Light Wrapped in Darkness
Folken: Ahoy-hoy readers. Welcome to the continuing adventures of Taurus Halfbreed and his merry band. I'll be your host today, because Magicman is going to the bank and thus is not here right now. Last time, the party had a vicious scrap with Bhodi and discovered some things that you, as fans of the game, doubtlessly already knew. Also, Yoshimo managed to worm his way out of getting killed for the moment, but who knows about the future? What I want to know is if his father actually did die.
Daevan: Ha! It was all a plan to keep from betraying his buddies, but to stay alive in the process. Very clever, I must admit.
Folken: Anyway, our story picks up one the Gallante, seafaring vessel of Saemon Havarian. They will soon arrive at Spellhold. What horrors await them there? I mean besides the obvious.
Daevan: Isn't that enough?
Folken: Shut up.
***
The sea flowed a constant shade of green in all directions. The Gallante under Saemon Havarian had left port in Athkatla and was making good headway toward the town of Brynn Law and Spellhold. At the moment though, a slight gust had swept up and the ship was tacking back and forth against the wind. The sailors took the heavy motion in stride, having gone through most of their lives with the wind in their faces. Jaheira though, was learning new reasons why druids primarily worked on land.
Normally the colour green soothed Jaheira's nerves. But on the sea it only compounded her misery. Combined with the constant rocking and the unpredictable winds, the eternal greenness brought headaches and nausea to the druid. She couldn't eat, and if she tried her heaving stomach would throw it up in short order, making her hungry in addition to nauseous, dizzy, and miserable.
On this particular day the druid was hanging over the ship's rail, her glazed blue eyes staring vacantly at the froth below. For the fifty- sixth time she thought, 'If we're not getting close to the mage, then Taurus is going to have some answering to do.'
"An excellent day, whatever you're after", a low slinky voice came from behind the druid. Jaheira moaned pathetically by way of greeting. Sime laughed slightly at the response.
Aran Linvail apparently hadn't fully trusted Saemon Havarian to his own devices. Sime was a thin, mousy woman who was everywhere you least expected her to be. She was the kind of person who saw everything from her sunken black eyes, which joined forces with her greyish brown hair to give her a frail, aged look. Like many things about life, this was deceptive. Sime was assigned to the ship as extra security, to protect against 'pirates and other raiders.' Linvail would not have chosen a weak and feeble old woman for such a task.
This was the woman that took her place next to the seasick Jaheira. Sime leaned casually against the rail and looked out at the sea beyond. "I thought you'd be pleased to know" she began, "That we will be arriving tonight sometime. You won't be suffering long."
Jaheira raised her head wearily. The voyage had made her pale with sickness. Still, she managed a queasy smile. "This is good" she managed. A sudden wave made her groan again. "I hate ships."
Sime chuckled again. Approaching footsteps made her look to the side. The arrival of the ship's captain froze the smile on the thief woman's face. "Good day to you captain."
"Ah! And a very good day to you, my dear ladies." The swashbuckling rogue bowed gracefully and flashed a smile that contained shiny white teeth. He threw his head back daringly, tossing his blonde hair and making a show of examining the skies to the west. In her mind, Jaheira thought hewas checking the weather.
The rogue was hired by Linvail to take the party to Spellhold, though the thief master obviously didn't trust him. That Sime was sent along for the ride was proof enough of that. Actually, Linvail had revealed to Taurus that Saemon was the only captain who had proved willing to make the journey. The crintri was willing to follow Saemon's advice since he was the voice of experience on the trip. Jaheira wasn't so trusting.
This was neither here nor there, and the druid's train of thought was broken by the captain's assessment.
"It looks like we're about to have some rough weather Miss Jaheira." The sea captain looked as though he relished such a thought. Jaheira did not. "Best you go down into the hold and strap yourself in, my dear. We wouldn't want you to go over board. No worries at all, mate" he reassured quickly, seeing the druid's face twist with sickness. "Rough weather like this comes up all the time. It howls and blows for a while, but it usually settles down again in an hour or two."
