Chapter 49: Those who Harp…
There had only been two Harpers that Harrian had ever liked, and those were Jaheira and Khalid. Granted, he had not many, but one of those he had met was Elminster, and if the sage's attitude was anything to go by, then the Harpers were not a group of people that he wanted to become overly acquainted with.
Still, even with his limited knowledge, he knew that a hold as garish as the one Jaheira had brought them all to was extravagance in its rawest form, therefore completely unorthodox for a group as secretive as the Harpers.
His brow furrowed, and he glanced over at her. Unhappy as he still was to be in the Docks District, there were more things to worry about right then. "Are you sure this is the right place?" he asked lightly. "I'd have thought you Harpers would have been living in an underground bunker with so many wards protecting it nobody could even see it unless they knew the secret password."
Jaheira shrugged, her face becoming impassive at his use of 'you Harpers'. "It is unorthodox, but it is still a secret location. Besides, it was not my decision – the Herald makes all such choices."
Yoshimo smiled secretively, nodding sagely. "Besides, when something is as obvious as this building, it can be overlooked. Reverse psychology, no?" he asked lightly, and ignored the evil look Jaheira threw him as they stepped inside the Harper Hold.
They found themselves in a large hall which had to take up two levels of the building. Odd scriptures and symbols were engraved along the walls, and similar markings could be seen on the smooth, polished marble floor. Light music – understandably sounding as if it had been made by a harp – trickled through from an unknown source, and the place would have been delightful were it not for the company.
Galvarey, who was apparently the leader of the area, was a tall, well-built man in a massive suit of armour wielding a sword longer than he was tall. With him were four other Harpers, all fully armed and looking as if they meant business.
"This doesn't look good," Harrian muttered, and exchanged a slightly worried look with Imoen. But he said nothing out loud, for he trust Jaheira enough that she would not land him in any great trouble. Knowingly.
Galvarey pasted a smile onto his face as he saw them, but from the way his grip tightened on his sword and the slight furrowing of his brow, the falseness as easy for all. "Jaheira, my dear, it is good to see you," he declared, evidently trying to remain light and cheerful, but the glint in his eyes betrayed him.
Jaheira raised an eyebrow at him. "What are you doing here, Galvarey?" she asked scathingly, clearly choosing to ignore his sarcasm. "I have come at the Herald's bidding. I see not why you have come to greet us; this is a matter of far too much importance to be wasted on you."
Galvarey's cheerful outlook disintegrated at her words, and he lowered his sword to rest the tip on the ground. "I know full well what is going on, Jaheira," he spat, frowning even more. "I was the one who summoned you here."
From the frozen expression on Jaheira's face, it seemed quite clear that things were not going well. Harrian felt his hand creeping down towards the Sword of Balduran – a prize from a shopping trip – at his belt.
"You are no Herald," the druid said levelly, her emotionless mask slipping on once more. "What is going on?"
Galvarey shrugged. "This area currently has no Herald. One is most certainly needed, and I am doing my utmost to establish one. For that, I need your help, and all I ask is that you do what is right."
Jaheira shook her head. "You are an ambitious fool! This… this is not something you are sanctioned to do. All of this goes against our rules – this gaudy base… what we are here for. A Herald must –"
"-have the will to establish the position." Galvarey took a step forwards. "I believe I have that. The High Heralds will judge if this is deserved. But really, Jaheira, what we are discussion is hardly relevant today."
Jaheira snorted with disgust. "Very well, get on with your little games so we can get back to business. I am sure we hardly have time for your questions, so hurry up. Harrian is a busy person."
The false smile returned to Galvarey's face, and he looked at Harrian. "Ah, Mr Corias. I believe you know why you are here, correct?" he asked lightly, nauseating in his false cheerfulness.
"I am here because Harpers meddle in the affairs of others, an activity they take a sadistic pleasure in," Harrian said bluntly with his own frown, folding his arms across his chest defiantly.
Jaheira gave him a sharp look. "Harrian, please!" He glanced at her, and from the glint in his eyes she could then see that he was trying to get a rise out of Galvarey; testing the waters so to speak.
Galvarey chuckled. "Ah, you are being playful. He said as such just to get a reaction out of you, Jaheira. I imagine he cares for you somewhat." His expression became a little more taunting. "I wonder what Khalid would say to that…"
Harrian resisted the urge to go for his sword there and then, but Jaheira beat him to the sharp retort. "Galvarey, siblings we may be in Harper blood, but if you do not cease your tongue I shall remove it!"
Galvarey visibly withdrew. "Very well, very well, I meant no disrespect." He fixed his eyes on Harrian. "No, Mr Corias, you are here because of who and what you are. I imagine you get a lot of interest, considering your heritage." Harrian nodded sternly, and the Harper continued. "Now, I shall be intruding a little in your mind, if you don't oppose it too much. What are your earliest memories? Are they happy ones?"
What right does he have to ask this? Harrian wondered as he glared defiantly at the larger man. "Well," he started slowly, "I remember entering through that door a few moments ago. Before that… bit of a blur, I'm afraid."
