted the heavy sack, but his eyes lingered in Brage's collapsed form as the man was being led to the inner chambers by a couple of acolytes. What a wicked fate! To be forced to kill by a cursed weapon, becoming it's thrall.
The young wizard fervently hoped that he would never lose control of himself.
He was sure he couldn't live with himself if he had taken the lives of his loved ones.
With an unanimous decision, they left the cursed sword of berserking to the temple, entrusting Watcher Nalin to see that it wouldn't destroy any more lives.
*-*-*
The news of the liberation of the Nashkel mines had apparently reached Beregost as well.
Aidan felt embarrassed and uncomfortable with all the attention they received from the commoners. Imoen glowed in their praise, however, and caused many young men to fall hopelessly in love with her. Minsc also relished the attention, and told everyone repeatedly how Boo approved of their heroic reputation.
Aidan had inquired briefly about Minsc's mental state from Dynaheir, who told him that the Ranger had received several heavy blows to his head while still a neophyte warrior. They had apparently left a permanent mark in the hulking warrior.
Comparing Minsc to the other head case he had traveled with however, the insane necromancer Xzar, improved Minsc's stock in Aidan's mind considerably. Minsc at least was sincere about his motives and could more or less be trusted.
Aidan's thoughts were interrupted when he felt Jaheira's hand on his arm. Looking up, he saw a familiar figure approaching.
It was the gaudily dressed old man he had met the day after Gorion had been killed!
Dressed in his fine cloak, red robes and the huge hat, the smiling stranger approached Aidan. Khalid and Jaheira both broke up in relaxed smiles, and Dynaheir gave the old man a slight curtsey. Imoen and Aidan wondered at their seeming recognition of the stranger.
Stopping in front of Aidan, the old man began to speak in a friendly voice.
"Well now, our paths cross once more. I suppose proper introductions are in order, as we will no doubt meet again. My name is Elminster." He remarked as if it were the most natural thing for a person to say.
Elminster!
Aidan couldn't believe he was talking to one of Mystra's chosen, perhaps the most powerful wizard on the face of Faerun!
"I've heard nothing but tales of thy exploits in the time we have been apart. It would seem that thou art destined to have quite the impact on the Sword Coast. Quite the burden for one so young." Elminster continued, eyeing Aidan from under his bushy eyebrows.
"I was not aware that my actions were common knowledge." The young wizard replied some what guardedly.
Elminster crooked an eyebrow at this, and flicked a glance at Jaheira.
"Perhaps not common knowledge, but everything is plain for those that know where to look. As it is, I am aware of thine efforts and accomplishments." He addressed Aidan again, the smile returning to his aged face.
"Thou art quite adept, as Gorion predicted. All that remains is to determine motive." He continued, waiting for the young wizard's answer.
Aidan however, had heard of something that interested him far more than answering the famed sage's prodding questions.
"Gorion? You knew him? But you said nothing before." Aidan demanded anxiously, hoping that Elminster would provide him with some information about his foster father's killers.
The ancient wizard nodded ever so slightly, and a sad look took over his face.
"'Twas neither the place nor the time for such things. As painful as the circumstances may have been, it was time for thee to forge thine own path." He answered the young wizard, his voice weary and sad.
"One of the most valuable lessons that life has taught me, is when NOT to go sticking my pipe in other people's affairs. Such is the case now, as well." He continued speaking, a reminiscing look on his face.
"But you could tell me so much, about Gorion and myself alike. Please, stay a while." Aidan pleaded, hoping to gain the friendship and help of such a powerful figure.
"I fear I cannot." Elminster answered him.
"Self discovery is best left to the self, and all thy questions will be answered in time. I will offer a small tidbit of information, though thou hast likely heard the same from another source already. The bandits that thou dost seek make a habit of traveling in the northeast. A search in that direction will no doubt yield fruitful results. With this, I shall take my leave."
The old sage winked his eye at Jaheira and continued past the group.
*-*-*
Some things made sense to Aidan now.
The "E" in Gorion's letter had to have been Elminster, and the young wizard was certain that the old sage knew who was behind the death of his foster father. His letter had mentioned the "other side". And then there was the odd familiarity between some of his companions and the famous old wizard.
He opened his mouth and turned to Jaheira, when he heard his name being called once again.
"Aidan! Aidan!"
The young wizard spun around and saw that the person calling his name was a small girl, breathless from running.
"Someone in the Jovial Juggler gave me a gold piece to come find you!" she burst out, looking at him expectantly.
Instantly remembering the attempts on his life, Aidan studied the girl warily.
The little tomboy seemed harmless enough, so the young wizard decided to fish for more information.
"Slow down, breathless child! Who is tossing money about in hopes of finding me?" he asked in a friendly voice.
The shrewd child seemed to sense his worry.
"Her name's Officer Vai and she's with the Flaming Fist. And you needn't worry, she's real nice!" the girl reassured him.
The Flaming Fist were the most famous mercenary army in Faerun, based in Baldur's Gate. They functioned as both the military and the law enforcement of the area with the sanction of the grand dukes of that city, and were regarded as both professional and fair.
