CHAPTER ONE
--Now--
Nyrendra hobbled through the door of the Copper Coronet, leaning partially on Minsc's shoulder for support. There had been several skirmishes while their party was trying to escape Irenicus' dungeon, and the few healing spells Jaheria had were gone for the day. No one had wanted to stop and rest until they were clear of the dungeon.
She glanced at Belgar in concern. Out of all of them, he was wounded the most, both physically and spiritually, yet he refused to be helped. He always walked on his own, no matter what. Imoen, his "little sis", had been taken from them shortly after they had emerged from the dungeon. And she knew that the deaths of Khalid and Dyhaneir hung heavy on his conscience
Nyrendra had traveled with him for only a short time, but she knew Belgar to me honest, righteous and caring. He had come to her aid more than once, throwing himself in the line of danger to protect her.
He hadn't even really wanted to stop now. They had 20,000 gold coins to raise, and that would take a very long time. But Jaheria had convinced him that they should get a good nights rest, and start fresh first thing in the morning. Jaheria annoyed the HELL outta Nyrendra most of the time, but this evening Nyrendra was glad for the half-elf's forceful personality.
Minsc helped Nyrendra to a seat, then went off to find food for her, himself and Boo. Nyrendra smiled. She loved Minsc to no end, and Boo was such a cute little squeaker! From the moment she had joined the party, Minsc had taken her under his wing, acted as sort of a big brother to her. He had been even a bit more protective while they were in the dungeon, now that...no she didn't want to think about the dead.
Instead she thought about being in Athkalta. Gods, it had been years, but it almost seemed like yesterday. When they had been going through the Promenade, she had seen so many familiar thoughts, heard echoes and saw ghosts from her past practically everywhere.
Now that she was in the slums, things were a bit different. She had never gone there before, her parents forbade it. Now she could see why. She had been there only an hour, and already had received several...unique offers, that usually involved a great deal of wine, a soft bed, herself and the male who was proposing said escapade.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an armor clad figure striding towards her table. Nyrendra drew her hood up tighter around her head, as if to shield herself. She chose to ignore him, hoping he would go away. She really was in no mood for another "proposal" of that sorts.
"Fair lady, what brings you to this cesspool of corruption?"
Heh, that's a new one, Nyrendra thought to herself. Drawing her hood back, she whipped around to face the man, her eyes blazing angrily. "Listen..." she began. The next phrase died in her throat, and she mouthed a couple of words silently, trying to get her mind working again. Finally she managed to splutter, "A..Anomen?"
The man look startled for a moment, then slowly recognition dawned on his face. "Nyrendra," he said, more of a statement than a question. Nyrendra managed to nod.
The two were still staring at each other when Minsc returned with the food.
Nyrendra hobbled through the door of the Copper Coronet, leaning partially on Minsc's shoulder for support. There had been several skirmishes while their party was trying to escape Irenicus' dungeon, and the few healing spells Jaheria had were gone for the day. No one had wanted to stop and rest until they were clear of the dungeon.
She glanced at Belgar in concern. Out of all of them, he was wounded the most, both physically and spiritually, yet he refused to be helped. He always walked on his own, no matter what. Imoen, his "little sis", had been taken from them shortly after they had emerged from the dungeon. And she knew that the deaths of Khalid and Dyhaneir hung heavy on his conscience
Nyrendra had traveled with him for only a short time, but she knew Belgar to me honest, righteous and caring. He had come to her aid more than once, throwing himself in the line of danger to protect her.
He hadn't even really wanted to stop now. They had 20,000 gold coins to raise, and that would take a very long time. But Jaheria had convinced him that they should get a good nights rest, and start fresh first thing in the morning. Jaheria annoyed the HELL outta Nyrendra most of the time, but this evening Nyrendra was glad for the half-elf's forceful personality.
Minsc helped Nyrendra to a seat, then went off to find food for her, himself and Boo. Nyrendra smiled. She loved Minsc to no end, and Boo was such a cute little squeaker! From the moment she had joined the party, Minsc had taken her under his wing, acted as sort of a big brother to her. He had been even a bit more protective while they were in the dungeon, now that...no she didn't want to think about the dead.
Instead she thought about being in Athkalta. Gods, it had been years, but it almost seemed like yesterday. When they had been going through the Promenade, she had seen so many familiar thoughts, heard echoes and saw ghosts from her past practically everywhere.
Now that she was in the slums, things were a bit different. She had never gone there before, her parents forbade it. Now she could see why. She had been there only an hour, and already had received several...unique offers, that usually involved a great deal of wine, a soft bed, herself and the male who was proposing said escapade.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an armor clad figure striding towards her table. Nyrendra drew her hood up tighter around her head, as if to shield herself. She chose to ignore him, hoping he would go away. She really was in no mood for another "proposal" of that sorts.
"Fair lady, what brings you to this cesspool of corruption?"
Heh, that's a new one, Nyrendra thought to herself. Drawing her hood back, she whipped around to face the man, her eyes blazing angrily. "Listen..." she began. The next phrase died in her throat, and she mouthed a couple of words silently, trying to get her mind working again. Finally she managed to splutter, "A..Anomen?"
The man look startled for a moment, then slowly recognition dawned on his face. "Nyrendra," he said, more of a statement than a question. Nyrendra managed to nod.
The two were still staring at each other when Minsc returned with the food.