Cursed Heritage 1 - The Dark Half
Chapter 12 - The kindness of strangers
Aidan awoke with the migraine of his life.
He opened his eyes, but was forced to close them because the sunlight burned his eyes like the furnaces of Baator.
"Wait! Do not open your eyes yet... I'll help you sit up."
The voice was unfamiliar, male and gruff.
Nonetheless, it was sympathetic and with the aid of a firm pair of unseen hands Aidan sat up with some difficulty. Immediately, he felt the need to throw up. The stranger helped him bend over as he purged his stomach while simultaneously squeezing his eyes shut.
"Here, drink this. It will strengthen you." The voice spoke after Aidan had ceased his vomiting.
"Now wait just one bloody moment! Just who are you and where's..." the young wizard snapped, not quite ready to accept any more drinks from strangers.
"It's okay Aidan. Trust him."
Imoen.
"Im? Who is this man and is everyone..."
"Just drink it! It'll help to cure that poison off ya!" she cut him off, her voice quite anxious about something.
Deciding to trust his friend, Aidan accepted the cup and drank the acrid smelling herbal mixture the stranger had offered him. It tasted awful.
"You can try to open your eyes, but be careful. It may still hurt a bit." The stranger told him.
Aidan complied, and while the light still hurt, the pain was lessening. His head was also feeling better. Rubbing his eyes, Aidan saw his benefactor.
The stranger was an older man, scarred in the face, thin and bent like a scarecrow. But his eyes were kind, full of old sadness. Imoen was sitting behind the stranger, looking just like how Aidan felt. Of his other companions, there was no sign.
"Uh... thank you. May I inquire your name, kind sir?" he asked the scarred stranger.
The older man smiled, and started to pack away his collection of herbs and spices.
"You may call me The Surgeon. I have no other name these days." He answered.
The Surgeon?
"So, Im. Have you seen Khalid, Kivan or Jaheira?" he asked the pale looking rogue.
Imoen was silent, then sighed with sadness.
"Yeah, well I've seen Kivan... he's... He didn't make it." she explained, her voice trembling.
Kivan was dead. Aidan felt like he'd been kicked in the stomach. He almost felt like throwing up again.
"Who... Safana? Was it that thieving little..." he asked, but Imoen shook her head.
"No. No, there were corpses of half-ogres all around. Eight of them. He died most likely fighting to save us. I'm not sure what happened to Safana, care to explain?"
Aidan told her of the sleep inducing brandy she had given them.
"So she took Kivan's backpack? The one with all the gold in it? That greedy, soulless bitch!" Imoen snarled, her usually perky voice quite sounding quite fierce.
"Yes, I should have known better than to take that drink. It is all my fault." The young wizard felt like when the warrior priest Branwen had died. Responsible.
"Oh no, you don't!! Snap out of it, Aidan. We need to start searching for Khalid and Jaheira now, not feel all gloomy about things that aren't our fault."
Aidan gazed at his "little sister", mouth agape. She had never spoken to him like this.
The stranger cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, Aidan, but if you will let me give you a bit of advice, your friend here is right. There is a band of ogre marauders in this area. I can tell you where they keep their camp, but you'd best hurry. If your friends are still alive, it is likely the ogres have them."
The Surgeon and Imoen were right, Aidan realized. Was he going to sit on his behind and feel all sorry for himself or go and find his friends? And what of his familiar...
"Here! I thought you had forgotten about me completely!" came a tiny squeak from his backpack.
"You slept through the whole thing?" he asked Mara.
"Yes, I am sorry. I woke up when the old... that "Surgeon" started shaking you." The tiny dragon replied, uncharacteristically glumly.
Shakily rising to his feet, Aidan leaned on his staff. Physically he was feeling better. The sickness had passed, thanks to their benefactor.
"Thank you for the potion. You helped two complete strangers, may I inquire why?" he asked the scarred stranger, curious of the man's reasons.
The Surgeon was silent for a moment, then smiled sadly.
"I heal others in penance for what I have done in my past. Many have died because of a foolish act of charity on my part." He told them, sighing deeply before continuing.
"I have a brother, an evil man by the name of Davaeorn. He lives because I was too weak hearted to kill him when I had the chance. Many have died at his hands, including... including our own father."
Davaeorn! Aidan's eyes widened at hearing the Iron Throne operative's name. The Surgeon didn't notice, his eyes were cast downward.
"But I am holding you from your task. Here, take this." He spoke again, fishing a small scroll case from his backpack. Opening it, Aidan saw a scroll containing the "Monster Summoning 2" spell.
"It may help you if the ogres force you to take action. I take my leave now, may Tymora smile on you and bless you with success." With that, the old man rose and picked up his bags.
"Take me to Kivan, Im. We should see if there are any clues to the others' whereabouts there." Aidan said to his friend.
Imoen merely nodded.
*-*-*
Kivan had died with a smile on his face.
His body was kneeling, like in prayer, his sword laying nearby. Eight half- ogres and ogrillons lay all around his corpse, with two ogre carcasses farther off.
The fight had been fierce, but it still looked like Kivan had triumphed even while losing his life.
"He died saving us, while that bitch Safana betrayed us. If I ever see her again..." Aidan mused to no one in particular.
Imoen squeezed his hand, and knelt to kiss Kivan's cold forehead. Smiling through her tears, she swiped the bloody and matted hair away from the elf's face. In death, Kivan looked to be finally at peace. With some difficulty, the two companions straightened his stiffened body and laid it under his green cloak. They would return for it later, and decide what to do with him. Imoen searched through the ranger's belongings, but didn't find the potion of firebreath she had hoped to find.
"So, what now? If the old man was right, the ogre camp is just some distance to the north from here." He asked the rogue and the dragon.
"I can find those brutes, my lord. You two wait here and I'll go and have a look!" Mara chirped, and after getting a nod from Aidan, she turned invisible and flew away.
"Well, I don't have any spells memorized, only some scrolls and potions. What about you?" Aidan told Imoen., who was busily digging through her own equipment.
"Ha! There!" she exclaimed, and procured a small fiery potion. Aidan recognized the vial, having seen few similar ones being sold at the High Hedge.
"A potion of explosions! Why haven't you told any of us that you had that kind of a weapon at your disposal!" he snapped angrily. Then another thought occurred to him.
"And how long have you had that, because if you had it in the bandit camp so help me..."
"Ah, stow it Aidan. Now's not the time, we need to concentrate on finding Khalid and Jaheira. Here!" she threw him the explosive vial.
Luckily Aidan managed to grab it. His heart beating like a dwarven smith's hammer, the young wizard shot an angry glare at Imoen. The rogue took no notice, having immersed herself in exploring her backpack again.
[My lord! I've found the ogres, and they have Khalid and Jaheira!]
It was Mara.
Aidan motioned Imoen to pack up her gear again and follow him, as he got the directions from his familiar by the telepathic link they shared.
