Sorry for the uber-late updates. I have several of these ready except for
small tweaking. If someone is still interested (and heck, even if I have
driven off all my readers ;)) I fully intend to continue the story. I'll
also take this opportunity to thank for all the feedback. It is much
appreciated! :)
Cursed Heritage 1 - The Dark Half
Chapter 8 - Second chances
"You're leaving!?"
Dynaheir nodded calmly at the incredulous young wizard.
"'Tis not my wish to abandon thee in thine time of need, but some... sisters of mine have requested my presence and I cannot refuse them. Perhaps we shall meet again..."
There was regret in her voice, but Aidan felt betrayed regardless. In the short time they had been together he had come to rely on Minsc's muscle and Dynaheir's calm reason. He had found a note from the mysterious Tazok in Tranzig's possession, which contained instructions on where to find the bandits' hide out.
"Boo regrets to leave you as well." The huge ranger-berserker also piped in mournfully.
"He knows you will miss his wise advice. Oh and Minsc will miss your company too!" The large ranger gave Aidan a hearty slap on the shoulder that nearly bowled him over, and followed his witch out of the door.
And with that, they were down two companions.
As Aidan watched Minsc and Dynaheir (and Boo!) depart, he knew he had no other option but to continue. This Tazok was sending hired killers after him, and if he was to carve out an existence other than constant life on the edge, he would have to face this man.
*-*-*
"Tranzig,
I am perplexed as to why Mulahey has not communicated with us in some while. You are to go to the mines and find out the condition of his operation. You are also to collect any iron that may have been stolen by the kobolds. Our next raid will most likely take place at Peldvale, or Larswood, so visit either of those areas and track us back to our camp.
TAZOK"
Aidan sighed wearily, and tugged the note back inside his robes. It seemed a lengthy forest trek was ahead of them. He had heard of a powerful wizard who lived just outside of Beregost. Thalantyr was his name supposedly, and he also was reputedly interested in trading with magic.
He was also told to be a quick-tempered old xenophobe, who didn't suffer fools gladly.
The companions still had some useful items they had wrested from the gnolls and Tranzig, which needed to be identified before they were used.
Aidan glanced over his companions, who now seemed to be following his lead, rather than Jaheira's. The young wizard momentarily wondered if their newly found faith was misplaced. Maybe he was leading them all to their deaths...
"What foolishness takes city dwellers this far from civilization?" A gravelly voice startled him from his thoughts.
Khalid and Jaheira leaped at his side, their weapons at the ready while Imoen drew her new bow.
The man who had challenged the companions was tall, and his features were hidden under a hooded brown cloak. He held a long bow in his hand, but hadn't drawn an arrow to the string at the moment.
Seeing that, Aidan relaxed somewhat.
"Just adventurers, on the look out for bandits to hunt for." He answered.
Tensing anew, he hoped that the caped stranger wasn't one himself.
Nodding slightly, the stranger removed his hood. He was an elf! Khalid and Aidan gasped aloud, while Jaheira's only reaction was in the slight widening of her eyes.
For this was no ordinary elf. He was as heavily muscled as any human male, his face was tattooed and his eyes were haunted with pain that Aidan instantly knew mirrored his own in it's depth. The elf's long brown hair, which was matted and dirty fell about his face like a shaggy mane. Despite his disheveled appearance, he projected an aura of nobility.
Hearing Aidan's careful words, the elf slowly smiled.
"A strange coincidence; I have a quest similar to your own." The strange elf glanced at his belt, from which a number of human scalps were hanging from. Aidan shivered as he recalled their own meeting with Officer Jessa Vai earlier. She had offered to buy all the bandit scalps they could gather, for 50gp a piece.
"I have been hunting the bandits in the region for the past few months. Perhaps if we worked together we would fare better. What say you to that?"
There was something behind the elf's quest, a not too distant pain.
"We'll help you against the bandits, but only if you tell us why you've spent months hunting them." Aidan gently prodded.
The elf nodded, and explained with a voice still tinged with sorrow.
"Their leader, an ogre named Tazok, took the life of someone very dear to me."
Tazok! An ogre!? Aidan's mind was instantly alive with a hundred questions. Why on Faerun would an ogre of all things want him dead? The dark figure who had slain Gorion had been the size of a half-ogre at the very largest...
He felt the cool hand of Jaheira on his own, as he heard her reply to the elf who had introduced himself as Kivan while Aidan was verbally incapacitated.
"Thank you, for being honest. You can join our party."
Kivan merely nodded, as he appraised the flustered young wizard.
*-*-*
The party of five stood in the inner sanctum of Thalantyr's keep. It had been a close call, for the old mage kept a pair of monstrous magical Flesh Golems as his guardians. They had nearly mauled the party before Thalantyr had intervened.
Golems were magical constructs, very resistant to magic and impervious to all but magical weapons. They were frequently used as guardians by powerful wizards. Someday, that kind of power would be his, Aidan exulted. Someday, he would crush his enemies with his magic and send conjured demons to tear them apart with talons of black steel...
"What the...!" Aidan gasped aloud.
The young wizard was again stunned by his sudden bloodlust. Where had those visions come from?!
He realized everyone was looking at him. Jaheira and Khalid appeared worried, Imoen curious and Kivan's gaze was unreadable.
"I... ah..." Aidan felt his cheeks redden. What was happening to him!?
"Here they are!" Thalantyr's voice saved him from questions and further stares, as the old wizard arrived with the items the companions had bid him to identify.
These included a formidable wand of frost, a magical short bow and those funny looking gauntlets they had wrested from the gnoll sentries. The gauntlets were particularly valuable, having the powers to grant improved dexterity on the wearer. Jaheira got the gauntlets, while Imoen took the bow. Aidan of course claimed the wand.
Feeling better, he lovingly caressed his new wand. Perhaps this very wand would give him justice, when he confronted the murderer of Gorion.
Nearby, Jaheira's worried gaze lingered over her young comrade.
*-*-*
Aidan was trying to study a group of new spells, namely the "Mirror Image" and the "Strength" when Kivan sat down beside him. The companions had camped out beside the road for the night. Aidan slowly closed the book, and turned to face the silent elf.
"Tell me, friend Aidan, where do you know the name Tazok from?" he asked in his quiet, raspy voice.
Considering for a moment, Aidan wondered whether he should tell the whole truth. Seeing no real objections, he decided to try and befriend their brooding new companion.
"I have a good reason to suspect Tazok had my foster father killed." No reaction from Kivan, so Aidan continued.
"And I am sure he is responsible for sending many hired killers after me personally." Again, no visible reaction.
There was a short, silent moment between the wizard and the elf. Then Kivan spoke.
"Ah. I see." He remained silent for yet a moment, and them smiled. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes, as he raised his head to look Aidan in the eyes.
