Just thought I ought to list the group as it is…

Negrath, Viconia, Minsc, Jaheira, Aerie, Keldorn, Yoshimo

I'm going with the idea that Nalia went alone.





1 NEGRATH'S TALE, 1.4

-Acquisition







-"So in the attempt at collecting enough coin to buy the help of thieves to free the insufferable brat, you help this sniveling child save her precious "Hold"?"

Walking the road that eventually would lead them to the de'Arnise Keep, Negrath sighed, before he chuckled.

-"You could put it that way…" he told the Drow walking beside him.

-"…but you wouldn't." She concluded for him.

-"So it is. For one, I would use the names they had provided."

-"I will remember that if I ever find myself needing to talk to either of them."

-"Viconia, she's my sister…half-sister, at any rate." He pointed out, not for the first time since he had…"educated" a Flaming Fist representative about the error of his ways at their first meeting.

-"So she is." The cleric nodded, glancing at him as if she had intended to say more, but didn't know why.

………………

As the group settled down to camp for the night, Aerie came over to kneel next to where Negrath sat with his back against a tree.

Keeping her voice low in ignorance of the fact that exceptional hearing would be the common trait of more than one in the group, she queried, glancing anxiously at the groups latest addition;

-"Is she…is she really going to be following us from now on?"

Following her glance, he had to chuckle as the Drow settled down with her back to a tree almost directly opposite them, her intent to listen to their conversation as obvious as if she had knelt on his other side…and she knew it.

-"Yes, Aerie, she is. But I don't think you need to worry…she barks worse than she bites when it comes to travelling companions…mostly, I might add." The Kensai added, giving an amused, but respectful nod to their listener, to which the dark elf just grinned slyly.

-"But-but…she's a…she's a…"

-"Dark elf. A Drow. Yes, I know." Glad for the opportunity of uninterrupted study Viconia's "eavesdropping" made possible, he mumbled, almost too low to be recognizable as words; "Damn, do I know…"

Snapping out of it, he turned to the mage, smiling;

-"I've learned well enough that unless there's some real serious personal problems between her and another party member, she will, as far as I know, defend to the death her sole right to insult us. Isn't that right?"

-"What are you asking me for? I wouldn't…"

-"I didn't." The Bhaalspawn replied, a pointed look directing the avariel's eyes to their singular, dark-skinned audience.

Upon eye contact, Viconia nodded, more a salute of sorts than an acceptance of the description given, but equally significant to Aerie;

-"She…she heard?"

-"She is a Dark -elf-, Aerie. Not a human."

Blushing, she turned towards the other woman again, just as she rose to leave.

-"Sorry?" the Avariel muttered, not sounding entirely sure she wanted to be.

With a nod worthy the lady of the land, the Drow smirked, stalking off into the darkening shadows.

It was a curious trait of hers, that; whenever the day had offered prolonged exposure to a naked sun, she sought the deepest shadow she could find the moment she could be sure to find one suitable.

Often, that held her in camp up until the time most of them were in there blankets…

He assumed that meant she had begun to trust them somewhat, as she at first had rested with them, probably from an inbred unwillingness to show weakness of any kind…and indeed, aside from that little quirk, he had discovered none.

Noticing the Drow withdrawing, Keldorn, having been in the process of cleaning his armor, jumped to his feet with an agility that earned him his rank then and there;

-"Where is she going!?!"

-"She'll be back, holy one. Ask your superior if you don't believe me."

-"Are you aware what you ask?"

-"That you ask your deity to find out whether or not the possible Spider Queen-servant you're here to keep an eye on will come back. Are you saying he can't do that?"

-"Of course not! But…it wouldn't be…"

-"If you don't take my word for it, it -is- necessary. I say it'd be a wasted effort."

-"…"

-"Now go to sleep, good knight. Our ranger has first watch. Don't you, Minsc?" he called into the darkness.

-"Aye." Came the deep, distracted rumble of a Rasheman Berserker keeping watch, quickly followed by an affirmative "squeak" from his pet, supposedly twice as special as he himself was.

-"Am I to trust my safety to a man talking to a hamster?" the paladin's tone fought to be neutral.

-"Why not? I have, almost since the day I met him in Nashkell! And about the pet: I'd rather reckon it -increases- his efficiency."

Studying his dark surroundings, the knight huffed, returning to his work, dark held back only barely in check by the leftovers of the small campfire, tossing a comment over his shoulder at Negrath;

-"It will be difficult for enemies to realize he's there, that's for sure."

