Heritage of Evil:Loyalty
Sunlight streamed through narrow windows placed high above a spacious chamber, reflecting off an impressive display of weapons that hung from the walls. One side of the room was a blaze of light as dozens of brightly polished shields winked across the floor at examples of almost every killing tool that existed in the realms. Two figures moved on the unfurnished floor, oblivious to the display around them, as they put their own weapons to use.
The smaller, unarmoured, fighter feinted to one side, and swept a leg out to trip her opponent, a lightly armoured woman with a lean, muscular build. The armoured woman deftly stepped out of the way, and used the opportunity to press an attack, using her shield and weight advantage to back the other woman into a corner.
"Do you yield, Shann?" the attacker asked as she raised a mace to strike her opponent.
"Not just yet," Shann grinned ferally as she hastily mumbled a short spell. A quick twist of her dagger bounced a ray of light directly into the other woman's eyes, temporarily blinding her. Shann quickly muttered an incantation before her opponent's vision cleared, and four identical duplicates of herself flickered into existence. Which of us is real? Shann gloated silently as she moved to make her next blow a crippling one.
"Blasted cleric!" Shann cursed seconds later when the priestess Tamoko chanted a spell, and her duplicates faded away. Tamoko grinned as she parried Shann's sword strike. I can't take her in a straight fight, Shann thought, and called on her last trump card, her innate ability to turn invisible.
Tamoko rolled to one side before Shann could reach her, and once more cast a spell, bringing her opponent back into view. They fought for a few minutes more, but Shann was forced to accept defeat.
"You've gotten much better," Shann said, wiping the sweat from her face with her sleeve, and giving her kara-turan opponent a look of respect.
"I've been practicing, but it's nice to spar with you again. There's a bit of tactics involved. Most of my sparring matches are with Sarevok, and he's a lot more direct in his fighting methods," Tamoko said, as they left Sarevok's training room and headed for the bathhouse.
"Sarevok's not subtle, but he gets the job done," Shann agreed. "By the way, why didn't you go with him on his latest mission?"
"There's no honour in Sarevok's recent battles. He's leading mercenaries against naught but small bands of gnolls and goblins. Just petty nuisances," Tamoko replied.
"Eliminating those petty nuisances is one of the main things making the people love Sarevok. They don't know how many abusive merchants and nobles he's removed from Baldur's Gate," Shann said.
"I do not understand why Sarevok cannot simply hire lesser men to protect the peasants," Tamoko complained. "He is so busy that I rarely get to see him anymore."
"That's what you get for falling in love with a rising power," Shann said, smiling broadly. "It was Sarevok's drive to be the best that attracted you in the first place. You know very well that part of Sarevok's plan relies on public image, and the people love someone who is willing to risk his own life, and doesn't hide behind guards."
"I know, but I am afraid that soon Sarevok will have no place for me in his grandiose plans," Tamoko said sadly as she walked away.
Every time I come back here, there are new people, Shann thought a short time later as she walked idly through the estate, covertly observing Sarevok's followers. The spacious halls and rooms were grander than most estates nowadays, and you could tell that the place had originally been more of a fortress, than a house. Neglected for years, and allowed to decay under a succession of unappreciative owners, the ancient dwelling had once more become a proud fortress.
For almost two years, Shann had been helping Sarevok build a clandestine empire in Baldur's Gate. It worried her that Sarevok still pretended to be working for the cruel Reiltar, but Sarevok insisted he needed Reiltar to present a respectable front for society, and for the Iron Throne organization. Sarevok is a bit young to be an accepted leader, but his influence is growing.
"I have an assignment for you," a soft voice said, breaking into Shann's reminiscing, and she turned around to see a tall figure, his black clothes merging with the shadows along the corridor, walking towards her.
"Winski," she said, acknowledging the man who had served as a mentor for Sarevok since he was a child. "I was hoping to see Sarevok before I had to leave again; we haven't spoken for more than a few minutes in months. Is this assignment urgent?"
"There is a merchant based in the town of Lorshand who has been making inappropriate inquiries into the ownership of certain businesses," Winski said, clasping his hands behind his back and speaking in a lecturing tone. "This Tomis possesses knowledge that could jeopardize Sarevok's position. The extent of Sarevok's holdings and followers must not become public knowledge."
"Can't you just pay this Tomis to keep quiet?" Shann asked.
"Our business rivals would likely pay Tomis more than we are willing to match," Winski said. "Besides, he owns an extensive caravan fleet that would aid our supply lines immensely. See to it that the authorities find out about the merchant's illegal activities, and I will make sure it is one of our people who take over his businesses."
