Chapter 6: The Faithful
"Was that really necessary?" Jaheira demanded as the four of them strode very quickly away from the inn, taking care not to run. "The situation could have been resolved in a different way. The man was just doing his job – you did not need to intimidate him like that."
"He was left unharmed," Harrian assured her, then threw a cautious glance over his shoulder and came to a halt, silently enjoying the brightness and warmth of the sun. Waukeen's Promenade offered a pleasant environment for as fine a day as this, and he thoroughly enjoyed a market, especially in good weather. It almost made him forget his troubles.
"Your dagger seemed to be threatening his organs unnecessarily," Yoshimo pointed out, suddenly bringing him back to reality. "Fear may have saved us from the payment we couldn't give, but it could bring the guards upon us, and we don't need that."
Corias paused a moment, pursing his lips. "Good. It will help me with the second thing we need to deal with. Somebody who knows the city." He sagged as Yoshimo looked veritably dismayed, then made a supreme effort to hide it. "Don't worry, Yoshimo," he hastily added, "you have links to the underworld we shall find useful. However, a legal link would be helpful."
"You are a thief!" the bounty hunter reminded him incredulously. "The law is not a consideration. Or shouldn't be," he amended sulkily, aware that he was not fully informed of the situation and the working of his new party leader were not entirely in his knowledge.
"A complete lack of regard for the legal system could land us in more trouble than we need." Harrian shook his head. "Besides, I'm not that kind of thief. We could do with somebody who has links." This was what he did in these situations. He'd look at the scenario objectively, work out what had to be done, how they'd do it, and what they would need to go through with it.
"Boo says we should find a different inn to stay at," Minsc rumbled, uttering his first – and maybe only – words of wisdom of the day.
"Agreed. We also need money." Jaheira raised an eyebrow. "What do we have to sell until we can find some paying work?" she added.
Corias smiled broadly. "Some gemstones, and…" He paused, possibly for dramatic effect, then pulled a bright blue jewel from the purse in his inside pocket under his armour. "…this," he declared with a flourish. "Imoen identified it was the pommel jewel of the Equaliser. It should fetch a pretty nice price at any store worth its salt."
* *
The Adventure Mart was gloomy, yet offered blissful relief from the heat of the outside. A warmer day had not been seen in Athkatla for many days, and Anomen Delryn, squire of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart and warrior-priest of Helm, was only glad he had not had to wear his armour that day.
He had only just returned from the Order's campaign against the Hillgnasher Giants up north. As great as that had been – both as a victory for the order and his own personal achievements – it had been costly, in life and material. He had his life, so that was not a big concern for him, but his armour had been split right down the middle from a giant's hammer in a momentary lack of concentration.
Fortunately, in reflection of his performance on the field battle, Sir Ryan Trawl had insisted on funding him for a new suit of armour, a costly investment that he, a simple squire with no support from his family, would have found impossible to deal with by himself. Which was why he was here this morning, feeling quite naked and free in simple clothing without the weight of metal on his back, seeing what that rogue Ribald Barterman had to offer him by way of armour.
"Splint mail," the half-elf was saying as Anomen tuned back into the conversation. "Much like the last suit you were wearing, Squire Delryn, but of far finer craftsmanship. Forged by Cromwell the dwarf no less. It's not enchanted, but is of very sturdy metal and will serve you well. Decent price too – all I'm asking is one hundred and forty nine gold pieces," the shop owner finished triumphantly.
Anomen nodded, a slightly imperious look on his face. "Interesting, yes, but Sir Ryan Trawl really did suggest that I investigate plate mail – far more befitting of a squire of the Radiant Heart, yes?"
"Indeed, but it'll definitely cost you a pretty penny. Still, if the Order's paying for it…" Barterman sighed, but was smiling inside. He knew Delryn – had sold him the mace that hung on his belt – and knew that if he could get the finest, he would take the finest, and that meant a good sale for the Mart.
The shop's door swung open suddenly and noisily, and bright sunlight spilled through to chase away the shadows of the gloomy interior. Anomen narrowed his eyes against the glare; he had only just grown accustomed to the darkness of the Adventure Mart, and the brightness was blinding.
