Discord felt fine in body the next morning, but her spirit was heavy with shame. She timidly emerged from her tent to see her friends gathered around a morning fire, heating a thin gruel made from wild grains for breakfast. Their supplies gone, they had made do with what they could find, but that could only went so far.
"Um... Good morning, everyone," she said quietly, and they all looked up to see her. She avoided their eyes.
"Discord," Imoen smiled and made room by the fire. Discord briefly smiled in gratitude, and sat down in the dust between her sister and Minsc.
"How are you feeling?" Imoen asked.
"Better," Discord grunted. "Um... I wanted to apologise to everyone."
"Boo says you don't need to," Minsc reassured her. "It was the evil poison."
Discord gave a short laugh. "That's very kind, Boo, but I really do think I should. I am so sorry for all that I put you through."
"Thats not necessary," Aerie said firmly. "It wasn't your fault. I should apologise to you..."
"You were just trying to protect Haer'Dalis. I would have done the same. And, my sparrow, I am sorry for what I said and did."
Haer'Dalis bowed his head. "As Aerie said, you were in the clutches of madness, you knew not what you did," he said graciously.
"How's your nose?" Discord asked with a little half-smile.
Haer'Dalis grinned. "Aerie mended it well, thank you."
Discord felt a little better after that awkward dialogue, but still felt the gap between herself and her friends which had not been there before. Even Anomen seemed nervous around her, despite his loving attentions.
"Well, what do we do now?" Imoen asked as they packed up camp. "I suppose we have our quest already, now that we have found Discord has an anonymous enemy. We don't need to look around Athkatla for work."
"That's true," Discord agreed. "Although we have to go there anyway for supplies and such."
"We must go after the poisoner!" Minsc bellowed. "Discord must be avenged."
"True enough, Minsc," Discord said, supressing laughter. "But we need a lead before we can find him. What do we know about or enemy?"
"He must have been watching us for a while," Aerie volunteered. "That's how he knew that Discord smoked and how to get the Lotus in the leaf."
Discord nodded. "What else?"
"Well, he must have known a lot about drugs and poisons, because he managed to drug me so he could get at your leaf," Anomen volunteered. He tossed the pouch into Discord's lap, and she examined the strange white powder. "I found that on he tunic I was wearing that night. It knocks you out if you breathe it in."
"It sounds like he was planning this for a while," Discord murmured. "Where could he get this stuff?"
"The black lotus trade is rampant in the dank recesses of Athkatla," Haer'Dalis stated. "I don't know about the other stuff. I believe its fairly rare, so he would have to be rolling in coin to procure it, not to mention that he would need all kinds of connections."
"One of the wealthier drug lords?" Discord suggested.
"What about a motive?" Imoen asked. "Why would a drug lord want you dead?"
"The usual reason," sighed Discord. "I'm a Bhaalspawn, and a pretty famous one at that. He could have been hired, or he could be a Bhaalspawn himself, I guess."
"I think it more likely that some other wealthy person with an interest in your heritage got a hold of the Lotus and the white powder. Lotus would be easy to get, and drug lords aren't the only ones with connections," Anomen said. Discord shrugged.
"Whoever it was, we should look into the drug dealers of Athkatla. That could lead us to the guilty party."
"What about the Shadow Theives?" Haer'Dalis suggested. "They know all that goes on in Athkatla, especially in the criminal underground, and they were trustworthy allies in the past."
"Of course!" Discord snapped her fingers. "We should go straight to the Docks district."
Their goal in mind, the company set off for the City of Coin, and arrived in only a few short hours. Aran Linvail was pleased to see them. The blond, broad-shouldered thief smiled from ear to ear when he saw the familiar group.
"I heard all about your victory over the wizard, Discord, and I am most pleased. Is this the young girl you were so eager to save?" he asked, gesturing to Imoen.
"Yes, Aran. This is Imoen," Aran and Imoen shook hands, and Aran admired Imoen's slender, nimble fingers.
"Your hands are slim and quick, my dear," he noted. "Am I right in guessing that you are capable of picking the odd lock or pocket?"
Imoen grinned. "I have been known to in the past," she said. "But I am more of a mage, now, than a thief, though I still retain my old skills."
