Chapter 52: Unexpected Help
The sun was beginning to hide behind distant treetops by the time Athkatla was out of the group's site. Samuel Thunderburp had been informed of their movements and had been instructed not to let anyone else have their rooms in their absence. Since Jaheira had been giving the instructions, they were quite confident they'd have somewhere to return to.
Progress had been steady and swift. Although they were only on foot, for Harrian felt they did not have the gold to procure horses, the trip was expected to be little more than three days' travel.
The mood of the group had already lifted considerably. Jaheira did not seem to be remaining in the perpetual gloom that had settled upon her, and even Anomen, who was used to – and indeed loved – Athkatla seemed happier out in the wild.
The road they followed was well-travelled and easy to negotiate, so there was little risk of being accosted by bandits or such. Many other travelling groups or merchant carts were passed as they moved, and a few voyagers confirmed the rumours of animals attacking the town of Trademeet.
This was why they were not too taken aback as they saw a well-armed group of travellers heading in their direction a bit further down the road. It was only when they realised that these people were planning to intercept rather than pass them that it was noticed something was amiss.
The leader, who was either a very slender human or a half-elf, spoke out once they were some five metres apart. "No closer, slayer of Harpers! Hold, and let justice take its rightful measure!" she yelled, holding a hand high as if to emphasise her point.
More than slightly surprised, the seven adventurers clattered to a halt, clumsily readying weapons as the six Harpers they were faced with watched them with mildly amused – if guarded – contempt.
Jaheira frowned, leaning heavily on her quarterstaff. "Reviane! What are you doing here? Do you not recognise me?" she responded, the surprise more than clear on her expression as she faced her fellow Harper.
The other half-elf faltered for a moment. It was clear she had expected Jaheira's presence, but being made fully aware of it had obviously left her taken aback. "I recognise you, Jaheira," she said at last, and her words were so cold that it seemed as if compromise would be impossible. "For you, justice is not to be simply justice for a killer of Harpers, but for a traitor of Harpers as well."
"By justice, you mean death, don't you." Jaheira's expression was weary, and she sighed deeply. "You are referring to what happened at the Harper hold in Athkatla. Unless you have been wrongly informed, then you must know that I had no choice in my actions. If there had been an alternative, I would have taken it." Although both of their voices were flat and emotionless, the undercurrents were so strong that the others could only watch with deep worry.
But at this, Reviane frowned. "I know not of what you speak, Jaheira. Explain yourself!"
The druid sighed. "Galvarey bid me to bring my companion to him so that he could determine the danger Harrian presented… but once there it became clear that it was little more of a farce – he had no interest in seeing the truth."
Reviane shrugged. "The Harpers only told me that Galvarey was murdered by evil. His death has been so disruptive to the ranks… he was a promising person, and losing him was so…"
Jaheira snorted. "Galvarey was an ambitious fool who would sacrifice anyone to advance in the ranks of the Harpers. He intended to take Harrian as a trophy to get himself sponsored as the Herald of Athkatla!" She made no attempt to hide the disgust in her voice.
The other Harper raised an eyebrow at her. "An unconvincing story, Jaheira. Your hatred of Galvarey was no secret, and besides…" She gave Harrian a dubious look. "What is so special about this man? He hardly seems like a valuable trophy."
Corias glared indignantly at her, but decided not to dignify her insult with an answer. Instead, he turned to Jaheira. "Tell her if it will help you, Jaheira. I will not have you keep my secret if it shall harm you or your position."
The druid paused, concern and worry etched on her features. "I… very well." She gave Reviane a slow look before continuing. "Harrian is one of the Children. Galvarey believed that the fear of them would work in his favour, and wished to capitalise on it."
The look of horror on the other Harper's face was unparalleled as she stared incredulously at Harrian. "He is a Bhaalspawn? And yet… you trust him over your own kind? You would kill your own brethren for a son of Bhaal?"
Jaheira nodded sternly. "I do, and I would." She straightened up defiantly. "I have told you my story, Reviane, now it is time for you to do as you must." He grip on her hefty quarterstaff tightened considerably.
The other half-elf was also going for her scimitar as Harrian stepped in between them, hands upraised. "Oh, no. No way. There is to be no bloodshed today." He looked at them both evenly. "Put down your weapons and we shall discuss this. I may be a son of Bhaal, but I do not revel in death."
The two women glared at each other reluctantly for a moment until Jaheira lowered her quarterstaff. The conflicting emotions were clear until she slipped her mask of control back on coolly. "I will not draw arms against you, Reviane. This has been a huge mistake, and I will not be party to making another."
Reviane did not lower her own scimitar. "I… Jaheira, the evidence is obvious. You have confessed to killing Galvarey, one of your own kind. And for what? For this Bhaalspawn… who is no saint. I see nothing to suggest that you were in the right." Her sword came up as she slipped into an offensive stance. "This is what I must do. I am sorry, Jaheira."
