Part 12
Sarevok's cry jerked Avress from sleep. In a smooth motion, she stood and reached for her dagger. Its absence broke into her automatic reaction and she looked towards Sarevok. The sight sent her heart leaping to her mouth. The astonished cries of the others didn't register as she dashed towards her sister. As she watched, Imoen crumpled and fell to the ground, the sword obscenely driven through her. Blood coated her fingers as Avress desperately searched for a sign of life. Once she might have been able to have Imoen raised but she wasn't so sure now that the taint had finally woken in the younger girl. The faintest flutter of a pulse was a miracle under her fingertips.
"Jaheira! She's still alive!"
Instincts flared and Avress turned away from her sister. Minsc stood rigidly, face pale and frightened. Avress was reminded of his expression when he'd told her Dynaheir had died. The large warrior suddenly let loose a great cry. He charged forward to where Sarevok lay but Avress interposed herself. She very nearly found herself sharing Imoen's injuries as Minsc barreled into her. As they tussled, the druid sprung into action, her prayers to Silvanus echoing strangely in the pocket plane. Avress had no idea what had happened but Minsc going berserk was not going to help.
"Minsc and Boo will kill the one who touched his witch!" Minsc bellowed. "Justice will be liberally applied!"
"She attacked me," came Sarevok's strangely slurred voice.
An immediate denial sprang into Avress' mind.
"No! No! Minsc's witch would not do such a thing!" Minsc cried, paralleling her thoughts.
Sarevok rolled onto his back and the dagger imbedded in his chest was revealed. A start of horror froze Avress. It was her dagger. The ranger also seemed to recognize the weapon and his chest caught in a sob. The dangerous glint of a berserker rage faded from his eyes. Murmuring things about his poor witch, he pushed aside Avress and went to Imoen's side. This time, Avress did not stop him. Hazily, she realized that Jaheira would need help to remove the sword. There was also another that now needed healing.
"Viconia, you need to heal Sarevok," Avress said numbly.
Memories slid past her mind's eye as she moved with the drow towards Sarevok. Emotions strangely not faded by time churned in her stomach, mingling with the edge of panic she felt. As she stood over Sarevok, his eyes caught hers. They both remembered. When they had fought in the undercity, she'd struck the final blow and then stood above him as he quite literally faded from life. Avress had felt a grim but empty triumph at his death but when she finally turned her back on where he'd fallen, she hadn't felt much at all. Now she stood over him in a twisted recreation of their history, and she found herself consumed by emotion. Avress could not even begin to name what she was feeling.
"That elg'caress very nearly succeeded!" Viconia spat, jerking Avress from her dismay.
"Do you need help?" Avress asked through the blockage in her throat.
"Yes. Draw out the dagger when I tell you. Do it smoothly or you will do more damage. She lacerated on of his lungs," the priestess spoke.
The healing prayer began and Avress knelt down. She wrapped her right hand around the dagger gingerly, ready to draw it out at Viconia's sign. Avress nearly wrenched the dagger as a large calloused hand clutched at the wrist of her other hand. Hesitantly, her eyes flicked up to Sarevok's. His eyes were glazed with pain but what struck her were the emotions bared in them. Suddenly, Avress felt a jolt of terror. He was trusting her. Sarevok did not trust easily and she desperately did not want to be the one to inadvertently betray that trust. Distantly, Avress wondered why it suddenly mattered so much. All the justifications she could think of seemed hollow. Swallowing her nervousness, Avress awkwardly returned his clasp and nodded. Reassured of her acceptance he withdrew his hand and braced himself.
Viconia's prayer ended and healing energy swirled around Sarevok. When the drow nodded, Avress drew forth the blade. As it left his flesh, the wound healed, spilling only a little more blood. When the blade was drawn through his flesh, his jaw tightened but he made no sound. Strangely, her hands had stayed steady as she pulled the blade free but now the dagger was bared, Avress found she could not still her hands. Drawing out the dagger, she realized how close Imoen had come in killing the large warrior. Seeing her distraction, Viconia took the blade and then swore.
"Your sister does not do things by half. She poisoned the blade," Viconia replied and then brought the blade to her nose and sniffed. "Spider venom. She probably took it from the dead spiders at the ruined temple."