*-*-*
The two young adventurers were crouching behind a hilltop, looking down at a small gathering of half-ogres, ogres and what was presumably their leader, a blue skinned ogre mage.
"Damn it! This is bad!" Aidan cursed under his breath.
"Why? It's just a different kind of brute? What's so special about it?" Imoen asked him.
"No, it's not "just another brute". That's an ogre mage, probably possessing much greater magical skills than me. And it's got three ogres and six half-ogres and ogrillons with it!" he replied his friend.
Things looked very grim. How were they, two physically weak and exhausted youths going to win against such a collection of giant humanoids, led by a powerful ogre mage?
Aidan gritted his teeth and mentally banished the wraith of his negative (though realistic!) and pessimistic thoughts. He would free his friends, or die trying!
They had went through their possessions, and Aidan still possessed some useful non-scribed scrolls including "FireBall" and "Stinking Cloud". Imoen had her explosive potion and her acid arrows.
"Look!" Imoen whispered and shook him from his thoughts.
The brutes had begun to interrogate the two tied-up half-elves. They were beating Khalid up and threatening Jaheira about something.
"We have to do something!" Imoen hissed and drew her bow.
Aidan was thinking furiously. His only option would be to use the monster summoning scroll, use the conjured beasts to distract the ogres with Imoen providing fire support while he himself would use the rogue's potion of invisibility and hope to sneak close enough to free the two half-elves. But what if some ogres remained to guard the captives? What if the scroll wouldn't summon enough monsters...
"Excuse me."
The two companions whirled around in surprise and alarm and saw that someone had managed to sneak up on them.
It was a woman, extremely beautiful with elfin features and wearing a short, diaphanous gown. She reminded Aidan remotely of the Sirines they had fought just recently.
Raising her arms in a gesture indicating that she had no hostile intentions, the woman kneeled and placed a finger to her lips.
"My name is Shoal, and I am a slave to the ogre Droth, who has captured your two friends there." She explained.
"Droth? Is he the ogre mage?" Aidan asked, to which Shoal nodded.
"He holds my shawl, which contains my soul essence so I must obey his commands! I am his... concubine and most prized possession!" she hissed, wringing her hands.
"Help me kill him, and I will aid you by drawing some of those beasts away!" she continued in her anxious voice.
New hope making his heart beat faster, Aidan merely nodded. An unexpected ally was beyond anything he had hoped.
"How can you lure the ogres away? If that mutton-mongering ogre warlock can control you..." Imoen asked Shoal, not feeling very trusting after Safana's treachery.
"Droth believes I love him. He will trust me." Shoal answered, disgust evident in her voice. "He doesn't let me kiss him, but..." her words trailed off, clear in their meaning.
"You are a Nereid!" Aidan realized.
"Yes I am. And I will go to his sub-commander, Kurgang. I know he desires me." She added with loathing.
"I will tell him that I found you, and lead them astray. Perhaps I will let him kiss me..." she added with malice in her melodic voice.
Aidan knew that kissing a Nereid on the lips could cause a man to drown.
"Droth will want to question the captives, he delights in torturing helpless beings. But you must act quickly, unless you wish to see grievous harm done to your friends!" she continued anxiously.
"Thank you Shoal! When Droth is dead, I promise you we'll return your shawl." Aidan replied, glad to have her aid. The odds were much better now.
The gorgeous water being smiled at him and took his hand in her own, kissing it. Aidan felt a jolt go through him and understood why Droth valued her shawl so.
Nodding at Shoal he turned to Imoen.
"Let's do this thing!"
*-*-*
The ogre mage Droth was in a foul mood.
Over a half of his people had been slain last night, and only three of the small pinks responsible had been found. He couldn't believe that only three little ones had caused such carnage. One was dead according to Surtang, leader of the half-ogres who claimed to have slain him in single combat while these two elf-spawn had been captured. They would soon follow their slain friend.
"I ask for the last time! Where are the rest of your murderous band!" he bellowed to the female.
No answer. Merely another defiant look.
Droth could see that the male wasn't as calm as he tried to appear, he was scared. But in his pride the ogre mage wanted to break the stronger one first, so he gave the female elf an evil sneer and drew his jagged knife.
"Perhaps you will start talking once your friend has lost some body parts... Shall we begin here?" he placed his weapon under Khalid's eye,
"Or here?" he placed it at the half-elf's crotch. For the first time he noticed some emotion in the female.
Letting out a thundering laugh, he placed his knife at the bridge of Khalid's nose.
"I don't know... there's just something about a noseless elf..." Droth chuckled.
"My lord! I have news" a familiar melodic voice interrupted him just as he was about to cut off the half-elf's nose.
"I have found them! A young mageling and a girl! They are just a short distance away!" Shoal continued anxiously, running over.
Leering in victory, Droth turned to look at the female elf. Despair was evident on her face.
The ogre mage knew that his consort was speaking the truth.
"Kurgang! Take the orc-kin and fetch them!" he turned to face his "lover" and smiled broadly. "You have done well, water-child! Lead Kurgang and the kin there and kill them!" he said, enjoying seeing the male captive wince at his words.
"Tonight we shall celebrate our revenge by having a little fun with these two. Now go!"
*-*-*
Aidan saw that Shoal had succeeded as she lead a large ogre and the ogrillons away from both him and Imoen and Droth.
Turning to the group of six gnolls his spell had conjured he gave them short orders to encircle the hill and charge the three half-ogres. Grunting at him in acceptance as was their wont, the magically controlled hyena- faced humanoids ran down the hill.
Imoen hurriedly did the same, but she circled to the other direction.
Aidan saw that Droth was taunting the captives and wasn't paying much attention to what was happening around him.
Until the smaller of his remaining ogres fell down screaming in pain, a sizzling acid arrow in it's leg. The other ogre spun around with a stupid look on it's ugly face, only to see another arrow hit his fellow, this time to his chest. The fatally wounded ogre fell with a gurgle.
Seeing Imoen step out of the thicket and taunt him, the unwounded ogre lost it's temper and charged the girl despite Droth's angry commands. Cursing in it's own language, the ogre mage ordered the three half-ogres to guard the prisoners while he started chanting in the language of magic.
Aidan had already finished his own chant, however, and Droth's spell casting was foiled as thick, noxious vapors swirled into existence all around him and the captives. Cursing even more harshly through his coughing, the ogre saw a young mage casually strolling down the hill.
Holding his breath Droth ran out of the green vapor cloud before it would make him pass out. With a triumphant yell, he cleared it and drew his huge sword. This arrogant little mage would learn a harsh lesson...
The ogre mage was interrupted yet again, as a thundering explosion heralded the death of his remaining ogre. Whirling around, Droth saw various body parts of Hrogbush sail through the air from the huge ball of fire that had ended his charge against the girl.
A mage and a girl.