Saemon went on his way whistling merrily as the first storm clouds started to cover the sky. Sime looked up at them with a passing interest. To Jaheira, she said, "Perhaps you should watch these weather formations. Some new experiences with nature might do you some good."
Jaheira's weak laugh was cut short when her body stiffened suddenly. She thrust her head further over board and clutched to the railing with whitening knuckles, hurling whatever remained of her last meal over board.
***
Summer storms never lasted long, but they hit hard while they did. In a short while, waves were slamming against the weathered planks of the Gallante and her sails were nearly shredded by vicious bursts of wind. Driving rain lashed the crew as they maintained control.
While the weather raged, the party attended to their respective activities. Viconia slept soundly while Jaheira stared at the swinging lamp above her head, convinced she was dying. And while Minsc stood in the crow's nest, shouting threats and curses at evil, Taurus and Aerie were snuggling.
The elf girl breathed heavily, feeling Taurus' warm body pressed against hers. Bereft of his armour, she could feel the crintri's leanly muscled chest through their clothes. It made her feel as though she were glowing warmly.
Aerie's thought broke when Taurus' lips covered hers, and she squeaked in surprise when his tongue went storming through her mouth, plundering the unexplored territory. She couldn't hold back a moan at the intense warmth coursing through her mouth. Desperate to hold on to her senses, she buried her hands in Taurus' hair. When he suddenly broke the kiss she cried out in loss, losing her voice when he began to ravish her slender neck, planting ardent kisses along her throat.
Her blue eyes had half closed during the course of events and her body was burning pleasantly. But when Taurus' hand drifted down to her pert breast and clasped it gently through her robes, Aerie felt a shiver run through her body.
"Taurus....."
The crintri didn't notice and continued his ministrations, caressing a thumb over Aerie's nipple. She gritted her teeth against the feelings rising inside of her.
"Taurus, stop."
Taurus lifted his head in surprise, his hands backing off. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
Aerie drew a breath, not looking in Taurus' eyes. "I.....I can't."
The crintri cocked his head questioningly. "I don't think I get it."
"I.....I just can't! I love you Taurus, but I just can't yet." The nearly hysterical elf maid pushed her love off of her and sat up. Turning away, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. She shivered with fear she knew was irrational, but she just couldn't help it! Once again, she was disgusted with her cowardice. "I'm not ready for.....you know." Her fair skin blazed red.
Taurus' face remained blank for a few seconds. Then comprehension dawned. "Oooh. You mean you're not ready for sex."
Aerie blushed even further and turned her face away. Taurus placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face backup to his. He looked down into her luminous eyes on the verge of tears and smiled gently. "That doesn't matter to me. Not even a little. Hey, if you want to wait then we'll wait as long as you want."
The avariel looked taken aback, so much that she forgot to be sad. "You really mean that? I thought you had to share your body with someone you love."
Taurus chuckled a bit. "Love is about more than sharing your body. It's about sharing your life, you thoughts, your dreams."
"You sound like you've been in love before."
"Well, there is Viconia."
Aerie raised an eyebrow, a touch of jealousy in her eyes. "It's not Viconia you're speaking of. She doesn't open up to anyone. Who?"
Taurus lost his smile and seemed to withdraw into his own universe. For a long time he didn't speak and Aerie had begun to fear that she had pushed him away. Then he spoke, his voice full of old memories.
"During my quest up by Baldurs Gate, the gang and I ran across a circus. Part of the attractions came from a woman frozen in stone. We bought a Stone to Flesh scroll from a nearby wizard and restored her to life. Her name was Branwen, a warrior cleric from the northlands. I could identify with her, I guess. She was yanked out of the world she knew when she was petrified, just like I was pulled out of my world. We became friends at first. Then we fell in love."
Taurus shuddered and closed his eyes tightly. "She was always so brave and cheerful no matter how bad things got. When we fought with Mulahey in the mines of Nashkell, she just laughed at his skeletons and kobolds. Everything that my brother and the Iron Throne could throw at us made no difference to her. She always fought with a spirit and passion that astonished me. And then, in the fight below Baldurs Gate against Sarevok and his servants, she died. A half-ogre named Tazok ran her through with a two-handed sword. She died before I could make it to her side."
