Author Note: To come first is my apology for staying away so long. Things have been slightly more than hectic in my life but i'm back writing more and this is one of the products of my work. Hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 2: Breaching A Wall
The wind over Faerun had changed. Jaheira felt it blowing in multiple directions. Why such a change at this time of year? Why was the autumn wind shifting in strange ways? She stopped and held a wet finger aloft in the blowing breeze and felt all sides of her finger dry at once. Strange.
Khalid sensed his friend's displacement and questioned her, "W-What is the matter, J-Jaheira?"
Jaheira sighed once but turned and smiled, "Nothing. I thought I felt something odd about the wind, it was probably just my imagination."
Khalid smiled, "D-Do your instincts speak d-differently?"
"Not right now," Jaheira replied, picking up her pack that lay on the uneven ground and hoisting it onto her back, readying herself for the trek uphill to Baldur's Gate.
Both of them tired of this same route. The long journeys from the north to the south were always straining and sometimes, it was nearly impossible to find a cart man that took the roads that they used. The old dirt tracks were worn down with potholes, dangers to travellers on old wooden carts. Jaheira had contemplated hiring horses but she didn't know when they would be back in the north. It may be a few days, maybe a few months. With Gorian and his tariffs, no one knew a thing.
Wanting to bypass the Troll Hills, they'd taken the side-track and reached the Trade Road by noon that day. Already, Jaheira was tired and restless. She knew that by reaching The Fields of the Dead, they'd be half way there already but it was a treacherous way and crossing through the waters in the Fields meant death to all those who travelled through the muddy plains.
"A bit r-repetitive, isn't it?" Khalid asked.
Jaheira looked at her companion. It was the first time he'd made idle conversation in a while, since they'd left The Burlag Grove Inn, north of the Forrest. Khalid hardly spoke, he seemed very displaced when around her and always stuttered, but that came with everyone.
"A bit repetitive?" Jaheira murmured to herself before saying "I've travelled this track time and time again to find that it hasn't changed."
"Where are we a-actually g-g-going?" Khalid asked, "We are heading south, but where too?"
Jaheira raised an eyebrow, "I am surprised that no one has mentioned it too you."
Khalid shrugged, "I'm a f-fighter, Jaheira. I'm second c-class to the more important p-people."
"Don't let anyone tell you that," Jaheira laughed, "No one is better than anyone else. We're all the same in some way or another."
The ford pass was coming up, Jaheira could see it already; the old clapped out bridge with the warning sign written in Elfish, instead of the common tongue. Jaheira spoke little of the elfish tongue, even though her upbringing was not mostly common. She still preferred to not distinguish herself from the human world and had learned both languages from birth. However, as usual, one had presided and that was the common tongue, her mother tongue that had remained forever present in her mouth.
"Baldur's Gate," Jaheira informed Khalid as they walked up to the ford pass, "We are headed there for Gorian and then on to Beregost and the village Lubrylla in the Forests."
"Oh," Khalid replied feebly, "I had no idea that we would be travelling so far south."
Jaheira shrugged, "We could go much farther, if we wished too. There is much unrest in the southern towns, much distress that could use our help."
"A-Aren't you supposed to p-preserve the balance?" Khalid asked, "Y-You satisfy o-one city and it's n-needs then leave t-the next?"
Jaheira shook her head, sending a spray of hair around her face, "If that is what you think, then you do not understand the need for balance in the world."
"I d-don't think I d-do," Khalid replied, going silent at his last word.
Jaheira could tell that he didn't want to speak about this anymore. She knew, from previous experience, that Khalid was a man who, unlike other fighters, was afraid of his own shadow. If Jaheira wanted to frighten her friend, she had to raise a fist to him and he would be cowering. It was cruel of her to think in such a way but she knew Khalid, she knew that he was a good man and good friend to have beside you in times of trouble. He could fight like all others she knew and when needed, could offer good consolation. He could banter with the best, and tell good jokes that could have a comical bard falling off his stool.
She liked Khalid. There was something about him, maybe she didn't make her thoughts clear but there was something that she couldn't quite put her finger on. He intrigued her.
She looked to her side to see him walking; carefully looking down at the floor for any potholes that could make him fall over. He drove the staff into the ground and hauled himself up the hill with manly grace. His face was formed in such a way that when he sniffed up the cold he had, his eyes closed as his high cheekbones met his lower eyelids. His face was long and comforting, his eyes betrayed his youth, and Jaheira had heard that Khalid had seen a lot in his life. A lot more than he had let anyone know or even realise. Yes, she liked him and could see many things carved into the future for the both of them, depending on the choices they may take in the future. They were already old friends, from many years ago, companions by other companions that have lost their lives on the road that they all travel.