"Shoal! Damn you water-child!" the furious brute yelled as he turned his fury on the wizard who had stopped his own advance and was reading a scroll. Realizing the danger he was in, the ogre decided to kill the wizard with his most powerful spell, "Cone of Cold". Chanting the arcane words, the ogre realized his lateness as the wizard launched his "FireBall".
Enveloped in the hellish flames, Droth fell to his knees gasping for air. He had survived the blast. Then he heard sounds of melee from behind him. Someone had engaged his half-ogres! Just who was he fighting against? With a pained whimper, the once powerful ogre struggled to rise. The wizard was appraising him with a cool gaze, venomous hatred in his eyes.
Not about to give up, Droth quickly started spell casting. One "Lightning Bolt" and this fool would be...
He realized his folly as Imoen's arrows sunk in his chest, their powerful acid singing his already burned flesh and causing him to lose his spell and fall to his knees in agony. Breathing heavily, he saw the young wizard quickly pick up his great blade. Panicking, Droth tried to summon up his magical abilities.
He couldn't even move his limbs.
Looking him in the eyes the young wizard raised the Droth's massive sword with some difficulty and clumsiness. His deadly intent was clear, however.
"This is for Kivan." He snarled and brought down the blade.
*-*-*
Two gnolls still remained among the living, and they kept careful watch as Aidan tended Khalid and Jaheira.
"By Silvanus I thought you were dead!" the druidess was nearly overcome by emotion, Aidan saw.
"When that bastard bragged to us, I could only think how I had failed Gorion even in death..."
"Kivan saved us. But he... ah. He lost his life." Aidan felt his own voice quiver and a lump form in his throat.
Jaheira looked at the young wizard, and saw how he was about to lose his composure. Rising up with some difficulty, he tapped Aidan sympathetically on the shoulder and went to tend Khalid.
Aidan wiped his eyes with the cloth he was holding, suddenly becoming aware of it's softness in his dirty hands. It was the shawl he had picked up from the ogre leader's pack. Shoal. Had she survived?
"Aidan!" Imoen shouted.
The companions turned at the girl's voice and saw Shoal climb to the shore from the sea. She looked pleased when she saw the carnage, and walked straight to Aidan.
"You needn't worry about the rest of this accursed band. The sea has taken them." She said, smiling coldly at the wizard.
Aidan handed the silky cloth to the Nereid.
Shoal's smile changed, becoming filled with warmth and joy. Reflexively, she took a step forward to kiss him, then halted in realization.
"I am sorry, it is the way my people are..." she added sheepishly.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Aidan. Perhaps we shall meet again. Some day." She added, smiling gratefully.
Aidan took her hand, and kissed it in courtly fashion.
"No. Thank you Shoal. Our friends would have died without you." He said to the beautiful water spirit.
Shoal merely nodded, and ran back to the sea. It was unlikely that she would venture to the land for some time.
Aidan watched the sea even after she had disappeared. It had been close this time.
But he had made a plan, used his assets wisely and rescued his friends. Vowing silently to prove himself worthy of Kivan's sacrifice, he felt new confidence in his own abilities. He had faced a superior enemy and triumphed.
When the day finally came that he found Gorion's murderer, the dark fiend would meet his match.
*-*-*
Jaheira had been surprisingly unemotional when Aidan related the news about Safana's treachery to her and Khalid.
"It isn't worth it. People like her will always be around. Until we solve this crisis with the Iron Throne, I suggest we put off the search for that wench." She said to the angry wizard.
"B-but if we do f-find her..." Khalid trailed off, but the meaning of his comment was clear.
Someday, the thief would pay Aidan vowed.
They had intended to pick up Kivan's body, but the companions had no strength left. It was all they could do to return to Beregost themselves.
Instead, they had used all their skill to build him a gravesite, which they marked with a tall stone. Aidan resolved to return there one day and build Kivan a worthy memorial, but now they needed to return to Beregost as soon as they could. Khalid and Jaheira had been savagely beaten by the ogres and it was only due to The Surgeon that Imoen could walk at all.
Luckily Safana hadn't gotten the holy symbol formerly belonging to Bassilus. It would get them five thousand gold coins from the governor of Beregost. The ogres had had some valuable treasure too, including a magical helm and a belt.
*-*-*
The journey was arduous, but they managed to limp back to Beregost in better condition than they had left the site of Kivan's last rest. Aidan's mysterious healing abilities and Jaheira's druidic spells had healed their wounds somewhat, but only real rest would mend the emotional scars.
The populace greeted them like they had successfully stormed the gates of Baator. Their reward was awarded to them in a public ceremony, and governor Kelddath pronounced them great heroes. Of Safana, no mention was made but Kivan's sacrifice was recognized.
Their newest enchanted items were a Helmet of Defense, which guarded against fire and cold and the Girdle of Bluntness, which protected it's wielder against clubs and maces and other non-edged weapons. Jaheira was awarded both of these, as more of the burden of frontline melee combat now fell on her shoulders.
The companions recuperated for two days in the Jovial Juggler inn.
They already knew their next target: Cloakwood forest and The Surgeon's evil brother, Davaeorn.
Aidan was sitting in his room, sipping his foul herbal tea and trying to make sense of a new and powerful spell scroll he had purchased from Thalantyr: the mighty "FireBall". Having noted the devastating effect such explosions had on their foes, he was desperate to master the powerful invocation before their small group ventured into the infamously savage spider infested woods.
It was useless, he knew it. Only wizards with years of experience knew the intricate syllables and their different meanings that were required to...
A knock on his door.
"Yes!" he exclaimed angrily.
"Come in!"
The door opened, and he saw Imoen step inside with a stranger. An elf.
The longbow slung on the elf's shoulder instantly reminded Aidan of Kivan, but all similarity ended there. This particular elf was as slender as any member of his race and his face was set in an easy smile. Offering his hand, he introduced himself as Coran, adventurer and an archer.
"Aidan! Coran has asked to join us on our "expedition"." Imoen blabbed excitedly.
The young wizard frowned. Had she forgotten their previous "guide" and her treachery so quickly?
"Indeed. I have taken a dangerous and exciting task from that Ormlyr fellow." Coran said.
"He claims that a dragon has been attacking the caravans and farms near Cloakwood." Seeing Aidan's stunned expression the elf laughed and held up his hands.
"No need to panic! From the description I was given, I think it is a wyvern rather than a full dragon. No dragon I know carries a poisonous stinger." He smirked.
A wyvern? Aidan's brow furrowed in thought as he struggled to remember the lessons he had been given in Candlekeep. Wyverns were smaller and less powerful cousins of the true dragons. They had a poisonous stinger in the tails, but were quite stupid and had no breath weapons.
"Did I mention the two thousand gold piece reward..." Coran pressed on, apparently mistaking Aidan's silence for reticence.