"Can you heal that?" Avress asked, aware they had exhausted their prayers no so long ago.
"Thankfully, yes. The venom will be deeply rooted in his system but I can stop it."
Again the drow prayed and Avress watched. Sarevok had not stirred but she could tell he had listened to everything they'd said. When Viconia finished, Avress could almost feel his improvement. It was as if a shadow had lifted from her spirit. That she could tell this bothered her but she made sure it didn't show in her face.
"He is well again but exhausted. In a few hours he will be fine. Now I suggest you skin that idiot mage," Viconia growled and returned to her bedroll.
"What happened?" Avress near whispered when Viconia had left.
"I was nearly killed, that's what happened," Sarevok replied defensively.
"Gods damn it! That was not what I was asking!" Avress hissed, her irritation escaping.
"So you accept your beloved little sister nearly murdered me in my sleep?"
"I don't agree with what Imoen did! I just want to know what happened," Avress retorted, avoiding his question.
"It seems my training at the Iron Throne has its uses. I woke just as she struck. I acted and survived."
The bare response was all she was going to get. Avress had learned to judge his expression enough to recognize that. They lapsed into a comfortable silence and Avress found herself strangely hesitant to leave. Feeling as if she had snakes writhing through her stomach, she gazed towards Imoen. She too had been healed. Minsc was rocking Imoen as she sobbed. Avress didn't dare meet this sibling's eyes. Guilt and pain welled up in a bitter brew. Disbelief warred for a moment with the undeniable reality of seeing both Imoen and Sarevok so badly injured. Avress clamped the sorry mess of emotions down ruthlessly. Wallowing in her emotions would do no good. There was still too much to do. Jaheira whispered something into the ranger's ear and he carried Imoen into the small side room.
"Avress, I must speak with you," Jaheira said and moved off further into the main room.
Avress reluctantly followed after throwing Sarevok a final look.
"What is it Jaheira?" Avress asked tiredly.
"I- I am so sorry, child. I have failed you both," Jaheira sighed with great pain.
"You didn't fail us, Jaheira," Avress replied gently. "I would never have guessed Imoen would do something like this."
"I... suspected," Jaheira spoke.
"You what? Why didn't you tell me?" Avress asked, startled.
"You know that she has never been the same since Irenicus. When we parted ways, I'd hoped that she would finally heal but when we rejoined you, I saw that wasn't true. It is my belief that the taint dreams have made her suffering worse."
"That doesn't explain how you could have suspected she would attack Sarevok," Avress puzzled.
"I suspected something might happen but nothing like this. Why do you think I pressed you so hard about Sarevok? She is jealous, child. You have been her whole world and now-"
"Wait, you wanted me to get rid of Sarevok because of Imoen?" Avress asked, aghast.
"Partly. I stand by what I said before. I do not like his influence on you and I am gravely concerned... but if it hadn't been for Imoen I would not have spoken up as I did," Jaheira admitted.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I had hoped that Imoen would speak to you and tell you of her fears," Jahera replied.
Avress flinched. Imoen had spoken to her. All too easily the acid sharpness of Imoen's voice returned to echo through her mind. Imoen had spoken but she had not listened. The shame of it made Avress sick. They had both seen and experienced so much pain. Living through it had been easy compared with dealing with the aftermath. Avress had done so but had she ever considered that Imoen might not have? She had not realized how much Imoen's the wounds had festered. Her guilt twisted again as Avress wondered what she would have done if she'd realized. Would she have sent Sarevok away? The mixed wave of feelings that accompanied that question made Avress shake. She didn't know.
"She did speak to me. A little," finally Avress said.
"What?" Jaheira asked in shock.
"In Saradush. I was conflicted about having Sarevok with us. She said I'd forgiven Sarevok for Gorion and that she felt like she was loosing me. Before I could say anything more, she left."
"The both of you are unbearably foolish!" Jaheira exclaimed and then hugged Avress. "Perhaps we both should have done something, yet we were too wrapped up in our own dramas. I am sorry for my part in it."
"I am too..."