Fortunately, the sun was blocked by a massive figure filling the doorway, silhouetted against the light. The squire squinted at him in the half-light, trying to make out features of this new arrival as he stepped fully inside, three considerably smaller companions trailing behind him casually.
As he had already noticed, the man was huge – almost seven foot tall, easily; completely bald, and with some ritualistic-looking tattoos on his forehead. The armour he wore, similar in make and condition to Anomen's last suit, and the massive two-handed sword strapped to his back showed plainly that he was a warrior.
He inspected some shelves intently, a look of supreme concentration on his face, and Delryn tried to hide his surprise as a small brown and white hamster poked its head from out of a pouch strapped to the man's back. The rodent scurried up the armour and perched on the warrior's shoulder, and from his stance and the movement of his lips, the man seemed to be talking to the small furry creature. Anomen decided firmly that it was a trick of the darkness.
One of his companions stepped up to the giant, who was staring at potions as if he knew what he was doing, and seemed to be gently coercing him into moving towards the counter. This man was far smaller; average height and build, dark hair, goatee… nothing to make him stand out. The slight prowl of his walk and tense, fight-or-flee stance suggested that he was one of the thieves that misguided adventuring parties were so keen on bringing along with them. He despaired of mankind sometimes.
By Helm; there were two of them! The third one, hooded but with distinct Kara-Turan features, was watching the shop quietly. His cool gaze met Anomen's, and the squire turned away abruptly, bringing his analysis of the group to an end. He looked blankly at Ribald Barterman, knowing the half-elf had asked him a question but had clearly no idea what it was.
"Excuse me?" he asked at last, blinking so as to accustom his eyes to the darkness once more and grinning almost apologetically. He wanted a good deal with this armour, and insulting Barterman wouldn't get him far.
The half-elf smiled indulgently. Good; he'd embarrassed the squire to the point where he could make it an easy sail, shame the man into buying rather than admitting he hadn't listened. It was a low tactic, but times were hard. "I asked if you'd be buying it, Squire Delryn," he said, open and innocent on the outside.
Anomen's eyes roamed quickly around him. The plate mail Barterman had brought up was nowhere in sight. But for that matter, neither was anything else. Damn that man, all the way to the Nine Hells! This was no way to treat an almost-member of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart!
Help came from unexpected, and quite unwanted territory, as the thief from the party he had watched – the first one, the one who had directed his warrior friend – headed in their direction. "Mr Barterman," he started, completely ignoring Anomen. "I was wondering if you had –"
He was cut off, mercifully by Ribald, for Delryn – not very keen on being interrupted as he was – would have intervened far less politely than the shopkeeper did. The half-elf was looking over the thief's shoulder at the fourth party member, a woman this time, tapping a staff impatiently on the floor.
"Miss Jaheira!" he exclaimed, though there was a guarded look to him as he greeted her which was not missed by the surprised Anomen and the similarly surprised thief. "I trust all is well?" he stammered at last.
"Not really," the woman replied wryly. "But that is your concern. We are merely here to sell some trinkets, stock up on gear, and then move on. You do not need to worry yourself about my wellbeing." There was a cool look that passed between the two of them, leaving Delryn quite confused.
"Right you are, miss," Barterman answered, suddenly all polite and light. He turned to face the thief, to Anomen's chagrin. "We have the widest range of goods from here to Baldur's Gate. You won't find finer craftsmanship than here. What can I do for you, Mr…?"
Delryn didn't care to the point of finding out the man's name. He had been being served, and, damn it, he was going to get served. "Excuse me, I believe I was next in line for service," he butted in coolly, directing at the thief more than Barterman.
The man looked right back at him, and it was then he noticed the depth of his eyes, the warmth in them but at the same time the pain controlled within. It set the squire back a moment, but not long enough to be taken out of the running in the discussion. "What are you buying?" he asked quietly.
Anomen huffed a little. "Not that it's any of your business, but a suit of armour," he responded, eyes narrowed as he regarded the other.
The thief nodded contemplatively. "I see. That can be a lengthy business," he answered, his voice still irritatingly quite and calculating. His brow was furrowed slightly, as if he was doing calculations inside his head. "This will only take a minute. Can't you wait?"