Aerie had heard some sad stories in her time. Much of her life itself was a sad story. But having someone say so had never made her feel better, and she thought that Taurus hated pity even more than she did. She was lost for what to say, so she did the only thing she could think of. She took his hand in hers and just held on to it.
Taurus seemed to be comforted by this. "They say that a man is lucky to find love once. I was blessed with you and Vicky. I lost Branwen. I couldn't bear to lose you too."
"You won't."
Taurus smiled bitterly. "You say that now, but either one of us could die at any second."
"Then let us cherish the time we have together." Aerie hugged Taurus fiercely. "Hold me tonight Taurus. I don't think either of us could bear to be alone."
"That I can do, my love." Taurus held Aerie tightly, wrapping her up in his love and warmth. They lay together as sleep claimed them, and the last thing heard by the crintri, divided and tortured internally, was his love's soft gentle breathing against his chest. This brought him peace, at least for the moment.
***
When the ship pulled into port, it was just before midnight. Fortunately, the party was used to the dark, and infra-vision helped the non-human members make out the little details of life.
"Aerie, what's that reddish bite mark on your neck?"
The avariel quickly hitched up her robes, covering the mark. "I don't know what you're talking about", she said airily.
Viconia blinked at the unexpected retort. Then a slow smile and a knowing nod followed.
"Ah! We have arrived!" Saemon Havarian was as bright and chipper as he had been when the ship set sail. "Congratulatory remarks are in order for all the crew, and for our passengers as well, for their delightful company." He bowed courteously to the party.
Jaheira was still a little pale from the trip, and was in no mood to be courteous. "Delightful?! I'll have you know that this was without question one of the worst experiences of my life! I kept expecting to see my toenails leave my mouth, and do you have any idea how ruinous that is for a person's health?" She groaned and knuckled her forehead. Then she winced and rubbed her temple.
Viconia smirked at the druid. "You looked so pathetic leaning over the railing, that I was tempted to push you over and put you out of your misery, if I hadn't thought Taurus would object."
"Shut up."
"I think that we can all congratulate the captain," Sime interjected smoothly, "For a well navigated voyage conducted with skill and patience. Very commendable."
Saemon seemed to lose a bit of his suave manner as the thief woman spoke, and his cheerful eyes turned a bit cold. "Well, that's what I was hired for; to get you safely to your destination."
"It was particularly cunning to use those ships' own signals to slip past them." She spoke of an incident two days ago. A pair of ships had approached the Gallante, with some strange signal lights flashing off their bows. Saemon had decided that his ship should raise the same lights, and had some lanterns mounted on the bow. With their camouflage, the party managed to get by the strange ships unmolested.
"It was nothing." Saemon shrugged modestly. "There are many pirate gangs lurking about these islands with many ways of identifying themselves. I simply thought it would be best to look like neither prey nor foe. It seems to have worked out for the best, and I could not be more pleased."
"Indeed."
Saemon smiled again and bowed. "Well my friends, I fear I have some business to take care of ashore. Until we meet again, good luck." He strolled away cheerfully, leaving the crew to tend to the ship.
"I do not trust him Taurus." Sime was normally laid back and pleasant, but now her voice betrayed a tone of concern. "His smiles and jokes hide a cunning mind and a treacherous demeanor."
Taurus shrugged. "He seems amiable enough to me. Come, you'll feel better once we're off this ship."
"I know I will" Jaheira grumbled.
Sime nodded slowly. "Agreed. Let us go."
The party strolled down the ship's gangplank, nearly crushed by the sudden press of the crew. Ignoring Saemon's orders to watch the ship, they raced off into town to enjoy the privileges of pay and a waiting town. When they did make it off the ship, Jaheira immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah, that's so much better."
Halfway up the docks however, they ran across Saemon. Sime's eyes immediately narrowed into slits. "Saemon looks nervous, Taurus. Go and see what he wants. But be careful."
