Bernard went back to work, and Lidia closed the door to Room H behind her, her head full of more questions than answers.
She'd heard this Ployer's name before, but always in connection with slave-traders. Whatever he'd done had been enough to get him prosecuted, and to implicate everyone else in his circle. But if he was able to do something to Jaheira, he wasn't completely without resources himself.
Whatever he did was serious enough to drive Jaheira away from the city, which not even Galvarey or Irenicus had accomplished. And he'd likely do it again to anyone asking questions.
She was absorbed in thought as she finished packing for tomorrow and making some last-minute repairs to her equipment — so much, that when she heard a series of tiny scratches, then the skitter of tiny feet in the opposite corner of the room, it took her by surprise.
She listened carefully for a moment, then took a calming breath. It sounded as though it was only a mouse, likely searching in vain for anything edible from Skratha and Dibbler's kitchen —
Then the source of the sound roared, with a rushing sound and an explosion into motes of light; they quickly reformed themselves into a straight-backed, dark-skinned woman wearing a fine dress of deep red damask.
She turned in place, but not before checking to see that her small cricket had followed her.
"My, you're jumpy. Your interest in magic was refreshing, for someone without the Art; I suppose it was only a matter of time before Athkatla made you wary of its slightest presence," Madam Yuth said.
"I'm perfectly fine with magic, as long as it knocks first," Lidia said. Almost out of reflex, her hand had gone for her staff, which had been leaning near the doorway.
She remembered her manners as soon as the shock wore off, releasing her white-knuckled grasp on the staff and setting it back in its place. "Forgive me. I wasn't expecting you, but I'm sure your errand is important if you needed this kind of secrecy."
Madam Yuth said, "Indeed. It concerns a mutual friend of ours. I'm sure I was as surprised as you are to hear that Jaheira was out of town — she is normally diligent about communicating her whereabouts to those who need to know."
Was the magic-seller one of the Enlightened Ones? Lidia thought. Best not to admit that she knew the group's name, unless Madam Yuth speaks it first.
"Have you inquired with Bernard?" Madam Yuth asked.
"I did, yes," Lidia replied. "All he would say is Jaheira got mixed up somehow with a man named Ployer."
"The former baron," Madam Yuth said, seeming to recognize the name at once.
"What did he do to her? Bernard would not say."
"Likely because Bernard does not know himself. But if we're to find Jaheira, let alone help her, you must locate Ployer."
"I was planning to, but do you have any ideas where he might be?" Lidia asked.
"Of course," Madam Yuth said. "He's somewhat infamous in this town, shall we say? Ployer maintains himself with the scrapings of his wealth in a run-down home in the Slums, but three of the Cowled Wizards are under contract to protect it and him. Unless you have the money to make his hirelings a counter-offer, I would not recommend going anywhere near there."
"You're right, I doubt I could meet any price they would ask," Lidia said.
"Fortunately for Jaheira, Ployer keeps regular habits. The bulk of his days are spent deep in drink at the Seas' Bounty Tavern near the docks. He's been at the center of trouble there every now and again, but his pet wizards don't seem to show up. Likely because it would cause something of a stir. I would make a meeting with him there as soon as you can."
"All right," Lidia said. "Then before I go, what are you expecting from me in return for this information?"
Madam Yuth replied, "I have a few ideas for how you might repay the favor, if you're so inclined, but consider this one on the house."
But before Lidia could ask her anything further, Madam Yuth disappeared from sight, leaving only fading sunlight in her place.
Lidia briefly considered whether this might be a trap, or what angle Madam Yuth could possibly have, but she put the thought aside. Investigating was better than doing nothing, at least, and there wasn't much time to dither about.
She took her weapons, buttoned on her gambeson, and went down the hall to collect Aerie, Minsc, and Yoshimo.
For the next three days, Jaheira was hardly aware of any movement around or about her.
Dermin was taking her somewhere, but she found it hard to much care where. She could hardly think straight as it was — resting had done no good, and the ache grew in her bones until it blotted out nearly everything else. The sun overhead could not move her to stir, nor could the sound of wind, water, woods or field. Instead, everything seemed covered in an unthinking twilight.
The few times she was lucid, she wondered if the rocking underneath her was a sailing ship or a cart, or whether she was back at her childhood home in the Forest of Tethir and was simply being rocked to sleep.
Finally everything stood still. A calm, familiar voice chanted an incantation over her. Thank the gods, the pain seemed to lessen, though it couldn't go away completely. Strong hands moving her to a place where a canopy of vines twitched and whirled overhead into a latticed dome, set against the pale slate grey of an overcast sky.
The same voice called her name.
She only responded with a pained groan.
"This curse has progressed to the point where your life hangs in the balance," the voice said. "We can put you in hibernation, but that will only delay the inevitable if nothing is done."
She nodded, ever so slightly, to show she understood. A wave of relief washed over her. If it meant the pain could end, and if it meant she might be able to wake again…perhaps…
The sky above her darkened, and everything fell away.