The druid sighed before bringing her own weapon back up. "As am I, Reviane. As am I."
But before things could erupt into the violence that was anticipated, hoof beats could be heard coming up the road behind them. Within seconds a fully-armoured figure astride a large grey horse so light that it was almost white in colour cantered up to them, coming to a halt a few scant metres away. "Hold Harpers! You are making a grievous mistake in attacking this Bhaalspawn!"
The rider dismounted swiftly and pulled his helmet from his head. "Harrian Corias is not the evil monster you have been lead to believe. He may not be a saint, but that does not mean he is a creature of darkness."
Reviane paused and gaped at the silver-haired knight before her. "Just who in the Nine Hells are you, and what do you know of this… thing?" she demanded, waving a hand at Harrian disparagingly.
The knight bowed quickly, showing a large sword strapped to his back. "I am Sir Keldorn Firecam of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart," he introduced himself quickly. "The Order, like your Harpers, has been most worried about the presence of the Bhaalspawn Corias, and I was ordered to watch him." He paused a moment, frowning. "He has shown no signs of an evil taint. It would be wrong of you to pass judgement on him as such."
The Harper paused a moment, thinking. "You are a knight of the Order," she mused quietly, frowning. "And you will officially vouch for this Bhaalspawn?" Reviane continued quickly and eagerly. It was clear that she would not have relished going through the duty she had been charged with.
"I would. I am a most experience Inquisitor and thus it is my duty to seek out and destroy evil in any form. This man…" He waved a hand at Harrian almost casually, "…is not evil. I do not believe his blood holds sway over him."
Reviane paused a moment longer, then turned to the other group. "Jaheira? You also believe that this man is not controlled by his taint of Bhaal?"
The druid smiled humourlessly. "Only with backing will you believe my word, Reviane?" she mused before continuing. "Yes, I believe he is in control of his own destiny. He is not, as you said, a saint… but so very few men are."
Reviane considered this for a few seconds before nodding. "Very well. I shall return to the Harpers and tell them of what has transpired. I shall… I shall try to appease them. It will be hard because passions run high in this matter, but…"
Jaheira nodded. "I shall appreciate all that you can do. My thanks, Reviane." She gave a half-bow to the other Harper, who returned it.
Reviane straightened up and looked at her allies, none of whom seemed to be showing any trace of emotion. "We shall return to the Heralds and inform them of what has happened. With luck, this crisis shall be brought to an end. Fare thee well, Jaheira."
Once the group of Harpers had disappeared around the nearest corner, Harrian turned to Keldorn, who was looking mildly amused. "What the bloody hell are you doing here?" he demanded, both frustrated and pleased as he placed his hands on his hips.
Firecam shrugged. "I believe I have informed you before, Mister Corias, that it is my duty to watch over you and judge whether or not you are an agent of darkness? My mission also involves protecting you if you are a force of righteousness. Those who study Alaundo's prophecies know – or should know – that a Bhaalspawn on the side of good will have a part to play in the upcoming days so important that we cannot let them be destroyed by a group of overenthusiastic Harpers." He paused, and threw Jaheira a brief look. "No offence intended, my lady."
"I assure you, Lord Firecam, that none is taken." Jaheira looked as if she had aged about a hundred years as she leant wearily on her quarterstaff. "Indeed, I am glad that you intervened when you did. Had you not, more blood would have been needlessly shed."
Harrian glanced at his companions. All except Anomen – who had turned an odd shade of grey – looked quite neutral in their expressions. "Sir Keldorn, if we continue to Trademeet, you intend to follow in our wake the entire time, do you not?" he asked lightly.
Keldorn smiled wryly. "I do indeed, Mister Corias. It is my duty to do so, and although the route shall be hard, I have to be there should you suddenly pitch towards the dark side." His expression told that he was not entirely serious, and Harrian felt quite comforted to know that this potential threat was most clearly on his side.
Harrian extended a hand towards him. "Then may I invite you to join us, if only for this trip. I can see it being quite a lonely journey if you do it on your own, and I am sure it will be more effective in your overseeing if you are with us on our quest."
Keldorn shook his hand firmly. "That sounds like an excellent idea, Mister Corias. When I return to Athkatla, I should be making my final report on you. Provided nothing goes wrong on this journey, I anticipate the Order will see that you are not a man of evil and thus you should be able to move freely with far less fear of unnecessary hindrance."
Harrian nodded and grinned, then looked up at the sky. The sun had escaped even further behind the trees, and whilst the day had been hot, the air was starting to become very cool. "May I also suggest that we camp here tonight. I think if I take another step I shall collapse…"