The crintri nodded absently and walked over to the sea captain, Minsc and Viconia. Jaheira and Aerie, the avariel helping the druid along, brought up the rear.
Saemon saw their approach. The look on his face was one of slight regret, with no trace of his usual happiness. Taurus immediately stiffened. "I am afraid I cannot allow you to leave my company just yet." The mariner sighed and shook his head. "There are matters of which you are unaware."
"Why bring us all this way only to betray us now?" Taurus asked, his voice low with a rising anger.
"As I said, there are matters of which you are unaware. I abhor violence, but it cannot be helped." Saemon gestured. "You have faced my associates before. I suppose this is goodbye then. It is a shame, but ah well."
"Betrayal!" Minsc roared, yanking Lilracor from its sheath. "The little sailor man has betrayed us and sold us to the vampires! Boo quivers with rage at the treachery!" With a blood-curdling scream, the big man rushed at the sailor, but Saemon was too fast. With a motion of his hand and an arcane word, the pirate disappeared with a flash of light. In his place, three vampires, fangs extended and claws outstretched converged upon the party.
One leapt upon Minsc, bearing the ranger to the ground. Taurus yanked out his swords and advanced on the other two. The undead hung back and focused their burning eyes upon the crintri. Taurus shook his head, trying to break the spell, and was struck a blow that would have felled a tree by one of the vampires. The third took went after Viconia and faced the drow's mace and shield.
At that moment, the cavalry arrived. Aerie burned Taurus' attacker to ashes with a lightning bolt followed by a fireball. Using the blinding light to her advantage, Jaheira nimbly leapt over the heads of Viconia and her opponent. Then she whirled, burying her quarterstaff in the monster's back. When it turned to attack, Viconia finished it off. The vampire attacking Minsc had scored several long slashes along his face, but the big man finally caught her wrists in a crushing grip. The two powerful beings struggled for a moment before the vampire screamed and disintegrated. Sime had buried her dagger in its back.
***
"I knew the man could not be trusted! We were safe enough over water because our disappearance could not have been easily explained, and he would have had to answer to Aran. But strangers often disappear in strange ports. Especially hostile ones such as Brynn Law."
Taurus sighed and shook his head. "Hind sight aside, do you have any leads? Anything at all would be helpful. I don't relish the thought of being stranded here." He extended an arm, encompassing the whole view of the town. Now that the sun had risen, the party could see exactly where they wanted to go.
Built on a sort of rising ground, Brynn Law had several different heights above sea level. The lowermost level was home to the docks, housing ships like the Gallante and numerous smugglers, pirates, slavers, and thieves. Higher levels boasted the town tavern, a temple to the sea goddess, and the homes of the people who lived here. The second highest level boasted a house of some small magnificence. And a dark and foreboding fortress that seemed to blot out the sun dominated the highest peaks of the island. It was Spellhold, and Imoen was imprisoned in that abode of the mad.
"You'll need help to get in there," Sime said, drawing the hood of her cloak up over her head. "Fortunately I know a man who could help. His name is Sanik, and he delivers potions to the keep from time to time. You'll likely be able to find him in the Vulgar Monkey, the local tavern. I'll meet you up at the pass to the asylum if you need me. Until then, I bid you farewell."
The thief stepped away from the crintri and began her trek through the city.
Jaheira supposed thatthey should be doing the same thing. "Let us go Taurus. We will not find Imoen in the docks."
"No" the party leader sighed. "I guess not. You and Viconia ocme with me. We'll check out the Vulgar Monkey. Aerie, you and Minsc check out the town. Maybe you'll pick up a clue or two we'll miss. Okay" he added, "Lets get to work. It's a big city. We're just lucky that Imoen isn't a needle."
Nobody laughed.
***
Folken: So there you have it. We've reached the stage in the game where if you have sex with Aerie she leaves you.
Daevan: Poor, poor girl, such a messed up life.
Folken: Mind your own business. Anyway, Magicman will be back next time, so keep fit and have fun! Or else you'll die a horrible agonising death.
Daevan: DEMON!
Folken: Oh shut up.
