Author's note: Sorry this one wasn't out sooner… I had to compose Haer'Dalis's ballad. It's incomplete, so rest assured it shall develop as the story goes on. Though please, a little feedback on my poetry/song writing, because this is the first stuff I've published.
Oh, and please, Aqua-chan… don't worry too much. Anomen does indeed have a part to play in the aforementioned plans. I have something up my sleeve, and I doubt you'll be disappointed, if I can pull it off.
Chapter 57: Musical Pubs
Vyatri's Pub was not an unpleasant place. As Trademeet, far from the corrupted settlements like Athkatla, was a mostly peaceful town, the taverns and inns were not filled with the wholly disreputable mobs the party was used to.
Seven of them were seated at one of the largest tables towards the back of the tavern, Haer'Dalis having disappeared off to an unknown location. Yoshimo and Minsc seemed quite happy to sit in silence, the ranger doubtless lost in his own thoughts, the bounty hunter presumably sizing up all of those around him, wondering what valuables they might have. Keldorn, Anomen and Imoen were deep in discussion about something that left Delryn shifting uncomfortably as the mage tried to hide a smirk and Keldorn spoke with an air of amusement which the cleric failed to notice.
Harrian watched them for a moment before turning back to Jaheira, who was making notes on a scrap of paper which they had been poring over since speaking to Coprith. There was clearly more than just the druids keeping Trademeet oppressed.
"They seem to be interrogating Anomen quite effectively," Corias commented, forgetting their work for a moment. "The poor man seems quite traumatised." He grinned in the squire's direction, and just got a fearful look in return.
Jaheira murmured something indecipherable under her breath before looking up at him. "Are we going to get back down to business, or are you going to worry about the Helmite all night?" she asked irritably.
Harrian resisted the urge to shrink back. "Sorry," he mumbled at last, leaning over the paper. "It's just… I think we've got it all pieced together. Everyone's convinced it's the druids, and want to hang this Cernd because they're sure he's involved."
"Not to mention this crisis with the genies," Jaheira replied, a little more carefully. "It seems that is also something we should look into." Her expression was hopeful without seeming even slightly pleading.
"You just want to stay out of the city for as long as possible, don't you," Corias murmured, raising an eyebrow in amusement. "I know this isn't quite out in the middle of nature… but it's an improvement. This place is not as stifling as Athkatla."
"I thought you liked cities?" Jaheira commented lightly.
"I do," he responded. "There's not much for a thief to steal out in the countryside. Just, sometimes, it's nice to take a break. Even the members of the corrupted in a city like to escape their influences." He chuckled dryly.
The druid nodded briefly, then sighed. "We're off topic. I am just wondering how much we are going to do for Trademeet… if we will merely investigate the grove, or go on to solve their other big problems as well."
"I don't see why not." Harrian paused, then leant forwards conspiratorially. "I'd think that would be an excellent idea. There will be nine of us if we take this Cernd to the druid grove to investigate matters. That's far too many people than I'm happy to work with. I think it would be better if you, me, this Cernd fellow, Imoen, and maybe Anomen – because it would be nice to have a strong fighter who can think straight and who we know we can trust – went there on our own, leaving the others behind."
Jaheira looked thoughtful for a moment. "And in the meantime, we leave Yoshimo, Minsc, Keldorn and Haer'Dalis to deal with these genies?" she asked lightly. Then there was a pregnant pause. "Do you want to place that much trust in Keldorn?"
"Absolutely. He is a knight, and, even with his suspicious job, has been nothing short of completely honest with us. Besides, Yoshimo will watch him," Harrian said with certainty. "If they are to convince these genies to leave, an inquisitor will be most helpful."
Jaheira considered this. "True," she said at last. "And I would like to keep the number of us heading to the grove small. Imoen will be of use, for if it comes to blows the druids will be unprepared for magical spells. Are you sure you want Anomen there?"
"Absolutely," Harrian repeated. "I want as many spellcasters at hand as possible. I also think that if he doesn't escape from Keldorn soon he's going to go mad." He cast another glance in the direction of the worried cleric to see nothing had changed.
"A good point," Jaheira conceded. "However, I have to say that –"
What she had to say never quite got said, for this was the moment the bartender, as portly a man as Trademeet had ever seen, stepped from behind the counter and onto the currently empty stage for entertainers and musicians to play on. There had been no sign of any such performances all night.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" the large man bellowed, raising his hands to quieten down the crowd. All fell silent, inquisitively peering at the bartender. Whilst the current situation of the town meant that the pub was not as full as it could have been, there were still customers.
"As you know, we have been devoid of any great entertainment since the departure of Elias Tanner's wandering minstrels. However, we have some new arrivals to our town." The glares the party's table then received made it clear that Trademeet was currently not welcoming to outsiders. "And with them they have brought one of the finest performers of Athkatla! So, presenting to you, for one night only, Haer'Dalis the bard!"
There was some subdued murmuring as Haer'Dalis emerged from the table he had been lurking at, alone, and stepped onto the stage, shooing the Vyatri away as he straightened up. "My thanks…" It seemed clear he thought it not a good idea to explain that he was not of Athkatla. "It is a pleasure to be performing here tonight. For your enjoyment, I have a few songs, mostly based on some of my… recent experiences in Amn."
Harrian caught a glint in the tiefling's eye, and felt his breath catch in his throat. "Oh god. If he's written a song about us, then I will have his neck… He'll be a bloody dead tiefling if he dared to…"
Beside him, Imoen grinned. "Lighten up. He's quite a good bard, I'm sure he'll do you justice."
Corias whimpered. "But I don't want him to do me justice," he mumbled unhappily.
Up at the stage, Haer'Dalis cleared his throat. "To open, a ballad of my travelling group, and their epic heroics…" Anomen groaned, and buried his head in his hands as the other party members looked at each other, aghast, waiting for what melody the tiefling had composed about them.
"These are not deeds of simple glory.
To understand, just hear my story.
I sing but of a hero's plight,
Not of each victorious fight.
For we deal with gods and lords,
Feats of sorcery and swords.
And one out of murder born,
Travelling a path not worn.
First a simple, noble quest,
To save the one who knows him best.
Then to find the answers old,
To the prophecy foretold.
For I travel with the son of Bhaal,
Who listens not to murder's call
And is, in fact, a righteous man
Helping others if he can.
Yet inside, we all must wonder,
Will he someday make a blunder?
And fall sway to evil's side,
No matter however hard he's tried."
Harrian frowned as Haer'Dalis continued his ballad. The tune was an old one, but the words new, and their meanings did not seem to be lost on anyone, for all in the pub were giving the group odd looks. Corias silently cursed the tiefling, but was not wholly surprised. He knew he was excellent ballad material, and hated it.
He glanced over at Jaheira, who was watching with a pensive expression, before shaking his head. "I'm going to bed," he grunted at last with dissatisfaction. "Let me know if the fool brings the whole town baying for my blood."
Jaheira frowned. "They may get suspicious if you leave whilst he performs…" Her voice trailed off as she turned to face him, only to see he was gone. She cursed under her breath. Harrian may not have been particularly subtle in his thieving techniques, so she often forgot how easily he could slip away when he so wished.
Grimacing with annoyance and promising herself that she would talk to Haer'Dalis later, the druid settled down to listen to the rest of the bard's performance.