-"That'd be Minsc for you. Good Knight." The Bhaalspawn chuckled.

-"Good night." Were the distracted reply as the warrior set to work on his metal once more.



-"There you are!" the call came, hurriedly followed by a smallish figure approaching them down the road at a pace her robes were never intended for.

-"Where have you been?!? This is important!"

-"We are well aware of that, thank you." Jaheira commented as she pulled an arrow from Yoshimo's quiver; the arrow itself shifting from a burning yellow to a sparkling red, and the feathers looking like so many flickering miniature flames, the head looked ready to burst with heat…which would be just what it was supposed to do as soon as it was launched at a target.

Nalia paid her no heed;

-"Who's she?" she wanted to know instead, pointing an accusing finger at Viconia;

-"Don't tell me the Drow is a part of your group!?!"

-"She is. Is that a problem?" Negrath retorted, immediately following up;

-"And are you not supposed to be interested in the -welfare- of your "lesser" people? Well, she is one that is very much "lesser" than you."

Looking ready to stomp her foot in annoyance, the young Lady conceded the point;

-"Very well. You will either way require all the help you can get…I only hope you can trust her."

-"Oh, I reckon I can trust her as long as I'm her link to power." The Kensai quipped, hoping the cleric would know it was nothing more than a comment.

-"Then you may all come with me. I know a way in that might still be useful."

-"Lead on." Negrath nodded.



……………



Stepping inside, they found themselves in what could only be the servants quarters…

Quickly sweeping the room with their eyes, all were witness to a troll getting itself some food…food that evidently did not appreciate the fact;

-"Nooo!"

The troll made a sweep of its large, clawed hand, and the misfortunate servant was no more.

Digging in, the beast ignored it's surroundings momentarily…then it lifted its head, sniffed the air, and turned toward them with a grunt of annoyance; it dislikes disturbances during a meal.

This disturbance, however, would prove to be somewhat more noteworthy…

-"GET IT!!!" came the yell, a Kensai in borderline rage at the situation they arrived to following his own advice a split-second later. Viconia and Minsc were not far behind, Minsc fighting an equally difficult battle with his temper, and the Drow, that all-important step ahead of them, pondering where she'd find suitable hammers as she swung her new mace at the towering foe.

The heavy implement crashing into it's knee, and thusly deriving it of it's balance, she pulled back as the two males fed their blades.

**Always smart to make such folk feel useful from time to time.** she mused.

The Kara-Turan delivering the incendiary blow, they hurriedly left the room, entering a corridor that was a tad to populated for the noble's tastes;

-"Oh, no! They have taken free reign of my home already?!?"

-"So it would seem." Yoshimo commented as the Kensai and cleric ran to meet the creatures that just now were becoming aware of not being alone in the Keep.

As any more would have been too cramped for effective fighting, under the circumstances, Jaheira held back with the thief and Nalia to fire an arrow or to toss the odd sling-bullet in whenever they could see an opening to do so.

Wandering around the central hall of the building's first floor, the adventurers slowly and carefully took out one regenerating beast at the time, ever careful not to spread unnecessary information of their whereabouts to be creatures that seemed to be in every room they peeked into.

Finding themselves, on the noble's request, on the second floor, the young Lady told them to locate her aunt's bedroom as soon as possible.

-"No." Negrath countered solidly, sitting down on a convenient chair as though he had no intention ever to rise again.

The spellcasters copied his "gesture", the metal-clad warriors being a tad more careful.

As they all relaxed for the first time since they had left camp that morning, the weary adventurers turned querying eyes on the woman that dared, although unwittingly, to impersonate Imoen; Would she object to them catching their breath and checking their wounds?

Viconia, leaning back with a smirk, looked over at the Bhaalspawn as he lifted his voice, knowing she would if he didn't;

-"We have no idea how many more there are, and considering that the place is still inhabitable, I would assume they got some sort of "wise guy" with them somewhere…and with such creatures there's just no telling what might happen.

I am not rushing this group into that sort of situation without rest."

-"Hush, child." Jaheira commented as the younger woman opened her mouth to object;

-"We all now that these creatures are unlikely to keep your family alive, no matter the reason they came here in the first place…but nor are we any surer to succeed if we are to go against more than 30 of the beasts without even resting our feet.

-"And tell me…" Viconia added, by her tone about to point out the obvious, and relishing it;

-"With the main strength of this party being us spellcasters, and our minds blank as a Drow male's after clearing out the first floor…what do you think two tin-cans, a blade in a robe and a thief can do?"