Folken: Ahoy-hoy readers. Welcome to the continuing adventures of Taurus Halfbreed and his merry band. I'll be your host today, because Magicman is going to the bank and thus is not here right now. Last time, the party had a vicious scrap with Bhodi and discovered some things that you, as fans of the game, doubtlessly already knew. Also, Yoshimo managed to worm his way out of getting killed for the moment, but who knows about the future? What I want to know is if his father actually did die.
Daevan: Ha! It was all a plan to keep from betraying his buddies, but to stay alive in the process. Very clever, I must admit.
Folken: Anyway, our story picks up one the Gallante, seafaring vessel of Saemon Havarian. They will soon arrive at Spellhold. What horrors await them there? I mean besides the obvious.
Daevan: Isn't that enough?
Folken: Shut up.
***
The sea flowed a constant shade of green in all directions. The Gallante under Saemon Havarian had left port in Athkatla and was making good headway toward the town of Brynn Law and Spellhold. At the moment though, a slight gust had swept up and the ship was tacking back and forth against the wind. The sailors took the heavy motion in stride, having gone through most of their lives with the wind in their faces. Jaheira though, was learning new reasons why druids primarily worked on land.
Normally the colour green soothed Jaheira's nerves. But on the sea it only compounded her misery. Combined with the constant rocking and the unpredictable winds, the eternal greenness brought headaches and nausea to the druid. She couldn't eat, and if she tried her heaving stomach would throw it up in short order, making her hungry in addition to nauseous, dizzy, and miserable.
On this particular day the druid was hanging over the ship's rail, her glazed blue eyes staring vacantly at the froth below. For the fifty- sixth time she thought, 'If we're not getting close to the mage, then Taurus is going to have some answering to do.'
"An excellent day, whatever you're after", a low slinky voice came from behind the druid. Jaheira moaned pathetically by way of greeting. Sime laughed slightly at the response.
Aran Linvail apparently hadn't fully trusted Saemon Havarian to his own devices. Sime was a thin, mousy woman who was everywhere you least expected her to be. She was the kind of person who saw everything from her sunken black eyes, which joined forces with her greyish brown hair to give her a frail, aged look. Like many things about life, this was deceptive. Sime was assigned to the ship as extra security, to protect against 'pirates and other raiders.' Linvail would not have chosen a weak and feeble old woman for such a task.
This was the woman that took her place next to the seasick Jaheira. Sime leaned casually against the rail and looked out at the sea beyond. "I thought you'd be pleased to know" she began, "That we will be arriving tonight sometime. You won't be suffering long."
Jaheira raised her head wearily. The voyage had made her pale with sickness. Still, she managed a queasy smile. "This is good" she managed. A sudden wave made her groan again. "I hate ships."
Sime chuckled again. Approaching footsteps made her look to the side. The arrival of the ship's captain froze the smile on the thief woman's face. "Good day to you captain."
"Ah! And a very good day to you, my dear ladies." The swashbuckling rogue bowed gracefully and flashed a smile that contained shiny white teeth. He threw his head back daringly, tossing his blonde hair and making a show of examining the skies to the west. In her mind, Jaheira thought hewas checking the weather.
The rogue was hired by Linvail to take the party to Spellhold, though the thief master obviously didn't trust him. That Sime was sent along for the ride was proof enough of that. Actually, Linvail had revealed to Taurus that Saemon was the only captain who had proved willing to make the journey. The crintri was willing to follow Saemon's advice since he was the voice of experience on the trip. Jaheira wasn't so trusting.
This was neither here nor there, and the druid's train of thought was broken by the captain's assessment.
"It looks like we're about to have some rough weather Miss Jaheira." The sea captain looked as though he relished such a thought. Jaheira did not. "Best you go down into the hold and strap yourself in, my dear. We wouldn't want you to go over board. No worries at all, mate" he reassured quickly, seeing the druid's face twist with sickness. "Rough weather like this comes up all the time. It howls and blows for a while, but it usually settles down again in an hour or two."