"Well, friend Aidan, then you have as good a reason to desire the brute's death as I. I do not know why he would send assassins after someone though. He enjoys seeing others suffer up-close."
Kivan rose up, preparing to leave. He shot Aidan a one last look.
"I would think that he was actually hired by an outside source. Tazok is merely a wretched thug and a bandit lord."
As Kivan left and Aidan lifted his spell book once more, the young wizard felt chilled. Layers upon layers, the identity of his true enemies was like an onion. No matter how much you peeled, the truth was hidden beneath many layers and many tears.
*-*-*
Mara and Kivan had proven themselves quite valuable as scouts, and indeed it seemed that the Wood of Sharp Teeth was the center of bandit activity. Thanks to the combined efforts of a faerie dragon and elf, the companions had already evaded three ambushes.
Unused to travelling in woods, Aidan felt in awe of the massive trees that actually managed to block sunlight from time to time. And yet Jaheira had assured him that the nearby Cloak Wood was even more dense and huge.
Aidan fervently hoped that their travels would steer clear of such a place.
As the companions ventured deeper, Aidan had been forced to recall Mara. The tiny dragonet was easily distracted, and she seemed to love the old forest. After having found her examining yet another anthill, Aidan was forced to admit defeat and rely solely on Kivan's impressive wilderness knowledge.
After a few hours of travel through the woods, Kivan returned swiftly.
"There is a stone circle ahead, druids most likely." He addressed Jaheira.
The warrior druidess thought for a moment.
"Osmadi and Rahivald perhaps... We should go to them, perhaps we can get some information about these bandits."
Everyone agreed that this was a fine idea, though Kivan kept his bow at hand. Aidan shot him a bemused glance, but the silent elf didn't seem to notice him.
*-*-*
The stone circle seemed unkempt, and there three remains of funeral pyres nearby. A figure in green and brown robes was huddled at the center. As the companions drew near, the figure raised his head and let out a tortured, mad cry.
The crazed druid grabbed his staff, and started running towards them. Aidan noticed the Kivan and Imoen had readied their bows, and even Khalid was fidgeting nervously with Varscona, his enchanted blade.
Jaheira, however, calmly stepped forward to greet the man and took no visible precautions to defend herself.
"Arrogant fools!" the ragged druid howled at her.
"You return to the very slaughter for which you were responsible. Your blood will soak the ground before I allow any of you to leave! I will avenge the deaths of my brothers!" He continued his ranting.
"What are you talking about, we've killed no one." Jaheira replied soothingly.
"I think you're a little addled in the head, Osmadi. You know me, by Silvanus! It is I, Jaheira!" She continued.
"Perhaps you should calm down so that we can figure out who really killed your brothers."
Her calm voice had no effect, for Osmadi no longer recognized her as a fellow druid.
"You think your excuses can work on me! I know what you are, what all of you are! Let the wrath of Malar destroy you and your faithless companions."
He lunged at them, yelling strange words at the same time.
Two brown bears lumbered into view from the forest, roaring in rage at the companions.
As Jaheira dodged Osmadi's wild swings, Khalid moved to face the bears. Imoen and Kivan shot their bows at the closest bear, wounding it.
Aidan used his new wand, which shot a ray of intense frost at the other bear. It had a devastating effect, the bear whimpered and fell to ground, it's head frozen.
Leaving his three companions to fend off the remaining bear, Aidan turned to aid Jaheira, only to see another druid having joined the fight, on the side of the companions. Together, the new druid and Jaheira managed to kill the crazed Osmadi in short order.
*-*-*
"I must apologize for the actions of Osmadi. He had lost his mind after what happened here..." The new druid, named Corsone said.
"Some days past, a group of bandits, calling themselves the Chill entered our camp as we worked upon this shrine. They killed and murdered everyone they came across, including some of Osmadi's close friends." He continued in a sad voice.
Aidan was following the conversation between Corsone and Jaheira. Something, however, seemed amiss in this Corsone. He had been the one to land the blow that killed Osmadi, whereas Jaheira had merely tried to subdue him.
"Why did you let us attack Osmadi. From the sounds of it you knew him well. The both of you look to be druids." He burst out with his thoughts.
Jaheira glanced at him, her expression unreadable, while annoyance briefly flicked over Corsone's features.
"It's true, we knew each other very well. But there was nothing that could be done... he had lost his mind. I think you can understand that. Sometimes one doesn't have a choice." Corsone answered, in a remarkably cold tone.
Something was clearly not right, Corsone was lying, Aidan was sure of it now.
"It's rather hard to believe that you would write off a life so readily. Come now, there must have been some other choice." He prodded on, adopting a hostile tone.
Jaheira glanced at him, and gave a small nod to show that she had understood that Corsone wasn't being honest.
"There was no other choice! Do I have to explain myself over and over. Please leave me be, so that I may bury my companion." A dark look had taken over the druids features, and he avoided Aidan's gaze.
"So...now he's your companion. That's very strange indeed. I don't know of too many people who would go about murdering their 'companions'." The young wizard prodded on, causing Imoen to look at him in amazement.
Now Corsone lifted his gaze, and Aidan saw that cold fury had twisted the druid's face into a gruesome mask.
"I murdered NO ONE! I did what had to be done! All of you might be dead if it weren't for my help! Leave me be." He thundered, raising his staff and taking a menacing step towards Aidan.
"I think you're lying! I think you wanted our help to kill him. You're just a common killer!"
Jaheira remarked coldly, causing Corsone to whirl and face her in amazement. He momentarily seemed to be at a loss for words, then his shoulders slumped.
"You... are correct. I did need your assistance to kill Osmadi. Thank you for the help." He remarked caustically.
"You were wrong about one thing. I am no 'common killer'... I am a Shadow druid." He said with some pride, while Jaheira's face darkened in anger.
"I poisoned Osmadi and his companions, so that we could be rid of their weakling presence. Now, we should easily be able to make this land our own. Unfortunately, there will be no room for meddling city folk." Corsone grinned, oblivious at the battle ready companions currently surrounding him.
"It is time for you to feel the fury of nature, as only I can administer it. Goodbye!" with that last insanely overconfident remark, he threw himself at the companions.
A short while later, he lay on the ground, Kivan's arrow poking from his pierced eye-socket.
*-*-*
Attempts to get an explanation concerning these "Shadow Druids" resulted only in a angry glare from Jaheira, so Aidan decided to leave the topic alone for a while.
He also remembered the advice Drizzt had given them, and had devised a plan with the rest of the companions to infiltrate the bandits if at all possible. Aidan had agreed that they'd try out the plan with the next group they found, instead of trying to avoid them.
The makeup of their group had provided some concern to Aidan, because it included three elves. Elves were generally a good-natured race of beings, not given to banditry. Kivan tapped his shoulder suddenly and pointed to the direction they were travelling.