Reluctantly, Shann left for Lorshand. No wonder Tamoko is a better fighter than I am. All I ever do is covert investigations. I rarely have the chance to wrestle with more than locks and papers. Her mood did not improve during the ride to her destination, and when Shann reached the house of the Anchev agent in Lorshand she grabbed the stack of papers he had prepared on the merchant Tomis's activities, with the barest acknowledgement of the agent's greeting, and headed up to her room to study the information.
Hours later, Shann was no longer bored, but had instead become worried. This Tomis was different from her usual targets. There was nothing in his background that suggested he was anything other than a decent man, who no doubt thought it was his duty to expose Sarevok's covert activities. I have to know for sure, she thought, and walked invisibly to the merchant's house early the next morning.
She searched his house carefully, and found no incriminating evidence. Tomis lived in a modest house, well within his official income. In a small office, Shann found notes he had written about the weapon trader who brought Sarevok's organization to Tomis's attention. A simple mention by the weaponer of the company he worked for, that Tomis recognized as the same company that owned a jewel exchange he had carried goods for. Nothing truly suspicious, but Tomis was curious enough to investigate further, and eventually had discovered that the Anchev holdings were more extensive than any other political faction in Baldur's Gate.
Tomis is a good man, Shann thought sadly. But Winski is right, he could destroy all that we have worked for. I have no choice, the threat to Sarevok's organization must be removed. Maybe, maybe he will listen to reason, and see that the common people are better off under Sarevok's rule.
Winski was waiting for Shann when she returned to the estate in Baldur's Gate. She had just passed by the guard stationed outside, when he stalked up to her and dragged her into his office.
"You failed," Winski said harshly.
"I did not fail," Shann said calmly. "The merchant Tomis is no longer a threat to the organization."
"You were to see to it that he was tried and found guilty of criminal activities," Winski said.
"I found no signs of corruption in the merchant's business or personal life," Shann said sharply.
"So?" Winski replied. "You have planted evidence on troublesome targets before."
"My previous targets were corrupt men, who were guilty of greater crimes than those I helped frame them for," Shann said, crossing her arms, and glaring up at the mage. "Tomis was a decent man, and the least I could do was give him the option of fleeing. He transferred his holdings to our organization for less than half their actual value, and he understands that he will not live long if he is fool enough to return to any lands close to Baldur's Gate."
"Fool," Winski said coldly. "You worry too much about irrelevancies. Sarevok's destiny is more important than all the citizens of Baldur's Gate. I have tolerated you, and that kara-turan, because Sarevok is unwisely fond of both of you. But I will not allow you to weaken his resolve with the petty concerns of lesser men."
"Sarevok's destiny?" Shann said.
"His destiny to destroy his Bhaalspawn siblings, and become a god," Winski said coldly. "I will no longer tolerate these games. I know you and Tamoko have been working to confuse Sarevok, to convince him that his divine heritage is a curse, and not the blessing it so obviously is."
"I did not realize you know Sarevok is a Bhaalspawn," Shann said, wondering how long Winski had known. Does Winski know I am also a Bhaalspawn, she thought, starting to panic. No, Sarevok has not told him, or he would not talk so calmly to me of Sarevok destroying all his siblings.
"I will see the boy achieve the greatness he deserves. We leave for Candlekeep today; I have finally convinced Sarevok that you may have misled him about what you learned there concerning his divine heritage," Winski said, dismissing Shann.
I thought I had convinced Sarevok that claiming our Father's power was not possible, Shann thought uneasily as she brooded in her room that evening. What else have I been wrong about?
Shann refused to be distracted by accepting another mission, and when Sarevok and Winski were at Candlekeep, she searched the estate for records detailing the daily operations of the Anchev organization. Her connections with the Thieves Guild also proved helpful in Shann's quest to find out how the Anchev businesses were being administered.
Two weeks later, Shann strode into Tamoko's room. "You are Sarevok's lover," she said, accusingly. "You must have known how he's been acting lately."
"He doesn't listen to me anymore," Tamoko said, not bothering to refute Shann's statement.
"It doesn't even make sense," Shann exclaimed, dropping a pile of notes on Tamoko's richly embroidered rug, and starting to pace around the room. "Years ago, even before I came to work for him, Sarevok would replace abusive landlords and merchants with decent people, who treated the workers and tenants with respect. His businesses, both legitimate and black market, thrived, and even the Iron Throne began to deal with Sarevok, albeit with Reiltar as the front man, on an equal basis. All Sarevok had to do was wait, and in time he would have become one of the richest men on the sword coast."
"Sarevok wants more than wealth," Tamoko said quietly.
"Sarevok has started to treat his people like chattel," Shann said angrily, giving no sign she had heard Tamoko. "Look at this," she said, kicking one of the fallen papers with her foot. "Less than two months ago, for no reason at all, he cut the dockworkers' pay by almost twenty percent. And for what? A miniscule increase in profits."