Saemon went on his way whistling merrily as the first storm clouds started to cover the sky. Sime looked up at them with a passing interest. To Jaheira, she said, "Perhaps you should watch these weather formations. Some new experiences with nature might do you some good."
Jaheira's weak laugh was cut short when her body stiffened suddenly. She thrust her head further over board and clutched to the railing with whitening knuckles, hurling whatever remained of her last meal over board.
***
Summer storms never lasted long, but they hit hard while they did. In a short while, waves were slamming against the weathered planks of the Gallante and her sails were nearly shredded by vicious bursts of wind. Driving rain lashed the crew as they maintained control.
While the weather raged, the party attended to their respective activities. Viconia slept soundly while Jaheira stared at the swinging lamp above her head, convinced she was dying. And while Minsc stood in the crow's nest, shouting threats and curses at evil, Taurus and Aerie were snuggling.
The elf girl breathed heavily, feeling Taurus' warm body pressed against hers. Bereft of his armour, she could feel the crintri's leanly muscled chest through their clothes. It made her feel as though she were glowing warmly.
Aerie's thought broke when Taurus' lips covered hers, and she squeaked in surprise when his tongue went storming through her mouth, plundering the unexplored territory. She couldn't hold back a moan at the intense warmth coursing through her mouth. Desperate to hold on to her senses, she buried her hands in Taurus' hair. When he suddenly broke the kiss she cried out in loss, losing her voice when he began to ravish her slender neck, planting ardent kisses along her throat.
Her blue eyes had half closed during the course of events and her body was burning pleasantly. But when Taurus' hand drifted down to her pert breast and clasped it gently through her robes, Aerie felt a shiver run through her body.
"Taurus....."
The crintri didn't notice and continued his ministrations, caressing a thumb over Aerie's nipple. She gritted her teeth against the feelings rising inside of her.
"Taurus, stop."
Taurus lifted his head in surprise, his hands backing off. "What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
Aerie drew a breath, not looking in Taurus' eyes. "I.....I can't."
The crintri cocked his head questioningly. "I don't think I get it."
"I.....I just can't! I love you Taurus, but I just can't yet." The nearly hysterical elf maid pushed her love off of her and sat up. Turning away, she swung her legs over the side of the bed. She shivered with fear she knew was irrational, but she just couldn't help it! Once again, she was disgusted with her cowardice. "I'm not ready for.....you know." Her fair skin blazed red.
Taurus' face remained blank for a few seconds. Then comprehension dawned. "Oooh. You mean you're not ready for sex."
Aerie blushed even further and turned her face away. Taurus placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face backup to his. He looked down into her luminous eyes on the verge of tears and smiled gently. "That doesn't matter to me. Not even a little. Hey, if you want to wait then we'll wait as long as you want."
The avariel looked taken aback, so much that she forgot to be sad. "You really mean that? I thought you had to share your body with someone you love."
Taurus chuckled a bit. "Love is about more than sharing your body. It's about sharing your life, you thoughts, your dreams."
"You sound like you've been in love before."
"Well, there is Viconia."
Aerie raised an eyebrow, a touch of jealousy in her eyes. "It's not Viconia you're speaking of. She doesn't open up to anyone. Who?"
Taurus lost his smile and seemed to withdraw into his own universe. For a long time he didn't speak and Aerie had begun to fear that she had pushed him away. Then he spoke, his voice full of old memories.
"During my quest up by Baldurs Gate, the gang and I ran across a circus. Part of the attractions came from a woman frozen in stone. We bought a Stone to Flesh scroll from a nearby wizard and restored her to life. Her name was Branwen, a warrior cleric from the northlands. I could identify with her, I guess. She was yanked out of the world she knew when she was petrified, just like I was pulled out of my world. We became friends at first. Then we fell in love."
Taurus shuddered and closed his eyes tightly. "She was always so brave and cheerful no matter how bad things got. When we fought with Mulahey in the mines of Nashkell, she just laughed at his skeletons and kobolds. Everything that my brother and the Iron Throne could throw at us made no difference to her. She always fought with a spirit and passion that astonished me. And then, in the fight below Baldurs Gate against Sarevok and his servants, she died. A half-ogre named Tazok ran her through with a two-handed sword. She died before I could make it to her side."
