Author's
note: No, I'm not going off on another tangent - this is a one-off delay whilst
I can make them having this money plausible. It's also a light diversion from
the main theme, a little bit of expansion on my main sub-plot, and it's setting
the scene for a few things in the future. Expect to see more from this bardic
endeavour later on.
As another note, some people have commented how I do not focus on the sub-quests
of the game enough. But all in good time! My main ideas require Imoen to be
along for the ride, and I'd rather not write all the way through Brynn Law
and the Underdark before I can take off, as well as depriving myself of Yoshimo
early on (yet fear not, I'm not going to mess around in Athkatla and Amn for
the entire story!). So once this mess with scrolls and Cowled Wizards is sorted,
expect a few lighter quests for this bunch to play around in.
Chapter 26: "Wherefore Art Thou?"
It was late afternoon by the time Jaheira managed to drag herself from her room, having only managed about three hours sleep in over twelve hours. Damn that thief! How could he leave her with such inner turmoil with just a handful of misplaced words?
Because she was convinced they were misplaced, misinterpreted… whatever it took to reveal that he didn't mean what he had said; or not with the depth she had seen them. All he had been doing was offering a bit of moral support for what was to happen the following evening, and she had overreacted, misunderstood, and most certainly left him a little confused as to why she had lashed out like she did.
Jaheira refused to allow herself to consider why she had, for that opened a door leading to a corridor she did not want to walk down. Why she had reacted so badly to Harrian's compliments, why she had leapt to conclusions at the reason for them. Why had she been so quick to not recognise them as support for the next evening (because that was what it had been. So certainly.)
You wanted it to be a personal compliment. And it was. You know it was. You're just fooling yourself by thinking this way. I'm sure he's down there right now, confused, worried, and apologetic, all because he stepped over his line into a realm both of you are afraid of going…
The druid stopped her train of thought, silently berating herself, as she emerged in the tavern area of the Five Flagons. Much to her surprise, none of them were in sight. Their usual table was abandoned… but they would not have left without telling her, or at least leaving a note, or the like?
Thunderburp noticed her brief, controlled bewilderment, and waved a hand at her. She headed towards him, the mask of control slipping back over his face, and the halfling shifted uncomfortably under the piercing gaze, focusing on cleaning the pint glass until she reached him.
"Ah… you're friends, they're down below in the theatre house," he told her uncomfortably, setting the glass down and reaching for another one. He could practically hear the raising of her eyebrows. "Well, you see…" Samuel wondered mildly why he was so worried about telling her. "They were complaining of how they were a bit short of money, so I suggested, quite simply, that they get some work…"
"In the theatre house?" Jaheira asked blankly. Gods, what wondrous mess has Harrian got us into this time, she mused, then her expression grew dark as she considered the input Haer'Dalis had to have had in the matter.
"There's a new troubadour company here," Thunderburp assured her brightly. "Only their playwright sort of… fled at the sight of the Mephit bodies down there, so they've been a little deprived ever since. Yon Haer'Dalis has offered his services to them."
Jaheira resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I did not know we were so desperate for funds, or they so desperate for a playwright," she muttered, before stalking towards the stairs. She had considered many messes that they could have found themselves in without her guidance, but this had to be, surely, the most bizarre.
The only people in sight were the five of them, Minsc having returned from his quest for biscuits, and they were seated on upturned boxes around a table in the corner. The odd sounds coming from behind the stage seemed to suggest that their employers were doing… whatever it was actors did whilst they weren't acting.
Harrian had none of the apologetic confusion on his face she had anticipated. Indeed, he looked quite happier than he had the previous night, laughing as Haer'Dalis read something from a piece of paper. Next to him, Anomen was groaning, quite theatrically, and it did not sound as their bard's tastes in playwriting appealed to the group.
He didn't notice her as he plucked the piece of paper from the tiefling's hand and swept to his feet. "My friend, you seem to be far too fond of the flair for the dramatic and romantic with this piece of yours… I mean, really…"
He waved a hand dramatically as he started to read, and Yoshimo sniggered a little, none of them clearly impressed with Haer'Dalis's handiwork. "Listen… 'And lo, if ever there were a beauty in this land that could compare to yours, my dearest Lijuet, then I am sure that the world would burst with the weight of too much loveliness, just as my heart does when I set eyes upon thy face…'"
There was a cough from behind them, and, still reading, Harrian turned to see Jaheira standing there, one eyebrow raised, mouth twisted in a wry and mildly amused smile at their antics.