-"Enough." Nalia huffed, despite herself grabbing a chair, sitting down as though she intended to break it.

-"What? Have you heard enough, or could they do enough?" the Drow prodded, grinning.

All she got for her trouble was a furious glare.



-"Could we move on, then?!?" Nalia wanted to know, the light of the following day shining through the windows, her voice giving sound to her considerable dissatisfaction.

-"In a moment." Negrath nodded, as Minsc and Keldorn completed the equipping of their armor.

The two experienced fighters nodding briskly as they drew their blades, the group gathered at the far door, Nalia having instructed, somewhat icily, that it led to the part of the floor-spanning corridor that, in turn, led to the sleeping chambers.

It's lock inconsequential to the Kara-Turan, they almost walked straight into a flock of young ice-trolls on the other side.

The tiny creatures as surprised as the adventurers, they turned to flee the next moment, well aware that the group would have little trouble with them alone.

As they turned the corner further down the hall, they were already half as many as they had been, the rest having fallen to spells and burning arrows.

Giving chase, the decidedly overnumbered group soon found themselves fighting the little creeps' family…



The "tin-cans" all but unrecognizable as the armor they were meant to be, Viconia and Jaheira found themselves in the dubious situation of having to support themselves on the bow-wielding thief, Yoshimo having kept to his arrows, and Negrath sitting wheezing on the ground, his "robe" rendered less than effective by raking claws.

The Kara-Turan wisely held his tongue…



Proceeding slowly, after having taken a quick backtrack to the de'Arnise family smithy to let their armor regain its strength and appearance, they soon enough wandered through what could only be a room for quiet solitude; soft colors and smells all over, few, but surprisingly large windows able to supply light throughout the day.

-"And just now, when we were so well rested." Quipped Viconia, all but Nalia nodding their agreement; just their luck.

-"My aunt's bedroom will be just down the hall on the other side of that door." The young Lady told them, agitation only barely kept in check.

-"Then we will enter and free her…" Negrath commented, looking pointedly at the Berserker.

Minsc didn't disappoint; "…And woe on whoever should find themselves in our way!"

Seeing Nalia's worried confusion, the Kensai smiled, quipping;

-"Just make sure your aunt goes back the way we came."

Looking at the large ranger as though she saw him for the first time, she just nodded…



-"Such people can be such a pain." Jaheira growled, her tone indicating that she'd had far more experience with "such people" than she liked to think about.

-"Impressive restraint, if that is how you feel." Nalia commented idly, her eyes jumping from one party member to another, trying to figure out just why she stayed with them…

-"Impressive restraint, indeed." Negrath quipped, to which the Baldur's Gate veterans all chuckled good-humoredly, Jaheira nodding ironically as she did so.

-"Are we then to assume that we are done here?" Yoshimo queried, only barely beating Keldorn to it.

Looking across the room outside which door they still stood, Nalia shook her head, almost hesitantly;

-"No…We have yet to find Father. He must be…below."

-"Below?" Keldorn wondered, evidently having a very clear idea of what that meant.

Looking the Paladin in the eyes, the young Lady nodded;

-"Yes, sir Keldorn. In the dungeons."

-"Not in recent use by your family, I would presume?" Jaheira commented, her tone making it clear that if it had been, she'd be more than happy to leave then and there.

-"Of Course Not!" the younger woman replied, almost growling.

-"Father sealed it off…really long ago! I cannot even recall anyone ever being put there in my lifetime!"

-"Short as it thus far have been…" Viconia commented.

-"Not that short!" Nalia snapped, not at all pleased with the topic.

-"Easy, my friends." The Yoshimo interjected, throwing a pointed look into the liberated aunt's bedroom;

-"Were we not supposed to go in here?"

Nalia nodding, he added;

-"Why would the access to the dungeons go through your family's bedroom? I cannot see why that would be necessary…?"

-"Nor is it…but it is the quickest and safest route right now."

-"Hm." The Drow pondered; "whoever arranged that must have been very interested in easy access to their prisoners…wonder why…?"

Her grin as she looked to the young noble told them she did nothing of the sort.

-"I told you." Nalia pointed out, stepping closer to the dark elf; "It was before my time. -Well- before."

-"Point taken. That still doesn't explain why your -living- relatives closed it for good, whatever gate exists between two such incomparable locations…?"

The rest of the group catching that point as if previously unaware of it, all turned quizzical eyes at the female thief.