The young wizard gave a quick look over to the elf. Coran seemed to carry himself with confidence and his smile seemed genuinely good natured. Aidan briefly wondered would he have taken Safana so easily within their group had he not been sexually attracted to her. He felt his cheeks redden at the thought.
Still, five was much better than just four. He gave the elf a nod and rose up to shake his hand.
As Imoen and Coran left his room, chatting excitedly Aidan smirked to himself. He would ask around about this elf.
*-*-*
The very next morning, the now five membered group left for the Friendly Arm Inn, where they would spend the night and then enter the emerald depths of Cloakwood.
Everyone who knew Coran had named him as an fine fellow, especially the women. The elf was seemingly a career adventurer, relishing each new daring escape and dangerous romance. One rumor Aidan had heard told that Coran had been forced to flee Baldur's Gate, having seduced the lover of a powerful, jealous wizard.
The elf had his bow and long sword. He also wore a light leather vest but carried no other armor. Aidan wasn't sure if he needed more. Coran had the quickest and easiest moves of any humanoid being Aidan had met, Drizzt excepted. If he moved like that in combat, armor would only slow him down the wizard decided.
He hadn't yet managed to unlock the secrets of the "FireBall" or the "Flame Arrow", but he had come exhilaratingly close last night. Soon, very soon he would master those spells and more. The thought also frightened Aidan somewhat. He knew he wasn't supposed to understand them, not according to what he had been told by Gorion anyway.
Then the young wizard shrugged. Gorion must have meant ordinary wizards. Perhaps he was just that good?
He looked at Imoen and Coran chatting away, laughing at each others jokes. Those two had hit it off instantly. Aidan knew that Imoen was more experienced than he in matters of love. And more. Once she had matured into her teens, she had had many short and fiery romances with the similarly aged sons of the visitors to the Keep. They always ended the same way, the boy pleading for Im to come with him or futilely asking a permission from his scandalized father to stay behind "as a monk".
The wizard smiled, but felt a pang of jealousy.
He glanced at Khalid and Jaheira, walking together as always. Despite Jaheira's often argumentative behavior, the shrewd wizard sensed that those two shared a deep and abiding love.
Had he ever been in love? Aidan nearly stopped walking as he considered the question.
He tried to think of someone special to him, but couldn't come up with anything beyond a few fleeting images. A daughter of a visiting nobleman he had kissed with after drinking too much wine, a pretty face, a cute smile, the way someone had tossed her hair. Just single details about girls he had long since forgotten.
Maybe, after this adventure was over with. He would start to concentrate on finding a someone...
"Someone? Just one? I have to tell you, my lord, that a man of the world like yourself will never be satisfied with only..."
That damn telepathic link.
"Oh do shut up, you lizard! Can't your poor master have some privacy here, it's not like I'm blabbing all your thoughts aloud whenever I feel the need." He snapped at the mischievous little dragon lazily flutting down to sit on his elbow.
Mara merely laughed at him.
*-*-*
Prophetically, the weather had turned foul as they approached the outskirts of the vast Cloakwood. Huge trees loomed ahead, and as the light drizzle pelted the companions Aidan looked despairingly at the thick undergrowth ahead of them.
They had shopped at the gnomish temple of Garl Glittergold at the Friendly Arms, so healing potions and elixirs of health wouldn't run out this time. Cloakwood was (in)famous for it's wide variety of spiders, some of them monstrous in size and temperament.
Sure enough, huge webs could be seen hanging from the branches.
Jaheira warned them of Ettercaps, a wretched humanoid form of life that had several arachnid characteristics such as poisonous fangs and an affinity to webs. Ettercaps were known to coexist with giant spiders and build elaborate traps from the webs laid by the arachnids.
For the first few hours, nothing threatened the companions.
Then, suddenly without a warning, six hairy and ugly spiders lunged from their hiding positions, mandibles twitching. One of them tried to attack Aidan, but his "Armor" spell had hardened his robes and his belt protected him from piercing damage.
Dropping his staff, he opted for a "Burning Hands" spell which shot flames from his outstretched fingers. Chittering in pain, the hairy monstrosity was set aflame. The others were also fighting back.
Jaheira twirled her staff and gave the spider in front of her several punishing blows. Her magical Kara-Turan gauntlets gave her phenomenal dexterity which, in addition to her armor allowed her to side step all the counter attacks by her chittering enemies.
Khalid had already killed one spider, seemingly impervious to their mandibles in his heavy armor. Blocking the second arachnid's desperate bites with his enchanted shield, he sunk the chilling blade of Varscona deep inside it's disgusting body.
Imoen and Coran fought together, wielding their blades and shouting laughing encouragement to each other even while in combat. The spider, mad with fury from being seemingly beset from all directions, soon fell to the quick blades of the two rogues.
Aidan picked up his staff from ground and sighed in relief. So far, so good. A clean victory.
*-*-*
Soon after, they were beset by foes again.
This time it was wolves. But not ordinary hunters, or even the fierce worgs.
These beasts fought with unnatural ferocity and tenacity, fighting until literally being hacked to pieces.
Jaheira's face was dark as she healed the wounded but still smirking Coran.
"Dread wolves. These are undead monstrosities, created by dark necromancers and other... nefarious forces."
Khalid's face fell as he listened Jaheira.
"Y-you don't t-think it's the Shadow Druids? I m-mean Seniyad would never allow them to practice their evil in his forest. W-would he?" he stammered, a worried look in his eyes.
Remembering the incident in the Wood of Sharp Teeth, Aidan decided to wrest some more information.
"Could either of you finally tell me what these "Shadow Druids" are?! I'd really like to know something about my enemie before walking into a battle!" he snapped.
Jaheira's eyes flashed, but she controlled herself and forced a smile.
"I'm sorry Aidan, it wasn't my meaning to keep things from you. I just wished that we would be spared from fighting these blasphemers." Her smile turned into a twisted sneer.
"Shadow Druids are a renegade sect of the druidic order that believes civilization is a blight that must be exterminated. They excel in killing unescorted settlers and pioneers, citing it the "will of nature". They believe that nature and men, elves and others cannot co-exist. You saw what they are capable of, turning my old comrade into attacking me by murdering his friends and blaming it on us."
"But what do these undead wolf things, these dread wolves have to do with these fanatics. Surely they don't believe in creating undead!?" Aidan asked in disbelief.
"You don't believe that "Nature will fight it's attackers even from beyond the grave", do you? That is what some of them believe. They are twisted in their single-mindedness. And if we have to face them, expect and give no quarter." Jaheira answered him and made preparations to continue their trek.
Aidan glanced around, shivering in his damp clothes.
It was growing dark.
The thought of sleeping in a wet, dark forest filled with giant spiders, undead wolves and murderous fanatics didn't really fill him with anticipation. Cursing silently, he started after the others.
At least Coran had proven to be a useful comrade in arms. He was possibly even better with a bow than Kivan had been, and his unflagging optimism and ready jokes kept them moving on.