"Someone is coming!" he hissed, and the companions quickly readied their weapons.
Indeed, someone was crashing through the thicket so loudly that even Aidan noticed it well before the cloaked form came into view.
Imoen and Kivan aimed their bows while Aidan yelled a challenge to the stranger.
"Stop right there! Who approaches!?"
The figure stopped, and raised it's head in a rapid move. Silver hair glinted from beneath the cowl, and two glittering eyes nervously appraised the party. The stranger was slight of build and because of the inhumanly graceful movements Aidan guessed he or she had elven blood. He heard Kivan draw a harsh breath and saw him prepare to fire.
"No!" he yelled, and grabbed a hold of the elf's hand.
"Help me! If you don't help me, they'll kill me." The cloaked figure gasped, short of breath.
A female voice, with a decidedly unfamiliar accent to it.
Still watching Kivan guardedly, Aidan let go of his hand and addressed the woman:
"Calm down, we'll help you. Just tell us who you are."
"My name is Viconia, I....I'm not from around here, thank you so much for helping."
Aidan glanced at his comrades. Kivan eyed the still cloaked woman with clear hatred in his eyes, Jaheira and Khalid were quietly whispering to each other while Imoen was scanning to the direction where the stranger had appeared from.
Kivan shot a final venomous glare towards the woman, then turned towards Aidan.
"What's wrong with you?" the young wizard asked the elven ranger.
Kivan opened his mouth to speak, but Imoen quickly shushed him.
Someone else was approaching.
A man dressed in hunting clothes, wielding a bow in his hand and a long sword on his lap burst through the bushes. He quickly spotted Viconia among the companions, and eyed them coldly, keeping his bow at the ready.
"Step aside travelers, I am a member of the Flaming Fist." He drew a scroll from beneath his leather armor and tossed it in front of Jaheira.
She picked it up and quickly read it, giving a quick nod to the companions.
Seeing that, the man continued:
"The woman you are harboring is wanted for murder of the foulest sort. She is a dark elf; it should be obvious that she is evil." He spat the last words venomously, and drew his bow, pointing the arrow towards Viconia.
"They lie, I've done nothing wrong." She hissed at the hunter.
Aidan knew that he needed to make a quick decision. Kivan and most likely Jaheira and Khalid too wouldn't hesitate to kill the woman if she indeed was a drow. He shot a quick glance towards Imoen. She glanced towards the hunter, then to Viconia and quickly shook her head.
"What do you intend to do once you have her?" Aidan asked the hunter, playing for more time.
The man sneered and glanced at his belt where a wicked knife was hanging.
"Kill her, of course." He laughed.
No trial? This didn't sound like justice to Aidan. He made his decision.
"We can't allow that, you'll have to go through us to get her." He replied to the hunter, raising his staff.
Imoen flashed her friend a relieved grin, and raised her bow, this time towards the hunter. Kivan scowled, but followed Imoen's lead. Jaheira and Khalid likewise drew their weapons. The hunter wasn't amused.
"A stupid decision! For harboring a murderer I sentence all of you to death!" he screamed at them, firing his bow at Viconia.
The woman let out a soft gasp as the shaft hit her and fell to the earth. At the same time, Kivan and Imoen let loose their own missiles and the hunter grunted in pain even as he drew his own sword to meet the charging Khalid.
Aidan rushed to help the fallen woman accompanied by Jaheira, while the others dealt with their foe. To his surprise he heard the woman chanting a prayer to some deity, probably healing herself. Jaheira scowled in recognition.
Wearily, the woman stood up without accepting Aidan's offered hand.
The battle behind them was over and the other companions gathered around the woman they had rescued.
Slowly, she took off her hood, letting her silvery hair fall free.
The hunter hadn't lied, they faced a dark elf. Seeing their stares, Viconia held up her head haughtily.
"I thank you for risking yourselves on my behalf." She said guardedly. Kivan spat to the ground.
Aidan noticed that the elven ranger hadn't lowered his weapon.
Viconia noticed it too, and couldn't quite hide the tremor in her voice when she continued:
"I know what you are thinking, you see my dark skin and won't trust me for it." she warily eyed Kivan and the two half-elves before turning to address Aidan.
"I am a dark elf, but I'm an outcast, I need your help." She shot a pleading look at the young wizard with her dark eyes. Aidan withstood the unflinching stare for a few seconds, then blushed and turned away.
"I no longer receive my powers from the spider gods you surface dwellers fear so; the Goddess Shar grants me wisdom, and she is a surface divinity." Viconia continued. Jaheira barked a short scornful laugh at this.
Shar? Wasn't that the evil goddess whose cult the dark blade Varscona, now wielded by Khalid, had belonged to long ago? Would they really want to help an evil priestess? The young wizard bit his lip angrily. Had he made a foolish decision in saving the drow?
"If you'd let me join your group, I would be most grateful. I have no where else to go." Viconia finished, again looking at Aidan for answer.
The young wizard again looked at the slender drow, surprised at hearing what he perceived as true emotion from behind her words. She was afraid and lonely, he realized, not merely trying to take advantage of their strong sword arms. He also knew that she would never be accepted here, not even among their group.
As the silence fell deeper over the small group, Aidan wondered what it would be like to live as an outcast, a freak and a boogie man. He wasn't sure if he could survive the loneliness of such a life. The situation was at an impasse. Kivan still hadn't taken the arrow off his bow string, and was probably intending to shoot Viconia the instant she was given a negative answer.
Jaheira and Khalid had conferred privately over a short distance away. Aidan saw them talking quietly, taking quick glances towards Viconia. Then, apparently reaching a decision, she motioned Aidan to join them.
"I T-think we s-should take Viconia with us, and so does Jaheira." Khalid stammered to his as Aidan reached the pair.
"You do!? But, I mean..." Aidan began, but Jaheira motioned him to be silent.
"Yes. At least as far as the bandit camp. I have given some thought over our plans to infiltrate these mercenaries, and believe we shall fail. Three elves and two young humans do not convincing bandits make."
"Unless..." but it was already clear to Aidan.
"Unless we show them who fierce and bloodthirsty we really are, travelling with an exiled drow." She finished for him.
"No true elf would do such a thing!" Aidan exclaimed gleefully, then realized what he had implied to the half-elves.
"Uh.. I mean..." he stammered.
"No offense taken." Jaheira smiled.
"Y-y-you know, I t-t-think this could just work..." Khalid grinned.
*-*-*
"Friend Aidan."
The young wizard flinched. He knew what Kivan wanted to talk to him about. He turned to face the ranger from his place near the camp fire and placed down his spellbook.
"Yes?"
The elf didn't seem overtly angry, but Aidan was certain the ranger was furious about their decision to take Viconia with them.
