Part 14
"Did you know?! Jaheira did you know!"
The words ripped from her throat without Avress even being aware she wanted to say them. They were so filled with sharp edged emotions that her throat stung for the saying of them. The Solar's serenely dispassionate parting words still galled her. Consider what she had learned? What she had learned would haunt her for the rest of her life! Bitter pain swept through her mind. How many of her trusted companions had lied to her? Had Jaheria and Khalid known all along?
"Child-"
"No! Tell me! No more lies!" Avress barked and Jaheira flinched before squaring her shoulders.
"I did not know. I swear to you Avress, if I had known I would have told you long ago. Gorion never told me... or the other Harpers where he had found you. The Harpers were not even aware he had taken a child from the temple that night. If they had... they would have demanded your execution," Jaheira replied awkwardly.
"Why?" Avress asked in horror.
"So surprised, sister? Your precious foster father has been revealed for the liar he is and you still put your faith in the agency that he worked for?" Sarevok mocked.
"Enough!" Avress snarled at the end of her patience. "You know nothing of where I put my faith!"
"I've seen enough," Sarevok replied with contempt. "Even now you refuse to see that Gorion-"
"Enough! The both of you be silent!" Jaheira bellowed. "I will not stand by and see Gorion slandered. He was a man like any other with both virtues and vices. From what the Solar revealed he had to make a hard choice. You both have paid the consequences of it. Let this be the end of it."
Avress had fairly trembled with bottled up emotion but Jaheira's words seemed to deflate her temper. Sour humor replaced her rage. She was now positive that her life was some kind of divinely directed farce. How many more shocking discoveries could she possibly go through? To her regret, there seemed to be a never-ending supply. It hurt that Gorion had lied to her but even as her heart ached with the betrayal, her better sense questioned when Gorion could have possibly told her. Gorion hadn't even had the chance to tell her she was a Bhaalspawn. Avress wondered mournfully if she would have been ready to hear it then anyway.
It would have been too painful and too difficult for her to deal with. In those early adventures, when she had despised her divine father, she had always drawn strength from her imaginings of her mother. Avress had also leaned heavily on her belief in Gorion and what he would have wanted her to do. She simply wasn't old or worldly enough to accept the shades of gray. As for what was revealed about Sarevok... Avress was having difficulties with that even now.
"Perhaps we should listen to what Jaheira has to say about the Bhaalspawn?" Keldorn spoke into the silence.
Tensions seemed to ease with the Paladin's timely change of subject. Avress gathered herself and looked at Jaheira. The druid seemed uncomfortable with the subject but Avress knew that she would rather be troll fodder than be less than entirely candid. Jaheira was a Harper and was loyal to their ideals and Avress respected that. Unfortunately, Avress could not agree with her friend's beliefs.
"There are two types of Children," Jaheira began slowly. "The first are the children Bhaal sowed upon unwilling women. These are generally the lesser kind of Bhaalspawn. The second kind were mothered by priestesses. These children were continually infused with more essence as they developed in the womb through rituals of the vilest kind. The Harpers decreed that the second kind was beyond redemption and that for the good of the Realms they should be dealt with."
"Then Gorion went against the Harpers by taking me," Avress replied softly.
"He did," Jaheira replied.
"So those precious meddlers of yours conducted the attack on the temple to kill the children?" Viconia asked curiously.
"Yes, the Harpers sent a group of ten to disrupt the ritual."
The drow's eyes glittered in amusement at Jaheira's tight response. Avress guessed that it pleased her to have Jaheira admit that the Harpers sanctioned killing children. Being too familiar with the Harper's ways, Avress did not share Viconia's pleasure. Jaheira's revelation was perhaps the last straw for Avress. The Harpers had meddled far too often. There was little that would redeem the organization's actions in Avress' eyes, even if Gorion had been one of its members.
"And this ritual was to return Bhaal," Viconia mused to herself. "I am familiar with similar rituals. Sarevok, did the priestesses do anything to the children before sacrificing them?"
"We were taken to the altar and the priestesses made offerings and then anointed us with blood. I do not know the purpose of what they did."