Deeper into the dark forest.
Chapter 12 - The kindness of strangers
Aidan awoke with the migraine of his life.
He opened his eyes, but was forced to close them because the sunlight burned his eyes like the furnaces of Baator.
"Wait! Do not open your eyes yet... I'll help you sit up."
The voice was unfamiliar, male and gruff.
Nonetheless, it was sympathetic and with the aid of a firm pair of unseen hands Aidan sat up with some difficulty. Immediately, he felt the need to throw up. The stranger helped him bend over as he purged his stomach while simultaneously squeezing his eyes shut.
"Here, drink this. It will strengthen you." The voice spoke after Aidan had ceased his vomiting.
"Now wait just one bloody moment! Just who are you and where's..." the young wizard snapped, not quite ready to accept any more drinks from strangers.
"It's okay Aidan. Trust him."
Imoen.
"Im? Who is this man and is everyone..."
"Just drink it! It'll help to cure that poison off ya!" she cut him off, her voice quite anxious about something.
Deciding to trust his friend, Aidan accepted the cup and drank the acrid smelling herbal mixture the stranger had offered him. It tasted awful.
"You can try to open your eyes, but be careful. It may still hurt a bit." The stranger told him.
Aidan complied, and while the light still hurt, the pain was lessening. His head was also feeling better. Rubbing his eyes, Aidan saw his benefactor.
The stranger was an older man, scarred in the face, thin and bent like a scarecrow. But his eyes were kind, full of old sadness. Imoen was sitting behind the stranger, looking just like how Aidan felt. Of his other companions, there was no sign.
"Uh... thank you. May I inquire your name, kind sir?" he asked the scarred stranger.
The older man smiled, and started to pack away his collection of herbs and spices.
"You may call me The Surgeon. I have no other name these days." He answered.
The Surgeon?
"So, Im. Have you seen Khalid, Kivan or Jaheira?" he asked the pale looking rogue.
Imoen was silent, then sighed with sadness.
"Yeah, well I've seen Kivan... he's... He didn't make it." she explained, her voice trembling.
Kivan was dead. Aidan felt like he'd been kicked in the stomach. He almost felt like throwing up again.
"Who... Safana? Was it that thieving little..." he asked, but Imoen shook her head.
"No. No, there were corpses of half-ogres all around. Eight of them. He died most likely fighting to save us. I'm not sure what happened to Safana, care to explain?"
Aidan told her of the sleep inducing brandy she had given them.
"So she took Kivan's backpack? The one with all the gold in it? That greedy, soulless bitch!" Imoen snarled, her usually perky voice quite sounding quite fierce.
"Yes, I should have known better than to take that drink. It is all my fault." The young wizard felt like when the warrior priest Branwen had died. Responsible.
"Oh no, you don't!! Snap out of it, Aidan. We need to start searching for Khalid and Jaheira now, not feel all gloomy about things that aren't our fault."
Aidan gazed at his "little sister", mouth agape. She had never spoken to him like this.
The stranger cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, Aidan, but if you will let me give you a bit of advice, your friend here is right. There is a band of ogre marauders in this area. I can tell you where they keep their camp, but you'd best hurry. If your friends are still alive, it is likely the ogres have them."
The Surgeon and Imoen were right, Aidan realized. Was he going to sit on his behind and feel all sorry for himself or go and find his friends? And what of his familiar...
"Here! I thought you had forgotten about me completely!" came a tiny squeak from his backpack.
"You slept through the whole thing?" he asked Mara.
"Yes, I am sorry. I woke up when the old... that "Surgeon" started shaking you." The tiny dragon replied, uncharacteristically glumly.
Shakily rising to his feet, Aidan leaned on his staff. Physically he was feeling better. The sickness had passed, thanks to their benefactor.
"Thank you for the potion. You helped two complete strangers, may I inquire why?" he asked the scarred stranger, curious of the man's reasons.
The Surgeon was silent for a moment, then smiled sadly.
"I heal others in penance for what I have done in my past. Many have died because of a foolish act of charity on my part." He told them, sighing deeply before continuing.
"I have a brother, an evil man by the name of Davaeorn. He lives because I was too weak hearted to kill him when I had the chance. Many have died at his hands, including... including our own father."
Davaeorn! Aidan's eyes widened at hearing the Iron Throne operative's name. The Surgeon didn't notice, his eyes were cast downward.
"But I am holding you from your task. Here, take this." He spoke again, fishing a small scroll case from his backpack. Opening it, Aidan saw a scroll containing the "Monster Summoning 2" spell.
"It may help you if the ogres force you to take action. I take my leave now, may Tymora smile on you and bless you with success." With that, the old man rose and picked up his bags.
"Take me to Kivan, Im. We should see if there are any clues to the others' whereabouts there." Aidan said to his friend.
Imoen merely nodded.
*-*-*
Kivan had died with a smile on his face.
His body was kneeling, like in prayer, his sword laying nearby. Eight half- ogres and ogrillons lay all around his corpse, with two ogre carcasses farther off.
The fight had been fierce, but it still looked like Kivan had triumphed even while losing his life.
"He died saving us, while that bitch Safana betrayed us. If I ever see her again..." Aidan mused to no one in particular.
Imoen squeezed his hand, and knelt to kiss Kivan's cold forehead. Smiling through her tears, she swiped the bloody and matted hair away from the elf's face. In death, Kivan looked to be finally at peace. With some difficulty, the two companions straightened his stiffened body and laid it under his green cloak. They would return for it later, and decide what to do with him. Imoen searched through the ranger's belongings, but didn't find the potion of firebreath she had hoped to find.
"So, what now? If the old man was right, the ogre camp is just some distance to the north from here." He asked the rogue and the dragon.
"I can find those brutes, my lord. You two wait here and I'll go and have a look!" Mara chirped, and after getting a nod from Aidan, she turned invisible and flew away.
"Well, I don't have any spells memorized, only some scrolls and potions. What about you?" Aidan told Imoen., who was busily digging through her own equipment.
"Ha! There!" she exclaimed, and procured a small fiery potion. Aidan recognized the vial, having seen few similar ones being sold at the High Hedge.
"A potion of explosions! Why haven't you told any of us that you had that kind of a weapon at your disposal!" he snapped angrily. Then another thought occurred to him.
"And how long have you had that, because if you had it in the bandit camp so help me..."
"Ah, stow it Aidan. Now's not the time, we need to concentrate on finding Khalid and Jaheira. Here!" she threw him the explosive vial.
Luckily Aidan managed to grab it. His heart beating like a dwarven smith's hammer, the young wizard shot an angry glare at Imoen. The rogue took no notice, having immersed herself in exploring her backpack again.
[My lord! I've found the ogres, and they have Khalid and Jaheira!]
It was Mara.
Aidan motioned Imoen to pack up her gear again and follow him, as he got the directions from his familiar by the telepathic link they shared.