"W-W-We are at the f-ford!" Khalid exclaimed. He noticed the board, which Jaheira knew, would be there and went over to take a closer look.
"'Travellers Beware'," Khalid read the sign and read it aloud to Jaheira as she came nearer, "'The Route Is Harsh And Battles Will Be Fought. Be Armed At Your Discretion.'"
"Hmm," Jaheira said, "Is that what it reads? I thought it was an advertisement from elfish wine or some sort."
Khalid looked puzzled for a moment, "C-Can you not r-read this?"
Jaheira shook her head; "The tongue was never my strong point. My tutor said I lacked the proper sharpness that my half-nature gave me."
"M-Maybe he meant y-your tone is t-t-too harsh," Khalid joked, laughing a little at his innocent jab.
"Maybe," Jaheira replied paying no more attention to the sign and moving forward, across the stone bridge.
Khalid followed her across the stone bridge, taking a moment to look over the edge and into the water down below. It rippled as the slight rain began to bounce down from the heavens. The raindrops bounced harmlessly off the well-worn stone bridge and flowed with the ford, flowing down stream to the mouth and out into the open sea.
"Nature at its peace," Jaheira said, watching the rain come down. "Seems so tranquil, no?"
"I a-agree," Khalid smiled, "'Tis a w-w-wonder to behold w-when we get the c-chance."
"And yet there are those who would sacrifice all this for gold in their pockets," Jaheira said mournfully.
"Then we are h-here to s-stop them," Khalid chuckled.
Jaheira felt a small smile appear on her face, "Indeed."
It was a matter of time before they arrived at the city gates and would be stopped, searched for illegal materials them proceeded through by a procession of equipped guards, all ready to stab a sword in your back the minute you thought of murdering someone. Jaheira admired the strong hand that the Red Fist showed when running all operations in Baldur's Gate. The Iron Throne was not a well-mannered society, it didn't have the special qualities that it once held, owning the majority of the Sword Coast's trade and only wanting the whole lot.
"Where are Elminster and K-K-Khelben these days?" Khalid asked as they walked, his feet clomping on the ground as his armour shook. "I haven't h-heard from e-either of them for a while."
Jaheira shrugged, "No one is quite sure. The Higher Harpers have heard from them, letters and runners I suppose, but nothing to us or even Gorian."
"I w-would have thought that G-Gorian would be contacted," Khalid stated, thoughtfully.
"So would I," Jaheira replied, "Before they left, they mentioned something about the south and Cyric. Then they left days later, not another word to anyone."
"C-C-Cyric?" Khalid asked, almost distressed, "Cyric, the Lord of Murder?"
"You sound almost frightened, dear," Jaheira laughed, "The Lord of Murder isn't going to reign down on us anytime soon."
Khalid shook, "B-But how can you be so s-s-sure?"
Jaheira shrugged, "I can't."
Once they were clear of the Winding Water, Jaheira signalled to Khalid to stop for a moment while they catch their breath and have a moment to relax. They had walked over ten miles clear in three hours. Judging at that speed, they would arrive in Baldur's Gate just in time for the weekend festival and hopefully, a large glass of decent beer. It had been a long time since she'd had a good drink and walking all this way really meant she deserved it.
Khalid put his pack on the floor and sat on a nearby milestone.
"Two miles to g-go," Khalid said, opening his canister and drinking water before passing it to Jaheira.
"Two miles and then a good night's sleep," Jaheira concluded, swigging from the canister, "Let us hope that Gorian is in good spirits when we arrive."
"Or he'll c-conjuror our h-heads off?" Khalid laughed, "At least we g-get to pay a visit to Alianna n-now."
"Hmm," Jaheira mumbled, making a noise that meant disapproval.
Khalid raised an unsure eyebrow, "You don't l-like her?"
"I'm not sure," she replied, "Something is…odd about her. She's half-elven from a very wealthy family in the high ups of the Eleven Court at Ashabenford, yet she gives it all up to be with one mortal man in a rotting city."
"It just s-shows the b-boundaries of love," Khalid said, picking his pack up, "Don't you b-believe in love?"
Jaheira nodded, "Yes, but Alianna…she's not whom I envisioned Gorian to be with."
"Who d-did you think he would be w-with?" Khalid asked, "Moronanya? J-Jalessryl?"
"All scholars with their heads in the clouds," Jaheira replied, "No, I expected him to be a bit wiser about his choice in a woman."