"Indeed?" said Aran with interest. "And I see you can draw a bow, as well," he noted, seeing the short bow and quiver strapped to Imoen's back. "We could find many uses for you here in he guild." His eyes travelled up and down her curved body. "Yes... many uses..."
Discord's protectiveness kicked in, and she put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "That's a generous offer, Aran, but Imoen has plenty of obligations and goals to keep her busy without owing allegiance to a guild." She made eye contact with Imoen and gave her a meaningful look. You don't want to get tangled up in this. "You understand."
"Of course," Aran said regretfully. "Well, are you here on business or pleasure?" he asked.
"Business, I'm afraid." Discord said.
"Business is a fine thing," he said jovially. "What's on your mind?"
Discord explained the whole situation, leaving out only her Bhaalspawn revelations. When she was finished, Aran looked thoughtful.
"Members of my guild have been known to sell black lotus," he mused. "But a job like that would have come to me for clearance before it was carried out, so I doubt anyone in the Shadow Thieves is responsible."
"Oh, I'm not accusing you, Aran," Discord said hastily. "I just figured that since very little goes on in this city of which the Shadow Thieves are not aware, you might be able to give us some names."
"That is assuming the black lotus was bought in Athkatla."
"Yes," Discord admitted. "But its the only lead we've got."
"Well, I can't tell you much about the black lotus trade," Aran said. "That's not our primary business here, as you well know. Black lotus is both plentiful and easy to come by in Athkatla, and it could have been bought anywhere. This other substance you mentioned, however, the white powder sounds familiar to me. May I see it?"
Discord rummaged around in her pack and brought out the pouch, handing it to Aran. He took out a pinch and examined it. "Yes, I know this stuff. This is sleepspice, and it's a common enough tool for the grand-scale thief."
"Do you know about any new shipment of this sleepspice that has come into Athkatla recently?" Discord asked.
"Actually, it is illegal here. The only way it gets into the city is smuggled on transport ships or on our own vessels disguised to look like fishing trollers. We did smuggle in some just last week, but it has been sold and distributed by now."
"Can we see the records of who it has been given to?"
"I cannot allow you to look directly at the records, as I cannot endanger the identities of my operatives, but I can look into it myself and tell you what you wish to know." Aran snapped his fingers, and a servant brought a record book marked smuggling, and flipped to the last entry.
"Yes, I see a pound each has been given to my five primary operatives," he read, "and several other workers have recieved rationed amounts for specific jobs. We sold some of it...hmmm... Gelt, are these records accurate?"
The servant respectfully stood behind Aran and peered at the records. "Yes, sir."
"Well, we're missing almost a pound of spice, then."
"Yes, sir. The matter has been looked into but dismissed as unimportant. The amount is trivial, and it is believed to simply have spilled or been misplaced."
"Who was the captain in charge of this shipment?" Aran asked. "Was he not interrogated?"
"Dareth Redblade was in charge of the vessel, sir, but he has gone missing and could not be interrogated."
"Oh, that's right. I heard something about his disappearance, but I left it to his superior to sort out. He went missing along with a portion of spice... well, I would suggest you look into this, my friend," he said to Discord. "It would seem the most likely explaination."
"Where can I find him?"
"He worked on the sea, and could be found on the docks. However, if he is hiding from the Shadow Thieves, he probably is not in Athkatla. He was born in Umar Hills, I believe, and he may have returned there to go into hiding. That's all I can tell you, my friend. Come back if you need more help."
"Thank you kindly, Aran. Do you need some payment for your help?"
"Of course not! It was a pleasure to see you again, Discord. Farewell."
"Farewell."
Outside, the sun was high in the sky, and Discord guessed it was about three o'clock. "Well?" Minsc asked. "Are we to find the smuggler-man?"
"I don't think we have much choice," Discord said, shouldering her pack. "And I think Aran was right, if he were still in Athkatla the Shadow Thieves would have found him by now. I suppose our best bet is Umar Hills."
Anomen nodded in agreement. "We should stop at Waukeen's Promenade first, though, and sell some of our burdens and buy a few necessities."