*-*-*
The two young adventurers were crouching behind a hilltop, looking down at a small gathering of half-ogres, ogres and what was presumably their leader, a blue skinned ogre mage.
"Damn it! This is bad!" Aidan cursed under his breath.
"Why? It's just a different kind of brute? What's so special about it?" Imoen asked him.
"No, it's not "just another brute". That's an ogre mage, probably possessing much greater magical skills than me. And it's got three ogres and six half-ogres and ogrillons with it!" he replied his friend.
Things looked very grim. How were they, two physically weak and exhausted youths going to win against such a collection of giant humanoids, led by a powerful ogre mage?
Aidan gritted his teeth and mentally banished the wraith of his negative (though realistic!) and pessimistic thoughts. He would free his friends, or die trying!
They had went through their possessions, and Aidan still possessed some useful non-scribed scrolls including "FireBall" and "Stinking Cloud". Imoen had her explosive potion and her acid arrows.
"Look!" Imoen whispered and shook him from his thoughts.
The brutes had begun to interrogate the two tied-up half-elves. They were beating Khalid up and threatening Jaheira about something.
"We have to do something!" Imoen hissed and drew her bow.
Aidan was thinking furiously. His only option would be to use the monster summoning scroll, use the conjured beasts to distract the ogres with Imoen providing fire support while he himself would use the rogue's potion of invisibility and hope to sneak close enough to free the two half-elves. But what if some ogres remained to guard the captives? What if the scroll wouldn't summon enough monsters...
"Excuse me."
The two companions whirled around in surprise and alarm and saw that someone had managed to sneak up on them.
It was a woman, extremely beautiful with elfin features and wearing a short, diaphanous gown. She reminded Aidan remotely of the Sirines they had fought just recently.
Raising her arms in a gesture indicating that she had no hostile intentions, the woman kneeled and placed a finger to her lips.
"My name is Shoal, and I am a slave to the ogre Droth, who has captured your two friends there." She explained.
"Droth? Is he the ogre mage?" Aidan asked, to which Shoal nodded.
"He holds my shawl, which contains my soul essence so I must obey his commands! I am his... concubine and most prized possession!" she hissed, wringing her hands.
"Help me kill him, and I will aid you by drawing some of those beasts away!" she continued in her anxious voice.
New hope making his heart beat faster, Aidan merely nodded. An unexpected ally was beyond anything he had hoped.
"How can you lure the ogres away? If that mutton-mongering ogre warlock can control you..." Imoen asked Shoal, not feeling very trusting after Safana's treachery.
"Droth believes I love him. He will trust me." Shoal answered, disgust evident in her voice. "He doesn't let me kiss him, but..." her words trailed off, clear in their meaning.
"You are a Nereid!" Aidan realized.
"Yes I am. And I will go to his sub-commander, Kurgang. I know he desires me." She added with loathing.
"I will tell him that I found you, and lead them astray. Perhaps I will let him kiss me..." she added with malice in her melodic voice.
Aidan knew that kissing a Nereid on the lips could cause a man to drown.
"Droth will want to question the captives, he delights in torturing helpless beings. But you must act quickly, unless you wish to see grievous harm done to your friends!" she continued anxiously.
"Thank you Shoal! When Droth is dead, I promise you we'll return your shawl." Aidan replied, glad to have her aid. The odds were much better now.
The gorgeous water being smiled at him and took his hand in her own, kissing it. Aidan felt a jolt go through him and understood why Droth valued her shawl so.
Nodding at Shoal he turned to Imoen.
"Let's do this thing!"
*-*-*
The ogre mage Droth was in a foul mood.
Over a half of his people had been slain last night, and only three of the small pinks responsible had been found. He couldn't believe that only three little ones had caused such carnage. One was dead according to Surtang, leader of the half-ogres who claimed to have slain him in single combat while these two elf-spawn had been captured. They would soon follow their slain friend.
"I ask for the last time! Where are the rest of your murderous band!" he bellowed to the female.
No answer. Merely another defiant look.
Droth could see that the male wasn't as calm as he tried to appear, he was scared. But in his pride the ogre mage wanted to break the stronger one first, so he gave the female elf an evil sneer and drew his jagged knife.
"Perhaps you will start talking once your friend has lost some body parts... Shall we begin here?" he placed his weapon under Khalid's eye,
"Or here?" he placed it at the half-elf's crotch. For the first time he noticed some emotion in the female.
Letting out a thundering laugh, he placed his knife at the bridge of Khalid's nose.
"I don't know... there's just something about a noseless elf..." Droth chuckled.
"My lord! I have news" a familiar melodic voice interrupted him just as he was about to cut off the half-elf's nose.
"I have found them! A young mageling and a girl! They are just a short distance away!" Shoal continued anxiously, running over.
Leering in victory, Droth turned to look at the female elf. Despair was evident on her face.
The ogre mage knew that his consort was speaking the truth.
"Kurgang! Take the orc-kin and fetch them!" he turned to face his "lover" and smiled broadly. "You have done well, water-child! Lead Kurgang and the kin there and kill them!" he said, enjoying seeing the male captive wince at his words.
"Tonight we shall celebrate our revenge by having a little fun with these two. Now go!"
*-*-*
Aidan saw that Shoal had succeeded as she lead a large ogre and the ogrillons away from both him and Imoen and Droth.
Turning to the group of six gnolls his spell had conjured he gave them short orders to encircle the hill and charge the three half-ogres. Grunting at him in acceptance as was their wont, the magically controlled hyena- faced humanoids ran down the hill.
Imoen hurriedly did the same, but she circled to the other direction.
Aidan saw that Droth was taunting the captives and wasn't paying much attention to what was happening around him.
Until the smaller of his remaining ogres fell down screaming in pain, a sizzling acid arrow in it's leg. The other ogre spun around with a stupid look on it's ugly face, only to see another arrow hit his fellow, this time to his chest. The fatally wounded ogre fell with a gurgle.
Seeing Imoen step out of the thicket and taunt him, the unwounded ogre lost it's temper and charged the girl despite Droth's angry commands. Cursing in it's own language, the ogre mage ordered the three half-ogres to guard the prisoners while he started chanting in the language of magic.
Aidan had already finished his own chant, however, and Droth's spell casting was foiled as thick, noxious vapors swirled into existence all around him and the captives. Cursing even more harshly through his coughing, the ogre saw a young mage casually strolling down the hill.
Holding his breath Droth ran out of the green vapor cloud before it would make him pass out. With a triumphant yell, he cleared it and drew his huge sword. This arrogant little mage would learn a harsh lesson...
The ogre mage was interrupted yet again, as a thundering explosion heralded the death of his remaining ogre. Whirling around, Droth saw various body parts of Hrogbush sail through the air from the huge ball of fire that had ended his charge against the girl.
A mage and a girl.