"I won't question your judgement any further. The reasons for taking this soulless witch with us are solid." He paused for a moment, looking at the young wizard intensely.
Aidan felt uncomfortable. He was certain Kivan had something to say he wouldn't like very much.
"But if and when we are successful, I will see to it that this murderess gets what's coming to her. She is living on borrowed time. And I will not be swayed from this decision."
The elf ranger held his hand up as Aidan opened his mouth to protest.
"Useless, friend Aidan. Don't waste your words. And don't try to stand in my way, when the time comes."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aidan to ponder dark thoughts.
Unbeknownst to him, someone else had heard the exchange. Viconia smiled ruefully and crept back to where her bedroll was, apart from the others.
*-*-*
Hopefully, the risk they had taken was going to be worth it.
They stood in the middle of an ambush, one they had walked into prepared and forewarned thanks to Kivan's formidable forestry skills.
Something like a dozen longbow men surrounded them, while a leader type clad in black splint mail leered at the "surprised" faces of the companions.
"It's your choice which hits the ground first; your swords or your heads! Be smart now and you'll all live to grow wise!" he bellowed.
Trying to give what he hoped was a menacing look, Aidan hollered back at him:
"We'll not fight you. In fact, we want to join your group."
Several of the bandits laughed at them while the leader just smiled.
"Now there's a laugh! Why, pray tell, should we take you rattle-pates?"
"You're too good at your job!" Aidan yelled back, drawing laughter again from the bandit archers.
"We can see which way the wind is blowing, and whatever you're doing, we want in. It's the only real profit on the Sword Coast today." He continued, grinning at the leader.
This time all the bandits laughed. The leader was looking at the companions with a critical eye. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Viconia's dark face and glittering eyes, glaring at him from beneath her hood.
Nodding slightly towards Aidan, he made his decision.
"Ha ha! I like you, you make me laugh!" he grinned.
"We'll take you back to the boss and see if he likes you too. Then maybe you're in. If not, you die. Follow me and try to keep up."
*-*-*
They were led deeper in to the forest for the better part of the day.
The bandits didn't talk much, and the leader only introduced himself as Raiken, answering no other questions about himself or the bandits.
Aidan and Jaheira had pleaded Kivan to keep himself calm even if the opportunity to slay Tazok presented itself. It wouldn't do to abandon their deception too soon, swift death at the bandits' hands wasn't something the young wizard had planned on achieving.
Then finally, in the evening, a camp loomed ahead.
*-*-*
The party was lead into a small clearing, with heavily armed guards surrounding them instantly. The armor was similar to Raiken's, except it was adorned with what was obviously the device of the Black Talon mercenaries Drizzt had told them of: A dark talon. These armored guards looked like seasoned veterans, moving with the same confidence as Khalid or Jaheira.
Then Aidan heard Kivan draw a sharp breath, and heard the heavy footfalls belonging to the leader of the iron bandits: Tazok
The brute lumbered into view, and Aidan saw that he wasn't a full ogre. Which was much worse of course, since the human side in him gave Tazok the dangerous glint of intelligence in his eyes. He was clad in black plate mail but wore no helm or a shield. In his right hand was a massive blade, intended for two-handed use.
Raiken hastily scrambled to him, but it was evident in his disgusted stare that he had already been given a report on the status of the prisoners.
"Recruits!?" he raged at his hapless commander.
"Secret operation and you hire those you rob!? By the lower planes, why do we pay Black Talon to do stealth if you almost light signal fires!?"
Raiken was somewhat taken aback, but offered an explanation nonetheless:
"We need to keep our numbers up! Besides, we checked them out pretty good. I think they'll do fine."
The half-ogre wasn't impressed.
"YOU DON'T THINK! I THINK!" he bellowed, causing Raiken to back up a few steps.
"I question them myself and if they are not as you say, you die too!" Tazok snarled at him, then turned to face the companions.
Seeing the three elves he snarled, but was taken aback somewhat at seeing Viconia's drow features. The ogre's brow furrowed in thought for a while, then he addressed Aidan who Raiken had told him was the leader.
"I say now I don't like you! Give me reason to not have you broth-boiled and use your skin to swaddle my small-kin! Who are you that I should let you join?!"
Aidan felt cold sweat drip down his back under Tazok's terrible gaze, knowing that the wrong answer here would guarantee not only his own death, but that of his companions as well.
Fortunately for the party, Aidan was quick thinking and if nothing else, lucky.
"We're strong, well armed, and we know opportunity when we see it!" he offered.
"What better job be there for us? Dungeon crawling? That's fools' work!" he finished with a derisive snort.
Tazok considered his words for a while.
"Hmmm. You have some sense, but I have many a strong back here already. What for I need you?!" the brute finally snarled back at him.
Aidan however, was certain now that he'd succeeded.
"Would you rather have too few and need more, or have too many and not need them at all?" he quipped, flashing a confident grin at the ogre.
The grin was wiped from his face by a feral snarl from the bandit lord. Tazok was smarter than the average half-ogre, but even only somewhat clever wordplay irritated and confused him.
"Ehhh'? You sure are big on words. You better be big on the battlefield too, cuz if you're not..." he flashed an evil grin at his men, some of whom chuckled back.
"...You die. You have run of the camp. If I hear ONE bad thing from Ardenor and Taugosz, I personally feed your livers to the crows!"
Then the ogre turned to face his redeemed commander once again.
"I take a patrol and leave for mine tonight! Keep pressure on trade routes and there be extra gold for all when we are done! I leave soon."
And with that, he was off. The black talon elite guards followed him out, leaving the companions in the middle of a bandit camp.
One thing Aidan was certain of now: Tazok was someone else's underling, at least where the attempts on his life were concerned. They had spoken face to face, and there had been no recognition from the brute.
Raiken gave them directions, orders to report to the "armory" and then to Taugosz Khosann, supreme commander of the Black Talons.
Aidan was just about to follow his comrades towards the armory tent, when he saw one of them had stayed behind.
Kivan.
As the wizard laid a hand on the elf's shoulder, he noticed that Kivan was trembling. He turned the ranger to face him, and saw streaks of tears flowing down his cheeks.
"We should go, my friend." He offered, and the elf nodded at him.
"I had my chance. I had my chance to gain revenge and I didn't take it." he spoke, partially to himself.
Aidan was astonished at the coldness of his voice.
"Kivan, that would have meant the end for all of us. We would be dead now. You will get another chance to kill that bastard."
The elf turned to face him, his stare cold as the iron these bandits hoarded.
"I live for my vengeance now. It is my life, it is me. It is what I am. And in my heart I know, that I will get no second chance."
He walked past the astonished wizard into the armory tent.
It was then that Aidan realized Kivan had fully intended to kill Tazok on the spot, sacrificing them all for the sake of his revenge. What had kept him from initiating the bloodbath?
The young wizard couldn't think of an answer, and that frightened him.