"By the way, how did you know my name?" he asked the girl, feeling a little better.
"Why, everyone here is talking about you." The girl exclaimed, looking at the wizard as if he were addled in the head.
"You're the ones who saved the Nashkel mines! My momma says that even though we don't like those folks from Amn, there's no reason anyone should have to suffer so..." she added, wrinkling her tiny nose when saying the southern merchant empire's name.
"Thank you, child. You have earned your gold piece. I will go to the Jovial Juggler and meet with your benefactor as soon as I am able." Aidan assured the girl, giving her a friendly tap on the head.
"Good! You folks are real nice. Momma says the Sword Coast needs some real heroes, these days... Tymora be with you, okay?" And with that she was off, running away on her bare feet.
Whatever this officer Vai had to say to him, would have to wait Aidan thought.
They had some business to settle with a certain customer of the Feldepost's Inn first.
*-*-*
The evil looking little man dressed in travelling clothes and high boots was preparing his horse for a hasty departure.
Tranzig had known that the stupid half-orc couldn't be trusted. He had told his superiors that from the beginning, but had he been listened to?
"Stupid half-breed!" he cursed.
Not that he would have dared to say that to Tazok's face.
Tranzig knew his place, which was replaceable.
He was a mage of some small talent, but possessed a number of enchanted items that had allowed him to bluff his way into this position as Tazok's messenger.
"They should have listened me!" he cursed again, thinking with distaste of having to sneak into the mines to find out if the rumors were true. That some two-bit adventurers had stormed through Mulahey and his kobolds and sacked the operation.
If only Tazok had listened to him, and assigned someone more intelligent there. Had he not shown his talent for ferreting out traitors and lackwits to Tazok before, when had dealt with that northerner bitch of Tempus! He had actually expended a powerful scroll for that deed, turning her into stone in front of Tazok's eyes.
"What a waste!" Tranzig cursed as he mounted his saddle bags on his horse.
Tazok hadn't cared for his display, and the anticipated promotion had never come.
Suddenly the evil mage became aware of someone watching him.
He turned around and saw three people regarding him from the stable entrance.
A well-built young man wearing dark gray mage robes, a huge towering warrior wielding a massive blade and of all things, a hamster(!) on his shoulder and a pretty auburn haired woman clad in a simple, yet brightly colored dress and a holding a sling in her dark skinned hand.
Wiping the sudden sweat from his forehead, he decided to try and bluff his way from out of this predicament.
"Why do ya bother me? Can't ya see that I'm in a hurry to get outta this damn town?" he demanded from the handsome gray robed man.
"Perhaps you could tell us WHY you are in such a hurry?" the young man remarked in pleasant tone.
Tranzig swiveled his head to the back door, but it held no hope of escape. A duo of elfin warriors blocked his way there, the other clad in heavy plate mail and holding a menacing dark sword in his hand. His beautiful female companion held only a staff, but she too was clad in heavy armor. And her scornful eyes frightened Tranzig the most.
Turning back to the calm brown haired young man, he shot back a blustering reply: "I'm not gonna tell youse guys anything. Git outta my face."
It didn't help. Tranzig nearly wet his pants when he saw the huge warrior raise his blade in anticipation.
"You won't be rid of us that easily." The gray robed leader said in his casual tone.
"We know you're up to no good. Now tell us everything you know." His words rang a death knell in Tranzig's head.
The evil mage knew that he was doomed. If he betrayed Tazok, his death would only be more painful.
"Ya know what I'm up to, eh? Well, maybe somethin' ya don't know about is my magic skills. Ya might not believe me, but if you ain't outta my face in the next 5 seconds, I'll blast ya to kingdom come!" he blustered, trying to pull his favorite trick on the menacing group.
"We're not afraid of any mage. If you want a fight, then bring it on." The staff wielding elfwoman answered from behind him.
Tranzig was a coward at heart, but those arrogant words stoked a hidden reservoir of courage in him. Desperately, he decided to try and blast his way through. His face pale from fright, Tranzig yelled at the gray robed man: "I warned ya, now you pay the price!"
The words for the "Melf's Acid Arrow" spell changed into a gasp of painon his lips, as a hidden archer pierced his skin with a well placed shaft. Tranzig's life ended few seconds later when Varscona's dark blade pierced his back and froze his heart.
Chapter 7 - Hack, slash and two whirling scimitars
"These had best be for real, if you know what's good for thee..."
Looking frightened, the fat merchant assured Dynaheir that the herbs she and Aidan had purchased were indeed genuine.
Having checked the contents of the silken sack thoroughly, the pair departed the tent. It was a warm afternoon at the Nashkel fair, and Dynaheir had insisted that Aidan accompany her to visit some merchants there.
"I intend to repay thee for thy heroism." Had been her explanation.
And indeed, the Rashemani merchant she had located had provided them with magical herbs of at least 1000 gold value for a pittance. Dynaheir seemed to command fearsome respect from her countryman.