"Shoal! Damn you water-child!" the furious brute yelled as he turned his fury on the wizard who had stopped his own advance and was reading a scroll. Realizing the danger he was in, the ogre decided to kill the wizard with his most powerful spell, "Cone of Cold". Chanting the arcane words, the ogre realized his lateness as the wizard launched his "FireBall".
Enveloped in the hellish flames, Droth fell to his knees gasping for air. He had survived the blast. Then he heard sounds of melee from behind him. Someone had engaged his half-ogres! Just who was he fighting against? With a pained whimper, the once powerful ogre struggled to rise. The wizard was appraising him with a cool gaze, venomous hatred in his eyes.
Not about to give up, Droth quickly started spell casting. One "Lightning Bolt" and this fool would be...
He realized his folly as Imoen's arrows sunk in his chest, their powerful acid singing his already burned flesh and causing him to lose his spell and fall to his knees in agony. Breathing heavily, he saw the young wizard quickly pick up his great blade. Panicking, Droth tried to summon up his magical abilities.
He couldn't even move his limbs.
Looking him in the eyes the young wizard raised the Droth's massive sword with some difficulty and clumsiness. His deadly intent was clear, however.
"This is for Kivan." He snarled and brought down the blade.
*-*-*
Two gnolls still remained among the living, and they kept careful watch as Aidan tended Khalid and Jaheira.
"By Silvanus I thought you were dead!" the druidess was nearly overcome by emotion, Aidan saw.
"When that bastard bragged to us, I could only think how I had failed Gorion even in death..."
"Kivan saved us. But he... ah. He lost his life." Aidan felt his own voice quiver and a lump form in his throat.
Jaheira looked at the young wizard, and saw how he was about to lose his composure. Rising up with some difficulty, he tapped Aidan sympathetically on the shoulder and went to tend Khalid.
Aidan wiped his eyes with the cloth he was holding, suddenly becoming aware of it's softness in his dirty hands. It was the shawl he had picked up from the ogre leader's pack. Shoal. Had she survived?
"Aidan!" Imoen shouted.
The companions turned at the girl's voice and saw Shoal climb to the shore from the sea. She looked pleased when she saw the carnage, and walked straight to Aidan.
"You needn't worry about the rest of this accursed band. The sea has taken them." She said, smiling coldly at the wizard.
Aidan handed the silky cloth to the Nereid.
Shoal's smile changed, becoming filled with warmth and joy. Reflexively, she took a step forward to kiss him, then halted in realization.
"I am sorry, it is the way my people are..." she added sheepishly.
"I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Aidan. Perhaps we shall meet again. Some day." She added, smiling gratefully.
Aidan took her hand, and kissed it in courtly fashion.
"No. Thank you Shoal. Our friends would have died without you." He said to the beautiful water spirit.
Shoal merely nodded, and ran back to the sea. It was unlikely that she would venture to the land for some time.
Aidan watched the sea even after she had disappeared. It had been close this time.
But he had made a plan, used his assets wisely and rescued his friends. Vowing silently to prove himself worthy of Kivan's sacrifice, he felt new confidence in his own abilities. He had faced a superior enemy and triumphed.
When the day finally came that he found Gorion's murderer, the dark fiend would meet his match.
*-*-*
Jaheira had been surprisingly unemotional when Aidan related the news about Safana's treachery to her and Khalid.
"It isn't worth it. People like her will always be around. Until we solve this crisis with the Iron Throne, I suggest we put off the search for that wench." She said to the angry wizard.
"B-but if we do f-find her..." Khalid trailed off, but the meaning of his comment was clear.
Someday, the thief would pay Aidan vowed.
They had intended to pick up Kivan's body, but the companions had no strength left. It was all they could do to return to Beregost themselves.
Instead, they had used all their skill to build him a gravesite, which they marked with a tall stone. Aidan resolved to return there one day and build Kivan a worthy memorial, but now they needed to return to Beregost as soon as they could. Khalid and Jaheira had been savagely beaten by the ogres and it was only due to The Surgeon that Imoen could walk at all.
Luckily Safana hadn't gotten the holy symbol formerly belonging to Bassilus. It would get them five thousand gold coins from the governor of Beregost. The ogres had had some valuable treasure too, including a magical helm and a belt.
*-*-*
The journey was arduous, but they managed to limp back to Beregost in better condition than they had left the site of Kivan's last rest. Aidan's mysterious healing abilities and Jaheira's druidic spells had healed their wounds somewhat, but only real rest would mend the emotional scars.
The populace greeted them like they had successfully stormed the gates of Baator. Their reward was awarded to them in a public ceremony, and governor Kelddath pronounced them great heroes. Of Safana, no mention was made but Kivan's sacrifice was recognized.
Their newest enchanted items were a Helmet of Defense, which guarded against fire and cold and the Girdle of Bluntness, which protected it's wielder against clubs and maces and other non-edged weapons. Jaheira was awarded both of these, as more of the burden of frontline melee combat now fell on her shoulders.
The companions recuperated for two days in the Jovial Juggler inn.
They already knew their next target: Cloakwood forest and The Surgeon's evil brother, Davaeorn.
Aidan was sitting in his room, sipping his foul herbal tea and trying to make sense of a new and powerful spell scroll he had purchased from Thalantyr: the mighty "FireBall". Having noted the devastating effect such explosions had on their foes, he was desperate to master the powerful invocation before their small group ventured into the infamously savage spider infested woods.
It was useless, he knew it. Only wizards with years of experience knew the intricate syllables and their different meanings that were required to...
A knock on his door.
"Yes!" he exclaimed angrily.
"Come in!"
The door opened, and he saw Imoen step inside with a stranger. An elf.
The longbow slung on the elf's shoulder instantly reminded Aidan of Kivan, but all similarity ended there. This particular elf was as slender as any member of his race and his face was set in an easy smile. Offering his hand, he introduced himself as Coran, adventurer and an archer.
"Aidan! Coran has asked to join us on our "expedition"." Imoen blabbed excitedly.
The young wizard frowned. Had she forgotten their previous "guide" and her treachery so quickly?
"Indeed. I have taken a dangerous and exciting task from that Ormlyr fellow." Coran said.
"He claims that a dragon has been attacking the caravans and farms near Cloakwood." Seeing Aidan's stunned expression the elf laughed and held up his hands.
"No need to panic! From the description I was given, I think it is a wyvern rather than a full dragon. No dragon I know carries a poisonous stinger." He smirked.
A wyvern? Aidan's brow furrowed in thought as he struggled to remember the lessons he had been given in Candlekeep. Wyverns were smaller and less powerful cousins of the true dragons. They had a poisonous stinger in the tails, but were quite stupid and had no breath weapons.
"Did I mention the two thousand gold piece reward..." Coran pressed on, apparently mistaking Aidan's silence for reticence.