He started for a second, before continuing smoothly. "'…Yet do not think me too forward when I say these words, my lady, for as thou knowest, my heart beats true, and I am here standing by you for all time, be it you return my affections or not…'" Harrian, who had not yet read this far and had not anticipated Jaheira's arrival, turned and glared at Haer'Dalis. "I mean, this Emoro character doesn't strike me as a gentleman, he strikes me as trying to get Lijuet into bed with his words. He's far too lyrical for the salt of the earth guy he's supposed to be."
The tiefling rolled his eyes. "This is the theatre, my raven, it merely offers an interpretation of emotions, not a direct transition of real life to the stage. I do not believe that it would sound particularly dramatic if Emoro were to say…" The bard cleared his throat before continuing, "I don't know, something along the lines of ''ey up, love, you're a pretty one. Up for a bit of slap and tickle? 'Course not, but remember I'm going to be 'ere if the fancy takes ya'. This would get us booed off the stage!"
Despite herself, Jaheira chuckled as she pulled up a spare box. "Fear not the influence of these uncultured cretins, bard, your creative ambitions have not gone unappreciated," she half-lied, mostly wanting to see Harrian's reaction. "So what does this play consist of?"
Haer'Dalis smiled, but Yoshimo got the first word in. "It is called 'Emoro and Lijuet', a quite turgid love story and romance with the most unpalatable of premises that I have ever seen," he replied distastefully, and Anomen murmured his agreement.
Minsc shook his head. "I disagree. It is a fine story of a hero, and his love for a heroine as he goes on a quest of righteous butt-kicking for vengeance!" Boo squeaked, and the ranger looked proud. "Boo thinks so too."
"Then it must be true," Harrian muttered under his breath, then winced as Jaheira stamped on his foot.
Haer'Dalis rolled his eyes. "Do not listen to these boors, my lady, they have no appreciation for real artistic talent. It is indeed a love story… Emoro and Lijuet are close friends and travelling companions, but early in the play Lijuet's lover is slain. Emoro promises to protect his friend, for her lover was a close companion of his, but as the play goes on, their quest to avenge the death brings them closer than either of them had anticipated or wished." The bard's eyes lit up. "It is the ultimate tale of forbidden love and a struggle with emotions, the very height of theatre."
"You see? An unbelievable piece of garbage," Harrian finished with conviction, though he looked as if he was happy to kill the bard. "I don't agree with this Emoro person. He's constantly throwing compliments at Lijuet, and is about as subtle as a boar in potions shop. She has to be fully aware of his feelings, yet… makes no move to either reciprocate if she shares them, or to tell him to go to the hells if she doesn't!"
"My raven, that is what love is like!" Haer'Dalis exclaimed. "Powerful, unknown, mysterious. If she knew what her feelings were, then it would be clear cut! But Lijuet feels something for Emoro, she just does not know what, and does not wish to betray the memory of her former lover by acting on it!"
Anomen leant forwards, interrupting the debate, and asked the question on everyone's mind. "Out of interest, bard, how did you find yourself with this deal? One moment we were on a quest for gold, the next you spring upon us this job – a well paying one, true – which seems to require very little effort?"
Haer'Dalis shrugged. "Master Thunderburp recommended me to the new actor group here. They are paying a most handsome sum – two thousand gold pieces – for a first draft of the play, the beginnings of which they already had, to be completed by lunchtime tomorrow. Ten percent of the profits from the performance also lands itself in our pockets."
"A first draft by tomorrow? That sounds a little hefty, even at the rate you have been rattling off incoherent nonsense," Yoshimo commented dryly. "And besides, are you sure they appreciate your work?"
"I am already two of four acts through the piece," declared Haer'Dalis, much to everyone's surprise. "Much of the work was already done; I merely needed to polish the storyline and complete some of the lines. The plot, they are aware of, and that is all you philistines have a problem with, true?"
"I believe the vote is a tie," Jaheira pointed out, shaking her head. These people never ceased to amaze her. They had overcome their funds problem for the moment, without being forced to clear out a nest of Beholders, or the like. And at the same time, she wouldn't forget the expression on Harrian's face as he read those lines to her.
She sighed to herself. Things had just got a lot more complicated.