Author's Note: Speedy progress, Aqua-chan? I'm amazed you think that, because it's been a real bugger to write recently. Hardly the same as when I was chugging out a chapter a day before the summer. Ah, those were the days. ;-)
No, Cernd is not a permanent feature in the party, just a tag-along for the druid quest. It always struck me as unconvincing that the party would leave such a potentially useful person behind when they were going to the grove. Keldorn's not permanent either, and once Yoshimo's gone (I'm afraid I haven't been able to think up a way of keeping him which isn't unconvincing and trite) the party will be back down to normal size. Cameos from most characters will appear at various points, though it may be in the 'deleted scenes' fic which should be along later (It will consist of quests I'll miss out, because their inclusion will just put a damper on the plot speed). Edwin's scheduled to return, however, and Mazzy may well pop in, but only for a very short time.
Main action starts when the party gets back from Trademeet, however. Even if I get lazy, that should be by the end of next week, for it's only… four or five chapters, max. I intend to put my own spin on all of the upcoming parts, because things are about to get busy. Nothing shall be as you know it! (Anomen's trial, the Harper plot, Irenicus and Bodhi) Well, at some point in the very different future things will divert to the SOA norm, but that's very close to the end, and… oh, I'll stop ranting, because this is getting close to spoiling and taking too much room. :-S ;-)

Chapter 59: Genie in a Bottle

Not for the first time, Keldorn wished he had used different tactics to follow Harrian. Though the very nature of his mission had forced him into a subterfuge, using underhand tactics that went against his very nature, his code of honour had dictated that he pursue his quest in an acceptable manner that wasn't inherently dangerous.

Some would say that it was foolish of him to alert Corias and his companions of his surveillance work, but he disagreed. His skills as an inquisitor meant that he had been able to swiftly discern the depth of the swashbuckler's evil, and he had not labelled Harrian as an instant danger. The evil within the Bhaalspawn was plain to see to his trained eye, but it was also clear that good still prevailed.

Thus he had not thought himself at risk if he revealed his presence to Corias. There were those in the Order that would condemn him simply for being a Bhaalspawn, which was not righteous in Keldorn's eyes. Though it went against his duty to give the 'enemy' an advantage over his fellows, he knew that Torm would not blame him for giving a faultless man a defence against those who would condemn him without reason.

There was also the matter of Harrian's companions. Anomen, though strong-willed, arrogant, and judgemental, was hardly a symbol of evil, and would have never joined with the thief had Helm stood against it. The druid supported the balance and thus was no supporter of immorality. Corias's foster sister clearly would not stand for evil, although there was something about her that set Keldorn's nerves off horribly.

That left the other three members of the group, whom he wasn't sure about. Minsc, the great warrior, would obviously not support evil if he knew of its existence. However, his weak mind might be susceptible to manipulation, though this was hardly enough to condemn the poor man. Yoshimo, a thief of flexible morals, was most exceedingly a grey area. Keldorn hated grey areas – grey was indecision, which he had precious little time for. Then there was Haer'Dalis, a rather excessively roguish bard. He was also a tiefling, which by definition meant he had the blood of fiends in his veins.

Most unfortunately, the three anomalous members of the party were the ones that he was stuck with on this side-quest Harrian had sent them on. He suspected it was just as much to get them out of the way as it was to help Trademeet. Keldorn held no illusions of his being seen as perfectly trustworthy by the party – he had, after all, been spying on them – but he did like to believe that Harrian had sent him to deal with the genies because he wanted someone reliable and level-headed to handle Minsc, Haer'Dalis and Yoshimo.

The giant ranger from Rasheman was striding beside Keldorn as they all walked across the square that bore Waukeen's countenance, but the other two, less trustworthy – in Firecam's opinion – rogues hung back, discussing something a little bit too secretively for the inquisitor's liking.

Captain Evalir gave them a stern nod as they exited via the town's gates. The head of the militia had been considerably more friendly to them ever since their promises of aiding the town had been proven not empty. The ageing man had a horrific cut across his left eyebrow that made him seem as if he was squinting at them, but Keldorn was quite sure the gratitude was there somewhere. He returned the respectful nod.

The tents of the genies were but a hundred metres or less away from Trademeet's walls. Large, bright and in garish colours, they reminded Keldorn far more of the circus of Athkatla than anything he'd heard about the abodes of Calimshite genies.

He'd visited the Athkatlan circus recently, and although it had been the most atrocious display of attempted entertainment he'd ever seen, his wife and two daughters had adored it. Keldorn didn't stop to realise that it would be his presence that made them so gleeful, for this had been the first 'family outing' in almost ten years.

The new assignment for the Order – watching Harrian – had left him with far more free time than he would have anticipated, and he had made the most of it by spending as much time as possible with his family, gently easing himself back into the role of a father and a husband before he came back in full strength. For this was his last quest as a knight – well deserved retirement beckoned afterwards.