They both fell silent for several moments. Avress wondered how she could have just ignored Imoen's hurt. They had always been so close. Tiredly, she rubbed her eyes. So much had changed so quickly. Sometimes she barely had time to think about what she wanted for breakfast. Avress knew that she could not ignore change but she didn't want to lose Imoen. What she would do, she didn't know. Imoen had nearly killed someone in cold blood. Or perhaps that wasn't quite true. The agony her sister had felt could hardly be disregarded. Jaheira had healed Imoen's physical wounds but not her emotional ones. Avress knew little about any kind of healing. How would she help Imoen?
"What do we do, Jaheira?" Avress finally asked.
"I do not know. There are places... temples... that specialize in wounds of the heart."
"We can't send Imoen there when the Bhaalspawn are being hunted down," Avress replied with concern.
The idea of Imoen coming to more harm sickened her. She had failed her sister once, and Avress refused to do so again. Temples that specialized in that kind of healing were far too public and to open to attack. Avress doubted that a powerful Bhaalspawn like Imoen would just be forgotten.
"Perhaps," the druid agreed sadly. "Maybe one of the others will have suggestions but I also believe that part of what happened tonight is connected to the taint. Murder is not in her character. I fear the taint influenced her without her realizing it."
"I've felt the taint in her but I did not think it was that strong," Avress replied softly.
"It is probably just strong enough to influence her when she's emotionally vulnerable."
"Can you help Imoen like you helped me? She will need some way of dealing with the taint. I doubt it will remain as it is."
"Teaching her the techniques I taught you won't be easy. She is distraught to the point where murder seems to be the only solution. It will not be easy for her to learn in that state of mind. Hopefully Minsc will be able to calm her. We will have to wait and see," Jaheira replied.
That all of their hopes now depended on the addled ranger, was frighteningly absurd. For all that she wanted to help, Avress didn't even dare see her sister in case she would do more damage than good. Shaking her head, Avress sank down onto her bedroll to wait.
The first thing she'd seen was Avress kneeling by Sarevok's side. Imoen had never known failure so complete as she had then. She not only didn't kill Sarevok but she'd made it worse. Now Avress wouldn't even look at her. Sobs wrenched themselves from her unwilling throat. Everything but her failure was a lake of numbness. Clumsy hands patted her head and then gently picked her up. Imoen sniffed. She hadn't been rocked since she was a child. The simple motion was strangely calming. Eventually, Imoen became aware of the small furry body in her hands. More tears streaked her cheeks as she realized Minsc had trusted her with his beloved Boo.
"See? Boo makes it all better like he did for Minsc. You can hold him while you get better but only you. Minsc knows his witch will be careful with Boo," Minsc said earnestly.
"I-I failed," Imoen said looking up at the ranger.
"Boo says that's silly and that pretty Imoen knows it. You should listen to Boo- he's very smart. Minsc was a little confused why you stabbed Sarevok but Boo explained it."
"He explained it?" Imoen asked, her eyes round.
"Of course he did! Minsc wouldn't lie to his witch. Boo told me that you didn't like Avress being Sarevok's witch now. That's just silly. Having a witch is a good thing and a special duty. Dynaheir said having a protector was special too. Minsc remembers she said it was very special after Minsc got hit in the head and met Boo."
"Avress isn't his witch!" Imoen protested. "He's the one making her act funny! S-she doesn't talk to me like she used to and she'd using the taint. I had to try and save her! If he's gone she'll be okay again."
"Minsc doesn't think so and Boo agrees," the ranger replied gently. "Sarevok is being very careful with little Avress. Besides, Boo has his mighty hamster eyes on that one."
"Can't you see he's using her? He'll make her into what he was," Imoen tried.
Visions of Avress laughing as she danced upon a pile of bodies flew through her mind. Imoen bit her lip and whimpered as suddenly it was her trampling and laughing and laughing... Shaking her head, Imoen forced the image away. It helped if she concentrated on stroking Boo. Those images had come more often lately. They scared her but Imoen was too afraid to tell anyone.
"How can Avress be Sarevok? She's far too tiny. Minsc doesn't understand but that's okay. Boo says Imoen should be glad Avress has a protector now."