His heart heavy with foreboding, Aidan followed his comrades into the tent.
Cursed Heritage 1 - The Dark Half
Chapter 8 - Second chances
"You're leaving!?"
Dynaheir nodded calmly at the incredulous young wizard.
"'Tis not my wish to abandon thee in thine time of need, but some... sisters of mine have requested my presence and I cannot refuse them. Perhaps we shall meet again..."
There was regret in her voice, but Aidan felt betrayed regardless. In the short time they had been together he had come to rely on Minsc's muscle and Dynaheir's calm reason. He had found a note from the mysterious Tazok in Tranzig's possession, which contained instructions on where to find the bandits' hide out.
"Boo regrets to leave you as well." The huge ranger-berserker also piped in mournfully.
"He knows you will miss his wise advice. Oh and Minsc will miss your company too!" The large ranger gave Aidan a hearty slap on the shoulder that nearly bowled him over, and followed his witch out of the door.
And with that, they were down two companions.
As Aidan watched Minsc and Dynaheir (and Boo!) depart, he knew he had no other option but to continue. This Tazok was sending hired killers after him, and if he was to carve out an existence other than constant life on the edge, he would have to face this man.
*-*-*
"Tranzig,
I am perplexed as to why Mulahey has not communicated with us in some while. You are to go to the mines and find out the condition of his operation. You are also to collect any iron that may have been stolen by the kobolds. Our next raid will most likely take place at Peldvale, or Larswood, so visit either of those areas and track us back to our camp.
TAZOK"
Aidan sighed wearily, and tugged the note back inside his robes. It seemed a lengthy forest trek was ahead of them. He had heard of a powerful wizard who lived just outside of Beregost. Thalantyr was his name supposedly, and he also was reputedly interested in trading with magic.
He was also told to be a quick-tempered old xenophobe, who didn't suffer fools gladly.
The companions still had some useful items they had wrested from the gnolls and Tranzig, which needed to be identified before they were used.
Aidan glanced over his companions, who now seemed to be following his lead, rather than Jaheira's. The young wizard momentarily wondered if their newly found faith was misplaced. Maybe he was leading them all to their deaths...
"What foolishness takes city dwellers this far from civilization?" A gravelly voice startled him from his thoughts.
Khalid and Jaheira leaped at his side, their weapons at the ready while Imoen drew her new bow.
The man who had challenged the companions was tall, and his features were hidden under a hooded brown cloak. He held a long bow in his hand, but hadn't drawn an arrow to the string at the moment.
Seeing that, Aidan relaxed somewhat.
"Just adventurers, on the look out for bandits to hunt for." He answered.
Tensing anew, he hoped that the caped stranger wasn't one himself.
Nodding slightly, the stranger removed his hood. He was an elf! Khalid and Aidan gasped aloud, while Jaheira's only reaction was in the slight widening of her eyes.
For this was no ordinary elf. He was as heavily muscled as any human male, his face was tattooed and his eyes were haunted with pain that Aidan instantly knew mirrored his own in it's depth. The elf's long brown hair, which was matted and dirty fell about his face like a shaggy mane. Despite his disheveled appearance, he projected an aura of nobility.
Hearing Aidan's careful words, the elf slowly smiled.
"A strange coincidence; I have a quest similar to your own." The strange elf glanced at his belt, from which a number of human scalps were hanging from. Aidan shivered as he recalled their own meeting with Officer Jessa Vai earlier. She had offered to buy all the bandit scalps they could gather, for 50gp a piece.
"I have been hunting the bandits in the region for the past few months. Perhaps if we worked together we would fare better. What say you to that?"
There was something behind the elf's quest, a not too distant pain.
"We'll help you against the bandits, but only if you tell us why you've spent months hunting them." Aidan gently prodded.
The elf nodded, and explained with a voice still tinged with sorrow.
"Their leader, an ogre named Tazok, took the life of someone very dear to me."
Tazok! An ogre!? Aidan's mind was instantly alive with a hundred questions. Why on Faerun would an ogre of all things want him dead? The dark figure who had slain Gorion had been the size of a half-ogre at the very largest...
He felt the cool hand of Jaheira on his own, as he heard her reply to the elf who had introduced himself as Kivan while Aidan was verbally incapacitated.
"Thank you, for being honest. You can join our party."
Kivan merely nodded, as he appraised the flustered young wizard.
*-*-*
The party of five stood in the inner sanctum of Thalantyr's keep. It had been a close call, for the old mage kept a pair of monstrous magical Flesh Golems as his guardians. They had nearly mauled the party before Thalantyr had intervened.
Golems were magical constructs, very resistant to magic and impervious to all but magical weapons. They were frequently used as guardians by powerful wizards. Someday, that kind of power would be his, Aidan exulted. Someday, he would crush his enemies with his magic and send conjured demons to tear them apart with talons of black steel...
"What the...!" Aidan gasped aloud.
The young wizard was again stunned by his sudden bloodlust. Where had those visions come from?!
He realized everyone was looking at him. Jaheira and Khalid appeared worried, Imoen curious and Kivan's gaze was unreadable.
"I... ah..." Aidan felt his cheeks redden. What was happening to him!?
"Here they are!" Thalantyr's voice saved him from questions and further stares, as the old wizard arrived with the items the companions had bid him to identify.
These included a formidable wand of frost, a magical short bow and those funny looking gauntlets they had wrested from the gnoll sentries. The gauntlets were particularly valuable, having the powers to grant improved dexterity on the wearer. Jaheira got the gauntlets, while Imoen took the bow. Aidan of course claimed the wand.
Feeling better, he lovingly caressed his new wand. Perhaps this very wand would give him justice, when he confronted the murderer of Gorion.
Nearby, Jaheira's worried gaze lingered over her young comrade.
*-*-*
Aidan was trying to study a group of new spells, namely the "Mirror Image" and the "Strength" when Kivan sat down beside him. The companions had camped out beside the road for the night. Aidan slowly closed the book, and turned to face the silent elf.
"Tell me, friend Aidan, where do you know the name Tazok from?" he asked in his quiet, raspy voice.
Considering for a moment, Aidan wondered whether he should tell the whole truth. Seeing no real objections, he decided to try and befriend their brooding new companion.
"I have a good reason to suspect Tazok had my foster father killed." No reaction from Kivan, so Aidan continued.
"And I am sure he is responsible for sending many hired killers after me personally." Again, no visible reaction.
There was a short, silent moment between the wizard and the elf. Then Kivan spoke.
"Ah. I see." He remained silent for yet a moment, and them smiled. There was a dangerous glint in his eyes, as he raised his head to look Aidan in the eyes.
"Well, friend Aidan, then you have as good a reason to desire the brute's death as I. I do not know why he would send assassins after someone though. He enjoys seeing others suffer up-close."