"They're still paid more than they were before Sarevok took over," Tamoko observed.
"I'm sure that comforts them," Shann growled. "I haven't even mentioned the outright malicious acts Sarevok's been engaging in."
"The bandits," Tamoko said.
"Yes! The bandits," Shann stated. "With so many real threats to deal with, why would Sarevok create new ones? Unless he wants the citizens to be afraid. If Sarevok's alliance with those bandits is made public; he'll lose the regard of both the nobles and commoners that he's worked so hard to gain. Even the Iron Throne, with it's own often suspect activities, will condemn Sarevok's association with those pillaging murderers."
"I know, but Sarevok thinks he is more than a man, and above men's laws," Tamoko said sadly.
"Even worse," Shann said, practically hissing the words. "The stupid bastard has reopened the Cloakwood Mines."
"I don't know about any mines," Tamoko said.
"Don't you?" Shann said suspiciously, but Tamoko seemed sincere. "He's using slaves to work the mines."
With nothing more to be said, Shann left Tamoko, and waited tensely for Sarevok's return. She spent most of her time lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. I kept hoping Sarevok would see through Bhaal's lies as I did, but I never started doubting until after I killed my Drow masters, and had no more goals to focus on. Sarevok is never satisfied, no matter how many successes he has. There is always more for him to strive for. I will speak to him, but Sarevok cannot possibly convince me he has a good reason for using slave labour.
Shann resolved to seek out Sarevok as soon as he came back to the estate, but she was summoned to a meeting with him before she could go confront him. A young, and visibly nervous, messenger escorted Shann to Sarevok, who was waiting for her in his training room. He waved at the messenger to leave, and smiled without warmth at Shann when they were alone.
"Winski was right, you have been hiding things from me," Sarevok stated.
"I am not the one with secrets," Shann said bitterly. "How dare you make me a party to slavery!"
"I care not for such minor matters," he said dismissively, ignoring the deepening scowl on Shann's face. "Why didn't you tell me about my Bhaalspawn brother in Candlekeep?"
"What are you talking about," Shann said, startled enough to let the issue of the Cloakwood slaves rest awhile.
"That annoying little whelp, Gorion's ward!" Sarevok said, sputtering with indignation. "I left him alive, for now, but I will have to return and destroy him, and that guardian of his, when I am more powerful."
"Wait, you mean Tiswash is a Bhaalspawn?" Shann said, surprised. "I didn't know that, but even if it is true, there's no reason to hurt him. The boy was far too self-righteous to ever contemplate fighting other Bhaalspawn. I'm sure the idea of becoming the new lord of murder would be absolutely repugnant to him."
"He's no more harmless than the others I've hunted down," Sarevok declared. "Perhaps even more dangerous because he's being brought up by Gorion, who I'm sure is affiliated with those manipulative Harpers."
What others? Shann thought, watching Sarevok warily.
"It would be foolish of me to let one of my siblings live," Sarevok continued. "Don't you agree, sister?"
Sarev? What are you doing? Shann thought, standing frozen with shock as Sarevok drew his sword and began moving towards her. She stumbled back, and looked with disbelief at Sarevok, whose brown eyes were starting to shine with an unnatural yellow glow.
"I am sorry, Shann," he said, sounding genuinely sad. "You have been useful, and I had hoped to save you until the end, but Winski said you are too dangerous to keep around. I will miss you."
"Shevarash damn you," she spat as she pulled a shield down from the wall. She threw it in front of her, holding it with both hands, just as Sarevok's sword slashed down, denting the shield with the force of the blow, and driving Shann to her knees. If he hits me once, I'm dead, and I don't have my swords or my spell components. I didn't think Sarevok would ever hurt me.
Sarevok grunted as he hefted his sword again, and roared with laughter when Shann rolled to one side, and disappeared. "Give up now, and I'll make it quick," he promised, and then let his sword drop to the floor, and closed his eyes.
Gods curse him, Shann thought, and tried to still her breathing. She looked towards the nearest door which was more than fifty paces away. The only other exit was half again that distance at the other end of the room. Sarevok is sure to hear my footsteps, and would reach me before I made it half way to the closest door. A muscle in her cheek began to twitch nervously when Sarevok began moving towards her hiding place, using his sword to slice through the air around him.
Shann's face grew calm, and she looked first at the bent shield in her hands, and then towards an immense tower shield hanging on the wall behind her. She took a deep breath, and then lunged forwards. Sarevok's head turned towards the sound of her feet hitting the floor, but before he could approach her, Shann clouted the hanging shield with the one in her hands, and a loud clang rang out, and started to echo in the cavernous chamber.
The ringing only lasted a few seconds, but it was long enough for Shann to reach the farthest door, and open it before Sarevok could move more than a few paces towards her. She stepped away from the door, back into the training room, and watched as Sarevok rushed by her into the narrow hallway. She could hear him racing down the corridor, bellowing words she could not quite make out.