"When Sarevok is with her, I'm all alone. She forgets about me... I thought she'd understand my dreams. I can't stop seeing Him," Imoen sobbed.
"That bad man that killed Dynaheir? Minsc won't let him hurt his witch! Boo will scare away all your nasty dreams. You will always have Minsc and Boo."
Imoen found herself giving a teary giggle at the ranger's earnest certainty. She was so tired of being alone and afraid. Minsc always cared, even if it was a clumsy sort of caring. It just hurt watching what was happening to Avress. She just knew Sarevok was behind it. Things were fine until he came! In the resultant flare of anger and resentment, it was almost possible to ignore the little voice that tried to remind her that it started before that. Imoen wiped at her wet cheeks. At first she'd blamed it on the loss of her soul. Avress had seemed so different. When Avress had taken her soul back, things hadn't changed. Avress moved on without her. Moved on to a place where little sisters weren't allowed to tag along.
"When did things change, Minsc? We used to be the same... me and Avress," Imoen said, not really expecting an answer.
"Minsc thinks that his witch thinks better than he does. If she doesn't know, then Minsc doesn't either. Maybe you could ask Avress?" Minsc suggested.
"S-she won't want to see me," Imoen said with conviction.
"Why not? She defeated that bad man to see you!"
"I saw her, Minsc. She was more worried about Sarevok than me."
Tears burned in her eyes but refused to fall. Taking shuddering breaths, Imoen looked up at the puzzled ranger. She was a little ashamed she'd said that. It was no wonder Avress wouldn't even look at her!
"Oh no! Even Minsc knows that isn't true! Avress ran right to little Imoen when she saw. Then Minsc helped Jaheira fixed you up. Sarevok needed healing too and Avress helped like Minsc helped you."
"T-that was all?" Imoen hiccupped.
"Sure it is!" Minsc assured. "I will get Avress for you and she will tell you so too!"
Imoen shook a little as Minsc set her down. Could Avress still care? If she did... maybe she'd help with her dreams.
Tension filled her every muscle. Her jaw was clenched so painfully, Avress had given herself an excruciating headache. Arms locked about her legs, Avress stared blankly toward the room where Imoen was. The others were in muted conversation or resting as well as they could. Viciously, she was searching her mind for something she had to have missed. She had come to the conclusion she was the fool that Jaheira had named her. In the face of Imoen's attempted murder, Avress began to doubt every decision she had made. If she could not even see her own sister was crumbling, how could she make any reliable decision?
"May I have a moment of your time?" Keldorn asked, making Avress start with surprise.
"Certainly but you will have to understand I'm probably not the best of company."
"The reasons for that are why I wish to speak with you. Jaheira told me that you were uncertain what to do with young Imoen."
"I am no healer of minds or hearts. It is no secret that I seem to do better at destroying them," Avress said bitterly.
"Do not blame yourself, Avress. You may be the child of a god, but you are not a god with a god's perception," Keldorn replied.
"True. I'm feeling my mortal failings very well tonight," Avress snorted and then sighed. "I'm sorry, Keldorn. There was something you wanted to tell me?"
"As a member of the Order, I have been called out to fight any number of battles. Through the years I've seen many great deeds done but they have not been without cost. The Order is by nature a military organization. While it can deal with rampaging dragons, it knows that it would fail greatly if called upon to heal the pain of the innocents touched by the battle."
"I think I would have to agree," Avress said with a strained smile, remembering Anomen.
"Acknowledging its failings, the Order has fostered relations with those that can help. There is a certain group that I know of that could do Imoen a great deal of good," Keldorn suggested.
"They wouldn't be able to help her if she'd dead, Keldorn. Bhaalspawn are being hunted down. What we have seen in Saradush will be only the start."
"I would agree if it wasn't for the nature of this group. They are a very secretive sect of Ilmatiri monks. Even the Order does not know where their monastery is. They would not turn her away or give her to the enemy. Please consider this option, Avress. I fear that none of us can help her."
"Can her safety be guaranteed?"
"Avress, you know as well as I do that there are no guarantees but I am certain that she will be safe with them."
"I... I can't force her, Keldorn. I don't even know what she will want to do," Avress admitted.