Aerie had heard some sad stories in her time. Much of her life itself was a sad story. But having someone say so had never made her feel better, and she thought that Taurus hated pity even more than she did. She was lost for what to say, so she did the only thing she could think of. She took his hand in hers and just held on to it.
Taurus seemed to be comforted by this. "They say that a man is lucky to find love once. I was blessed with you and Vicky. I lost Branwen. I couldn't bear to lose you too."
"You won't."
Taurus smiled bitterly. "You say that now, but either one of us could die at any second."
"Then let us cherish the time we have together." Aerie hugged Taurus fiercely. "Hold me tonight Taurus. I don't think either of us could bear to be alone."
"That I can do, my love." Taurus held Aerie tightly, wrapping her up in his love and warmth. They lay together as sleep claimed them, and the last thing heard by the crintri, divided and tortured internally, was his love's soft gentle breathing against his chest. This brought him peace, at least for the moment.
***
When the ship pulled into port, it was just before midnight. Fortunately, the party was used to the dark, and infra-vision helped the non-human members make out the little details of life.
"Aerie, what's that reddish bite mark on your neck?"
The avariel quickly hitched up her robes, covering the mark. "I don't know what you're talking about", she said airily.
Viconia blinked at the unexpected retort. Then a slow smile and a knowing nod followed.
"Ah! We have arrived!" Saemon Havarian was as bright and chipper as he had been when the ship set sail. "Congratulatory remarks are in order for all the crew, and for our passengers as well, for their delightful company." He bowed courteously to the party.
Jaheira was still a little pale from the trip, and was in no mood to be courteous. "Delightful?! I'll have you know that this was without question one of the worst experiences of my life! I kept expecting to see my toenails leave my mouth, and do you have any idea how ruinous that is for a person's health?" She groaned and knuckled her forehead. Then she winced and rubbed her temple.
Viconia smirked at the druid. "You looked so pathetic leaning over the railing, that I was tempted to push you over and put you out of your misery, if I hadn't thought Taurus would object."
"Shut up."
"I think that we can all congratulate the captain," Sime interjected smoothly, "For a well navigated voyage conducted with skill and patience. Very commendable."
Saemon seemed to lose a bit of his suave manner as the thief woman spoke, and his cheerful eyes turned a bit cold. "Well, that's what I was hired for; to get you safely to your destination."
"It was particularly cunning to use those ships' own signals to slip past them." She spoke of an incident two days ago. A pair of ships had approached the Gallante, with some strange signal lights flashing off their bows. Saemon had decided that his ship should raise the same lights, and had some lanterns mounted on the bow. With their camouflage, the party managed to get by the strange ships unmolested.
"It was nothing." Saemon shrugged modestly. "There are many pirate gangs lurking about these islands with many ways of identifying themselves. I simply thought it would be best to look like neither prey nor foe. It seems to have worked out for the best, and I could not be more pleased."
"Indeed."
Saemon smiled again and bowed. "Well my friends, I fear I have some business to take care of ashore. Until we meet again, good luck." He strolled away cheerfully, leaving the crew to tend to the ship.
"I do not trust him Taurus." Sime was normally laid back and pleasant, but now her voice betrayed a tone of concern. "His smiles and jokes hide a cunning mind and a treacherous demeanor."
Taurus shrugged. "He seems amiable enough to me. Come, you'll feel better once we're off this ship."
"I know I will" Jaheira grumbled.
Sime nodded slowly. "Agreed. Let us go."
The party strolled down the ship's gangplank, nearly crushed by the sudden press of the crew. Ignoring Saemon's orders to watch the ship, they raced off into town to enjoy the privileges of pay and a waiting town. When they did make it off the ship, Jaheira immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
"Ah, that's so much better."
Halfway up the docks however, they ran across Saemon. Sime's eyes immediately narrowed into slits. "Saemon looks nervous, Taurus. Go and see what he wants. But be careful."