The training room was silent for many minutes before Shann stopped trembling, and glided carefully towards the door Sarevok had not left by. Worried that the estate guards may have been mobilized to find her; Shann made her way to the back of the kitchen store rooms, and settled down to sleep behind a stack of wine barrels.
When she woke up after a short nap, Shann peered cautiously out at the kitchen workers, who were preparing dinner. There was no mention of a hunt for a traitor, and Shann felt confident enough to walk out into the corridor, although she kept her invisibility shield up. The few guards she passed also made no sign of being on the lookout for her. She made her way to Tamoko's chambers without meeting any trouble.
"Tamoko?" Shann asked hesitantly, after searching Tamoko's room twice for any sign of traps or spying devices.
Tamoko jumped when Shann materialized in front of her. "Shann! Thank the gods you're still here. Sarevok has been worried he scared you away for good."
"Sarevok has been ...," Shann said. "Tamoko, he tried to kill me."
"I know, he told me," Tamoko said, nervously twisting a length of her hair between her fingers. "He said madness came over him, but he won't let it happen again."
"Did he say anything about denying Bhaal?" Shann demanded.
"No," Tamoko admitted.
"Then Sarevok's madness will increase," Shann said. "I can't stay."
"Sarevok is truly sorry, he cried when he told me of his rage. For a moment he was almost like the man he used to be," Tamoko said, tears forming in her eyes. "I want him back."
"I've been thinking about that," Shann said. "The more victories Sarevok has, the more power he gains, the more he believes he is destined for godhood. The only way Sarevok will learn his divine blood does not make him invincible, is to teach him he can still be defeated."
"Sarevok has lost some of our sparring matches, not many, but I do win sometimes," Tamoko said. "He knows he can be defeated in battle."
"That's not real defeat," Shann said. "He needs to know his grand empire can be destroyed," she explained.
"To lose his empire, and become just another man," Tamoko said, beginning to understand Shann. It did not take much for Shann to convince Tamoko that the best thing for Sarevok would be to work against him.
"I shall begin by closing down the detestable Cloakwood Mines," Shann determined. "You should come with me, Tamoko, it is not safe for you here."
"I have nothing to worry about; I am no Bhaalspawn," Tamoko said with a weak smile.
"This is no time for jesting," Shann said, grabbing Tamoko's arm. "Winski already detests you for telling Sarevok he is being misled by Bhaal. What do you think will happen if either of them find out you do not worship the Celestial Bureaucracy?"
"I do worship the Celestial Bureaucracy," Tamoko insisted, looking around the room furtively.
"Maybe you do," Shann acknowledged. "But your divine powers come from Cyric. Not a god I'd trust to aid any child of Bhaal."
"Cyric murdered Bhaal, and took his place as god of murder, I know," Tamoko sighed. "I don't really trust him, myself, but Cyric does not want Bhaal to return, and our goals are the same for the moment. To prevent Sarevok from becoming a part of Bhaal's plans for his resurrection. Or are you going to tell me Cyric has lied to me about Bhaal's true designs for his children?"
"No," Shann said, raising a hand in acceptance. "Grandmother also said it was more likely that Bhaal would make plans for his resurrection, than lay the path for a successor. Her knowledge flowed from Ilmater, and he's not a god known for deviousness."
"And Bhaal's plans call for the deaths of the Bhaalspawn, and Sarevok is just another pawn to him," Tamoko said.
"A pawn who is becoming unstable, and dangerous to all who would oppose Bhaal's plans for him," Shann said grimly. "Tamoko, please leave him, and come with me. You are not safe here."
"I can do more here," Tamoko said, shaking her head. "There is a chance I can still reach Sarevok, and make him leave his destructive path."
"A chance so small, it may as well not exist," Shann snapped.
"Yes, I know," Tamoko agreed. "But I can also aid you by staying here. I can keep in touch with you, and let you know what Sarevok is doing. Perhaps, if he is forced to admit he is not infallible, Sarevok will be more willing to listen to my words of reason."
"It makes sense. Still, I do not like leaving you here," Shann said, biting her lip. "Do you remember my friend, Jarond?"
"The cute halfling trader?" Tamoko said, puzzled.
"The cute halfling high-ranking Thieves Guild member, actually," Shann replied. "Before I leave, I'll talk to Jarond, and have him contact you. He should be able to help you keep an eye on things here, and if you run into trouble the thieves' network will aid you."
"That solves the problem of how I'll get messages to you, too," Tamoko grinned. "We may have a chance of making this work."
"We have to make it work," Shann said, looking straight into Tamoko's eyes. "I believe it's the only way we'll break Sarevok free of Father's control."
11