Galvarey shook his head sadly, but his tone was so forced it was almost amusing. "You are very combative. Not good. Not good at all. This only supports my position, as I knew it would. Next question then…"
Jaheira glared at the thief. "Harrian, do not make this more difficult for yourself." The Gods know you may need a lot of help to get through this, a stray thought betrayed her, and she frowned. This is to be a fair judge, and you know it.
Galvarey raised a hand. "No coaching, my dear, he will answer as he must. On to the next question then: As a child of Bhaal, have you… violent thoughts?"
Harrian snorted, heeding Jaheira's words a little. Co-operating would get him through this madness quicker. "No more than the next person," he admitted. "I use violence where I must. It is unavoidable in places."
Galvarey seemed considerate of this, and when he next spoke his voice was as if he was musing to himself whilst he made notes. "Hmm… must use violence. To be expected from one with such a despicable heritage."
Jaheira's expression darkened with frustration. "Why do you ask the question if you are going to infuse the answer with your own meaning?" she demanded, stamping her foot. "Harrian would never…"
The would-be Herald rounded on her swiftly, his face deathly serious. "Never what? You are clouded by personal feelings. He may not think like us at all. Can you understand an illithid? Or a beholder? He is akin to these!" Galvarey snapped.
"Only in your mind!" Jaheira retorted angrily. "This is nothing more than a farce, a tool for you to –"
Galvarey's expression became cold. "The questions will continue nonetheless. I do hope there will be no further outbursts," he said coolly, glaring her into silence. "Now then, Harrian, what is your favourite colour?" he asked.
Jaheira's face darkened. "What has that got to do with anything?!" she thundered, practically hopping with frustration.
"Jaheira! Hold your tongue! I shall have to start questioning your loyalty to our cause if you do not start acting more supportive of this matter!" Galvarey retorted. "Now, Harrian, I ask again: What is your favourite colour?"
Harrian's expression also darkened. He knew this game, he saw how his words would be twisted. He considered this long and hard, running through possibilities before he came to his conclusion. "Pink," he sneered.
Galvarey came to a halt at this, and Imoen raised a hand to her mouth to stop a giggle from escaping. The Harper gave him a sub-zero look, before drawing himself up haughtily. "Your combative nature is not good, Corias, and merely cements my suspicions. This interview was merely to clarify the matter."
Jaheira's expression flickered before the mask came back down. "You were to see Harrian as he truly was," she said levelly, her eyes widening. "Not as you expected him to be! I brought him here so you could…"
"You were to bring him here so that he would be here, nothing more, nothing less!" Galvarey snapped. "And if you were oblivious to what was going to happen, then you are a fool, Jaheira."
Harrian raised a hand tentatively. "Hey, I am still here. What's going on?" he asked lightly.
Jaheira withdrew sorrowfully. "I am sorry, Harrian, this was not my intent. I thought that they would…" Her voice trailed off, and she stared meaningfully at the five assembled Harpers. "Never mind what I thought. I was wrong."
Galvarey looked sceptical. "You thought you would bring him here and I would determine he presented no danger? My dear, your emotions have clouded your duty."
The half-elf looked exceedingly indignant at this. "My… what? You are questioning me? You subject him to this… this witch hunt and you think I am the one that is to be questioned?" she raved.
Galvarey folded his arms over his chest. "Well, your mood confirms it. My dear, as a Harper… as a druid, how can you allow him to walk around freely? Think of the effects on balance!" he exclaimed, shaking his head.
"And what if they will restore the balance? What if his intent is good?" Jaheira countered, but there was a little desperation in her voice.
"It is simply not worth the risk." Galvarey shook his head again, his expression cold and as solemn as could possibly be. "No, there is no choice in the matter. Corias, you are to be… confined."
"It is as good as death and you know it, Galvarey!" Jaheira snapped.
Galvarey shook his head once more. "Nothing so barbaric. Imprisonment to contain the chaos he might sow, either intentionally or unwittingly. It is a humane solution," the Harper assured her.
"And where am I to be locked away? I hope someplace with a view?" Harrian sneered, his hand still itching to go to his sword.
The would-be Herald shrugged. "No, Corias, I mean the spell 'Imprisonment'. You will find yourself in a small container a few leagues under the earth. Quite peaceful," he assured him lightly.
Harrian's eyes widened with anger. "You've no right to do this. I will not allow it," he snapped coldly.
Galvarey grinned a feral grin and shook his head. "You have no voice here and little choice in the matter. Certainly you can fight, but there are six Harpers to contend with. The odds are quite clearly…"
"Nay, Galvarey, there is but you and your four lackeys. I will have no part in this!" Jaheira snapped, bringing her scimitar up into an offensive stance. She looked hesitantly at the Bhaalspawn beside her. "Harrian, I… I will stand by your side if you will have me. You are… you are better than this, I know. I…"
Harrian squeezed her shoulder gently and gave her a small smile. "I'm glad," he whispered, nodding quickly before pulling the Sword of Balduran out.
"You have made a mistake, Jaheira," Galvarey ranted furiously, bringing his two-handed sword up to bear. "With his imprisonment I could get sponsored as Herald! But now you fight the Harpers with this monster!"
Then the five Harpers charged.