"It would have been to ready the children for use in the ritual. All offering or sacrifices are consecrated and dedicated to their purpose prior to use," Viconia replied casually. "What concerns me is that such dedications do not wane over time."
"The Bhaalspawn killings," Avress blurted out in sudden understanding.
"Oaks of Silvanus! You are right. Even if they were not ritually dedicated, the more Bhaalspawn killed, the stronger the essence would grow," Jaheira said with horror.
"The question that remains is what the Five intended for the essence," Keldorn added.
"I had intended to seize it for myself," Sarevok replied. "Why bring back my sire when I could claim godhood for myself?"
"Not everyone would desire godhood," Jaheira frowned. "The Time Of Troubles proved that divinity guarantees nothing. Mortal politics is distasteful enough."
"I don't think they desire to become gods themselves," Avress said, shaking her head.
The others looked at her waiting for an explanation. Ringing in her mind, the words of the elven spirits sent a shiver down her spine. So much of what they had spoken of was slowly making sense. They had warned of a god that might return and how the children that 'fed their father'. Avress shuddered. The spirits had also spoken of a treacherous servant. Were her suspicions about Melissan true? The woman was deceitful, that was clear, but was she a puppet or the puppet master?
"The words of the elven spirits suggested that they seek to return Bhaal. Perhaps they believe they will be rewarded for it," Avress spoke thoughtfully.
"Such alliances are not uncommon," Viconia replied. "They are already powerful from what we have heard and with the force of a god behind them they would be even more so. What I do not understand is how they think they can revive Bhaal when much of the power to do so is contained within them."
"So in essence they are pursuing a lie," Avress realized. "Then again, I doubt there is much loyalty between them. They could intend on betraying each other."
"Evil always turns upon itself in the end," Keldorn agreed and shook his head.
"Well, we cannot rely on them to do our work for us," Jaheira grumbled.
"True. Right now we need to-" Avress began but was interrupted.
"Avress! You live! I had heard the sounds of combat and returned this way only to find the giant dead and you gone!"
The sound of Melissan's voice was not at all welcome. Indeed, Avress found her neck prickling with apprehension. Foolish as it was, Avress could almost believe that Melissan had been summoned by her thoughts. Composing herself, Avress turned to greet Melissan. All about them were corpses beginning to swell and decay. Soot and ash drifted down from the burning remains of the town. The woman's heavily embroidered robes were immaculate. Even with magic, Avress doubted the woman's robes could remain so clean if she had been in the middle of the siege.
It was tempting to confront the woman but Avress restrained herself. Melissan was still an unknown factor in the current chaos. Previously she'd held back her accusations, hoping Melissan might have been what she'd appeared to be. Now it worked to her advantage to let Melissan think her well duped. Hopefully that would enable Avress to figure out what role Melissan truly played. To that end she would act at being a slightly naive do-gooder.
"Greetings, Melissan. We found the secret to Yaga-Shura invincibility and he has fallen but I regret it was too late..." Avress said sadly.
"Then... then no other Bhaalspawn have survived."
"Some of the townsfolk escaped but if Bhaalspawn were included in their number I don't know. Can you tell us any more? Were you able to save any?" Avress replied with just the right amount of sincerity in her voice.
"I tried to get the Bhaalspawn out... but it was too late. Yaga-Shura seemed to think you were in the city and was eager to seek you out. He... slaughtered them all, and there was nothing I could do. A mere handful of peasants and myself escaped the destruction and fled. I was at a loss... I had no idea where you were until I heard your battle, when I returned as quickly as I could. Saradush... destroyed. And everyone I tried to protect for so long, all dead. At least you killed Yaga-Shura. May he rot in Hell as he deserves!"
Although impassioned, the woman's words had fell flat to her ears. It was as if she was reciting a script. Even if she had not distrusted Melissan, it would have seemed a little strange that Melissan had not been able to save even one Bhaal-child. Around her Avress could feel her companions stir. They too did not believe the story.
"Yaga-Shura is dead but the other members of the Five remain. You said you had information on Yaga-Shura's allies? Please share it with us," Avress spoke infusing her voice with new determination.