The spell components were for Aidan's newest spell, "Find Familiar". Dynaheir was an invoker herself, but she was more experienced than Aidan in general matters concerning the arcane, and told him that the scroll he possessed had been scribed on another plane of existence!
Read straight from the scroll, which Aidan had found from the gnoll chief's treasury, the spell would summon a fantastic familiar to serve the caster. Aidan was excited at the thought of having such a creature as his pet/servitor. In many of Gorion's tales the heroic wizard had had a tiny "sidekick" who often rescued it's master or provided sage advice.
Thinking back at the various attempt's on his life, Aidan appreciated the thought of having another pair of eyes at his disposal.
Like the latest assassin, who had attacked him just the day before.
Nimbul, the man had politely introduced himself while flinging axes at the party.
Wearing magical boots that allowed him to sidestep the arrows of both Amnish guards and Imoen, he had attacked with magic and thrown axes. The evil wizard had also protected himself with a "Mirror Image" spell, which created illusionary phantoms of the caster to act as decoys.
Luckily, Dynaheir had cast a "Dispel Magic" from a scroll found at the gnoll fortress, ending the illusion and allowing Minsc to kill their foe.
Dynaheir bid him good luck with his conjuration attempt, and left to seek out Minsc while the young wizard headed for his room at the Nashkel Inn.
When he got there, he barred the door and pulled out the small brazier he had borrowed from the Helmite temple. Placing the herbs in it as per the scroll's instructions, he then lit the brazier and sat on his bed to wait for the telling scent which the scroll described.
Without thinking, Aidan pulled the bloody scroll he had found on Nimbul's body and read it yet again.
"Nimbul,
The money you have received from Tranzig should cover your usual fee. Your assignment is a difficult one, but I'm sure that you are up to the task. There is a group of mercenaries who should be coming through Nashkel in the next few days. They are led by a whelp named Aidan. You are to kill Aidan, and all that travel with them. I warn you; they might not look like much, but they are very dangerous. Good hunting!
TAZOK"
Tazok and his messenger Tranzig.
Were they the one's sending assassins and bounty hunters after him? For what purpose?
"This doesn't make any sense!" he said aloud, feeling miserable.
Aidan knew that his death had been close the other day, because if Dynaheir hadn't managed to bring the assassin's spell down, his next onslaught of "Magic Missiles" would have been for Aidan, and he would now be dead.
Suddenly, his head perked up.
The smoke from the brazier had turned into a strange shade of green, and a sweet smell filled the air.
Kind of like apples... the young wizard mused to himself, as he prepared himself for the exhaustive chanting.
*-*-*
"Lak-ma-ruk-a-be... Lak-ma-ruk-a-be... Lak-ma-ruk-a--"
"Oh quit it already!" a tiny voice squeaked at Aidan from the window.
Startled out of his droning chant, the young wizard whirled around to gaze upon his new familiar.
On his window, sat down on it's haunches, was a small draconic being not more than a foot tall. It was of a pleasant yellow in coloration, and it's tiny scales sparkled golden in the sunlight streaming in from the window. Instead of the normal draconic wings that the greater wyrms sported, the tiny grinning creature had ones not unlike those of a butterfly.
Or a pixie.
"Hello..." Aidan greeted his new familiar, looking at it's beautiful coloration in wonder and glee.
"Hello. It would seem that YOU are to be my new master." The tiny being chirped back in a voice that resembled the tingling of small silver bells.
"Y--Yes. My name's...uh, Aidan." The young wizard stammered, edging closer to catch a better look at his new familiar.
Shooting into air quicker than a miser after a copper coin, the small dragon flew couple of laps around Aidan's small room, and then landed on his shoulder. The small creature didn't weigh very much at all, and Aidan wondered at the possible reactions his party members might have when they saw him walking down the hallway, with a DRAGON at his beck and call.
The tiny dragon sniffed at Aidan's new dark gray robes, and scowled in apparent distaste.
"And I, am called Maradrac'arochistryx'issyllyyia." It remarked in a dignified tone.
"Uh... What do your... friends call you?" Aidan tried, not caring to repeat the absurdly long name every time he needed to address his familiar.
The faerie dragon shot into air again, and laughed aloud in it's delightful little voice. This time, it settled on hanging by it's apparently very prehensile tail from a drying hook in the ceiling.
"Maradrac'arochistryx'issyllyyia, is what my friends, my family and my many lovers and pleasure slaves address me by!" came the reply.
Aidan's eyes widened in disbelief. Just what kind of a little tramp had he gotten as a familiar?
Then the faerie dragon laughed at him again, this time from his backpack, where it was busily digging into his neatly arranged belongings. Fishing out it's "prey", the tiny creature started devouring it with relish.
"That's MY apple!" Aidan shouted incredulously.
Looking up, the dragon grabbed the already half-eaten fruit and flew back to sit on Aidan's shoulder once again. With a sheepish grin on it's face, it offered the savaged apple to the young wizard.
"Uhh... No... on the second thought, consider that as a gift. From your new master." Aidan tried to remind the creature of his position.