Kivan rose up, preparing to leave. He shot Aidan a one last look.
"I would think that he was actually hired by an outside source. Tazok is merely a wretched thug and a bandit lord."
As Kivan left and Aidan lifted his spell book once more, the young wizard felt chilled. Layers upon layers, the identity of his true enemies was like an onion. No matter how much you peeled, the truth was hidden beneath many layers and many tears.
*-*-*
Mara and Kivan had proven themselves quite valuable as scouts, and indeed it seemed that the Wood of Sharp Teeth was the center of bandit activity. Thanks to the combined efforts of a faerie dragon and elf, the companions had already evaded three ambushes.
Unused to travelling in woods, Aidan felt in awe of the massive trees that actually managed to block sunlight from time to time. And yet Jaheira had assured him that the nearby Cloak Wood was even more dense and huge.
Aidan fervently hoped that their travels would steer clear of such a place.
As the companions ventured deeper, Aidan had been forced to recall Mara. The tiny dragonet was easily distracted, and she seemed to love the old forest. After having found her examining yet another anthill, Aidan was forced to admit defeat and rely solely on Kivan's impressive wilderness knowledge.
After a few hours of travel through the woods, Kivan returned swiftly.
"There is a stone circle ahead, druids most likely." He addressed Jaheira.
The warrior druidess thought for a moment.
"Osmadi and Rahivald perhaps... We should go to them, perhaps we can get some information about these bandits."
Everyone agreed that this was a fine idea, though Kivan kept his bow at hand. Aidan shot him a bemused glance, but the silent elf didn't seem to notice him.
*-*-*
The stone circle seemed unkempt, and there three remains of funeral pyres nearby. A figure in green and brown robes was huddled at the center. As the companions drew near, the figure raised his head and let out a tortured, mad cry.
The crazed druid grabbed his staff, and started running towards them. Aidan noticed the Kivan and Imoen had readied their bows, and even Khalid was fidgeting nervously with Varscona, his enchanted blade.
Jaheira, however, calmly stepped forward to greet the man and took no visible precautions to defend herself.
"Arrogant fools!" the ragged druid howled at her.
"You return to the very slaughter for which you were responsible. Your blood will soak the ground before I allow any of you to leave! I will avenge the deaths of my brothers!" He continued his ranting.
"What are you talking about, we've killed no one." Jaheira replied soothingly.
"I think you're a little addled in the head, Osmadi. You know me, by Silvanus! It is I, Jaheira!" She continued.
"Perhaps you should calm down so that we can figure out who really killed your brothers."
Her calm voice had no effect, for Osmadi no longer recognized her as a fellow druid.
"You think your excuses can work on me! I know what you are, what all of you are! Let the wrath of Malar destroy you and your faithless companions."
He lunged at them, yelling strange words at the same time.
Two brown bears lumbered into view from the forest, roaring in rage at the companions.
As Jaheira dodged Osmadi's wild swings, Khalid moved to face the bears. Imoen and Kivan shot their bows at the closest bear, wounding it.
Aidan used his new wand, which shot a ray of intense frost at the other bear. It had a devastating effect, the bear whimpered and fell to ground, it's head frozen.
Leaving his three companions to fend off the remaining bear, Aidan turned to aid Jaheira, only to see another druid having joined the fight, on the side of the companions. Together, the new druid and Jaheira managed to kill the crazed Osmadi in short order.
*-*-*
"I must apologize for the actions of Osmadi. He had lost his mind after what happened here..." The new druid, named Corsone said.
"Some days past, a group of bandits, calling themselves the Chill entered our camp as we worked upon this shrine. They killed and murdered everyone they came across, including some of Osmadi's close friends." He continued in a sad voice.
Aidan was following the conversation between Corsone and Jaheira. Something, however, seemed amiss in this Corsone. He had been the one to land the blow that killed Osmadi, whereas Jaheira had merely tried to subdue him.
"Why did you let us attack Osmadi. From the sounds of it you knew him well. The both of you look to be druids." He burst out with his thoughts.
Jaheira glanced at him, her expression unreadable, while annoyance briefly flicked over Corsone's features.
"It's true, we knew each other very well. But there was nothing that could be done... he had lost his mind. I think you can understand that. Sometimes one doesn't have a choice." Corsone answered, in a remarkably cold tone.
Something was clearly not right, Corsone was lying, Aidan was sure of it now.
"It's rather hard to believe that you would write off a life so readily. Come now, there must have been some other choice." He prodded on, adopting a hostile tone.
Jaheira glanced at him, and gave a small nod to show that she had understood that Corsone wasn't being honest.
"There was no other choice! Do I have to explain myself over and over. Please leave me be, so that I may bury my companion." A dark look had taken over the druids features, and he avoided Aidan's gaze.
"So...now he's your companion. That's very strange indeed. I don't know of too many people who would go about murdering their 'companions'." The young wizard prodded on, causing Imoen to look at him in amazement.
Now Corsone lifted his gaze, and Aidan saw that cold fury had twisted the druid's face into a gruesome mask.
"I murdered NO ONE! I did what had to be done! All of you might be dead if it weren't for my help! Leave me be." He thundered, raising his staff and taking a menacing step towards Aidan.
"I think you're lying! I think you wanted our help to kill him. You're just a common killer!"
Jaheira remarked coldly, causing Corsone to whirl and face her in amazement. He momentarily seemed to be at a loss for words, then his shoulders slumped.
"You... are correct. I did need your assistance to kill Osmadi. Thank you for the help." He remarked caustically.
"You were wrong about one thing. I am no 'common killer'... I am a Shadow druid." He said with some pride, while Jaheira's face darkened in anger.
"I poisoned Osmadi and his companions, so that we could be rid of their weakling presence. Now, we should easily be able to make this land our own. Unfortunately, there will be no room for meddling city folk." Corsone grinned, oblivious at the battle ready companions currently surrounding him.
"It is time for you to feel the fury of nature, as only I can administer it. Goodbye!" with that last insanely overconfident remark, he threw himself at the companions.
A short while later, he lay on the ground, Kivan's arrow poking from his pierced eye-socket.
*-*-*
Attempts to get an explanation concerning these "Shadow Druids" resulted only in a angry glare from Jaheira, so Aidan decided to leave the topic alone for a while.
He also remembered the advice Drizzt had given them, and had devised a plan with the rest of the companions to infiltrate the bandits if at all possible. Aidan had agreed that they'd try out the plan with the next group they found, instead of trying to avoid them.
The makeup of their group had provided some concern to Aidan, because it included three elves. Elves were generally a good-natured race of beings, not given to banditry. Kivan tapped his shoulder suddenly and pointed to the direction they were travelling.
"Someone is coming!" he hissed, and the companions quickly readied their weapons.