"Yaga-Shura did have allies. They were all Children of Bhaal... and they number amongst the most powerful of your kin in all of Faerun," Melissand began. "One of them was named Illasera. It was she who hounded my protected Bhaalspawn earlier and forced us to flee to Saradush, but she left weeks ago and disappeared into the elven forests."
"I battled with Illasera and she no longer lives. She was a mage of some skill."
"Illasera was known for her skill in magic but more so in her ability to find those that didn't want to be found. I believe she was the huntress of the Five."
"She mentioned she had... trophies. Still, she did not seem close to Yaga-Shura's power," Avress said.
"You are correct but Illasera had her uses," Melissand said, her sympathetic smile going somewhat stiff.
"What of the others?" Avress politely reminded.
"I know them by name only- Abazigal and Sendai. Unlike Illasera they have remained hidden. I do know that they are intent on killing all other Bhaalspawn in the land. Alone they are stronger than Yaga-Shura but with their combined power they are unstoppable."
"Why are they doing this? Do you know what they attempt to gain by this wholesale slaughter?" Avress asked, very interested in what Melissand might say.
"I wish I knew. It could be that they believe they will gain power. Perhaps they intend to become gods, themselves. Regardless, they will bring only chaos if they have their way!" Melissand cried.
"How can I be certain of what you say?" Avress challenged, somewhat disappointed by the woman's response. "You seem to know little more than I do."
"Don't underestimate my knowledge, sorceress. I have spent my life tracking down the Five. Without me you would know nothing. As for their intentions... you were attacked by Illasera and Yaga-Shura both. Judge for yourself what their designs are towards you and whether or not they will continue to hunt you, Avress."
"What do you suggest I do, Melissan?" Avress implored, realizing she'd offended the woman. "I cannot let this go on."
"You... you are a powerful woman, Avress. Perhaps they might be a match for you together, but individually... individually you could possibly defeat them. You could stop all of this!" Melissan spoke as if she had just realized this but Avress found there to be something overly practiced in her tones. "I know of two places here in Tethyr where Yaga-Shura's allies have their power centered, where they are building terrible armies for whatever ultimate purpose they possess. I... I can show you where these enclaves are. Yes! And surely you could enter these places and attack these monsters individually! It is dangerous, but it is the only way!"
What a fortunate coincidence, Avress thought to herself. The idea of throwing herself at two powerful and mysterious enemies was not a welcome one. Melissan's plan sounded suspiciously like glorified suicide. Melissan hastened to give Avress a map, which she accepted. Marked upon the map were the lairs of two of the Five. At least it was an improvement to know where the enemy was.
"This map will help greatly but is there nothing else you can do? I may be strong but I hesitate to go unprepared into battle with two such powerful foes," Avress spoke truthfully.
"I have one more ally that I can call upon, although I have been reluctant to involve him in the past. By nature he is reclusive but hopefully with my recommendation he will speak to you," Melissan hastened to assure them. "He runs a monastic order in a remote village in the Calim Desert... It will serve to both hide you from retribution as well as serve as a base from which you can attack the enclaves of Abazigal and Sendai."
"What is this place called?"
"It is called Amkethran. Here I'll mark it upon your map," Melissan said and then inked in where the monastery was. "I will go there now and speak to my friend, Balthazar, and try to arrange things for you. We cannot linger here. We will speak further in Amkethran. Make your way there as soon as possible. Be careful, Avress. You are my last hope... and perhaps the last hope of anyone in Faerun, whether you care about it or not. I will see you in Amkethran."
Again the woman teleported away without waiting for a response.
"At least that woman was marginally helpful this time," Jaheria griped.
"Too helpful, Jaheira," Keldorn replied. "I fear that we are being led into a trap. Laying siege to two well protected armies is madness. I also suspect that with the death of Yaga-Shura, our enemies are well warned."
"What of Amkethran? I have heard good things of that place," Jaheria supplied.
"I know little of it but if Melissan recommended it, I find myself suspicious," Keldorn sighed.
"Viconia, what do you say?" Avress asked.