It's eyes brightening, Maradrac'arochistryx'issyllyyia finished her meal with just a few bites and sighed in pleasure. Gazing expectantly at it's new wizard, it waited his orders with a lazy look in it's tiny eyes.
"Yes... um, let's go and meet the others... uhh, Mara." He told the creature, neatly shortening it's name to a manageable size.
"There are OTHERS? How delightful!" the small dragon squealed in glee, it's tail flicking back and forth in excitement.
Aidan gave his new familiar a wan, forced smile.
He had a bad feeling about this.
*-*-*
Mara and his party hit it right off.
Imoen was instantly smitten by the beautiful little dragon, and Jaheira addressed it in some sort of dialect Aidan didn't understand. Minsc was at first suspicious, thinking the small dragon had nefarious intent concerning his hamster, Boo. Dynaheir calmed the brawny ranger down however, telling him that faerie dragons were fond of apples, not hamsters. Jaheira agreed with the Rashemani witch's assessment, telling Aidan that his new "pet" was a very remarkable creature, indeed.
Being able to turn invisible at will and possessing magical spell casting abilities possibly greater than her master's, the small being was adept at staying hidden. It would make a perfect scout, among other things.
Seeing Imoen cooing at the little dragon and feeding it slices of an apple she had hurriedly produced from her bag upon hearing Jaheira mention them as faerie dragon delicacies, Aidan decided it was time to steer this meeting towards a more productive goal.
"Have you considered out next move?" he asked the group.
Jaheira and Khalid glanced at each other, while Dynaheir kept her face blank of expression. Minsc was talking to Boo and Imoen was occupied with Mara.
"We have spoken with Watcher Nalin, the head of the Helmite temple here. He has offered us a deal which I thought might be worth considering." Jaheira said after a moment of silence.
"As you may have heard, commander Brage of the Amnish military went berserk and killed his family and many of his friends. The Watcher believes that malicious forces may have been behind this tragedy, for Brage had been a good husband and a father as well as a faithful servant of Helm. We have been offered a substantial amount of gold if we find him and bring him back. Alive." She finished.
Aidan wasn't all that pleased. He would have preferred to head straight to Beregost and find this Tranzig who was working for the man sending assassins after him. But seeing Khalid and Dynaheir nod approvingly at the druidess made him consider the merits of her proposal.
"Minsc and Boo approve of this heroic task!" the large ranger joined the discussion, rather loudly as was his wont.
"No-one, but NO-ONE makes nice men attack their families without getting a good righteous kicking for it! Right, Boo?" he continued in his merry, yet menacing tone. Amazingly, the tiny hamster squeaked in reply.
Aidan decided to agree with the group.
"Very well, but after that..."
Jaheira smiled at the young wizard's anxious tone.
"Yes Aidan. Believe me, I am not trying to hinder our progress. After we find Brage and bring him back, we shall head straight to Beregost and apprehend this Tranzig."
"P-poor Branwen. W-we will take vengeance in h-her name." Khalid joined the discussion, and Aidan agreed with him.
Smiling darkly, he curled his right hand into a fist. They would take revenge on their fallen comrade's behalf.
*-*-*
"What are you reading, my lord?"
Aidan sighed in exasperation. Mara had interrupted his concentration at trying to understand the powerful magical tome in front of him. Rather cynically entitled "How to make friends and influence people.", the tome was a powerful magical text. They had found it from the gnoll fortress, among the other myriad mage items that included Aidan's new dark gray minorly enchanted robes and various scrolls. Apparently the hyena-headed marauders had managed to ambush a wizard of some power.
"It's a magical text which should grant me the power to Make Friends." He answered his familiar, trying to satisfy the small creature's endless curiosity.
Mara however, had already forgotten all about him and his tome, instead flutting lazily to gaze out of the window. Aidan sighed wearily and started to peruse the text once again. He had studied the tome for two evenings now, and was beginning to believe that the item had been falsely identified.
Just then he realized that something was happening. The text started to shimmer and twist. Light flowed from the pages and into his eyes.
Aidan felt energy buzzing about and inside of him, and fell into the ground, overwhelmed.
Then it passed. The young wizard rose rapidly, and saw that the priceless tome had disappeared.
Whether it had worked or not, he would see when he next spoke with someone.
*-*-*
Steady rainfall was soaking the countryside.
Aidan had witnessed his new found charisma, from the way he got more of those lingering looks than usual from the younger women of Nashkel to the way everyone in his own party agreed with him little easier.
His mood was quite dark at the moment, however.
Aidan and Imoen were waiting for Mara to return from scouting ahead. The little dragonet had proven herself as a scout, allowing them to steer clear of many bandit ambushes and marauding monsters.
It was just that Mara got easily distracted. Aidan shared a telepathic contact with his familiar, and was getting fed up with reminding her to ignore distractions. The telepathic link they now shared would be for all time until one of them died. Aidan wondered how the technically immortal dragon liked to serve as his familiar.
[I have news my lord!] he heard in his mind.
[What is it, Mara?] he sent out a mental reply.