Waukeen's Promenade was as bustling and packed as ever, with vendors everywhere touting their wares to the throng of busy shoppers. They decided to split up. Aerie went to the circus to visit Quayle, Anomen and Minsc took all their damaged weaponry to the blacksmith for repairs, Haer'Dalis went to look for potions and supplies, and Discord and Imoen went to the Adventurer's Mart to trade and purchase goods. They got quite a wealth of gold for the magical artefacts they had collected on their quests, and bought some much-needed arrows and magical trinkets. By the time all errands and necessities were dealt with, it was almost six, and they decided it was too late to set out. They arrived at the Copper Coronet at half past six, and relaxed in the bar room with a meal, a drink and a sigh.
"No! NO!" She could feel herself screaming. Her voice was ragged and she tasted blood in the back of her throat, but the endless cry of terror and betrayal still ripped from her.
"This is for the best," he was saying firmly. "I am sorry but it is necessary."
"What do you want from me?" she held the sobs back from her voice as best she could.
"Want?" he said blankly, "I want nothing, my dear. You simply must die for the good of us all."
"It isn't right! Remember what I taught you! You know this is wrong!"
"I know what will happen if I don't"
"No! I swear I will harm no one! Have I ever shown taint before?"
"It is only a matter of time," he said dismissively. Suddenly a flaming torch had always been in his hand. Its flickering glow cast blood-red light on his face.
She looked down at the stacks of wood and twigs piled around her feet. She was bound tight to a stake in the ground, and escape was impossible. Hot tears wet her cheeks as she met the eyes of her executioner.
"Please..." she whispered. He shook his head pitilessly.
"I hope you die quickly," he said. "I don't wish to cause you undue pain."
"NO!" she screamed "ANOMEN, NO!"
"For the Order!" he cried and thrust the torch into the dry kindling at her feet. The flames leaped up almost instantly, wrapping her body in flickering tongues of agony. The heat was unbearable, she was screaming and screaming and screaming , she could smell her own flesh burning, and so afraid it burned oh Illamater it burned and he was laughing, he was laughing as she sceamed and as she burned oh no no no...
"NO!" Discord's body convulsed and she cried out like a cornered animal as she broke violently back into the waking world. She let her breath out in a half sob as she looked around at the dark and realized where she was. Her face was soaked with sweat and tears.
"My love?" Anomen said groggily beside her, "Discord, what's wrong?" She had had many Bhaalspawn dreams before, and this kind of disturbance was not new to him. Her fear and constant vigilance of her father gave way to fearful dreams now and again.
"I..." As her eyes became accustomed to the dark, Discord looked at the man on the pillow beside her, and, still under the spell of the dream, felt a shock of fear go through her. She suppressed a sob. "Just a dream," she said, more to reassure herself than to inform her lover.
"Do you dream of Bhaal again? Do you wish to talk about it?" Anomen reached his arms out to her but she shrank from them.
"I... don't remember what this one was about. I'm fine, really Anomen."
Anomen looked at her, puzzled. "You look terrible, my lady." He pulled her towards him, and she shuddered involuntarily. Gradually, she began to relax, in the comfort of his strong arms. But the lingering emotion of the dream stayed with her.
They met in the bar room the next morning, still fogged by sleep. They ordered a solid, stick-to-the-ribs sort of meal and sat at a long table, chewing and muttering a few sleepy words of conversation.
"Minsc, you look like hell," Discord daintily observed. Great dark circles marked his cheeks beneath his eyes, and his skin was pale. He let out a noise something like a growl.
"Evil dreams visited me last night," he said ominously. Discord raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Me too," she said, resting her elbow on the table. Minsc simply stared at his thick fingers clenched around his tea mug, a grimace on his huge face.
"Minsc?" Discord questioned, puzzled by his silence. She put her hand on his muscled arm.
"You just keep your distance, little Discord," Minsc murmured through his thick Rashemani accent. "Boo does not know what to make of you now, and neither do I."
Discord sat back, a little hurt by her old friend's brash roughness towards her. She looked at Imoen for a little clarity, but she simply shrugged her shoulders, as confused as Discord.
After breakfast, the company was quick to set out on their way to Umar Hills. As usual, Haer'Dalis struck up a travelling song for them all to sing, keeping their spirits up. The journey took just under a day, and Discord hoped to get there before nightfall, if they made good time. Thier packs felt lighter now that they had sold thier spoils, and the journey was pleasant. Minsc woke up a little more as the day went on, and he became considerably warmer towards Discord. The weather was fair, and they encountered few obstacles on their calm road eastwards.