Cheeks burning red as she turned away, evidently having wondered about the same herself, she hurried into the room, quickly moving across the floor, and seemed to disappear at the other end.

Momentarily confused, they all followed.

Rounding the large bed that effectively had named the room, they found her at the other side of a hidden door, surrounded by bricks so similar to those in the walls of the room so as to make it look like she was inside the wall.

As they all piled into the secret chamber, the portion of the bedroom wall which had been swung aside to provide entrance, swung shut as quietly as it had opened.

-"-Very- easy access." Viconia remarked offhandedly, as if to herself.

Nalia's reply were all but intelligible, low as it was.



-"What the *BLIP* was THAT?!?!?!?" Negrath yelled, just having closed the door they had opened upon reaching the "cellars", two rooms away from a bunch of creatures that had all but wiped them out in moments.

Thank the gods the creatures appeared unable to operate doors…or even understood the concept of a moveable barrier.

Looking about as his friends slumped down wherever they found it convenient, he slid one of his katanas from its sheath, studying it as he leaned heavily against the door.

Enchanted to a level he could only have dreamed of back in Candlekeep, it had nary made a mark on the foul beasts…not during the few moments he could afford to face them, anyway.

At least they seemed to not think too highly of the weight and momentum of Viconia's mace.

That reminded him…they had better get the Drow some decent hammers right quick. As he could recall, she once wielded a pair that none but Sarevok's closest had proved resistant to…why oh why had he not acquired such before fighting TROLLS?!?

Imoen could probably have told him, waaay back when they first met, that such creatures rarely, if ever, took up residence in human structures without significant persuasion from a few other folks…he assumed he had just gotten to know the "groundpounders" of the invading group…



-"NO! I will not allow it."

-"Stubborn jaluk. Not do I know why you would be the one left for me to heal, but as it is, I am the only one with the power left to do so. Lay still."

-"Try to touch me with your spells, and you will complete them without hands." The paladin promised, his eyes cold enough to have made a statue of any other creature.

Viconia appeared not to care any more than if he had glared at the ceiling.

-"If you deem my powers so destructive, even in their attempts to heal, then try to stand, and face me in battle, plated one.

Let's see who is truly the weaker here."

All but snarling, Keldorn's legs worked momentarily kicking up dust in an attempt to rise, but failed.

Staring hotly at his arms, strangely limp on either side of him, he then glared at the Drow;

-"You know I can not do that. You know I must accept your help or hold the group back until another can cast again…"

-"…and we both know we can't waste any more time than we already have." Viconia concluded for him, chuckling as she added, smirking; "Don't get me wrong: I would have less problems leaving you here than most…but I suppose our esteemed leader would have objections to that?" she queried, looking over at Negrath as the Kensai knelt across from her.

-"That I would." He commented, eyes on the Paladin;

-"Keldorn, either you let her help you, or you face those beasts in your current state. I'm not trusting myself to remember to get you should I leave you here."

-"And should we flee, which appears as likely as anything else," Yoshimo commented, moving to stand at the warrior's feet, "chances are we would not remember to close the door…or they would follow us to fast for us to close it."

-"All right. No need to drive it in with the force of a giant's club. Use your dark healing, Drow, and a curse on you should you do anything else!"

-"Silly man."

-"?!?"

-"Would you mind telling me what sort of healing is dark?"

-"Hers, for one." The paladin replied, twitching as he felt the slight disturbance in the air caused by the preparation of all significant spells.

-"In what way?" the Avariel prodded, pushing Negrath aside as she knelt beside him, evidently interested in hearing his explanation.

-"In what way is healing dark but in healing your enemy? Is she healing your enemy?"

A gruff noise where the knights only response.

-"Helping your enemy in any other way? Generally opposing your continued life?"

The sound the older man produced at the further questioning made Negrath tense, in preparation to save her from a wild swing of his twitching arms.

-"Is she opposing you?!?" Aerie insisted.

Hands squeezed into fists so tight a swordhilt would have broken, he glared at her for a moment, before turning away.

Evidently her own annoyed glare at his "silliness" had been the stronger.

Looking askance at the dark elf, he muttered, noticing she still gestured, mumbling to herself with a mischievous grin;

-"What are you waiting for, Drow? Do it now, before I change my mind!"

-"The name…" Viconia intoned, the finishing syllables appearing to be spoken by some ethereal "other" voice as she moved to let her hands hover over his chest; "…Is VICONIA!"