The young wizard gave a quick look over to the elf. Coran seemed to carry himself with confidence and his smile seemed genuinely good natured. Aidan briefly wondered would he have taken Safana so easily within their group had he not been sexually attracted to her. He felt his cheeks redden at the thought.
Still, five was much better than just four. He gave the elf a nod and rose up to shake his hand.
As Imoen and Coran left his room, chatting excitedly Aidan smirked to himself. He would ask around about this elf.
*-*-*
The very next morning, the now five membered group left for the Friendly Arm Inn, where they would spend the night and then enter the emerald depths of Cloakwood.
Everyone who knew Coran had named him as an fine fellow, especially the women. The elf was seemingly a career adventurer, relishing each new daring escape and dangerous romance. One rumor Aidan had heard told that Coran had been forced to flee Baldur's Gate, having seduced the lover of a powerful, jealous wizard.
The elf had his bow and long sword. He also wore a light leather vest but carried no other armor. Aidan wasn't sure if he needed more. Coran had the quickest and easiest moves of any humanoid being Aidan had met, Drizzt excepted. If he moved like that in combat, armor would only slow him down the wizard decided.
He hadn't yet managed to unlock the secrets of the "FireBall" or the "Flame Arrow", but he had come exhilaratingly close last night. Soon, very soon he would master those spells and more. The thought also frightened Aidan somewhat. He knew he wasn't supposed to understand them, not according to what he had been told by Gorion anyway.
Then the young wizard shrugged. Gorion must have meant ordinary wizards. Perhaps he was just that good?
He looked at Imoen and Coran chatting away, laughing at each others jokes. Those two had hit it off instantly. Aidan knew that Imoen was more experienced than he in matters of love. And more. Once she had matured into her teens, she had had many short and fiery romances with the similarly aged sons of the visitors to the Keep. They always ended the same way, the boy pleading for Im to come with him or futilely asking a permission from his scandalized father to stay behind "as a monk".
The wizard smiled, but felt a pang of jealousy.
He glanced at Khalid and Jaheira, walking together as always. Despite Jaheira's often argumentative behavior, the shrewd wizard sensed that those two shared a deep and abiding love.
Had he ever been in love? Aidan nearly stopped walking as he considered the question.
He tried to think of someone special to him, but couldn't come up with anything beyond a few fleeting images. A daughter of a visiting nobleman he had kissed with after drinking too much wine, a pretty face, a cute smile, the way someone had tossed her hair. Just single details about girls he had long since forgotten.
Maybe, after this adventure was over with. He would start to concentrate on finding a someone...
"Someone? Just one? I have to tell you, my lord, that a man of the world like yourself will never be satisfied with only..."
That damn telepathic link.
"Oh do shut up, you lizard! Can't your poor master have some privacy here, it's not like I'm blabbing all your thoughts aloud whenever I feel the need." He snapped at the mischievous little dragon lazily flutting down to sit on his elbow.
Mara merely laughed at him.
*-*-*
Prophetically, the weather had turned foul as they approached the outskirts of the vast Cloakwood. Huge trees loomed ahead, and as the light drizzle pelted the companions Aidan looked despairingly at the thick undergrowth ahead of them.
They had shopped at the gnomish temple of Garl Glittergold at the Friendly Arms, so healing potions and elixirs of health wouldn't run out this time. Cloakwood was (in)famous for it's wide variety of spiders, some of them monstrous in size and temperament.
Sure enough, huge webs could be seen hanging from the branches.
Jaheira warned them of Ettercaps, a wretched humanoid form of life that had several arachnid characteristics such as poisonous fangs and an affinity to webs. Ettercaps were known to coexist with giant spiders and build elaborate traps from the webs laid by the arachnids.
For the first few hours, nothing threatened the companions.
Then, suddenly without a warning, six hairy and ugly spiders lunged from their hiding positions, mandibles twitching. One of them tried to attack Aidan, but his "Armor" spell had hardened his robes and his belt protected him from piercing damage.
Dropping his staff, he opted for a "Burning Hands" spell which shot flames from his outstretched fingers. Chittering in pain, the hairy monstrosity was set aflame. The others were also fighting back.
Jaheira twirled her staff and gave the spider in front of her several punishing blows. Her magical Kara-Turan gauntlets gave her phenomenal dexterity which, in addition to her armor allowed her to side step all the counter attacks by her chittering enemies.
Khalid had already killed one spider, seemingly impervious to their mandibles in his heavy armor. Blocking the second arachnid's desperate bites with his enchanted shield, he sunk the chilling blade of Varscona deep inside it's disgusting body.
Imoen and Coran fought together, wielding their blades and shouting laughing encouragement to each other even while in combat. The spider, mad with fury from being seemingly beset from all directions, soon fell to the quick blades of the two rogues.
Aidan picked up his staff from ground and sighed in relief. So far, so good. A clean victory.
*-*-*
Soon after, they were beset by foes again.
This time it was wolves. But not ordinary hunters, or even the fierce worgs.
These beasts fought with unnatural ferocity and tenacity, fighting until literally being hacked to pieces.
Jaheira's face was dark as she healed the wounded but still smirking Coran.
"Dread wolves. These are undead monstrosities, created by dark necromancers and other... nefarious forces."
Khalid's face fell as he listened Jaheira.
"Y-you don't t-think it's the Shadow Druids? I m-mean Seniyad would never allow them to practice their evil in his forest. W-would he?" he stammered, a worried look in his eyes.
Remembering the incident in the Wood of Sharp Teeth, Aidan decided to wrest some more information.
"Could either of you finally tell me what these "Shadow Druids" are?! I'd really like to know something about my enemie before walking into a battle!" he snapped.
Jaheira's eyes flashed, but she controlled herself and forced a smile.
"I'm sorry Aidan, it wasn't my meaning to keep things from you. I just wished that we would be spared from fighting these blasphemers." Her smile turned into a twisted sneer.
"Shadow Druids are a renegade sect of the druidic order that believes civilization is a blight that must be exterminated. They excel in killing unescorted settlers and pioneers, citing it the "will of nature". They believe that nature and men, elves and others cannot co-exist. You saw what they are capable of, turning my old comrade into attacking me by murdering his friends and blaming it on us."
"But what do these undead wolf things, these dread wolves have to do with these fanatics. Surely they don't believe in creating undead!?" Aidan asked in disbelief.
"You don't believe that "Nature will fight it's attackers even from beyond the grave", do you? That is what some of them believe. They are twisted in their single-mindedness. And if we have to face them, expect and give no quarter." Jaheira answered him and made preparations to continue their trek.
Aidan glanced around, shivering in his damp clothes.
It was growing dark.
The thought of sleeping in a wet, dark forest filled with giant spiders, undead wolves and murderous fanatics didn't really fill him with anticipation. Cursing silently, he started after the others.
At least Coran had proven to be a useful comrade in arms. He was possibly even better with a bow than Kivan had been, and his unflagging optimism and ready jokes kept them moving on.
Deeper into the dark forest.