[A man is fighting for his life, against big ugly brutes. I will try to help him, but I don't think I can influence the--]
Aidan hurriedly cut off his familiar's anxious mental chatter and sent out a reply asking for directions.
Imoen looked at him in askance, and he quickly explained the situation to her. Nodding quickly, she ran off to gather the rest.
Aidan hurriedly cast the "Armor" spell over his body. "Big brutes" would mean ogres or ogrillons most likely, and he had enough experience by now in fighting against such scum to know that it might get very painful indeed.
*-*-*
The skirmish was short and brutal.
The man they had come to rescue had been just knocked over when Aidan and Dynaheir simultaneously blasted the half-ogre responsible with "Magic Missiles" and a "Chromatic Orb". Screaming in pain, the creature had been distracted long enough for Imoen to finish it with an well placed arrow. The rest of the half-ogres had been quickly routed by the force of Mincs's massive blade and Khalid's expertly wielded Varscona.
The valiant warrior, who had killed two of the half-ogres all alone painfully rose up with Minsc's aid and heartily thanked them. Identifying himself as Sir Bjornin, a paladin of the Order of Most Radiant Heart, he had bequeathed them his shield despite the party's protests. Explaining that it was minorly enchanted and quite useful in blocking hostile blows, he had then bowed to Jaheira, Imoen and Dynaheir in a courtly fashion and proudly strode off.
The shield was now worn by Khalid, who agreed with Sir Bjornin's assessment of his gift. With the freezing, deadly Varscona in his right hand, the new magical shield in his left arm and clad in heavy plate mail, Khalid was now a truly formidable warrior.
*-*-*
The party didn't get very far until conflict again caught up with them.
Aidan told everyone to once again ready their weapons as Mara warned him telepathically. The cause for her alarm was blindingly obvious.
At least 30 gnolls were running straight toward them, chasing a slight figure clad in a blue cloak. Assuming defensive posture, the group spread out.
Aidan mentally readied the "Sleep" and "Web" spells.
As the blue cloaked figure caught up with them, Aidan saw to his shock that he was a drow, a dark elf. One of the most despised races to ever live on Faerun, the drow were renowed for their cruelty and mercilessness in battle. Self serving and chaotic, the cruel dark elves often sacrificed captive surfacers to their cruel Tanar'ri spider goddess, Lolth.
But as soon as Aidan saw the twin scimitars the dark skinned elf was armed with, he realized just whom he was facing. This was surely Drizzt Do'Urden, the famous drow ranger from the cold north. Aidan and Dreppin had always idolized the (reportedly) single good drow on Faerun, and seeing his face to face was a fulfillment of a childish dream. The drow didn't waste time, however, and started speaking in a hurried tone.
"You there! Will you help a stranger in need? I am beset by gnolls!"
The gnolls hesitated slightly, seeing their "prey" conferring with a group of well-armed strangers.
"Fear not, we will not stand aside while another is in peril." Aidan assured the famous dark elf, and was rewarded with a thankful grin and a nod.
"The fight is joined, and I welcome your aid." He exclaimed loudly, crossing his scimitars on his chest as an salute to the party.
"Tiresome beasts these gnolls are, and I'll be glad to be done with them!" he grinned at Aidan, and turned a cold glare at the gnolls.
The hyena-faced monsters hesitated no more. Stupidly, anticipating the loot such heroes would surely carry, they charged.
Drizzt and Minsc did most of the fighting, with Khalid and Jaheira barely managing to wet their weapons. Watching the dark elf ranger in combat was a quieting experience for Aidan. He had thought sword play a crude practice, not worthy of the name "Art" like many wizards referred to their spell casting. But the intricately spun dance of death Drizzt engaged in was something completely different than Khalid's straightforward swordsmanship or Minsc brutally hacking his foes to bits.
He and Dynaheir merely stood out at the edge of the battle, watching the carnage. When the last gnoll had fallen, Drizzt quickly sheathed his scimitars, and shook Minsc's, Khalid's and Jaheira's hands. Then he strolled over to Aidan.
"Well met, stranger, I am Drizzt Do'Urden, and I appreciate your assistance. It is a long enough trip to the Icewind Dale, even without these constant interruptions. I do not recall banditry being of such epidemic proportions in this area; how long has this been so?" Drizzt asked him, keeping a guarded yet friendly tone.
"It was not always thus, and we strive to return peace to these lands." Aidan replied the famous hero, for a moment hoping that the drow would join them in paying a little visit to this Tazok.
Drizzt considered his words, a pleased smile gracing his handsome face for a moment.
"Noble goals indeed, and ones I would hold dear myself. Your struggle will be difficult, for the bandits that I have encountered -being beset at every turn as I am- are no mere vagabonds with blades. The humans bear the style of the Black Talon, and the hobgoblins that of the Chill. Mercenary groups both of them, and as such it is unlikely they are the architects of this endeavor. You would do well to insinuate into their ranks, and determine their true masters. Difficult, but not impossible, and potentially the most fruitful course." He advised the young wizard.