The crintri nodded absently and walked over to the sea captain, Minsc and Viconia. Jaheira and Aerie, the avariel helping the druid along, brought up the rear.
Saemon saw their approach. The look on his face was one of slight regret, with no trace of his usual happiness. Taurus immediately stiffened. "I am afraid I cannot allow you to leave my company just yet." The mariner sighed and shook his head. "There are matters of which you are unaware."
"Why bring us all this way only to betray us now?" Taurus asked, his voice low with a rising anger.
"As I said, there are matters of which you are unaware. I abhor violence, but it cannot be helped." Saemon gestured. "You have faced my associates before. I suppose this is goodbye then. It is a shame, but ah well."
"Betrayal!" Minsc roared, yanking Lilracor from its sheath. "The little sailor man has betrayed us and sold us to the vampires! Boo quivers with rage at the treachery!" With a blood-curdling scream, the big man rushed at the sailor, but Saemon was too fast. With a motion of his hand and an arcane word, the pirate disappeared with a flash of light. In his place, three vampires, fangs extended and claws outstretched converged upon the party.
One leapt upon Minsc, bearing the ranger to the ground. Taurus yanked out his swords and advanced on the other two. The undead hung back and focused their burning eyes upon the crintri. Taurus shook his head, trying to break the spell, and was struck a blow that would have felled a tree by one of the vampires. The third took went after Viconia and faced the drow's mace and shield.
At that moment, the cavalry arrived. Aerie burned Taurus' attacker to ashes with a lightning bolt followed by a fireball. Using the blinding light to her advantage, Jaheira nimbly leapt over the heads of Viconia and her opponent. Then she whirled, burying her quarterstaff in the monster's back. When it turned to attack, Viconia finished it off. The vampire attacking Minsc had scored several long slashes along his face, but the big man finally caught her wrists in a crushing grip. The two powerful beings struggled for a moment before the vampire screamed and disintegrated. Sime had buried her dagger in its back.
***
"I knew the man could not be trusted! We were safe enough over water because our disappearance could not have been easily explained, and he would have had to answer to Aran. But strangers often disappear in strange ports. Especially hostile ones such as Brynn Law."
Taurus sighed and shook his head. "Hind sight aside, do you have any leads? Anything at all would be helpful. I don't relish the thought of being stranded here." He extended an arm, encompassing the whole view of the town. Now that the sun had risen, the party could see exactly where they wanted to go.
Built on a sort of rising ground, Brynn Law had several different heights above sea level. The lowermost level was home to the docks, housing ships like the Gallante and numerous smugglers, pirates, slavers, and thieves. Higher levels boasted the town tavern, a temple to the sea goddess, and the homes of the people who lived here. The second highest level boasted a house of some small magnificence. And a dark and foreboding fortress that seemed to blot out the sun dominated the highest peaks of the island. It was Spellhold, and Imoen was imprisoned in that abode of the mad.
"You'll need help to get in there," Sime said, drawing the hood of her cloak up over her head. "Fortunately I know a man who could help. His name is Sanik, and he delivers potions to the keep from time to time. You'll likely be able to find him in the Vulgar Monkey, the local tavern. I'll meet you up at the pass to the asylum if you need me. Until then, I bid you farewell."
The thief stepped away from the crintri and began her trek through the city.
Jaheira supposed thatthey should be doing the same thing. "Let us go Taurus. We will not find Imoen in the docks."
"No" the party leader sighed. "I guess not. You and Viconia ocme with me. We'll check out the Vulgar Monkey. Aerie, you and Minsc check out the town. Maybe you'll pick up a clue or two we'll miss. Okay" he added, "Lets get to work. It's a big city. We're just lucky that Imoen isn't a needle."
Nobody laughed.
***
Folken: So there you have it. We've reached the stage in the game where if you have sex with Aerie she leaves you.
Daevan: Poor, poor girl, such a messed up life.
Folken: Mind your own business. Anyway, Magicman will be back next time, so keep fit and have fun! Or else you'll die a horrible agonising death.
Daevan: DEMON!
Folken: Oh shut up.