Yoshimo stepped ahead of the group as they approached the tents. "Permit me to deal with the initial pleasantries," the bounty hunter said lightly. "I have had… some experience with Calimshite genies, and trust I can get them receptive to us before we get down to business." He smiled that too-helpful smile of his which Keldorn hated.

Instead, the paladin just nodded firmly. "By all means, but perhaps I should take over once they are listening to us?" he suggested as politely as he could muster. "For genies are not easily dissuaded, and some extreme convincing may be needed."

"Indeed, my hound," Haer'Dalis agreed lyrically. "Whilst our parrot may set the scene, it is someone like you who shall be playing the main role, and Minsc and myself supporting if this whole performance becomes a tragedy."

The tall ranger nodded gleefully. "Minsc will be there with blade and boot if a djinn needs the righteous foot of butt-kicking placed in its rear end!"

Keldorn frowned at them both. I'm surrounded by madmen, he thought despairingly, stepping into the wonderfully cool shade of the genies' tents. Inside seemed quite normal – a few crates full of wines and spices, several racks of weaponry, dummies with suits of armour mounted on them as the wares of the genies was displayed before them.

Yoshimo had clearly slipped in whilst Keldorn had been talking to the others, and was currently conversing with one of the genies. Firecam wasn't sure why, but he was quite surprised to see that it had legs, and even more surprised as it turned to face him, offering a deep bow before speaking.

"Greetings to you, wayfarer!" he started brightly. His voice was rich and lyrical, possessing only a slight Calimshite accent. Keldorn reasoned that a genie would be well-travelled and well-versed in other languages. "I am Khan Zahraa of Calimshan, a Dao djinn, at your service!"

The paladin returned the bow, only his was of a more stiff military variety than the proud flourish of Zahraa's. "Greetings," he responded, then the pleasantries were clearly over as he continued, "I have been sent by Lord Coprith to persuade you to leave."

The genie grinned broadly, then looked at his companion, who was polishing the blades on the weapons rack. "Ah! At last the mortals have sent an emissary, then. Truly they are of limited intelligence to have waited this long. No doubt they quaver in fear of our power, and rightly so!" the djinn laughed. For some reason he reminded Keldorn of Yoshimo, who was standing next to the genie and nodding as brightly as possible.

The cheerful expression of the djinn faded as he turned to face the half-party. "But if you have come to plead and persuade, mortal, then your breaths are wasted. The Dao do not intend to leave until we have what we came for," Zahraa said, sounding genuinely regretful.

Keldorn nodded curtly. He had spoken around, asking as many villagers as possible to tell him what they knew of the genies. "Yes, I have heard... the rakshasa.  What would you say if I found this creature for you?" he offered lightly. A rakshasa was not a creature he had a vast amount of experience fighting, but he was a skilled enough warrior to adapt if necessary.

Zahraa looked pensive for a long moment. "I would say, mortal, that I wish the head of this rakshasa returned to me… and once that was done, despite the amusements we have found here, the Dao would return to Calimshan," he said at length, his voice quiet.

"Do you have any idea where this rakshasa might be?" Yoshimo asked hopefully, toying with his katana.

Zahraa appeared amused once again. "If we knew where she was we would go and collect her, yes?" he pointed out, shrugging. "As a shapeshifter, I am sure she hides in the form of yet another tiresome mortal. It is a tactic her kind use often."

Yoshimo turned unhappily to Keldorn. "I hate shapeshifters," he declared, his expression oddly flat.

"It is doubtful that she and her companions actually reside in the town, itself," Zahraa continued, ignoring the bounty hunter. "The appetite and predilections of the rakshasa would not keep her hidden among you for very long."

"But we are sure she is somewhere in the area," the second djinn piped up, setting a large scimitar back on the rack. "Perhaps hidden and preying secretly upon you mortals, as the rakshasa do. But who knows, really? She could be anywhere."

Zahraa nodded serenely. "Why, little mortal?" he asked Keldorn. "Do you intend to bring Ihtafeer's head to us and end our stay in this dreary little place? We would look forward to a mortal finally ending this business."

Keldorn paused a second, not wanting to make it seem as if he was too willing to agree to the genie's demands. "Very well," he stated at last firmly. "I will attempt to find this rakshasa and bring her head back to you."

Zahraa's craggy yet unnatural face broke into a broad and bright smile. "Ah, this is a good thing! The Dao wish you well on your hunt, then, and await eagerly the sight of Ihtafeer's head!" he declared brightly.

Once they were outside, Keldorn turned to his companions. "If this rakshasa is not in Trademeet yet is near enough for the genies to remain here, then Ihtafeer should be somewhere out in the wild. It could be a long hunt with no leads."

Haer'Dalis shook his head. "Not necessarily, my hound," he started, raising a hand. "For I have spoken with some of the townspeople. The woods around Trademeet are largely uninhabited by civilized beings, save the druids… and a woman who lives near the grove, selling potions. Perhaps she would know something."

Keldorn paused another moment, thinking. "It's a start," he admitted, frowning slightly. "Do you know where this woman lives?"