Infiltrating the bandit ranks was not a new thought to Aidan. The young wizard had thought of it himself, but it was nice to see one's ideas being validated by his and Dreppin's idol straight from Gorion's tales.
"This is sage advice which I will heed. Know that I think well of you on your journey." He replied the drow, who bowed at him in thanks, and prepared to move on.
"Well met, friend. Luck be on your side."
And with that, he was off.
*-*-*
"Careful now."
Mara had reported of a remnants of a caravan ahead, including mutilated bodies of Amnish soldiers.
The companions were slowly advancing towards the site where their quarry Brage might very well be hiding.
As the corpses of men and horses came into sight, Jaheira hissed a quick word of warning.
A man was standing in the middle of the ruinous scene, seemingly entranced and quietly mumbling to himself. Clad in the remnants of a Amnish tabard, he held a bloodstained, black bladed two-handed sword in his hands.
This had to be Brage, Aidan was certain of it. He readied the "Sleep" spell in preparation as per the plan they had devised to bring Brage back alive.
The former captain of the guard became aware of their presence, and snapped his head up. His clothes and arms were covered in the blood of his victims, and his unkempt hair flapped wildly in the wind. Aidan's heart stung when he saw the desperate look in Brage's eyes.
The party spread out, and Jaheira began to murmur her prayer to Silvanus the Oak Lord.
"No... Stay back!" Brage pleaded them, as he began to tremble.
A wild look stole into his eyes, and with a blood curling scream he lunged at Jaheira, swinging with his mighty blade. Just then, the warrior druid completed her spell which caused the very roots to raise through the ground and ensnare the berserk guard captain. Screaming in his insane rage, he almost broke free when Aidan's sleep spell clouded his wild eyes in magically induced slumber.
*-*-*
Khalid had kicked the dark blade away from Brage's reach, and Jaheira and Minsc had tied him up. As soon as he woke up, Aidan was disappointed to see that the wild look was still evident in his tortured eyes. Brage struggled for a while, but Minsc and Jaheira had done their work well.
Aidan tried to address him by his name and title.
Brage stopped his growling and struggling, and with a quiet voice he began to ramble.
Aidan strained to hear the man's mumbling, which appeared to be some kind of a riddle.
"It has neither mouth, nor teeth, Yet, it eats its food steadily. It has neither village, nor home, nor hands, nor feet; yet it wanders everywhere. It has neither country, nor means, nor office, nor pen; yet it is ready for fight - always. By day and by night there is wailing about it. It has no breath, yet to all it appears."
Aidan knew the answer, for he had a quick wit and had easily beaten even the smartest of the monks in riddling contests back at Candlekeep.
"Death. The answer is Death, Brage." He told the former guard captain.
The wild look cleared from their bound captive's eyes, and he began to shiver in terror. Terror at his own murderous deeds.
"The end of night, where the light shines unto mine eyes and I can see clearly once again! What hath I wrought!? 'Tis horrible, HORRIBLE!! I will welcome the block that must await me at Nashkel! How could I live with what I've done!" he howled into the air, sobbing harshly.
He turned to look at Aidan.
"Please, thy must guide me to the town that I might pay for my crimes! I fear I can keep my senses for only so long, and I must not be allowed to do this again! Too many good people have lost their lives to me! Please..." he pleaded the young wizard.
The unhappy fate of this once virtuous and respected man tore at Aidan's heart. Jaheira and Khalid helped Brage stand up, and under Minsc's watchful eye they loosened Brage's bonds to such an extent that he could walk freely.
His bloody arms, however, remained tied up behind his back.
"We'll see you back safe as we can, though I don't see how killing you will help those that have died. We shall take you to the temple of Helm in hopes that you may be healed." Aidan tried to console the unfortunate man, but Brage didn't seem to hear him.
"I fear I can do nothing for those I've wronged whether I live or die, and I still know not what led me to this." He spoke softly, partly to himself.
"It's like a foul presence in my mind! I can only imagine that I have finally succumbed to battle fatigue." He continued, suddenly becoming aware of the companions once again."
"Take my weapon, that I might not harm another! Use it if thy wish, though I'd rather it be destroyed." He wailed, looking at Minsc and Khalid.
"Innocent blood on everything! I'd only just acquired the sword. Such a waste this has been. Take me to Nashkel, I can bear this no longer." He continued, now returning to his previous mumbling.
His eyes glazed over, and until they arrived to Nashkel, he didn't utter another word.
*-*-*
"No, I cannot show my face here after what I've done! Just give me to the guard that I might take my punishment as I should! Do not disgrace me further in front of Helm!" Brage wailed when they led him inside the temple.
Sneaking Brage into Nashkel hadn't been very hard, as the companions had arrived at night.
Watcher Nalin rushed forward, a thankful look on his face.
"Calm yourself Brage." He said to the former captain, placing his hand on the collapsed man's head.
"Helm sees all that he wishes, and knows much of what you do not. It was your hands indeed that did many a foul deed, but it was not your will alone. Intent is vital, and yours was influenced without your knowledge. Justice will be done, but with atonement, not punishment." Nalin continued in his firm manner.