"We cannot force her, yet I do not know if it would be wise to leave her be. She may well try again."
Keldorn left Avress with her thoughts, which were far more muddled than they had been. She wanted to the right thing for Imoen but Avress had no idea what that was. Keldorn's suggestion seemed ideal but was it the right decision? If Imoen left the group, then Minsc would follow her. It had been incredibly difficult for Imoen to go off on her own after Irenicus. Minsc would not leave her side now that there was a clear threat to her wellbeing. As selfish as it might be, she was worried what losing two of their party would mean.
Cross with herself for even thinking that, Avress resolved that it didn't matter. They could cope without them. What would be worse was being cut off from Imoen. With what was happening along the Sword Coast, it would be impossible to contact her. The approach of Minsc pulled Avress from her thoughts. Wild hope sizzled through her and Avress stood.
"Minsc, how is Imoen?" Avress asked hurriedly.
"Boo is making her feel better but Minsc thinks she needs to talk to Avress," Minsc replied.
"She wants to talk to me?"
"Of course she does!" the ranger replied with a big smile.
"Thank you, Minsc," Avress cried.
He hadn't expected the pink haired girl to have it in her. Motionless, Sarevok lay on his bedroll, listening intently to the conversations around him. Being on the furthest edge of the group, he had made out a great deal of what the girl and the ranger had said. Now he was carefully eavesdropping on the tearful conversation between the two sisters. Mad as she was, Imoen would only drag the group down with her. Not that Avress seemed to care. Sarevok nearly snorted his disgust but remembered just in time that he was supposed to be sleeping.
Straining his hearing to its limits, he heard Imoen muttering an apology of some sort. That was rapidly cut off as Avress began to apologize in return. So, the mage girl had been dreaming that much? Sarevok remembered the unparalleled vividness of his own taint dreams. He had welcomed and embraced them. In his search for power he had obeyed their words to his own doom. While he had no particular fondness for Imoen, he did not care to see what the taint would make of her. Arcane ability and madness were a perilous combination at the best of times. Better for the girl to be sent to the monastery that paladin had mentioned.
More crying and apologizing followed and Sarevok was almost ready to give up when his name drew his attention. That blasted girl thought he was some kind of demon in disguise. Once, maybe, but hardly now. Instead he was nearly ingloriously culled in his sleep by a half grown girl... with pink hair. Sarevok quickly stifled his ire as Avress began to speak. Then he mentally he began to curse. Again she defended him!
Her voice lowered and Sarevok missed some what Avress said, but he caught something to do with fate. That he couldn't argue with. They seemed doomed to meet again and again. The two sister's conversation drifted to Gorion and Sarevok found if difficult not to snarl. If they knew what he did about that old man, they wouldn't be so ready to praise him. Then the name Irenicus pulled at his attention. During his time in the Abyss he'd heard a little of what had happened. Even by his standards, the once elven mage was depraved. It was little wonder the pink haired girl was less than sane after her lengthy stay under his care.
The rest of the conversation fell into muted tones. Sarevok did make out the word 'monks', 'heal' and 'Minsc'. Shortly after that, Avress reappeared in the main room. The ranger hurried back to the girl. Pretending to wake, Sarevok waited for the conclusion of the group's latest drama.
Her eyes were irritated and red from crying. Avress was sure that she and Imoen had cried an ocean of tears between them. Things were not settled by half but it was a start. The dull hurt and betrayal in Imoen's eyes had shocked her. As had the wild fragility that now hung about her sister. Imoen had begged and pleaded with her to help her but this time Avress knew she couldn't be the hero. The hurts Imoen bore, were wounds that she would have to heal herself. That they had been left open so long was partly Avress' responsibility. Perhaps if she had noticed sooner, things wouldn't have gotten quite so bad. Now, pushed any further, Imoen might well self-destruct taking a large chunk of the Realms with her.