"That human lies and deceives as much as a drow but she does so without any skill. She becomes less and less able to maintain her lies. That worries me abbil. It suggests that she no longer feels a need to hide her deceitfulness."
Avress had the feeling that Viconia was right. If Melissan didn't have to lie then it suggested that it was too late for them to wriggle out of the trap being set for them. Unfortunately, they had limited options and Melissan seemed to know that. Reflexively her fists clenched. She might be forced to play the game fate had set but Avress wasn't going to let Melissan pick her path. Avress turned towards Sarevok who had remained silent but watchful during the discussion about Melissan. Something pricked and irritated the edges of her thoughts. He had been too silent.
"Sarevok, did you know of Melissan?" Avress asked.
"I have heard nothing of her and I have not met her during life or death. If I had, she would have had her entrails fed to carrion crawlers while still alive."
His reply was graphic but honest. For a moment, Avress weighed and assessed it in her mind. She began to wonder if her instincts were misguided but there was something... something he wasn't telling her. The large warrior glared down his nose at her. Avress once again wished she were taller. Her hackles had arisen at Sarevok's gibe but Avress forced her irritation down. His attempt at riling her was a distraction.
"If you did not know Melissan... then did you know of the Five?"
Instantly, Avress knew he had. For a fraction of a second, the burning arrogance he projected flickered. Sarevok's face darkened with rage as realization flooded her own features. He clearly disliked that she had read him.
"I was... approached," Sarevok ground out. "An ambassador, of sorts, was sent to me congratulating my rise to power and flattering my ambitions. He suggested there were others equally powerful and that together Bhaal would rise again. He was a tiresome worm and I had his head decorate a pike."
"Because they wished to resurrect Bhaal and you wanted to become a god yourself?"
"Yes. That was when I thought I could precipitate the process."
"The iron shortage," Avress whispered to herself.
All the pieces were falling into place. It almost made her laugh with exhaustion. Brushing the loosened tendrils of hair from her face, Avress forced herself to think clearly. Sarevok had been one of the strongest of the Bhaalspawn. It had made sense that he would have been invited to join them. Sarevok's invitation also gave Avress a rough estimate of how long the Five had been active. Less than five years was a horrifyingly short time to have gained so much power. Of course, Avress suspected they had been strong from the beginning.
"Is there anything else that you know of them?"
"No. The ambassador was careful to avoid specifics and when tortured I found he had been hired to recruit me but knew nothing of who he was hired by. I investigated...," Sarevok said as if it was obvious. "...but I found little more. I do know that someone brought the Five together. The investigators sent to find out who the master was were killed."
So, they had been set up to do someone else's dirty work, Avress thought. It made perfect sense. As Viconia had said, the Five had large amounts of essence within them and for Bhaal to return, they would have to die too. What better plan than to have the Five remove the other Bhaalspawn and then be removed in turn by her. Then there would only be the puppetmaster. To bad Avress wasn't in the mood to do someone else's dirty work.
"What you have said is similar to something the elven spirits mentioned. They spoke of someone that deceived the Five. I've been wondering if that person is Melissan."
"Are you sure, Avress? If she is behind this, why would she lower herself to the role mere messenger? It could be that she is a hireling like the ambassador sent to Sarevok," Jaheira questioned.
"Perhaps she wished to assess our weaknesses," Keldorn suggested.
"If that... woman... is planning to betray the Five, then who else could she trust to lead you to the others?" Sarevok growled.
"Whether she is the ultimate master doesn't matter," Viconia interrupted. "We must find a plan that gets us out of this web. If we walk the path Melissan has provided, we give our enemy the luxury of setting more traps for us."
"I agree but I'm not sure how we will go about this. The Five must not be allowed to return Bhaal. That means killing them and yet doing so makes it all the more likely for their plans to be completed," Avress spoke with frustration.
"Then we have a riddle that cannot be solved. This does not surprise me, child. The gods themselves have decreed that this must take place. Now we must do so with as little risk to our lives as possible," Jaheira soothed.
"You are right, Jaheira," Avress agreed with a small smile. "For now lets at least look like we're following Melissan's 'advice'."