Brage's wracking sobs ceased, and he lifted his tear filled eyes to face Nalin.
"But my crimes... my family... I don't want to go on!" he wailed.
"If you are returned to the garrison, yours will be the only willful killing that has occurred about this matter. It would be a waste of your life which, fractured though it is, can still contribute much. Helm will see you through." Nalin reassured him.
Turning to the companions, he offered them a hefty sack of gold and smiled thanfully.
"As for our intrepid friends here, I shall exceed the reward offered by Oublek. After all, it was the same task of bringing Brage to justice. The Temple is in your debt for the return of it's lost son."
Aidan accepted the heavy sack, but his eyes lingered in Brage's collapsed form as the man was being led to the inner chambers by a couple of acolytes. What a wicked fate! To be forced to kill by a cursed weapon, becoming it's thrall.
The young wizard fervently hoped that he would never lose control of himself.
He was sure he couldn't live with himself if he had taken the lives of his loved ones.
With an unanimous decision, they left the cursed sword of berserking to the temple, entrusting Watcher Nalin to see that it wouldn't destroy any more lives.
*-*-*
The news of the liberation of the Nashkel mines had apparently reached Beregost as well.
Aidan felt embarrassed and uncomfortable with all the attention they received from the commoners. Imoen glowed in their praise, however, and caused many young men to fall hopelessly in love with her. Minsc also relished the attention, and told everyone repeatedly how Boo approved of their heroic reputation.
Aidan had inquired briefly about Minsc's mental state from Dynaheir, who told him that the Ranger had received several heavy blows to his head while still a neophyte warrior. They had apparently left a permanent mark in the hulking warrior.
Comparing Minsc to the other head case he had traveled with however, the insane necromancer Xzar, improved Minsc's stock in Aidan's mind considerably. Minsc at least was sincere about his motives and could more or less be trusted.
Aidan's thoughts were interrupted when he felt Jaheira's hand on his arm. Looking up, he saw a familiar figure approaching.
It was the gaudily dressed old man he had met the day after Gorion had been killed!
Dressed in his fine cloak, red robes and the huge hat, the smiling stranger approached Aidan. Khalid and Jaheira both broke up in relaxed smiles, and Dynaheir gave the old man a slight curtsey. Imoen and Aidan wondered at their seeming recognition of the stranger.
Stopping in front of Aidan, the old man began to speak in a friendly voice.
"Well now, our paths cross once more. I suppose proper introductions are in order, as we will no doubt meet again. My name is Elminster." He remarked as if it were the most natural thing for a person to say.
Elminster!
Aidan couldn't believe he was talking to one of Mystra's chosen, perhaps the most powerful wizard on the face of Faerun!
"I've heard nothing but tales of thy exploits in the time we have been apart. It would seem that thou art destined to have quite the impact on the Sword Coast. Quite the burden for one so young." Elminster continued, eyeing Aidan from under his bushy eyebrows.
"I was not aware that my actions were common knowledge." The young wizard replied some what guardedly.
Elminster crooked an eyebrow at this, and flicked a glance at Jaheira.
"Perhaps not common knowledge, but everything is plain for those that know where to look. As it is, I am aware of thine efforts and accomplishments." He addressed Aidan again, the smile returning to his aged face.
"Thou art quite adept, as Gorion predicted. All that remains is to determine motive." He continued, waiting for the young wizard's answer.
Aidan however, had heard of something that interested him far more than answering the famed sage's prodding questions.
"Gorion? You knew him? But you said nothing before." Aidan demanded anxiously, hoping that Elminster would provide him with some information about his foster father's killers.
The ancient wizard nodded ever so slightly, and a sad look took over his face.
"'Twas neither the place nor the time for such things. As painful as the circumstances may have been, it was time for thee to forge thine own path." He answered the young wizard, his voice weary and sad.
"One of the most valuable lessons that life has taught me, is when NOT to go sticking my pipe in other people's affairs. Such is the case now, as well." He continued speaking, a reminiscing look on his face.
"But you could tell me so much, about Gorion and myself alike. Please, stay a while." Aidan pleaded, hoping to gain the friendship and help of such a powerful figure.
"I fear I cannot." Elminster answered him.
"Self discovery is best left to the self, and all thy questions will be answered in time. I will offer a small tidbit of information, though thou hast likely heard the same from another source already. The bandits that thou dost seek make a habit of traveling in the northeast. A search in that direction will no doubt yield fruitful results. With this, I shall take my leave."
The old sage winked his eye at Jaheira and continued past the group.
*-*-*
Some things made sense to Aidan now.
The "E" in Gorion's letter had to have been Elminster, and the young wizard was certain that the old sage knew who was behind the death of his foster father. His letter had mentioned the "other side". And then there was the odd familiarity between some of his companions and the famous old wizard.
He opened his mouth and turned to Jaheira, when he heard his name being called once again.
"Aidan! Aidan!"
The young wizard spun around and saw that the person calling his name was a small girl, breathless from running.