Dark-skinned digits making contact, the Paladin almost jumped out what armor he still had use of as an almost visible surge of magical energy passed through him.

The scream that flew from between clenched teeth were not as expected as some considered his initial reaction.

Before any of the others had managed to regain their senses, the knight and his "opponent" were on their feet, him with his hands around the Drow's throat, evidently as fit as he had ever been.

Raging, his anger seemed only to build at the sight of the derisive smile on her lips, barely wavering as the shuddering gauntlets worked to close despite the impediment that was her throat.

Naught but a moment later, a pair of arms that all but dwarfed the older limbs, in both width and strength, reached around the elf to close suitably large hands around the Paladin's wrists, squeezing gently, yet insistently, as the groups Berserker rumbled;

-"Viconia healed you, holy man. Does Minsc and Boo have to remind you that one does not kill one's helpers?"

Keldorn, lifting his eyes to glare wildly into the eyes of the ranger, just snarled, gritting his teeth as he fought to maintain the pressure of his hands on the cleric.

-"Boo…" the large man muttered, whereas the comparatively miniature creature ran down his right arm, hurried up Keldorn's left, moved up to the side of his neck, and nuzzled down there.

His presence thus impossible to ignore, the knight instinctively let go of Viconia's throat to swipe it away, but then found himself Minsc's captive instead.

Looking up at the ranger, the wild rage were already draining from his limbs.

Nevertheless, the Berserker kept his hold until Boo was back with him, before he let go, smiling;

-"Minsc happy to see friend Keldorn back. Boo kept telling me you would return, but Minsc has seen many men go crazy, and never return. Will you be O.K. now?"

-"Yes…yes, friend Minsc, I think I will. I thank you for intervening so quickly. I would indeed not want to harm my helpers…though I can not recall having my skin peeled from my bones being part of the healing process..?" he finished, turning to look pointedly at Viconia, who chuckled humorously;

-"The spellcaster that cannot alter her spells a bit or two when necessary, no matter their origin, is not worthy of having them.

You wanted a dark healing, I gave you a dark healing…and as payment you tried to kill me. "Radiant Heart" indeed."

A dangerous glint in his eyes, Keldorn simply stated; "Don't go there, Drow." and turned to get ready for their further attempts at saving Nalia's father.



-"By all that is holy…" Negrath wheezed, staring down at the three sleeping figures that mere moments before had done their best to take him down. He just knew he would never get used to charm-spells of any kind.

Clearly, they had recceived no orders to attack him, and might just has well have turned their flailing weapons on gargantuan beasts, yet they had all spun in place and swung at -him-. A hint at what they really thought of his company, perhaps?

Shaking the thought off, looked at those that had managed to keep their heads in this final encounter;

Viconia, whose determination had only increased the more the creatures tried to confuse her; Keldorn, whose blade had been guided by little more than his dedication to Torm as he dispelled what he could; and Aerie, still shuddering from the impact of seeing the berserker turn on his friends, having been only barely able to get off her sleep-spell before crumpling in a corner, whimpering.

Prone on the cold stone floor where also Yoshimo, his arrows all but used up as he had turned on them as if having planned to all along; and Nalia, her spells having nearly caused more confusion than those of the beasts, as she targeted everything and nothing with every casting she were capable of producing, causing some pretty bizarre situations as she darted around the room in a near-panic.

Jaheira, kneeling beside the Avariel, tried to calm the elf down enough to help in the healing efforts, seemingly caring about nothing but getting them ready for the next battle.

………

A gasp drawing all eyes to the young noble, she sat bolt upright, staring wide-eyed at the door opposite the cells;

-"Father!"

Scrambling to her feet, she was pounding on the wooden barrier anyone was truly aware she was moving, yelling curses at whomever were on the other side, tears flowing as if she already knew they'd be too late.

The Kara-Turan on his feet and scanning the room by the time she was halfway across the floor, an arrow was knocked as he found that no threat was present.

Minsc blinking half tiredly, half confusedly, he stared at the chittering animal on his chest as if listening to it.

As the rodent went silent, the ranger looked about on those present, before focusing on the frantic woman by the door.

-"Uh…Minsc…sorry?" he offered, seemingly uncertain whether it would be enough.

Blinking once, his eyes jumped to the two women in the corner, and he was on his feet, large hands shivering above the Druid's shoulders before anyone could stop him.

As his hamster kept making noises at him, he slowly relaxed his arms, instead settling down by the cleric's feet, gazing at her worriedly as he wordlessly handed her Boo for comfort.