Indeed, someone was crashing through the thicket so loudly that even Aidan noticed it well before the cloaked form came into view.
Imoen and Kivan aimed their bows while Aidan yelled a challenge to the stranger.
"Stop right there! Who approaches!?"
The figure stopped, and raised it's head in a rapid move. Silver hair glinted from beneath the cowl, and two glittering eyes nervously appraised the party. The stranger was slight of build and because of the inhumanly graceful movements Aidan guessed he or she had elven blood. He heard Kivan draw a harsh breath and saw him prepare to fire.
"No!" he yelled, and grabbed a hold of the elf's hand.
"Help me! If you don't help me, they'll kill me." The cloaked figure gasped, short of breath.
A female voice, with a decidedly unfamiliar accent to it.
Still watching Kivan guardedly, Aidan let go of his hand and addressed the woman:
"Calm down, we'll help you. Just tell us who you are."
"My name is Viconia, I....I'm not from around here, thank you so much for helping."
Aidan glanced at his comrades. Kivan eyed the still cloaked woman with clear hatred in his eyes, Jaheira and Khalid were quietly whispering to each other while Imoen was scanning to the direction where the stranger had appeared from.
Kivan shot a final venomous glare towards the woman, then turned towards Aidan.
"What's wrong with you?" the young wizard asked the elven ranger.
Kivan opened his mouth to speak, but Imoen quickly shushed him.
Someone else was approaching.
A man dressed in hunting clothes, wielding a bow in his hand and a long sword on his lap burst through the bushes. He quickly spotted Viconia among the companions, and eyed them coldly, keeping his bow at the ready.
"Step aside travelers, I am a member of the Flaming Fist." He drew a scroll from beneath his leather armor and tossed it in front of Jaheira.
She picked it up and quickly read it, giving a quick nod to the companions.
Seeing that, the man continued:
"The woman you are harboring is wanted for murder of the foulest sort. She is a dark elf; it should be obvious that she is evil." He spat the last words venomously, and drew his bow, pointing the arrow towards Viconia.
"They lie, I've done nothing wrong." She hissed at the hunter.
Aidan knew that he needed to make a quick decision. Kivan and most likely Jaheira and Khalid too wouldn't hesitate to kill the woman if she indeed was a drow. He shot a quick glance towards Imoen. She glanced towards the hunter, then to Viconia and quickly shook her head.
"What do you intend to do once you have her?" Aidan asked the hunter, playing for more time.
The man sneered and glanced at his belt where a wicked knife was hanging.
"Kill her, of course." He laughed.
No trial? This didn't sound like justice to Aidan. He made his decision.
"We can't allow that, you'll have to go through us to get her." He replied to the hunter, raising his staff.
Imoen flashed her friend a relieved grin, and raised her bow, this time towards the hunter. Kivan scowled, but followed Imoen's lead. Jaheira and Khalid likewise drew their weapons. The hunter wasn't amused.
"A stupid decision! For harboring a murderer I sentence all of you to death!" he screamed at them, firing his bow at Viconia.
The woman let out a soft gasp as the shaft hit her and fell to the earth. At the same time, Kivan and Imoen let loose their own missiles and the hunter grunted in pain even as he drew his own sword to meet the charging Khalid.
Aidan rushed to help the fallen woman accompanied by Jaheira, while the others dealt with their foe. To his surprise he heard the woman chanting a prayer to some deity, probably healing herself. Jaheira scowled in recognition.
Wearily, the woman stood up without accepting Aidan's offered hand.
The battle behind them was over and the other companions gathered around the woman they had rescued.
Slowly, she took off her hood, letting her silvery hair fall free.
The hunter hadn't lied, they faced a dark elf. Seeing their stares, Viconia held up her head haughtily.
"I thank you for risking yourselves on my behalf." She said guardedly. Kivan spat to the ground.
Aidan noticed that the elven ranger hadn't lowered his weapon.
Viconia noticed it too, and couldn't quite hide the tremor in her voice when she continued:
"I know what you are thinking, you see my dark skin and won't trust me for it." she warily eyed Kivan and the two half-elves before turning to address Aidan.
"I am a dark elf, but I'm an outcast, I need your help." She shot a pleading look at the young wizard with her dark eyes. Aidan withstood the unflinching stare for a few seconds, then blushed and turned away.
"I no longer receive my powers from the spider gods you surface dwellers fear so; the Goddess Shar grants me wisdom, and she is a surface divinity." Viconia continued. Jaheira barked a short scornful laugh at this.
Shar? Wasn't that the evil goddess whose cult the dark blade Varscona, now wielded by Khalid, had belonged to long ago? Would they really want to help an evil priestess? The young wizard bit his lip angrily. Had he made a foolish decision in saving the drow?
"If you'd let me join your group, I would be most grateful. I have no where else to go." Viconia finished, again looking at Aidan for answer.
The young wizard again looked at the slender drow, surprised at hearing what he perceived as true emotion from behind her words. She was afraid and lonely, he realized, not merely trying to take advantage of their strong sword arms. He also knew that she would never be accepted here, not even among their group.
As the silence fell deeper over the small group, Aidan wondered what it would be like to live as an outcast, a freak and a boogie man. He wasn't sure if he could survive the loneliness of such a life. The situation was at an impasse. Kivan still hadn't taken the arrow off his bow string, and was probably intending to shoot Viconia the instant she was given a negative answer.
Jaheira and Khalid had conferred privately over a short distance away. Aidan saw them talking quietly, taking quick glances towards Viconia. Then, apparently reaching a decision, she motioned Aidan to join them.
"I T-think we s-should take Viconia with us, and so does Jaheira." Khalid stammered to his as Aidan reached the pair.
"You do!? But, I mean..." Aidan began, but Jaheira motioned him to be silent.
"Yes. At least as far as the bandit camp. I have given some thought over our plans to infiltrate these mercenaries, and believe we shall fail. Three elves and two young humans do not convincing bandits make."
"Unless..." but it was already clear to Aidan.
"Unless we show them who fierce and bloodthirsty we really are, travelling with an exiled drow." She finished for him.
"No true elf would do such a thing!" Aidan exclaimed gleefully, then realized what he had implied to the half-elves.
"Uh.. I mean..." he stammered.
"No offense taken." Jaheira smiled.
"Y-y-you know, I t-t-think this could just work..." Khalid grinned.
*-*-*
"Friend Aidan."
The young wizard flinched. He knew what Kivan wanted to talk to him about. He turned to face the ranger from his place near the camp fire and placed down his spellbook.
"Yes?"
The elf didn't seem overtly angry, but Aidan was certain the ranger was furious about their decision to take Viconia with them.
"I won't question your judgement any further. The reasons for taking this soulless witch with us are solid." He paused for a moment, looking at the young wizard intensely.
Aidan felt uncomfortable. He was certain Kivan had something to say he wouldn't like very much.