"Someone in the Jovial Juggler gave me a gold piece to come find you!" she burst out, looking at him expectantly.
Instantly remembering the attempts on his life, Aidan studied the girl warily.
The little tomboy seemed harmless enough, so the young wizard decided to fish for more information.
"Slow down, breathless child! Who is tossing money about in hopes of finding me?" he asked in a friendly voice.
The shrewd child seemed to sense his worry.
"Her name's Officer Vai and she's with the Flaming Fist. And you needn't worry, she's real nice!" the girl reassured him.
The Flaming Fist were the most famous mercenary army in Faerun, based in Baldur's Gate. They functioned as both the military and the law enforcement of the area with the sanction of the grand dukes of that city, and were regarded as both professional and fair.
"By the way, how did you know my name?" he asked the girl, feeling a little better.
"Why, everyone here is talking about you." The girl exclaimed, looking at the wizard as if he were addled in the head.
"You're the ones who saved the Nashkel mines! My momma says that even though we don't like those folks from Amn, there's no reason anyone should have to suffer so..." she added, wrinkling her tiny nose when saying the southern merchant empire's name.
"Thank you, child. You have earned your gold piece. I will go to the Jovial Juggler and meet with your benefactor as soon as I am able." Aidan assured the girl, giving her a friendly tap on the head.
"Good! You folks are real nice. Momma says the Sword Coast needs some real heroes, these days... Tymora be with you, okay?" And with that she was off, running away on her bare feet.
Whatever this officer Vai had to say to him, would have to wait Aidan thought.
They had some business to settle with a certain customer of the Feldepost's Inn first.
*-*-*
The evil looking little man dressed in travelling clothes and high boots was preparing his horse for a hasty departure.
Tranzig had known that the stupid half-orc couldn't be trusted. He had told his superiors that from the beginning, but had he been listened to?
"Stupid half-breed!" he cursed.
Not that he would have dared to say that to Tazok's face.
Tranzig knew his place, which was replaceable.
He was a mage of some small talent, but possessed a number of enchanted items that had allowed him to bluff his way into this position as Tazok's messenger.
"They should have listened me!" he cursed again, thinking with distaste of having to sneak into the mines to find out if the rumors were true. That some two-bit adventurers had stormed through Mulahey and his kobolds and sacked the operation.
If only Tazok had listened to him, and assigned someone more intelligent there. Had he not shown his talent for ferreting out traitors and lackwits to Tazok before, when had dealt with that northerner bitch of Tempus! He had actually expended a powerful scroll for that deed, turning her into stone in front of Tazok's eyes.
"What a waste!" Tranzig cursed as he mounted his saddle bags on his horse.
Tazok hadn't cared for his display, and the anticipated promotion had never come.
Suddenly the evil mage became aware of someone watching him.
He turned around and saw three people regarding him from the stable entrance.
A well-built young man wearing dark gray mage robes, a huge towering warrior wielding a massive blade and of all things, a hamster(!) on his shoulder and a pretty auburn haired woman clad in a simple, yet brightly colored dress and a holding a sling in her dark skinned hand.
Wiping the sudden sweat from his forehead, he decided to try and bluff his way from out of this predicament.
"Why do ya bother me? Can't ya see that I'm in a hurry to get outta this damn town?" he demanded from the handsome gray robed man.
"Perhaps you could tell us WHY you are in such a hurry?" the young man remarked in pleasant tone.
Tranzig swiveled his head to the back door, but it held no hope of escape. A duo of elfin warriors blocked his way there, the other clad in heavy plate mail and holding a menacing dark sword in his hand. His beautiful female companion held only a staff, but she too was clad in heavy armor. And her scornful eyes frightened Tranzig the most.
Turning back to the calm brown haired young man, he shot back a blustering reply: "I'm not gonna tell youse guys anything. Git outta my face."
It didn't help. Tranzig nearly wet his pants when he saw the huge warrior raise his blade in anticipation.
"You won't be rid of us that easily." The gray robed leader said in his casual tone.
"We know you're up to no good. Now tell us everything you know." His words rang a death knell in Tranzig's head.
The evil mage knew that he was doomed. If he betrayed Tazok, his death would only be more painful.
"Ya know what I'm up to, eh? Well, maybe somethin' ya don't know about is my magic skills. Ya might not believe me, but if you ain't outta my face in the next 5 seconds, I'll blast ya to kingdom come!" he blustered, trying to pull his favorite trick on the menacing group.
"We're not afraid of any mage. If you want a fight, then bring it on." The staff wielding elfwoman answered from behind him.
Tranzig was a coward at heart, but those arrogant words stoked a hidden reservoir of courage in him. Desperately, he decided to try and blast his way through. His face pale from fright, Tranzig yelled at the gray robed man: "I warned ya, now you pay the price!"
The words for the "Melf's Acid Arrow" spell changed into a gasp of painon his lips, as a hidden archer pierced his skin with a well placed shaft. Tranzig's life ended few seconds later when Varscona's dark blade pierced his back and froze his heart.