Khalid looked stern for a moment and then a slight hint of laughter appeared on his face, "Did you e-ever wish that he h-had chosen you?"
Jaheira laughed, "Not for a moment. Gorian and I, we go back a long time. We are good friends, nothing more can ever come out of that."
"I'm sure that w-whomever marries you, J-Jaheira," Khalid said, "He will be t-the luckiest man in the Realms."
Jaheira felt her cheeks blush slightly, unbecoming of herself but her stern exterior rose up off the stone on which she sat and picked up her bag once again. She flashed a slight grin at Khalid who grinned back earnestly. With a slight hint of a spring in her step, Jaheira motioned to the map and to the south, across the fields and slightly to the East.
With a steady hand, not wavering once, Jaheira looked over at Khalid and with a smile on her lips, took his hand in hers and let their clasped hands with interlocking fingers sway together as they walked. Something's must change for the benefit of old friends.
Night descended upon the city quickly as Jaheira and Khalid walked through the gates. Just as Jaheira had predicted, no sooner had they stepped through the stones that separated Baldur's Gate from the outside world, a guard ushered to them clad in the heaviest metal plating Khalid had ever seen. A large sword hung at his belt; the helmet he wore, bearing the insignia of the Iron Throne masked his eyes.
"Traveller!" the guard said, halting the two in their tracks, "Could I search your packs for contraband? It is after nightfall. Nothing but dubious characters from here until morning."
Jaheira and Khalid dropped their packs to the floor and two guards rooted through them, coming up finally with nothing. The main guard, the one with the helmet, bid them a fair evening and earned them about common robbers who may prey on travellers in the dark.
Taking up their wares again, they headed towards the east section.
"They've t-tightened security," Khalid said.
"It makes you wonder if they know something which we do not," Jaheira replied thoughtfully.
After a brief walk through the streets, they eventually came across a house they recognised, just west of a seedy tavern and some horrible looking young women, all making eyes at Khalid. Khalid tried not to respond but some of the girls were quite pretty and he found himself attracted to them on a primal, instinct level. He threw a smile to one girl who was presently licking her lips with the tip of her tongue. Jaheira noticed this and pulled Khalid away from the lecherous gazes of the woman.
"Control yourself, man!" she chastised him, "We need to keep a cool head. Who knows what could be lurking in the city ready to spring us into a trap?"
Khalid laughed, "I d-didn't think that such an I-I-innocent smile would be so h-harmful to you, Jaheira."
"Well…I…" Jaheira stammered, "Let's keep moving."
Jaheira went first and knocked sharply on the wooden door. There was no answer after a few moments and she threw Khalid a cautious look, one that meant get ready for anything. Khalid set down his staff and put his drawn hand on his hilt, ready to strike when the moment occurred.
Jaheira knocked again, only to find an eerie silence greet her. With one smooth blow, she kicked the door with the flat of her foot, making it crack at the hinges and flatter slightly.
"Do you t-think you should be d-doing that?" Khalid asked as Jaheira dealt another blow to the weakening door.
"What if Gorian's hurt?" Jaheira replied, kicking the door again. "We would…only be wasting time to get the guard."
With a crash, it flattened onto the floor of the hallway, knocking over a small plant that stood just beyond the doorway. Jaheira grinned and gathered her things before stepping inside, Khalid still rooted to the spot and open mouthed outside.
"Gorian!" Jaheira called out, but there was no answer. "Gorian!"
Khalid tumbled in after her, throwing his things to the ground in a huff. "He's n-not here?"
Jaheira ignored him and moved to the bottom of the staircase, shouting Gorian's name upstairs, hearing the sound echo on the landing.
"He's got to be here," Jaheira muttered to herself, searching the downstairs before moving upstairs.
Khalid, however, searched the study area. In his experience, when Gorian wasn't in, he left a note of some sort. He looked on the desk and finally found a piece of parchment held underneath the rock paperweight. He lifted it off and read the parchment.
"Jaheira!" Khalid shouted as soon as he had read it, holding it out for her when she came down the stairs.
Jaheira rushed down, nearly tripping over her feet as she tumbled down the stairs, her feet finding themselves firmly planted on the floor after a few moments. She took the parchment from Khalid and read it over. With clear frustration and terror donning her face, she looked back up at Khalid who had the same idea.
"He's gone after her," Jaheira stated, feeling her hands shaking and her head throbbing. "The stupid man…he's gone after her!"
Khalid smiled a sad smile but picked up his pack, "Then we b-better go t-too."