By the door, Viconia and Negrath were fighting to hold Nalia back, as Yoshimo set to work on the lock.

After a few long moments of annoyed muttering, the Kara-Turan sighed contentedly as his metallic opponent gave in to his will.

But, not did the lock *click*, before a cold shiver ran down his spine, causing him to dive sideways, rolling to his feet as a horizontal pillar of fire slammed into the door, setting it afire even as it blew it apart, continuing into the room beyond.

A monstrous bellow sounding from inside, the flaming lance went out like a candle, the sounds of a fall reaching the thief's sharp ears from where his companions had held their employer fast.

Making sure his bow was ready, and the arrow unhurt, he danced away from the door as the long-fingered claws from the first troll to reach the door, raked past where he had stood.

Not wishing to take the fight to the beasts home ground, as it were, Negrath shouted for Jaheira to get Aerie somewhere she'd be safer, and to Minsc to get his blade out and swinging.

The two companions looking at each other briefly, Minsc nodded, picking the Avariel up as the Druid took her place against the trolls.

Negrath gritting his teeth at that, remembering all too well the times similar behavior had left them almost a Druid short, he nevertheless decided to ignore it, charging headfirst at the large creature that had just squeezed through the opening offered by the decimated door.

Viconia held back only long enough to throw a meaningful look at the Paladin who had taken up position behind them, tired limbs working as he made sure he could still swing his blade sufficiently well.

Muttering to himself, the aging warrior almost smiled;

-"Who knows, dark elf…soon, -you- might owe -me-…"



Wiping sweat from his face, wincing as the motion informed him of multiple small wounds and bruises, Negrath looked down at the smoldering heap of what had been the lead troll.

For some reason, it had tried to talk to him…

He snorted, rubbing his nose to ease the resulting ache; the day he listened to a leader of such creatures, were the day he'd take up a fiddle and flute.

Pondering that for a moment or two, he blinked, realizing what he was doing, and chuckled wryly at the smoking pile at his feet;

-"Not that easy it will be."

Looking up at the throne filling the end of the hall, his light mood vanished instantly;

They had indeed been to late…

Aerie still holding the scrolls Nalia had handed her as thanks, looking uncertain what to do with them, the young noble had not moved since kneeling beside the headless body of her father.

Minsc, looking sorrowfully at the young rogue's back, looked as though he wished he'd taken up a more magicly potent profession.

Turning to Yoshimo, still standing near the door, the Kensai became aware of Keldorn and Viconia looking at each other with what looked like the most reluctant respect he had seen since…well, since being witness to the meeting between Dynaheir and Edwin, on the bridge into Nashkell…

Not a word passed between them as he could hear, but still they seemed to agree on some unknown fact…possibly that neither would attempt to assassinate the other, he chuckled grimly to himself.

Suddenly tired beyond all reason, he stumbled toward the massive stone structure erected there at the back of the room, the edge of which Lord de'Arnise's head would have rested, had he still had one…

Sitting heavily in the makeshift throne, his eyes slid shut, and he was asleep by the time Aerie turned to find out what she had heard.

Studying the sight for a while, almost distractedly, she smiled to herself, deciding that it was a much more pleasing thing to see.

Sitting down on the ground as if to meditate, she arranged the "gift"- scrolls in a neat pile beside her, and settled in to look at him, as if keeping watch of his movements.

And there the group found her, upon waking from their rest in the other room.

The body hidden by a travelling cloak found upstairs, Nalia were able to study the tableau with the proper detachment, smiling widely to herself as she made her decision.

Hoping she had judged him correctly, she woke him, asking if he would not mind having a little talk with her…"in private", she added, giving the others a pointed look.

Looking at her with some suspicion, he remembered the events and discoveries of the previous, late evening…

Gesturing for someone to wake the Avariel, he muttered, almost to himself;

-"You may go."

Keldorn looking at him oddly, and Viconia grinning as if she had been waiting for it since first meeting him, they all nevertheless left, some even giving a slight bow as they did so, a companionable chuckle appearing to be the sound of the day.

……..





Well, then….May I once again point out, that I rarely give details that should be known to anyone having played the game?

That would of course mean that one would have to play the game to the end to get full value, but hey; ain't that the way with all game/book/series- fanfic?

Well, on to BG1, then…(ToB having malfunctioned, then failed completely, and coin being a tad too short for that kind of purchase as this is written…It will happen, though…have no fear ()