A/N: Well, almost end of the line. Everything's prettymuch planned out from here on in. I'm sort of doing this in reverse order- I've got the last chapter written, and the second last more than half done. There are two chapters that I haven't started, plus one little extra side excursion I'm contemplating still. Few tips of the hat in this chapter. Anyways, thanks for all the reviews...be patient with the pace I'm putting up the chapters. I'm trying to make the waiting worth it.

Well, crap.

"Easy now, general. Let's neither of us doing anything rash."

Two full companies of Tethyrian shock troopers were primed and ready to try and take us. It was about three to one with all my friends behind me, but I knew we could take them. Sort of. I didn't want any bloodshed. It simply wasn't necessary. We were the good guys, after all.

"C'mon, no need for this. Everyone walks away."

The general shook his head. He was an older type, with lots of little scars on his face. He really didn't want to do this, I could tell. I just needed to convince him.

"You destroyed Saradush. I'm under orders to take you back, dead or alive, to my liege."

He didn't want to, I could see it in his eyes.

"Look, General. I appreciate that, I really do. We've got two Knights of the Most Radiant Heart with us. Think they'd level a city like that?"

"I don't know. You're a bhaalspawn, you could be controlling them."

"Yeah, I'm a bhaalspawn, I could fly or be invulnerable or turn into a bowl of blueberry pudding at a whim. Anything's possible if you're looking for excuses. If I could mind control them, why don't I just mind control you?"

"Touche."

He was wily, and know

"Yeah. Listen, let's boil this down for you. I've got twenty or so men and women who are famous up and down the Coast and Amn. We can take you, no problem, but don't want to hurt you. We're soft and fuzzy on the inside like that."

"You travel with Sarevok!"

"Err...yes. He's my brother, sort of. We have a history. He's my brother...well, more than any other bhaalspawn."

"He's a criminal. Rumor has it he's tried to kill you."

"Yeah, but he's our criminal. And yes, he's tried to kill me a few times, but who hasn't?"

That got a few raised eyebrows. Jaheira punched me in the shoulder.

"Brass tacks, General- if you try to arrest us, we'll be forced to kill you fine folk. On the off chance you can subdue us, there won't be many of you left to do so. We've got some arch-magi, some rangers, some knights...yeah, a bard or two...hey, that's Valygar Corthas, he's an Amnian noble..."

I was turning my back to the general, pointing out my friends, and relating small stories about them. I turned back, boasting about Minsc's fighting prowess and noticed the General tapping his foot impatiently with the point of his sword in the sand. Then, it struck me.

"JAN! Jan, come up here and talk to the fine General!"

There were gasps, and the crowd parted. I could see the soldiers tense, prepare for the onslaught of some demonic beast. They were sort of relieved when the dreaded Jan proved to be nothing more than a rotund gnome with a bizarre looking set of gear.

"Well, a fine hello General!"

From there, a potentially life-threatening situation became merely amusing.

"Why, look at all these fine young men, all ready to try to drag us off to some dank, dingy prison cell! Why, I should tell you about the time my Cousin Biddy Tiborg Jansen was thrown in jail for such a minor felony as juggling goslings. The juggling of baby geese was all the rage, back in the day.."

"Yes, that's all fine and good but..."

"-of course, the local gendarmes objected to this, being a melon-juggler himself. Twas the principal form of entertainment in the county. All the bards and musicians were flat out of business! So, one day, my Cousin Biddy was minding his own affairs, walking to market with about five of these goslings in the air and another two in the hand! Not a word of a lie my friend, he intended to trade them for the local produce, which at the time was the rutabaga."

"Shut up!"

"Why, that's rude. So, Cousin Biddy was heading to market, and the sheriff comes upon him and asks what exactly he's doing. My cousin, ever the strong silent type..."

"Enough! Fine, it's not worth the trouble. But we'll be watching. And if you speak another word, gnome, I'll enjoy killing you."

The General threw up his arms in frustration, stalked away. I could hear him muttering something about being a monk's problem now. I shrugged to myself. I had told him I was here to hunt my siblings, and he hadn't believed me.

Nearby was an oasis, of all things. A huge pool of water sat there, glistening, reminding me of a lake near Beregost. I looked it over, leant over. I stared at the reflection. Some battle-scarred person stared back at me. Pointed ears, short-cropped brown hair a mess. His face was scarred all to hell, and his eyes were dark as the dead of night. It took awhile, but I realized that was me. It had been awhile since I had seen myself. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath. Maybe the heat was getting to me. A small hand ran along the back of my neck.

"What's the matter, love?"

"Nothing, Aerie."

"Really?"

"No."

Just a little further, I reminded myself. I opened my eyes, and she was there, hand on my shoulder. Everyone sat around the oasis, staring at me while pretending to fill skins or...well, some were pretty obvious about it.

"I just need to relax, Aerie. And so does everyone else."

I started stripping off armor plates. Everyone looked at me funny. There was danger about, and I was taking off my armor. And then my shirt. Some backed away. Sarevok's hand strayed dangerously near his blade. I shed my armor. Then, stripping off my shirt, I turned to look at my friends. All their faces were concerned or questioning, except Minsc's. He understood. I spread my arms, closed my eyes.

"Nooooooo!"

I fell backwards, splashing loudly into the water. There had been steel, there. There had been steel waiting for me. But I didn't care. The water was warm as it rushed over my head, through my breeches. I broke the surface, paddling backwards towards where the oasis was deeper.

"Water's fine, everyone."

Those closest to me glared, then broke into smiles. Aerie giggled, throwing aside her robes and diving in wearing only her underwear and bra. Within twenty minutes, almost thirty full grown men and women were frolicking like otters.

"Stop splashing, Boo is becoming wet!"

Minsc held the hamster overhead, as Jan snuck up behind him. I tried to watch everyone, but there was just too much going on. Sarevok and Viconia curled against one another, floating idly. Imoen was trying to outswim Nalia and Eldoth, while Mazzy tried not to drown playing Marco Polo. Most of the dwarves stood along the banks of the tiny lake, talking. I figured they weren't big on the swimming. Still, It was something of a nice stopover before Amekethran.

I spread my arms, stared up at the sky until I felt two forms come up against me. Jaheira and Aerie stared each other down above me. I shook my head. I floated on as best I could, trying not to think about it. I didn't need that kind of grief. Minutes turned into hours. Some retreated back to the beach, had an impromptu meal. I stayed in the water, enjoying the weightlessness. I drifted to shore, where Yeslick sat. He smoked a pipe idly.

"You know, it's just getting cruel. You're going to have to choose between Aerie and Jaheira eventually."

"I know. I just have better things to do right now than alienate family."

"Family?"

"Outside of Gorion and a few others in Candlekeep -who I'm not sure are even alive anymore- you people are considered all but family."

"I figured as much. Makes it kind of creepy when you talk about the womenfolk."

"Eww. That's uncalled for, Yeslick."

"Just a thought. Happens in the autumn years, you know. Have you decided what you're going to do once this is over?"

"Yeah, a little. I think I'm going to head off on my own. I've pushed everyone too far, too fast. They have the right to live their lives without me constantly sending them into harm's way."

"Yeah, but then again, maybe that's where some of them want to be. With you, even if it is in harm's way."

"I just feel like I'm taking from them some days."

"Understandable, I guess. I'm surprised you haven't taken my advice."

"I know. Me too, actually. Aerie's a hell of a girl. But she deserves more than I can give her right now."

"So you say. Can I impart one final piece of advice to you, godling?"

"Sure, though I doubt it'll be your last."

"Get out of the water, your fingers are getting pruney."