The Proper Way to Handle a Paladin

The stench of burning oil hung in the air and a mob had gathered in the middle of the government district. The scent of burning oil mixed with the smell of unwashed bodies to form an overpowering stench. A drow woman was tied to a stake, and above the angry roar of the crowd, a group of men screamed profanities at her. The drow looked familiar somehow ... Viconia.

Liam eyes widened. Forgetting his friends, he pushed through the crowd, demanding to know her crimes. No one answered. He marvelled at how calm she looked, and even in her vulnerable state, she looked regal. Her head was held up and she glared at the offensive crowd almost daring them to come closer. They backed away. She would not give her captors the satisfaction of crying out or screaming. That was not in her nature.

He moved closer to the stake that held Viconia, and unsheathed his sword; encouraging the over zealous away with the flat of it. He unhooked Imoen's dagger from his belt, and cut Viconia's bonds. The drow gracefully slipped to the ground, and surveyed the would be vigilantes with a sneer. The crowd became incensed, but when Viconia started drawing from her goddess' divine powers, the rage quickly dissolved into fear, and the crowd fled.

"Cowards," Viconia spat.

"You rescued a dark elf?" Keldorn asked incredulously, as he, Jaheira and Anomen appeared. "These creatures are vile, Liam, and deserve -"

"Interesting," Liam cut in, his voice cold, his smile ironic. "Would you say the same about me? But of course not. No, Keldorn," his eyes glinted dangerously, "I helped a friend of mine. Her name is Viconia."

"So you do have some spine in you, Liam. Impressive." Viconia pronounced the last word in that sultry tone of hers, making Anomen squirm. The tense situation became worse when Viconia baited the squire, and was not satisfied until he was completely scarlet. Then, she turned her attention to Keldorn, who became livid when she told him, in detail, about how much she loved to play with sanctimonious paladins, and just how wicked they could be - given the proper motivation. Of course, what Keldorn didn't know was that Ajantis had complained about Liam's unpaladine behaviour, and lectured him on the evils of premarital ... everything. There had been no vocalised grievances about Viconia's presence, but that could have been because Ajantis had been intimidated by her. Liam did not want to know the particulars of how Viconia and Imoen got rid of him, although Viconia had volunteered that they had driven him away with what he desired most. That had been more than enough information.

It seemed to Liam that Viconia had been reading his mind. "Tell me, jaluk, where is your irritatingly cheerful lover?"

Liam felt his throat constrict. Rubbing the back of his neck, he looked towards the ground. "Captured," he managed to say after a few moments. "She was captured by the Cowled Wizards." Viconia looked surprised, and Liam hastily answered her unspoken question, "We were abducted after leaving Baldur's Gate, and after escaping from our host's dungeon, we were again confronted by him. Imoen tried to defend us with magic, but..." Liam forced those images out of his mind. Later, he promised himself. This will wait for when I have time.

In something akin to sympathy, Viconia bit her lip. "How ... disappointing. Imoen and I had a most interesting conversation, when we last travelled. One that I had wished to continue." She paused when Liam, despite himself, started to grin. "Yes, I would think that you have appreciated the art of -"

"Soo ..." Liam exaggerated the loudness of his voice, cutting off Viconia's sentence, "How long are you staying with us this time?"

Her eyes flashed in amusement at the change of topic, but she did not call him on it. "Are you saying that you have need of my services? It does not appear that you have as much coin as when we last parted, so we shall have to come to an agreement later."

"It is not enough that we rescue the creature, now we must -" Keldorn was silenced by a glare from Jaheira.

"Alright, Viconia."

"You realize that I will also need weapons, proper garments and armour ..." She turned to Keldorn and Anomen, "Yes, of course you do. She moved closer to Anomen and ran her finger down the length of his breast plate, and smiled sadistically at seeing the desired blush. "Pathetic. Where are you staying, Liam?"

"The Seven Vales, in the Promenade."

"Good, I will see you there. You," she pointed at Anomen, "Will come with me. I shall need someone to carry my purchases." Anomen nodded feebly.

As she walked away, Anomen in foot, Keldorn frowned, "By Torm, what just happened?"

"That," Liam laughed, "Was Viconia accepting charity."