"But if and when we are successful, I will see to it that this murderess gets what's coming to her. She is living on borrowed time. And I will not be swayed from this decision."
The elf ranger held his hand up as Aidan opened his mouth to protest.
"Useless, friend Aidan. Don't waste your words. And don't try to stand in my way, when the time comes."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Aidan to ponder dark thoughts.
Unbeknownst to him, someone else had heard the exchange. Viconia smiled ruefully and crept back to where her bedroll was, apart from the others.
*-*-*
Hopefully, the risk they had taken was going to be worth it.
They stood in the middle of an ambush, one they had walked into prepared and forewarned thanks to Kivan's formidable forestry skills.
Something like a dozen longbow men surrounded them, while a leader type clad in black splint mail leered at the "surprised" faces of the companions.
"It's your choice which hits the ground first; your swords or your heads! Be smart now and you'll all live to grow wise!" he bellowed.
Trying to give what he hoped was a menacing look, Aidan hollered back at him:
"We'll not fight you. In fact, we want to join your group."
Several of the bandits laughed at them while the leader just smiled.
"Now there's a laugh! Why, pray tell, should we take you rattle-pates?"
"You're too good at your job!" Aidan yelled back, drawing laughter again from the bandit archers.
"We can see which way the wind is blowing, and whatever you're doing, we want in. It's the only real profit on the Sword Coast today." He continued, grinning at the leader.
This time all the bandits laughed. The leader was looking at the companions with a critical eye. His eyes widened slightly when he saw Viconia's dark face and glittering eyes, glaring at him from beneath her hood.
Nodding slightly towards Aidan, he made his decision.
"Ha ha! I like you, you make me laugh!" he grinned.
"We'll take you back to the boss and see if he likes you too. Then maybe you're in. If not, you die. Follow me and try to keep up."
*-*-*
They were led deeper in to the forest for the better part of the day.
The bandits didn't talk much, and the leader only introduced himself as Raiken, answering no other questions about himself or the bandits.
Aidan and Jaheira had pleaded Kivan to keep himself calm even if the opportunity to slay Tazok presented itself. It wouldn't do to abandon their deception too soon, swift death at the bandits' hands wasn't something the young wizard had planned on achieving.
Then finally, in the evening, a camp loomed ahead.
*-*-*
The party was lead into a small clearing, with heavily armed guards surrounding them instantly. The armor was similar to Raiken's, except it was adorned with what was obviously the device of the Black Talon mercenaries Drizzt had told them of: A dark talon. These armored guards looked like seasoned veterans, moving with the same confidence as Khalid or Jaheira.
Then Aidan heard Kivan draw a sharp breath, and heard the heavy footfalls belonging to the leader of the iron bandits: Tazok
The brute lumbered into view, and Aidan saw that he wasn't a full ogre. Which was much worse of course, since the human side in him gave Tazok the dangerous glint of intelligence in his eyes. He was clad in black plate mail but wore no helm or a shield. In his right hand was a massive blade, intended for two-handed use.
Raiken hastily scrambled to him, but it was evident in his disgusted stare that he had already been given a report on the status of the prisoners.
"Recruits!?" he raged at his hapless commander.
"Secret operation and you hire those you rob!? By the lower planes, why do we pay Black Talon to do stealth if you almost light signal fires!?"
Raiken was somewhat taken aback, but offered an explanation nonetheless:
"We need to keep our numbers up! Besides, we checked them out pretty good. I think they'll do fine."
The half-ogre wasn't impressed.
"YOU DON'T THINK! I THINK!" he bellowed, causing Raiken to back up a few steps.
"I question them myself and if they are not as you say, you die too!" Tazok snarled at him, then turned to face the companions.
Seeing the three elves he snarled, but was taken aback somewhat at seeing Viconia's drow features. The ogre's brow furrowed in thought for a while, then he addressed Aidan who Raiken had told him was the leader.
"I say now I don't like you! Give me reason to not have you broth-boiled and use your skin to swaddle my small-kin! Who are you that I should let you join?!"
Aidan felt cold sweat drip down his back under Tazok's terrible gaze, knowing that the wrong answer here would guarantee not only his own death, but that of his companions as well.
Fortunately for the party, Aidan was quick thinking and if nothing else, lucky.
"We're strong, well armed, and we know opportunity when we see it!" he offered.
"What better job be there for us? Dungeon crawling? That's fools' work!" he finished with a derisive snort.
Tazok considered his words for a while.
"Hmmm. You have some sense, but I have many a strong back here already. What for I need you?!" the brute finally snarled back at him.
Aidan however, was certain now that he'd succeeded.
"Would you rather have too few and need more, or have too many and not need them at all?" he quipped, flashing a confident grin at the ogre.
The grin was wiped from his face by a feral snarl from the bandit lord. Tazok was smarter than the average half-ogre, but even only somewhat clever wordplay irritated and confused him.
"Ehhh'? You sure are big on words. You better be big on the battlefield too, cuz if you're not..." he flashed an evil grin at his men, some of whom chuckled back.
"...You die. You have run of the camp. If I hear ONE bad thing from Ardenor and Taugosz, I personally feed your livers to the crows!"
Then the ogre turned to face his redeemed commander once again.
"I take a patrol and leave for mine tonight! Keep pressure on trade routes and there be extra gold for all when we are done! I leave soon."
And with that, he was off. The black talon elite guards followed him out, leaving the companions in the middle of a bandit camp.
One thing Aidan was certain of now: Tazok was someone else's underling, at least where the attempts on his life were concerned. They had spoken face to face, and there had been no recognition from the brute.
Raiken gave them directions, orders to report to the "armory" and then to Taugosz Khosann, supreme commander of the Black Talons.
Aidan was just about to follow his comrades towards the armory tent, when he saw one of them had stayed behind.
Kivan.
As the wizard laid a hand on the elf's shoulder, he noticed that Kivan was trembling. He turned the ranger to face him, and saw streaks of tears flowing down his cheeks.
"We should go, my friend." He offered, and the elf nodded at him.
"I had my chance. I had my chance to gain revenge and I didn't take it." he spoke, partially to himself.
Aidan was astonished at the coldness of his voice.
"Kivan, that would have meant the end for all of us. We would be dead now. You will get another chance to kill that bastard."
The elf turned to face him, his stare cold as the iron these bandits hoarded.
"I live for my vengeance now. It is my life, it is me. It is what I am. And in my heart I know, that I will get no second chance."
He walked past the astonished wizard into the armory tent.
It was then that Aidan realized Kivan had fully intended to kill Tazok on the spot, sacrificing them all for the sake of his revenge. What had kept him from initiating the bloodbath?
The young wizard couldn't think of an answer, and that frightened him.
His heart heavy with foreboding, Aidan followed his comrades into the tent.