She had given Imoen two options. The first was to remain in the pocket plane, if she wouldn't go near Sarevok again. The second was to go to the Ilmatiri monks. The mention of Sarevok had made Imoen start sobbing again. Avress had been shocked at the words that tumbled out of Imoen's mouth. The hate and jealousy was tinged with the sour tang of the taint. Imoen had thought Avress was trying to get rid of her. It had been very difficult to show her that wasn't so. Finally Imoen had agreed to go to the monks. Avress just hoped that with the monks her sister could heal. After leaving Imoen, Avress woke and gathered everyone around.
"Imoen had agreed to go to the monks. I'm not sure if she really understands," Avress said.
"How do you plan on getting her there?" Jaheira asked. "We are in the middle of one of the greatest conflicts in history."
"I- I'm not sure. The pocket plane responds to my greatest needs. Making sure that Imoen is safe has to be my greatest need at the moment. If the pocket plane does not respond, I can send Imoen and Minsc back to the forest we went through on the way to Naylee's temple. They would be able to travel quickly and not gather attention," Avress replied.
"It does make me wonder where they will be going in the first place," Viconia remarked.
"To Atkathla," Keldorn spoke up. "I will gladly write a letter explaining the difficulties to the Order. They will then see that she is safely sent to the monks."
"By Silvanus, I cannot see another choice. I only hope that the pocket plane will be cooperative. Risking a long journey with Imoen in that condition with only Minsc..." Jaheira swore with temper. "Did she say anything, Avress, as to why she did what she did?"
Avress looked down and tried to hide her wince. Hearing her sister say what she had, had been unbelievably painful. The confidences Imoen had intimated were no small things. Revealing them was out of the question. Taint driven dreams were always greatly personal. There were many that Avress had not told her friends. Imoen's were tangled with the horrific experiences she'd had at Irenicus' hands. Those experiences were also too personal to reveal without permission.
"I don't feel that I'm free to say," Avress admitted. "I think it was the taint and what happened during her time with Irenicus. That Sarevok was the target was mostly incidental."
"That is understandable. As a paladin, I understand the need for confidentiality. Now, when will you try to transport Imoen and Minsc?" Keldorn asked.
"I think that speed would be wise. If Jaheira can pack their things while you write the letter, that would help," Avress responded.
With Jaheira's help, Avress rolled up the two bedrolls and repacked their packs. Having had long practice, Avress easily divided up enough supplied to last Imoen and Minsc if they would have to walk. She almost didn't notice the tears streaking her face until one fell onto the beaten up leather of Imoen's pack.
"Oh, child. You are doing the right thing," Jaheira soothed.
"I know but I just wish this never happened," Avress sobbed.
"As do I, but it is time to wipe away your tears. We must be strong for her," Jaheira gently spoke.
Obeying the druid's advice, Avress wiped all evidence of her tears from her face. The two copies of Keldorn's letter were placed in Minsc's pack. Bracing herself she watched as a gaunt Imoen was half carried by Minsc over to the exit portal. For a moment she and Imoen just regarded each other. Then they embraced. They didn't speak but instead clung to each other in goodbye. When they parted, Avress reached out to the swirling darkness.
Tendrils of alien consciousness slid through her mind. Unpleasant as it was, it was now familiar to her. Gritting her teeth, Avress kept the image of Imoen and Minsc in Atkathla in her mind. The tendrils pulled away but Avress pressed the image at them. Again they tried to withdraw. Sweat beaded but she refused to break her concentration. Frustration rose in a thick wave with the taint riding it. Using the taint, Avress wove her mind about the tendrils. Angrily she thrust the image at the trapped tendrils. Coldly, they tried to fight her but her hold was too strong. Her temples pounded with the effort and she felt like screaming but she bent the tendrils to her will. Resentfully they did as she bid. Avress felt Minsc and Imoen disappear, and she relaxed her hold on the tendrils. As she did so, as a wave of energy shot through her head and she slumped backwards.
"Avress? Avress..."
Distantly, she could hear Jaheira calling but the darkness of unconsciousness seemed far more alluring.
A/N: I would just like to thank everyone for the fantastic reviews. It really helps an author to hear the readers' reactions to the plot and character development. I'd also like to apologize for the delays between updating. My live is very hectic and my muse is rather erratic. At the moment there are three more parts of Warp and Weft that I'm fiddling over before I upload. That means that this story should be updated more frequently in the near future.
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