Delryn might have conceded to the point and agreed to wait a little, if he hadn't been interrupted and the man had shown no modicum of courtesy throughout the exchange. "I'd rather not. It will not take all day and I am needed back at the headquarters of the Radiant Heart by noon," he continued.
That had an effect, although not the desired one. The thief looked oddly at him, but there was a hint of pleased surprise and a little respect thrown in. The squire felt himself appeased a little. "You're a knight of the Radiant Heart?" he asked pleasantly.
"A squire; I hope to pass my test soon," Anomen said levelly, eyes still narrowed in suspicion. "But what this has to with this shopping expedition, I have no idea," he mumbled. Unnoticed to them both, Barterman had moved off, and seemed to be dealing with the woman he had called Jaheira.
"Up to anything good lately?" the thief asked, in a painfully common tongue, a northern accent breaking through, until he cleared his throat before continuing. "I mean, are there any quests or duties that the Order is having you do, or is it as it usually is – you are left to your own devices to find quests that shall find you worthy of knighthood?"
"What do you know of the Order?" Delryn asked quietly, even more suspicious than ever.
"I ran into a squire also awaiting his test up north some months ago. We dispatched some bandits together; it was a short alliance but I learnt a lot about the Radiant Heart and, if Ajantis was the standard for you squires, I know you are very valuable men, in combat and out." The thief flashed him a smile.
Anomen didn't know if he was being buttered up or not; the thief seemed quite genuine in his sentiment, but the words were not one he expected a criminal to speak. Most thieves would curse the Radiant Heart and then flee at the first sign of it; not welcome it with outstretched hands and talk of a former alliance.
"Is there a point to this, Mr…?"
"Corias. Harrian Corias," the man said at last, extending his hand. Anomen shook it warily, but he could feel his defences starting to slide down in the face of this unexpectedly open friendliness. "And yes, there is a point. Me and my friends are embarking on quite a dangerous quest, and, as you can see, our numbers are small. We could have need for a paladin of your skills."
Delryn shook his head, the momentary surge of elation fading. He thought he was a paladin! Helm was often cruel to him. "I'm sorry, Mr Corias, but I am no paladin. My name is Anomen Delryn, and I am a warrior-priest of Helm. I am a squire for the Order, yes, but if you seek a paladin, I am sure the Order itself is full of squires eager for quests."
"A warrior priest? Sounds even more useful. Jaheira here's a druid, but you can't have too many healers, I say." Harrian chuckled. He had been quite nervous about attempting to recruit this man on the spot, and it was starting to filter through. He didn't want to know what the aforementioned Jaheira would have to say about this.
"What is the quest?" Anomen asked at length, already knowing he would accept it, whatever it was. To the Nine Hells with this man being a thief; he had shown respect for the Order and was embarking on a dangerous quest, the type Delryn had been looking for. If he was corrupt, then… who better to steer him onto the path of righteousness than himself?
"I'm rescuing an old friend from the Cowled Wizards. They imprisoned her, and a mage called Irenicus from whom I want answers and some of my comrades want vengeance," Corias replied briefly, shrugging. "If you join us, it'll also mean we can get served here in one go," the thief said cheerfully.
Anomen was not completely sold to the party itself – two thieves and a hamster-carrying warrior, by Torm! – but the quest sounded like just what he needed to prove himself to Sir Ryan Trawl. He extended a hand towards the thief once again. "My services are at your disposal in fighting for righteousness, Mr Corias."
He shook his hand. "It's Harrian. You're the squire; you're the one I should be all respectful to, Squire Delryn. And if you were worried, we are a force for righteousness. This mage is… quite evil"
"If this is an adventuring party, then there should be no need to stand on ceremony. You shall call me Anomen, and I shall call you Harrian. Formality is such a turgid thing between allies, is it not?" the squire asked, as the thief steered him towards where the druid was dealing with Barterman.
"I agree, Anomen," Corias replied implicitly. He seemed a bit arrogant, but he was Radiant Heart – Ajantis had been occasionally unbearable in his overly-pious mood, but had been a valuable ally nevertheless. He had a good feeling about this fellow. "Now, let us go buy you some armour, and us sell some trinkets."